WILD FRENCH SCENE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 2 December 1927, Page 7

WILD FRENCH SCENE

WA'R PENSIONERS’ MEETING

DEMANDS ON GOVERNMENT

LONDON, 22nd November. A congress of war pensioners, comprising 634 delegates from various assoj ciations, ended in a tragic fiasco. It nad assembled in order to form a single federation so as to to be able to more effectively push their common grievances. M J Scapini, a blinded veteran, was elected president, while all the vicepresidents boro visible marks of then war wounds. M. Scapini, in his presidential address, said that he believed that by uniting they would secure full compensation for their sacrifices. The Minister for Pensions, M. Marin, said that they would be treated as fairly as financial limitations would allow. The President, M. Doumergue, congratulated the delegates on their solidarity, blessed their work and withdrew. Immediately hopefulness turned to despair and mockerv Certain delegates refused to hear a former Minister, and began booing liim. Stewards attempted to remove the rowdies and someone started singing the Marseillaise. The tunc was taken up like wildfire, and when the singers reached the words, “Aux Amies, Ciloyens,”_ many belaboured their opponents with sticks and umbrellas.