DOMESTIC CRISIS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 30 November 1938, Page 7

DOMESTIC CRISIS

GRAVEST SINCE THE WAR TACED BY FRENCH GOVERNMENT STRICTEST MEASURES BEING TAKEN (UP A—By Electric Telegraph -Copyriehtl (Received 30th November, 1C.50 a.m ) PARIS, 29th November. Facing the gravest domestic crisis since the war the Government has announced a series of strictest measures to meet the strike to-morrow. M. Daladier has claimed farreaching powers, including requisitioning every citizen, private organisp.tfons, railways, shipping and airways in an official ruling for the application of a wartime emergency, to which the majority of members of the Cabinet agreed. The Government has commandeered all mines and allied industries in Alsace. The Government has requisitioned the law courts staffs. and armoured cars are standing by in various areas throughout France to deal with trouble. RIOTING AT VALENCIENNES The first rioting occurred at Valenciennes. where strikers attempted to prevent workers from entering the factories. Mobile guards intervened and wounded and arrested several pickets. Troops occupied several Valenciennes factories. Four hundred strikers, under ths leadership of the Communist deputyi Mayor, seized the public hall at Marly. Strikers sabotaged buses to prevent their use in transporting workers tomorrow. M. Daladier. reporting to President Lebrun, declared: "Harmful propaganda attacking the laws and endeavouring to agitate the country, thereby risking a serious compromise of public order, has a dangerous effect on the foreign situation. The Government is determined to maintain the necessary order.** The Government ordered legal proceedings against MM. Jarrigon and Senard, joint secretaries of the Railways Union, who circularised branches urging a strik.e Sensational reports are current that the French fleet has been ordered to port to help maintain order and the essential services. The crews will be dispatched to Paris and other big centres in cases of trouble. The “Journal Official" has published a decree applying a law passed on 7tii July, 1938, mobilising all public services on a war basis and obliging workers lo attend their posts just as though war had been declared.