POLITICAL TENSION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22161, 15 July 1935, Page 9

POLITICAL TENSION

SITUATION IN PARIS FEARS OF DISTURBANCES POLICE TAKE PRECAUTIONS By Telograph—Preaa Association—Copyright (Received July 14, 5.5 p.m.) PARTS. July 13 Although the political atmosphere in Paris is tense and many people are leaving the capital, fearing riots on the national holiday to-mor-row, the day is expected to pass without conflict. The leaders of the rival factions have ordered their followers riot to create disturbances, and processions are likely tc be merely a display of strength.

Colonel de la Rocque, leader of the Croix de Feu (Fiery Cross) organisation, has swallowed his fiery words of J id}' 7, and declares that his speech was misunderstood. He was not a Fascist and was not opposed to Parliamentary government. I his retraction has exasperated Colonel de la Rocque's extremist supporters. The police will strongly man all danger pointsi. All forms of transport will be suspended in the afternoon in order to localise incidents. The Comte do Paris, son of the Due de Guise, head of the Royal House of Bourbon, has issued an appeal for national unity. He says his father and he have watched with anxiety the growth of antagonism between the national and popular fronts. Victory for either would result in ruthless government by a party representing only a fraction of France, whereas a monarchy championed national unity.

The Paris correspondent of the Daily Mail stated on July 7 that Colonel de la Rocque, addressing the Croix de Feu," said they would mobilise, possibly in a fortnight, against the revolutionary plans of MM. I/eon Blum, Edouard Daladier and others. "We will pack off the rotten Parliamentary system and silence the bankers," he said.