RIOTING AND LOOTING.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12569, 9 February 1934, Page 5

RIOTING AND LOOTING.

FURTHER OUTBREAKS IN PARIS. NATIONAL MOURNING. United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. PARIS, February 8. At. Daladier, in a statement, said: “The Government is responsible for order, but refuses to -assure order to-day by exceptional measures TVliicli might involve a bloody suppression. The Government does not wish to employ soldiers against demonstrators, and has consequently resigned.” M. Daladier is supposed to have said when resigning: “Power is not worth such a sacrifice. I won’t have young soldiers firing on crowds.” AI. Daladier’s resignation followed the utmost pressure in many quarters, deputies declaring that otherwise there would be a death-roll of a hundred to-night. A largely-attended meeting of the Right groups, including AIAf. Tardieu and Laval, decided to ask the Presidents of the Senate and Chamber to urge AI. Daladier to resign and allow the formation of a National Government.

The Deputies’ appeal, which is posted on’ every wall in Paris, reads: “On the morrow of the terrible February 6, which is a tragic date in the history of Paris, we respectfully informed the President that the Daladier Alinistry’s resignation was necessary, and that a Government of Public Safety should be formed in order to punish the guilty and repair injustice. We believe that the appeal has been heard, and that therefore mourning Paris will he able to weep over her dead in profound peace.^' Tlie Government has decreed national mourning for those killed, closing the State theatres and flying all flags at half-mast. CROWD OF 50,000. The city was divided between fear and curiosity until nightfall to-day (We cl nes cl a y), with au undertone of apprehensive excitement cine to the threats of some ex-soldiers’ organisations. Alen were engaged throughout the day to repair the damage. Apparently much of the destruction was due to a deliberate purpose to make work for the unemployed. Apparently, also, the war veterans won their battle at the cost of 30 lives. They have turned out the Daladier Ministry and broken the attempt by AI. Frot, Alinister of the Interior, who is the most hated man in France, to form a Socialist dictatorship. With the falling dusk, the crowds in the Place de la Concorde, where incendiaries destroyed the floodlighting plant, passed from restlessness to riotousness, injured two Republican Guards, and began unhorsing others, who were mercilessly beaten. The rioters numbered at least 50,000, and lighted a huge bonfire of benches and branches, damaging the statue of Our Lady of Nantes. The great boulevards were the scene of destructive rioting by Gommnnist guerillas from the industrial outskirts, who massed in the Boulevard de Li Afadelaine. Windows were smashed and shops looted m the Champs Elysees. Ala dame Chiappe, who founded the police hospital, presided over its first-aid department and personally attended the wounded policemen. LOOTING BY RIOTERS. Looting seems to have been the main object of to-night s rioters. They smashed windows, seized goods and disappeared up side streets. When the police charged it was a rat hunt on a grand scale. The troops generally kept out of sight, though standing by in barracks and courtyards. Alounted guards were armed witli carbines with hall ammunition but. as far as possible, only police were employed to keep order. Wireless stations have suspended ordinary programmes and are now broadcasting news half-hourly. The sale of firearms within 50 miles of the capital is prohibited. The proletariat gave a poor response to the Communist newspaper “I/Humanite’s” appeal to re-enact last night’s scenes. Aeroplanes from England are held up at Le Bourget. One contained a, Bress photographer. Fog forced down another photographer at Poix, where he was detained by the authorities. A Communist attack on the Cafe de la Paix, it is feared, led to loss of life. Senator Roliand was dragged from an omnibus to-day and his clothes torn to shreds after he declared that the Garde Alohile should fire on the rioters. I lie Government lias ordered the confiscation of the newspaper “Action Franeaise” for an editorial in which AI Daudet. the editor, says: “At the decisive hour we will he happy to shed our blood, if necessary" for your deliverance and the salvation of tlie nation and wipe out this regime which fTiev call a Republic for the restoration of the King, who alone can free you.” The city was full of heartbreaking sights this morning. Tim Phicde la Concorde is littered with iron bolts, bricks, and lengths of iron piping. The street lambs are smashed, and escaping gas fills the air.

OF? ASTTTCNESS OF THE FIGHTING. All accounts emphasise the ghastliness of the fighting last night. The rioters’ ham-stringing of the horses made the streets slippery with blood. The horses, maddeqed with fear and pain, chased around the I’laoe de la Cc inoorde, turning the streets into a pandemonium. Reports describe the desperation with which the war veterans be-

longing to the “Fiiery Cross,” despite heavy casualties, incessantly assailed the police amid roars of execration as their comrades fell under police bullets. “The police have dared to fire on ex-soldiers, and have killed our comrades. We must get our rifles,” shouted the mob. Columns of war veterans marched the boulevards shouting, “The murderers must resign,” “Down with Daladier.” To-day groups were ominously muttering at what would happen to-night. The Government threatens the immediate suppression of attempts at mass meetings. Alany troops have been withdrawn, but all Government buildings are heavily guarded. A thick fog added to the sinister aspect of the scene of destruction. THE AIASSACRES. Many newspapers voice public indiignation at the “massacres.” Further accounts of the rioting disclose that the mob attacked famous places like Claridge’s and tho Cafe Weber, and looted all the shops in the fashionable thoroughfares in the neighbourhood of the Due de Rivoli, Rue Royale, and Champs Elysees. All shops and Government buildings are now strongly guarded. The employees of the Bourse stopped work at 1.45 this afternoon and shouted uninterruptedly for a quarter of an hour: “Daladier to*the gallows!” “Alurclerer!” Vast crowds in the Place de la Bourse joined in. The police looked on smiling. Suddenly the giant letters of an illuminated sign flashed out, dier resigns.” This was received with thunderous cheers, after which the Bourse resumed work.

At three in the afternoon rioting recommenced in the Boulevard Hausmann, when the police were dispersing a niob in pursuance of the prohibition of street assemblies. Though firing was heard in the neighbourhood of the Champs Elysees at 8 o’clock this evening, and an angry mob was attempting to march in the Elysee Palace, the general situation in Paris was easier at the news that AI. Doumergue, the so-called “Smiling President,” ha 9 agreed to form a Cabinet consisting of ex-Premiers to tide France over the crisis. It is hinted that the new Cabinet may rule without Parliament, which possibly may be immediately dissolved. An official report discloses that three mounted police on duty yesterday disappeared. It is believed they were thrown into the Seine and drowned during the night. Stocks and shares rose following the news of AI. Drfladier’s resignation, and rose again when it was learned that AI. Doumergue had accepted the Premiiership, because he is generally regarded as the only man capable of preventing a revolution.

Aleanwhile the gravity of the situation has been increased by the Federation of Labour’s decision td declare a twenty-four hour strike on February 12 against the menace °f Fascism and in defence of public libertv.