170,000 STRIKERS

Southland Times, Issue 22918, 17 June 1936, Page 5

170,000 STRIKERS

.Rapid Extension In Belgium CLASHES WITH POLICE (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rte. 6.30 p.m.) Brussels, June 15. A Committee of Public Order, under the presidency of the Prime Minister (Dr Paul van Zeeland) has been constituted to deal with the strikes, which are rapidly extending. The coal strike, involving 110,000, has become general, while the steel workers have decided to call a general strike at noon. The strikers have stopped the trams running in Liege. The newspaper L’lndependence Beige estimates that the strikers number 170,000. Mounted gendarmes in Liege charged 500 strikers with drawn sabres after the strikers, singing “L’lnternationale” twice attempted to storm the bazaar, under the leadership of the giant Communist Deputy, M. Lahaut, to prevent the shop-girls working. A clash occurred at St. Walburge, where the Commissioner of Police and a gendarme were knocked down and trampled on. Strikers attempted to stop trains at Rocourt. Shots were fired, and three of the police were wounded. The strike has extended to the metallurgical works in the province of Hainault. FRENCH STRIKES ALMOST ENDED POSITION RAPIDLY IMPROVING. (United Press Assn. —Telegraph Copyright.) London, June 15. The Paris correspond ant of The Times says that the “stay-in” strikes have virtually ended. The insurance clerks are expected io resume to-mor-row. The majority of the department stores are still occupied, but the end is believed to be in sight. The position in the provinces is improving with equal rapidity. Four thousand dockers and watchmen are still idle in Paris, and those at Bordeaux and Dunkin also have not resumed.