FIERCE CLASH

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 386, 18 March 1937, Page 5

FIERCE CLASH

DEATHS IN PARIS SUBURB CABINET MEETING CALLED Drastic Government Action. Press Associatten —©opyright. Received 10.30 a.m. Paris, March 17. Four persons were killed and 200 others injured, many being seriously hurt, in fierce rioting between Fascists and supporters of the Popular Front in the industrial quarters of Clichy, a suburb of Paris. The rioting lasted two and a half hours. There were 140 policemen wounded . A meeting of the Cabinet has been called, but reports that it will resign are denied. The Government intends to take drastic action, and will probably ban all meetings likely to disturb the public peace. Workers at the International Exhibition struck following the riots. The clash occurred when the French Social Party, formerly the Croix de Feu organisation, endeavoured to hold a meeting in the Clichy town hall. Supporters of the Popular Front held a counter-demonstration, and the opposing tactions quickly came to blows despite preventive efforts made by the Mayor. Stones, bottles, pieces of iron and other missiles were freely used. There was also considerable firing, mostly from the windows of houses. M. Blum and M. Blumel (secretary to the Premier) hurried to the scene, M. Blum himself urging the Popular Front followers to disband; but the rioting became more violent. One of the bullets hit M. Blumel and narrowly missed the Prime Minister. The Mayor of Clichy was also injured. Mobile guards were called out and charged the rioters. They eventually restored order, but the area is still being parolled.