FASCISTS' THREATS.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20539, 14 February 1935, Page 5

FASCISTS' THREATS.

Campaign for Maintenance of Arms. FRENCH BILL OPPOSED. PARIS, January 5. French Fascist Leagues have sent a letter to every member of the Chamber of Deputies announcing their intention to fight at the next general election all deputies who support the disbanding and disarming Bill. Moreover, the leagues announce that they will transform themselves into secret societies and carry on their activities by underground methods if the Bill is passed. The letter is signed by the Royalist Action Francais, the National Patriotic Youth, the French Solidarity, founded by the late scent and Press magnate, M. Cotv, and other minority groups. The Bill has been drafted by the Flandin Cabinet and is under consideration by the Chamber committee. On one point M. Flandin has already yielded to the threats of the Fascists. A majority in the Chamber had decided that reserve officers should have to register firearms with the civil authorities, like other citizens, and request permission to keep them at home. This decision provoked indignation among reactionary reserve officers, some of whom publicly announced that they would not take any notice of a law which placed them under the control of civil authorities. M. Flandin then announced that he would oppose any regulation which might affect the prestige of reserve officers.