BELGIAN DISORDERS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 142, 17 June 1936, Page 7

BELGIAN DISORDERS

A CLASH AT LIEGE GENDARMES’ SABRE CHARGE COMMITTEE OF PUBLIC ORDER SET UP 1 [By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright] BRUSSELS, June 15. Tho newspaper L’lndependence Beige estimates that the strikers number 170,000. At Liege mounted gendarmes charged 500 strikers with drawn sabres after strikers singing the “Internationale” had twice attempted to storm a bazaar under the leadership of a giant Communist deputy named Lahaut in order to prevent shopgirls working. A clash occurred at Saint Walburge, where the commissioner of police and a gendarme were knocked down and trampled upon. Strikers attempted to step the trains at Rocourt. Shots were fired, and three police were wounded. The strike has extended to the metallurgical works in the province of Hainault. A Committee of Public Order, under the presidency of the Premier, M. Van Zeeland, has been constituted to deal with the strikes, which are rapidly extending. The coal strike, which involves 110,900 workers, has become general. Strikers stopped trams running to Liege. ANXIETY IN BELGIUM SEPARATIST POLICY FLEMISH AIM TO FORM NEW STATE LONDON, Juue 15. Tho Morning Post’s diplomatic correspondent, writing from Brussels, says that the progress of political elements in Belgium in furthering Germany policy, even if they are not consciously pro-Ger-man, is causing considerable anxiety and may endanger the position of Belgium as the keystone of Western security. The Flemish Nationalists, who revealed unexpected strength at the elections, aim at separating Flanders from the rest of Belgium and incorporating it with Holland in a new Netherland State extending from Dunkirk to the Friesian Islands, leaving the French-speaking populations of Belgium south of Brussels free to join France. The more immediate demands are complete financial autonomy for Flanders and suppression of international engagements affecting Flanders, including the Franco-Belgium military understanding. The movement originated in the Great War, being engineered by Germany as a valuable instrument for weakening the Allies, and the Nazit are reported to have financa’iy assisted it in the recent elections. "Flemish Socialists are combining in a demand for the abandonment of plans for fortifying the eastern frontier. END IN SIGHT STRIKES IN FRANCE DOCKERS STILL IDLE • ~ LONDON, June 15. The Times Paris correspondent says that the “stay-in” strikes have virtually ended. The insurance clerks are expected to resume work to-morrow. 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 watermen’ are still idle in Paris, Those at Bordeaux and Dunkirk have not resumed work.