SECOND EDITION. BITTER ELECTION CONTESTS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 15975, 18 November 1919, Page 11

SECOND EDITION. BITTER ELECTION CONTESTS.

IN FRANCE. ITALY AND BELGIUM FIGHT AGAINST BOLSHEVIK MENACE. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. Received November 18, 2.35 p.m. LONDON, November 17. Polling takes place to-morrow in the general elections in France, Italy, and Belgium. An exceptionally vigorous effort is being made by the. Socialists. This feature is common to the three countries. The contests in France have resolved themselves into a tierce fight between Republicans and Extreme Socialists. The latter have declared political war on the bourgeoise, and disown the Versailles Treaty. They also repudiate the alliance with other Parliamentary groups. These have sunk old feuds in order to present a solid front to fight what is regarded as the Bolshevist menace. Altogether there are three thousand candidates, including many poilus and nine generals. The Italian campaign is exceptionally hitter, being often accompanied by fighting and bloodshed, particularly in the North? owing to the Socialists’ violence. It is likely the Belgian Socialists will increase from thirty-eight to fifty. The elections are the first under universal suffrage. It is probable the present Coalition Ministry will be retained.

DANGEROUS SITUATION IN FRANCE K GROWING REVOLUTIONARY SPIRIT. Received November 18, 2.55 p.m. LONDON, November 18. Mr Ward Price, writing to the Daily Mail, declares that France is suffering from serious economic exhaustion, for which the Government sees no remedy beyond increasing the issue of paper money, threatening ultimate bankruptcy. The increased prices are eating up the savings of the most frugal classes, and producing interminable demands for higher wages. Britain and Amercia are being bitterly reproached owing to their failure to secure for France financial reparation from Germany. The situation favours in a dangerous degree the growing revolutionary spirit, not only amongst workers, but amongst the hitherto Conservative poor. Longuet is openly advocating Bolshevism and class war, and is organising a Red Guard with a view to recourse to armed force. Other Socialist leaders boldly declare that if the elections favour the bourgeoise bloodshed is inevitable. CLEMENCEAU’S PARTY RETURNED. Received November IS, 2.30 p.m. PARIS, November 17. 51. Clemenoeau’s party won the French elections. INTENSE BOLSHEVIST ■PROPAGANDA. Received November IS, 2.30 p.m. LONDON, November 17. Advices indicate that the results of the general elections now proceeding in France, Italy, and Belgium are most uncertain, as apart from the war, changes in electorates and franchise have in all cases much modified the ]>ositir,n* The changes include the introduction of proportional representation in Franco and Belgium. There has been intense Bolshevik propaganda in France and Italy.