FRENCH POLITICS. AMERICAN FLEET'S CRUISE.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18365, 24 April 1925, Page 19

FRENCH POLITICS.

AMERICAN FLEET'S CRUISE.

DISORDER IN CHAMBER.

FURIOUS BLOWS EXCHANGED.

(BY CABLE—MESS. ASSOCIATIOS—COPrBIQHT.) (ArSTBALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATIOS.)

PARIS, April 22.

Tho election of President of tho Chamber of Deputies rearouscd anger against the Government, resulting in several minutes of fisticuffs between Deputies.

Firstly, members of the Opposition abstained from voting, so there was not a sufficient quorum to secure 51. Herriot's election.

During the vote, 51. Balanant (Opposition) took up a position at tho vot-ing-urn, alleging that several Deputies had voted twice at tho first division. The majority angrily dissented. When M. Balanant laughed scorh'fully a Socialist rushed up and intervened, and another Socialist climbed tho desks and hit M. BaJanant in tho face.

This was tho signal for a general fight, Deputies rushing in and hitting out furiously. One throw 51. Balanant) headlong downstairs. A surging mob of Deputies meanwhile was swaying irr every direction, tho President's chair being upset. Several minutes passed before order was restored. The election of M. Herriot was completed.

MISUNDERSTANDING FEARED. (BY CABLE —PRESS ASSOCIATION —OOPIEIOHT.) CaBnTBS'B raLSOBAMS.) WASHINGTON:,' April 22. Mr Curtis "Wilbur, Secretary for the Navy, has received a letter from MiFrederick Libby, of the National Council for the Prevention of War, urging the abandonment or the curtailment of tho Fleet' 3 programme for the Australian visit, and stating that tho psychological effects of the cruise are " all on tho side of misunderstanding, even in Australia, but not less so in tho United States and Japan." The letter adds: "There arc multitudes of citizens in the United States who profCr that wo avoid military gestures, and who aro enthusiastically behind tho. President in his attempt to maintain a consistent and unwavering policy of friendship with all nations." Mr Wilbur says that tho cruiso to Australia and New Zealand will bo carried out notwithstanding the few scattered ' protests from- citizens and organisations. No alarm was caused by such visits, w*hilo on the contrary they devel6ped international friendship.