STRIKES IN FRANCE

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 189, 6 May 1920, Page 6

STRIKES IN FRANCE

COMPLETE STOPPAGE AT PRINCIPAL PORTS RIOTS AT MARSEILLES By Telegraph-PreFß Association-Copyright London, May i. Twenty-four thousand dockers haw struck at Brest, Marseilles, Bordeaux, and Havre, and the stoppage of woi k at the principal ports -is comp.c.c. A mob rioted at Marseilles, in an attempt to prevent the arrest of a union secretary. Shots were exchanged, and several were injured.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. VIOLENT SCENES SERIOUS FIGHTS WITH -STRIKERS. (Eec. May 6, 0.25 a.m.) Paris, May 1 The Government has issued warrants for the arrest of the chief Labour lenders. Tlie polico arc search-ins tho suburbs and city. A number of jugly fiflhts have taken place in towns in all parts of France between the police and the _ strikers. Tie cavalry were forced to intervene. Revolver shots have been fired, particularly at Marseilles, where nine police were wounded, Violent scenes have taken place at Clermont-Ferrand, where 2000 rubber workers are striking. The workers in the Michelin factory' attempted to carry on, and the strikers attacked the factory. Michelin's firemen turned hoses on tho strikers, and a free fight ensued. Troops were called out, and_ the strikers threw the chasseurs from their horses. Finally artillerymen arrived. Fifty strikers and soidiers were wounded, some seriously. Michelin's were forced to close the factory, throwing 12,500 out of em-ployment—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

SEVERAL LABOUR LEADERS ARRESTED. (Rec. May G, 0.55 a.m.) Paris, May 5. The East and North railways are holding aloof from the strike, aud this is ' attributed to tho staff's familiarity with the area of the German ravages. Cavalry charged tho demonstrators at Clermont-Ferrand, and manv injured. Several leaders have been arrested in various places. A couple of extremists, who are wanted, have left Paris. Ninety vessels are idle at Marseille? and Bordeaux. * Other ports are in a similar condition.—United Service. BRITISH RAILWAYMEN EXTREMIST SECTION SLOWING DOWN WORK. (Rec. May 5, 8.20 p.m.) London, May 1. Disappointed at the failure of the drivers and porters of passenger trains to adopt the "ea' canny'' system, tho extremist section of railwaymen in some districts are adopting a slowing down of work. Superintendents are watchful, but are not interfering lest tho movement should spread. Theso tactics take the shape of a more careful weighing of goods, instead of the usual rough calculations. -Others refuse to work overtime, leaving unloading unfinished. Shunters at Sutherland _ perform tho dead march round long stationary trains.—United Service.