DEVASTATED FRANCE

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 192, 10 May 1921, Page 5

DEVASTATED FRANCE

LABOUR AND RESTORATION. At a conference in' Paris on March 21 the General Confederation of Labour made known its policy with regard to tho devastated districts of France. It was attended by representatives of the ruined districts, and technical reports were submitted by architects and engineers. It has come as a surprise to many people (states a “Daily Telegraph” correspondent) that the heads of tho French Labour organisation, ignoring official efforts, should occupy themselves with this important matter, and the question has been asked how it will be possible for them to set about rebuilding operations. After the Armistice and before the Peace Treaty was signed the General Confederation communicated to M. Clemenceau’s Government the result of its negotiations with the central body of German trade unionists, but its assistance was not accepted. A short time ago the French Labour leaders made a tour of the devastated regions, and returned conviction that the plan they had drawn up was alone capable of furnishing means of reconstruction. What the General Confederation desires is to take the management from the State services, leaving them the power of control; to give to the interested parties full responsibility of reconstruction; and to enable the municipalities to pursue a policy dictated by the general interest. Germany will be requested to make all sorts of contributions in kind, and the French Labour leaders claim that the. German trade unions are ready to afford their loyal co-operation. An official of the French Labour body has stated that representatives of German trade unionism signed at Geneva a few weeks ago an agreement to give their help, which will have to be financed by Germany. As to the extent- of the devastation, on the Nord system, over 1000 miles of main and several thousand miles of secondary lines, over . 800 brides, eight big viaducts, five tunnels, over 300 stations, and 115 water supplies were destroyed; on the Est nearly 600 miles of main lines and more than 200 stone bridges over the Meuse, Aisne, Avrc, Marne, and Ourcq were demolished, as well as 160 iron bridges. The amount of the damage to the railways has been put bv the official commissions at 4,000,000,000 francs, and to 4000 miles of Toads at 1,352,000,000 francs. Already over 6000 miles of roads have been entirely repaired. Of 600 miles of waterways destroyed most was brought hack to navigation by the beginning of the year. The ports of Dunkirk and Calais were damaged by film enemy. Dunkirk was shelled from the air, the sea, and the land, and there nre 7000 points indicating where shells fell. Damage to the transport' service is put at 6,000,000,000 francs. The rapidity of reconstruction of the railways, bridges, and roads has been duo to tho fine co-operation of soldiers and civilians.