“GUST OF FOLLY”

Evening Star, Issue 19663, 16 September 1927, Page 11

“GUST OF FOLLY”

AHfiflY WHITE SLAVERS TO DEFEHD THEIR RIGHTS ATTEMPT TO CURB ACTIVITIES. LONDON, September 6. Owners ot “ tolerated bouses ” throughout Era nee arc up in arms against the League of Nations projected attempt to curb their activities. “ Wo are fathers of families, wo are citizens, and yet are treated like pariahs,” they declare in a circular. A meeting attended by some of the loading viceraongers of Europe discussed ways and means of defending their “ rights.” Various organisations intend reminding the League of Nations that it has not yet launched a world-wide white slavery campaign, says the Paris correspondent of the ‘ Daily News.’ M. Jacques Raynaud, in an article in the ‘ Mereuro <le Trance,’ reveals that organised vicemougcrs throughout the world, particularly in Eraucc and South America, are thoroughly seared at the prospect of intervention, and have launched a campaign of defence. A leading owner ol tolerated houses, in a circular to other members of the “trade,” declares: “At Strasburg Draconian measures have been taken against our esteemed colleagues. At Lille clients have been chased from the establishments of our colleagues, and at Nancy the mayor ordered a house to bo closed. Perhaps the same fate is reserved for all such establishments in France, for a gust is sweeping over the country.

“ Wo live under a regime dependent on tho goodwill of the legal authorities, and aro compel led to submit to obsolete regulations,” the circular continues. “Wo aro debarred from submitting our grievances to courts, yet. are crushed by the burden of taxation. “We aro voters and citizens, and fathers of families, yet aro treated like pariahs. “ We demand the right to appeal to the courts and the enactment of new regulations harmonising with the exigencies of modern life. “'Several Deputies have promised their help, but to be strong wo must unite.”

Subsequent to the issuing of the circular a great conference of vicemongers was held, tho participants including wliito slavers expelled from fifteen different countries.

The chairman, a Napoleon in vice, owning twenty establishments _in France, was a leading exporter of girls to South America He resides in a picturesque chateau, and counselled the conference to be cautions.

He said that the storm would pass, and urged the accumulation of a huge propaganda fund in order to bribe politicians. “ That wise multi-millionaire iu the chair was right,” declared M. Raynaud. “The League has moderated its thunders and locked up its encyclicals. “ The report which the Hygiene Committee drafted, exposing white slavery, doubtless reposes among the dustcovered files of old documents.”