FRENCH STRIKE

Hokitika Guardian, 5 March 1920, Page 2

FRENCH STRIKE

'By Electric Telegraph—Copyiirht.) MUCH FEELING SHOWN. PARIS, March 1. The’ strike of railwaymen has become most critical. • The French General Confederation of Labour has now endorsed the strike. The Government has just caused great excitement in trades union circles by arresting the five leaders of the railway union. It is feared the strike may now extend to other unions. The Government expect to retain con. trol of tilings. Many strikers have not come up when conscripted. Mftti.v volunteers are working. The railway union lenders have been arrested, on charges of interfering with the freedom of labour and inciting subordination. TROOPS CALLED ON PARIS, March 2. Up till Sunday the strikers were refusing to obey the mobilisation order of the Government. The latter are bringing troops to Paris. The strikers’ demands now include higher wages ,living allowances, and the nationalisation of the railways. 190,000 ON STRIKE. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) PARIS, March 1. Only twenty-five per cent- of the trains are running. The public are facing the situation calmly. It is estimated that 190,000 railway men have struck. The fighting fund is very low. It is incapable of maintaining a protracted struggle and is only able to pay a franc daily as strike allowance. STRIKE RAPIDLY EXTENDS. fLONDON TIMES SERVICE —COPYRIGHT, (Received this dav at 11.25 a.m.) PARIS, Feb. 29. The strike is extending to the mines, dock workers, postal officials, and other allied trades in the Confederation of Labour, which has now thrown its weight in the scale of the strikers. The Cross-Channel services are stopping.

It is reported that Lenin is in touch with the French leaders, hoping to complete a revolution. This is doomed to disappointment. Various regiments of infantry and cavalry have been drafted to the suburbs.