A FRENCH SCENE

Hokitika Guardian, 29 October 1928, Page 5

A FRENCH SCENE

AT UNVEILING CEREMONY. A STATUE SMASHED. PARIS, Oct. 28. There was a remarkable scene at Pons during the unveiling of a marble statue of tbe former anticlerical Premier, Emile Combes, by M. Herriot. The actual ceremony had closed when a hand of young Royalists broke down the police cordon which had been formed in anticipation of trouble, and rushed the bust. One quickly hammered off the nose and chin, while his comrades were engaged in a fierce struggle with the police. Many of the latter were knocked down in the melee. The police drew revolvers and fired, one of the demonstrators being fatally shot, while another received a bullet in the arm. The shots quelled the

excited Royalists who abandoned tlie struggle. Twelve were arrested and the others escaped. The terrified crowd fled before the shots. ; There were several threats previously that the statue would not be tolerated, 'but the police were off their guard bocnase tlie attack was delayed until He mot had completed the unveiling, and departed. 'l'he Archbishop of Bordeaux Diocese, including Pons, recently issued a manifesto of protest against the ceremony.