SCENES IN FRANCE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8845, 22 June 1907, Page 2

SCENES IN FRANCE.

Press Association—Copyright. Paris, June 21. ; In reply to the interpolation of tho Chamber of Deputies, M. Clemenceau declared that the troops had defended, and will continue to defend, public buildings when attacked. His orders to the troops were not to load their rifles until tho last minute, and only to fire in the event of extreme danger. 'Though his heart bled, his duty was clear, for tho unity of‘the country was at stake. Troops defending the subpretecture at Narbonne were assailed with revolver shots. '

M. Mulas (interrupting): “They did not reply; they are heroes.” (Prolonged and unanimous cheers). M, Clemenceau proceeding, said the firi ig continued and men were seen to fall. The mob were twice summoned to disperse axd then what might be expected happened. One of the rioters was killed and 15 were wounded, but it was feared the number of troops wounded was still greater. The officials at Narbonne are unable to do their work. Similar events occurred at Montpelier. An exconvict was included among the rioters, several of whom were arrested. Nearly all arrested at Montpelier were youths belonging to the anti-Kepuhlican party. This statement led to uproar amongst the members of the Eight and cheers from the Left, with cries “ They are hooligans not wine-growers, who attacked the public buildings at night.” A message from Narboune, dated 19th, delayed in transmission, reports that a patrol of Cuirassiers to-night being hissed, charged the mob on the Bouvelard Gambetta. with drawn swords. The rioters hurled chairs at the soldiers’ horses, and one horse was killed. The Cuirassiers then fired a carbine volley, the rioters replying with revolvers. Filteen of the demonstrators were wounded and one killed. Barricades were erected, which the infantry demolished. Two of the wounded had since died. Many soldiers were wounded. Martial lav/ will bo proclaimed on Thursday. The Narbonne RiotsPakis, June 21.

Further rioting took place at Narbonue yesterday. The populace, using revolvers, attacked the police at the station and the soldiers, emerging, were compelled to fire, killing four persons aud wounding eleven. The Winegrowers’ Committee urge the populace to remain quiet and appeal to the authorities that unless there are further disturbances the cavalry should he withdrawn and the infantry maintain order. M. Oiomeuceau stated that since one o’clock in the afternoon he had been unable to communicate with tho Narbonne authorities. According to the newspaper Intrauaigeant, in the first conflict at Narbonne when tho crowd attacked the door of the Prefecture the gendarmes in tho courtyard drove them off with a volley, hut when the crowd discovered that only blank cartridges had been used they renewed the struggle aud wore sub , jeeted to another volley, this time of ball cartridge. Shortly afterwards the Boulevard Gamhetta incident occurred.

Reuter states that 300 infantry left the barracks at Agdo with arms aud ammunition, marched to Beziers and joined tho rioters. The colonel of tho 139th Regiment at Narbonne was so disgusted _ with the slaughter that he tore up his cap before the men and then resigned.

Trouble at Perpignan

A large body of rioters at Perpignan set fire to the Prefecture in four places hut the fires were extinguished. A moh at Perpignan attacked tho Prefecture with paving stones, set fire to tho coach house aud filing the furniture into the flames. Gendarmes finally dispersed them.