ORDER MAINTAINED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 December 1938, Page 7

ORDER MAINTAINED

STRIKE SCENES IN CAPITAL.

TRAINS RUN TO SCHEDULE

(Independent Cable Service.) PARIS, November 30.

The one-day general strike swung into action at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, eight hours ahead of schedule, with a walkout of photographers, and operators on the “Paris Soire.” This was followed at 5 p.m. by what is claimed to be 100 per cent stoppage at Hatchette’s great newspaper distributing agency. Police and mobile guards carrying rifles took up their positions on the side-walks outside these buildings, and round the corner theatre crowds queued up for a performance of “Carmen” at the Opera Comique. The offices of the Communist newspaper “Humanite” were closely guarded by workers who carefully scrutinised each visitor.

Ten thousand mobile guards were stationed at strategic points near the working-class quarters all over Paris, and the city was encircled by 40,000 troops, including Senegalese and Spahis. Tanks and armoured cars were held in readiness and troops moved into key positions throughout France. They occupied power stations, gasworks and telephone exchanges. Trains started running to schedule and the underground railways opened at 5 a.m. with soldiers on the platforms. The telephone exchanges were operating normally. TWO HOUR STOPPAGE SATISFACTION ON BOTH SIDES. SOME RIOTS IN PROVINCIAL CITIES. (Received This Day, 10 a.m.) PARIS, November 30. “I am satisfied,” declared M. Daladier. “I never doubted but that civil servants would remain at their posts.” M Johaux, Secretary of the General Trades Union Executive, said: “There was a complete stoppage for two hours. Owing to the military measures taken, we have not contested the resumption of work.” At Lille, hundreds of strikers stopped three tram-cars, using spades looted from an ironmonger’s shop, smashed windows and injured ten passengers. The Garde Mobile placed a cordon round the area and mounted troops charged. Fifty arrests were made. Many persons were injured on both sides.

At Toulouse a mob of 2000 attempted to raid department stores. Police invention resulted in a serious clash.