The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1934-03-26
France Seethes With Talk OF Reform;
'Croix De Feu' Veterans Deride Deputies
UBy Associated PressD


lament needing mounting de-
mands for changes in the French
governmental system, dozen
groups of fascists, near-fascists
and semi-fascists are voicing ideas
on how the constitution of 1875
should be revamped.
Various forces among the intel
lectuals are taking advantage of
the opportunity to tell the COM
mon people what France needs.
All have fascist tendencies, but
only one or two of the clamorous
voices call for a regime marked
by black, brown, blue or gray
shirts.
Call For Corporate State
Some advocate corporate
state directed by a handful of
leaders. This is the view of
"L'Homme Nouveau" ("The New
Man." movement started by
state employees, some of them in
the foreign ministry.
Other movements inc lu d e
"L'Ordre Nouveau" ("The New
Order") and La Lutte des
Jeunes" ("The Fight of YouthO,
the latter headed by Bertrand de
JOuvenel, son of a noted senator.
Numerous leagues are backed
by arms or military training.
There are, for example, the "Fran-
cistes," avowed fascists with blue
shirts, banners and Sam Brown
belts, and the national socialists
whose godfather is Senator Jean
Hennessey, the cognac king"
And outstanding among the
military orders is the famous
"Croix de Feu," made up of war
veterans, into whose unarmed
ranks was poured on February 6
the police fire of "Bloody Tues
day." Those fatal shots gave i'm
petus to the whole movement for
constitutional reform.
Ready For Emergency
The name "Croix de Ecu"
means literally Crosses of Fire"
but is better translated as Gross
es Won Under Fire" 1t does not
mean Fiery Crosses" as has so
frequently been said.
The aim of the veterans is to
renovate the government because
cabinets are chosen from the
bosom of self-centered parlia-
ment which keeps them at its
mercy and does not permit pre-
mier to hold power a minute aft
er he shows the least civic cour-
age or energetic virtue"
They intend to accomplish this
by organized strength" declare
they are "ready for any emer-
gency" and that their next de
scent into the streets" will tell
another story"
Membership which was nearly
$4,000 before the riots, now is
more than $4,000, according to
word from general headquarters
of the organization. An average
of 100 recruits a day is being re-
ported by SS recruiting stations in
Paris and suburbs and rs scat
tered through the provinces.
The ritual of the organization
says:
''When we march under the
Arch of Triumph and past the
grave of the Unknown Soldier,
there are, between us and him,
so many memories that a pious
brotherhood exists forever. We,
the Croix de Feu, live with the
dead rather than with the living.
Thus we lift ourselves to spiritual
heights"
1t. Col. de la Rogue. president
general of the order, explained
its aims thusly:
1--WE advocate a new constitu-
ton but believe it is too early to
work out details. A country can
not change its basic statutes I'M
der the menace of ruin. Order
must first be restored. then a
new constitution. wisely studied
and ripened in calm reflection,
will be adopted.
There viii end the prologue
and the work of the Croix de
Ecu will have been become fruit
full. Once this result is attained.
our moral force win be felt,
throughout the country.
"But If the weakness Of public
authority attempts to thwart our
purpose, our organization. dis
eipIined and vibrating. will i'm
pose it upon them.