Evening star., 1947-12-01

Mr.. Scnumdn would De granted CHe
sweeping powers he seeks unless
there was last minute compromise
between the government and the
confederation of labor, which is sup
porting the strikes sweeping the
nation.
Compromise Is Doubted.
There seems small prospects. how
ever, of any compromise. Friends
of Mr.. Schuman said he would be
satisfied only with unconditional
pitulation" of the CGT, because
otherwise it would claim victory
and the situation would be repeated
later
The vote on the troops Gallup
came last night as police, REIN
forced by troops. fought scattered
disorders throughout the country.
These included an attack on
Paris telephone exchange by a
group of 200 persons. describing
themselves as Communists, who in
terrupted service for five hours be-
fore they were driven off by police.
One hundred and fourteen of the
demonstrators we're arrested.
Saboteurs derailed the Paris
Geneva express near Bour-en-
Bresse. injuring one person. In St.
3rfeuc four nand grenades were
fhrown at Communist party head
quarters, but no casualties were re-
ported
There was no repetition, however,
of the Saturday disorders at St.
Etiene, where 1913 persons were in
jured during an attack on the police
prefecture Twenty-eight of the
injured were policemen, who used
tear gas to break up the assault.
More Walkouts Expected.
Government sources estimated
that 100000 railwaymen. miners
and workers in a variety of other
industries were out on strike. 1t
was expected that the number of
idle would soar still higher as a
result of the electrical workers
strike today.
The antistrike legislation before
the Assembly called for Jail SEN
tences ranging from six months to
five years, and flnes ranging from
1000 to 100000 francs (S8 to $4,000
for inducing work stoppages by
threats, knowingly propagating
false news, by violence, blows or
fraud
The measure was somewhat milder
than that originally planned by the
government, which had sought to
have the penalties doubled in cases
of strike agitation resulting from
concerted effort This would have
greatly broadened the law in its
possible application to union or
party officials.
Also eliminated by the government
from it's original draft were penal
ties for those who advise, approve
or praise the acts listed as illegal
Instead restrictions on freedom OF
the speech and press are limited to
those who directly provoke illegal
acts.
Other changes in the original pro-
posals provide that the emergency
measures be for three months dura-
ton instead of six and eliminate
provisions for the discharge of gov
ernment employees found guilty OF
violations.
Although the restrictions on press
freedom had not yet been approved,
police seized editions of eight news
papers over the week end in Paris.
Marseille, Bordeaux and other cities
on charges of fomenting unrest.
All carried headlines similar to
those of L Humanite and Ce Soir--
Paris Communist organs-saying,
Beware, They Want to Assassinate
the Republic"
The Paris Press Federation pro-
tested the seizures as violating the
freedom of the press.
Thorez Back from Moscow.
Still unconflrmed today were re-
ports that Palmiro Togliatti, Italian
Communist leader, had arrived here
from Rome over the week end for
consultations with French Com
munists. 1t was reported last week,
from Rome that Italian and French
Communists were preparing for
concerted general strike, but Com
munist quarters denied this.
French Communist Leader Maui
rice Thorez returned yesterday from
Moscow.
1n Rome, a Communist Party
spokesman today denied reports
that Togliatti was in Paris, de-
claring: hes right here in his
Office at work
There was some indication. mean
while, that the railway strike had