Evening star., 1947-11-29
By the Associated Press

PARIS, Nov. 29.-Premier Rob-
ert Schuman asked the National
Assembly today for power to
crack down on agitators for
strikes or sabotage "by speeches,
writing or tracts"
He said he wanted this right for
six months as he pleaded for power
to help him fight strangling wave
of Communist-inspired strikes
throughout France.
The Assembly's Committee on
Civil and Criminal Law Immediately
approved the government bills, Is
to 13, and sent them to the Assembly,
which is expected to consider them
later in the day.
Approval would give the govern
merlt weapon against newspapers
encouraging the strikes, which have
made more than 100000 French
workers idle.
Could Be Dismissed.
Government employees found gull
ty of agitation" would be dismissed
under the measures. Key indus
tries, including electric power, rail-
roads and wire communications, are
nationalized and their employees work
for the government.
The powers asked by Mr.. Schuman
would run from tomorrow until May
81, 194S.
The proposed law provides six
months to five years imprisonment
and fines of 1000 to 100000 francs
($8 to $4,000 for those who use
violence to bring about cessation
of work"
1t stipulates that whoever, "by
means of cries. statements, threats,
printed writings, placards, posters or
tracts" either advises, provokes or
approves" such acts, may be pun
isfed as an accomplice. Under
French legal practice punishment
for accomplices probably would be
milder than those actually charged
with sabotage
$4,000 Troops Called.
The purpose of the law, as stated
in the title, is "the protection Of the
freedom to work and the defense Of
the republic" 1t would authorize
the calling of maximum OF 10000
troops to the colors-a step taken
by the government yesterday.
Mr.. Schuman demanded COM
plete revision" of the laws Of
sabotage. He took cognizance OF
yesterdays report that sabotage was
on the increase, and declared:
"If we have reached this point, the
responsibility belongs to the Com
munists
Speaking directly to the Commu-
nists in the Assembly, the new Pre-
mier, beginning his second week in
Office, charged:
Il declare that your goal is to
create excitement in the country.
1t is against this that the govern
ment must contend
Communists Protest.
He said the trouble was being
caused more and more by foreign
elements. Protests roared from the
Communist benches.
| AS MI. Schuman spoke, more than
third of the nations 100000 Or
ganized workers were on strike and
government forces were ejecting
strikers from rail centers and other
strongholds they had seized.
Mr.. Schuman also asked the As
sembly to reorganize part of the
French security forces and to pass
a new law giving added protection
to nonstrikers.
The security forces whose reor-
ganization was asked <by Mr.. Schu-
man were the Republican security
ompanies-similar to the United
States National Guard - among
which widespread sympathy for the
strikers has been reported. Whole
companies already have been dis
banded on this ground.
It was learned that the approx
imately 10000 soldiers, half the class
of 1916, called up yesterday would
be under orders of the Ministry Of
Interior, which controls the police
forces, and not of the Ministry Of
Armed Forces, as is customary.
Worker Draft Hinted.
i Mr.. Schuman attacked the Com
munists again and again. When,
Just before a recess was taken, AS
sembly President Edouard Herriot
said the debate would be resumed
this afternoon, Communist Deputy
1 Arthur Ramette cried out:
They're in a hurry. They're
thirsty for blood"
In the course of his speech Mr..
(See FRANCE, Page A-2)