Monday, Oct. 10, 1927
Mutiny Quelled
To Deputy Jacques Duclos, Communist leader, the law awarded six sentences totaling 30 years and six fines totaling 18,000 francs ($540); to Deputy Andre Marty, famed Red, the law gave ten years in jail and a fine of 6,000 francs ($180); Rene Bellenger and Henri Barbe received lesser terms. All the sentences were for fomenting disorder.
Two days later, at the Toulon Naval Prison, twelve Communist prisoners, armed mysteriously with picks and other handy tools, broke loose and liberated nearly 100 other prisoners. Marching around the prison they bawled: "Down with the Army!" "Long live Marty!"
Prison wardens were helpless. Outside the gates 200 workers sang the "Internationale." Soon a call to the naval authorities brought a detachment of naval gendarmes on the run. Soon the mutineers were rounded up, placed in trucks, driven to greater security in the prison annex at nearby Malbousquet; police dispersed the chanting workers.