Strike

Industry throughout France's northeastern manufacturing area was paralyzed last week by a walkout of some 135,000 workers. Smoke rose from few stacks in the textile and metallurgical centres of Rouen, Amiens, Lille. Serious disturbance developed at only one point, Roubaix, close to the Belgian border. There 900 Belgian strikebreakers, being escorted over the line by police, were stoned. Twelve were injured.

Most U. S. correspondents drew a red Communist herring across the issue. But actual causes of the strike seemed to be: 1) demand of a 1-c--per-hour wage increase by workers; 2) the refusal of workers to divide with their employers the burden of workers' insurance, obligatory since July 1. The employers refused to arbitrate, largely because reluctant to reopen their plants while business depression continues.

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