Debate

Into the Chambre des Deputes was introduced an amnesty bill, designed to pardon all those persons sentenced to imprisonment or exile for political and military crimes during the War.

It was natural that the bill should create resentment among the Right parties and arouse enthusiasm among the parties of the Left, for the former were the persecutors and the latter the persecuted.

When the bill was introduced, abuse was flung across the Chambre by Left and Right Deputes. "Assassins!" cried the Left. "Cowards!" yelled the Communists. "Traitors!" roared the Right.

Then, also quite naturally, reference was made to France's outstanding "traitors": Louis Malvy, exiled for defaitisme, Joseph Caillaux, convicted for "endangering France's alliances" (TIME, June 2). Everyone began to shout at once, a not uncommon occurrence in the Chambre. Then, high above the mighty tumult, a shrill voice from the Right was heard enunciating the name of Mati Hari (famed Dutch dancer, shot as a spy during the War; alleged mistress of Louis Malvy). Instantly Louis, whose term of exile was recently completed and who now sits in the Chambre as a Communist Depute, rose to his feet, arms akimbo, fixing the Right with a great, black look. Deputy Saint Just, a general during the War, then went through the motions of shooting Louis with a rifle.

The battle of bad words and scowls became on the moment a raging war of fists. Roars went up from the Left, as they charged from their benches upon the Right Deputes. Yells of defiance were hurled by the Right upon the advancing Left. The collision shook the Chambre. Fists shot out to eyes, noses and ears. Yells of hate and screams of pain deafened the onlookers. In one corner was ex-Minister of War Andre Maginot, defending his person against the assaults of the enemy. Wallops were given, wallops were taken. M. Maginot proved himself a true warrior, fighting in torn clothes, giving as good as he received. Somewhere there was a sound of torn linen, followed by a big bump ; le marquis de Ludre had been picked up by his collar, which had ungratefully given way with unfortunate results to the dignity and beauty of M. le marquis.

At this moment ex-Premier Paul Painleve, President of the Chambre, put on his hat, thereby signifying that the session was suspended. Later in the same day, le General Saint Just was censored by a vote of the Chambre.

On the morrow, "debate" of the amnesty bill was continued. This time, a riot broke out in the Left benches. Socialist accused Communist of having "sold France." For inexplicable reasons the Communists objected to the accusation and, in the twinkling of an eye, the members of the two Parties were either yelling their heads off or doing their best to knock one another's off.

From the august Presidential seat, M. Painleve gazed down upon the seething of arms and legs; then he put on his hat.

After sitting until 4:20 a. m., the Government in its third attempt was successful in getting the Amnesty Bill passed by the Chambre.