Racial animosity flared today during a heated Chamber of Deputies debate on Premier Leon Blum’s appeal for financial decree powers.
Rightists shouted “Back to the ghetto!” as Mr. Blum intervened to prevent a fight between them and Leftists, who were advancing to the Rightist side of the chamber, shouting, “Down with Hitler!”
The incident began with an exchange between Paul Creyssel of the Center opposition and Socialist Deputy Charles Lussy, a Jew, which threatened to eventuate in violence. When Lussy interrupted Creyssel the latter asked whether the Socialist was really a Frenchman. An uproar followed, with deputies of the Right and the Left converging threateningly on each other until Blum, flanked by other Cabinet members and ushers, intervened. The debate was interrupted for 15 minutes until full calm was restored.
In the corridors, further evidence of racial feeling broke out when Emerand Barnoul, Rightist, accused Interior Minister Marx Dormoy of having said “Jews are as good as Bretons.” Lucien Hussel, Socialist, pulled Bardoul’s ears, and ushers were obliged to come between them.
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