About 30 people were injured in Paris, Oct 27, when 3,000 policemen dispersed more than 10,000 demonstrators overflowing from the tightly packed Hall of the Mutalite, where student and trade unionists held a meeting in favour of a negotiated peace in Algeria.

Over 3,000 members of the national students 'union, the teachers' union, and the Roman Catholic and Socialist trade union organisations assembled in the hall after police had banned their meeting in the streets. Banners on the walls demanded peace and negotiations, and warned "No death at 18". Speakers denounced the "pitiless and absurd" war in Algeria and called for action - if necessary a general strike.

Half-way through the meeting, right-wing counter-demonstrators in the hall shouted "Algerie francaise" and threw tear gas bombs into the audience, before being manhandled and taken outside. At a nearby street corner about 500 ex-service men shouted "Algerie francaise" to the accompaniment of car hooters.

Meanwhile armed and steel-helmeted police - under orders to keep demonstrators off the streets - proceeded against the crowds surrounding the building. There were scuffles lasting nearby an hour, before the excited throng finally dispersed. A number of journalist were struck by police batons, cars were overturned and one was set on fire.

Earlier the same day it was announced in Paris that General de Gaulle would broadcast to the nation on Nov 4. The subject of his speech is not known, but observers believe that the General may have something new to say on the prospects of bringing the Algerian war to an end.