Several cars arrive at residence of President of French National Assembly (Hôtel de Lassay 128 Rue de l'Université, 75007 Paris, France). French political leaders enter the residence. Cameramen take photographs. Members of press interview the men. At a different entrance, a spokesman mentions French President Rene Coty, dissolution of the National Assembly and a new Constitution. A man walks out smoking a cigarette and carrying a newspaper. Reporters and photographers accost French President Rene Coty, as he leaves, dressed in coat and hat, wearing glasses, and carrying a cigarette in his right hand.
General Charles De Gaulle steps from a car and walks through crowd of reporters. (In the wake of political upheaval, De Gaulle was named Premier-designate by President René Coty on May 31 and confirmed Premier by the National Assembly on June 1.) He makes his way to a podium and speaks. According to narrator, he declares a "vacation" from politics in France, while he prepares a new Constitution. He leaves the podium and hall. View of numerous reporters and photographers in the hall. Enthusiastic French people outside the hall, wave as De Gaulle passes standing in an open car. The sidewalks are mobbed with spectators as his motorcade passes. Citizens hold banners, including some referring to the Algerian problems. Confetti is thrown from overlooking apartment buildings in Paris.
Pope Pius XII is seen with New York's Joseph Francis Cardinal Spellman before the former’s death. A large crowd assembled in Rome. The body of Pope Pius XII lies in state at St. Peter's Basilica (Piazza San Pietro, 00120 Città del Vaticano, Vatican City). Crowds pass and pay their last respects. Two Vatican Guards stand by the bier. Scene shifts to crowds filling the St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican. The College of Cardinals meets to elect Angelo Cardinal Roncalli who takes on the name Pope John XXIII. Church bells peal. Pope John XXIII stands and blesses the huge crowd from the balcony.
At the end of the harness racing season in Yonkers Raceway, a moving car carries mobile starting gate with harness racers aligned across the track behind it. The gate folds up and the starter car speeds away allowing the race to get underway. Spectators in the stands are seen dressed warmly on this cold, damp December day. The horses, and drivers in sulkies,race around the water-covered track. Narrator comments that horses were meant to run, not swim.
Scenes from Syria-Lebanon Campaign in World War II. British troops fire artillery on French Protectorate in Syria. Distant view of explosions. Victorious British troops parade in French freed city of Damascus. British APC's and trucks march down the streets and are welcomed by thousands of natives. Columnized parade of British cavalry at town square. View of British-allied Free French soldiers lined up with rifles. Numerous gather to witness the event.
The United Nations Conference opens in San Francisco, California near the end of World War 2. Flags of the participating nations. U.S. President Truman speaks to the UN delegates from Washington DC. Cars outside the venue of the conference. Personage at the conference include South Arabian delegates, North African Prime Minister and Field Marshal Jan Christian Smuts, China's Foreign Minister TV Soong, British Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden, U.S. Secretary of State Stettinius, Andrei Gromyko, Jan Masaryk, Lord Halifax, Molotov and delegates from India, Mexico, Lebanon, Greece, Chezoslovakia, Egypt and Netherlands. Photographers take pictures. Typists work at typewriters in Associated Press Headquarters room. Telephone operators at switchboards. China's Foreign Minister TV Soong, Soviet Russian Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Molotov and British Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden each address the conference.