The daily worker., 1933-05-08
BY MAURICE THoREz Paris

On March a large meeting, con-
vened by the French Social Demo
Gratis, was held in Paris on the subject
of the events in Germany. At the re-
quest of the Politbureau Of the C.P.F.
Comrade Duclos attended this meet
ing, at which he made a speech ex-
posing the colossal responsibility of
German Social-Democracy for the
rise Of the National Socialist move
ment and the seizure of power by
Hitler, at the same time, however, ap-
pealing to the Socialist workers to
participate in joint action against
French imperialism and the Treaty
of Versailles-the chief factors which
rendered the Setting-up Of fascism in
Germany possible.
On March 6, "Humantie, our CEN
trail organ, published the text OF
letter addressed to the Central Com
mittee Of the S.P.F. Socialist Party
Of France as well as to its rank and
file members, in which the imnledi-
ate organization of joint measures
=
ent demands of the French workers
and peasants was proposed against
the wage-cutting offensive of capi-
tai, for the raising of the scale of
unemployment benefit, for the 40
hour week with an adjustment OF
wages, for the reduction of the bur-
dens Of taxation which are crushing
the workers, for the reduction of farm
rents, for the retention of tWo-thirds
OF the harvest by the small farmers,
for complete amnesty, for the right
to organize, freedom of meeting and
demonstration, etc This letter was
discussed at a raass meeting in the
Sale Butler.
'Populaire" Sabotages United Front
The same day the 'Populaire,D So
cialst paper, announced that, owing
to pressure of space, it had been pre-
vented from publishing the two docu-
mentS mentioned above, but it would
do so later. Since then "Humanite"
has in every issue repeated this uues-
ton: When will the Central Com
mittee of the S.P.F. give an answer to
our proposals."
On March as the Central Commit
tee of the C.PF. once again addressed
both the leaders and the rank and
file Of the socialists inviting them to
cooperate in the organization of the
participation of both parties in the
mass anti-fascist demonstrations
which had been organized by the
French Anti-War Committee for
April 9. With regard to all this the
"Populaire' preserved strictest 81
lence.
Finally, on March %, the perma-
nent Administrative Council Of the
S.P.F. decided to await the termina-
tion of the negotiations initiated by
the international before il considered
any invitation 10 joint action with
any other bodies
Up till now the only basis of which
we are aware for this negative an
swer is in the arguments of Leon
Blum. He accused the Communist In
ter1ational Of not agreeing TO enter
INTO negotiations with the Second In
ternstional for arriving al a loyal
understanding" between the two CEN
tral authorities of the working class
movement. But where Is the Second
International today, Is it possible to
negotiate seriously for the organisa-
ton Of anti-fascist action In the alb
sence of German Social Democracy
the strongest section of the Labor
and Socialist International?
But the most important fact to be
exposed is the obstinate persistence of
the leaders Of the S.P.F. in their en-
deavors to substitute for the imme-
date organization of joint mass ac-
ton against the capitalists and the
French State, endless negotiations
between the leaders Of the Interna-
tional and of the national sections:
negotiations which have the alleged
purpose OF their arriving at a basic
agreement on at least certain points
We know these methods. In order
to arrange for the holding of joint
meeting at which frank discussion
should be possible, endless converse
tions were necessary, during the
course OF which fresh conditions were
continually being laid down by the
Socialist leaders. fo~ tbs purpose Of
delay ri saomtsnt ssaee sne attack