The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1942-06-17
STILL FIGHTING

DISCLOSURE lIldt inc pONSlAui
committee for Socialist action, Prob'
ably the strongest independent la
Dor group in France. has gone on
record in support Of General Char
les de Gaule in opposition TO the
Vichy Regime. is further indica-
ton that more resistance awaits
the Germans in France.
Meeting in secret somewhere in
Paris and delberatin- the grave
issues at stake under the very
noses OF the German occupatlonal
army. the committee framed its
declaration OF support to de Gaulle
in the following terms;
Called upon o consider the
problem OF governmental power at
the time Of liberation, the COM
mittee for socialist action mas de-
cided to draw up a memorandum
in which it will set forth as COM
pletely as possible the ideas upon
the different aspects OF that serious
question.
But it wishes Immediately to
declare in concise manner that al
ter having familiarized itself with
the positive and repeated state
ments OF General de Gaulls. il will
give its sincerest support to a gov
eminent formed or designated by
him and which, renewing the ma
tional tradition at the very moment
when the capitulation and the in
Vulnerable illegalities OF the Vichy
government have split ii asunder,
will be formed upon the following
basis 10 meet the immediate needs:
Il. External: Liberation of ter
ritory. Decisive defeat of the Axis,
which presupposes the renewing
OF our alliances and traditional
friendships the honoring OF our
earlier reciprocal agreements and
the active return of France beside
the democratic powers in their
struggle for the liberty Of the
world.
-. Internal: Recognition OF the
republic. based on universal suf-
frage as the form OF the French
government, with the understand
ing that a constituent assembly
will be called as soon as possible to
endow the country with a new con-
stitution.
"Re-ssta blishment OF the princi-
pie Of all democratic liberties.
Restoration OF the elected depart
mental and municipal assem- blies.
Repeal OF the political and ad-
ministratiye decisions made by the
Illegal Vichy government.
Re-establishment in their rights
and duties Of the groups or persons
prosecuted by the latter.
Free and complete inquiry into
the responsibility for the defeat
and capitulation. public trial Of the
guilty az the time that-so the
most elementary consideration OF
national dignity demands-the ter
ritory has been liberated.
The committee recognizes its
duty TO proclaim. as much in its
name as in the name OF the vast
majority OF workers OF Socialist
afhliation whose beliefs and will IL
has full proof that II represents.
that IL will never accept for such
government the assistance under
any guise whatsoever OF men who
have served in the Petain govern
ment either as ministers. as mem
bers OF the national council or as
political representative or who.
while not belonging to the re-
Rular administrative personnel,
have accepted diplomatic missions
Of that government.
1T believes. for highly moral
reasons. that sucn an opposition
must be relentlessly maintained,
whatever be the final shiftings OF
policy Of the Vichy men in their
endeayors 10 save their persons
or their regime when faced with
the ever-increasing certainty OF Al
lied victory and Of the total defeat
of the Germany on whose triumph
they had based both their power
ohu tHS hotoioNtiOii u 'h'i ~
litical and social hatreds."
Unarmed and enslaved as they
are, these men had little chance
against their invading enemies. but
given necessary support and en-
couragement, they may be expect
ed to develop material aid in final
~ re-establishing the freedom
which the French, like ourselves
wish 10 maintain