Evening star., 1952-07-20
French Communists
The PorN Line Takes Another Flip-Flop
As Reds Find Chinl<s in Their Own Armor
By DonoId J. Robin

- NdOtu
ing Communist union men have been
ouSted.
Compared with the great show Of
unity at the time of the demonstra-
tions and strikes against the Mar
shall Plan, this latest attempt to
paralyze the nation was strictly comic
opera. The release of Jacques Duclos
even deprived the party of first
class martyr. Furthermore, the con-
fiscation of his personal files. con-
tanning party tactical information.
may be of real value to the govern
ment. Aside from the Communist
Party, it would appear that the only
other victims of this affair were the
two pigeons found in Duclos' car
after his arrest. M. Duclos was ac-
cused of harboring winged mes
sengers and even of numbering this
brace of luckless squads at the mo-
ment of his apprehension. The
court. however, conceded, after
hearing the testimony of veterina-
rians, that the birds were done in"
for the purpose of home consump-
tion and not for the good of the
party. M. Duclos was declared in
nocent.
The Communist militants also are
losing great deal of sleep because
of the "faithlessness" of the majority
of French Reds. A recent inde-
pendent survey disclosed that almost
half of those who vote Communist
in France consider that the danger
of war might be diminished if the
U. S. S. r. were less aggressive to-
ward the United States.
Great Struggle
Also, the earnest efforts of Premier
Pinay to bring down the cost of liv-
ing and to stabilize the franc have
not gone unnoticed by Communist
voting petit bourgeoisie" and farm
ers. These two groups, at least, have
not been inclined to brood for long
over the alleged infamies of the Pinay
or Socialist "fascists."
M. Billoux and the other Red lead
ers are in for great struggle before
they can hope to recapture the souls
of the many lukeWarm Communists.
The party campaign against German
rearmament has not produced the
desired results. The Socialists on
whom the party depended to veto
German rearmament have for
variety of reasonS-among them,
hatred for communism-taken q
half-nearted stand in this matter.
Thus, the time has come for the
Communists at the helm of the
part to adopt tougher policy-a
policy aimed at stirring up whatever
spirit lies dormant in the breasts
of the crestfallen Communist SYM
pathizers. In short, Billoux and his
colleagues have ordered the French
Communists to get religion or get
out They promise henceforth more
muscular program of indoctrination
and weeding-out of the faint hearted.
They appear to be willing to sacri-
flee quantity for quality.
Billoux, generally considered the
fair haired boy of Moscow, has been
chosen to direct the party rebirth,
and to make preparations for the
day when the Communists may be
forced to go underground. All OF
this indicates that the party is on
the defensive in France, and, in re-
alizing it, is developing a last ditch"
psychosiS.
But the success of Premier Pinays
financial reforms and the stiffening
resistance of the police, who are con-
tinuing to raid Communist Offices.
provide evidence that those in au-
thority in France intend to force
more and more bitter medicine down
the craws of the hard-core Com
muniStS.