Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1962-06-30
Even Secret Army Joins in Urging
Yes Vote in Algeria Referendum

Algerla'S MoSlemS prepared to-
DAY to crown their bloody 715-
year struggle against France
with sweeping approval of
independence in tomorrow's
referendum. Even Secret Army
Organization leaders urged
Europeans to vote YES"
Six million Algerian voters
VIII go to $500 polling places
10 answer Just one question:
DO you want Algeria to be-
come an independent state in
cooperation with France"
Some predicted the Eyes" vote
might be as high as SO per cent.
Triumphant Moslems chanted
Nationalist slogans and plas-
tered walls with posters
throughout Algeria in a cam
palgn to get out the vote.
Moslem Nationalist agents in
distant villages organized own
ers OF trucks and ramshackle
cars into motor pools to trans
port voters to the polls.
Everything is prepared"
MoSlemS assured visitors to the
Casbah. Everybody will vote.
Every house will become a poll
ing station if necessary"
No Attacks on Europeans
A Moslem official said fever
ishly:
"On Monday, the Army of
National Liberation will march
into Algiers. We will go
through the streets, demon
strating our Joy. But there will
be no attacks on Europeans.
We will open our arms to them
we have proved our political
maturity enough"
Despite the excitement, the
balloting will be something of
an anti-climax. The Moslems
have known for some time that
nothing can halt their country's
emancipation from French rule.
Independence was won in a
long, bitter battle that cost the
lives of nearly $4,000 French
soldiers and more than lao, 900
MoSlems.
The Moslem victory was for
malized in the cease-fire and
independence agreement be-
tween President Charles de
Gaulle'S government and the
MoSlem Nationalist at Evian,
France. March Is. 1t was in
Sured when the last die-hard
European extremists abandoned
their fight this week to keep
Algeria French.
The voting will give the
dwindling European minority
its first opportunity to demon
Strate whether it intends to
follow its leaders 11th-hour
announcements of good will
toward the new Algerian state.
Moslem Nationalist also have
been urging the Europeans to
join them in approving indie
pendence. Despite the overtures
of reconciliation on both sides,
many embittered Europeans in
the larger cities are expected
to boycott the polls. European
settlers conspicuous in small
towns and villages are almost
certain to vote. however, If just
to avoid trouble.
Another sign of the certainty
of the vote was the almost
complete control the Moslems
already exercised throughout
the North African territory.
Even in Oran, the last bastion
of European resistance, the
Moslems were taking charge.
Moslems Take Lead
Associated Press Correspond
ent Rodney Angove attended
a meeting of Grams newly es-
tablished reconciliation COM
mittee set up by Europeans
and MoSlemS to try to heal the
wounds of terrorism.
For the first time, Moslems
took the head of the table, the
Europeans the foot. Mr.. An
COVE said the Moslems were
soft spoken but blunt-victory
was theirs, they were the rul-
ers now.
But the Moslem spokesman
urged the Europeans to stay
in Algeria. 1--WE are the sons
of the same fatherland," he
said.
The Europeans, accustomed
to a wide range of special priv
ileges. fidgeted uncomfortably.
Asked later if they were salts
fled that they would be safe
from Moslem reprisals, the Eu-
ropeans shrugged their Shout
ders and nodded weakly.
Eyes, I believe So" one Eu-
ropean ventured finally. Anoth-
er added: For me, was born
here, and consider myself an
Algerian. We lived together be-
fore. 1t is true we have to face
present realities but I think
we can live together again"
LOST