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IN France the political and economic conditions necessary for the appearance of a real Fascist movement do not exist. But the bourgeoisie is preparing the framework. In 1919, alarmed by the progress of the revolutionary movement, Civic Unions were established in several cities. The first to be formed were at Lyons, Paris, Dijon, and Bordeaux. The immediate object of these Civic Unions is that of replacing workers on strike. In 1920, the Paris Civic Union opened recruiting offices. Its members were active during the strikes of last May. Their intervention was one of the causes for the defeat of the working class.
The first manifesto of the French National Confederation of Civic Unions was published April 3, 1920. There are significant phrases in it as, for example:
Strikes are becoming more frequent. In greater and greater number they have an origin and aim exclusively political. If these frequent strikes already constitute a public danger, then general strikes could paralyse the life of the nation and plunge it into the most dire catastrophe.
Without waiting for the general strike to open wide the gates of revolution, so that it be necessary to resort to force in order to combat it, it is the duty of everyone to avert this peril. Let all good citizens organize and prepare to resist within the limit of their rights and the law.
The object of the Civic Union is to prepare for voluntary mobilization, in order to hinder attempts at the general strike and the stoppage of public services. Let all good citizens who wish to stop the onward march of anarchy afford us their assistance. Let all societies and groups, faithful to the ideal of order and liberty, give us their collective support, and conduct among their members that voluntary recruiting which is necessary to the success of our common task. When the agitators who are, consciously or not, the agents of foreign powers, see all our energies arrayed against them they will be reduced to impotence.
The constituent congress of the National Confederation of Civic Unions took place in July, 1920. Article 3, of its constitution, informs us sufficiently as to the character of these organizations:
The national Confederation of Civic Unions organizes its members outside of all class lines, all political or religious dis-tinctions, in order to aid the functioning of those public services which are indispensable to the country, in case of the desertion of their employees; to constitute auxiliary services capable of replacing all or part of the regular personnel; to prepare efficient methods for obtaining this objective; and, finally, to aid in the maintenance of order, in co-operation with the public forces for the preservation of peace.
At the head of the Confederation is a committee of 18 members, of whom the president is General Balfourier. This committee has extended powers. It is elected for three years, and one-third only is renewed at each election. A permanent committee of 12 members prepares the work for the committee and is charged with “establishing, in all that concerns the confederation, contact with the forces of order, the public services, and the press.” A General Secretary and a complete technical apparatus looks after the work. An extensive propaganda is carried on by means of pamphlets and leaflets. An informational Bulletin is also published.
The most important services are that of registration of member- ship and of public services. The first is concerned with the registration of volunteers, the preparation for their mobilisation, etc. The second records the various grades and functions in the public services and factories and, in times of strikes, organizes recruiting bureaus and establishes the necessary contact. The mobilization of the Civic Unions is ordered by the Minister of Public Works.
So far, in these organizations, we find only the traditional characteristics of all strike-breaking bodies. But they have a far wider conception of their future. One of their propagandists, M. St. Marcel, a short time ago said:
In general the Civic Unions are organized in order to proceed in harmony with the Government, but in the event – most improbable in France – that the Government should fall into the hands of anti-social parties, the Unions would know how to modify their organizations immediately, in order to remain a guardian of the public interests and to ignore, as in Denmark, in 1920, the approval or disapproval of ministers who are enemies of public order and the constitution.
The Civic Unions have, therefore, been undertaken with definitely Fascist motives. The menace of a coup d’etat is sufficiently clear. Our comrade, Herclet, states that in all the principal French cities “fighting bands” are being formed.
In order to determine the real character of the Civic Guards, let us take a few paragraphs from the instructions followed by the Rouen section:
The object of the Civic Guards is to aid in the maintenance of order and defense in co-operation with the army and constabulary. In times of peace, the army is nowadays not numerous enough that it can alone assure the preservation of public order, the respect for individual liberty, and protect the railway stations, high- ways, bridges, works of art, etc., against criminal attacks. It is therefore urgent and essential to organize voluntary corps, that is, companies of Civic Guards.
Further on it states that special voluntary corps are organized with the approval, and under the control, of the prefects of police. Usually the unit is composed of one battalion commandant, two captains, four lieutenants and 12 lower officers. The number of men is indefinite. In case of strikes in the public services, or serious disorders, the prefect was to request the services of the Civic Guard. On the order of the prefect, each civic guardsman receives an order telling him of the mustering-point, which is usually the nearest barracks. After their arrival at the barracks the guardsmen are equipped, clothed, and armed, exactly like soldiers. The officers and men receive a daily allowance of 20 francs for the first call, and 15 francs for the second.
The Civic Guards, requisitioned by the public authorities in the same way as the army, march not according to regular formation and unit; they maintain their autonomy in the execution of the duties confided to them by the superior authorities, and must obey only their own chiefs. They belong neither to the police nor to the constabulary.
At the end of these instructions, in an appeal To Old Soldiers and Volunteers is the following:
Our citizens have not only learned not to fear blows, but are ready to descend into the street, if needs must be, to punish disturbers. It is for this reason that we appeal to the patriotism of the veterans of our district, requesting them to register immediately with the Civic Guards of Rouen. If each realizes his duty, we shall easily be able to establish a voluntary corps, composed of dependable men, ready to become the defenders of order, with the moderation, cool-headedness, and courage, of which they have already given such striking examples.
Last updated on 20 January 2023