authorized to convoke another Congress whenever this might seem desirable.[1]
Vigorous and straightforward pronouncements have been issued by the Committee of Action. Here, for example, is a part of its appeal to colonial peoples:
"Comrades of the Colonies!
"French capitalism, in order to increase its immense reservoir of human energy and in order better to exploit it, will, after it has conquered you, deprive you of all the political and economic rights enjoyed by its own working class, in order to deprive you of the means of defence."
Then follow special paragraphs directed to the workers in Algiers, Tunis, Black Africa, Madagascar, the Antilles, and Indo-China. Another paragraph warns the colonial workers against race hatred which is used by the master class to keep the workers divided. The appeal concludes:
"Working comrades of the colonies—
"You must join hands with the French workers in order to combat the capitalist manœuvres to divide us. … You must join with the workers of France in order to stop the bloody imperialist expeditions like that which is now being directed against the valiant people of the Riff.
"Uphold the French workers.
"Sustain their Committee of Action against the Moroccan War.
"Join them in demanding peace with the Riff Republic and the evacuation of Morocco.
"Long live the liberation of oppressed peoples!
"Long live the brotherhood of races!
"Down with colonialism!"[2]
Later in the campaign, when it had been decided to attempt a 24-hour general strike as a protest against the Moroccan War, the Committee of Action published a statement that read, in part: "The financial disaster, which will plunge the working classes into abject poverty is held back only by an understanding with the bankers, who, wishing the riches of the Riff, will sustain the Government while it continues the war."[3] Following this statement there is a list of the unions that have already agreed to participate in a general strike.
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