Algeria 1945

Nothing is Lost

Source: Alger Rpublicain, May 18, 1945;
Translated: for marxists.org by Mitch Abidor;
CopyLeft: Creative Commons (Attribute &
ShareAlike) marxists.org.
In the spring of 1945, as the war was winding
down in Europe, demonstrations took place in
Algeria calling for independence. In April
Messali Hadj, the best known of Algerian
leaders, was arrested and deported.
On May 1 a demonstration in Algiers organized
by the Parti Populaire Algerien led to 11 deaths.
A follow-up demonstration was scheduled for
May 8 in the city of Setif. It was met by the
police, and violence broke out, resulting in the
death of 27 Europeans, including the Socialist
mayor of the city. The demonstrations spread
throughout the Depatment of Constantine, and
within a few days 103 Europeans had been
killed. This is the first bloodshed of the war that
was to officially start nine years later. Alger
Rpublicain, the semi-official newspaper of the
Algerian Communist Party, published this
editorial on the events and their aftermath.

As the news becomes more precise, and as spirits
regain their calm, we can more clearly see that the
Algerian populace were victims of an evil blow
prepared by criminals who, for various reasons, saw it
in their interests to see this succeed.
The objectives that were aimed for are clear: its a
matter of digging a ditch between the different ethnic
elements of this country and drowning in blood the
work undertaken by the new France.
For we democrats the first thing to be done is to
avoid being satisfied with explanations based on
immediate appearances, nor to allow the voice of
reason to be stifled by impulses born of panic and
hatred.
The rioters and the assassins should be punished in
conformity with the law. But it shouldnt be thought
that an increase in repression constitutes a remedy that
can prevent the return of this catastrophe. For as history
shows, it is exactly the contrary that is true. Force in
service to justice increases respect for the latter. But
violence that goes beyond the needs of justice provokes
violence in a vicious cycle.
Its precisely deeper into this vicious cycle that some
would like us to sink. We will know how to foil their
plans. We will put up a barrier against the wave of
racial hatred that they are trying to symmetrically
develop among different elements of the Algerian
population. Nothing is lost and, as always in extreme
circumstances, it could even be the case that good will
come of this evil, for we have tragic proof of the perils
Algeria must face because of the work of provocateurs
and those who would starve us.
There is no race war in this country; there is only a
plot that has attempted to have one break out. Its up to
the legal authorities to smash this plot. They will be
able to do this if they know how to have confidence in
the people and in democratic organizations, for racist
agitation is not born within the masses.
All can now see that the only progress possible for
Algeria is through unity with French democracy. But
all can also see that it is urgent that democracy truly
penetrate this country and that it dissipate the vestiges
of a bygone past.
Michel Rouz