Maurice Thorez
AND HER MISSION IN THE WORLD MAURICE THOREZ 20C? FRAN CE OF THE PEOPLE'S FRONT AND ITS MISSION IN THE WORLD BY MAURICE THOREZ GENERAL SECRETARY COMMUNIST PARTY OF FRANCE WORKERS LIBRARY PUBLISHERS NEW YORK 1938 PUBLISHED BY WORKERS LIBRARY PUBLISHERS, Inc. P. O. BOX 148, STATION D, NEW YORK CITY MAY, 1938 PRINTED IN THE U.S.A. FOREWORD HE NINTH CO:>;GRESS of the French Communist Pan}" T was held December 25 to 29, t937, in the ancient city of Arles, in Provence, in the south of France. This city, in which relics of Roman and Greek civilization stilI stand, and whi ch is a cradle of French culture, was a fitting place for such a congress, symbolizing the role of the Communists as the tru e inheritors and defenders of the best traditions of their country. French Party Congresses are held in various sections of the count ry; such meetings are not simply gatherings of dele gates in a convention hall, but are made part and parcel of the people of the particular province. Such was the case with the meeting in ArIes. The whole population partici pated in the events of the Congress, which was celebrated as a festive occasion, like a national holiday. Christmas was opened in the city auditorium with the Mayor, a Socialist, and the Parliamentary Deputy, a Communist, officiating. Here , around a huge Christmas tree, toys were presented to the children of the city. There was also a public festival in the old Roman arena where the people came dressed in their provincial and ancestral costumes, joining in the games and festivities.
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