Le Populaire

The SFIO – Section française de l’Internationale ouvrière – counted among the most important political forces in interwar France. It successfully led the Popular Front coalition in the April-May 1936 legislative elections and played a decisive part in the introduction of many measures that are still in place today, like the right to strike, collective bargaining, and the 40-hour week. As was the case in Spain, the Front populaire originated in part from the rise of fascism in the wake of Hitler’s appointment as Chancellor. However, the coalition remained divided and led by men whose views leaned towards appeasement. While Léon Blum – who had just been appointed prime minister when the Civil War broke out – and many Socialists were tempted to help the Republicans, they were too afraid to antagonize Hitler and Mussolini. Therefore, Blum reluctantly opted for non-intervention, though he did turn a blind eye to the air minister Pierre Cot’s underhanded sale of war planes to the Republican government. 

Le Populaire was the SFIO’s flagship newspaper. It was founded in 1916 and ceased publication in 1970. Even while he was premier, Léon Blum served as political director of the daily. By early 1939, Blum was no longer in power and felt that he could openly lobby for the Republican cause without fear of bearing responsibility for an international crisis. The front page of the February 14th issue featured here exemplifies the Socialists’ efforts in mobilizing public opinion in support of the legitimate Spanish government. 

Most importantly, Blum’s editorial acts as a reminder of the newspaper’s perspective following the fall of Barcelona and Franco’s decision to close the border with France on February 10th. Blum persists in denying any legitimacy to the Nationalists and reminds the readers that “foreign troops still occupy parts of Spain.” He also denounces the naïveté of many of his political opponents, who seemed to think that there was still a possibility of convincing Franco to join forces with France and Britain against his former allies. 

Another piece, written by Jean-Maurice Hermann – a journalist and unionist –, addresses the effects of La Retirada, which saw half a million refugees streaming into France. Here, the author deplores the living conditions of about 140,000 people stranded in Argelès and Saint-Cyprien. After warning against the dire consequences of heavy rains and cold temperatures on the refugees, Hermann calls for the requisition of the nearby military camps. 

Finally, the article entitled “Ignoble” – written by an Am. D. – defends Juan Negrín’s reputation against a libelous piece by Léon Bailby, an antisemitic press baron who accused the Spanish premier of desertion and theft. This piece is emblematic of the omnipresence of old political conflicts, as the author mentions the French Revolution of 1848 and the Paris Commune of 1871. As in many other cases, coverage of the Spanish Civil War often spilled over into domestic politics and sometimes served as a way for the Socialists to warn against the growth of fascism in France. 

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