The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact - ELTE BTK Történelem Szakos Portál

Ithurburu, Caroline
The reactions of a french right departement the Basses-Pyrénées
following the Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact’s.
„The Nazi-Soviet non aggression Pact’s signature got to communism a real
advantage but still minor and temporary: it apprecialy increased the sales of
one newspaper, „Humanity”.” That’s how beguns the article on the front of
page of „Patriote des Pyrénées”, the twenty fifth of august in 1939. The
department (French territorial division) of Basses Pyrénées, border territory of
Spain have became a ground of reception for Spanish refugees since 1936. In
this context, and more since Munich’s agreements, the local administrations
aim consist on preserving peace and security in the department.
After the Nazi-Soviet Pact’s signature, it is the communists who arouse the
highest supervision. The study of press and departements archives shows how
it is the main concern in the days following the 23/08. On a first time, we are
going to see the censorship, searches and supervisions set up by the authorities
further to the pact; then we will study the communist world reactions whereas
they were accused of treason, and their consequences resulting on searches and
arrets. To conclude, we will interest on the actions lead by Spanish communists
refugees, and the way of react of the Gurs’ camp.
The proliferation of tracts in the days following the revelation of the Nazi-
Soviet Pact is amazing and of quite origin. From the 26th of august, the Prefect
makes send a telegram to all his subalterns and police stations which order to
ban all the meetings and process to the closing of any newspaper adopting a
behaviour similar to the PCF, as well as the seizure of all periodicals which
could be, or not, dangererous for the National defense. 1 Four days later, the
Prefect decided to censor the communist newspaper „l’Etincelle” (the spark)
thinking that it could reproduce some papers of Humanity and therefore spread
ideas against French government. In the department, censorship has gone as far
as investigations on each periodical employees to make sure that there were
any communist working there. 2 These facts can explain that the most famous
local newspapers as „Patriote des Pyrénées” and „ l’Independant” don’t write
any word about local actions lead against communists.
Indeed, were only published general news or papers about changes that will
occure with the catch of safety précautions in the department because of the threat
1 Telegram of the 26 th of august in 1939 from the prefect of Basses Pyrenees to all his
subalterns and polce stations of the department. Source: main city of department act; collection
M; departmental archives of PAU; 1M78.
2 Basses Pyrénées communists list communicated to Police Ministry by secret
correspondence on the beginning of september. All the local newspapers reply on a positive way,
more particulary the Patriote of Pyrénées. Source: main city department act and newspapaers
answers: collection M; 1M81.
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