851.00/11–347: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Caffery) to the Secretary of State
4699. According to sources exercising influence in Socialist and Trade Union movement here “mea culpa” report delivery by Thorez to Central Committee of his party (mytel 4656, October 30) may be regarded as culminating point in series of recent European events which have shaken non-Communist left to extent that even some fellow-travellers and few rank and file Communists (not militants) not to speak of naive and opportunist Socialists, are beginning to take open position against Communist Party. This attitude is in keeping with character of majority of French who are fundamentally nationalist and sincerely patriotic. Thorez’ most recent confession of complete Communist Party subservience to Kremlin, as set forth in his statement, has caused many Frenchmen to recall signature of Molotov-Ribbentrop pact in 1939 and Communist efforts, immediately thereafter, to sabotage French war effort against Nazi Germany.
While this latest case of “betrayal of France” is not so obvious and while thus far no prominent Communists have denounced their party, sources under reference insist that Thorez’ speech already has produced important repercussions in leftist circles, especially Socialist Party and hesitant elements in CGT. In completely isolating itself on parliamentary, resistance and political level Communist Party is also incurring risk of furnishing ample ammunition to growing anti-Communist resistance in labor movement, particularly among miners, railway and TT [ PTT ] workers. Now, as never before, explain sources, is the moment for independent Trade Unionists to strike hard on labor front and they claim that if existing network of labor opposition within as well as without CGT were adequately financed the isolation and [Page 798] eventual defeat of Communists in labor movement could be effected probably within next year. As indication of way wind is now blowing trustworthy informant reports that last week 400 resignations from France-USSR (Friends of Soviet Union) took place in fourteenth Paris arrondissement alone.
According to above sources, Moscovite leadership of party here anticipates that many fainthearted members will fall by wayside as in 1939. Even prior to Warsaw conference it had begun to replace, especially in provinces, hesitant secretaries of cells, sections and federations by hardened Stalinists dispatched from Paris headquarters. Now on defensive the party is tightening its ranks and falling back on its solid core of members who operate directly under guidance of “illegal bureau and who probably do not exceed more than 10,000 militants”. Should these Soviet patriots lose the machinery of CGT they would be deprived of their greatest weapon.
Sent Department 4699, repeated to Moscow as 517 and by pouch to London, Berlin and Rome.