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Paris Defers Action on Press Agitation Ban; Opposition to Racism Rises

March 28, 1939
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The decree for prohibition of racial incitement in the press, scheduled to be approved by the Cabinet today, was postponed until the next session because of the Cabinet’s preoccupation with preparedness measures and foreign affairs. The decree is sponsored by Justice Minister Marchandeau.

Meanwhile, the liberal newspaper L’Ordre joined newspapers opposing the decree when it asked editorially why the Government could not check racial propaganda through existing legislation.

Opposition to racialism continues to increase in France. The influential newspaper Le Temps declared today: “Our country condemns racialism, which is against our traditions. France views the racial theory with disgust.”

Ex-Premier Edouard Herriot, president of the Chamber of Deputies, expressed similar sentiments last night in an address at a political meeting in Lyon. He ridiculed totalitarian states for their racial theories.

Nevertheless, violent anti-Semitic propaganda continues to be distributed on the principal streets of Paris. The three main centers of anti-Jewish propaganda are (1) Resettlement Anti-Juif, headed by Alderman D’Arquier Pellepoix, (2) Centre Documentation at Propaganda, headed by Henri Robert Petit and (3) Ligue Anti-Judeo-Masonique. They publish various leaflets and books, sold throughout the country, in addition to anti-Semitic weekly papers such as Je Suis Partout, France Enchainee and Le Libre Parole.

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