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Tho Bonapartist nature of DeGaulle's regimo has never been more clearly demonstrated as in the Fobruary 8th encounter between the police and the mass demonstrations against the 0.A.S5.. The impudence of the 0.A.S. murdor gangs arises from two factors, firstly their influence among the powers that be in France (radic reports suggest that even in prison they behave as they please) and the spineless attitude of the senile and treacherous CP and SP leaderships. The French section of the Fourth International as was reported in the Bulletin has called for immediate workers! defence comnittoes,.
The French state apparatus is in practice defending the 0,.4.S. and mst be distinctly worried over the revival of the Fronch workers! movoment an? tho sharpness of the demonstrations (albeit taking placo in an environmont of economic stability, )
Although the overall Zuropean balance of forces is now totally different from that prevailing in the 30's in France, Trotsky's words on the subject of dealing with fascist terrorism, in his "Whither France" are strikingly rolevante
Despite the incessant activity of the 0.A.S. and the possibility that their numbers will be strongthened from repatriated Algerian colons when a settle=mont is reached, this is counterb:lanced by a renewal of activity omong French youth and militants. The severity of the February 8th clash is a pointer to tuvis resurgence.
DeGaulle's latest speech contained its usual patriotic appeals, infallible sign of bankruptcy. He did claim, however, that the greater part of the French armed forces are to be withdrawn to urope before the end of the year. The Algerian Revolution has proved its strength.
The domonstrations of February 8th wore handled in mirked contrast to those on January 7th and reflect the increasing stress of a Government with no really solid and reliablo social base. De Gaulle's recourse to patrootic gibber— ish in a disillusioned atmosphere will lead his regime nowhore,
Tho French Communist Party and the French Scoialists called the demo nstrations and large sections of tho mass movement will look to them, but it is unlikely that these organisations will be able to control as in the past the spontaneous activity of the youth and other activists, ECONOMIC NOTES Lucas joins the Common Markot
In the past it has been noted that tho biggest British monopoly firms are gotting into the Common Market rogardless of what the British Govern nent does or how long the negotiations go on. Tho latest oxample is that of Joseph Lucas (Industries) the motor and aircraft accessory manufactorer. This giant firm makes four/fifths of all tho clectrical equipment used in the British motor car industry z as woll as a vory large share of that of hoavy vehicles, aircraft, rockets, etce. It has now bought for £2,9 million a 40% interest in Ducellier, the largest French manufacturer of automobile electrical equipment. A spokesman for the firm said, announcing the step, that this would give them oa Buropean outlet, regardless of whether Britain was admitted into the Common Market or not, German Dalance of payments deficit . ‘
The latest report of the German Foderal Bank states, that for 1961 there was a deficit of noarly £180 millions on tho Gorman balance of payments. The main factor being a hoavy deficit on invisibles (spendin. of German tourists abroad, ote.) Also the speculative inflow of money from abroad ceased during the year and was replaced by an outflow. Trade surplus was actually up during the year by 25% but the tendency here too is for a downward turn. axport orders for German firms ‘ have fallon off since the revaluation of tho D~mark last March and at the ond of 1961 unfilled orders were about 5% below the level of a year earlier. In fact, the trado surplus was largely due to a declino in imports of raw materials and semiproducts. This was achioved by change in stock accumulation and is only a temporary foature. This is yet another indication of hoightonod level of competition of the coming period.