Statement issued by the Comintern leadership on the tenacious years-long independence war against Spain and its French Allies fought by the Rif Republic. Hundreds of thousands died in a campaign which saw the large scale use of chemical and biological weapons on the part of the imperialists and the inauguration of many elements of modern anti-imperialism on the part of the class-conscious proletariat.

‘Down with the Imperialist War in Morocco!’ from International Press Correspondence. Vol. 5 No. 51. June 18, 1925.

Appeal of the Eastern Bureau of the E.C.C.I.
Moscow, June 8th, 1925.

The Government of Painlevé, Briand, Caillaux has let loose a war in Morocco which Herriot had been preparing for months in secret understanding with the Resident General Lyautey. The imperialism of the Left Bloc, which was concealed behind numerous symbolic gestures of pacifism, is thus exposed as being no less dangerous than that of the national bloc. It is always the same unbridled race for the conquest of markets or for the seizure of natural riches which bring profit only to the capitalists and for which the workers and working peasants have to pay all the costs.

The proposals for negotiations made by Abd el Krim were systematically rejected by Lyautey and Herriot, who organised a blockade of the Riff in order afterwards to lure Abd el Krim into the trap of the Uergha.

The events in Morocco from 1907-11 and the arbitrary action of Agadir were the precursors of the great slaughter of 1914-18. The predatory campaign which France has now undertaken against the Riff, contains elements which threaten to lead to serious international complications. Not only France and Spain, but Italy and England also have an interest in the plundering of Morocco. France is waiting for the defeat of Spain in order to take possession of the territory of the Riff for its own advantage. As in 1914, there is talk of the prestige of France which is said to be endangered by the Kabyies of the Riff, and it is once more explained that it was not peaceable France, but the Kabyles of the Riff who were the attacking party. England and Italy are waiting for the right moment to demand their share of the booty in the name of their national prestige. Thus, French imperialism has, in 1925, started a new conflagration in Morocco which may cause serious international complications.

This is imperialist war. It is directed against an oppressed people. This is war against the independence of peoples, who are oppressed by French, English, Italian and other imperialists. The fight of the Kabyles of the Riff is one of self-defence, is only a fight for their independence in the name of the right of peoples to self-determination. The democratic Left Bloc which poses before the workers and peasants as the defender of universal peace, has carried the war into Morocco in order to satisfy the greed for colonies of high finance and of the Comité des Forges (committee of foundry owners).

Having been accomplices of Herriot in preparing for the war, the socialist leaders, who belong to this bloc and support the government, are now accomplices of Painlevé in kindling and carrying on the war. They are still the same as they were in 1914; they use their ideology as a cloak for the imperialist adventures of the Left bloc and for the pacifist adventures which are pregnant with international complications, they help to spread lies about the peaceful and loyal character of the new affairs in Morocco. In order to conceal their new treachery, they pretend not to know the truth, and demand explanations from the government; at the same time however, they are, in collaboration with the government, working out a vote of confidence demanding the continuation of military action, so as to drive the troops of Abd el Krim across the borders of the Protectorate which they know do not exist. As in 1914 and 1918, they are in favour of war to the bitter end. Civil peace is restored. Renaudel and Jouhaux have come to an agreement with Loucheur and Briand in order to drive the Riff Kabyles out of the territory of French Morocco. They are those who execute the will of the reactionary cliques of imperialists of the national bloc.

If the democrats and the social democrats of the Left bloc do not speak as openly as they do in favour of completely smashing the Riff Kabyles, it is only for reasons of tactics, and so as to be the better able to deceive broad masses of the workers and peasants who are opposed to the war. These criminal quacks dare still to speak of pacifism and peace, while the blood of French workers and peasants is flowing and mingling with that of the Riff Kabyles who are defending their possessions threatened by the Spanish and French imperialists.

The war in Morocco will be long and destructive, it will lead to new conflicts and new international complications between the rival imperialists. England will resist with all the means in its power the creation of a French Gibraltar on the conquered coast of the Riff. It is intriguing with Spain which itself is opposed to France gaining a foothold in the Riff, in order to prevent an understanding between the two countries. Italian imperialism is making use of the events to demand Tunis, it is pillorying French desires in order to mask its own desires for colonial expansion and to conceal the preparations it is making in Tripoli, with this object. In view of complications of an international character, the government of the Left bloc maintains that it will confine itself to driving Abd el Krim out of the Protectorate and defending its own borders. In reality however, the war will be continued in the form of a blockade which is intended to exterminate the Riff Kabyles by starvation and to force them into submission, which would be equivalent to seizing their territory.

This is the peace which is the dream of the democrats and of the social democrats of the Left bloc. There is no essential difference between their colonial policy and that of the national bloc. Like the national bloc, they prepared for the war, they are now carrying on the Morocco war and will carry it on to the bitter end. This war may give rise to a new world war, more terrible than that of 1914-1918, with streams of blood, thousands of corpses, with unprecedented devastation.

French workers and peasants!

The horrors of the recent war will be as nothing in comparison with what murderous imperialism and militarism may now let loose upon the world. Not only will it cost innumerable victims, but milliards and milliards, which will again be squandered and will disappear into the pockets of the manufacturers of munitions. It is inevitable that heavy taxes will be loaded on your shoulders.

Workers and peasants of Spain!

French imperialism has sent a plenipotentiary to Spain in order to involve your country afresh in a murderous war against Morocco. Spanish soldiers have already fraternized with the Riff Kabyles. They will do it again if it become necessary. It is your duty to join your efforts with those of the workers and peasants of France in a common struggle against war, for peace and for the evacuation of Morocco!

Workers and peasants of Italy!

The French proletariat will do everything in its power to oppose the predatory war of its government by the resistance of the people. It is your duty to prevent the spread of the conflagration. Your government and the Fascist government of Mussolini is inclined to refresh its faded laurels by new conquests. In alliance with the French proletariat you will prevent your government committing this new crime!

Comrades, workers and peasants!

The Communist International warns you of the danger and calls to you: Command a halt! It depends on you, on you alone to put a stop to this slaughter! Unite, form a close organisation, raise such a protest that your criminal governments will draw back and will hasten to conclude a peace with the Riff Kabyles! Workers and peasants!

All of you rise against war!

Long live fraternisation between the soldiers of France and of the Riff which may help to hasten peace!

Long live the complete independence of the colonial peoples!

Down with the imperialist war in Morocco!

The Eastern Bureau of the E.C.C.I. Semard, Katayama, Nin, Berty, Kolarov.

International Press Correspondence, widely known as”Inprecorr” was published by the Executive Committee of the Communist International (ECCI) regularly in German and English, occasionally in many other languages, beginning in 1921 and lasting in English until 1938. Inprecorr’s role was to supply translated articles to the English-speaking press of the International from the Comintern’s different sections, as well as news and statements from the ECCI. Many ‘Daily Worker’ and ‘Communist’ articles originated in Inprecorr, and it also published articles by American comrades for use in other countries. It was published at least weekly, and often thrice weekly.

PDF of full issue: https://www.marxists.org/history/international/comintern/inprecor/1925/v05n51-jun-18-1925-inprecor.pdf