FRENCH RESISTANCE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 106, 1 November 1943, Page 5

FRENCH RESISTANCE

ASSEMBLY AT ALGIERS

ALGIERS, October 30,

Delegates from the underground resistance movement in France have been arriving at Algiers during the last three weeks by secret routes for the opening, session of the French Territory Consultative Assembly next week. '■ This will be France's first poli-. tical forum since the armistice. Many of the 40 resistance delegates appointed to the assembly have been fighting the Gestapo at Vichy for years, bearing aliases in order to prevent retaliation against relatives in France. Some of the delegates are already ominously described as "overdue."

A big debate is expected on measures to be taken after the liberation of France and also on the Budget. A strong resolution will probably be adopted recommending the immediate trial of General Bergeret and M. Pierre Pucheux, who are'now held on treason charges.

Of the total of 84 seats, representatives of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate hold 20, which are allotted to political parties according to their strength in the last Chamber. Leftists predominate. Both the resistance movement and political delegates include several Communists. Twelve seats have been allotted to delegates from resistance movements outside France, and 12 to representatives of local authorities in North Africa and the French colonies.