851.00/3–3147: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Caffery) to the Secretary of State
1371. Without question the Socialists as well as the MRP are vastly relieved that the Communists did not leave the government at this juncture because they feared that if they left the government they might make all government impossible by virtue of their control of the CGT which they might launch into a series of strikes all over the country.
This is leading up to say that the CGT is the key to the mystery and while some effort has been made in the direction of removing CGT levers of control from Communist hands a great deal more has to be accomplished before non-Communist labor leaders will be in a position to take hold of the situation. In other words: Non-Communist parties are not yet ready to stage a fight with the Communists over the CGT. While I repeat that much remains to be done I have noticed some encouraging signs of late: For instance a new courage which we now find in non-Communist labor and also the endeavor which is now being made to organize non-Communist groups to confront the presently [Page 696] well-organized, well-disciplined, well-financed Communist groups which will take to the streets in the event of disorder of [or?] serious labor difficulties.
In brief: A year ago I was discouraged about the possibility of preventing the Communists from eventually taking over this country; now I have come to believe that they will not take it over; but the process of organizing the genuine democratic forces into an effective machine will be long and tedious; and without a doubt the Communists if they don’t take it over will struggle hard to keep it weak and divided.
Sent Department 1371, repeated Moscow for Delegation 202, and London 270.