programme of the P.P.P. includes proposals for the abolition of universal suffrage (only "educated" men are to vote), the suppression of all Strikes, the "removal from harm's way" of all communists, socialists, and Jews. The illegal nature of the organisation has necessitated secret work. The members all use assumed names and an elaborate machine for underground activity exists. It is said that a number of members of the police force are secretly controlled by the P.P.P. and that ministers themselves are included in its ranks. It is difficult to estimate the degree to which the P.P.P. is able to pull wires in high political quarters, but it is certainly evident that it wields considerable influence. In spite of its illegal character, it operates with little interference from the Government, and at a recent trial of some members for conspiracy the prosecution was carried out with the smallest possible skill and enthusiasm.
In France, Spain and England, there is no real Fascist movement except in name. Such organisation as is usually associated with this movement is really only a possible basis for its subsequent development, and consists of those elements of society which are commonly concerned with strike-breaking.
The French movement of this character is certainly a considerable one. There exists a number of Civic Unions whose objective is in the main to ensure the carrying on of industry in time of strike. These bodies are federated in the National Confederation of the Civic Unions of France, and under the auspices of this body have been established the cadres of Civic Guards. The declared objects of the Confederation have been relatively mild, covering only "a voluntary mobilisation with a view to putting obstacles in the way" of strikers, and, more particularly, of those who prepare for a general strike. "The National Confederation of Civic Unions groups its members outside of all class distinctions or political or religious faith, with a view to assisting in maintaining indispensable national services if the workers cease to carry out their duties," runs the third article of the constitution. But it is not to be doubted that the ultimate objective of the Confederation is a more definitely bellicose one, and we can read the words of one of the leaders of the movement (M. Saint-Marcet) which prove this:—"In general, the Civic Unions are organised with a view to co-operating with the government, but in the quite probable event of the government, falling into the hands of anti-social parties, the Unions would immediately modify their tactics in order to act as an instrument of public safety and as a means to get rid (as in Denmark in 1920) of ministers who are hostile to order and constitution." The threat of violence against a workers' government is clear. The Civic Guards are another indication of the Fascist tendency of the movement. They are of a definitely military character, and their constitution expressly
