that it was necessary to maintain our prestige by showing our power to Abd-el-Krim…
"2. We wished to get within our protectorate the rich tribes north of the Ouergha, including at least 40,000 persons, and line them up against the Riffs. We were trying to set up a conflict, on the frontier, between peaceful tribes…
"3. We wished to secure the fertile territories of this region in order to drive out the natives in a few years, or a few months, and turn their lands over to some of the big colonizing companies…
"4, The most criminal object of all—as clearly expressed in our press—was to deprive Abd-el-Krim of his food supply, and to bring about conditions of famine by this blockade."
Doriot then read from the Temps in order to establish his fourth point. There were objections and protests, but he insisted that the real cause of the Riff War was hunger resulting from the French blockade begun in 1924:
"You have spoken of Riff aggression. You should rather speak of a revolt of the tribes in the French Zone, backed up by the Riffs, whom you have tried to starve. The war is much less due to the action of the famished Riffs than to the action of those who have starved them. (Applause on the extreme left.)
"M. Chassaigne-Goyon.—Is such language permitted in the French Chamber?
"M. Desire Ferry.—You are defending the cause of Abd-el-Krim.
"Doriot.—As for you, you are defending your friends of the Banque de Paris et des Pays-Bas, who are making profits out of these doings. (Cries from the centre and the right.)
"M. Bire.—This speech was written in Moscow.
"Vaillant-Couturier.—There has not been a colonial expedition in the course of which the same means have not been employed.
""Doriot.—We must admit that it is the French Government and the Resident General who must shoulder the responsibility for the existence of these conditions. …
"M. Bire.—You carry the responsibility of traitors!
"Doriot.—The opinion of the workers and the peasants will judge those who were not willing to discuss peace as responsible for the death of the soldiers who fall in Morocco. (Ap-11
