Lettre Francaise——VUC Veterans In Paris

. . . Here are some brier details concerning the Congress, which promises to be one of the great historical events of our times. It is being held in the Salle Pleyel, Paris, from the 20th to the 25th April inclusive, with a break in the work on the 24th for a huge Peace Demonstration at the Buffalo Stadium on the southern outskirts of Paris where the delegates will be acclaimed by Peace Caravans from all over France and neighbouring countries in Europe and from Britain.

There will be two thousand delegates, representing 600,000,000 people from more than 50 countries.

The list of world writers, artists, scientists, musicians, actors and intellectuals in general who are sponsors or delegates is enormous—they range from Paul Robeson to Queen Elizabeth of Belgium, from the Patriarch of all the Russias to Charles Chaplin, and from Joliet Curie to Shostakovich.

A certain section of the European Press is of course, attempting to present the Congress as a Left-wing political demonstration. But the women of the Argentine pampas, the Negroes of Central Africa and the Housewives of Holland cannot easily be given a political label. The breadth and scope of representation precludes any political sectarianism.

The clear and obvious basis of the enormous success of the appeal for the Congress is that the peoples of the world want peace.

That this is not to the liking of some Governments is barne out by the attempt of the French Government to restrict this breadth of representation by establishing a quota of visas. Italy, however, has sent a delegation of over 300 members (including the mayors of 25 large towns, etc.) Britain, a delegation of 200 members, the USA 40. and so on.

The Maison de la Pensee Francaise, which is the organisational centre, is a hive of activity and a Bulletin is published daily, at present in French, but with the opening of the Congress it will appear in the five official languages. There is also a press service which issues communiques to the press agencies and arranges press conferences.

Interpretation at the Congress will be on the model of the system used at UNO meetings.

A huge exhibition has been organised which will be open for a month. Held at the Cirque d'Hiver its aim is to show the history of the struggle of the peoples of the world for peace It is a pity there was not the time to arrange for a good contribution from NZ for it.

On the day following the closing of the Congress delegates from all over the world will speak in the main provincial towns of France.

The theme to be debated in commission are disarmament, economic relations between nations, war propaganda, etc.

We will attempt to keep you informed as far as possible of the general trend of discussions as the Congress proceeds, but since there will probably be night sessions this may not be possible. In any case, full reports will be sent airmail as soon as we can prepare them. Copies of the Bulletin will be sent surface mail.

Already at this stage up words are adequate to tell the tremendous response there has been in favour of the Peace Congress.