‘Fascism Must Come No More!’

By ELIZABETH GURLEY FLYNN

Q*® Noy. 26 in Paris, France, a delega-

tion of American women to an
International Congress of Women stop-
ped at the Hotel Lutetia, which had been
a Nazi headquarters during the oceupa-
tion.

We were here because a group of
resolute women, mem-
bers of the Union
of French Women,
had gathered in this
city. They had organ-
ized after their recent
release from prisons
and concentration
camps, or after exile
or a hunted existence
in the _ resistance
movement.

Many of their com-
rades were dead from
starvation and ill-
treatment or had been
executed. But they
met, after long sepa-
ration, neither to
mourn nor to remi-
nisce, nor to make -
any plans for them-
selves as individuals.

“Not to mourn .. .”

EY realized that

the same heroic
efforts and noble sacrifices had been
‘made by the women of all war-torn
countries and identical problems now
confronted them. ‘‘We dare not allow
the world to forget what Hitler-fascism
did to children!” they said.

They wanted so much to meet with
these sister women from the other
countries to hear their stories and make
eommon cause with them for the future.

A world-wide united effort of women
would guarantee their fullest participa-
tion in their governments. It would help
women solve the special postwar prob_

PACIFIC TRIBUNE—PAGE 2

ELIZABETH GURLEY FLYNN

lems of mothers and children—health,
care, education. It would extend the par-
ticipation of women in the struggle for
the re-establishment of shattered dem-
ocracy and the consolidation of peace.

INCREDISGLE DIFFICULTIES

HE difficulties under which the ini-

tiating committee worked were in-
eredible. Without of-
fice supplies, with no
lists of organizations,
with communication
and transportation
broken down through-
out Hurope, it was a
herculean task.

Our biggest short-
coming as a delega-
tion was the absence
of trade unionists,
which was due some-
what to indifference
and Jack of coopera-
tion on the part of
progressive trade
unions. Our strongest
asset was the pres-
ence of three Negro
women delegates.

“Tt is a miracle! If
I did not actually see
it I would not believe
it!” exclaimed a so-
phisticated American
newspaper woman, stationed in Paris, as
she looked at nearly 900 assembled dele-
gates, representing 42 countries, gath-
ered in the big hall of the Palais de
la Mutualitie. Tt was a thrilling sight.

OMEN from all countries; of all

colors; very young; very old and in
middle years; fashionable, well clad, and
shabby; healthy, strong women and frail
women with shadows showing the ef-
fects of torture and hunger; Soviet
women in the glowing colors of their pic-
turesque saris; lawyers, doctors, writ-

Women from all countries, of all colors, very young and in middle years, women with shadows showing |
the effects of torture and hunger, lawyers, doctors, writers, teachers, artists, actresses, trade unionists, edi |
tors, legislators —_ mothers, wives and young girls —- — they made up the delegates to the International Con-
gress of Women. They were women like those pictured above; like the typical young Russian girl on the
left, like Spain’s great La Pasionara (center) and the young Yucoslav girl shown admiring her leader, Tito.

New Womens’ International Accepts the Challenge ly

ers, teachers, trade unionists, scientists,
artists, actresses, editors, legislators—
mothers, wives\and young girls — all
were here.

EXILED BY FASCISM

ips presence in our midst of 13 women

from Spain, led by Dolores Tbarruri
(Passionaria), six from Portugal, two
from Greece—all emigres from Euro-
pean fascist countries, as well as the
arrival of two courageous anti-fascist
women from Argentina, Mms. Martinez-
Guerrera and \Ratta de Sadosky, brought
the continued existence and threat of
fascism widely before us.

Mme. Guerrera blasted Argentina’s
fascist regime and called on the women
of the world to help get rid of it.

Mme. Gritis of Greece, now living in
Paris, spoke for the Greek delegation
who were not allowed to leave Athens.
“Greece,” she said, “was liberated a
year ago but immediately afterward
fascism returned, backed by the tanks
of the same allies whom the Greeks had
acclaimed as liberators.”

Apes highlight at the conference

was the eloquent speech of Dr.
Charlotte Hawkins Brown of our dele-
gation in which she said. “Twice we
have sent black boys to fight beside you
and I thank you, in the name of Ameri-
can Negro women, for the first taste
of equality which many of them receiv
ed from you.”

The delegate from India Mrs. Roshan

Barber, said: “The wind of freedom is
blowing around the world. Will it blow
on. India?” She gave ghastly figures
of the greatest army of dispossessed
women the world has eyer known who
walk the roads of India: told of the sup-
pression of all women’s organizations and
pleaded for “India’s place in the sun,
for one-fifth of the world’s population.”

The six Italian delegates, led by Sra

Adda Gobetti and Givia Floreanni to;
of their struggles against twenty yeai
of fascism and the Union of Italig
Women that grew out of their unde
ground activities.

In fact, every Huropean country rej
resented has a strong union of wome
with magazines, newspapers, and publ |
cations. These organizations are no
partisan, dedicated to the right of won
en and children to live in a dece.
world.

An interesting discussion took pla
in one of the committees on the alte —
native phrasing “democratic, anti-fa
cist” or “democratic and anti-fascist
“How can anyone be democratic ai
not also be anti-fascist?” they ask
an American delegate, in amazemeni §

It was not “a (Communist gathering:
as the young lady from the Ghiea
Tribune was so anxious to establish.

Many Communists were present. -
anyone is unwilling to meet Communis
in Europe today they might as well st?
home and even keep out of crowds
America.

py, free world for children; for neae :
opportunity, equality for men aj
women,

DELEGATES AFFILIATED

QUR delegation affiliated with the nef
organization — the Women’s Inte i
national Democratic Federation — co) A)

and support om our own organiz
tions and all other progressive womet
organizations, trade unions, etc.

We are prepared as a delegation
tell all who will listen what we hat
learned and to rally American wom 5
to join with their sisters of ‘Europ 5
Asia, Australia, Africa, North and Sou §,
America in the great responsibiliti dk
facing women in the world today. |

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 19 Pl