Commune mixte

Report on the political parties in Aïn-M'lila, Constantine, July 21, 1942

This report indicates several pieces of information:

1/ Political parties are non-existent in the territory of Aïn-M'Lila and the old parties show no activity.

2/ The French Legion of Combatants rallied all the members of the various groups under the presidency of Mr Arnaud Gabriel.

3/ The only youth movement that exists is that of Cadets and Cadettes which operates within the LFC.

4/ The Compagnons de France company in Berteaux has just been dissolved and the members have been sent to Rouiba.

Rapport du préfet d'Alger adressé aux adminisrateurs du département de Constantine, aux Secrétaires Généraux et Sous-Préfets, au sujet des observations générales du département, Février 1940

This very dense report provides a lot of information concerning the general situation of the department of Constantine. The prefect underlines the difficulties of the crop shortages, fuel, the uncertainty of events in Europe but also, the questioning of the authority of the public authorities and the measures recommended to overcome this questioning and help the indigenous.

Rapport confidentiel au sujet de la population indigène et des mesures que voudrait prendre l'administration, Sidi-Bel-Abbes, 28 février 1942

This report concerns the concern of the public authorities about the attitude of the colonists who complain about the laziness of the agricultural workers. The administration fears that excessive use of its authority is to the detriment of Muslim citizens.

Extrait de journal, "Nomination de l'inspecteur des communes mixtes d' Algérie Eugène Battistini", La Dépêche algérienne, 23 décembre 1941

Eugène Battistini Secretary General for Muslim Affairs is appointed inspector of mixed municipalities in Algeria by the Governor General of Algeria.

Commune mixte in the French colonial period is a neighborhood managed by civil servants French, Arab (indigenous), and Jews.

Extrait de journal au sujet du recrutement des 35 attachés de communes mixtes ou de sous-préfecture pour le département de Constantine, "La Dépêche de Constantine", 30 janvier 1942

The Governor General has decided to add to the sub-prefects and administrators of "communes mixtes", agents responsible for supporting them. They are called attachés of mixed municipalities.
 

Lettre du gouverneur générale de l'Algérie au Préfet au sujet des problèmes économiques touchant la population musulmane, 20 juillet 1942

This document mentions the current crisis which no longer allows the Muslim population to ensure the abundance that existed before. The text underlines the importance of preserving the moral health of populations which depends on economic conditions. To do this, the Administrator and his assistants must ensure that the populations are fed and clothed, thus their authority will be strengthened.

Renseignement au sujet des indigènes israélites algériens, Constantine, 24 juin 1941

This report gives us several information:

1. The announcement of Germany's declaration of war on Russia has been well received in native Israelite circles, who believe that the German armies will be beaten by the Russian armies.

2. Informants from the Center for Information and Study assert that nationalist propaganda is perceptible among the Jews. They say to the Muslims: "We have been in this country for centuries. Much more than the French, we are close to you. Besides, we are not all descendants of the sons of Shem [...]".