Dommage que les blogues n’existaient pas en 1938, le texte écrit par George Orwell dans son journal en date du 9 octobre aurait mérité grand nombre de commentaires de ses contemporains.
Orwell dresse en quelques mots un portrait éloquent de Marrakech (où il se soignait, je crois), des population arabe, juive, touarègue et européenne qui y habitaient et des préparatifs à l’éminente guerre. un magnifique portrait de la réalité coloniale des années 30.
After the crisis was over everyone here showed great relief and was much less stolid about it than they had been during the trouble itself. Educated Frenchwoman in official position, known to us personally, writes letter of congratulation to Daladier. It is perfectly evident from the tone of the press that even in the big towns where there is a white proletariat there was not the smallest enthusiasm for the idea of going to war for the sake of Czechoslovakia.
[...] The French authorities enroll a sort of special constables°, a force known as the surete°, who are armed with truncheons and called out when criminals are to be rounded up. I have not yet got reliable particulars, but it appears that either these or the regular police can summarily order flogging of thieves etc. and that savage floggings have been administered without trial.
Have seen a good many of the Foreign Legion. Do not look very dangerous ruffians. Almost universally poor physique. Uniforms even worse than those of the conscripts.
Je vous invite à découvrir ce texte sur le blogue d’Orwell, 70 ans plus tard.
