The Trial of M. Pucheu
The trial of Pierre Pucheu, former Vichy Minister of the Interior, by a special military tribunal at Algiers, has been watched with mixed feelings by Frenchmen who passionately desire that punish- ment should be meted out to war-criminals but equally desire that justice should be done to the accused. The fact that much vital evidence on many of the charges could not be produced in Africa bore out the view that the trial should have been postponed till it could have been held on French soil, and on the general question of Pucheu's guilt in collaborating with the enemy political issues were dominant and gave a political character to the proceedings. This was apparent in the long rhetorical speeches made by the defendant and by the Communist, M. Grenier, who was heard in evidence against him. It needs to be remembered that French judicial procedure differs from ours, and that much is allowed to be brought out as evidence which would not be tolerated in an English court ; but here the latitude was such that the trial some- times assumed the character of an impassioned political debate. M. Pucheu has appealed to the Court of Cassation which, however. can only confirm or invalidate the trial, purely on points of law or prodedure ; if its verdict is adverse the sentence of death will . be carried out unless General de Gaulle should exercise his pre- rogative of mercy. The misgivings which have been aroused among Frenchmen are increased by the fact that this trial sets a precedent which may have immediate as well as more distant consequences. The Commission for Justice said on Monday that the Army tribunal had 165 cases, involving 588 persons, under pre- paratory examination, three of which were ready for trial ; and the Communist members of the Assembly have staked out a general case for the trial of Vichy traitors before the liberation of France. It is possible to carry " purging " too far. Reconstruction is more important than retribution.
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