Republican socialists like Jaures insisted liberty be declared on the day of conquest itself.

Evidence

In rebuttal Jean Jaures, among others, argued that, just as in the debates over abolition in 1848, “preparatory measures” were simply a means of avoiding the issue at hand: “It is on the very same day that you declare the power and the rights of France in Madagascar that you should affirm this statute of personal liberty which is today inseparable in the world from France.” Once such freedom was declared, he added, the appropriate measures for implementing it could be taken. … The final resolution adopted by the Chamber read, “Slavery having been abolished in Madagascar by the fact that the island is declared a French colony, the government will take measures to ensure immediate emancipation.” — Alice L. Conklin, A Mission to Civilize_ The Republican…, 348

Categorization

• SEED: Jaures’ position — rights declared immediately with implementation following — is a sharp counterpoint worth writing about.