In 1914–1918 Algerian troops fighting alongside the French had suffered appalling casualties of 25,000 killed out of 173,000 joining the colours. By way of recognition of their courage and loyalty legislation was introduced in 1919 to facilitate Muslim access (in modest numbers) to French citizenship. It aroused the most intransigent and violent opposition from the pieds noirs, reluctant or fearful of change, typical of which was this expostulation by the senator from Oran. "The indigènes have fulfilled their duty vis-à-vis ourselves and deserve to be recompensed. But to do this, is it necessary to resort to imprudent measures?"

XREF: Connects to broader patterns of colonial powers honoring wartime service from colonized peoples with symbolic rather than substantive rights.

Horne, Alistair, A Savage War of Peace- Alge…, loc. 101