With the clamour of the demonstrators close outside, a grim and white-faced Mollet withdrew to the governmental residence at the Palais d'Été, profoundly shocked by the violence and unanimity of the pied noir protest. The presence in the mob of such a mass of workers, small shopkeepers and petty officials — all, doubtless, steadfast Socialists — clearly made it impossible to dismiss the demonstration as a put-up job by the grands colons. After a brief consultation with his advisers, Mollet telephoned Paris to request that Catroux offer his resignation.

Horne, Alistair, A Savage War of Peace- Alge…, loc. 465