Alphonse Merrheim, a revolutionary syndicalist, arrived in Paris in 1904, and soon after met Pierre Monatte at the office of Pages Libres.

The notice on the front page signed by Pierre Monatte proclaimed that it would be devoted to action, which would provide assistance to militants in the battle of propaganda.

[4] Financial transparency was an important goal, with the journal committed to reporting its finances to its subscribers on a regular basis.

A team was quickly assembled with specialists such as Dr. La Fontaine for medicine, Robert Louzon on engineering and Francis Delaisi on economics.

Monatte also attached much importance to typographical elegance, the choice of titles and illustrations, and giving a modern and airy layout.

Four days a week a meeting was held from 9–11 p.m. where contributors could come to talk, bring an article, and also help with shipping and administration.