“...and that government of the people, by the people, and for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” ABRAHAM LINCOLN TheThe VVolunteerolunteer JOURNAL OF THE VETERANS OF THE ABRAHAM LINCOLN BRIGADE

Vol. XXIV, No. 4 December 2002

VALB has joined a veteran’s coalition that includes Veterans for Peace, Vietnam Veterans Against the War, Black Veterans for Social Justice, and the Military Families Network. VALB members such as Hilda Roberts marched in demon- strations in and New York. See stories page 6. Photo by Richard Bermack He once claimed to having been sent to Spain to set up a direct radio connection between the US and Spain, Letters but when the equipment never arrived, was put to work repairing Belgian field telephones. He eventually ended Dear Peter Carroll and Lou Gordon, up in the Mac-Pap “transmissiones” company, which is I do not want to leave this world without thanking where he obviously learned a bit of Spanish, perfected you for the joy and pride you brought to my heart. Mr. over the years. Whenever the subject of field telephones Carroll made me cry several times and with Mr. Gordon came up Bill would invariably mimic his wartime activi- I Iaughed with that wonderful sense of humor last ties with a loud “Probando, probando. Oiga, oiga”. Saturday at the Centro Asturiano in Tampa. Transmissiones was a good place for him as he was a I was born in Madrid in 1934 -my grandfather died natural communicator. He told of knowing John in Jaca Aragon in this war- my father was at the Cookson, the head of Lincoln transmissions, and of Batallon Alpino close to Madrid, and I remember the appreciating how he looked after his men. worst years after 1939 too. Bill had been a boy scout. His father thought it was a All my life I have heard about you and in my heart good way for a Brooklyn kid to get out of the city, a fact there are no words to thank the Abraham Lincoln that saved his life during the Great Retreats when he Brigades and The . Viva los used the North Star to navigate his way to the Ebro, Brigadas Internacionales, Viva las Brigadas de Abraham despite a comrade’s insisting the way out was in the Lincoln. opposite direction. We Spaniards will not live long enough to thank Bill also had a favorite donkey story. At one time you, and that is why I pass it on to my children and during the Ebro, he found a mule and loaded it up with grandchilden. telephones and wire. The animal was cooperative and carried the load, but when Bill tried to ride the mule, the Thank you, latter would have nothing of it and refused to move. He Manolita Pinto (de la Cuerda) liked to joke about the “burro fascista” who wouldn’t Tampa, Florida allow him to rest his weary feet. He also joked about a more serious matter, when he was gravely wounded in Dear Volunteer, the backside during the latter part of the Ebro campaign. It is difficult to write about someone so unique as Bill Van Felix. Having gotten involved with the VALB Continued on page 22 through the Amigos event of 1996, I am certainly not the Letters person who knew Bill the best, but I do feel compelled to share what I know about the man and his life. Bill was a radioman, both at war and peace. It is fair to The Volunteer say that his experience in Spain was unique as he swam Journal of the into Spain and then walked out of it, months after most Veterans of the IBers had gone home, with the fascists hot on his heels. He was on the Ciudad de when it was torpedoed Abraham Lincoln Brigade off the Catalan coast in 1937 and swam much of the way an ALBA publication to shore before being picked up by the local fishermen. Prior to the sinking, when the order was given for all vol- 799 Broadway, Rm. 227 unteers to go beneath decks, Bill’s survivor instincts sent New York, NY 10003 him instead to the radio room where he was talking to (212) 674-5398 the crew when the torpedo hit, thus he was able to escape while many others were trapped below. Editorial Board Peter Carroll • Leonard Levenson Gina Herrmann • Fraser Ottanelli • Abe The ALBA Listserv Smorodin Readers of the Volunteer are invited to continue the Design Production debate on the ALBA sponsored Internet Discussion List. Richard Bermack To become a member simply send a blank e-mail mes- Editorial Assistance sage to the address: [email protected] or go Carla Healy-London to the ALBAwebsite www.alba-valb.org and click on the “Dialog” button. Submission of Manuscripts See you on the web! Please send manuscripts by E-mail or on disk. E-mail: [email protected]

2 THE VOLUNTEER December 2002 Novelist Doctorow Highlights 5th ALBA-Susman Lecture about the past, about historical erans’ dedication to the cause of events important to him, and to fighting fascism in Spain put them in humanity. He is gentle and scholarly a category and class all their own. in his deliverance, especially consider- That Americans and Europeans so ing the time and topic of this differently articulate political convic- particular event; yet you sense instant- tions, it is this fact that makes our ly that his commitment is unbreakable American veterans so admirable. and one can’t help but feel that in his Of course Doctorow, the lecturer, quiet, calm way, this gentleman can- preached to the choir and oh what not and will not suffer fools. an impression he made. Though he Hemingway and Malraux: one did not conceal his admiration of American, one European, each man Hemingway’s talent, he admitted was passionately dedicated to the the novelist was a literary genius struggle for democracy and social with limits. For Whom the Bell Tolls, justice, yet Malraux was committed with its accurate depiction of fascist to the loyalist cause, and did not hes- inhumanity, is basically a romance, itate for a moment when it came to and while not lighthearted, certainly expressing his views and outrage. does not come close to Malraux’s Hemingway was not as open about intense commitment and involve- By Anne Taibleson his feelings; either he was afraid or ment that is unabashedly evident he simply did not want to be defined in Man’s Hope. .L. Doctorow’s name evokes as a communist. Hemingway was A few minutes into his lecture, awe for almost any fiction concerned up to a point, whereas Mr. Doctorow lamented that two Ereader of the past forty years. Malraux believed in all or nothing. recent and best-selling 20th century So, his presentation at the fifth annu- Here Doctorow unapologetically reference manuals, one by the late al ALBA-Bill Susman lecture on stated that Hemingway’s reticence renowned historian Stephen Friday evening October 18 was high- was an unfortunate American trait, Ambrose, the other by news broad- ly anticipated, and I believe I can though one that absolutely did not caster Tom Brokaw, make not a peep speak for everyone there that few in apply to the veterans of the Abraham about the Lincoln Brigade volunteers the audience were disappointed. The Lincoln Brigade. Moreover, the vet- Continued on page 5 title of the lecture was “Literature and the ,” and the nov- elist focused on two works that were inspired by the Spanish Civil War: ’s For Whom the Bell Tolls and André Malraux’s Man’s Hope (L’Espoir). Doctorow also spoke a good deal about the sad and frus- trating situation we are all facing at present. The author of The Book of Daniel, Ragtime and Billy Bathgate, to name only a few of his novels; and the winner of a multitude of prizes, including the National Book Award for World’s Fair and the Pen/Faulkner Award, Doctorow spoke in a quiet, laconic style, but packed a huge punch. He said he does not consider himself a historical (l-r) ALBA board members Dan Czitrom, Julia Newman, Fredda Weiss, Fraser novelist; he is a novelist who writes Ottanelli, Peter Carroll, E.L. Doctorow, Bill Susman, and NYU's former president John Brademas. THE VOLUNTEER December 2002 3 Spain in the Heart of Tampa By Maura Barrios

ith a passion and fervor reminiscent of the strug- Wgles of the 1930s— including the nighttime vandalism of the new monument dedicated to the Florida volunteers in the Spanish civil war—the Spanish immigrant commu- nity of Tampa paid homage to their anti-fascist heritage in a rousing trib- ute to the local veterans. This very special event held on Saturday, November 2, highlighted the centen- nial year of El Centro Asturiano de Defaced monument, photo by Jeannette Ferrary Tampa, a mutual aid society founded by local cigar workers. The Centro, in Elvira Garcia and William F. Garcia den: a reminder partnership with the University of of Community Relations, led the to all future South Florida and the Florida group, numbering several hundred, and present Humanities Council, organized a outdoors to the corner garden on generations day-long recognition of the area’s Palm and Nebraska Avenues. that the men support of the Spanish Republic. President Garcia welcomed the and women Young and old gathered in the guests crowding the sidewalk at the who risked three-story social club located in the busy corner on a hot and clear their lives in a heart of Tampa’s Latin Quarter. In Florida afternoon. A giant, aged yel- foreign country low, red and purple flag of the to fight fascism Republic dressed the building’s will be remem- façade. Ines Pujana delivered La bered, even Pasionaria’s moving farewell to the when others International Brigades and the crowd prefer to sang to an old recording of “No “whitewash” Pasaran” (written by a Tampa cigar- the truth or Vet Milt Felsen maker). Spanish and Tampa leaders forget. presented three memorials to perma- Following the dedication, the nently record a lost history. They crowd moved inside to the Centro’s then unveiled a plaque dedicated to restored theater for a rousing histori- peace and to the many Tampeños cal lesson by ALBA Chair Peter who joined the International Carroll. In his talk, Carroll shared Brigades. In addition, the Asturian stories of many Americans who regional government donated a Continued on page 5 Installing the 3,000 pound rock. plaque to honor the Tampeño com- munity that aided the Spanish the building’s cantina where men Republic with medical equipment, still gather to play gin and dominos, ambulances, and supplies. in the hallways crowded with visi- Then, in a moment of great tors, and in the old auditorium expectation, William Garcia moved which heard the voice of Enrico beyond the low wrought-iron fence Caruso in the 1920s and hosted and lifted a large plastic covering to women veterans Evelyn Hutchins reveal “the rock”—weighing over and Ruth Davidow in 1939, the com- 3,000 pounds and shipped all the munity’s collective memory of way from Corbera de Ebro Zaragoza. solidarity with the Republic domi- The rock, splattered with white paint nated conversations. in a nighttime attack by unknown Vet talks with USF At 1 p.m. our hosts, President vandals, stood firm in the corner gar- student

4 THE VOLUNTEER December 2002 joined the Abraham Lincoln Brigade, emphasizing the connections to our News of the IB Vets present moment. He received a standing ovation from the crowd. ALB veteran Lou Gordon spoke By Moe Fishman approached the national government for the many vets about their to designate it a national park to involvement in Spain and in World he Veterans and Friends of the mark the Battle of the Ebro. Ana War II. Vets Milt Felsen of Sarasota Spanish Republic held its Perez reported that the Amigos plan and George Sossenko of also Tannual convention on to hold an international reunion of attended the ceremonies. September 7-8 in Berlin with 43 par- the IB at the site in 2003. The day ended with a feeling of ticipating members from Germany. The Friends of the International satisfaction, pride, and renewed com- Chair Harold Wittstock reported that Brigades in Catalonia (ADABIC) pre- mitments to anti-fascist struggles. the organization’s quarterly maga- sented a lecture on John Cookson on zine goes out to 250 subscribers. Its October 25 in Barcelona, followed by Maura Barrios is Assistant Director of major project is the fight for peace, the annual tribute to the I.B. at the the Center for Latin American and against Germany’s participation in statue of “David and Goliath” in Caribbean Studies at the University of the U.S. effort to make war on Iraq. Barcelona. South Florida and an ALBA Associate. Foreign delegations to the con- vention came from Denmark, Israel, Finns in the SCW and Sweden; Ana Perez and the In 1939 the Finnish Workers Doctorow Mayor of Corberra came from Spain, Federation, USA published a small Continued from page 3 and Moe Fishman represented VALB. 80-page book in Finnish, a compila- The Mayor of Corberra reported tion of articles that had appeared in and their courageous fight in Spain. that his town and four others nearby the Finnish language newspapers as Is this glaring omission one of igno- had financed a museum and Continued on page 15 rance or merely a dress rehearsal to a World War - something so utterly unimportant to these reporters of American history? Obviously in Mr. Civil War Exhibit Opens in Israel Ambrose’s case, we will never know. And I heard (I was eavesdropping) By Rajel Sperber that to date Lincoln vet Abe parallel activities such as lectures Smorodin has received no response n exhibition of photographs, given by specialists and films fol- to his letter to Mr. Brokaw, asking documents, and artifacts, lowed by round table discussions. simply, why? A“Jewish Participation in the The exhibit brings together docu- Doctorow closed by saying the International Brigades: The Spanish ments, books, publications, objects veterans of the Abraham Lincoln Civil War 1936-1939,”opens on found on the battlefields, and broad- Brigade “ride history as a surfer February 18 at the Jewish and ly representative personal stories, rides the waves.” Well put, beauti- National Library of Jerusalem. articulated around the following fully put. ALBA has made Organized by the division for Latin themes: the Structure of the tremendous strides in its efforts to America, Spain and Portugal of the International Brigades; Arrival in awaken public consciousness about Institute of Contemporary Jewry of Spain; Life on the Front; the Spanish Civil War and will con- the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Amusements and Activities during tinue to do so. This is an exciting the shows introduces the Israeli pub- periods of Rest; the Jewish Company and remarkable time for us all. lic to the international volunteers: named for Naftali Botwin; My latest fantasy is that we are who they were, what their ideologi- Volunteers from What is Today all inhabitants of a perfect world, cal world was, what the war in Spain Israel; Women Volunteers; and E.L. Doctorow’s next project is a meant to them, and how the soldiers Volunteers in Anarchist and POUM novel about the men and women experienced the war. The project (non-Stalinist Communists) Militia who risked their lives to fight emphasizes the participation of Units; Aviators; Health Services; against fascism in Spain in the Jewish volunteers, but their experi- Relations between Internationals and 1930s, written in his inimitable ences are placed in the context of the the Spanish Population; the Retreats; style, with grace and compassion. units they fought in. Internment Camps in and How is that for further awakening The exhibition, which includes North Africa; Prisoners of Franco; public consciousness? the continuous projection of a video Volunteers Remember (autobiogra- situating the Brigades in their histor- phies and autobiographical novels); Anne Taibleson is a freelance writer ical context, will be supplemented by Retrospective and Homages. who lives in New York.

THE VOLUNTEER December 2002 5 VVetsets MMararchchffoorr PPeaceacee

As part of a coalition of veteran’s groups, New York Lincoln Brigade members Moe Fishman, Len Levenson, and Harry Fisher marched with banners in Central Park to protest war against Iraq. The demonstration organized by Not In Our Name drew 15,000 participants. The Veteran’s Coalition for Peace also held a protest meeting and speakout against the war with Iraq and in defense of constitutional rights on November 10 in .c

Father Roy Annual Bay Area Bourgois (center) took a moment Vets Picnic off from demonstrating against the School of the Americas to picnic with VALB members Hon Brown, Corine Thornton, Nate Thornton and Hilda Roberts. More than 70 people attended the annual picnic September 29, at Live Oak Park, in Berkeley.

6 THE VOLUNTEER December 2002 frfromom CCoastoast ttoo CCoastoast

VALB members and supporters marched in anti-war protest October 26 in San Francisco (left to right) Dave Smith, Evan Chantikian, Don Hill, Ileana Gadea, Andrea Woods, Martha Olson Jarocki, Dmitri Jarocki. Over 100,000 people marched in demonstrations in San Francisco, New York, and Washington. Photograph by Gerry Jarocki. Retrospective Exhibit Honors Chicago Vet Syd Harris, Photographer

Photographs by Chicago vet Syd Harris (1916-1989) and his sons, who dealt with postwar labor and civil rights struggles, were fea- tured in an exhibition at Hothouse gallery in

PHOTOS BY SYD HARRIS Chicago this fall.

THE VOLUNTEER December 2002 7 From the Archives

By Michael Nash phy is titled, Comrades: Tales of a front, not for false patriotic reasons, but ince December 2000, the Brigadista in the Spanish Civil War because they don’t want fascism. Abraham Lincoln Brigade (University of Nebraska Press, 1998). The Tamiment Library is contin- SArchives have been housed at Fisher’s March 16, 1937 letter uing to build the Abraham Lincoln New York University’s Tamiment home captured the spirit of the anti- Brigade Archives, and we are look- Library, which is among the nation’s fascist fight: ing for collections of papers, most important repositories docu- First I am in fine health. It seems photographs, pamphlets, posters, menting the history of labor and the that Spanish foods and wines agree and other memorabilia. If you know left in the . With the with me. of material that should be added to ALBA collection at its core, we hope Right now I see a group of Spanish the ALBA Archives please contact: to make the Tamiment Library a school children shouting anti-fascist slo- major center for research on the gans. Its impossible for me to express Julia Newman, Spanish Civil War. the spirit of these children and the rest of Executive Director Abraham Lincoln The Abraham Lincoln Brigade the people. They will fight fascism to the Brigade Archives Archives include more than 400 death. An hour ago we passed a school 799 Broadway #227 boxes of historical material: 5,000 and all the children raised their fists in New York, NY 10003 photographs, 200 full color Spanish greeting. The same in every town. The 212-674-5398 Civil War posters, 100 oral history other day I saw a women’s demonstra- [email protected] interviews, and artifacts (buttons, tion with the main slogan: “All men to Michael Nash is Head of the badges, uniforms, and at least one the Front-Women are in the rear guard.” Tamiment Library and Robert F. rifle). There is correspondence They went from house to house get- Wagner Labor Archives at New York including letters of support from ting all the women to join. Practically University. people throughout the world such as every woman in town joined. You can be Albert Einstein, Langston Hughes, sure no young man will stay in that , Lillian Hellman, and town. The women want their men in the many others. One of the most excit- ing parts of the archive are the dozens of collections of personal The FBI Files Are Coming! papers that describe the Spanish Civil War experience through the eyes of the rank and file American fter years of speculation During the course of the volunteer who went to Spain to fight about its contents (some of it evening [an agent] mingled against fascism, and for democracy Ablacked out), the FBI’s exten- and conversed with and social justice. Some of the most sive files on the Veterans of the Communists of his acquain- fascinating documents are the letters Abraham Lincoln Brigade will be tance, and became friendly written home that provide descrip- added to the ALBA collection at the with several individuals for- tions of conditions on the front lines Tamiment Library, probably by the merly unknown to him. The as well as insight into the political end of 2003, thanks to a formal Agents, keeping their identi- commitments of the volunteers and request by ALBA under the Freedom ty concealed, were the Spanish people. of Information Act. Meanwhile, we introduced and fraternized The correspondence files of are printing two tidbits taken from a with many of the other Harry Fisher, who at the age of eigh- sample of documents recently guests…. teen went to Spain to fight with the released by the FBI that claim to It was observed that Abraham Lincoln Brigade, provide a reveal links between friends of the although the affair was a fine example of these rank and file Lincoln Brigade and so-called “un- Spanish fiesta for the bene- letters. After returning home, Fisher American activities.” fit of veterans of the was a department store worker, a On January 31, 1941, for Spanish civil war, there was seaman, a labor activist and during instance, FBI agents in St. Louis, little evidence of a Spanish World War II was an engineer gun- Missouri reported that they had group in attendance. The ner on a B –26. For many years he attended a New Year’s Eve celebra- membership of the former was chief of communications for the tion sponsored by the St. Louis league for peace and Tass news agency in New York City. chapter of the Abraham Lincoln democracy was conspicu- His recently published autobiogra- Brigade: Continued on page 9

8 THE VOLUNTEER December 2002 FBI Files Continued from page 8

ously absent. The hall was decorated with slogans such as ‘Long Live the New Year and the New Republic,’ ‘Send the Ship to Rescue the 1100 International Brigadiers from the French Concentration Camps.’ The guests during the evening joined in singing songs, including anti-British and American Youth Congress members were present, the females of which danced and BBobob SStteck:eck: consorted with several FFororeevverer AAcctivisttivist male negroes who were By David Smith present. others as you did.” David Stein have known Bob and Josie After Bob gave a presentation anti-Wall Street parody of Steck for many years and am at the University of Arizona’s the Wiener Schnitzel song. Ipleased to write a few words History Department in 1999, a American Youth Congress for Bob, a true “forever activist” professor wrote, “The Lincoln members were present, the who is still going strong in Green Vets make me proud to be an females of which danced and Valley, Arizona. When living in American and embarrassed at my consorted with several male New York City, Bob was either own timidity in the political-social negroes who were present. lecturing or organizing peace activist sphere.” …Inasmuch as the party groups. Later in Connecticut he Since 1996 Bob and Josie refrained from un-American was an organizer of the Salisbury reside in Arizona, where Bob conversation in the pres- Peace Committee, which is still chairs the Green Valley ence of strangers, no functioning, and he lectured at the Committee for US and Cuban information of value was University of Connecticut and Relations. He is now program obtained…. other schools. He always found coordinator of the Green Valley time to speak with students of all Times seminars. He has been on A Lincoln’s Birthday Dance, ages. Examples of what students the Arizona Interfaith Committee held in Milwaukee the same year, thought of him follow: which succeeded in getting brought the following news to FBI “What you brought to our Arizona to celebrate Martin headquarters: class in that one hour was amaz- Luther King’s birthday. He is We observed colored fel- ing. I was mesmerized by your also the coordinator of the lows dancing with white words and very touched by the Unitarian Fellowship’s lecture girls and white fellows passion which you spoke with. series. A reporter from the Military dancing with colored girls Thank you” Xochitt Mota History Magazine wrote a lengthy and that a few of these “You are an inspiration. What interview with Bob in April 2001 mixed couples left for home you did should be held in the that included many of the toward the close of the highest regard of great and heroic Brigade’s pictures. I could go on dance. acts in the history of the world. I and on as Bob continues the good learned so much from you and fight…for many more years. Stay tuned for more subversive only pray that I can one day help Saludos y con abrazos revelations.

THE VOLUNTEER December 2002 9 Roosevelt-Bowers Correspondence

By Anne Gordon What follows are summaries and n 1933, President Franklin D. selections of the ambassador’s letters Roosevelt appointed journalist to Washington, offering candid com- Iand historian Claude G. Bowers mentary about the course of the war. as Ambassador to Spain, a position In December 1936, for instance, he held throughout the Spanish Civil Bowers writes to Roosevelt to warn War. Today, the correspondence that press coverage is false and mis- between Ambassador Bowers and represents the sentiment of the the White House can be found at the people towards the War and espe- FDR Presidential Library in Hyde cially plays down the amount of men Park, New York. Bowers’ letters are and material provided by Germany frank and urgent in tone, decrying and . Although the world press the lack of aid to the Spanish reports that Madrid is being defend- Republic from the Democratic coun- ed by the Russian Army, Bowers is tries of the world, as well as the careful to point out that has unfairness of the Non-Intervention sent war material, but only a few Pact and the U.S. Neutrality Act. advisors and none of its Army. It is likely that Bowers did not realize the extent to which others in February 16, 1937.Bowers writes the State Department were working to Roosevelt: against the Spanish Loyalists, doing This is no longer a Civil War but an everything they could to support International one. Franco behind the scenes. Despite his limited influence on Roosevelt’s March 31, 1937. Bowers to policy toward Spain, the ambas- Roosevelt: sador was unyielding in his defense The Italian Army numbers 70,000 lion did not come in response to a popu- of the embattled Republic. Freda men with officers, tanks, and planes. The lar demand for the destruction of the Kirschwey wrote about Bowers in Italians had the impudence to demand Republic. The primary purpose is to the Nation in 1941, observing that he that they alone be entrusted with the destroy the Republic and all democratic represented “the best of the New capture of Guadalajara and the encir- forms. Deal expressed in terms of cling of Madrid… they did not wish to be 2. It became a mockery to continue Diplomacy. By nature, Mr. Bowers is annoyed by having the Spaniards about. calling the war a real civil war. The war no diplomat. He is a lot of other The result has been the most humiliating is between the government of Spain things, such as historian and news- rout of recent times… Spanish officers against Italy and Germany. paperman and old-style and insurgents are beside themselves 3. Despite having no army in the Jeffersonian. He is plain spoken and with gratification over this set-back to beginning, and having disputes with fac- sharp-witted, and I should think, their cause… slapping one another on the tional elements, the government has completely irreverent.” back with gratification. created a good army with strong leader- When the military rebellion Now for the observation I would not ship. In addition, industry began making began, July 18, 1936, members of the make in public or to any one but you or war materials. diplomatic community were in their the Department – this war as I have felt 4. The Non-Intervention Pact pro- summer residences near San from the beginning is a conspiracy of the longs the war. It operated against the Sebastian, the Spanish summer capi- Fascist Powers to destroy democracy in government by depriving it of its right tal. The diplomats crossed over to Europe… I am giving you my inner to buy arms and ammunition. The deci- France and settled in St. Jean de Luz thoughts because I am not at all certain sion was made to sacrifice the democracy to escape the fighting. The United that this amazing war in Spain will not of Spain to the peace of Europe. States never opened an Embassy in in some way determine the future of Republican or Fascist Spain during Europe for some time to come or bring August 8, 1937, FDR responds to the War, demonstrating its neutrality. on a European conflict. Bowers: Other nations allowed their buildings ..…tremendously interesting report in Spain to become refuges for mem- July 20, 1937. Bowers writes to (letter goes on to talk of the negative bers of the aristocracy, but Bowers FDR his opinion after one year of war: reaction of the press to New Deal refused to permit such support. 1. It is clear enough that the rebel- programs).

10 THE VOLUNTEER December 2002 Shows Limits of New Deal Diplomacy

August 11, 1937. Bowers to FDR March 13, 1938. Bowers continu- about the suggestion that the Pope ally argued against the Non- be used as a mediator to end the war. Intervention Pact. In March 1938, he Bowers is amused that the Pope was writes: “History will record that this considered to be neutral: pact in its operation, or non-opera- He is just as neutral as he was in tion, is responsible for the lives of the case of Abyssinia. He is a very loyal hundreds of thousands of men, Italian always. He has been favorable to women and children.” He called the the fascist cause in Spain, supported by Non-Intervention Committee 70,000 of Mussolini’s army, throughout. “stupid, bizarre, droll....A device There are domestic political reasons why conceived by England and France as it would be better to be associated with an excuse for not selling arms to the any other statesman in the world as a legal government.” mediator than the Pope – too many repercussions in the U.S. April 11, 1938. Bowers to FDR: The Loyalists will fight on. What a November 15, 1937. In a person- people! The only people in the world in al letter to Daniel Roper, Secretary of these days of Fascist triumph and bully- Commerce, Bowers writes: ing who have the spirit and the guts to The war goes on in Spain; the stand up and fight and die for liberty Democracy of Spain fighting alone the and democracy. Just now they are literal- battle for Democracy throughout the ly fighting for democracy against the world; opposed by the Fascist entire world and I believe they will fight International, and hamstrung by the on to the end. In all the tides of time there Democracies of Europe under the Tory has never been anything in the struggle leadership of the British government. each prostrate form they rise to greater for liberty that is in the same class with The European Democracies are retreat- heights of insolence. Soon the alliance of the fight these people are making. ing, hands up in the fascist salute, with Fascist powers will be so powerful that it Chamberlain writing love letters to will sweep everything before it in He describes Chamberlain as Mussolini… History will ultimately Europe. “treacherous, anti-democratic, write a shameful story, a story of deceptive, hypocritical, and dishon- unprecedented heroism on the part of the February 20, 1938. Bowers to est.” These were his comments in Democracy of Spain along with unthink- FDR: just one letter! able treachery on the part of the other In the light of the events of the last 2 Democracies of Europe. years, it must be evident that treaties, August 18, 1938. Bowers to FDR It seems to me that Democracy is gentleman’s agreements, international as the war enters its second year: crumbling like a house of cards before the law, etc., are no longer binding on There has been a radical, almost sen- blowing and bluffing of the bankrupt fas- nations and that it has even become bad sational change in the military prospects cist states. I am very certain that History taste to complain about their violation… in the last three months. The Loyalist will record that the cowardice of the army, green, inexperienced, untrained to Democracies over here in this Spanish Bowers’ comments about Neville discipline or in tactics, has, after two affair has convinced the fascist leaders Chamberlain, the British Prime years of fighting, become an army of vet- that they may safely continue to treat Minister, range from “brazenly erans. While it probably has fewer them with contempt, to steal with aban- fascistic” to “utterly stupid.” first-class officers than Franco, it has don, and murder women and children developed, Napoleon-wise, a surprising with impunity- - even with the blessings March 7, 1938. Memo from FDR number of young officers of great skill of the Church. to Cordell Hull, Secretary of State: and audacity; and in General Miaja and I can understand of course that a Will you read this from Bowers General Rojsa it has officers as clever horror of war has been responsible in a together with a copy of my reply and and resourceful as the best that Franco measure for the precipitate retreat or send them back to me? I think this letter has. The three offensives recently flight of the Democracies, but unhappily should not be handed around in the launched by the Loyalists on the Ebro, the Fascists have no horror of war. With Department. the Segre, and north of Teruel, have each triumph they proceed to others. On Continued on page 13

THE VOLUNTEER December 2002 11 How Many Latin Americans Went By Gerold Gino Baumann Editor’s Note: The following statistical portrait of Latin American volunteers was developed by Gerold Gino Baumann, a self-employed historian who lives in Costa Rica and who has studied the subject for many years. He is the author of The Latin American Volunteers in the Spanish Civil War, published in Costa Rica in 1997.

CHART: Numbers, names, political affiliation, and deaths of Latin American Volunteers

Country 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Argentina 94 406 500 160 20 20 11 11 18 2 3 23 6 Bolivia 14 5 18 12 3 1 1 2 1 2 3 Brazil 41 9 55 45 2 15 5 1 1 2 5 Chile 41 8 70 61 8 10 2 6 1 10 6 Colombia 51511211 1 Cuba 136 1050 1200 810 10 84 5 10 3 12 100 Costa Rica 122 1 Ecuador 24 6 20 7 1 1 1 1 3 Guatemala 25 5 32 3 3 1 Haiti 15 5 22 Honduras 14 6 22 2 Jamaica 4151 Mexico 464 250 300 135 17 58 3 17 14 2 2 17 74 Martinique 111 1 Nicaragua 12 3 16 3 1 Panama 222 Paraguay 22 8 35 15 2 3 3 1 1 1 Peru 32 18 55 48 5 14 14 17 1 2 2 5 Puerto Rico 16 4 40 34 3 4 1 3 Domin. Rep. 17 8 30 6 1 2 El Salvador 222 Uruguay 22 28 60 54 3 1 1 4 7 Venezuela 144 6 30 1 17 TOTAL 1142 1837 2532 1424 67 160 38 80 45 9 14 65 229

I include a chart that reflects my latest These numbers change constantly the nationalist Cuban party, a centrist research conclusions referencing the with the receipt of new information, cor- party with members both in Cuba and Latin American Volunteers in Spain rections in the spelling of names, exiled in New York. There were some (Militia, Rear Guard, Medical, Popular duplications, and various errors. For Nationalists from the Dominican Army, International Brigades). instance, we know that there weren’t 465 Republic. These are not the definitive numbers; Mexicans, nor 149 Venezuelans, in the Obviously many more than we cite they probably never will be known. These International Brigades. But there were had a political affiliation. We have regis- are probably as close to the final numbers many in other units. In the demobilization, tered affiliation only where documented as might be achieved (unless there is a various non-Brigadists were added in. certainty existed. We did not consider full-time research grant for a competent Many names were false, noms de affiliations established after the demobi- Spanish or Portuguese-speaking guerre used for various reasons, espe- lization (such as Pablo Neruda, who researcher on the subject with travel cially among Communists. became affiliated with Communism in the allowance to all Latin American coun- From Peru there were 7 members of 1940s). tries—a very unlikely case. Survivors APRA, 5 from FUHA. From Cuba there practically do not exist any more). were various members of Young Cuba,

12 THE VOLUNTEER December 2002 to Spain New Deal Continued from page 11

1. Latin American participants in completely flabbergasted the rebels and the International Brigades, hopelessly disorganized their plans…It is August 31, 1938. FDR replies: according to Castells. His admitted by Franco’s men with whom I Your resume of the present situa- statistics are inflated at times. talked that there is no expectation to end tion and outlook is most helpful…I am The Volunteers frequently the war this coming winter. particularly interested in what you say came and went without being Bowers goes on to describe the about the situation in rebel territory. tracked. They sometimes factions among the fascists- Perhaps a little later on—if the Czech changed their names. Some –Falangists, Carlists, and especially situation does not end disastrously—I were listed several times, as conflicts between the Spanish, can make some kind of a move for the recuperating wounded, repent- Germans, and Italians: purpose of at least aiding in the end of ing deserters, second-time Another source of anxiety [for the Spanish War. enrollees, or holders of expired Franco] is the increasingly bitter hostili- October 1, 1938. Bowers to FDR: licenses. There was also confu- ty between the Germans and Italians, The most significant and important sion in the spelling of names. and between them both and the Franco development in Spain comes from Dr. Spaniards. Not for two months or more Negrin’s voluntary offer to send out of 2. Latin American participants in have I talked to a Franco man from the country all foreigners fighting with the Popular Army, Militias, across the border that has not been open the Loyalist Army. This he can well Columns, Rear Guard, and bitter in his comments on the arro- afford to do since there are less than Transport, Health, or Hospital gance and pretensions of the foreigners. 10,000. This clever action of Negrin has Services, based on the The supercilious manner in which the proved a great embarrassment to author’s research. dandified Italian officers presume to look General Franco. 3. Estimate of total numbers of down on the Spaniards, one of whom is Latin American Volunteers, worth ten Italians in the field, has In March 1939, Bowers returned Republican and Francoist, made the latter hated and there are fre- to the United States to make way for based on 1, 2, 3, 4, and the quent brushes. The fact that both the an ambassador more to the taste of “black statistic.” Germans and Italians are acting like the new Franco government. As one burglars in a house, feverishly robbing of his last official acts, he asked the 4. Names, Republic. the Spanish mines and sending the Spanish Secretary of State for the 5. Names, Francoist. product to Italy and Germany—mostly release of American prisoners held at the latter-–has made them hateful…and San Pedro de Cardenas. 6. Military grade. Republic only. as often happens, the Italians are put to When he arrived in Washington, Includes commissars, pilots. rout by the Spaniards on the Loyalist he met with FDR. “We have made a 7. Doctors. There were many side, Franco’s own Spanish officers are mistake,” the president said, “You more for whom we don’t open in their jubilation. were right all along.” have data. The one way to bring this criminal Bowers’ book about his wartime war to an end is to restore to the legal, experiences, My Mission to Spain: 8. Communists. constitutional, democratic government Watching the Rehearsal for World War 9. Anarchists. of the Spanish people its right under II, though finished in 1941, was international law to but arms for its delayed in its publication until 1954. 10. POUM Trotskyites. defense. Its infantry is better than It was felt that his comments about 11. Socialists. Franco’s, and the valor of its soldiers, British Prime Minister Chamberlain man for man is greater; but the civilized were too harsh and would adversely 12. Intellectuals — the most world permits the rebels to get all the affect British-American relations dur- prominent. There were many planes, tanks and artillery it wants, ing the War. Many of his comments more. Writers, poets, journal- while combining all its resources to pre- are extremely bitter, but it is obvious ists, historians, artists, vent the democratic government to but that he felt deeply about the tragedy propagandists, leftists, liber- what it has a right to but under interna- in Spain and the part played by the als, and Republicans. tional law. My fixed opinion is that the United States in bringing it about. thoroughly dishonest “Non-Intervention 13. Confirmed dead. There were Anne Gordon, wife of vet Lou Gordon, scheme” is responsible for the prolonga- quite a few more — unknown expresses thanks for the help provided tion of the war and that it is pretty soldiers, especially among by the Research staff at the Franklin thoroughly caked with human blood— Cubans, Mexicans, and Delano Roosevelt Library. The drawing mostly the blood of women and children. Argentinians. of FDR is used courtesy of Niskayuna

THE VOLUNTEER December 2002 13 A New Spanish Civil War Diary

By Doug Rogers converted to an orphanage for had to do what they were newly discovered diary that refugee children: told, being forced to come; describes a visit to Spain dur- The home now houses 63 others enlisted for unknown Aing its Civil War has come to children whose fathers were destinations; one was told light among the 134 items included caught in fascist territory, to come and fight against in the Paul P. Rogers collection of whose parents were killed in communism which was memorabilia in the Harry Ransom the bombardment of Madrid killing women and children, Humanities Research Center in and other towns… they are etc… But all, except those Austin, . here given every attention, already in fascist militia This handwritten diary, titled are taught to be self-reliant enlisted only because they “Spanish Journey,” recounts in detail and cooperative and to do were in the greatest poverty the author’s 16-day visit to Spain in their own work, such as at home… They enlisted to August 1937. Rogers, who was a making beds, setting table, avoid starvation and had no professor of Spanish at Oberlin fixing up their rooms, culti- heart for their fighting in College for many years, was invited vating gardens, attending Spain. Fascist ideals were to be an observer of the war by the the flowers, etc. No one nothing at all to them—nei- Spanish Republic. He departed could see in their faces any ther, for that matter [were] Oberlin on June 8, but was forced to trace of the horrors and sor- the ideals of Republican spend nearly two months in rows they have passed Spain… Those members of waiting for a visa from the United through—only happpiness. [our] delegation who spoke States for travel to Spain, which in Italian reinforced my own the end was never granted, probably The writer showed himself duly observations that the men- because he had been head of the affected by the famous charisma of tal state of these men was northern chapter of the American their guide: “She is indeed a supreme- the best proof of the morally League Against War and Fascism, as ly dynamic personality, one of the disintegrating effect of fas- well as an outspoken proponent of most remarkable I’ve ever met.” cist propaganda in Italy. aid to the Republic. Rogers’ diary entry for August After receiving a visa from the 10 provides one of the lengthier and “On the other hand,” continues the French government on August 8, more interesting passages: diary, “The Moors and Arabs 1937, Rogers joined an international [We] visited Prison of San seemed to be of better stuff. They delegation for aid to Republican Miguel de los Reyes. Talked were not so hopelessly dejected nor Spain, comprised of 13 participants to Italian, Moorish and so crawling in their attitudes.” representing 10 different nationali- Spanish prisoners. Most Through one of them Rogers put ties. Their first destination was were eager and anxious to questions to the others: Valencia, where they were received talk to us. We were allowed They were captured in at the presidential palace by Manuel to wander freely among Brunete. Insist they are Azaña, who expressed “the thanks of them without being fol- treated well. Have no com- Spain for the sympathy of those who lowed or spied upon by our plaints. Hate Franco, and sent us and begged that we make guides or attendants… though they don’t mind clear on returning the nature of the Some were captured at fighting and little care situation here.” He said it was Guadalajara and others as whom they are fighting for, incomprehensible that the democra- recently as the Brunete they unanimously showed cies of the world should refuse to offensive. an intense dislike of the Republican Spain the rights that are treatment revceived on the accorded a legitimate government.” First, the Italians: other side. The Moors, they Following a reception by José Giral Asked why they came [to said, were always made to and Martínez-Barrio, the group went Spain], they gave varied rea- lead the attack, to go over with Dolores Ibarruri to visit what sons and answers: some the top first, to be the ones had formerly been an out-of-town that they were going to who took the machine gun residence of the city’s wealthiest citi- Abyssinia; others were mem- bullets in their bodies… zen (Noguer), but which had been bers of fascist militia and Continued on page 15

14 THE VOLUNTEER December 2002 with machine guns at their between members and tion to the barricades in the city, the back, and the slightest groups of the International trenches around the University City protest cost them their Brigade) in a mess. area, and a review of troops with lives… shot at from in front According to him Germans General Miaja at Alcalá de Henares. by the enemy and from behind make good soldiers but poor On the way back to Valencia, Rogers by the fascists… (At the telling comrades, and in Albacete this made a side trip to the International of this they all got excited, and lack of comradeliness was Brigade base at Albacete, where he all wanted to talk at once.) All becoming grave. The French, searched unsuccessfully for Oberlin were now happy to be where he said, also did not get along volunteer Paul McEachron. Finally they were.” well with the other national he visited the “barracks schools” and groups; they were selfish and went to a women’s prison, where the Following a reception at which the always tried, when they could, diary ends on August 24. group met Juan Negrín, General to get the best of everything for The reader of today will find Miaja, Vicente Rojo, and Indalecio themselves. The Americans, he that the interest of this document Prieto, they visited the International added (maybe out of consider- lies not so much in new information Brigade House in Valencia. While ation for our nationality), got or insights as in the sense of imme- here the sights and sounds of war along the best of any of the for- diacy contained in this unique become a reality for them: eign groups and showed more eyewitness report. In the midst of it all, of a spirit of comradeship than when no one was dreaming did any of the others. of it, came clearly the Doug Rogers, the son of diariest Paul sounds of cannon fire and The diary then depicts six busy Rogers, is Emeritus Professor of Spanish the explosions of bombs, days in Madrid, with special atten- at the University of Texas, Austin. sounds unfamiliar to most of us… White puffs of smoke appeared here and there… IB Vets occasional great flares rising Continued from page 5 from the ground accompanied tardily by the thunderously well as items and interviews that SCW and has links to articles in heavy detonations of the had appeared in the Volunteer For Catalan, English, Spanish and exploded bombs. Liberty in Spain. A number of pic- French, as well as videos from tures were included. Germany and the U.S. available for The alarm inside the room was Finnish-American volunteer, purchase. Harry’s book Comrades is great, but with no physical harm to , active for many years now available in the office in Spanish those gathered in it. in the progressive movement, particu- and German. Write to the office for On boarding the bus for Madrid larly with Local 6 of the NYC printers copies. on August 11, Rogers encountered a union and the VALB, undertook the Harry Fisher and Moe Fishman friend and fellow partisan of the translation of this book, now that he is spoke to the History Club in Republican cause, poet Langston retired. It is a labor of love. Spotswood High School in Hughes. In a lunch stop at Tarancón, He plans to finance a private Spotswood, New Jersey on Oct. 31. they went together to visit the printing for the Archives and others Moe also spoke to two combined International Brigade hospital, where who want a copy. Spanish classes at Queens College in American volunteers described to Those interested should call the NewYork. them some of the horrors of the bat- national office Monday, Wednesday After attending the convention tle of Brunete. Here they also chatted or Friday between 10:30 am and 1 in Berlin, Moe Fishman and with “the political commissar, a man p.m. (212-674-5552). Wever traveled to Ireland, where named Au… formerly professor of Vet Harry Fisher has been given they visited Michael O’Riordan, the language in the University of a website by his young German com- last living Irish veteran. At his sug- Hamburg [who] had come recently gestion, they viewed the Spanish from Albacete where he had helped Vet Harry Fisher has been Civil War collection at the Irish to organize things so as to make the given a website by his young Labor History Museum & Archives, life of the soldiers . . .more pleasant.” German comrades: which is somewhat sparse. Those Rogers described his experi- with books on the SCW or the ences there: www.harryfisher.net Lincoln Brigade they can spare, are [He] said when he got asked to send them to the VALB there he found the Germans rades: www.harryfisher.net. office earmarked for the Irish in control and things in gen- Dedicated to Harry, it goes beyond History Museum or ALBA. eral (i.e. relationships him to cover many aspects of the THE VOLUNTEER December 2002 15 BookBook ReviewsReviews

The Selected Poems of Miguel became increasingly politicized, eventually joining the Communist Hernández: A Bilingual Edition Party. When the war broke out in 1936 Hernández joined a militia unit Edited by Ted Genoways an homage to Blas de Otero, one of and fought on the Madrid front for University of Chicago Press, 2001. the most important poets of the anti- several months before being named fascist resistance of the 1950s and Commissar of Culture. For the 1960s who had died just days before. remainder of the war he maintained By Anthony L. Geist I joined 40,000 people in the Ventas a backbreaking schedule of readings bullring in Madrid to bid him and recitals to the troops. He Poetry and poets occupy a signif- farewell. Imagine a similar send-off became, along with Rafael Alberti, icant and distinct place in Spanish for Robert Frost or Allen Ginsberg in the voice of the Republic. society and culture. Even in today’s Madison Square Gardens. When the war ended with postmodern world, dominated by During the civil war artists and Franco’s victory Hernández sought the global expansion of U.S. culture, writers in overwhelming numbers asylum in the Chilean Embassy in poetry is a part of daily life in Spain. supported the besieged Spanish Madrid but was turned away. He Consider some hard data. Over 1,000 Republic. Rafael Alberti, Maria returned home for several weeks to books of poetry are published annu- Teresa León, Antonio Machado, see his wife and infant son, before ally in Spain. By contrast, in 1996, Emilio Prados, and many others, fleeing alone to Portugal. Once (the most recent year for which I turned art into a weapon, reading across the border the Portuguese have figures), in the United States their poetry in the trenches and the police turned him over to the (with a population six times the size rearguard. The Republic looked to its Spanish Guardia Civil who beat him of Spain’s) some 1,200 books of poetry writers to help maintain morale and severely before throwing him in jail. came off the presses. stiffen resistance. Among the most Neruda used his influence from There are compelling historical extraordinary of them was Miguel Paris to have Hernández freed. He reasons for this. Spain in many ways Hernández. Born the son of a returned once again to Orihuela to is still close to an oral culture. When goatherder in 1910 in eastern Spain, see his wife and child. Within two the civil war broke out, half the Hernández received little formal weeks he was again arrested, this country was illiterate and relied on education before his father pulled time with a death sentence on his songs and ballads for information him out of school to tend the herd. A head. His crimes: writing poetry crit- and entertainment. Even today village priest, sensing the boy’s intel- ical of Franco and membership in the Spaniards routinely sing and take ligence, urged him to read the great Communist Party. Shortly after his delight in verbal play. National, Spanish poets of the 16th and 17th arrest the fascist government issued regional, and local governments pro- centuries. Before long Hernández a flyer that read: mote and publish poetry, and small was writing Baroque sonnets as he Miguel Hernández, condemned presses still occupy an important walked the hills of Orihuela behind to death. niche. In the U.S., the publishing his goats. Crime: Poet and soldier of the industry is increasingly market driv- In 1931 he went to Madrid to try mother country. en, decisions made according to sales to get his poetry read and published. Aggravating circumstances: potential rather than literary quality, The established poets gave him a intelligentsia. and small presses have been swal- chilly reception and he soon went Death to the intelligentsia. lowed up by the multinationals or back to his village. Three years later Hernández would spend the driven under. he returned to the capital and met next two years being moved from Poets are respected public fig- considerably greater success. Vicente prison to prison, sharing with thou- ures in Spain, often participating in Aleixandre, García Lorca and partic- sands of Republican political civic life. This was especially true ularly the Chilean poet Pablo prisoners the most appalling depri- during the civil war and the Franco Neruda befriended him. Under the vations, suffering and humiliation. years, when poets turned their art latter’s influence, and moved by All the while he continued writing toward the struggle for freedom and events in the country, Hernández, on scraps of paper and managed to democracy. In July 1979, I attended like the majority of his fellow poets, smuggle his poetry out of jail, com-

16 THE VOLUNTEER December 2002 BookBook ReviewsReviews

pleting perhaps his most powerful Lullabies of the Onion work, the Songbook and Ballad book of Absences. Hernández married Josefina Manresa just after the war began. Their first Finally, in March 1942, Miguel son, born soon afterward, died of hunger and illness during the war. Their Hernández succumbed to tuberculo- second, Manolo, was born while his father was in prison. Hernández, sis. He was 32 years old and left a haunted by the memory of his first child’s death, wrote this poem after legacy of courage and dignity, of receiving a letter from his wife telling him that she had nothing to eat but “poetry worth dying for,” to a coun- onions. The following are excerpts from the poem. try that lay in ruins. His short life and tragic death stand as emblems of The onion is frost I woke from childhood: the Spanish Civil War. On the one hand, the Republic’s commitment to shut in and poor. don’t you ever. culture and culture’s defense of the Frost of your days I wear my mouth sadly: Republic, on the other, fascism’s fear and of my nights. always laugh. and persecution of poetry. Until now this important poet’s Hunger and onion, Stay always in your cradle work has been available to English- black ice and frost defending laughter speakers only partially and in large and round. feather by feather. uneven translations. In this hand- some edition Ted Genoways supplements existing translations My little boy was You are a flight with his own, offering a generous in hunger’s cradle. so high, so wide, selection of Hernández’s work that He suckled on that your flesh is heaven ranges from early verses written under the influence of Spain’s great onion blood. just born. Baroque masters, to the “poetry of But your blood is If only I could climb urgency” penned in the trenches, to frosted with sugar, to the origin the moving poems dedicated to his wife and son in the final days of his onion and hunger. of your flight! . . . life. For the most part they are ably rendered in English. Genoways’ A dark woman dissolved Fly, child, on the double introductions to each section make Hernández’s life and works accessi- into moonlight moon ble to the American reader, placing spills, thread by thread, of her breast; them in the broader context of the over the cradle. it is saddened by onion, Spanish Republic and the Civil War. Robert Bly’s foreword presents Laugh, child, you are satisfied. Hernández’s poetry as an antidote to you can drink moonlight Never let go. what he understands as the “necessi- if you have to. . . . . Don’t ever know what’s com- ty of imitation” in contemporary American poetry. The result is an ing, important addition in English to lit- Your laughter frees me, what goes on. erature of the Spanish Civil War. gives me wings. It banishes loneliness, Anthony Geist, member of ALBA’s tears down these walls. (Trans. Philip Levine) Executive Committee, teaches in the Spanish department at the University Mouth that flies, of Washington. heart that flashes on your lips. . . .

THE VOLUNTEER December 2002 17 Book Reviews

could desire. He is the central charac- The Dead Leaves: A Novel ter of this family chronicle, a unique, reflective, intense, and romantic per- sonality, who comes to life with all By Barbara Jacobs Emile Jacobs was also an avid his humor and passion in this fine, Translated by David Unger reader, but he wanted to be a writer. gorgeous, lyrical novel. This is a book Curbstone Press, 1993 “I was going to be the greatest writ- of love, told with love, and maybe, er!” he said. “I didn’t have a book on second thought, luck didn’t have By Peter Carroll published yet, but I was going to be anything to do with it. a great writer. I wrote about theater. Emile Jacobs was a lucky man. What did I know about theater? Born in New York to a Lebanese Nothing! But I wrote about every- family in 1909 and raised in Flint, thing and anything: chess, dancing, Michigan, he went to Spain in 1937, music!” where he saw plenty of action with Emile Jacobs never did write his They Still the Lincolns, and returned home in book but, as I said, he was a lucky one piece two years later. He worked man. Draw Pictures at the New York World’s Fair for a His daughter, Barbara Jacobs, while, then served two years in the who still lives in Mexico City, has They Still Draw Pictures: US Army during World War II. After written four novels and published Children’s Art in Wartime from the war, he moved to Mexico City several collections of stories and lit- the Spanish Civil War to Kosovo with his wife, raised five children, erary essays. Fifteen years ago, she is a traveling exhibition that was and operated a successful hotel wrote Las hojas muertas, published in curated by ALBA’s Tony Geist whose motto was, “A Home Away translation as The Dead Leaves, and it and Peter Carroll. The exhibit From Home.” is as fine a memoir as any father consists of 78 color drawings cre- ated by Spanish refugee children and 22 children’s drawings from other wars. January 15, 2003-March 23, 2003 Zoellner Art Center Lehigh University 420 East Packard Ave. Bethlehem, PA 18015. For information, 610-758-3619. April 5, 2003-June 15, 2003 Hood Museum Dartmouth College Hanover, NH For information, 603-646-3646 August 13, 2003-October 24, 2003 University Art Museum Southern Illinois University Carbondale, IL 62901 For information, 618-453-5388

18 THE VOLUNTEER December 2002 ALBA BOOKS, VIDEOS AND POSTERS ALBA EXPANDS WEB BOOKSTORE Buy Spanish Civil War books on the WEB. ALBA members receive a discount! WWWWWW.ALBA-V.ALBA-VALB.ORGALB.ORG BOOKS ABOUT THE LINCOLN BRIGADE The Triumph of Democracy in Spain by Paul Preston The Dead Leaves Barbara Jacobs The Lincoln Brigade, a Picture History by William Katz and Marc Crawford The Selected Poems of Miguel Hernández Edited by Ted Genoways The Color of War by Jordi & Arnau Carulla The Wound and the Dream: Sixty Years of American Poems about the Spanish Civil War EXHIBIT CATALOGS by Cary Nelson The Aura of the Cause, a photo album Passing the Torch: The Abraham Edited by Cary Nelson Lincoln Brigade and its Legacy of Hope by Anthony Geist and Jose Moreno VIDEOS Italian Workers of the World Into the Fire: Women and the Spanish Civil War by Donna R. Gabaccia & Fraser M. Ottanelli, Editors Julia Newman Ralph Fasanella's America Art in the Struggle for Freedom by Paul S. D’Ambrosio Abe Osheroff Alvah Bessie’s Spanish Civil War Notebooks Dreams and Nightmares Edited by Dan Bessie Abe Osheroff British Women & the Spanish Civil War The Good Fight by Angela Jackson Sills/Dore/Bruckner Another Hill Forever Activists by Milton Wolff Judith Montell Our Fight—Writings by Veterans of the You Are History, You Are Legend Abraham Lincoln Brigade: Spain 1936-1939 Judith Montell Edited by Alvah Bessie & Albert Prago Spain’s Cause Was Mine ❑ Yes, I wish to become an ALBA by Hank Rubin Associate, and I enclose a check for $25 Comrades made out to ALBA. Please send me The by Harry Fisher Volunteer. The Odyssey of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade Name ______by Peter Carroll Address ______Bread & a Stone by Alvah Bessie City______State ___Zip______Short Fictions ❑ by Alvah Bessie I’ve enclosed an additional donation of ______. I wish ❑ do not wish ❑ to have this Rare Birds: An American Family donation acknowledged in The Volunteer. by Dan Bessie The Politics of Revenge Please mail to: ALBA, 799 Broadway, Room 227, by Paul Preston New York, NY 10003

THE VOLUNTEER December 2002 19 Added to Memory’s Roster

particular assignment was to main- teach electronics. There was a boom tain communications between in trade schools at that time. headquarters and the various compa- Working as a teacher in one of them, nies. In those days, telephone wires he organized his school into a local were the method of communication; of the United Auto Workers union. when those failed, he became a run- He became shop chairman almost ner and carried the messages by foot. immediately. The school expanded Wounded in 1938, he ended up to a workforce of 250. Under his in a hospital in Catalonia. leadership, the shop was able to Unfortunately, he was not evacuated obtain one of the highest pay scales from that hospital at the time the in the local. International Brigades were demobi- In the early 1960s Bill became a lized. Instead, while the exodus of member of the Village Independent troops and civilians were crossing Democrats (VID). He immediately the French border from Catalonia, he became a leader in the club. He suc- and a Black American with a foot cessfully initiated a film series on wound hitchhiked across the French Saturday nights, featuring progres- border ahead of the advancing sive, labor and Spanish Civil War Franco forces. He was rescued from films, using the growing attendance the camp in France through the inter- at these film showings to recruit local William “Bill” vention of an American reporter, and people into the VID. He was active returned home at the end of 1938. in VID until his illness. Van Felix He met and married Florence Bill helped lead the delegation of 1916 – 2002 Marom in November 1939 and start- Lincoln Brigaders who attended the ed a family—two daughters and a 50th anniversary of the founding of Bill reached maturity during the son. Bill worked as a radio operator the Brigades held in Madrid in 1986, depression. His experiences moti- on freighters on which he shipped, as well as the 50th anniversary of the vated him to become an activist in and he was in the union that covered Despidida (Farewell) held in the mid-1930s. He joined other this category of work. He continued Barcelona in 1988. On one of these young people in fighting against working as a radio operator when trips, he returned to the Catalonian evictions, against racism, for expan- WWII broke out. His Liberty Ship fishing village to thank the fishermen sion of relief, for unemployment was torpedoed during an Atlantic for rescuing him when his ship was insurance, for social security and for run. At the end of the war he contin- sunk in the Mediterranean. the right to organize in trade unions. ued to ship out as a radio operator in He played the same outstanding He was particularly active in build- the Coast Guard. role at the 60th anniversaries in 1996 ing trade unionism. At the beginning of the and 1998, and for the 65th anniver- Reading the left press, early on he McCarthy Period, in the late 1940s, sary held in 2001. Bill and Sam was aware of the danger of the war the Coast Guard pulled the licenses Walters represented the VALB in threat of the fascist powers. When the of all progressive seamen, including 1991 at the dedication of a plaque Spanish people issued a call for a Bill’s. Forced out, Bill turned to placed on Liberty Hall in Dublin, united front of anti-fascist forces to radio repairs as well as the new Ireland -headquarters of the transport aid the Spanish cause, Bill volun- invention—television. In this peri- workers union- honoring the Irish teered in the . He od, with the aid of the income that veterans of the International Brigade. made it to Spain despite obstacles; the his wife, Flo, brought into the house- Bill led a full and meaningful U.S. government and having been on hold, they were able to make a down life. He believed in fighting for the a ship on that was traveling from payment on a house on Bleecker betterment of his fellow men and Marseilles to Barcelona, Spain which Street in New York City. By the mid- women—locally, nationally, and was torpedoed by Italian submarines. 1950s, he opened a TV and radio internationally. He lived up to his He swam to shore aided by local repair shop on the ground floor of proud membership in the Veterans Spanish fishermen with other com- their building. of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade. We rades, a number of whom drowned. By the 1960s, he discovered that shall miss him. He fought well as a soldier. His his background qualified him to —Moe Fishman

20 THE VOLUNTEER December 2002 Added to Memory’s Roster

which time her father was able to Rebecca Schulman send them money to survive. Her Robert Klonsky Durem family eventually settled in 1918-2002 Brooklyn, NY. She graduated from 1911-2002 nursing school in 1931 and did both Robert Klonsky, a native of hospital and private duty nursing, Brooklyn, NY, died September 7 in Rebecca Schulman Durem, who until Spain’s cause sent her overseas Chicago at the age of 84. A lifetime went to Spain with the 2nd Medical at the age of 26. of political activity began when as a Unit in March 1937, died in While serving at the American teenager in 1937 Klonsky hopped a Claremont, California on August 17, Base Hospital in Saelices, called Villa 2002. She was 91. Paz, she met her husband-to-be, Lincoln Brigade volunteer Ramon Durem, who was recuperating from a leg wound. After returning from Spain, Becky gave birth to their first daughter, named Dolores after Dolores Ibarruri. Becky is survived by three daughters, Dolores, Pilar and Vita, four grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and one great- great-grandchild. Talking about her experience years later, Becky said, “I blossomed in Spain. Everyone was your Camarada. We were all together. Barriers were broken down. It was what life could be like if everyone cared for each other.” Continued on page 22 Before going to Spain, Becky —Julia Newman nursed at Beth Israel Hospital in freighter to France. There he crossed Manhattan where she worked with the Pyrenees and joined the Lincoln Dr. Edward Barsky, who told her Veterans Brigade. Upon his return to the US in about Spain’s need for the medical 1938, he joined the Communist service he was organizing. Describing who died in 2002 Party. her younger self in an interview years Klonsky spent his life as a trade after the war, she said, “I was single, Lou Bortz unionist, activist in the civil rights financially independent, liked pro- Bob Klonsky movement as well as organizer jects, and liked being with people.” against the war in Vietnam. In the Although Becky never described Frank Lister 1950s, he became a target during the herself as “being very political,” she red scare. Charged and convicted of believed in Spain’s right to a demo- Martin Ludwig being part of an anti-government cratically elected government. She Paul Lutka “conspiracy” under the , was also restless, adventurous, and Klonsky served time in prison before yearning to travel, so when Dr. Barsky Harry Mensh the case was overturned by the asked her to work in Spain, she said, Marion Noble Supreme Court. For several years he “Yes, because they needed nurses and ran a bookstore near the UCLA cam- it was to help right a wrong.” Perley Payne pus until it was destroyed by Becky’s adventures started early. Walter Schlekan arsonists who painted swastikas on Born in Dayton, Ohio, she was taken the building wall. by her mother to visit her grand- Rebecca Shulman Durem A resident of Los Angeles in the mother in Russia when she was 4 1960s, Klonsky worked with many of years old. The Revolution trapped Bill Van Felix the blacklisted Hollywood writers them there for about 4 years, during and directors who were also targets THE VOLUNTEER December 2002 21 Added to Memory’s Roster of the McCarthy period, and along uprising and liberation of Paris in the liberation of the eastern regions of with others in the film industry, August 1944 passed away on France and retired a colonel in 1964. organized opposition to the war and September 8. Rol-Tanguy headed the French for various civil rights causes. Rol-Tanguy fought in Spain with IB delegation during many visits to His first wife, Helen, died in Los his real name, Henri Tanguy, adopt- Spain after the death of Franco, most Angeles of Hodgkins Disease in 1976. ing Rol as his nom de guerre during notably during the “Amigos” spon- His second wife Peggy died a year World War II in homage to a French sored 60th anniversary in 1996. ago at their home in Santa Cruz. He IB comrade who was killed in Spain, He is survived by his wife of sixty is survived by his sons Michael and Théo Rol. years, Cecile, and several children Fred, along with 5 grandaughters and Rol-Tanguy, member of the and grandchildren. a great-grandson. from 1927 The socalist mayor of Paris, until his death, made sure to add his Bernard Delanoe has recently name to the surrender agreement expressed the desire to re-baptize a Henri Rol-Tanguy between the German commander of street of the French capital in honor the Paris garrison and the Gaulist of this singular national hero. Henri Rol-Tanguy, former politi- Free French general Leclerc to offi- Homage celebrations were held cal commisar of the 14th International cially recognize the contribution of during the annual, “Fête de Brigade, “la Marseillaise,” during the the French Underground, the FFI, in l’Humanite,” in the outskirts of Ebro campaign and former comman- the battle for Paris. Incorporated into Paris. der of the Resistance during the the French Army, he participated in —Robert Coale Letters Van Felix Continued from page 2

He had taken cover behind a rock Human Rights and justice as well as Veterans of the Abraham Lincoln but the shrapnel found a way to his a teacher. He served progressives in Brigade. He attended the 50th, 60th unprotected side. his neighborhood on the Executive and 65th IB anniversaries in Spain, Hospitalized for a long period Board of the Village Independent where his friendship, openness, with an incapacitating wound, Bill Democrats and was also Chief enthusiasm and sense of humor were missed the Barcelona farewell cele- Steward of Local 2110 of the United always evident. Bill loved to practice brations. In fact, he almost missed Auto Workers Union. He taught his Spanish and often went off to coming home at all. He woke up one building trades in the University of speak to the locals. I doubt he ever day to find the hospital empty except the Streets on the Lower East Side missed a VALB gathering. In 2000 he for an African-American IBer, and more recently at Manhattan’s attended the event with his arm in a Johnson, who had lost a leg at the Technical Career Institute, the for- sling, the result of a fall in the bath- Ebro. Hearing that the fascists were mer RCA Institute where he himself tub which gave him a fracture. In closing in, they headed north as best once studied. He never retired; he 2002, though both he and his wife they could, eventually ending up in was on medical leave when he Evelyn were suffering from the ill- a French concentration camp where passed away. ness which would take them, they an American journalist managed to There was never a more thought- nevertheless attended the show. I get them freed and sent home. ful or generous host. I had the can still hear Bill’s distinct New York Like the large majority of IB vets, pleasure of staying at his home on voice as the microphone was passed Bill also served in World War Two. several occasions. There was always to him: “I am very glad to be with He was a Merchant Marine radio offi- a friendly “cup of java” waiting for you today, and I hope to be here next cer, achieving the rank of ensign. He visitors as well as something tasty in year.” Though physically he will not served on the famous liberty ships, a pot. Bill was a good cook, a pass- be with us next April in New York was torpedoed again and earned the able brewer and an experimental City, his memory as a dear and gen- Merchant Marine Combat Medal and wine maker, all that in downtown erous friend and a determined the Atlantic War Zone Medal. Manhattan! Over the years, he activist will remain with us always. He was a determined activist for always remained faithful to the —Robert Coale Jacksonville, Fl

22 THE VOLUNTEER December 2002 Contributions

In Memory of a Veteran Irving Rappaport Aug.10, 2002, his 92nd birth- Peter Lotto in memory of Ralph Fasanella $75. day $92. Sarah Goldstein in memory of Irving In Memory of Weissman $50. In Memory of Flora Sherman in memory of Ivy Rosaline Guaraldo in memory of Pio Guaraldo Becker $25. $25. Lillian H. Schwartz in memory of Alice Gardner Gabe Jackson in memory of Bob Colodny & Josephs $25. Irving Weissman $100. Dennis Redman in memory of Jack Beeching Thelma Weissman in memory of Hy Greenfield $25. $25. Herman Warsh in memory of Ralph Fasanella Gloria and Bill Powers in memory of Alice $100. Josephs $25. In Honor of a Veteran Donations George Harrison in honor of Moe Fishman’s The late Jeanette Sussman $125. 87th birthday $30. Sevilla Streem $18.

ALBA’S TRAVELING EXHIBITION THE AURA OF THE CAUSE

ALBA’s photographic exhibit, The For further information about The Aura of the Cause, has been shown at Aura of the Cause exhibit, contact the Puffin Room in New York City, ALBA’s executive secretary, Diane the University of California-San Fraher, 212-598-0968. The exhibit is Diego, the Salvador Dali Museum available for museum and art gallery in St. Petersburg, FL, the Fonda Del showings. Sol Visual Center in Washington DC, and the University of Illinois. This exhibit, curated by Professor Shreveport, La Cary Nelson of the University of January 15, 2003-March 15, 2003 Illinois, consists of hundreds of Meadows Museum of Art photographs of the Lincoln Centenary College Brigaders, other international vol- 2911 Centenary Blvd unteers and their Spanish Shreveport, La 71104 comrades, in training and at rest, 318-869-5226 among the Spanish villages and in battle. BRING THIS EXHIBIT TO YOUR LOCALITY Contact Diane Fraher, ALBA executive secretary: 212-598-0968; Fax: 212-529-4603; e-mail [email protected]

THE VOLUNTEER December 2002 23 Photograph by Gerry Jarocki. Save the Date: Special programs planned for next year Sunday February 23, 2003, Oakland Saturday April 26, 2003, New York

The Volunteer c/o Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives 'NON-PROFIT 799 Broadway, Rm. 227 BULK MAIL New York, NY 10003 U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 1430

24 THE VOLUNTEER December 2002