O slaughterers, gaolers and imbeciles of all regimes and governments, when will you come to prefer the science of understanding Save Christie man to that of imprisoning and killing him?' MARQUIS DE SADE. & Carballo! PUBLIC MEETING CONWAY HALL FRIDAY AUG 28-7.30 p.m. Meeting followed by a March. Marble Arch. Speakers' Comer. AN ANARCHIST WEEKLY-4d. AUGUST 29 1964 Vol 25 No 2j? Sunday, August 30th 3.30 p.m
CHRISTIE: EVERYTHING POINTS TO A FRAME-UP ‘Please believe in my Innocence’
STUART CHRISTIE the young he can be stopped and searched? one who had had a hand in demonthat “a highly suspicious foreigner cities—and that he was arrested, and Scots anarchist arrested by Surely one travels to one’s “assing- strations and had actually handedhad entered the national territoryin the course of interrogation he Franco’s police in Madrid has nowment” by the least conspicuous in a petition, and who could be and hitch-hiked to Madrid”? Anddeclared that he was an anarchist been charged with plotting acts of route, which is probably by train. shown to be an ANARCHIST . . . if Christie had been carrying exand hated Franco’s guts—the kind terrorism in Spain. In his ruck that’s different. The fact that the plosives for “Spanish terrorist of thing we are all likely to do when sack he is alleged to have been experts in plastic bombs, the French elements” outside Spain surely on we are 18 and fearless—and that as carrying detonators, plastic exploFranco's Agents OAS, are fascists and friends of arrival in Madrid he would have a matter of routine the police check sives and potassium chlorate. Ac Franco will easily be forgotten immediately delivered the goods. ed up to see whether his name was cording to the ScottishDaily Express Everywhere when one is deternjined to “prove”Yet we are expected to believe that on their files, and lo and behold report from its correspondent in that anarchists are specially pre he carried them around in his ruck there it was! So higher authorities Madrid “Christie was interrogated W * have no doubt that Franco disposed to bomb outrages! sack possibly for days, while he were consulted, and the six days’ by secret police for seven days has his political agents in most went sight-seeing and buying picture interrogation begun to find out what before his alleged confession”: On countries where there are concen It is our view that if the Spanish postcards to send to his friends! was going on in anti-Franco circles the other hand the message to his trations of Spanish refugees, or authorities were tipped off from For the fact is that he was arrested in Britain. Did he know so-and-so mother sent through the British where there is a large Spanish Britain about Stuart Christie, then when he had already spent some or so-and-so. Was he in contact Vice-Consul reads “I know I am in emigration or where the Left move they would be looking out for him days in Madrid. with elements in France . . .and so a terrible mess, but please believe in ments are strongly anti-Franco, andat the frontier and would make a Is it not more likely that our on. After six days of this kind of my innocence”. that some kind of dossier has been point of searching him. (And in the third degree anything can emerge, compiled of the anti-elements. In process they could “plant” anything young comrade became involved in some explosive discussions in a even that one was carrying ex The Glasgow Daily Record quotes the case of Stuart Christie, the fact in his bag. In this Case we do not plosives and that one knew certain the claim made by Franco’s direct that he was, according to Press re think this happened because at some cafd, possibly with other English people within earshot of an informer elements in Madrid who were sus orate of security—Spain’s secret ser ports, one of a number of youths time or other before reaching pect. vice—to the effect that Stuart who handed petitions to the Vice- Madrid our young Comrade would—who abound in all large Spanish Christie was “arrested in Madrid Consul in Glasgow, makes it almost have needed to open his bag and after a tip-off from Spanish Secret certain that his name would be the incriminating “evidence” wouldEnsure an Adequate Defence ! agents operating in Britain.” The known to the Spanish authorities. It have been found by him). The fact same authority is quoted as saying is this fact which makes it improb therefore that he , proceeded to As we have tried to make clear, it beside the point. He has the right that: able that any genuine terrorist or Madrid unmolested,/gnd apparently is our view that Stuart Christie to defend himself before his ac is the victim of a plant or a frame- cusers, ar>ri to be advised by people for some time we have been observing ganisation would entrust explosiveswas free to move in Madrid -to-sonieone- wtiObe~~xtame is on the for a ■ day~or more; would indicate" n a n iriu rreKrs-Tv& —he—trials- r -4a - oar wcv* funds must lha activities of- Spanish*> -terrorist--' to make an example of him in orderquickly be put together to engage a elements in foreign countries. We disSpanish police records. But on the that up to then thate were no ex covered that they were planning a other hand such a person could be plosives in his bag.TAnd no-one is to deter anti-Franco groups outside sympathetic and able lawyer who is campaign of violence in Madrid andmore convincingly “framed” than surely going to suggest that he Spain. And for this reason they will willing to go to Spain and handle other Spanish cities. Following these one who had no political connecpicked up the explosivesin Madrid? seek to impose a stiff sentence. Stuart Christie’s case. If this is investigations it was found that a highly tions or ideas. To charge a young Supposing there was no tip-off The first thing we must ensure is already being done, thenFreedom suspicious foreigner (Christie) had enter ster who hah never heard of Franco from Britain. What “investigations” that he is adequately defended. will do its bit by appealing here and ed the national territory and hitch-hikedwould be ridiculous. But to charge had led the authorities to discover Whether he is guilty or not guilty is now for readers to send their con to Madrid. He was watched constantly tributions NOW without a further and was arrested by police in Madrid. day’s delay. Everything points to the Christie Secondly we must publicize this case being either a “frame-up” or case intelligently and serenely. The a “plant”. On the one hand we fact that we have no proof either of are told that the Spanish secret the innocence or guilt of our com police were tipped off from Britain The Facts as we know them... rade does not affect the issue. Franco’s regime has remained in about young Christie and yet on the CTUART CHRISTIE, a member of the The whole thing smells of a frame-up, way to Madrid, wearing a kilt. power these 25years through terror, other they declare that after investi ^ Glasgow Federation of Anarchists possibly in order to arrest a Spaniard, The comrades in Glasgow got the gations of a wider kind “it was and the Scottish Committee of 100, was Fernando Carballo Blanco. The Span news of Stuart’s arrest from the early through exile for more than500,000 found that a highly suspicious arrested in Madrid on Tuesday the 11thish government has its agents where editions of the Sunday papers, which Spaniards, not only anarchists but foreigner had entered the nationalAugust. This information was not re any active anti-Franco groups in exilecome out on Saturday evening. They of all political shades, or of none, territory and hitch-hiked to Mad leased to the British consulate by the exist. Before Stuart crossed to the con immediately got together, made placards who detest the regime and would rid” where he was constantly Spanish authorities until the following tinent, he stayed for some time in and protested outside the Spanish Conbe its victims but of all political watched. If they knew all about Saturday. Stuart’s mother, in Scotland, London. He has also taken part in sulate in Buchanan Street. shades, or of none, who detest the him before his arrival surely they was informed and she has now been toanti-Franco demonstrations in Glasgow. On Tuesday, 18th August, in Glasgow, regime and would be its victims would have been looking out for Madrid to see her son, the first of the At one of these, a petition protesting with the support of the Young Socialists, were they to set foot in their two visits being for thirty minutes. against the treatment of the Asturias Y.C.N.D. and Committee of 100, a country. Franco’s boasted “25 him at the frontier and joined him miners which was handed into the Span in his hitch-hike to Madrid or When he was arrested, the Spanish Defence and Aid Fund was set up. years of Peace” has been paid'for authorities claim he was carrying five ish Consulate, carried his signature. It In London, anad hoc Defence and 25 deported him on the spot. Are we packets of plastic explosives, five pres is known that this petition, together with Aid Committee was formed for propa by years of Press censorship, of to believe that knowing that his sure detonators, two electrical detonators others, were passed on to the Spanish ganda and legal assistance. A solicitor 25 years without free speech or ruck-sack was stuffed with explo and chemicals for making explosives Embassy in London. in this country, Mr. Benedict Birnberg, free association for workers, in sives the police would leave him free It is alleged that under close interroga It is also well known that Stuart spoke has been approached for help and contellectuals and political parties. to roam across Spain? And does tion he confessed to carrying these andof going to the Anarchist Summer Camp tact is being made with a French bar That some courageous individuals a would-be terrorist with a load of that they were to be used for anti-Franco in the South of France, but in fact he rister who knows the Spanish penal code. during these25 years have risked or explosives make himself conspicuous activities. never got there. He wrote from Paris Two demonstrations have been held lost their lives in desperate acts; that by travelling on his own on the road It was some time before the Spanish to a comrade in Glasgow saying that he in London and two in Glasgow (outsidethroughout the world millions of involving passing dozens of police authorities allowed the British Vice- was going to the camp, but later on, the Spanish consulate where last Satur men and women hate the Franco Consul to see Stuart, who maintained his control posts at any one of which he wrote from Perpignan, which is well day a Spanish flag was burnt in protest). regime even after 25 years; that innocence. Of course we do not know past the site 6f the camp. He wrote We know of Stuart Christie’s opposi what form the interrogation took, but again from Madrid and this means thattion to the Franco regime and we feel young people, who were not bora the mere fact of being locked away soon after writing from Paris something that if he had carried this to the extent when the struggle in Spain was without, at the time, knowing if anyone made him change his mind. It is pos of ‘terrorist activities’ he would not feel gripping world attention as no other outside knows of your plight, is a terrible sible that a Franco agent made contact the need to say that he was innocent. event since, should feel strongly the and fearful experience especially for onewith Stuart, most likely speaking quite Whilst facts in this matter are difficult cause of a free Spain—these are the so young. Statements issued by such a good English, as Stuart knows nc to ascertain we feel that agitation and facts that matter and the justifi regime as Franco’s, with its record of Spanish. Then after- crossing over the assistance should be continued towardscation for every action against the ANARCHY 42 forcible suppression of any form of frontier at La Janquera, according to a obtaining as fair a trial as possible in regime. opposition, are immediately suspect. Spanish police statement, he made his Franco’s barbaric regime. P.T. If Stuart Christie is, as we suggest, ON SALE NOW innocent of the charges made against him there is no question but that a DISCUSSES campaign on as wide a scale as SEND MONEY, OFFER HELP NOW TO: possible on his behalf must be or CHRISTIE DEFENCE AND AID FUND ganised. But if he is guilty? Then, INDIA in our opinion, the efforts of all men c/o Zoe Boyd, 214 Hamilton Crescent, Cambuslang, Glasgow of goodwill must be redoubled, ANARCHY is Published by or CHBISTIE-CARBALLO DEFENCE COMMITTEE, 34 Cumberland Road, London, E.17 irrespective of whether they approve Freedom Press at 2s. or disapprove of his methods. For on the first Saturday of every month what will count, what will remain VIGIL EVERY EVENING SPANISH EMBASSY LONDON - for Details Phone Gulliver 3902 in peoples minds is the noble intention. FREEDOM or from the present jew-bating Jordan Nationalist Socialist Movement or the negro-hating British National Party then let us examine Sir Oswald Mosley the respectable fascist and the present leader of the Union Movement. Here is a man who has passed through the body politic like a dose of salts absorbing Why you should not vote fascistnothing but the ability to fill a hall and TN June of 1964 the official paper of In a broken world, the fascists trum teaching nothing that was not already cohorts. It was left to the German second-hand when he first began to the British National Party headed peted the virtues of national regenera movement to show world capitalism that one of their news stories “Barrister tion and darkened the sun of reason hawk it at the polling booths. The man here was a self-enslaving way of life who cried he could conquer the streets states that ‘Fascist’ smear on BNP mem with the scarlet clouds of their bloodied ...unless you wish for their industrial populace. Financed ber is slander”, and in one minor headbanners. They demanded sacrifices for for his martial mob yet waited for per from the right but careful to seek its mission to take power, the man whose line the most militant of the right-wing the State and deified the self-proclaimed to surrender your mass support by a perversion of the leaders who looted mansion and solution to the problems of his times political papers attempted to wipe out 'socialist teaching. In 1920 in less than was a programme of public work for a a movement that won the allegiance of museum like society’s common criminals eight months, Hitler the political spy and when the final battles came to be right as a man nation that lacked immediate food in a millions of Europeans and by its own ...had changed the German Workers’ Party world that refused to export it and the reckoning was responsible for the death fought it was these political philosophers into the National Socialist German rabble cry of national greatness that of harmless millions. In the editorial who provided the traitors in every Workers’ Party yet it still accepted points of that paper two paragraphs (taken out country that came under the armed con could only mean the ability to frighten charade the world had to witness the 11 “Abolition of incomes unearned by smaller nations. of context) must explain this change oftrol of the German military command. leaders of the Thiijd^Reich standing inwork”, 12 “Nationalization of trusts,” 13 direction if not of heart for they state These were the political philosophers “Sharing with the State of profits from In an age when empires have dissolved that “almost without exception each new who called upon the children to take the Berlin gutters begging for alms to like morning frost, when there is a feed the German poof. large industries”, 14 “Abolition of land movement of the Right has resorted to up arms and stand and die yet, who rent”, 18 “Death penalty for profiteers”, surfeit'of work if not of wealth, indus One could accent M’ussolini for the trial peace and stagnation and the mid playing the same old hackneyed tunes themselves slunk into the darkness of clown he was for though he ranted of but on February 20, 1933, Goering and on the same 1933 fiddle. They became dle class are busily polishing their cars prepared hiding or the limbo of the the direct action df ‘-Georges Sorel. of Hitler at the Reichstag President’s Palace obsessed with Jewish plots ...” “and peaceful suicide’s grave. These were sold out the German people for 3,000,000 while the Americans organise our mili Pareto and the integral nationalism of tary adventures there is little call for if we take the courage to face the facts the political philosophers who took their Maurras his was (he intellectual level marks to Krupps, I.C. Farben and that Jews were put to death in 1939-45 credo from the left of the political strata Voegler of United Steel Works and all Sir Oswald’s service and his brand of —even though the figure of 6 million is of d’Annunzio an$| j Corradini and his faded and nostalgic romanticism rots yet became the legalised industrial sole political programme was his 1922 the Germans received for their wasted an exaggeration”. police because they lacked the imagina away in its small offices in Vauxhall declaration: “Our programme is simple support was the death penalties of clause tion to put to any purpose the sterile Bridge Road. But it would be idle to assume that we wish to govern fltaly”, and this from 18. there is a desire to make amends by the power that they won with boot and the man who allbwed himself to be Yet if it can be claimed that I foul He offers low prices and high wages, pensions and education, peace and dis militant right-wing groupings for they bullet for after five years of political sacked like a clerkS by his own gutless my case by only quoting from the past have for reasons of realpolitik decided armament, the independence of the black to abandon the persecution of the jew- colonies as a useless liability and liberty ish minority for the exploitation of the ■ELECTION ANTHOLOGY-9 guaranteed by Law and all by the simple process of joining a European Common active dislike that exists between white is kings, courts, and cabinets, that must and coloured groups herded together Market and the cornucopia to provide sit for the portrait. Man, as he is this political Cockaigne is to be a divi within overcrowded living areas and naturally, with all his faults about him, subjected together to precarious working ded Africa. And if the Africans refuse conditions. Tom Paine on Government is not up to the character. * to carve up their continent, as they must Can we possibly suppose that if gov for no African leader would dare put The BNP offer the ghoulish solution celled out the world and divided it intoernment had originated in a right prinhis name to such a one-sided deal, then of suggesting that “the government Reformers, Henessy, is in favour of suppressing everything, but real politi domains, began, as is naturally the case, ciple, and had not an interest in purone presupposes that once again the should offer an attractive financial grant to quarrel with each other. What at suing a wrong one, that the world could youth of Europe will once more trail to all coloured people willing to under cians believes in suppressing nothing but first was obtainejd by violence, was have been in the wretched and quarrel off to another holy war for lebensraum. take voluntary sterilisation . . . ”, that evidence. P. F inley D unne . It is impossible that such governments considered by others as lawful to be some conditions we have seen it? What The attitude of the Russian and is of course if they still wish to live taken, and a secoricBplunderer succeededinducement has the farmer, while follow among the master-race. But it can be as have hitherto existed in the world, Chinese military powers to this gay little could have commenced by any other the first. They alternately invaded the ing the plough, to lay aside his peaceful Boy’s Own African safari is ignored by argued that no political and social move dominions which each had assigned topursuits and go to war with the farmer ment can be condemned by a fewmeans than a total violation of every Sir Oswald in his simple plans for the principle, sacred and moral. The ob himself, and the,; brutality with which of another country? Or what induce simple minded for all his political life phrases taken from its extremist fringe they treated each other explains the ment has the manufacturer? What is yet the tens of millions of unnamed.scurity in which the origin of all the he has avoided cold reality for the warm present old governments is buried, imoriginal character^ of monarchy. It was dominion to them or to any class of and banal slogan. dead will bear witness that they were ruffian torturing ruffian. The conqueror plies the iniquity and disgrace with men in a nation? Does it add an acre the forced means to accomplish an evil considered the conquered not as his This is his policy, no more and no which they began. The origin of the to any man’s estate, or raise its value? and a worthless end for the political prisoner but his property. He led him Are not conquest and defeat each of the less.' In 1959 Union Movement received conquistadores of the Roman streets, present governments of America and in triumph, rattiiife in chains, and doom 8% of the votes cast and were you one France (1791-2] will ever be remembered, same price, and taxes the never-failing the Munich alleys and the Bayswatei ed him, at pleasj^e, to slavery or death. consequence? Though this reasoning of those who performed this act of drawing-rooms -decayedwithin— a- dead bOause -it is,honourable to record it, but ~AS rtfrnP" c;blh^tetv7U tho history—of—-their— political masturbation? If you are an with respect to the rest, even flatter? —may-be-good to'a nation, it-is np so to handful of years into thepondottieri of beginning, thein successors assumed newa government. Ware is the faro-table industrialist and fear your labour force ~ a German military adventure as drear has consigned them to the tomb of time, appearances, to put off the entail of r don’t vote fascist but hire the new type without an inscription. of governments, and nations the dupes and as foul as every previous imperialist their disgrace, wit their principles and of the game. security guards, if you are of the middle gang-war. It could have been no. difficult thing objects remained1 the same. What at class and desire to consolidate your class in the early and solitary ages of the first was plunder assumed the softer If there is anything to wonder at in this miserable scene of governments, strata don’t vote fascist but move to world, while the chief employment of name of revenue; and the power they the New Towns, if you belong to the men was that of attending fiocks and originally usurped, they affected to more than might be expected, it is the progress which the peaceful arts of lower middle class and hate the social herds, for a banditti of ruffians to over inherit. agriculture, manufactures, and commerce groups that sandwich you, don’t vote run a country and lay it under contri From such beginning of governments, fascist but join the Special Police and bution. Their power being thus estab what could be ejroected but a continual' have made, beneath such a long accu BOOKS 9 mulating load of discouragement andIf you are of the working class and lished, the chief of the band contrived system of war and extortion? It has hate your street, your neighbour and to lose the name of robber in that of established itself aixto a trade. The vice oppression. It serves to show that in stinct in animals does not act with your employer, don’t vote fascist but we een supply monarch; and hence the origin of monis not peculiar to one more than another, stronger impulse than the principles of go out at night and kick in a few shop ANY book la print archy and kings. but is the common principle of all. society and civilization operate in man. windows but if you want the faded Alao out-of-print books searched for The origin of the government of There does not exist within such gov Under all discouragements, he pursues romanticism of the penny comic, the —and frequently found! This includes England, so far as it relates to what is ernments a stamina whereon to ingraft ordered and mindless life of those who nuper bucks, children's books and ten reformation; and khe shortest and most his object, and yields to nothing but books. (Pleese supply publisher's naan called its line of monarchy, being one impossibilities. have surrendered to despair and the legal If poaslble). of the latest is perhaps the best recorded. effectual remedy ip to begin anew. right to hate a minority because they The hatred which the Norman invasion What scenes ofl horror, what perfec Society in every state is a blessing, are a minority then castrate yourself by and tyranny begat, must have been tion of iniquity, [present themselves in but government, even in its best state, voting for those who in their turn despise deeply rooted in the nation, to have contemplating the character, and re is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, NEW BOOKS you, vote fascist. In that one act you outlived the contrivance to obliterate viewing the history of such governments? an intolerable one. will surrender your right as a man and Greece Henry Miller 28/- If we would delineate human nature The India Struggle S. C. Bose 45/- it Though not a courtier will talk of The trade of governing has always as an individual and you will not only Nazi Propaganda Z. A. B. Zeman 35/- the curfew-bell, not a village in England with a baseness of heart, and hypocrisy been monopolized by the most ignorant betray yourself and your neighbour but has forgotten it. of countenance, that reflection would and the most rescally individuals of a generation waiting to be born. Those bands of robbers having par shudder at and humanity disown it, it mankind. T homas Paine . Arthur Moyse . SECOND-HAND The Literary Situation Malcolm Cowley 12/6; Prisoners at the Bar (biased account of Wm. Haywood and Sacco and Van- zetti) Francis X. Busch 8/6; Life is Good authoritarianism of European civilisation child you will get a selfish adult. If you Edith Picton-Turbervill 3/-; Materialism had been modified and softened to somepump him full of religion he will pro and Empirio-Criticism V. I. Lenin 5/-; extent during the nineteenth century, butbably remain preoccupied with religion The War against the West Aurel Kolnai THE GOODNESS IN MAN not nearly enough, and to offset this all his life, though it may be as a mili 5/-; England Herself Rolf Gardiner 3/6; new technical devices had been introtant atheist! There is also of course Annals of Innocence and Experience“THE ANATOMY AND EXCEL that a certain number of Europeans are duced on a massive scale, which not the danger of over-doing things and re Herbert Read (si. soiled) 5/-; Material LENCE OF HUMAN NATURE, by still capable of behaving, not like sav only set up new stresses in society but ducing the child to a life-long neurotic. ism: has it been Exploded? Chapman Macpherson Lawrie, C. W. Daniel, ages, since few savages behave so cruelly, also provided easier and more extensiveCause and effect here rules as it does Cohen and C. E. M. Joad 2/6; The 7s. 6d. means of killing people (machine-guns, Primrose Path David Footman 5/-; By but like their medieval and sixteenth and everywhere else. Grand Central Station I Sat Down and seventeenth century ancestors. Although high explosives, nuclear weapons). Asian One could wish that Dr. Lawrie had gIN CE the end of the Second World and African civilisations might be just Wept Elizabeth Smart 3/-; Population it became in the eighteenth and nine- written in less general terms. The book as tough and hard on people, but they Facts and Policies Eva M. Hubback 2/6; War it has become increasingly teeenth centuries a [widespread belief that is quite short, too short really. What Social and Political Doctrines of Con fashionable (or perhaps one should say large-scale killings ]and torturings would were still more or less in the bow and is needed is an elaborate and detailed temporary Europe (1940) Michael Oak it was, since the pendulum looks as if never occur again in Europe, this fallacy arrow, or at least muzzle-loader stage, analysis of the various ways in which shott 5/-; Der Fuehrer Konrad Heiden it is beginning to swing back) to claim has nothing to do'with human nature as and so the damage done was less. 6/-; The Press the Public Wants Kingsley human impulses, which are either good that the holocaust that had just ended such. The pressures and frustrations in themselves or neither good nor bad, Martin 3/-; As Far as You Can Go proved that man was basically evil aftei Dr. Lawrie believes that human nature Julian Mitchell 10/-; Builders of Peace that cause most acts of cruelty were still are twisted out of shape. Accompanied all. The liberal-humanist-rationalist atti present in European civilisation. Very is basically sound, but is sometimes per by numerous concrete examples and case H. M. Swan wick 3/-; I Lived In a Slum verted by various factors. Basically 1 Mrs. Cecil Chesterton 2/6; A New Party tude, which either saw man as basically little had been done to remove them. histories. I am glad to notice that the in Russia (1928) P. Malevsky Malevitch good, or at least perfectible, was de Their presence was not even acknow think he is right. If human beings were question of diet, so often neglected, is 4/6; The Development of Economic nounced, with ill-concealed glee, as oul ledged. in fact during the nineteenthborn with anti-social tendencies pre brought in. One can be a good man Doctrine Alexander Gray 6/-; Social of date. Apparently it was not out of century sexual repression actually in dominant they would be a freak of the without eating good food, but it helps Theory G. D. H. Cole 7/6. date to go back to the ideas of St creased. The final explosion should notcosmos, and would probably have died to eat good food. Augustine, to medieval theology or to out long ago. However I am coming surprise us. What was surprising was I have little hope that doctrines of the teachings of John Calvin. Authori to the point of view that there is little that it took so long in coming. guilt and sin will be overthrown by such tarian people have even quoted to me to be gained in arguing about - what William Golding’s horrid little boys books as Dr. Lawrie’s, or anybody. The William Golding’s Lord of the Flies as human nature is. What shbuld be had all come from a conventional belief is too advantageous to those in Freedom Boekehop if it were a documentary description of studied is human behaviour. If one authoritarian school, and from conven power for one thing. It is their philo (Open 2 pm.—530 p.m. dully: an actual event, instead of a novel ex does so-and-so such-and-such will result. 10 am.—1 pm. Thursdays; tional authoritarian families. Their sophical justification for ruling. Such pressing a man’s opinion of what might descent into cannibalism could quite as 1C you beat a boy consistently, but not 10 a. m.—5 p.m. Saturdays). happen, in certain circumstances, but enough to break his spirit entirely, he beliefs can only be eroded away gradually easily be the product of the brutality over the years. Anarchists and humani which has not happened yet. will probably make not a bad soldier. 17ft MAXWELL R0AB with which they had been educated (un tarians of all kinds have a duty to> In fact the events of the Second World Severity, mixed with judicious kindliness FULHAM SW6 T tl: REN 3736 conscious brutality as often as not, no at times, will produce a trust of and participate in this work. War, awe-inspiring though the slaughter doubt) as of innate wickedness. The A W.U was in scale, prove nothing more than respect for authority. If you spoil a 3 I an he under the law. One was promised that len “Thb Mail ” and theSketch both claimed that they failed to A™.Charles Wilson, her name would be kept out of the news he papers if she told. (It was not, and ler the mail train escapfe,,2(The yacht Wild Venture had been BSSB from its moor when Judith Cook spoke to her she was I a talking of suicide). Another was told Uy ings and a frigate and a submarine were ng called in by Scotland Yard.. However, that a girl had died after an abortion id after a chase the occUpants proved to and by giving evidence she would be py be two Borstal boys (within which, many helping to convict somebody guilty of to claim, lurks a maiHrain robber trying manslaughter. (No one had died). In to get out). The H°me Office claimed Another writer comments on the abor Its August 29 1964 Vol 25 No 27 that a mail-train Prisoner failed to tion law: “Any law which is totally out Ir- escape from St range ways Prison, Man of keeping with public opinion, can be chester. “What appears to have been only be enforced by the use of dubious pS an outside plot to secure the escape of methods”. . . . la a prisoner at Manchester was discovered la by prison staff yesterday and the matter The Supreme Court of India heldthat e was immediately placed in the hands of Lady Chatterley's Lover was obscene. it Selections from the writings of the police for investigation.” It is said The Judge said, “The poetry and music n that ‘maximum security’ conditions for which Lawrence attempted to put into sex apparently cannot sustain it for long, suspected escapersi entail solitary con South Africa ’s Prime Minister inter d MALATESTA ON ATTENTATS finement, lights burning all night, handsviewed by Rene MacColl in theDaily and without them the book is nothing.” a outside bedclothes? and fifteen-minuteExpress said, “South Africans feel justly Nearly 1,000 women started an all-day interval peep-hole checks to see that this aggrieved by hypocrisy and double- fast in front of the Indian Premier's I remember that on the oc It is not a question here of dis is observed. Mr. Graham Greene made dealing” . . . ‘ It was utter nonsense to house as a protest against rising prices s casion of a much publicised cussing tactics. If it were, I would a comment on the skill and courage of say that South Africa is a Police State. and food shortages. . . . anarchist attentat a socialist of- say that in general I prefer collective the mail-train robbers and his shock at Freedom to criticise is often abused r the first rank just back from action to individual action, also the thirty-year sentences. The Express almost to the point of sedition—by disThe Daily Worker either in Puritanism f in a leader calls this viewpoint “bizarre” tortion of facts and even by invitationsor a misprint reported Joan Littlewood fighting in the Greco Turkish because collective action demands referring to her company as a ‘shower s war, shouted from the house qualities which are fairly common and concludes: "The.long sentences areto other countries to attack or damage- 1 designed to ensure that innocent peopleSouth Africa or its economy—without of plums’ instead of a ‘shower of tops with the approval of his and makes the allocation of tasks do not suffer similarly in the future.” bums”. . . . comrades, that human life is more or less possible, whereas one any police action being taken" . . . “Once The driver of the mail-train received an realism towards Africa becomes the key always sacred and must not be cannot count on heroism, which is anonymous letter asking him to write note of Western policy, South Africa The Pope , praying for the Italian presi threatened, not even in the exceptional and by its nature dent, slipped in an aside for Signor g the Home Secretary appealing for cuts should become the stabilising force in cause of freedom. It appeared sporadic, and calls for individual in the sentences. He said, “I got in Africa as the anchor of white civilization, Togliatti, the Italian Communist Party that he excepted the lives of sacrifice. The problem here is of a touch with the police about the letter, Christianity, and industrial prosperity." leader who was seriously ill with a stroke Turks and the cause of Greek higher order; it is a question of the and they sent for it] straight away. It MacColl writes: “Verwoerd hardly ever in Russia. “We also know,’ said the 1 Pope, “that another political figure is independence. Illogicality,' or revolutionary spirit, of that almost might be useful to them in their enquir stops smiling, whatever subject is under ies. I think the roiibers deserved all discussion and however grave its suffering from the same serious condi hypocrisy?1 2 instinctive feeling of hatred of op tion. We pray that the Madonna may they got”. . . . nature”. . . . ' pression, without which programmes also assist him in his distress.”’ Signor t * remain dead letters however liber- Toglatti underwent an operation for t tarian are the proposals they em Southern Rhodesian authorities refused exploration in the cranium but the Jy/JcKINLEY, head of the North body; it is a question of that comA prisoner was found dead in his cell, to extradite a 23-year-old JohannesburgMadonna failed to assist and he died. American oligarchy, the instru bative spirit, without which even stabbed and beaten, ojresumably by anschool teacher on suspicion of attempted His coffin was borne to the boat by ment and defender of the capitalist anarchists become domesticated and other, prisoner in Wakefield ‘maximum murder because the South African gov Mr. Krushchev, among others. He is giants, the betrayer of the Cubans end up, by one road or another, insecurity’ prison. ,ws. Olive Christie ernment had not given details of theto be buried in the English Protestant visited her son, Stuffrt in Carabanshel alleged offence. . . . and the Philippines, the man who the slough of legalitarianism . ? . Cemetery in Rome where John Keats authorised the massacre of the Prison, Madrid. Afterwards she said, and Percy Bysshe Shelley, his fellow “I have no complai ifts about the treat IN thb Guardian Judith Cook writes that revolutionaries lie. . . . strikers of Hazleton, the torture of ★ ment he is getting. He told me that he the recent conviction of a doctor in the workers in the “model republic”; was being treatedveifi well. The prison Penzance for procuring abortions was The Ethiopian Orthodox Church has McKinley who incarnated the mili (^.AETANO BRESCI, worker and was spotless and seemed to be very well secured by police interviewing 45 women; forbidden breast-beating and face-scratch taristic, expansionist and imperialist anarchist, has killed Humbert, run.” Mark Nkosi, In African prisonei one, a Frenchwoman, was questioned ing at Ethiopian funerals. It is pointed policies on which the fat American king. Two men: one dead prem who is paralysed from the chest down four four and a half hours, she was told out that some of the grief-stricken after being shot by a white warder, was I bourgeoisie have embarked, has aturely, the other condemned to a that if it was France she would be made mourners are in fact professionals hired fallen foul of an anarchist’s revolver.life of torment which is a thousand awarded £13,500 iris Johannesburg into talk. Of the five women who gave for the occasion, and severe-action will times worse than death! Two settlement of a clainajfhe brought against evidence, four were young and ignorantbe-taken if these customs continue. the South African Minister of Justice. . .. and were not informed of their rights L If we feel at all distressed it is families plunged into, sadness! Jon Quixote . for the fate in store for the generous hearted man, who opportunely or in Whose fault is it?. . . . opportunely, for good or tactically bad reasons, gave himself in whole It is true that if one takes into the hearts and minds of the people; what affectionate and devoted com sciously an assassin. sale sacrifice to the cause of equality consideration such factors as hered that is, to uproot faith in the prin rades they were in everyday life, Torquemada who tortured others and liberty . . . ity, education and social back ciple of authority to which most always ready to take risks and to as well as himself to serve God and ground, the personal responsibility people owe allegiance.3 make sacrifices when there was to save souls, was both a saint and [It might be argued by those who of those in power is much reduced urgent need, I bemoan their fate, I an assassin. . . . have condemned Czolgosz’s act] that and perhaps even non-existent. But ★ bemoan the destiny that has turned the workers’ cause and that of the then if the king is not responsible those fine and noble beings into It could easily be argued that the J DO not need to repeat my dis revolution have not been advanced; for his commissions and omissions, assassins. saint and the hero are almost always that McKinley is succeeded by his if in spite of the oppression, the dis approval and horror for attentats unbalanced individuals. But then equal, Roosevelt, and everything possession, and the massacre of the such as that of the Diana, which I said that one day they will be everything would be reduced to a remains unchanged except that the people carried out in his name, he besides being bad in themselves are be praised—I did not say that I question of words, to a question of situation for anarchists has become should have continued to occupy thealso stupid, because they inevitably would praise them; and they will be definition. What is a saint? What a little more difficult than before. highest place in the country, why harm the cause they would wish to praised because, ,as has happened is a hero?' And they may be right; indeed, from ever then should Bresci have to pay serve. And I have never failed to with so many others, the brutal what I know of the American scene, with a life of indescribable suffering, strongly protest, whenever similar action, the passion that misled them Enough of hair-splitting. it is most likely to be the case. for an act which, however mistaken acts have taken place and especially will be forgotten, and only the idea when it has turned out that they which inspired them and the What is important is to avoid some may judge it, no one can deny confusing the act with the intentions, What this means is that [as] in was inspired by altruistic intentions? have been committed by authentic martyrdom which made them sacro war there are brilliant as well as anarchists. I have protested when sanct will be remembered. and in condemning the bad actions false moves, there are cautious com But this business of seeking to it has been in my favour to protest, not to overlook doing justice to the I don’t want to get involved ingood intentions. And not only on batants as well as others who are place the responsibility where it just as I have protested when it historical examples; but I could if the grounds of respect for the truth, easily carried away by enthusiasm belongs is only of secondary interest would have been better for me to I wished find in the history of all or human pity, but also for reasons and allow themselves to be an easy to us. remain silent, because my protest was inspired by superior reasons of conspiracies and revolutions, in that of propaganda, for the practical target for the enemy, and may even of the Italian Risorgimento as well compromise the position of their We do not believe in the right toprinciple and tactics, and because I repercussions that our judgement punish; we reject the idea of revenge had a duty to do so, since there are as in our own, a thousand examples may have. comrades. This means that each of men who have committed actions one must advise, defend and prac as a barbarous sentiment. We have people gifted with little personal no intention of being either execucritical sense, who allow themselves as bad and as stupid as that of the There are, and so long as present tise the methods which he thinks D iana and yet who are praised by conditions and the environment of most suitable to achieve victory intioners or avengers. It seems to usto be guided by what I say. But that the role of liberators and peace now it is not a case of judging thetheir respective parties, because in violence in which we live last, there the shortest time and with the least will always be generous men, who makers is more noble and positive. fact, and discussing whether it was fact one forgets the action and re sacrifice possible; but it does not are rebellious and oversensitive, but To kings, oppressors and exploiters a good or bad thing to have done members the intention, and the in alter the fundamental and obvious dividual becomes a symbol and the who lack sufficient powers of re fact that he who struggles, well or we would willingy extend our hand, it, or whether similar actions should if only they wished to become men event is transformed into a legend. flection and who in certain situations badly, against the common enemy or should not be repeated. Now it allow themselves to be carried away among other men, equals among is a question of judging men threat and towards the same goal as us, is Yes, there are saints and heroes by passion and strike out blindly. our friend and has a right to expect equals. But so long as they insist ened with a punishment a thousand who are assassins; there are assass on profiting from the situation as If we do not openly recognise the our warm sympathy even if we can times worse than the death penalty; ins who are saints and heroes. goodness of their intentions, if we not accord him our unconditional it exists and to defend it with force, and so one must examine who these thus causing the martyrdom, the The human mind is really most do not distinguish between error and approval. men are, what were their intentions wickedness, we lose any moral in wretchedness and the death through and the circumstances in which they complicated, and there is a dis fluence over them and abandon them Whether the fighting unit is a col hardships of millions of human acted.4 equilibrium between what one calls beings, we are obliged, we have a heart and what is called brain, to their blind impulses. If instead, lectivity or a single individual can we pay homage to their goodness, duty to oppose force with force. . . . ,★ between affective qualities and the not change the moral aspect of the their courage and sense of sacrifice, problem. An armed insurrection intellectual faculties, which pro We know that these attentats, we can reach their minds through carried out inopportunely can pro J SAID that those assassins duces the most unpredictable results with the people insufficiently pre their hearts, and ensure that those duce real or apparent harm to the are also saints and heroes; and make possible the most striking pared for them, are sterile and often, valuable storehouses of energy which social war we are fighting, just as and those of my friends who procontradictions in human behaviour. provoking reactions which one is they carry within them shall be used an individual attentat which anta test against my statement do so inThe war volunteer inebriated by. unable to control, produce much in an intelligent, good as well as gonises popular feeling; but if the homage tothose whom they call the patriotic propaganda, convinced of sorrow, and harm the very cause useful manner in the interests of the insurrection was made to conquer real saints and heroes, who, it saving the cause of justice and civi they were intended to serve. [common] cause.5 freedom, no one will dare deny the would seem, never make mistakes. lisation, and prepared for the socio-political objectives of the We know that what is essential I can do no more than confirm supreme sacrifice, who raged against the “enemy” — Italian against 1 Pensiero e Volonta, Sept. 1, 1924. defeated insurrectionists. W h y and undoubtedly useful is not just what I said. When I think of all 2 VAgitaiione, Sept. 22, 1901, should it be any different when the to kill a king, the man, but to kill 1 have learned about Mariani and Austrian, or vice versa—and died in 3 Causa ed Effetti, Sept, 1900. insurrectionist is a single indivi all kings—those of the Courts, ofAguggini- when I think what good the act of killing, was undoubtedly 4 Vmanita Nova, Dec. 18, 1921. dual? . . . parliaments and of the factories—in sons and’brothers they were, and a hero, but one who was uncon ■' Vmanita Nova, Dec. 24, 1921. r i v i> i ; l / v *»*
arena nuclear disarmers* rea-rmers, regardless of the much more ironic fact communists, jesuits, humanists, empire that the anarchists were let out of prison loyalists and last Saturday, anarchists for a day for the funeral—and one poor ANARCHIST FEDERATION The technique of Mr- Muggeridge seems chap almost failed to get back in! OF BRITAIN to be to fasten on °ne Point’ or what Muggeridge has no fixed opinions, seems to be one chink in the armour he is more Christian than the M.R.A., Co-ordinating Secretary: Tom Jackson* Let Muggeridge Speak! and worry his antagonists so much with more human than the humanists, more 10 Gilbert Place, London, W.C.I. this cloak-waving as^h were, that they revolutionary than the communists, more TT is the height of modern snobbery once rated as a good debunker but the are diverted from the real purpose of pacific than the CND, more concerned not to have television, so it was with professional ‘personality’ has supervened their exercise. NotS^rom t*le rea* pur" with the Commonwealth than the Empire LONDON FEDERATION some difficulty that one viewed ‘Let Me and he has become an entertainer. pose of Mr. Muggeridge’s exercise, which Loyalists, and more libertarian thah the Speak’ over BBC TV2. The friend who The old concept of the matador fight is to display himself as a ‘personality’ anarchists. Withal he believes in OF ANARCHISTS assisted said it was necessary profes ing one bull had its drawbacks. Admir with twinkling eye^jf interlaced fingers nothing and is, in short, the commonSecretary: Arthur Uloth, c/o 17a Max sionally. What’s your excuse? ation for the bull came in, and some and the grey hairpof a P00r nian’s viewer. The concern of the programme well Road, London, S.W.6. BBC2 in itself has gone through and times the bull won. Two matadors Polonius. is not with truth but with entertainment is going through, a difficult phase. Be were tried, sympathies often went to The object at which they charge is There is indeed entertainment in this fore its birth it had ambitions ranging the bull, and sometimes the toreadors quite often a mirage. Last Saturday pricking of such ponderous bulls as London Anarchist Group wildly from a local station idea to a fought each other. Now, Let Me for example, it was the anarchists in M.R.A. or the Empire Loyalists but one Speak” features six bulls and one mata Soviet prisons who patched the funeral (deeply anti-bullfighting though one may “Lamb and Flag”, Rost Street, Covent TV Third. However, the Government Garden, W.C.2. (near Garrick and King having embarked on a wild series of dor and we’re on the matador's sideof their ‘leader’ Prince Kropotkin from be), wishes that damn matador would Streets: Leicester Square tube), 7.45 p.m. commercial liquidization of public utility every time. their cell windows. This provided a good get gored more often! assets (i.e. the Post Office. British Rail “Let Me Speak” has trundled into the opportunity for Muggeridge cloak-work, J ack R obinson . AUG. 30 Jeremy Westall (our ways) turned their minds to thoughts Rhodesian Correspondent) on: of another commercial (or ‘independent’) Report on Southern Africa TV channel. However, they hesitated INDUSTRIAL NOTES ai this act of brigandage, it being near strike had continued the whole of Vaux- election year, and BBC2 was born, a hall’s output would have been threat Notting Hill Anarchist Group poor little bastard of a fret-work net ened. Secretary N.H.A.G., 5 Colville Houses, work. It is also thought by the strikers, that London, W .ll. The fanfare of strumpets strutting the Rank and File Control British Timken, the U.K. subsidiary of waves of BBC2 seem to have been soured The unofficial strike action of 350 nearby Vauxhall car plant and, beingan American firm, has been after orders as public opinion seems to be against storekeepers and internal transport so near, they do not carry large stocks. for ball bearings from Vauxhalls. These it. However, since the majority appar drivers employed at the Skefko Ball As this is the case,^these 350 men (like factors led to a very quick settlement REGIONAL FEDERATIONS ently view ITV it is only to be expected. Bearing Company at Luton so affected of the dispute, with the strikers accepting But still and all it is aflap d'estime if the recent dispiite«£of storekeepers at AND GROUPS production that the company was forced Lucas), were in a very strong position increased bonus rates. we are to believe the critics. to send 4,000 workers home. Skefkos Since the disappearance of bear-baiting to win their dematids. Not only was When these men first withdrew their Birmingham Group are the sole supplier of bearings to the Skefko’s production stopped, but if the from public entertainments the inter labour, the company quickly called in Peter Neville, view has taken its place. The inter an official of the National Union of 12 South Grove, Erdington, Birming viewer is a man with no opinions of ■LETTER General and Municipal Workers. The ham, 23. his own, a cynical evaluation of the strikers had already set up their own committee and made a statement that Bristol Federation world, an ability to be the common man Don’t we Declare Mutual Aid? Irregular meetings—enquiries to and an ever-present ability to ask silly any decisions about a return to work D ear E ditor , c/o Martin Howells, 7 Richmond Dale, questions and display the silly answers But this means nothing since it is also would be reached by this elected body Clifton, Bristol 8. as stupidity. English empiricism is such that public true of every other organised group in and the men in dispute. Meets Sundays (weather and circum Among what the newspapers would actions are readily acknowledged andthe movement. (Your readers may be Usually negotiations start after a stances permitting), 3.30 p.m. on the call well-known personalities and a public statements summarily dismissed. interested to know that the circulation return to work, but it seems that Skefcos Downs (Blackboy Hill). It was therefore gratifying to read your of our journal Resistance has more than household word is Malcolm Muggeridge, were very anxious to reach a settlement Dundee Group well known for the four abilities listed comments on our Third Policy State doubled in the last few months.) quickly. They offered the union officials ment. Numbers are only - important in the Contact Rod Cameron, above. Once a man of literature (author a 2-2£% increase on average bonus earn6 Westfield Place, Dundee. of a book on Samuel Butler), he was But having conceded that the state last analysis. Until that moment comes ings. This offer was then passed on to ment is a good one you conclude that what counts is the quality of ideas and the strike committee, put to the men at Edinburgh Group the Committee is “doomed to failure”, activity. We have got a big-re-think a meeting and accepted. Enquiries to: Douglas Trueman, 13 “has exhausted its possibilities” and on. The Third Statement was just one Northumberland Street, Edinburgh 3. should wind up! This is the non- result. Together with Anarchists we are Although the strikers accepted less Meetings every Monday at Rob Hains- scquitur to end allnon-sequiturs Surely [ going to do something to expose the than their original demands, it is the worth; 10 Jacacia Street, Edinburgh. FREEDOM PRESS the more logical conclusion of your utter hypocrisy of the General Election. manner in which these decisions were own argument would have been to wish Then the decks will! be cleared for the arrived at, with the full participation of Glasgow Federation PUBLICATIONS more strength to the Committee’s elbow. next round of action^: the men themselves, which is of interest. Enquiries to Ronnie Alexander, c/o The Aunt Sally-type comment about Our enemies, of course, declare us Added to this is the fact that Skefcos, Kennedy, 112 Glenkirk Drive, Glasgow, W.5. SELECTIONS FROM ‘FREEDOM* dogmatic non-violence was particularly dead and buried every three months. Itduring its 50 years at Luton, has been without any major disputes. Vol 2 1952: Postscript to Posterity out of place since the Statement goes is a pity that F reedom should .join them. Manchester Group Vol 3 1953: Colonialism on Trial . outof its way to reject religiosity. Can we n o t ^ v t a, declaration of The strikers were organised so that the Meetings alternate Tuesdays. Details Vol 4 1954: Living on a Volcano Tne debt to Anarchism is very freely mutual, aid instead? We already have dispute was run and controlled by themfrom Graham Leigh, 5, Mere Close, Vol 5 1955: The Immoral Moralists admitted in the Committee, but then so it in practice. r v selves. The Union officials acted only Sale, Cheshire. Vol 6 1956: Oil and Troubled Waters is the debt to the experience of the ex-Cambridge, 23 Aug: Peter Cadogan . as a go-between and were really super Vol 7 1957: Year One—Sputnik Era Left Wing and the Quakers. The Com fluous. These lessons can be useful for Hayes and District Vol 8 1958: Socialism in a Wheelchair mittee is that terrible thing—eclectical. other, workers, but this form of rank Contact Mike Wakeman, V q J 9 1959: Print, Press & Public Perhaps the biggest debt of all is to 12 Hoppner Road, Hayes, Middlesex. Vol 10 1960: The Tragedy of Africa and file organisation should be strength Vol 11 1961: The People in the Street the young people who have come into ened by linking up with workers at other CND and the Committee from scratch. Tunbridge Wells Group Vol 12 1962: Pilkington v. Beeching SORRY! factories of the firm. Meets 18t and 3rd Thursday in month at One of the reasons why the Com Each volume: paper 7/6 cloth 10/6 The job liaison, between the different I. D. Gilbert-Rolfe, 4 Mount Sion, The paper edition of the Selections is mittee was necessary and will continue We regret that several plants which form the complex motor Tunbridge Wells, Sussex, 8 p.m. available to readers of FREEDOM to be so lies in the arm-chair limitations industry, is a difficult one. It is not so at 5/6 post free. of the old Anarchists. I am afraid that much the organisational side, but the Plymouth the conclusion of your editorial was letters have had to be need to propagate the ideas of rank and Fred Spiers, 35 Ridge Park Avenne, PROUDHON typical in this respect. The sectarian Mutley, Plymouth. What is Property? cloth 42/- hold over till next issue file control. Workers often use these attitude is always that all other organ methods for a particular dispute, but do ALEXANDER BERKMAN isations should wind up and join theowing to lack of space. not grasp the full implication of the ABC of Anarchism paper 2/6 only people who have the Whole Truth! action taken. It is pressing for the This is the best way not to build the Tyneside Federation HERBERT READ further extension to cover the whole of Poetry & Anarchism paper 2/6 movement. The test of the good revolu an industry which is needed so much. Enquiries: Dave Wallace, 64 Belford tionary is the extent to which he will FINGS Avenue, Horsley Hill, South Shields, ALEX COMFORT Co. Durham. help ter build groups that are not his M|» P.T. Delinquency 6