I can really be free when those around me, both men and women, are also free. The li­ berty of others, far from limit­ ing or negating my own, is, on the contrary, its necessary con­ dition and guarantee.

—B a k u n i n

PRICE 2d— U.S.A. 5 CENTS. VOLUME 1, NUMBER 13. JUNE 4th, 1937. OPEN LETTER TO FEDERICA MONTSENY lAfclante, juventod; a luchar como titanes 1 By (This letter is taken from the Guerra di Classe of April 14th, 1937 (organ of the Italian Syndicalist Union, affiliated with the A IT ) published at Barcelona. It bears the signature of Camillo Bemert the well known militant anarchist, who, for several months, acted as the political delegate with the Battalion— and was addressed to Frederica Atont- seny, member of the Peninsular Committee of the F A I and Minister of Hygiene and Public Assistance in the Valencia Government. The text is reproduced almost in its entirety. The introduction only is missing—and that served solely to eliminate any personal animosity from the discussion by affirming the friendship and esteem of the signatory for his correspondent. — Eds.)

REVOLUTIONARY SPAIN AND icith his practical realism, etc.” And I wholeheartedly approved of Voline’s THE POLICY OF reply in “Terre Libre” to your COLLABORATION thoroughly inexact statements on the Russian Anarchist Movement. H AVE not been able to accept But these are not the subjects I calmly the identity— which you I wish to take up with you now. On affirm— as between the of these and other things, I hope, some Bakunin and the Federalist Republic­ day, to talk personally with you. If anism of Pi y Margall. I write to you publicly, it is in relation I do not forgive you for having to subjects infinitely more serious— written “ that Lenin was not the true and in order to remind you of your Libertarian Youth will continue the struggle tor the Workers’ ! builder of Russia, but rather Stalin, enormous responsibilities which per­ haps, on account of your modesty, you Communist minister of the Gen­ do not fully realise. eralitat, Comorera, recently came In your speech of January 3rd you to it was less to give informa­ said: — “ The Anarchists have entered tion than to receive instructions— the Government to prevent the Rev­ The “ Rising” In and, one might even say, orders! olution from being sidetracked and to This man was, in fact, at the root ensure its pursuance after the War — ITTLE by little— the truth is At last— that which was bound of it? Nobody will be found to be­ of the first difficulties in which the and also so that they might resist any L becoming evident about the to happen— did happen— embold­ lieve that! CNT-FAI found themselves last possible attempt at dictatorship, from events which have recently taken ened by the tacit complicity by It would be, however, ridiculous December — in Barcelona, and it whatever source it might corned place in Certagne, Barcelona, and which they profited—the Fascists to throw the whole responsibility was he who provided the many And now, comrade, in April, after various other places in Catalonia. of Bellver—re-doubled the irrita­ for these occurences on the L’Es- manifest actions against the scar­ three months’ experience of collabora­ And the truth is something far tions which necessitated further tat Catala— and even on the Cata­ city of food which he himself had tion, we find ourselves in a situation different from what the newspapers intervention by our comrades. lonian Republican Party. caused. Whilst acting thus in the where grave facts present themselves would have had you believe — It was during the last efforts of To us—it appears absolutely in­ name of his party, and with its end whilst others, even worse, already be­ whether they be of the right or the this sort Antonio Martin was as­ contestable that all the political in mind, Comorera had only one gin to take form. left. By now we have been able to sassinated when he arrived to dis­ parties— who, without exception, aim— to incite the masses of Bar­ In such areas as the Basque Coun­ decide on the responsibilities— the cuss with the peasants of Bellver. have declared themselves for the celona against the CNT and the try, the Levant and Castille, where method and the aims. The respon­ By whom was Martin assassinated ? “democratic” republic — were ac­ FAI, on whom he tried to fasten our movement is not established in sibilities ? They rest entirely on To what party did the assassin be­ complices in this affair. The mom­ the responsibility for the shortage basic forms, that is to say, in vast those who wish to “ liquidate” the long? ent appeared a favourable one to of milk, bread and potatoes, for syndicate frameworks, and in the , and to revive the The criminal is a man named dispose of the CNT and FAI, to which he was himself to blame. strong of the masses, the democratic and bourgeois republic! Juan Jorda. He belongs to “ L’Es- eliminate them by attempting a The manoeuvre having been un­ Counter Revolution oppresses and The plan ? It consisted of the re­ tat Catala,” which forms the right “coup” of vast proportions! successful—thanks to the vigilance threatens to crash everything. The moval of the central of the frontier wing of the Catalan Republican So the manoeuvre was attempt­ of our comrades— he had to find Government is at Valencia and it is and certain very important public Party, of which the leader is none ed at Puigcerda, to take over con­ some other means to implicate our from there that the Storm Guards services — from the hands of our other than Companys himself. trol of the frontier, was continued comrades — experience had taught set out for the purpose of disarming comrades of the CNT—which they Who are the adherents of “L’Es- at Barcelona by the attack on the him that all similar attempts would the revolutionary centres formed for had handled since the beginning of tat Catala” ? All the speculators, Central telephone building, and meet the same fate. defence. One calls to mind the Casas the revolution. all the profiteers— all the sub rosa would have been continued by oc­ And, in fact, this last time every­ Viejas in thinking about Vilanesa.f Fascists who form Franco’s famous cupation of the local headquarters thing was tried—a frontal attack, It is the Civil Guards and the Storm The aim? It was quite simply to Fifth Column. There are also, of the CNT and all the enterprises an appeal to desert, an appeal to Guards who keep their arms. It is finish both the war and the revolu­ among them, the diplomats, the directed by the latter. We are international intervention, the they, too, who, in the rear, haveto tion by ridding themselves of those ambassadors and the consuls who thus faced by a feat conceived and sending of armed forces to Bar­ control “ the uncontrollables,” in other who would have been irrevocably have never ceased to gamble on directed by the political parties celona and a formidable campaign words, to disarm the revolutionary opposed to such an incredible com­ Franco’s success. which believed that the hour had of lying news at home and, above centres that are provided with a few promise — a compromise imagined Then who ordered the attack on arrived to wring the neck of the all, abroad. rifles and revolvers. And this comes possible by Anglo-French diplo­ the Central Telephone building of Revolution. Nothing was accomplished and about while the “ secret front” is not macy—and which has many sup­ Barcelona ? Rodriguez Salas, assis­ It is possible that certain ele­ the position of the CNT remains quashed. This takes place during a porters in Spanish political circles. tant commissary for Public Order ments of the Valencia Government unmoved and immovable. But it civil war in which all kinds of event­ The situation thus brought into —right hand man of Artemia Ai- have not been at least aware of is proven that workers at war in ualities are possible, and in regions the full light of day— let us take guade, Minister for Public Safety. this plan. the Spanish Peninsula have noth­ where the battle front is close at hand, the full sequence of events as they To what party do these two res­ The manner in which the Gov­ ing to hope from political parties extrcmelv irregular in its line, and not occured. It was in Cerdagne that ponsible gentlemen belong? To L’- ernment immediately put into ac­ — nothing to hope from this union mathematically certain. It takes place things came to a head. La Sed Estat Catala! tion the articles of the Constitu­ with these parties and the middle whilst a political distribution of arms D’Ugel and Puigcerda centres And there, at that precise point tion which the Security Publique classes. All these parties and peo­ makes itself abundantly clear — a which had been largely dominated we must fix the prime responsibili­ in Catalonia conferred on it; the ple will be found, when the posi­ politicd distribution which aims at by the influence of the CNT had ty. The whole world must know conversations that took place bet­ tion is clarified, to bt- against the sending arms only in accordance with never voluntarily accepted the poli­ that it was not our comrades of ween the Government of Barcelona proletariat, though willing to use strict necessity (strict necessity we tical and administrative control of the FAI who unleashed the strug­ and that of Valencia, and the use their forces in their own interests. hope will be enough) to the Aragon the Generalitat of Catalunya— gle in Barcelona. It was the Com­ of armed force, are sufficient evi­ There is only one thing that can Front, the armed escort of Agrarian there— in spite of all steps taken missioner for Public Order—Salas dence that Valencia did know. And save the situation— allowing the Collectivisation and the buttress of the by the authorities in Barcelona our who invaded the telephone building besides, was it not this Govern­ war to be won at the same time Aragon Council, and to Catalonia the comrades, ceded as little as possi­ — without any reason— and on the ment which had refused for ten as the revolution is accomplished Iberian Ukraine. ble—and by their own efforts they authority of an order issued by months adequate armament for the — revolutionary union of action You are in a Government which have attempted to conquer the lit­ Aiguade. Our comrades were so columns of the CNT-FAI? between and enforced by the CNT has offered France and England ad­ tle bands of Fascists which have taken by surprise that police forces The attitude of the Embassy in and the UGT. vantages in Morocco, whilst from let themselves fip near the frontier commanded by Salas were able to Paris— criminal though it was— They can only combat the in­ July 1936, it should have been oblig­ which, was under the control of reach the sixth floor of the tele­ was so much more culpable in that iquities and combinations of the atory on us to proclaim officially the °Ur people. Thus many expedi­ phone building without meeting the Minister for Foreign Affairs— politicians, no matter how tricky political autonomy of Morocco. I tions were made to clear out the any resistance. Del Vayo— was present in Paris. they be. imagine that you — as an Anarchist fascists west of Bellver— situated But following the chain of res­ This demonstrates equally that the If this unity of action — which — must regard this affair as ignoble between Puigcerda and Seo D’Urgel ponsibility— is it possible that the plan was of international inspira­ springs logically from the unity of and stupid; but I believe the hour sbout 18 kilometres from Puig­ Government of the Generalitat was tion and that the governments of revolutionary organisations — will has come to make it known that you cerda. not aware of this attack ?—that Paris, London and Moscow wished only develop and hold together, the and the other Anarchist ministers are The Generalitat sent investiga- the President, who found it neces­ it success. politicians, the Spanish bourgeoisie, not in agreement as to the nature and ors to the district—although the sary to call attention to the desert­ We are convinced — on other the false democracies and even in­ purport of such proposals. situation had not changed except ions from the Aragon front—and grounds too—that it was in Paris ternational fascism, could go into On October 24th, 1936, I wrote in o the detriment of the comrades to the disembarcation of French that the plan was decided on— and mourning for their hopes. “ Guerra di Classe “ The Fasc- of Puigcerda and La Seo. sailors— could have been ignorant perhaps, even, conceived. When the (Tr. from Combat Syndicaliste) (Continued on Pace 4) 2 , FRIDAY, JUNE 4th, 1937.

sided? Few will deny that the Anarchists desired unity amongst SPAIN and the the Spanish Workers. An observer in Spain, of whose political sympa­ ijl Anarchist Ideals From The Root WORLD thies we are ignorant, wrote in the “New Statesman” (May 15th) Anti-Fascist Fortnightly these very significant words: V. Kropotkin Since 1866, Later Developments, Conclusion “ The Anarchists waited too long. Temporary Offices : If they had stnick nine months ago, tember 1890, the discontinued articles on or even three months ago, they would T H E issue of the Russo-Turkish war, (1884), other socialist papers and in 207, GOSWELL ROAD, Fabian Tract, No. 4 (1886, PP- 10-12, Ethics (1904-5), followed by the polemi ■ however mitigated by the Berlin Con­ have been able to capture power. Af­ drawn up on behalf of the London An­ cal articles since 1910, The Theory 0f LONDON, E.C.l, ference (1878), meant an advance of ter the Fascist rebellion was defeated archists). H. M. Hyndman, a personal Evolution and Mutual Aid, etc. Russia and a defeat of the Tory policy, ENGLAND. in Catalonia last July — credit for friend of Kropotkin, helped to make him All these studies had the purpose of and this made the liberals under Glad­ pointing out the possibilities of progress which belongs primarily to the Anar­ widely known by translating his Appeal stone win the next election. This en­ which existing social developments and couraged many latent forces of discontent to the Young (The Modern Press, 1885). chists, then the strongest and best So when Kropotkin, after an amnesty, tendencies contained, further to eliminate Advertisement Rates on to come forward, but as the liberals knew armed workers' organisation in all of came to London in March 1886, he met dangerous pressure from hostile factors Application. no other policy than laisscz fairc (to do Spain — they might have entrenched with a nucleus of friends and sympa­ by suggesting remedies and to combat the Price 2d.; For U.S.A., 5 cents. nothing) or coercion (the usual govern­ authoritarian element which had found themselves impregnably in positions of mental remedy), they gave no satisfaction thizers and was welcomed by socialists, workers and the liberal milieu wherever admission in the interpretation of Science power in the Government, in the army and the dissident currents came forward and was of old entrenched in what are very openly in the early eighties. Above he went, mostly for lectures, in London and in the police force." and the provinces— a position of general called Ethics. Progress was the result all, Ireland and the land question was Even to-day, after the eventful esteem which he enjoyed to the hour of of free development and must remain so now openly proclaimed in Scotland and Centralism and Statism make nations de­ OUR POSITION days in Barcelona, the C.N.T. Press England also, by men from Michael Dcr- his departure for Russia in the early sum­ mer of 1917. pendent on the obediences and goodwill E reproduce in this issue, is still stressing the necessity for vitt to Henry George and Alfred Russell of many, which can only be obtained by the alliance of the U.G.T. and Wallace. The British Poor came to the Kropotkin is generally considered to impressions and opinions, have been very persistent and unchanging coercion: security lies only in autonomy W C.N.T. Whether in so doing they front: The Bitter Cry of Outcast Lon­ but at this juncture prefer to in his ideas. This applies in a certain local effort, and self-reliance. Science had are making further concessions we don; How the Poor Live; The Horrible been misinterpreted by making it conse­ abstain from adding comment or Sweating System ; A Dock Labourer’s degree to impression and to conclusions do not know. The lesson they at which he arrived after much personal crate the “ right” of the strongest, as criticism to any extent. This at­ Bitter Cry; are titles of a few striking being, apparently, the “ fittest,” whilst should have learnt during these publications. The housing of the Poor; effort, but it does not imply that he may titude of ours cannot be considered be summed up by examining just a few ever so much in the life of men and of last nine months, in which they workhouse and slums; The Maiden Tri­ society depends upon solidarity, mutual cowardly, or as meaning that we of his best known books or pamphlets. have undoubtedly lost ground bute of Modern Babylon (Stead, 1885), aid. Ethics were based on the worship cannot form opinions for ourselves. means of improvement of every descrip­ His intellectual basis was the study and (relatively speaking, in that the in­ of authority, the religious fiction and the Our attitude towards a question tion, settlements, allotments: all these the methods of natural science which had crease of strength of the U.G.T. reached such a high level in the sixties, despot’s dire reality, whilst every reason came before what was then called the new prompts us to base them on justice, equal­ such as that which concerns the social conscience, besides proposals of ad­ and his humane ethics made him respect in Catalonia has not been achieved ity, reciprocity and, in ascendant evolu­ “ uprising” in Barcelona is a diffi­ ministrative reform, such as led to the the autonomy, the natural essence of at the expense of the C.N.T. but tion, on generosity. These were Kropot­ cult one. In the name of fairness formation of the County Councils, the things. So in his socialist work when he by the policy of the U.G.T. in en­ kin’s main teachings in his English writ- —to our Spanish comrades—we Home Rule movements, etc. Some dog­ knew the special wants of Russia, when couraging small property holders, he fitted with the Jurassian international- ings, apart from much practical advice are therefore reluctant to take up matists then jumped to State , which led to the petit-bourgeois whilst liberal minded people worked for which brought him in contact with all a definite position until the Com­ genuine efforts at amelioration, whilst he joining their ranks), must surely what is called municipal socialism, and when he dived into the documentary rades have an opportunity of ex­ study of the French revolution and made combated to the last the growing en­ put them on their guard against an aspirant social bureaucracy cautiously plaining their position and attitude began to turn all these currents into the himself familiar with the life of the croachments of the State and of those making further concessions. One workers as soon as he set foot in France who play in the hands of a new slavery in face of the occurances in Bar­ organisation of Official Omnipotence. I reads in the English Bulletin of refer to the Fabians in their real essence, or when, in 1878, he had occasion to by interfering with the personal rights celona and the rest of Catalonia. the C.N.T.-F.A.I. (May 12th) of as fifty years’ observation now permits examine the intimate life of the Spanish of man. Taken as a whole, a synthesis They will have this opportunity International in Barcelona and in . which age and conditions did not permit the really sincere efforts to bring us to see them. next month, when “ Spain and the It was well for progress, of course, It is known now by the private Anarchist Kropotkin to achieve, his English work about true unity in the rearguard: of the 1886-1914 period would represent W orld" will be represented at a that all these latent tendencies should group which derived from Bakunins “ The last ciisis of the Generality, International Brotherhood, which was a striking parallel to that of Godwin’s Congress in Paris, at which rep­ manifest themselves openly, but we can which lasted for three weeks, was understand from these facts what for­ based on the principle that the tactics Political Justice, as it equally takes into resentatives of the C.N.T.-F.A.I. which the comrades of each country account all the existing good beginnings, solved thanks to the sacrifices made midable anti-libertarian forces were called will speak. Then, and then only into action since then, and how all has should apply locally, were to be res­ points out the roads towards real im­ will we express a definite opinion. by the C.N.T. and the F.A.I. The ended in very long spells of conservative pected by those of the other countries. provement and warns of the reactionary concessions made by our organisations In this spirit he worked when he settled in obstacles. Both show the way from Now, we will content ourselves rule, alternating with spells of alleged Labour and State socialist rule, liberalism England, where he had already been living authoritarian bondage to freedom by the with publishing accounts by com­ were the maximum that the economic situation of the proletariat permitted. being ground to dust between these two at various times during the years from means of solidarity and autonomy and rades who were present or who millstones, behind which lurk regimes of 1876 to 1882. intelligent ethical effort. Those who be­ But the C.N.T. considered anti-fascist gathered information in Barcelona, Fascism, under whatever the names may In London, in March or April 1886, lieve in the ascending line: from liberal unity more important even than its be. But this was not quite visible in the Kropotkin and his wife and several to libertarian, find confirmation both in and we leave to our readers the these writings of Godwin and of Kropot­ task of drawing some sort of con­ sacrifices. hopeful eighties, not even up to the middle friends and sympathizers, men and wo­ “ We cannot say the same of the of the nineties. men, formed the Freedom Group, a pri­ kin. clusion. American , as vate circle, which helped to produce the These few chapters deal with English other anti-fascist sectors. Some men, propagated by Tucker’s since Anarchism. Kropotkin suggested other * * * monthly paper Freedom (October 1886— in responsible positions, have been do­ August 1881, got no hold on English December 1927), to organize open propa­ proceedings for other countries on the ing everything possible to provoke the workers who had nothing of their own basis of the conditions there, as he saw But there are questions which ganda by lectures etc., since 1886, to . We have proof that for equitable exchange and could only establish contact with public groups doing them. I may refer here to the Vindex we can ask even at this juncture. they were preparing an armed attack sell their labour power in the capitalist similar work in London, the provinces articles of 1898 on Italy and to Insur- marl'et. Although several papers were recciones y Revolucion, written in 1910 We are still much concerned about against us from the beginning of Ap­ and Scotland, etc. The paper was edited the responsibility for the murder founded since The Anarchist began pub­ by Mrs. C. M. Wilson, later, for many for Tierra y Libertad in Barcelona. He ril, in order to eliminate our organi­ lication in 1885, their radius of action was was eager to see popular initiative in of our Comrade Prof. Camillo Ber- years, by , and finally by sations, the C.N.T. and the F.A.I., gradually narrowed to those interested in . The few survivors of England and tried more than most others nerL We cannot understand, for from their posts. “ free money,” “ mutual banking,” the the group and those who have access to to find means to rouse it. But no one instance, the reason for the cam­ descendants of the old currency reformers early correspondence, know the independ­ can say that he had not placed before the paign of silence by the C.N.T. “ We were able to reach an agree­ and the precursor of Douglasism. ent character, as I should call it, of the English public in Freedom and in The Press concerning details of his ment with them even after the Mayor Revolutionary events like the acute relations between Kropotkin, the editors Nineteenth Century ample materials to of Puigcerda, Antonio Martin, a com­ struggles of the Russian nihilists and the and the members of the group. Mutual promote the most serious effort toward death, and the apparent reluctance Irish terrorists, persecutions like that of social emancipation on the sound and rade of ours, was assassinated. regard, delicacy and the respect of differ­ to give publicity to the responsibil­ the German weekly Freiheit, founded in ing opinions were characteristic of this attractive basis of freedom and solidarity. ity of the P.S.U.C. One reads in “ But a new provocation occurred London by Most, at an international fine group. It was torn in two in the He did not succeed as once more, in the the “ Solidaridad Obrera ” of the on the 3rd of May. Rodriguez Salas, revolutionary Congress meeting privately autumn of 19 14 when so many old asso­ years leading up to 1914, most of the in London, July 1881, in which Joseph workers sided with authority, elected their 11th May that at Berneri’s rooms General Commissioner of Public Or­ ciations were broken or interrupted, as Lane and other Englishmen participated was that of Kropotkin with Malatesta. men into parliament etc., but that was on May 4th, “ two men wearing der in Catalonia, exceeded the limits and the most active members of which But Kropotkin went his own way to his no fault of his, nor of the anarchist idea. the red armlet of the...... presented of his authority and carried out an were Malatesta and Kropotkin,— all that last hour in February 1921 and Freedom That idea worked quietly in those years themselves.” Why does the ‘Soli’ attack against the Telephone Ex­ did not reach many beyond the revolu­ had an honourable career to the end of in several men of some mark. Edward tionary socialists and some radical sympa­ dislike stating to which party these change of Barcelona. At 3 o'clock in 1927, being continued by the Freedom Carpenter elaborated a non governmental thizers. Henry George first had some Bulletin, issued at irregular intervals but socialism, striving also, in the final texts two men belonged? Why in the the afternoon he personally ordered hold on public opinion and then the case not extinct. Even in the present paper of Towards Democracy to make the new remainder of the article, is the three truckloads of Civil Guards to of Kropotkin, his trial in Lyons early in Spain and the World, two members of society spring from all the good seed same omission made when describ­ occupy the Exchange, located at the 1883 (five years prison), as he was largely the old Freedom Group take a small part which the old soil contains already. Oscar known in the liberal and scientific milieus and much interest. An open, public Wilde produced the anarchist essay The ing Berneri’s assailants? Plaza Cataluha." by his writings and lectures on the perse­ Even over the Radio, only the group which about 1928 adopted the name Soul of Man under Socialism (The Fort­ Undoubtedly, the C.N.T.-F.A.I.’s cutions in Russia, by his scientific work “ London Freedom Group” and issued the nightly Review, February 1891). Auberon American comrade made mention strength has also been weakened and by the sacrifice of a great career to paper Freedom some time later, had the Herbert fought many years for what he the Russian cause and his own anarchist of the mysterious circumstances of since Russia intervened by supply­ support of several old members of the called The Party of Individual Liberty. ideas so openly professed in the Revolte, Freedom Group, but cannot be considered Lothrop Withington eloquently stood up Berneri’s death, whilst no • men­ ing arms. Besides being remun­ at the Lyons trial, etc. The Declaration tion was made of the funeral, as its successor, nor, of course, be con­ for anarchism of the New England school, erated in gold, Moscow seems to of the Lyons anarchists before the Court founded with it. whilst Voltairine de Cleyre in her lect­ though Domingo Ascaso’s funeral was widely spread as a revolutionary leaf­ have effectively gagged the Fed- ure tour in the nineties and in her which took place on the same day let. As Kropotkin, a prisoner, could not erica Montensys and Garcia Oliv­ Group, a voluntary attitude is open t American publications always noticed in was referred to at length? As discuss anarchism in an English review, ers. The last article that our Com­ his friend Elisee Reclus explained this criticism, but stands as a historical fac England unsectarian anarchism in a beautiful form. Elisee Reclus sometimes stated in our last issue, the C.N.T. rade, Camillo Berneri wrote (an conception in An Anarchist on It seems a great pity that libertarian ele thought it advisable not to pub­ in The Contemporary Review, May 1884, ments like Joseph Lane, William Morri lectured in England and Scotland. Tol­ “ Open Letter to Federica Monten- lish the day and hour of Prof. Ber­ whilst Mrs. C. M. Wilson, an English and their comrades of the Socialist Leagti stoi’s ideas met with wide attention and sy ” ) and reproduced elsewhere in and Kropotkin and his friends did nc were popularised by many good men of neri’s funeral so as to avoid “ in­ friend of Stepniak and Kropotkin, ex­ this issue, brilliantly outlines the plained anarchist in Justice see their way to co-operate in 1886. Th whom J. Morrison Davidson may be cidents.” Why should our Com­ Anarchists position three months reasons are not under discussion hen mentioned here. That English anarchism rades death be enshouded in mys­ after entering the Government. The Every shade of anarchist opinion live spreading from Freedom, London Liberty, tery and receive so little attention its own life in the stormy years up t the Commonwealth, the Torch, conducted clear exposition of the situation 1894, and in the spring of 1895 the bes by members of the Rossetti family the Glas­ from the Anarchist Press in Bar­ does not call for comment. We ask our readers to excuse us if remaining elements of what had been th gow Anarchist of the talented George celona? We demand an explana­ Spain and the W orld The Anarchists are no longer in appears with a League joined all the same the Freedor Barrett, who died early, and other papers, tion from the Comrades responsible delay of 5 days. Our printers are no Group which was quite content to b appealed directly to the workers by The for the campaign of silence. the Government; they lose nothing. longer in business, and it has been un­ strengthened thus and which got som Voice of Labour (several series) and one They may even gain by not being believably difficult to find another printer new support in those years also fror of its most concise and efficient speakers, * * * represented in the Valencia Cab­ who would “ dare” print the newspaper. dissident members of the S.D .F. Liber , became a well remembered inet... tarians of some value, capable of un figure of the trade union world, the or­ selfish co-operation and steady work, wer ganiser of the shop assistants. These Further, the “ politeness ” which Owing to lack of space we can­ one notices in “ Solidaridad Obrera” * * * always welcome in the Freedom Group anarchists brought the tortures in Spain, Kropotkin worked for Freedom fror in Montjuich, 1896-97, before the Eng­ for instance, towards the Commun­ not print the balance sheet in this This policy of compromise and 1886 to 1914 in the intimate and carefu lish speaking w’orld and helped to liber­ ists, or to scurrilous attacks in the issue, but we believe it of vital concessions has cost the Anarchists way described here, testing and wiodellin; ate the surviving victims who were wel­ Communist Press. We are tired importance that our readers should all his conceptions as his own early Eng comed— those who had been exiled from many valuable lives. One reads in of reading in the “ Soli” that phrase be informed that the deficit has lish experience and the advice of com Spain— on Trafalgar Square by all social the Spanish Information Bulletin rades induced him to think best. H “ we have imposed on ourselves the feeling London. In Freedom the preten­ of the C.N.T.-F.A.I. (8th May) the reached a total of £124. We appeal was as anxious to help to form an Englisl sions of Marx and Engels were exposed painful duty of being discreet” following words: to Comrades to help us wipe out Anarchism for England as he tried t< by the Georgian exile Tchcrkesov who, whilst further on are obliged to delineate a French Anarchism for Franc with Tarrida del Marmol of Catalonia admit that despite their politeness “ The death of Camillo Berneri has this deficit as soon as possible so and a Russian Anarchism for Russia. Hi in 1902, and on other occasions induced very few communist papers “ have saved all of us, for from now on­ that we may continue our publica­ French writings in the Revolte have thei also Tom Mann to reconsider his position counterpart, but by no means their imita wards, we know the course to fol­ tion. and to take that independent attitude in followed our lead.” In the issue of ti°n in what he wrote for Freedom. Hi socialism in which he adhered for many May 13th one reads that “ In Cat­ low. The spirit which arises from was the more prompted to apply mud years until the Moscow spell fell upon alonia we know very well who are this revolution can never be dest­ care to this localisation of the anarchis him. From the Garden City to every the responsible elements for the dis­ royed, and we shall for ever re­ ideas, as he had the splendid chance t( form of and Voluntary lay them before the educated public ir turbances. We know the aim for member that it has been purified by Association, free thought and ethics, every SUPPORT many long articles published in The Nine- specialised advanced activity had the sup­ such filthy acts...” Why then, in the blood of our martyrs.” These t*eLnt'1 Century, from February 1887, lik< SPAIN and the WORLD port of anarchists. Alfred Marsh, the the name of Truth, do our com­ fine words should be the basis of The Scientific Basis of Anarchs,, Th, editor of Freedom, related by alliance to rades refrain from exposing the action in the future. Coming Anarchy, The Breakdown of ow T . Holyoake, was rooted in free- by sending your subscription Industrial System, The Coming Reign o, “ responsible elements” ? There is only one way of honour­ tnought and co-operation and felt attract­ 13 issues 2/6 (U.S.A. 60c.) Plenty, The Industrial Village of th, ed by all the currents which came forth Why do our Comrades continue ing the sacrifice of hundreds of Mrnre, Brain Work and Mannual Work in the years up to the war in The New making concessions to bring about thousands of Workers: IN THE 26 „ 4/6 ( „ 1.00$) The Small Industries of Britain, Th< Age, these currents, on their side, had a Unity which is entirely one­ SOCIAL REVOLUTION! Great French Revolution and its Lessons origins in the Tolstoi and Morris-Kro- the long Material Aid series from Sep­ (continued at foot of col. 1, page 3) SPAIN AND THE WORLD, FRIDAY, JUNE 4th, 1937. 3

their silence is a sign of consent, and him to France where the life of Ber­ that they are therefore responsible for neri was made impossible. From the THE SOVIET POLITICAL MACHINEStalin’s act. They are a hopeless lot. very first moment of the Spanish rev­ But the Libertarians, who oppose olution, July 19th, Bemeri rushed to every dictatorship and fascism, no Spain and put himself and his abilities matter under what flag, they must at the disposition of the C N T /F A I. Its Designs On Spain continue to rouse human interest and He organised the first Italian column. sympathy in the tragic fate of the He fought at many fronts and he was political prisoners in Russia. the spirit of all the Italians in the rear. 15 Y EA R S have passed since com­ hard to keep silent when 400 politicals the seat of the Spanish Revolution. If rade A. Chapiro, my old pal « • « I had occasion to meet and know Ber­ were forcibly removed from the Bou- ever I believed, even for a moment in neri and I found him one of the Alexander Berkman, now gone from tarka prison in Moscow, and sent to the explanation of Soviet leaders that The events in Spain this month me, and myself came out of Soviet kindest and sweetest personalities, be­ remote places. When Fanny Baron, political freedom is impossible during eloquently sustain the above written sides being one of the most brilliant. Russia to give to the thinking world a revolutionary period, my stay in our comrade, and Tcherny were mur­ in Barcelona eight months ago. It The Communists, together with the the disclosures of the political grind­ Spain has completely cured me of it. dered. At last the holy day arrived, does more. It demonstrates that the Fascist forces, have murdered Berneri ing machine we found there. It was Spain, too, is in the clutches of a the fronts were liquidated. But the Soviet political grinding machine does because, like Durutti, he was in their only after a long conflict that we de­ political grinding mill ground on, blood stained civil war, she is sur­ not only do its deadly work in Russia, way. He was too outspoken, too con­ cided to do so. For well we knew thousands being crushed by its wheels. rounded by enemies within and with­ but in all other countries as well. sistent and his vision was clear. He the price we would have to pay for out. No, not merely by fascist ene­ It was then that we came to the The events in Barcelona the last saw what was coming and he warned speaking openly about the terrible mies. But by all sorts of social ex­ conclusion that the Soviet promise re­ two weeks have demonstrated how the leading comrades against it. political persecutions that were a daily ponents, who are more bitterly op­ iterated to us again and again, were foolish were some of our comrades of It is certain, however, that Stalin affair in the so called Socialist Repub­ posed to Anarcho- and like all promises coming from the the C N T /F A I to believe that Stalin and his new bed fellows have made lic. The price we paid for our deter­ Anarchism under the name of CN T Kremlin — an empty shell. We there­ had begun to send arms to Spain out their calculations without taking into mination was high enough, but was and FA I, than they are to fascism. fore came to the conclusion that we of revolutionary solidarity, or that account that the Spanish workers with nothing compared to the avalanche of Yet in spite of the danger lurking in owed it to our suffering comrades in there ever can be a unity between fire their background of an incessant strug­ abuse and vilification hurled against every comer of every city, to the Soviet prisons, to all the revolutionary and water. Apart from the fact that gle for a century for Libertarian Com­ me, when my first ten articles about Spanish Revolution, in spite of the political victims as well as to the Stalin waited 3 I months, the most munism and a Federalist basis of a Soviet Russia appeared in the public imperative necessity to concentrate all workers and peasants of Russia, to critical period of the Spanish revolu­ new economic and cultural society press. Since I foresaw as much, I the forces on winning the anti-fascist go abroad and place our findings be­ tion and the anti-Fascist war, before can not be subdued to dictatorship was not very shocked over the fact war, it is yet amazing to find more fore the world. From that time on he began sending arms should have and Fascism as has been done in other that my own comrades misunderstood and until 1930, comrade Berkman political freedom than ever was proven to our comrades and to all countries. Times without end the what I had to say and the motive worked incessandy for the political dreamt of by Lenin and his comrades. thinking people that the man was Spanish Feudal lord, the Church, the which induced me to appear in the If anything, the C N T -FA I, the prisoners and in raising funds to keep waiting for the decision of his allies Monarchy have tried to crush the New York World. Much less did most powerful party in Catalonia, is them alive in their dreadful living — France— and that he cared little for glowing spirit of freedom of the Span­ I care for the poison that oozed out going to the opposite extreme, Repub­ tomb. After that, comrade Rocker, the sacrifices daily made in Spain in ish masses. Their success was ever against me from the Communists in licans, Socialists, Communists, Trotz- Fleschin, Mollie Steimer, Dobinski, the anti-Fascist struggle. It also short lived. For the Spanish workers Russia, America and other countries. kyists, in fact everybody daily marches Yelensky and many other faithful should have proven to them that Stal­ love liberty more than their lives and through the streets, heavily armed and Even while yet in Russia we pro­ comrades kept up the work which our in sent arms in return for good gold no power on earth will ever eradicate their banners flying. They have taken tested against the grinding mill as we beloved Alexander was forced to dis­ and that he imposed conditions on that love. possession of the most elaborate hou­ saw it in its sinister force. For my­ continue. I can say that until this the C N T /F A I which have unfortu­ True, reaction is again on top in ses of the former bourgeoisie. They self I can say, and I can say the same day the devoted efforts to bring our nately fettered both organisations to Spain, our comrades foully murdered merrily publish their papers and hold for my comrade Alexander Berkman, hapless comrades in Soviet Russia a very large extent. One of the con­ in the dead of night, the C N T /F A I huge meetings. Yet the C N T -FA I we lost no opportunity to go from some cheer and a few comforts have ditions was that no anti-Soviet cri­ betrayed once more, as in the past. has never once even suggested that Bolshevist leader to leader, to plead never ceased, which merely goes to ticism or propaganda should be con­ But no one who has been in Spain, their allies are taking too much ad­ for the unfortunate victims of the prove what devotion, love and solid­ tinued in the anarchist press. The who has come close to the Spanish arity can do. vantage of the tolerance of the Anar­ Cheka. Invariably we were told other that Soviet emissaries should masses in country and towns will be­ chists in Catalonj^. In other words “ wait till all our fronts are liquidated In justice to the heads of the Soviet have full control of the procedure of lieve for a single moment that the our comrades are demonstrating that and you will see that the widest pol­ Government be it said that there was the defence of Madrid. Of course old masters in new disguise will be they would rather prepare to give their itical freedom will be established in still a semblance of fair play while they never would have succeeded had able to impose their will on the work­ associates the same right to liberty as Soviet Russia.” This assurance was Lenin was alive. True, it was he who it not been for the fact that Durutti ers for long. they take for themselves than to es­ repeated time on end so convincingly issued the slogan that Anarcho-syndi­ was foully murdered. I did not be­ The 19th of July has proven that. tablish a dictatorship and a political that we began to wonder whether we calists and Anarchists are the petit lieve the rumours while I was in Bar­ It has demonstrated to the whole grinding machine that would crush all had understood the effect of Revolu­ bourgeoisie, and that they should be celona that he was put out of the world that the Spanish Anarcho-Syndi­ their opponents. tion on the rights of the individual exterminated. Nevertheless, it is true way by a Communist. But from the calists and the Anarchists are made that his political victims were sen­ Yes, 15 years have passed. Accord­ and the mass. We decided to wait. events of the last two weeks I am of a stronger fibre than the workers tenced for a definite period and were ing to the glad tidings from Russia But weeks and months passed and beginning to think that there was in all Fascist countries. They were left with the hope that they would be one hears over the Radio, in the Com­ there was no letup in the relentless more truth than fiction in this rumour. the first to offer resistance to the Spa­ set free when their sentence expired. munist press and on every occasion: extermination of all people who dared Durutti was too astute a strategist and nish Fascists. The first to drive them Since the advent of Stalin, that bit “ Life is joyful and splendid” in the disagree even in the least with the absolutely consistent with his ideas and out of Catalonia. The first to send of hope, hope so essential to people Socialist Republic. Did not Stalin methods of the Communist State. It he would never have submitted to any their grand fighter Durruti to the Ar­ issue this slogan and has it not been was only after the massacre of Kron­ in prison, and so necessary tor the political deal with the Communists. agon front. Moreover, it was the re-echoed over and over again. “ Life stadt, that we, our comrades Alex­ continuance of their morale has been The Communists were not slow in C N T /F A I that had shown the pos­ abolished. is joyful and splendid.” Not for the ander Berkman and Alexander Cha­ taking advantage of these conditions. sibility of constructive work in the Stalin, true to the meaning of his tens of thousands of political victims piro felt that we had no right to wait They not only increased in numbers, midst of the gallant anti-Fascist fight in prison and concentration camps. any longer, that it became imperative name, could not Bear to think, that sometimes 2,000 a week, who arrived and the defence of the Revolution. No people, given 5 or 10 years, should Anarchists, Socialists, Communists, for us as old revolutionists to cry the in Spain, but a great deal of the people capable of such courage and be left with the expectation that they Intellectuals, masses of the workers truth from the very housetops. Never­ arms sent for the defence of Madrid determination can be subdued for long. would one day see freedom again. and tens of thousands of the peasant­ theless we waited until the fronts went to the headquarters of the Com­ No! A thousand times NO! The Under his iron rule, people, whose ry know nothing of the new joy and were liquidated, though it was bitterly munists for the arming of their com­ C N T /F A I will and can not be splendour proclaimed by the Torque- sentence expired are re-sentenced and rades. The next step dictated by crushed. They are invincible. They mada on the Communist throne. Their ANARCHIST IDEALS FROM THE shipped to another concentration Stalin was to change the slogan of will conquer in the end over all their lives, if they are still alive, continue ROOT (Cont. from previous column) camp. Thus we have today numerous the defence of the revolution to the enemies. For the C N T /F A I what­ hopeless, drab, a daily purgatory potkin libertarian sphere. What might comrades who have been shoved from defence of democracy, the kind of de­ ever their mistakes, and whatever have been the true essence of Guild So­ exile to exile since 1920. And there without end. mocracy which the old reactionary price they are paying for their child­ cialism e.g. had been said all along in The more reason for us, comrades, is no end in sight. But why should police officials and the reactionary like faith in their so called allies they Freedom by Marsh and in fact as far and for all those who are sincere "back as 1826 in the Address to the in­ we be surprised at the relentless grind­ middle class wanted to bring back in are the only people in the world today Libertarians, to continue the work for dustrious classes of Britain and Ireland; ing mill Stalin has inaugurated for order to destroy the constructive work who believe passionately enough in the the political prisoners in the Soviet particularly to our neighbours, the dis­ such opponents as Anarchists and So­ of the C N T /F A I and to crush the Revolution and in Libertarian Com­ tressed Spitalfields Weavers, by William Union. I do not appeal to the Lib­ cial Revolutionists? Stalin has proven revolution. There is no doubt that munism to sacrifice all for the victory Thompson— and might be said once more ertarians who shout themselves hoarse to the people of the distressed districts that he is as cruel with his own this “ great dream” of Stalin was of both. against fascism or against the political of England and Wales, if the libertarians former comrades as with the rest who shared by the other powers who are abuses in their own countries and yet London, May 22/37. were prepared to speak up. dare doubt his wisdom. The latest all in favour of some kind of a deal This garland of English Anarchism of remain silent in the face of the con­ purge, quite equal to the purge of with Franco in order to establish . the 1879— 19 14 period might be length­ tinued persecution and extermination Hitler, should prove to all who are “ peace.” Otherwise it is difficult to ened, if there were space, but ought to of true Revolutionaries in Russia. have shown that Anarchism was an in­ still capable of thinking, that Stalin explain how it happened that British Their senses have become blunted. tellectual and moral factor in these years. is determined to exterminate every­ and French warships should be rushed Let me remember only one fact more, They therefore do not hear the voice body who has looked into his cards. to Spanish waters almost at the iden­ N O T IC E : the moral victory over the intolerance of that rises to the very heavens from We need not hope therefore that our tical moment when this well prepared Marxist social democracy on the occasion the hearts and the stifled throats of T H E last issue of “ Spain and the of the International Socialist Congress Anarchist comrades or any of the Left plot in Spain was brought to a head, the victims of the political grinding World" was produced under great held in London, 1896, when Anarchists, wing Revolutionaries will be spared. namely the attack on the telephone Syndicalists and Upright Socialists com­ I am writing this from Barcelona, machine. They do not realise that difficulties, and we must therefore ask bined and held that memorable mass building— the most strategic point of comrades to excuse the numerous mis­ meeting in Holbom Town Hall, July 28. Barcelona— by armed force. Inciden­ takes that appeared in the text. The Marxists might then concoct strin­ tally, at the same moment the same Reference was made to the Spanish gent regulations to exclude anarchists and attack took place in Taragon and naval base of “ Carcagente” (No. 12 other unbelievers from international con­ Lerida, 250 kilometres from Barcelo­ gresses— scathing contempt for them was page 1). — It should have been felt in London in those weeks when they na. Naturally our comrades defended “ Cartagena” . — were seen at work at close range. their position. They could not be The quotation of Bakunin should There is— unfortunately— little more to expected to do anything else. They have read as follows:— say. Freedom, as remarked above, held realised that they had already given out until 1927 and its friends are still “ Unity is the goal towards which alive; they kept their heads up during way far beyond what thev should have humanity is inevitably drawn. But the War, they withstood the allurements done. In other words the anarchists if achieved without liberty — or of Moscow communism and still raise were not the originators of the attack. through violence — or under eccles­ their voice for Free Spain and against To have done otherwise than defend every form of Fascism. There are young iastical, political, or even economic friends with them, as this very paper the position would emasculate the rev­ influence, it is harmful and destroys shows. They know something of Anarch­ olution. the intelligence, dignity and prosperity ism in Spain and all over the world and The originators of the plot did more of individuals and peoples.” are not disheartened nor dismayed by the fact that only a few papers may be pub­ than an open attack. They raided the For reasons known only to the lished now and meetings held in one or rooms of a very distinguished Italian printers the issue was dated Wednes­ the other country, and that the enemies anarchist who shared them with a day, May 19th instead of Friday, May brag, bray and brawl and commit name­ comrade; they confiscated all their 14th. We mention this as it more less cruelties on helpless victims when they have a safe chance to do this. The documents and material, they put easily explains the lack of information world will recover from all that, and free, them under arrest and supposedly on the uprising in Barcelona. attractive forms of socialism, expressed by were to take them to police head­ The (perhaps) surprising lack of terms like anarchism or communismo li- quarters. The next day both were suitable epithets when making refer­ bertario will have their fair trial. It is found dead, shot in the back, exactly ence to some sections of the Yellow the common interest of all, all, to prepare themselves mentally and morally for this as the many victims of Mussolini and Press or to certain indnnduals who happy time and idle indifference only Hitler were found. One of these represent Interest and exploitation can makes them unfit for the coming struggle comrades, Camillo Berneri, was one only be attributed to the fear which and coming victory. What Spain has of the most distinguished anarchists in for ever lurks in the hearts of our achieved since July, to stand up boldly for freedom, surely England ought to feel Italian ranks. Before Mussolini he printers, that some grandee or news­ proud to do also and before all, let her was Professor of Philosophy in the paper magnate might consider our help Spain! Let her undo the trickery The workers of the New Society will no longer be kept in Florence University. He had been remarks (however true they may be) °f those who prevent that the cause of victimised by Mussolini while he was as offensive and a slur on their ignorance, as they were under the rule of the Church. Pree Spain be supported! still in the country and then pursued (doubtful) character. March 26th, 1937. 4 SPAIN AND THE WORLD, FRIDAY, JUNE 4th, 1937.

Open Letter To Federica Montseny fighters themselves as well as behind the lines. “The C.N.T.-F.A.I. was (continued from page 1) The hour has also come to make clear the Unitarian meaning of our ist Army's base of operations is in guarantees of a political and syndical­ participation in the Government. It Morocco. We should intensify the ist organisation. The political com­ is necessary to speak to the masses, not Responsible”— propaganda in favour of Moroccan mittees and delegates of the Militia to ask them to judge whether Marcel autonomy on ev>ery sector of Pan-ls- used to exercise a salutary control Cachin is right when he states in OfficialStatement lamic influence. Madrid should make which today is weakened by the pre­ “ Humanity" of March 23rd: — “ The responsible Anarchists are in­ unequivocal declarations announcing dominance of strictly military systems creasing their efforts towards unity, the Central Government took over the abandonment of Morocco and the of advancement and promotion. The HE following extract from the and their appeals are more and more T C.N.T.-F.A.I. Bulletin (May 12) public order, the C.N .T. was among protection of Moroccan autonomy. authority of these committees and del­ the first to put at the disposal of the understood." definitely denies the accusations made France views with concern the possib­ egates must be strengthened. representative of Public Order, all the ility of repercussions and insurrections Or is it the Pravda and the Izvestia against the C.N .T.-F.A .I. for res­ We are witnessing the new fact— who are right when they slander the ponsibility in the recent events in Bar­ forces under its control. When the in North Africa and Syria; England Central Government decided to send which can have dangerous consequen­ Spanish Anarchists in treating them celona : — sees the agitation for Egyptian auton­ ces— that whole battalions are com­ an armed force to Barcelona in order as wilful destroyers of Unity. ‘The Secretary of the National Com­ omy being re-enforced as well as that manded by officers who no longer en­ to control the political forces which It is necessary to call upon the mittee, Mariano Vasquez, in his speech of the Arabs in Palestine. It is ne­ joy the esteem and affection of the would not obey the public authorities, masses to judge the moral and politic­ on May 4th, broadcast through the cessary to make the most of such militia. This is a grave fact because the C.N .T. was once more the one to al complicity of the silence of the station of the Generality, said: fears, by adopting a policy which the value of most of the Spanish mil­ order all the districts to facilitate the Spanish Anarchist Press as to the dic­ “ We must stop what is now hap­ threatens to unloose rei'olt in the Is­ itia is directly proportional to the con­ passage of these forces, that they might tatorial offences of Stalin, the perse­ pening immediately. We must stop lamic world. fidence they have in their commanders. reach Barcelona and establish order. cutions against the Russian Anarchists, immediately so that our comrades at “ For such a policy, money is need­ It is therefore necessary to re-establish In view of all this, how can anyone the monstrous trial against the Lenin the front may see that we fully under­ ed — and speed — to send agitators — by those from below— positive fit­ accuse the C.N .T. of shedding the and Trotsky Opposition — a silence stand the present situation, so that and organisers to all centres of Arab ness for command, and the right of blood of the workers in the streets of more than compensated by the calum­ they can face the enemy secure in emigration, to all the frontier zones dismissal. nies of the " Izvestia ” against “ Solid- Barcelona ? of French Morocco. On the Aragon the knowledge that they do not have I could continue. aridad Obrera." From the very beginning the C.N.T. Front, the Centre Front, the Asturias to watch the rear because we cannot It is necessary to call upon the regarded the conflict as the work of and Andalusia, a few Moors are A grave error has been committed reach an agreement. Let us keep the masses to judge whether certain moves provocateurs who were deliberately enough to act as propagandists (by in accepting authoritarian forms— not present situation in mind! We must to sabotage the revictualling are not trying to enrage the masses of the radio, tracts, etc.)." because they were such from the form­ not suffer for another moment that al point of view— but because they contained in the Plan, announced on feeling of collapse in the rear, which C.N .T. and thus cause a serious and It goes without saying that one can­ concealed enormous errors and politic­ December 17th by the “ Pravda" : — can only give comfort to fascism. Stop permanent split between the two ma­ not guarantee English and French int­ al objectives which had nothing to do “ As to Catalonia, the purging of the shooting, comrades! But let no jor labour organisations. These pro­ erests in Morocco and at the same with the necessities of the War. the Trotsky and Anarcho-Syndicalist one try to conquer new positions when vocateurs, fearing the coming victory time agitate for insurrection. Valen­ I have had occasion to speak with elements has commenced; this work the firing has stopped.” of the Social Revolution with the final cia continues Madrid’s policy. But Italian, French and Belgium officers will be conducted with the same ener­ When an attempt was made to find establishment of unity between the this policy must change. And to of high rank and I have come to the gy as that with which it was done in a solution and re-establish order in workers of the C.N .T. and those of change it, a clear and strong statement conclusion that they certainly have a U.S.S.R.” Barcelona, the C.N .T. and the F.A.I. the U .G .T ., made this desperate effort of its own intentions must be made much more modem and rational con­ The hour has come to enquire whe­ were the first to offer their collabora­ to separate the C.N .T. from the rest — because at Valencia, some influen­ ther the Anarchists are in the Govern­ ception of the real needs of discipline tion; they were the first to put for­ of the anti-f.iscist front, regardless of ces are at work to make peace with than certain Neo-Generals who claim ment for the purpose of being the ward the demand to stop the shooting the danger of such a course to the vestals of a fire about to be exting­ Franco. to be realists. and try to pacify Barcelona. When anti-fascist front as a whole. Jean Zyromski, wrote in the “ Pop- uished, or whether they are there I believe the hour has come to est­ ulaire ” of March 3rd: — “ Moves henceforth to serve as a Phrygian Cap ablish the Confederal Army— just as can be seen that are aiming at con­ for some of the politicians who are the Socialist Party has constituted its cluding a peace which would, in real­ flirting with the enemy or with the own troop, the Fifth Regiment of the ity, signify not only the end of the forces anxious to restore “ The Re­ Militia. I believe the hour has come Spanish Revolution, but also the total public of all Classes.” to solve the problem of “ The One MEETING OF loss of the social victories already The problem is set by the evidence Command ” by realising effectively of a crisis that goes beyond the men ANARCHO SYNDICALIST UNION achieved. “ Unity of Command ” — which may “ ‘Neither Caballero nor Franco.' who are its representative personali­ permit of passing to the offensive on CONW AY H A LL, LO NDON, on JU N E 4th at 8 p.m. Such is the formula that might sum ties. the Aragon Front. I believe the hour up a certain point of view and I am The dilemma “ War or Revolution ” has come to finish with the thousands not sure that this is not the wish of has no longer any meaning. The only of Civil Guards and Storm Guards, certain political, diplomatic and even dilemma is this: either Victory over The Meeting which was to be held at CO N W AY H ALL on who do not go to the Front because Governmental circles in England and Franco, thanks to the Revolutionary MAY 28th, has been postponed until they serve to control the “ uncon­ France.” War, or Defeat. trollables,” I believe the hour has The problem for you and the other JUNE 4, These influences, these moves, ex­ come to create a serious war industry. plain different obscure points; for ex­ comrades is to choose between the when And I believe the hour has come to Versailles of Thiers and the Paris of ample, the inactivity of the loyalist finish with certain flagrant oddities— fleet. The concentration of the forces the , before Thiers and Bis­ EMMA GOLDMAN and FENNER BROCKWAY such as the respect for Sunday rest marck made the Holy Union! It is coming from Morocco, the piracy of and of certain “ workers’ rights” which WILL TALK ON THE CONDITIONS IN SPAIN the Canaries and the Balearics, the for you to reply — for you are the militate against the safeguarding of the light under the bushel. and taking of Malaga, are the consequen­ Revolution. ces of this inactivity. If Prieto is (Signed) CAMILLO BERNERI. incapable and inactive, why tolerate It is necessary, above all else, to SONIA CLEMENTS him? If Prieto is bound by a policy keep up the spirit of the fighters. + Vilanesa is a little Spanish village WILL SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE which paralyses the fleet, why not de­ Louis Bertoni, interpreting the senti­ where several militants of the C.N.T. were ANARCHO-SYNDICALIST UNION. nounce this policy? ments expressed by different Italian massacred after their local syndicate was You, Anarchist Ministers, you make comrades fighting on the Huesca ravaged only a few weeks ago. (Trans.; eloquent speeches and you write bril­ Front, wrote not so long ago: —“ The tf The Fifth Column:— Name gi­ ADMISSION FREE. liant articles — but it is not with these Spanish War, thus despoiled of any ven in the Spanish Press to the sum total speeches and these articles that the new faith, of any idea of social trans­ of the Fascist organisations that exist be­ war will be won and the Revolution formation, of any revolutionary grand­ hind the Republican Front. upheld. The former will be won, and eur, of any universal meaning, is no the latter upheld, by passing from the more than a popular war of national defensive to the offensive. Positional independence, that must be fought to strategy cannot remain for ever. The avoid the extermination which world SOLIDARITY FUND problem cannot be solved by shouting plutocracy proposes. It remains a ter­ 20 SMALL ORPHANS 3rd List words of command: General Mob­ rible question of life or death, but it is no longer a war, affirming a new Previously acknowledged: ilisation, Arms for the Fronts, Unified £29.18.10. Command, the People’s Army, etc. regime and a new humanity. We 20 Small Mouths To Feed ! The problem can be solved by ac­ agree that all is not yet lost—but, in Detroit, Mich: J. Solmi,4 /-; complishing immediately just what can reality, all is threatened and attacked; Steubenville, Ohio: N. Corrado26 /- our people have the language of renun­ EW can have remained indifferent to the various reports which have be accomplished. San Francisco, Calif: G. Chiesa The “ Depeche de Toulouse" of Jan. ciation— fust as Italian Socialism had F appeared in the Press on the arrival of the 4,000 Basque children 1 7th, wrote: — “The great concern when Fascism advanced. Beware of at their camp in Stoneham. These innocent children, terrorised by the (contributed by Botti, Doglio and of the Home Office is to re-establish Provocation! Be calm and quiet! war-planes and artillery of Franco, fleeing from their homes destroyed by Chiesa) 12/-; Bristol: C. Lewis4 /- Order and Discipline! All these incendiary bombs or shell fire, have now found a haven in this country, the authority of the State over that London: A. R.10 /-; London: Tab. of the Groups and the “ Uncontroll- things which practically reduce them­ away from the thunder of the war and the savage reprisals of Franco and 10/-; E. Boston, Mass: Alfonso, ables," wherever they come from.” selves to Laisser Fairel And just as his hordes. It is self evident that during the in Italy, Fascism ended by triumphing, “Part proceeds of Social held Ap­ Neither can we remain indifferent to the magnificent work of the months when an attempt is being so in Spain, Anti-Socialism in Repub­ ril 17th, pro Libertarian Press ” lican dress is bound to win, unless Catalan people who are caring for 323,000 refugees. Neither should the made to annihilate the “ uncontroll- £3.1.3. ables ” the problem of eliminating the some events occur which we cannot needs of these children be neglected. We, on your behalf, comrade readers, Total: £36.6.1. Fifth Columnft cannot be solved. foresee. It is useless to add that we have adopted 20 of the 200 orphans who have found a haven and maternal The suppression of the “ Secret Front” are making a simple statement—with­ care in the “ Duratti-Ascaso Colony ” at Llensa. Before us we have is primarily conditioned by an activ­ out condemning our own people; we photos, sent from the colony, in which groups of happy children are ity of investigation and repression could not say how the conduct of enjoying the open air in the spacious grounds surrounding the Chateau. which can only be accomplished by our own people could be different and The real maternal affection they receive from our women comrades there, ORPHANS FUND experienced revolutionaries. An in­ effective, as long as the Italian-Ger­ the ample nourishment and clothing, the toys and sweets that are regularly 3rd List ternal policy of collaboration between man pressure is increasing at the sent to them from the central committee in Paris, makes it possible for Previously acknowledged: the classes and of consideration to­ Front, and that of the Bolshevik these young ones to forget that only a few months ago they were fleeing £51.7.7. Bourgeois is growing in the rear." bare-footed along the roads from Malaga to Almeira, bombed and machine- wards the middle classes, leads in­ U.S.A. Los Angeles: Dr. J. Holtz gunned from the air. They are slowly forgetting that nightmare that was evitably to tolerance towards the ele- I have not Louis Bertoni’s modesty. for Kropotkin Lit. Soc. £3.0.0. Madrid, the air-raids, the incendiary bombs, the destruction of houses. The hind the Republican Front, I wish to state that the Spanish Anar­ Glasgow: Anniesland Span. Relief ments that are politically doubtful. chists could follow a political line diff­ destruction of San Sebastien, and Irun are things of the past, even forgotten Com. 5/-. The Fifth Column is made up not erent from that which prevails. In in that atmosphere of happiness and comfort that is provided for them at Llensa. Aberyswyth: Ida Newton £1. only of Fascist elements but also of profiting from what I know of the U.S.A. Buffalo: H. Williams4 /-. all the malcontents who hope for a experiences of several big and recent We want to continue providing these necessities for the orphans of London S.W: Sidonie Goosens 12/6. moderate Republic. Now it is these , and from what I read in the Spanish War. We feel it a duty, a homage to their brave parents who London W: W. 1/-. latter elements who are benefitting the libertarian Spanish Press itself, I have sacrificed their all for the liberty of all workers. We can onlv from the tolerance of those who are claim to be able to advise upon certain achieve this with your active and continued help. ' U.S.A. Spring Valley: C. Tombone, after the “ uncontrollables.” lines of conduct. 8/ 2. The elimination of the “ Secret I believe you must set yourself the In the same way as so many men and women in this country feel Allentown, Pa.: a.m. Lucifero,8/ 2. Front ” was conditioned by a wide problem of knowing whether you are happy that they have contributed their share towards the saving of the New lork City: Rondozio 4 / 1. and radical activity on the part of the defending the Revolution better, whe­ Basque children, so must you, the readers and comrades of “ Spain and London W.l. C.R.5 /-. Defence Committees appointed by ther you are making a bigger contrib­ the World," feel happy that you have helped to save 20 innocent kiddies Total £57-15-6. the C N T and the U GT. ution to the struggle against Fascism, from complete destitution. We must not stop at 20. With real enthusiasm We are witnessing the penetration by taking part in the Government— and a certain personal sacrifice you should make it possible for us to adoDt twice as many children. ^ of doubtful elements into the control or whether you would be infinitely centres of the People’s Army— doubt­ more useful in carrying the flame of Do not hesitate, but send your donations now for this work of human ful elements that do not offer any your magnificent words among the solidarity and succour.