Anarchy is not the absence of order, it is the absence of force; it is the free outflowing of the spirit into the forms in which it delights and in such forms alone, as they grow and change, can it find an expression On Not which is not also a bondage.' E. LOWES DICKINSON. Writingtothe Newspapers AN ANARCHIST WEEKLY 4d. JUNE 13 1964 Vol 25 No 18
r\ETECTlVE SERGEANT HAR- OLD CHALLENOR principal figure in the notorious “brick planting” cases during the Greek Royal visit to this country last July was at the Old Bailey last week Challenor% Paranoia found by a jury to be insane and unfit to plead. He and three other EXCEPTION OR AN OCCUP policemen had been committed for **. .*• trial on a charge of “conspiring to the dock, Mr. Hutchinson asked: “Is medical evidence ghen at the Old Nobody—neither his colleagues, nor new safeguards,' their principal effect gether between July 10 and October his present state of rationality only due Bailey and which are? so serious and his superiors, nor the magistrates is to give the police greatly extended 23 to pervert the course of public to this massive application of drugs?’’ obvious that no organ ;of the Press and the lawyers who must have seen powers of questioning suspects. Dr. Calder said that it was. Answering Under the old Rules a person in cus justice by making unlawful arrests, the judge, he said there was no question purporting to be serious can over a lot of him as a witness in court tody could in principle not be questioned false statements, and fabrication of of any faking of illness in this case. look. Yet this is v hat they have --realised that he was in fact in at all. Every lawyer and Judge knew, evidence.” The trial of the three There is no reason to doubt the done. ■ sane, even though it was immediate however, that fair and reasonable constables is due to start later this medical evidence. After all it was ly apparent to Donald Rpoum at methods of police investigation would month. The medical evidence |yas that their first meeting. Is this not a have been seriously hampered if the quite clear to one of Challenor’s s Challenor’s mental condition had The medical evidence on which very disturbing matter which the police had been punctilious in observing would be victims last July that he deteriorated rapidly ^ince last Sep strictly the requirements of this Rule. the jury decided was given by the was, to put it politely, a mental case. detention of Challenor and the tember but it was aljf| pointed out Home Secretary’s proposed review It has been honoured more in the breach principal medical officer at Brixton And Donald Rooum was no medical that he had been mentally abnormal than in the observance and for many Prison who said he was satisfied of 20 cases he had “investigated” expert, and came to his conclusions fas a very considerable time”. For years Judges have winked at the fact that Challenor, who had been in (that is possibly framed) underlines after one unforgettable meeting with so long in fact that die Home Sec by refusing to hold evidence inadmis Netheme Mental Hospital, Couls- but does not solve? Challenor. On the strength of retary is now reviewing the cases of sible though obtained in contravention don, since October, Rooum’s first account of his case ★ of the rule. 34 men who were jailed following In this comment, and the con was now suffering from paranoid published in F reedom (August 17)* recent discussion on police investigations by Challenor as long* ALL clusion “If the principles contained schizophrenia, and that he had been and from private conversations with ago as 1962. powers has been directed to mentally abnormal for a very consider him, we had no hesitation at the wards modifying the rules of pro in this code are right they should able time. His mental condition deter time in referring to Challenor in It is possible that Challenor’s con cedure in order to make it more be made enforceable. Otherwise iorated rapidly from September of last these columns as “an obviously dition would have deteriorated any- one must recognise that, like the year. He was suffering from delusions, difficult for the suspected law paranoic ‘copper’.” We mention all way yet it is also Jonceivable that breaker to refuse to “assist” the old Rules, they must turn out to and also from loss of memory, which this in order to reinforce the but for the determination of Donald be more of theoretical than practical was part of his illness. police in their enquiries by exercis questions which, arise from the Rooum to resist the brick-bat importance”—the Guardian admits, It was necessary to keep him under ing his legal right to refuse to frame-up, Challenormight still be answeri questions put to him by but lacks the courage to say so that very heavy dosage of drugs. Glancing *And in much more detail in the Feb in his job, and- magistrates and there can be no justice for all in a at Challenor, who was sitting quietly in ruary issue of A narchy . them. On the new Judges’ Rules learned judges still Aye accepting his the Guardian made the following society founded on social and econ evidence in preferep#; to that of his cynical comments: omic injustice. From this fundamental injustice victims.' For therl* .can be no The new Judges’ Rules are rather ,gvg.e&tion-that ^tbe^ W u m case was presented by the accom spring all the problems for which Close to nevufir n i s~und oi h g* ! * Li everyffiihg pany i UgHSSe^DTO » f'r>r% K* nri pnnifoh'P. solution. was going swimmingly for Challenor. The laws are not made fiy the V^OUR correspondent on a recent visit scoured by planes and land patrols. were mainly designed to strengthen the His “wonderful war record” was safeguards protecting suspects from un people, for the people/ but by a A to Mozambique was advised by the Machine guns, heavy artillery, flame throwers, armoured cars are part of the followed by _ a successful police fair police questioning. In reality, privileged section of the community Portuguese Vic6-Consul on being “given” career as the “Soho gang-buster”. though they do contain some helpfui a visa (costing £1) that the special branch show of force. The effectiveness of Continued on page 3. in Mozanmique were to be informed of napalm bombing is impressed on vil my visit and that I should be watched lagers by demonstrations on deserted ------INDUSTRIAL NOTES throughout my stay. villages. At Beirae and Lorenco Marques On two other visits to the country transport planes able to carry 45 fully- I have noticed many police, always equipped paratroopers stand ready. armed, roaming the streets of the two Inside Mozambique these forces face main cities in the country, Lorenco little—the African resistance has been shattered, many Africans simply vanish ‘INDUSTRIAL ANARCHY’ AT ROOTES Marques and Beira and have always felt the likelihood of police surveillance. ing. Outside Mozambique, however, The recent sackirig of 270 final the union leadership. At Whitsun both In fact there has been general dissatis PIDE (Policia Intemacionale de Defense danger to Portuguese rule is ready and assembly workers at the Rootes Mr. Les Kealey, the Transport and faction, not only about their production .de Estado)—the Mozambique police— eager to attack. In Tanganyika a united Linwood plant (they now have been General Workers Union national officer bonus over which they took action, but are, according to a report in the June liberation front of Mozambique exiles reinstated) was an attempt by the for engineering, and Mr. John Boyd, over the very nature of their work. issue of Drum “creeping and foraging has been training guerillas and they are management to force a showdown with a member of the Amalgamated Engin These assembly workers have been about” throughout Mozambique, where now ready. The Portuguese fear that their employees; The reason given for eering Union executive, went to Lin specially trained by Rootes, many having 163,000 Portuguese are outnumbered 40 troops from Ethiopia, Nigeria and the sackings was that these men had wood to address mass meetings. They never worked in a car factory before. to I by 6 million Africans. Algeria may cross the border. Already been practising what has been described appealed to the workers to end their Their previous jobs, as one said, were The Portuguese have been in Mozam some bands have ventured across the as “industrial anarchy”. What they unofficial actions which had often “every sort of job—^-the butcher, the bique for four centuries and mass border and one Portuguese officer has actually mean is that .because of a brought production to a standstill and baker, the candlestick maker”. They African illiteracy and forced labour are been mysteriousliy reported “accidentally grievance over pay, these men had been said their work was very hard, especially the result of this “great and successful shot”. called for co-operation with Rootes for packing up before the end of their increased production. Another factor with the management continually speed task” (to quote official Portuguese From Nyasaland another resistance shift, after they had completed what was that the holidays were due in a few ing up the line. [I’m not certain now, opinion). movement sent two men to attempt to they thought was the right number of weeks’ time. It was obvious that the but at one time workers known as During the Angolan revolution and break into an armoury. Along the hours for the wages they received. unions wouldn’t come out strongly “floaters” were hardly in existence. This its vicious suppression in 1961 the Portu Mozambique-Nyasaland border on Lake Ever since the Linwood plant was against the dismissals, and with holidays means that if a man leaves the line to guese sent 20,000 troops to the country, Nyasa, military boats are to be found, opened last year, Rootes have continually due loss of wages would be an added go to the toilet there is no “floater” to and many still remain fighting the tanks are ready and arms dumps are tried to increase production without deterrent against striking. fill in for him. When he returns he African resistance. Together with 25.000 stationed in two border towns. paying increased wages. They set a With the news of the dismissals Mr. is loaded up with work, which causes troops in Mozambique the Portuguese The Portuguese fear the firing of target of 3,000 cars a week for last John Miller, Renfrew district secretary a stoppage in the line.] A dismissed defence budget amounts to £65,000,000. plantations in the north, attacks on rail worker called the main assembly line In Northern Mozambique mobile autumn; this has never been reached. of the T.G.W.U., recommended that and telephone lines and sabotage, so they “the steel monster”. “It’s rough, physi detachments of troops cover the area. The management has offered pay in there should be a “temporary takeover” build up more and more defences. 200 cally and mentally, having to keep up The borders with Tanganyika, Nyasa- creases tied to production. of the assembly line by the other work bush airstrips have been hacked out of with the track, and the tedium gets you land and N. Rhodesia are systematically Last February they said they would ers. The convenor of all shop stewards, the countryside, troopships and trans consider “talking money” if a target of Mr. Jim Boyle, gave his support to this down”. port planes are brought in, guards are 2,000 cars was reached. Actually, this plan. Although production was re Tho dismissed men felt that they placed on all police stations. target could have been achieved but for duced the assembly was re-started on the ought to be getting more money because Reports are that infiltration by resis —as the stewards pointed out—poor following Monday, manned by workers of the nature of their work and the fact tance forces is spreading in Northern organising of mutftfial delivery and from other sections. The purpose of that they never have had the same Mozambique. From Lusaka comes news breakdowns of plant. To prove their this move, according to the T.G.W.U. opportunities as other sections to in that revolution is expected in Mozam point figures for production were noted. officials, was to prevent the management crease their earnings with overtime. bique by resistance forces who aim to During that week l .900 cars were pro taking on new men for assembly work. Obviously Rootes are only interested ANARCHY 40 go into Mozambique, There is every duced but 17 hours hud been lost owing This move was greeted by the manage in continually increasing their output indication that Mozambique is close to to breakdowns and luck of materials. ment with this: “This constructive and of cars during the present boom in the revolt; when this comes repercussions in Of course the prime motive of Rootes responsible decision is very much appre industry. They want also to achieve Portgual could topple Salazar and be of in setting up then new factory in ciated by the management, which will this as cheaply as possible, thus increas Is on the Unions significance in Spain. In South Africa Scotland was that they could get labour be able to continue its efforts to main ing their own profits. These men have and Southern Rhodesia where the future on the cheap, plus a generous govern tain employment for all employees at thought differently. looks to be hardly peaceful, the effect of ment handout. With the help of the the plant. This is the main objective But, important as higher wages may and Workers’ a revolt in Mozambique might be unions low wages were paid to the and immediate problem at the present be, there are other aspects, like control stimulating. Angola ulso might well Linwood workers. For example, last time. over job conditions. The tedium of the revolt a second time with invasions from January the men revived a 2d. an hour “Moves are now being made to job could be reduced by working on m Control the Congo. The whole of Southern increase, giving 7 m including bonus; arrange a private and informal meeting rotary system. More control over the Africa is gradually slipping from the while in other cur factories rates arc between management and the officials actual running of the job, even to the extent of some form of contract for ANARCHY is Publish*! by control of a fascist-capitalist oligarchy as much as double p | figure. of the trade union concerned in order and it is by revolution rather than by These dismissals U seems were not to discuss the general situation.” work produced, with the workers them Freedom Press at 2s. constitutional action that Africans made on the spur of the moment; they The 270 sacked men, all members of selves planning production and running on the first Saturday of ©very month throughout the area are furthering their were well planned. For one thing, it is the T.G.W.U., were of course very the assembly line accordingly. This cause. not only the m ana^ni®nt that has been disappointed by this move. They quite type of thing will not be won by the Kali . put out by unoffitfl®^ strikes, bpt also rightly thought they had been let down. Continued on page 2 FREEDOM use national press as a vehicle for anarchism, what efforts have been made in the past indicate that the main result is just silliness. Some time ago a rather extravagant fantasy appeared in F reedom which pur On Not M in g to the Newspapers ported to be a journalist's nightmare visit to Freedom Bookshop. While not actually advocating that journalists COMEONE showed me a cutting from Sunday Times is not a gutter rag like to find out something about them as a sian or British, were automatically sup some of them. Isn’t it? I will grant group, but by an(j large it is a somewhat posed to be averse to washing—this was should be kicked in the teeth when they the Sunday Times which mentioned ask questions about anarchism,! must me by name and misrepresented what that theSunday Times does attempt to feeble effort. very funny ha-ha. Nowadays no news appeal to educated people rather than I suppose that 1 should be thankful paper attributes insanitary personal say that this seems a healthier and more X had written two years ago. They realistic attitude than the one of taking featured an article with a corny picture uneducated people, for educated people that the article contained no references habits to Mr. Krushchev or to Mr. are, in general, more moneyed people, to cloaks, wide-brimmed hats or bombs. Palme Dutte, and I do not suppose that journalists at their face value. The of police-and-anarchists in one corner police are supposed to caution you In order to give some substance to his and it is the moneyed people who are It was not eyen suggested that I investi most readers would “get the point” if the target of their advertising. Because gated this aspect of anarchism, which is such a reference were made. Yet I do before they grill you that “anything own half-baked ideas on anarchists, the you say may be taken down and used journalist had delved into my write-up of this “educated” slant, the journalist certainly the best-i>ublicised by the nat not think that nowadays treatment is any sought to flavour his silly little article ional press, it so funny ha-ha that more “fair”, according to the political in evidence against you”, but journalists of a research (The Anarchist Personality omit that caution. Can we not remind A narchy 12). He misrepresented things about anarchists with a reference to it appears with monotonous regularity slant of the paper. my psychological research. From my in newspaper write-ups of anarchism, Some anarchists want very- much to ourselves that if the journalist were so wildly that I was justifiably irritated, frank he would say, “I represent Lord and started penning a letter to the 8,000 word article he quotes a few snip the journalist noting with surprise that be “taken seriously” by the national Editor of the Sunday Times, protesting pets out of context and then ends with the anarchists were not dressed in . . . press. This attitude is, I think, mis Muck. He wants to take the piss out against such factual misrepresentation his own statement, “The typical anarchist etc. taken. It would be nice if millions of of you as that is the best way of dealing But I never sent the letter: that would emerges from the study as an intelligent What of the future—do we ever en people were presented with a simple, with you. Will you help me do just have been falling into the trap. man with considerable neurotic drive, visage getting any sort of “fair” treat undistorted picture of anarchism, this? He pays me, you see.” Many of The extent of the gross misreportage agreeing pretty well completely with ment by the organs of mass communi wouldn’t it? But if it were to appear the more cheerful hard-boiled types of may be gathered from the fact that they his anarchist comrades, and possessing cation? I do not think so, nor do 1 in the Daily Telegraph, readers would journalist will admit that this speech did not even bother to report correctly a good deal more tender-minded ideal think that we have any right to expect wonder what the catch was. Was^ it, is just about the simple unvarnished where my article was published—they ism than he would admit” It is not my it. Journalism being what it is no-one perhaps, a cunning advertisers’ announ truth. Others like to hedge, to pretend that there is some kind of ethical basis attributed it to Freedom . I can well purpose here to point out what a can count on getting “fair” treatment. cement designed to combat the nation imagine the journalist who sent in the travesty of the facts this is, for anyone Treatment changes with the times, it is alization of British Steel? I am afraid for journalism. 1 am afraid that at copy grumbling to the sub-editor who who is interested can look up the rele true: 40 years ago it was the fashion that we must do our propaganda the the level of the national press, from the mangled it—“You might at least have vant article in A narchy . This is one for the newspapers to impute personal, hard way, in journals like Freedom , and Times to the Sketch, we must judge them left my reference to A narchy .—that was way of smearing the anarchists, to mis physical unclegn-ness to Bolsheviks. on soap-boxes rather than in the pulpits by their fruits. the truth anyway,” and the sub-editor represent whatever attempts are made People of Communist persuasion, Rus of churches. Tempting though it is to T ony G ibson . retorting, “What does it matter, you fussy twirp? Our readers wouldn't know one from t’other.” the suffix “-tory” and the name of the the plan can be used. For example Had I written a letter of protest to Tory Party is after all only' one pun. “one-seventh of all their (i.e. the Libs) the Sunday Times, I know very well The successive headings His-tory, Con- MPs live in the Orkneys away from the what would have happened. They would serva-tory, Ora-tory, Defama-tory repre mainstream of political persuasion.” If Hollowood Strikes Again the Plan had been used as a kind of have cut out whatever portion of it sent one pun repeated four times, and would garble my meaning most. We all ' J ’HE editor of Punch is not, of course, intellectual Socs.”j (Illustrations of four in fact it is repeated thirty-nine times, introduction, then abandoned, the general know the Fleet Street technique; if they an anarchist. But his broadcast wealthy people watching a navvy from with the addition of s-tory, which is a effect might have been happier. report that you say you have decided talk “Must Everything Pay?” (reprinted a pew). slightly different pun but does nothing On the whole, however, I enjoyed to stop exposing yourself in Hyde Park, from the Listener in F reedom of 30 “Lib-ation. A,:; stream of political to brighten the series. “Lib” and “Lab” the writing. And there are come plea you protest at your peril. If you deny May) shows that he shares anarchist irrelevance decanted by Libs over the are not always pre-fixes: there are words sant drawing by the Punch cartoonist the whole of such a report, they will opinions about the distribution of wealth. electorate at election time. It usually like F-lab-bergast and G-lib. But one Mahood. I don’t know the price of the then report, “Blank denies that he plans “Bread, milk, newspapers, radio, tele leaves a Deposit which costs Libs £150 has the unfortunate feeling that these posh edition, but the Corgi edition at to stop exposing himself in Hyde Park. vision, public transport—there is a short a time ...” irregular puns are added to make the 2s. 6d. is well worth buying D.R. It’s all a misunderstanding, says Blank. list for a start” of things which, in the And so on. Spine of the jokes are list of routine puns longej. The worst ♦Tory Story, incorporating Living with The police say they have no real evidence interests of economy as well as genero funny and manjwof the taunts sharp. example of a word incorporating “Lib” Labour and Liberal Outlook by Bernard on which to take action”. sity, should be freely available to every But an obsessivelreliance on the Plan for the purpose of joking about the Hollowood, illustrated by Kenneth Someone may say that at least one one. means that a feify of the items appear Liberal Party is “Lib-eral”! Mahood. Published jointly by Ham ought to try to make a stand for decency Now he has produced a delightful forced and the: general effect is very Occasionally the Plan is left, so that mond and Hammond and Corgi Books, and honest reporting in the national little book* showing that he shares the slightly tedious. , The similarity between a good joke which can’t be, forced into 2s. 6d. press. Some may Say that at least the anarchist distrust of current political parties. LETTERS “Elderly people,” he writes, “still cling to the outrageous notion that one myself. I would be pleased to hear party is wiser than the others: youth Mississippi Summer Project from anyone else so intending, or any- k n o w , better -en d trfrttV LiH, T in :—and’ ,i. like to- hear- more .about Cons equally dull, timid, inactive and The Editor, F reEixim & A narchy . Presidential campaign will be nearing its the project and- its progress. BOOKS P worthless.” Then quickly, to make it D ear F riend , climax, devouring as it goes many This summer promises to be exciting, clear how far he is from anarchism, The Mississippi Summer Project, thousands of pounds. For instance, in help us to make an important one in we can supply he adds that what he protests against which is being oragnised by the Student the recent Maryland primary, Governor Mississippi. Wallace spent $200,000. All this money Yours, ANY book to print. is “the absence of genuine planning in Norn-Violent Co-ordinating Committee the programmes of all parties. A (SNCC) in co-operation with the will buy no more than varying degrees „ J. R. G reer. Alio out-of-print booko rar e fied t o 12 St. John’s Street, —aid frequently found! This toe tod m plague on all your houses.” Council of Federated Organisations of timidness. On the other hand, really paper-backs, children’s books and text The Genuine Plan of his book is to (COFO), is an [extensive campaign to valuable work is. being attempted- in Oxford, 31 May. books. (Please supply publisher's nonet exploit the suffix “tory” and the prefixes change the fundamental structure of Mississippi, which may be hampered, if pooible). “lab” and “lib” to make more or less political and economic activity in Mis not by any lack of enthusiasm, just a auful puns about the parties then see sissippi. Students, teachers, technicians, shortage of money. This campaign N EW BO O KS where they lead. For instance: nurses, artists Mia legal advisers will be needs money, a lot of it. If you can Rebels’ Ride Ethel Mannin 30/- “Ama-tories have their own news recruited to come to Mississippi to staff spare any amount, please send it tosfe-' Anti-Election News Germans Against Hitler papers, such as theNews of the World a wide range of programmes that include Mississippi Summer Project, Terence Prittie 30/- and The Denning Report. (From a voter registration, freedom schools, SNCC., A new poster has been printed. It Tbe Honoured Society: a History couple of pages inspired by this word). community centres, and other special 8 Raymond Street, N.W., reads. of the Mafia Norman Lewis 30/- Atlanta 14, Georgia, Being Led to the Slaughterhouse Makarenko: His Life and Work "Lab-orare est orare. Or Work is projects. It is obvious how important Prayer. Or Prayer is Work. Latin tag this campaign is. UJS.A. An X on the Ballot Paper is a + on (tr.) B. Isaacs 6/- j some battlefield The Parision Sans-Culottes and understood by a handful of Hampstead At about the same time, the American I intend to go to work in the project the French Revolution A. Soboul 38/- It means conscription for youth Road to Volgograd Alan Sillitoe 18/- Choosing masters of all A History of British Trade It means a double cross for alL Unions Since 1889,Vol. I. Vile Demand Radio The idea for this poster is from the H. A. Clegg, etc. 55/- ‘ANARCHY’ AT R00TES Glasgow comrades, who have had some The Economics of the Colour Bar and TV Time printed under their imprint. Others W. H. Hutt 15/- Continued from page I satisfaction as the number of disputes bear the A.F.B. imprint. union leaders but c m be gained by the indicates. With what seem to me very ' The following letter has been sent toThe Glasgow Federation have also REPRINTS AND CHEAP EDITIONS men on the shop floor. close co-operation between management Sir H ugh C arleton G reene , sent us copy for an anti-election leaflet, The Confidence Man: his The attitude of the T.G.W.U. over this and unions, the company had won out The British Broadcasting Corporation, of which we have duplicated 2,000 for Masquerade Herman Melville 12/- dispute is that these bad boys have with its showdown policy (possibly from the Anarchist Federation of Britain. them. The Steel Flea Nicolai Leskov 20/- learned their lesson, would you please learning from Fords). What has to be D ear Sir, The ‘Hazards of Voting’ leaflet has The Negro in America (An American Dilemma) take them back and we, the union, will built up is organization at shop floor As decided at our conference in Bristol been going very well; a number of groups Gunnar Myrdal 15/- sec that it doesn’t happen again. level; only this #vay c m higher wages, the Anarchist Federation of Britain and individuals are taking them. Re Europe under the Old Regime I feel sure that it will happen again. and what is more important in the long hereby demands broadcasting time on cently we printed another 2,000, but it Albert Sorel 7/• Since Linwood opened, just over a run, control over the actual conditions radio and television before the General is thought that we should revise it and The Use of Poetry and the Use year ago, there has been general dis- of work, be won, P.T. Election on the grounds that we are the bring in questions which have come of Criticism T. S. Eliot 6/• only organised body of non-voters and to the fore since the leaflet was origin My Life in the Bush of Ghosts the public should be informed of the ally drafted. We asked for suggestions Amos Tutuola 6/6 Strike-bound Nigeria coherent point of view against voting. iu these, columns a few weeks ago, but Last October the Nigerian government have been arrested, now released on bail, We are obviously not asking for in so far we have had no response from SECOND-HAND set up a commission to draw up a new for taking part in the banned march. clusion in the series restricted to political groups outside London. In a few weeks’ The Soul of Spain Havelock Ellis 5/-; minimum wage structure. The commis The strike has spread to busmen, parties. time we hope to have a meeting with Prophecy of Famine H. J. Massingham sion’s report was submitted to the Yours faithfully, members from the London groups to and Edward Hyams 7/6; The Third bringing Lagos to a standstill. Reich Pascal, Bullock, Taylor, etc. 20/-; government last month. The government has now published its J ohn R ety , discuss, and revise this leaflet. Cotdd Under the Axe of Fascism Gaetano Because of governmental delay in findings on the commission’s report. for the Committee. groups outside London send in their Salvemini 4/-; Money: Its. Present and announcing the commission’s findings Its White Paper rejects the report’s London, 1, W. 3rd June. suggestions. We’d also like to hear Future G. D. H. Cole 6/-; The World is and its own decisions, a countrywide recommendations, of £12 a month in the from comrades and groups in and near Mina William Blake 4/-; Wall of strike was called by the Joint Action Lagos region and £6- 10s. Qd. in rural London who haven’t previously been in Bronze Liu Ching 3/-; Hollywood on Committee of .the Nigerian Labour areas. The government say that “ex contact with us and who would like to Trial Gordon Kahn 8/6; Leviathan and Movement. The strike first started on tremely large increases on existing wages N0-0NE FROM BRITAIN FOR attend this meeting. Please write to: the People R. M. Maclver 3/-; The Last June 1st in the ports and on the rail would disrupt the economy seriously Bill Sticker, 17a Maxwell Road, Fulham, Years of a Great Educationist (F. J S.W.6. Gould) 3/6. ways. Some private companies were and would be Impracticable of imple THE INTERNATIONAL also affected, including a branch of the mentation”, They accept new rates for Anti-Election Committee. Unilever organization where production the Lagos region £9. 2s. Od. a month CONFERENCE was halted by sit-down strikers. Work and £4. 15s. ritjSpr other parts of the The organiser of the European con Freedom Bookshop ers in government offices also used this country. ference writes to say that he has had no (Open 1 p m.—5 JO pan. inly; tactic. With this, the government an These increases have been rejected by .definite bookings from any English com TO COMMEMORATE THE fO nan.—1 p.m. Thursdays; nounced that they would make theii the unions, whqV have called on their rades. Accommodation is limited and M a.so.—5 p.m. Saturdays). findings known within a few days. members to remain united and to con bookings must reach: J. de Roos, An- SPANISH REVOLUTION Prior to the strike, defying a police tinue with their strike- selmushof 2, Amsterdam-Slotermeer, 17a MAXWELL ABAS ban on processions and public meetings, More workers have joined those Holland, by June 27th. Anyone wishing Social Evening, Pindar of Wakefield thousands of workers marched to Lagos already on strilck* to force the govern to speak at ,the conference should send 18th July 7-11 pm fBLHAM SW6 Tal: HEN 1718 a written copy of his speech beforehand Island. On the way the anti-riot police ment to accept the commission’s report. Full Details next week dispersed them. Four union leaders P.T. to the organiser, to facilitate translation. 3
having published an interview support Senator Barry Gc^ attr suggested that "baby” nuclear n°>abs be dropped ing conscientious objection. There are 12 conscientious objectors in Italian in South Vietnam- 4 j jo kill anybody military prisons. “Some may be seis ing but to blast the leave? Jff the jungle and expose Communist g"#lla supply lines. their second or third, or even fourth Senator Goldwater, *ho is a Major- sentences tor the same charge,” says the General in the U.S- 4# Force Reserve Guardian. “After being released from won the Californian Republican presi prison on completion of the first sen dential primary elecUsgg . . . tence, the conscientious objector is tried again and given a longer sentence if he June 13 1964 Vol 25 No 18 Journalists were s® i over Porton, still refuses to bear arms. The chain the Ministry of IJ%nce's research of sentences may continue until the man establishment concern^} with biological has surpassed conscription age”. . . . and chemical warft#. The director said, “I’m telling in all sincerity A rchbishop M akarios introduced con that this [establishine^R] does mean scription in Cyprus. The French may defence with no otfed^Romraiunem at reduce their period of militaty service. POLITICS WITHOUT PRINCIPLES all. I don’t know v%y we’re in the Mr. Shinwcll (Labour) said in the House army department. A good many of us at Buckingham Palace is temporarily of Commons that during a speech in would not be here al JWl if there were out of use. “There has been a spot of Rutherglen the Defence Secretary 'J ’HE current political scene must race and its attendant horror, which an offence commitment 1 Another offi bother over the thermostat”. We were charged the Labour Party with wanting be extremely disheartening for has provoked the most encouraging cial said there wasflao reason why also warned that foreign buyers are to return to conscription. “Are you those who try to analyse it in terms signs of resistance to show them nations with only “> rudimentary' chemi trying to corner the market for English aware,” said Mr. Shinwell, “that there of a clash of ideas between the “free selves in the past twenty years, or cal capability” should not make chemical lamb. “Surely,” writes the Express, is no justification for any such charge, world” and the Russian block, or the complex of bargaining and weapons. An outb^H of typhoid “Mr. Soames, the Minister of Agricul but if the Minister has any evidence ture, does not want a repetition of the the “socialist world” and their power politics, the international spread through Abe le*n started, it was to that effect, would he produce it so great beef scandal. Then he must place that we might debate the subject?” The capitalist enemies. In Vietnam take-overs, jockeying for position alleged (and denied £ om the Argentine) by contaminated colt ed beef. . . . an immediately restriction on the export Prime Minister replied: “As far as 1 there is a direct confrontation be oh Cyprus and in Arabia, planning of lamb!” . . . I know the Labour Front Bench are tween two military governments, for influence in Africa that is in War -games by the IkS. Army in the always saying that we ought to have one armed by the Chinese govern dulged in continually by all states Mojave Desert rc 'died in at least M r. Wilson went to Moscow and sug more conventional forces”. No rejoinder ment and the other by the American, and corporations? This latter aspect twenty-eight deaths Chapman Pincher gested to Mr. Krushchev that there from the Labour front (or back) bench neither of which has any interest in of the power struggle is less drama of the Daily Expr fire porting on his should be a world ban on secondhand is recorded. . . . the freedom or welfare of the tic than the first because it doesn’t Porton visit writes: 'All British troops arms deals and that agreement should be peoples of that unfortunate country. contain the seeds of the possible are to be issued i th powder-puffs as reached to stop military scientists work President J ohnson said that the pros destruction of the world and the an part of their batt equipment. They ing for foreign governments. Mr, Len pects for peace were bright because the However, throughout the rest of will be a defence tgainsl poison gas. Williams, the Labour Party’s general United States was stronger than the the world, the apparent homogeneity nihilation of the human race in one The puffs have ecn devised by scientists secretary denied that it was shortage combined might of all the nations in of the blocks has quite obviously fell swoop, but it is contributing to | the Chemical D lcncc Establishment of cash that had made the party soft- the history of the world. They had evaporated. The attempts of the thousands of people dying every day at Porton, Wiltshire;- The soldier will pedal their publicity campaign. Their more than 1,000 fully armed inter Rumanian government to achieve on minor battlefields scattered dab the puff on his skin if he suspects reason was that political activity was continental ballistic missiles and Polaris national independence in its econ throughout the world, to the pro that he has been attacked with gas. likely to lessen during the holiday missiles and more than 1.100 streiegic omy has excited the interest of the duce of millions of workers being This will set free a powder which shows period ahead. Lord Hailsham said, bombers. One subscriber to Sanity has "People who want to change the Gov cancelled because they showed a picture financial interests in Britain and squandered on armaments and mili up the contaminatcdflreas and imme diately neutralises t i n poison”. . . . ernment ought to have their heads ex of Mrs. Olive Gibbs, the New CND America who will undoubtedly ex ary expenditure while two-thirds of the people in he world are going amined”. . . . chairman with a cigarette hanging out ploit every possible opening to shake Mr. P incher ’s boss Lord Beaverbrook, of the comer of her mouth. An occa without adequate food, and to a up the East European economy so celebrated his eighlyiftfth birthday with A statue to Thomas Paine was un sional reader of the same paper and a that they will be able to share in hundred and one other factors that an all-male dinner J attended by 658 veiled at Thetford, Norfolk, despite the sympathiser ("in principle only”) with its exploitation. This has apparent make life oppressive for most of the including many left-wingers". Lord protest of a Councillor that “the man CND has protested about tbeir remarks ly surprised some commentators inhabitants of the world. The live Beaverbrook said, "What the journalist was a bloody anarchist!” The Daily in Sanity about Selwyn Lloyd. The who suggest that it is incongruous lihood and conditions of work of writes should not bej written in parch Telegraph correspondent writes on the letter goes on, “Force is the only lan ment but in his hearts First he must be Asturian miners’ series of strikes. That for America to be pushing trade the motor workers is determined guage the Arabs and many other races by their employers need of them, true to himself. If he is not true to they are not Communist-inspired, that can understand and appreciate. While with a “communist” state while at himself he is no journalist-1 He should they have no strike-pay; that many this is so we must maintain our strength the same time trying to interfere which is in turn dependent on markets, rather th'an by the risk of bo a man of optimism. He must be a maintain small farms to sustain them in and use it in the cause of justice” .... with British dealings in Cuba. respecter of persoasl but not a pedlar strikes (which generally happen in spring international war breaking out in a However, it is only surprising when of gloom and despondency, and he must when the land begins to produce); there Writing in Peace News about the cam looked at in the terms of “free particular crisis spot. The people be able to deal wilUhigb and low on is a tight community spirit; no apparent paign being waged by demonstrators in of Cyprus are dying and being world” ideology which the press the same , basis. Tb« nation would be^ organization and strikes snowball with Dublin against the ev ict ion 8£ Irish has been pouring down our throats from their homes now as w mucn pnoiw if th irn g n and women out meetings or written instructions and itinerants. Sean Hutton writes: “It was consequence of a power struggle were not there to piotecl it from hidden no list of demands has ever been pre for the last twenty years. In terms realised by many of those engaged in between two states, and it is this fact scandals and m isiS of power”. . . . sented. The Court of Cassation in of finance and power it is quite the campaign that the fight against the which makes the situation intoler Rome has confirmed sentences of eight Corporation could not go on for ever. simple. Just as the Rumanian able and not its effect on N.A.T.O., Ih thb same issujof the Express we months and six months against friai Itinerant life was being disrupted by economy is of interest to Russia as or the supposed threat of interven are informed that - the swimming-pool and a newspaper editor charged with constant evictions.” _ Jon Q uixote . a market, and a source of raw tion by the great powers. materials, which the Russians want to dominate quite irrespective- of The, results of this approach to power politics are clear. If one communism or capitalism, Cuba has the people. It has existed every the same attraction for the Ameri thinks that the prime stuff of inter national affairs are what the daily CHALLENOR’S PARANOIA where for a very long time; every can financiers, and the anger of body is conditioned to it while at newspapers present them as, real Continued from osqe I Johnson and Rusk when Leyland ment as a free and social human the same time having to fight in in battles round the conference table for the benefit of a privileged class. Motors get an order in Cuba, and being, whereas power and material pure self-defence. And this ex are obviously building up a power at which the fates of nations are For those who would dismiss such reward are corrupting—destructive decided, then at best the only hope plains the ambivalence of public ful interest in a market from which a statement as 19th century ideal —elements. We know that it is opinion to the State and its instru U.S. motor manufacturers are shut is to bombard the statesmen with ism of the Left which has long been difficult to prove such statements resolutions, and at worst, more ments of power, the police, the Law, out, has far more in common with invalidated by universal suffrage, beyond all doubt, though we would the armed forces and privilege. such domestic affairs as the Ameri realistically, one might as well give secret elections and the rest of the submit that individual exceptions can bid for the Rootes Group up political activity altogether. On jargon of bogus-democracy, we can only serve to prove the rule. Are the other hand, if the view outlined only attempt here a brief rejoinder shares which made financial head we certain, for instance, that the B UT if the public is fickle and lines during the week, than it has above, that international politics is to their criticism. We believe that intelligences that make scientific “mixed-up” what reason is with other aspects of international nothing more than a projection into no civilised society could flourish, discoveries for gain and more often there to suppose that the Law political affairs. diplomatic language and formalism, could exist, without rules and codes than not, under the aegis of military of the rackets of national and inter attracts men of superior qualities? In the same way, the British and of behaviour. But the more com development, would lose their national economic exploitation, be Especially when the Law, if any Russian governments are not at the plicated they are the more divided scientific curiosity if the facilities ing carried out everywhere by states is society; and it follows that the thing, exists to protect the privileges moment directly involved in Viet were available without the material of a few rather than the rights of nam, although they would both no and private groups, then the method more united is society the simpler privileges? Adulation, privilege and of resisting it must lie with the work are .its rules. everybody. Because the public is doubt dearly love to get a finger in status are the values of our divided divided at all levels—the rich fight the pie, while the British and not the ers themselves, not ignoring the H- A united society, as we understand society which values, however, have bomb and colonial affairs in any it, is one in which'all normal people the rich, the wage earners squabble Americans are busy in a murderous never prevented genius from ex over differentials— they have been way, but becoming conscious of the feel, at the same time, free to be war against the South Arabian pressing itself, whatever society may unable to agree among themselves possibilities for a better life that themselves and aware of their tribesmen for their little oil inter have done to destroy it. The con on rules of conduct in their daily could be achieved by taking the dependence on others. Such a ests in which the Americans have cept that some individuals are in lives which are acceptable to every power ouf of the hands of the bosses society encourages initiative and no interest, having made sure of tellectually and economically more body. Thus the need for rule- or in their own “fields, factories and responsibility whilst shunning mat theirs elsewhere in the Middle East. important than the rest of us may law- enforcers not as an integral workshops” and clearing up the It is against this background of erial reward and power. Why? well be true in fact but negative if part of society but as a force out mess at its source, rather than com Because initiative and responsibility intrigue in which national allies in one applies to them the capitalist side and above it. And the public plaining about its symptoms. one economic dispute become are the necessary elements in an “laws” of supply and demand. To servants become its masters. The P.H. individual’s growth and develop- enemies in another, that the more reward “deeds” is as self-defeating Challenors (how many are there in dramatic activities of the cold war as administering a class-divided the police force who have yet to be are played out, and against which society. Not only does it become upset by an awkward customer?) they have to be interpreted. While necessary to create a complicated can break the rules of procedure for the past two weeks the Observer system of economic “differentials”; confident that the judges will “wink has regaled its readers with Anthony Readers! Writers! Sellers! but in doing so one creates a con at the fact”; for they, like the judges, Sampsons latest essays in super flict of interests, a new dimension have long since discarded the notion ficiality, in the shape of descriptions Following a suggestion made at the had the opportunity for personal contact. to work, money, production, com that their function is to serve the of what he was allowed to see of Bristol Conference, it has been decided We shall be writing to comrades about munications and human values. public, and have become a Law the inside of some American rocket to hold a series of meetings for readers, L.A.G. will be willing to help with What one may gain by the incentives unto themselves. The terrible lesson launching bases, the liberal press writers and sellers of F reedom and supported. which spur a minority is, in the of the Challenor case is that an ob A narchy . The first meeting will be has been welcoming the apparent The first meeting will be on July 4th long run, more than cancelled out vious paranoic was at large un held in London, when as many as pos by the conflicts, restrictive practices split between Rumania and the sible of the Freedom Press Group will at the Small Conway Hall, Red Lion noticed by his. colleagues and Soviet Union as a step forward in be present but we hope to hold smallei Square from 2—5 p.m. and work-to-nile, which are part superiors, though it was obvious to international relations. meetings atended by 2 or 3 members We are considering having an in and parcel of the disunited—that is Donald Rooum at their first meet the capitalist, privileged and authori ing, thus leading one to the con What then are the important of the group in other parts of the formal social evening elsewhere after country, particularly where we have had wards of which details will be announced tarian—society. Of course the clusion that paranoia is an occu featurees of the political scene, the support for many years, but have not later. authoritarian society “works” but pational disease among all whose apparent implacable hostility be tfejs is pot proof that it is either job is to sit in judgement over their tween the U.S.A. and V-S-S.R efficient or desired by a majority of fellow beings. demdnstrated in the nuclear arms 4 FREEDOM to regard Freedom ’s leaders as Holy in sociology and psychology offer a more Anarchism is not Shocked / Writ as it is for the communists to hopeful prospect than methods used in regard hypothesis as proved because it Dear Editors , - the past that have failed. It offers us a can be supported by a text from Marx. Sociology ! It was something a shock to find method and, insofar as a ’conception’ If Philip will cast his mind back to what I regarded* 6 * as 3* 1 * my rather diffident exists it is Alex Comfort's rather than Dear Comrades , Letters to the summer school he will find that I mine. Originality was never a strong remarks about the state of anarchism I hope my English isn’t too bad, since specifically opposed the small group in general and Freedom in particular point of mine. John P ilgrim . I want to make some comments on the who appeared to be advocating some Harlech, Merionethshire■ letter of John Pilgrim in the issue of provoking such'a violent reaction from Philip Sansom,: j was completely un sort of impeachment of Freedom Press May 23rd. and that I did not (and as far as I am First of all: as far as I understand, the Editors aware that I was creating such animosity. My immediate reastion was to reply in aware never have), made allegations of ANARCHIST FEDERATION Comrade Pilgrim doesn’t like the “type censorship against the editorial board of bickering that has occasionally kind but this would get us where such OF BRITAIN internecine controversies have always got of the paper. Of course the job of marred the pages of the paper” and he editors is to edit. I would have thought Co-ordinating Secretary: Tom Jackson, wants to eliminate itself and to sort I believe with Kaliayev that poetry is us—nowhere. So without any intention 10 Gilbert Place, London, W.C.1. of starting a controversy raging round that my views on that were plainly put itself out in an internal paper. Now rebellion; and as an anarchist poet I in the opening paragraph of my letter my defenceless head, I would appreciate I can only speak for myself, but I make the best of it I’m able to. But in which I specifically asked the editors became attracted to anarchism—apart for I think that neither poetry nor, say you allowing me to space to reply to LONDON FEDERATION Philip’s polemic. to print only those portions of my letter from my own dissatisfaction with both science is enough to do, I propagate that in their opinions were worth print I plead guilty to the split infinitive but OF ANARCHISTS the reformist Peace Movement and anarchism by non-violent deed, as well— ing. \* Marxism—through reading Freedom last but of course not as good—as the Editors it was a classic of its kind and should Secretary: Arthur Uloth, c/o 17a Max serve as an awful warning to all hasty The point I was trying to make in year in London, and especially through of Freedom or anyone else. that letter was, broadly, that just as we well Road, London, S.W.6. letter writers.! While I will admit that some letters and personal articles (I I may be unaware of the advances of regard delinquents as people to be cured a certain amount of pomposity might remember Jack Stevenson’s “Anarchism anarchist philosophy since Kropotkin rather than punished or vilified so we I have crept into] my writing recently London Anarchist Group and me”—was it that?—some by S. E. (Comrade Pilgrim should be aware that should regard those whose delinquency Parker on individualism and some of there are anarchists in other countries (school textbooks are contagious), the “Lamb and Flag”, Rose Street, Co vent takes the form of planting bricks, beat Garden, W.C.2. (nr. Garrick and King the “bickerings” between pacifists and too, and that Alex Comfort might be lack of clarity‘ of which Philip com ing up demonstrators, yellow journalism, plained was the result of typesetting Streets: Leicester Square tube), 7.45 p.m. non-pacifists.) I’m afraid—and hope not readable—apart from understandable or entering Parliament, in a similar JUNE 14 Frank Hershfield on: therefore that I misunderstand John Sg-for Bolivian or Andalusian anarchist errors rather than bad writing. For light. A blanket and unsupported attack Freedom from Education! Pilgrim—that he wants to see some peasants), but I’m surely aware that instance I suggested that “The Anarch not only creates unnecessary hostility JUNE 21 Albert Meltzer on: thing like a serious and respectable anarchism is not sociology, that the ist” would serve- to keep our lunatic but is as futile as the advocacy of hang Is an Anarchist Daily Paper Possible? official shopwindow of the anarchist desire for freedom and the act of fringe off the back page of Freedom . ing and flogging, or the army, as a cure JUNE 28 Jack Robinson on: movement in Britain, instead of leaving rebellion belongs—Heaven be thanked!— As this appeared as “on the back page” The Police: and How they got that way. for the Clacton-Margate affairs. ALL WELCOME Freedom as it is (since anarchists don’t not only to the academic quarter of a certain amount of confusion was Finally I must point out that I am jSs, need such sort of official organs like all anarchism, and that anarchism existed bound to arise.® not trying to get anyone to “conform the stupid left-wing sects): an open- in the world—and will exist as long as My suggestionMhat “The Anarchist” to my conception of the new anarchist”. Notting Hill Anarchist Group forum for every anarchist who has some there will be human life in it-^-even would be a more suitable vehicle for I suggested that the avenues of thought Secretary N.H.A.G., 5 Colville Houses, thing to say, whether he is an anarcho- without anarchist periodicals. some of the postal bickering that has and action opened up by the discoveries London, W.ll. sociologist, anarcho-realist or just an Anarchism—it’s just the same with gone on in the past was made with the old-fashioned anarchist, someone who life itself—is what every anarchist makes feeling that such letters are of little believes in the simple truth that the of it for himself (aren’t we free indivi interest to those who do not know the REGIONAL FEDERATIONS world should be owned by all people duals?). I believe rather in rebellion personalities invblved. I specifically Cambridge Group Meets Tuesdays (in term), Q5 Queens. who are living in it, in freedom and than in revolution; but I don’t see any said that I was not urging such a chan AND GROUPS justice, and that therefore no government nelling of material in an attempt to Details and information, town and gown, reason why the editors of Freedom Adrian Cunningham, 3 North Cottages, and no State should exist. shouldn’t carry on to propagate their stifle controversy;1 or conceal differences, Birmingham Group Trumpington Road, Cambridge. This sounds rather simple, but I belong but to make F i^ edom more attractive ideas and ideals of anarchism—at least Peter Neville, to that mixed crowd of self-styled an they give you too a chance to publish to those sympathetic to anarchist ideas. Dundee Group archists whose beliefs are simple. I Furthermore I’m not aware of having 12 South Grove, Erdington, Birming your gripes, don’t they, and at least ham, 23. Contact Rod Cameron, don’t care about the life as the scientists Freedom is the only anarchist weekly, threatened to resign from anything, 6 Westfield Place, Dundee. think it is or should be, I live my life and not the worst one, is it? I’ve never been a member of the Birmingham (University) now and think the best I can do as an “This is what anarchism means for us: Freedom editorial board and therefore Dave Chaney, Edinburgh Group anarchist today is to act as I would act free individuals living their lives as they as far as I know^I have never been in 7, Birches Close, Moseley, Enquiries to: Douglas Trueman, 13 if we had the free society, to live a see fit, working for the movement in a position to resigh. Birmingham, 13. Northumberland Street, Edinburgh 3. life of rebellion and protest as well as By all means let us say what we think ways and means of their own choosing, Glasgow Federation of love and fraternity—and to hell with expressing their anarchism in accord about Christianity “and its support for Birmingham College of all doctrines, anarchists or non-anar militarism and * fdthority”. By all Enquiries to Ronnie Alexander, c/o ance with their work, their personalities, Commerce Anarchist Society Kennedy, 112 Glenkirk Drive, Glasgow, chists! their interests, their capabilities.” meaqs let’s attack ;^the police or any other group that st^qds in the way of a Discussion meetings weekly. Details W.5. This, a phrase from the editorial sane society. Th$i point I have been from John Philby, c/o College.