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

Vol. XXI, No. 3 Summer 1999 From War Hero to Blacklist THE LONELY ODYSSEY OF A LINCOLN VET

By Peter Carroll

ver since Bill Clinton awarded posthumous ECongressional Medals of Honor to seven African American heroes of World War II, including Staff Sergeant Edward Carter, Jr., the administration could take credit for correcting the racial injustice that had deprived black sol- diers of equal treatment in the war against fascism. But what the public—and the president—did not know was that the celebrated Sgt. Carter had been twice victimized: Once because of racial discrimination in the Army and a second time because of the color of his politics. Carter had dared to fight in the Spanish Civil War. Last year, Carter’s family allowed me to examine a suitcase full of documents that tell the story of his long, lonely, and ultimately futile effort to overcome the stigma of having served in Spain. Then, this past Memorial Day, the release of Carter’s FBI and military intelligence files prompted U.S. News and World Report to put Carter’s pic- ture on the cover with the caption: “Sgt. Eddie Carter was a hero. But when he came home, the Army accused him of treachery. It was a lie—one that took 50 years to expose.” Carter’s problems began in September 1949, when he learned that that the Army had rejected his application for reenlistment. He then journeyed to Washington, D.C. to Continued on page 11

Chicago Friends of VALB-ALBA The Annual NY Reunion Ariel Dorfman: Sweet Circles News from the Basque Country Consul General of Spain Emilio Cassinello Fraser Ottanelli: A Plaque on a Wall in Florence Hannah Creighton Clinic George Watt Awards INSIDE An Exercise in Letters to ALBA Democracy From: Kol Ze'ev Jerusalem My uncle-Henech Blankrot was a Jewish volun- by Abe Smorodin for the staff VALB teer of the Polish Brigade during the Spanish Civil War. He was born in Kalisz, Poland in 1907. I know fter much discussion, the staff of VALB decid- that he was killed in Zaragoza, Spain. Does anyone ed to submit a resolution on the A know if there is a Jewish cemetery there? Or, even if NATO/Clinton bombings in Yugoslavia to its there was one main cemetery of fallen soldiers that membership. We had previously agreed in the may have included Jewish soldiers? I was just told interest of unity to take no position on this issue, that he may have been killed in a military vehicle but the long and proud history of our organization accident. on matters of war and peace made it an impossible Leon Blankrot position to maintain. [email protected] Maale Adumim, Israel Therefore the following resolution was adopted and forwarded to our membership: Be it resolved that VALB consistent with its record of Dear Sir, support for peace through the years hereby resolves that: I had an uncle who was a volunteer in Spain dur- We call upon our government to stop the bombing of ing the Civil War. His name was Maximilian Yugoslavia now being conducted by NATO/U.S. forces Friedmann and he came from Rumania. We think that and call on all parties to begin negotiations. he died in a concentration camp in France. Would you know how I could find out what happened to Here are the results: him? 140 Vets received the resolution Thank you! 60 voted yes 14 voted no Carin Negoianu 1 checked both boxes [email protected]

With the Pros and Cons came many com- ments reflecting how deeply our comrades had thought about the complexity of the sit- uation in the Balkans. Despite the cessation The Volunteer of the bombing, we urge all Vets, particular- Journal of the ly those who did not respond to write to us Veterans of the and in general stay in touch with our office. Abraham Lincoln Brigade an ALBA publication A Salud to all our supporters! 799 Broadway, Rm 227 New York, NY 10003 (212) 674-5552 Marv Gettleman is no longer a member of The Volunteer’s editorial board. He wishes to thank the vet- Editorial Board erans of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade for the opportunity to assist them during the last two and a half Richard Bermack • Peter Carroll years in upholding the ideals of antifascist international- Leonard Levenson • Fraser Ottanelli ism they exemplified not only when they bravely Abe Smorodin and Bill Susman volunteered to fight in Spain against Hitler, Mussolini Submission of Manuscripts and Franco, but also in their ongoing struggles over the Please send manuscripts by E-mail last six decades. Salud! to them and to their indelible or typewritten and double-spaced, if possible. If you wish your legacy. manuscripts returned, enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope. E-mail at: [email protected] or [email protected]

2 THE VOLUNTEER, Summer1999 Chicago Madison Shouts Plans From the Monument Wall

incoln Vet Clarence Kailin Reception Lhas succeeded in gaining approval from the Madison City Parks Commission for the con- Featuring struction of a monument to honor Wisconsinites who served Studs in the International Brigades. “When I heard that Seattle had erected a memorial,” Kailin told Terkel a local reporter, “I thought, it’s he Chicago opening of the time to do something in TShouts From the Wall Madison. This is a progressive poster show featured a star- city. It only seemed right.” studded reception on Kailin and the Parks Saturday, August 14 at the Commission have agreed to a Chicago Public Library's site near the city’s old Gates of Harold Washington Library, Heaven synagogue in James 400 South State Street. The Madison Park. The project has opening reception was co-sponsored Roosevelt University and the Mary won endorsement from numer- by the Chicago Public Library, and Leigh Block Museum. ous local and state leaders, Chicago Friends of the Lincoln Studs Terkel highlighted the pro- including Madison’s U.S. Rep. Brigade, the Instituto Cervantes, the gram. Other speakers included Tammy Baldwin and Madison Center for New Deal Studies, Congressman Danny Davis, 7th C.D.; Mayor Sue Bauman. Jamie O’Reilly and Michael Smith Supporters of the memorial with music from their acclaimed still need to raise about $10,000 Grave Marker revue, Pasiones: Songs of the Spanish to complete construction that Civil War; and Peter Glazer who pre- will include a flagstone walkway sented Spain in the Heart, poetry and an inscribed monument. Sought for readings from the war. Contributors should mail checks to Veterans of the Abraham Eddie Upcoming Chicago Events Lincoln Brigade (VALB), c/o Pasiones: Songs of Spanish Civil War, Clarence Kailin, 501 Evergreen Balchowsky Sept 16, 5;30 p.m. Ave., Madison WI 53704. Polly Connelly, retired UAW Film: The Good Fight, Sept 22, 7 p.m. “I’ve waited a long time to organizer, discovered that Painting and Writing While Bombs Are see some recognition for all the Lincoln vet Eddie Balchowsky is Falling: Art and Literature During the vets from Wisconsin,” Kailin buried in a markerless grave in Spanish Civil War, by Prof. Cary Nelson, added. “But, more than that, I Forest Home Cemetery. Connelly Sept 25, 2 p.m. want to see a monument to the is working with Chicago Friends Film series Sept 28- Nov 30 struggle for economic and social of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade including The Good Fight, and You are justice that our fight was part of. member Jeff Bech, a relative of History You are Legend. I want to see a monument Balchowsky’s, to get a proper For Information: because that’s a struggle just as grave marker. Chicago Friends of the Lincoln Brigade important today as it was in 1937 Any one wishing to donate or 5320 N. Sheridan Road, #1902 and 1938.” help with this cause can contact Jeff Chicago, IL 60640 Bech through CFLB. 773-769-2665

THE VOLUNTEER, Summer 1999 3 ALBA in Chicago

Lincoln Brigade Commander Milt Wolff and Ernest Hemingway, 1938 Milt Wolff Speaks at Hemingway Centennial Oak Park, a near-west suburb of Chicago, was a beehive of activity in mid-July during a week long celebra- tion of the Centennial of the birth of Ernest Hemingway. Milt Wolff, last Commander of the Abraham Lincoln The cast of Peter Glazer’s Heart of Spain with Lincoln vets (seated, left to right) Battalion addressed a standing room John Rossen, Carl Geiser, Charles Hall, Max Shufer, and Bob Steck. only gathering at the Oak Park Library. Other speakers included Brian Peterlinz, Chicago teacher and San Pedro Prison Vets Reunion Co-chair of the Chicago Friends of the Lincoln Brigade, and Lincoln veteran a Big Success Charles Hall. The audience was com- posed of all ages, which indicated the Sixty years ago, on April 22, 1939, combines original text with poetry, intense interest in the legacy of the 71 American prisoners of war music and stories of the Spanish Civil International Brigades and for the role marched across the International War. Glazer is interested in continuing of Hemingway and other journalists. Bridge from Spain to freedom in to develop Heart of Spain and eventual- Joe Powers Sr, an Oak Park resident, France, after having been held as pris- ly would like to put on a full-scale told the story of Thane Summers, a oners of war in the concentration production. But for now he said he is family friend of the Hemingway's, camp of San Pedro Cardena for over a happy with the students' work and and a graduate of Oak Park River- year. Only eight of that group survive, with the musical as a staged reading. Forest High School. Summers and four of them—Carl Geiser, The production opened the week- volunteered for the Lincoln Battalion Charles Hall, Max Shufer, and Bob end of April 17-18. while a student at the University of Steck met in Chicago . The reunion Washington and was killed in Spain included events by the Chicago How does art relate in March, 1938. Efforts are underway Friends of the Abraham Lincoln to find an appropriate form of com- Brigade, such as a reading of Peter to history? memoration, such as a Tradition of Glazer's Heart of Spain. Glazer also produced a sympo- Excellence award in his honor, at the sium dealing with the relationship high school. Heart of Spain between art and history. Are artistic The following day, at a literary Readings of the musical play and cultural presentations created conference, “I Knew Papa: Friends were performed at Northwestern during the times more authentic than and Family Remembrances,” Wolff University's Struble Theater. Written the traditional historical narrative? stressed the importance of by Peter Glazer with original compo- Hemingway’s support and writings Continued on page 7 sitions by Eric Peltoniemi, the play for the cause of democratic Spain. 4 THE VOLUNTEER, Summer1999 New York Events EVENSEN L RIC E ERMACK B PHOTO ICHARD R PHOTO Consul General of Spain Addresses ALBA-VALB Annual Celebration ERMACK B Consul General of Spain Emilio unnoticed: the 60th ICHARD

Cassinello passed on special words of anniversary of the R thanks to the veterans of the Abraham so called victory, PHOTO Lincoln Brigade at the ALBA-VALB the victory of a fas- annual celebration in New York, on cist takeover of the Spanish people’s he annual reunion of the April 25, 1999, printed below. destinies by a military coup, and the Abraham Lincoln Brigade in conversion—in medieval fashion—of T New York included a performance here was a time—too long a the citizens into subjects. “Ttime—in which in Spain there On the very same first days of by folk singer Odetta (top-right), a was darkness at noon. For almost half April, throughout four decades, an speech by Consul General of of the past hundred years of this 20th unrelenting celebration went on in the Spain Emilio Cassinello (top-left century, democracy was seen as a streets and avenues of the Spanish with Bill Van Felix to his right), and sickness by those who believed that cities, a perverse celebration of the a reading of poetry by Martín they had won a sad and long civil loss of freedom, of the disappearance Espada including a poem about war, not knowing that a civil war is of the free spirit, a painful reminder of never ever won. It is always lost, and the impossibility of challenging the Abe Osheroff (Espada above with lost it is by all: by those who proclaim official truth, however spiteful or ludi- Osheroff), and a speech by themselves the victors and, obviously, crous it might be. Congressman Jerold Nadler. The by those who are the victims. So, we have rightfully ignored a winners of the Watt Awards Precisely just the first day of this date that reminds us of the sinking of were also announced—see story month—the past first of April—a sad Continued on page 6 page 17. anniversary has gone by practically THE VOLUNTEER, Summer 1999 5 that was weird and exotic. But we know better. You were there, in Spanish lands, out of conviction, out of the explicit belief in human dignity: because free- dom of spirit and solidarity overcame self-interest, because for you (as I have just read in a moving obituary of a Lincoln Brigade member), “legitimate anger was a form of love.” And I can assure you (and it is all too painfully obvious) that those attitudes and that resolve of the men and women of the Lincoln Brigade, are an extremely rare thing in the history of mankind, whether past or present. EVENSON L For that, all Spaniards of good- RIC E will, all of Spain, owes you a permanent debt of gratitude. You kept PHOTO us company in difficult times; you sac- The Amigos from Spain at the New York annual event. rificed your lives; you came to our Consul General, NY call it quits with our strenuous, stress- rescue. It is not only a mystical debt, it ful, tiring past. We better do it, if only is a real credit you have in the balance Continued from page 5 for what John Elliot advises us sheet of our recent history. You were Spaniards, pointing out that we have offered Spanish citizenship—it was civilized coexistence in Spain. A date had a sickly tendency to dwell on his- the least we could do. And just last to be deliberately forgotten because torical catastrophes, warning us—the month, the General Archive on the we, the new Spaniards, have a clear, a same Elliot—that “the obstinacy of Civil War, being set up in Salamanca, very clear conscience, that upon the remembering the defeats of the past, has included a prominent and specific remnants and salvages of a civil disas- can upset the future.” It is obvious chapter on the International Brigades. ter, upon the wreck of a civil war, that we have good, practical reasons nobody can construct anything mean- to lay away, for good, the “narcissism llow me, at this point, to share ingful. Upon a collective defeat of disaster,” as Juan Marichal put it. Awith you an autobiographical nobody can build a future. Something But there are other memories of footnote, for—as it is important for afresh had to be reinvented. Thus, for those fateful years that also count as today’s and future Spaniards to have very practical reasons, nobody in this critical lessons, and that not only the “orderly rescue of the memory”— I new, contemporary, modern Spain, deserve to be kept and remembered, have myself a personal debt with you. has been willing to even remember but must also be honored. Those are I was born just 10 days before the what is better forgotten: the shame of the memories that have to do with outbreak of the war, in July 1936, in a the tragedy, the ruthlessness, the injus- commitment and conviction, with small town of La Mancha, not far tice, the death, the cruelty, the misery, bravery, with integrity and resolve. away from Albacete. Subsequently I all have to be forgotten; the oppres- sion, the lunacy of many a human soul, are not to be remembered. In today’s Spain, for our own collective health, the lessons of Those painful memories have to those years have to be kept alive, retrieved and preserved. be forgotten. But we have to distin- guish between memories and lessons. In today’s Spain, for our own collec- Those are images that are still imprint- lived in exile, in Mexico, for 17 years, tive health, the lessons of those years ed in our eyes and minds as acts of being part of the painful exodus that have to be kept alive, retrieved and compassion, care and love. I am refer- was provoked by the civil war. And I preserved. And so it will be. Yet, after ring to the presence, on Spanish soil, have heard my father and my father’s 20 years of democracy, and already in of the International Brigades, and, friends tell, once and again, episodes of the threshold of the 21st century, one more specifically, of the Lincoln the dark years, in which ever so often can also assert that memories have ful- Battalion. Some may say, patronizing- the lightning of your extreme bravery filled their sociopolitical role— ly and condescendingly, that back in shed some brightness. You were part of including their therapeutic function. the 30’s you were young and impul- those stories and that history. Thus, the Spanish people have sive, as if you needed to be excused Thus, my imagination and my come to the conclusion that we can and justified for something you did reasoning owes you some of the first 6 THE VOLUNTEER, Summer1999 serious thoughts of a young adoles- teed individual rights under the Chicago: Art and War cent, pondering what values in life rule of law, with freedom of speech Continued from page 4 were worth fighting for, what was and full, unrestricted public liberties. human decency about -and how fun- Less than a year away from the Such issues were hotly debated at damental sanity lay in simply being 21st century, under a mature Consti- “The Aesthetic and the Authentic in true to one’s ideals. And then some- tution, we have reasons to believe— Representations of the Spanish Civil thing that may seem again anecdotal and we should act on such a belief War.” Contributor and producer of but not for me: I also still cherish at and hope—that our children, and our many VALB events, Glazer contrasted heart the moving memories of listen- grandchildren, and their sons and Lincoln vet Chuck Hall's personal ing to an old worn record, smuggled daughters, will have —as we do reflections on the war with film clips into Spain, with spirited, popular, mil- today—the same reasons to celebrate from Joris Ivens’ 1937 documentary The Spanish Earth, and then slides of poster, photographs, and art images from the war, followed by a 1942 recording of the song “El Quinto Regimiento” and a passage from Edwin Rolfe's 1948 poem “Elegia.” Art as a Weapon ALBA Historian Peter Carroll described how during the Spanish Civil War art and culture were an integral part of the struggle. Films, posters, photography, and poems documented the horrors of fascism, OSSENKOS

S including the first aerial bombings to terrorize civilian populations. A panel including Dr. Scott PHOTO THE Curtis, Assistant Professor of Radio/- Lincoln Vets Moe Fishman (left) and George Sossenko (right) at a reception in the Television/Film at Northwestern; home of Consul General Emilio Cassinello Laura Labauve-Maher a Lecturer in itant songs, in one of which you gave for years and years to come. To close Hispanic Studies, David Mickenberg, your mailing address —your these words let me sum up stating the director of Northwestern's Block paradero—”en el frente de Gandesa, obvious. The war is over. It has Museum; and Dr. Michael Sherry, primera línea de fuego.” already been over for decades. A new Professor of History at Northwestern Spain is on its feet. discussed how the denial of the imes have changed—radically But you, men and women from Spanish Civil War's significant place Tchanged—and thanks to the imag- the Abraham Lincoln Brigade—our in the standard histories of World ination and efforts of today’s lasting friends—you are not the past, War II give added importance to Spaniards, the past has gone by and you are not only legend, you are not stories, images, and artifacts for the wounds have all but healed, the only memories: you belong to our civ- understanding the War. scars becoming practically invisible. ilized future. That is why a long letter About 50 people attended the Today, on the footsteps of the 20th of gratitude is still being written by event. Graduate students and faculty Anniversary of the Spanish democrat- the Spanish people, by all the joined in discussion with veterans of ic Constitution, we, all contemporary Spaniards of goodwill, to those of you the San Pedro prison, and CFLB mem- Spaniards—and you, our friends— who came from afar to help us in bers. Even organizer Glazer was have cause for celebration. Because, in those fateful years. A letter that no particularly proud of this synthesis of just two decades, things have taken a longer has to be addressed to any war academia and living history. turn for the better, much better. Not front, any fire line. A letter that is still “Scholarship can often be far too iso- only can we be proud to be the eighth flowing because our debt is a standing lated from its foundations, its country in the world by industrial debt of love, that has no expiration substance, its sources, its inspirations, GDP and a founder of the euro; not date and that cannot be canceled. As its players--and in that sense, we are only are we the eleventh country the old Spanish saying goes, love can also lucky and perhaps somewhat in the world in terms of UNDP only be repaid with love. And that, chastened to have our witnessing of general well-being indicators; but, takes forever. history here today,” he stated. above all we can celebrate that we You will always have our gratitude live in a free, open society, in a and our hearts.” democratic country with guaran- THE VOLUNTEER, Summer 1999 7 The Basque Country: The end of a cycle By Kati Gutierrez he “Basque problem” remains one killed, often in cold blood, other a political agreement –the so-called El Tof the greatest challenges that con- human beings for the crime of not Pacto de Lizarra—that is satisfactory fronts Spanish democracy, and in our thinking exactly like them. to ETA too. Pais Vasco (the Basque Country) There is no political ideal, not even But the pact is not acceptable to things are still far from running a democratic one, that justifies the the two strongest parties in the coun- smoothly. Our situation reflects a long death penalty, much less without the try, the PP and PSOE (Socialist party). Pais Vasco history of failure. During the 19th cen- rights of trial and due process. Two These two parties rejected the agree- tury, our people failed in its fight for years ago the Basque people and all of ment for two reasons. One problem is liberties and universal civil rights, and Spain took to the streets by the millions territorial and reflects the claim as one the liberal revolution had barely start- to ask that ETA not kill the young of the most sacred aspirations of ed then. “Ideas without acts and acts Basque council member from the PP Basque nationalism that Navarra be without ideas.” That was our history (Popular Party) who they had kid- integrated in the Basque country according to Karl Marx. naped. Two days later he was found in together with the three French-Basque Not until the second Republic of a hole assassinated with a shot in the territories. Yet most people in those 1931 did the ideas of nationality and back of his neck, and a true popular territories do not vote nationalist; liberalism again have a chance. But as uprising took place to protest the crime. instead they vote for parties that do we all know, the democratic revolution The ETA side has its own dramas. not agree with that philosophy. became a civil war, and we lost. After The policy of previous governments The other point of conflict is the civil war, the clock was set back. have dispersed 600 ETA prisoners in whether Spain will accept whatever Under Franco, the highly centralized Spanish prisons. This policy was decision the Basque population makes and dictatorial state ignored our tradi- tional rights (the “Fueros”) and undertook, among other things, the Initially, it was widely acclaimed as a revolutionary group, repression of our national language. finding its justification in the resistance to Franco’s dictator- In this atmosphere of national oppression, ETA (Basque Land and ship. But subsequently ETA became a drawback for the fragile Freedom) was born. Initially, it was Spanish democracy. widely acclaimed as a revolutionary group, finding its justification in the resistance to Franco’s dictatorship. But approved by all the political parties, unilaterally. In all the elections so far subsequently ETA became a drawback including the PNV (Basque the population of the current for the fragile Spanish democracy. It Nationalist Party). The objective of autonomous government have voted was only after Franco’s death that placing the prisoners in different pris- roughly 50-50 for and against nation- ETA´s terrorism became most active, ons all over Spain was to break their alism (in all its varieties, moderate or gradually increasing its activities, and relation with ETA. Many people and otherwise). In the case of secession, refusing to admit that the dictatorship political parties disagree with this pol- that support would fall dramatically. was over and that we have a democrat- icy. In addition, there is the horror of As for France, prospects for national- ic state. ETA’s strategy of provoking a the antiterrorist-terrorism by the orga- ism are far dimmer. Coup d’Etat that would open the eyes nization GAL (Antiterrorist Groups of Probably the time has come for of the Basque working class and Liberation) created in the early 80’s Basque nationalism to harvest the would drag them into the fight, was in with the support of high members of fruits of its success in having resisted the end destined to fail. government, which caused numerous uniformity, centralism, and dictator- Actually they have failed before casualties in the ETA entourage and ship; accomplished the survival of its the supreme Court of History. ETA seriously weakened the foundations ancestral language; given cohesion to has wasted more than two decades of of the new Spanish democracy . a small country; and obtained one of its militants and of our collective dig- The Basque country, Euskadi o Continued on page 10 nity. One of the biggest problems of Euskalerria (we cannot even agree on Basque society today is the reconcilia- a name) is now immersed in a process Kati Gutierrez is a high school history tion of the victims and executioners. that some call a peace process and teacher and member of the Basque There are many justifications for others of democratic normalization. Parliament, representing Izquierda ETA’s violence: it is a just cause, our More than a year ago ETA declared a Unida (United Left). Translation provided rights have been suppressed, one cease fire. Now, most political and by Professor Jose Maria Garcia of Bilbao thousand reasons. But, still, ETA has social nationalist forces have reached and Victoria Parraga, ALBA Associate. 8 THE VOLUNTEER, Summer1999 A Plaque on a Wall in Florence by Fraser Ottanelli or the students of my Florida State FUniversity overseas program on fascism in Florence, Italy, it was the perfect historical link. Located in the city’s medieval heart, on the side of the building opposite the classroom in which I taught, was a plaque marking the spot where Alessandro Sinigaglia, one of the city's most revered antifas- cist resistance leaders, had been gunned down in February 1944 by Italian fascists working for the Nazis . As an educator I cannot often bridge the physical distance between the classroom and the locale of perti- nent historical events. Sinigaglia's story was the exception. His militant opposition to fascism, from youthful activities in his native Florence, the Garibaldi Battalion of the International brigades during the Spanish Civil War and his martyrdom, provided a unique personal history. The students, from various universities in the United States, were brought home to the complex experiences and the price paid by a generation of antifascists. In addition, Sinigaglia's background makes him stand out among the mem- Alessandro Sinigaglia wearing the uniform of the Spanish Republican navy stand- ing between Giuliano Pajetta (r), political commissar of the XIIth, XIIIth and XVth As an educator I cannot often brigades, and an unidentified member of the International Brigades. Photograph bridge the physical distance courtesy of Instituto storico della Resistenza in Toscana between the classroom and the faded photographic portrait 1922 against workingclass organiza- locale of pertinent historical Ataken during the Spanish civil tions and activists in the period events. war provides some indication of previous to Mussolini's rise to power. Sinigaglia's background. Recalling his Following the Fascist victory, bravery and resolve, one of his com- Sinigaglia became one of the leaders bers of the Italian resistance: his father, rades described him as "of medium of the city's Communist underground David, was an Italian Jew and his height, strong, with a dark complex- organization. Eventually, however, his mother, Mary White,was an African- ion, an open and intelligent activities brought him to the attention American from St. Louis who had expression, with eyes and cheekbones of the infamous OVRA, a special come to Florence to work as a maid for resembling those of a Mongolian." branch of the Italian police in charge a wealthy family in one of the villas on Born in 1902, Sinigaglia matured in of repressing antifascist activities. the northern slopes of the city. the strong Socialist and Communist Returning from a meeting, late one While I know that there is more to culture of Florence's working class night in March 1928, Sinigaglia found identity than genetic makeup, never- neighborhoods. We learn from his file three policemen waiting for him in theless, as an Italian American, I claim in the archives of the Italian police Continued on page 10 Sinigaglia as "one of our own." Now, that at the age of eighteen he joined with material drawn from various the Arditi del Popolo, a paramilitary Fraser Ottanelli, vice-chair of ALBA, archives in Italy and in Moscow, here organization, composed mostly of teaches U.S. history at the University of briefly is Sinigaglia's story. Communists, to resist the bloody South Florida and is writing a history of Fascist offensive waged at the end of Italian Americans. THE VOLUNTEER, Summer 1999 9 Sinigaglia Basque Continued from page 9 Continued from page 8 front of his apartment building. Spanish republicans and members of the most advanced autonomous self- Surprisingly, they did not recognize the International brigades, Sinigaglia governments in the world. We have him and he was able to flee. Through crossed the border to France and was our own parliament, the Basque gov- the Party's underground network, interned in the infamous Vernet con- ernment collects all taxes, has its own Sinigaglia illegally crossed the border centration camp. police force, and complete autonomy into France and eventually made it to In 1941, following the German in education, public works etc. But it the Soviet Union. In Moscow he and Italian occupation of France, the is time to get rid of some ideological attended the prestigious Lenin School, Vichy authorities handed him over to “isms”—its ethnicism, its “ancestral married a Russian who worked for the Mussolini's police together with most voices,” its “nation” above the rights Comintern and had a child. of the other Italian volunteers, who and the will of its citizens to the point By 1935 Sinigaglia was once again were then sentenced to four years of of justifying any human rights viola- involved in clandestine operations as internal exile on the island of tion for the sake of that nation. a member of the Italian Communist Ventotene. This policy of bringing The Basque Country is now at a party’s underground in Switzerland. Italian volunteers back to Italy and crucial point. It can be the time to There he learned of the outbreak of confining them in the same place was establish by consensus among us war in Spain and was among the first to backfire against the Fascists. Basques a political framework in of the international volunteers to rush In the summer of 1943 the King’s which we can live in our diversity, in in defense of the Republic in August decision to depose Mussolini led to which the reconciliation and healing of 1936. In Spain Sinigaglia displayed the release of political prisoners. of wounds can take place. But also it unique military and political skills. Drawing on their military experience, can be the time for the sordid and Shortly after arrival, in light of his ear- the Italian veterans of the International fanatic fights in a battlefield ever lier experience as a submariner in the Brigades provided the core around more divided in two irreconcilable Italian navy, he was assigned to the which the armed resistance movement fronts. Republican cruiser Mendes Nuñez. was established. Upon his release Obviously we are for the first His personnel record in the archives of Sinigaglia returned to Florence and was alternative, but we must admit that it the International Brigades in Moscow at the head of the Communist party's is not going to be easy. contains several reports he prepared military organization where he played for Luigi Longo (Gallo), Inspector a central role in organizing and leading A marked man, he was targeted General of the International Brigades, the urban partisan organization, the by the “four saints,” a group of Italian on the morale and overall prepared- GAP (Groups of patriotic action). fascists under the command of the ness of the Republican fleet. Totaling between 20 and 30 members, Nazi S.S. After a long manhunt they Eventually he was assigned as the GAP were divided into small cells, found Sinigaglia in a restaurant in the liaison officer between the Spanish unconnected to each other, so that in center of Florence dining with another Republican navy and Soviet military the case of capture the entire organiza- Italian Spanish Civil War vet. His com- advisers. However, his most important tion would not be jeopardized. rade was immediately captured and job during the war was to supervise During the winter of 1943 and later executed together with 65 parti- the clearing of the mines that the fas- 1944 , the GAP carried out scores of sans. Sinigaglia overcame his attackers cist forces repeatedly placed along the daring attacks against Nazi and and fled. However, he got no farther than a few hundred yards before he Drawing on their military experience, the Italian veterans of was tracked down, wounded and then the International Brigades provided the core around which the killed while lying on the sidewalk. In his honor, the 22nd Garibaldi partisan armed resistance movement was established. Brigade took the name of Brigata Sinigaglia, and he was posthumously access channels to the port of Fascist troops and installations. Their awarded the Silver Medal for valor, Barcelona. According to his personnel most spectacular feats were blowing Italy's second highest military award. record, in the performance of this task up the headquarters of the Fascist As for my students I hope that he displayed great personal courage party and executions of the city's chief standing on the spot where "this guy and technical expertise, repeatedly of police and a prominent member of whose mother was from St. Louis" placing himself in harm's way and Mussolini's government. Sinigaglia was killed helped them better under- devising new techniques to neutralize carried out the dangerous task of stand the internationalist character of explosive devices of varied types. maintaining contacts between the the struggle against oppression. Following the defeat of the leadership of the Communist party Republic, together with thousands of and the partisan units. 10 THE VOLUNTEER, Summer1999 Blacklisted As a teenager in Shanghai, he studied arrested in France. Thus his service the military arts at a Chinese academy in Spain probably lasted only a few Continued from page 1 and had volunteered to fight against months. We have not yet found infor- the Japanese invaders of China mation about which units he served plead his case with the Adjutant between 1931 and 1935. From China, with and no surviving Lincoln veteran General, but his request for an inter- he had returned home to Los Angeles can remember him in Spain. view was denied. He appealed for and soon afterward went to Spain. His By 1939 Carter was back in Los assistance to the legal department of family believes he joined the Angeles, where he married and had the NAACP, but they declined to help International Brigades as a profession- the first of his two sons. When World because his case involved civil liber- al soldier to fight the good fight. War II began, he enlisted in the U.S. ties not civil rights. Evidence of Carter’s service in Army. His service in the segregated Carter took his case to the American Spain remains sketchy. Aside from the army was limited to menial assign- Civil Liberties Union, listing of his name on the official ments. After his unit was shipped which agreed to VALB roster, overseas, he repeatedly volunteered make a private there is no for a combat assignment. His applica- inquiry to the White other men- tion was finally accepted in 1945. House. In 1950, one of tion of his Downgraded to a private, he got President Truman’s name yet his chance to fight in March 1945. personal advisors found in When the tank he was riding on came reported that the Carter the under fire from a farmhouse in case was officially archives. In a Germany, Carter led a three-man closed. No charges were 1942 inter- squad to locate the enemy. Almost ever filed; Carter was view, Carter immediately Carter’s two comrades never allowed to learn referred to were shot. He was left in an exposed what he had been his position, targeted by heavy machine accused of doing. gun fire. Five times he was shot, yet The release of Carter’s he used his marksman skills to take FBI files this year clarified out an unknown number of German his problem. As U.S. News soldiers. reported, there were two Finally, the Germans sent eight grounds for questioning the soldiers to capture him. Carter killed Sergeant’s loyalty in 1943. First, six of them and captured the other “Subject reportedly was a mem- two. Carter, bleeding from wounds, ber of the Abraham Lincoln walked across a German field with his Brigade, having served for two bayonet stuck against the neck of one and a half years [sic] with said German, his rifle pointing at the back Brigade in Spain.” Second, of the other. Carter was recommended “Potentially adverse—Subject is seem- for the Medal of Honor; he got the ingly potentially capable of having DSC instead. connections with subversive activities After the war, Carter returned to due to the fact that he spent his early Los Angeles, trying unsuccessfully to years (until 1938) in the Orient and start a small business. He also assumed has a speaking knowledge of Hindustani and Mandarin Chinese.” Although the story in U.S. News The Germans sent eight soldiers to capture him. Carter killed six depicted Carter as a political naïve, he of them and took the other two prisoners....Carter was recom- certainly knew that in going to Spain, he had violated State Department mended for the Medal of Honor; he got the DSC instead. rules. Other Lincoln vets were treated by the Army as “premature antifas- frozen feet in Spain, suggesting that leadership of a local black business cists”—a euphemism for he had participated in action around association, aimed at ending racial “communist”—and were denied offi- Teruel during the winter of 1938. In discrimination. cer promotions and overseas service. 1946, he told another interviewer for Ebony magazine featured Carter People’s World, a west coast commu- Continued on page 12 The Road to Spain nist newspaper, that when the fascists Carter’s odyssey began when he broke through the Republican lines in Peter Carroll, chair of ALBA, is the followed his father’s missionary call to March 1938, he had retreated all the author of The Odyssey of the Abraham India and China in the 1920s and ‘30s. way to the French border and been Lincoln Brigade. THE VOLUNTEER, Summer 1999 11 Blacklisted Continued from page 11 with six other African American DSC cle about black DSC winners in 1950— winners. The article quoted him say- asking where are they now?—Carter et ing that black soldiers in World War II could barely respond. He finally sent e proved that racial cooperation was a lame response that his work was w possible. He also said the army might “confidential.” The accompanying S benefit from some improvement— photograph shows the despair that “about 99 percent improvement.” clouded his life. In 1947, Carter accepted recogni- When further appeals to the gov- tion from a local group of the American ernment brought no response, Carter’s Youth For Democracy and attended anger turned to bitterness and depres- their “Welcome Home Joe” party. sion. He began to drink heavily, Other guests included Hollywood neglected his appearance, and became celebrities, such as Ingrid Bergman, a problem for his family. In 1958, a and political radicals, including friendly physician wrote once more to Lincoln vet and screenwriter Alvah the ACLU, pleading for a reopening of Bessie (soon to achieve notoriety as Carter’s case in hope that the restora- one of the Hollywood Ten) and Paul tion of his military career would Robeson. Carter’s attendance at this restore his self-respect. The ACLU event is verified by the report of an could offer no hope. FBI informant. In 1963, at the age of 46, Staff By 1947, Carter decided to reenlist Sergeant Edward Carter, Jr. was dead in the army. The military overlooked in Los Angeles. No obituary appeared his alleged offenses and assigned him in the newspapers; only his family vis- as a weapons instructor in a newly ited the grave. created National Guard unit for black And there the Carter case rested soldiers. But when the Guard pub- until President Clinton moved in 1996 lished their roster of instructors, to amend the errors of military justice Carter’s name was missing, foreshad- for African Americans. The White owing his future problems. House ceremony blazed Carter’s Carter served well during the next name on front pages; World War II two years, receiving no warnings about comrades came forward to recall his impending problems. One day before heroism and mourn his early death. his reenlistment was expected, the Only his family knew what the army instead gave him an honorable government had done to this proud Invited to speak at the annual discharge. His papers were stamped veteran of two wars. “We need to end VALB reunion in Oakland, California on February 28, 1999, the writer Ariel Dorfman began by describing the We need to end the hurt, to show the American people impact of the Lincoln Brigade on his imagination when, as a 9-year old just what the army did to Edward Carter. We wish to boy, he was taken by his father to restore his dignity. Spain for the first time. As a young man in the early 1970s, Dorfman held a government position in the leftist “Not permitted to reenlist without the hurt,” his daughter-in-law told me, regime of Salvador Allende in Chile. approval of the adjutant general.” “to show the American people just He was nearly killed and then forced When neither a personal appear- what the army did to Edward Carter. into exile when General Augusto ance nor the NAACP nor the ACLU We wish to restore his dignity.” Pinochet, with the aid of the U.S. CIA, could persuade the army to reverse its Veterans of the Lincoln Brigade, toppled the government in September decision, Carter’s life turned sour. who won many medals for courage 1973. Now, as the legal system of Letters to his attorneys reveal a frus- during World War II and who shared post-Franco Spain attempts to bring trated and angry man. He even sent with Carter the honor of being called Pinochet to justice for crimes against his DSC to a lawyer with the request “premature antifascists,” welcome humanity, Dorfman turned to the that he return it to the White House. him into their ranks. question: Why Spain? When Ebony magazine prepared to publish a sequel to the earlier arti- 12 THE VOLUNTEER, Summer1999 les byAriel Circ Dorfman y love affair that frontier. We had been travelling where the Spanish were betrayed... Mwith the from France and, because the tracks Abraham Lincoln were narrow-gauge on the Spanish or me, in 1951, the existence of the Brigade, and in side, it was necessary to descend in FLincoln Brigades did not work fact my debt to its Irun, I believe it was, and change merely as a legendary story of hero- Veterans, started trains. My father took me by the hand ism, of men and women willing to many years ago, and walked me to the very edge of give their lives for the cause of democ- when I was nine Spanish territory. He crouched down racy while their governments stood by years old. It start- to my height, so he could look me in and watched the Republic bleed to ed the day I stood the eyes and told me that this was the death. Though born in Buenos Aires, I on the frontier of place where the Republic had been was then a little yankee boy who Spain in October betrayed. Here, he said, right here, the thought of himself as an American or of 1951, the year I weapons that the Republic had paid perhaps it would be more adequate to visited Europe for for had been blocked by the French, amend that to read: from the North, the first time. with the acquiescence of the English an American from the North. I refused My Argentine and the Americans. Proclaiming their to speak Spanish, sang the Star father, a former neutrality, these countries, future Spangled Banner with fervor and communist and allies against Germany, had conspired swore that New York was the best city still very much a to starve the Republic, not realizing in the best country in the world. man of the left— that they were, in fact, encouraging Like any little patriot, I was like many of his generation who A sweet way for the pendulum of history to swing back, for a had España en el corazón, Spain in balance to be restored to the cosmos: that the Madrid which the their hearts—my Veterans defended in the battle of Jarama, that the Spain they father had sworn that he would had to leave against their will, be the final prison for General never step on Pinochet or, at least, the place where his trial will take place. Spanish soil until Franco was gone or dead. But we the appeasing of Hitler and Mussolini. always looking for a reason to justify swear many Did I know Hitler and Mussolini? my love of my adopted homeland. things in life and I nodded my head solemnly. And yet, I was also the son of a father life makes Hitler’s aircraft, my father said, persecuted by McCarthy, a witch-hunt demands of us Mussolini’s ground troops were that would eventually lead us to aban- that are not engaged on the side of Franco. And I don the United States a few years later always heroic or definitive; life has a knew who Franco was because he was and head for Chile. At nine years of way of confronting us with that Primo the hijo de puta who governed this age, I was living an irreconcilable con- Levi called the grey zones. My father land and whose name I shouldn’t tradiction: the country I considered was working at the time at the United mention while we were in Spain. Even my own was trying to exile my father Nations in New York and he had pro- then, as a child, I was being trained, as and might perhaps even kill him. The fessional business to conduct in my own children would be many fact that the very United States that Madrid and Barcelona and so we years later in Chile, to hide my was hounding my family and so many came to the frontier of the country he thoughts from the men in power, to of my family’s left wing gringo friends had never wanted to visit in his life hide what our family really thought had also produced the Lincoln even though it had been at the center about Franco. Brigades, was a source of comfort to of that life and on his mind ever since Franco, my father twisted the me and also one of the first profoundly its struggle against fascism in the thir- word in his mouth as if it hurt him political lessons I received in my life. ties had inspired him and countless merely to say it. Here is where the It confirmed me in something I millions around the world. Second World War began, my father Continued on page 14 What I remember above all was went on. Never forget that here is THE VOLUNTEER, Summer 1999 13 ERMACK B ICHARD R PHOTOS Poet Philip Levine (left) and Bill Sennett at the ALBA Bill Sennett lecture, “The Spanish Civil War in Poetry.” Approximately 150 people attended the event co-sponsored by the Bancroft Library, University of California, April 1999.

Gabriel Jackson presenting the sec- ALBA Lecture Series ond annual Bill Susman lecture at the Juan Carlos I Center, New York University, April 1999.

they would rescue a small nine year himself as continuing the Caudillo’s Sweet Circles old boy from confusion and push him special mixture of repressively conser- Continued from page 13 toward political maturity, they could vative Catholicism with a modernizing not have anticipated that their own capitalist mentality, our general knew but could barely articulate at the existence would help him to realize Pinochet considers himself to have time: there were two Americas, one that there was another deeper and saved Chile from becoming a second personified by the FBI and J. Edgar more decent America to which he Cuba and indeed, in his vanity, has Hoover and Joe McCarthy, an could pledge allegiance. declared that, like Franco, he saved America that segregated Negroes and It is proof how, beyond their the world itself from communism. meddled in foreign lands, while the wartime exploits and their service to And just as Franco rose against the other one, the other America was the Republic, the example of the freely elected authorities of Spain, made up of citizens who were willing Veterans, their mere presence, can Pinochet overthrew the democratic to risk their lives for freedom wherev- influence history in many strange and government of Salvador Allende, er it was threatened, an America that secret ways. Never underestimate betraying the President who had came to be represented more and how an exemplary life can persist in named him Commander in Chief of more in my imagination by the the imagination of others, how it can the Chilean Army. Abraham Lincoln Brigade. That was inspire beyond death. And Allende’s political creed and the America that I could belong to: if service to his people and the they could defy their government in ow does my story intersect with oppressed of the world had been the name of the permanent values that Hthe dictator of my country who, forged in the wake of Spain’s struggle. America should really stand for, so in a London mansion and under the Indeed, he came to prominence in could I. If they defined their loyalty to watchful eye of Scotland yard, still 1938 as the youngest Minister of the humanity above their loyalty to the awaits possible extradition to Spain? Popular Front government of Pedro short term interests of the United First let’s establish the Spanish Aguirre Cerda, modeled on the coali- States, so could I. connection. tion that was fighting for its life in The men and women of the This is the man who has pro- Spain at that very moment... Lincoln Brigade could not know that, nounced Franco to be his hero (though many years after they had left Madrid, Napoleon is a close second), who sees Continued on page 15 14 THE VOLUNTEER, Summer1999 Nor does the Spanish connection the ideological heir to Franco, who Humanity—the humanity of the with Chile cease there: later, when went to the Caudillo’s funeral and United States public—must also Allende became a perennial candidate then had to leave hurriedly before demand that the America that put for president, his marches were Juan Carlos was crowned, the fact that Pinochet in power and sustained him always punctuated by the songs of the the Franco of our times is under arrest there for many years, open its files, let Spanish Civil War. We thought of our- because a Spanish judge decided to the world know what those files hide selves often, in Chile, as repeating the charge him with the murder of about the dictator’s human rights vio- Spanish experience, but this time with Spanish citizens and international ter- lations and, even more important, the a happy ending. rorism and crimes against humanity, U.S. government must be pressured to While our adversaries used Spain has to have brought many smiles to ask for the extradition of General as a warning, reminding us that what our Veterans who have, unfortunate- Pinochet to the United States to face had happened there could happen in ly, seen far too many disasters all over trial for the murder of Allende’s Chile. And, in 1973, it did. The coup the world following the fall of the Foreign Minister Orlando Letelier and came, the massacres came, the perse- Republic... his American assistant, Ronnie cution came. And then, si España A sweet way for the pendulum of Moffett. If the U.S. is really interested estuvo en el corazón para la generación history to swing back, for a balance to in fighting international terrorism... de mi padre, if Spain lived on in the be restored to the cosmos: that the All [President Clinton] has to do is hearts of my father’s generation, Chile Madrid which the Veterans defended instruct his Attorney General to found its way into the heart of my in the battle of Jarama, that the Spain demand General Pinochet’s extradition. generation across the planet dur- Then the circle ing the seventies and eighties. would be truly complete. Allende’s democratic Think of the day when road to socialism created the the Veterans who are left, hope that there was an alter- the Veterans who crossed native not only to capitalist the Atlantic to die and development—or should I say live for Spain, the veter- misdevelopment—but also an ans who fought their alternative to stalinist models own government over of society, a project that was Vietnam and Nicaragua, crushed in part by U.S. inter- the Veterans who gave vention just as the search for me hope as a child on socialism with the human face that frontier in Spain and ERMACK was destroyed in Prague by B inspired me as an adoles- Soviet tanks in more or less cent and later as a ICHARD the same years. And our R revolutionary in Chile

defeat in Chile, as the PHOTO and even later as a wan- Republic’s defeat in Spain, ush- dering bilingual exile for Ariel Dorfman with Bay Area post comander David Smith ered in long years of repression years and years, think of around the world, concentration camps they had to leave against their will, be those Veterans filing into a courtroom and torture, censorship and exile, the final prison for General Pinochet in Washington D.C. and seeing the disappearances and executions. or, at least, the place where his trial self-proclaimed heir to Franco stand will take place... accused of crimes against humanity. he fact that it should be Spain that Then the circle that started in the Tis demanding General Pinochet’s his does not attenuate the need of States and wove through Spain would extradition, that it is post-Franco Tthe people of the United States to be truly complete, would be incredi- Spain that is willing to judge those address the crimes committed in for- bly sweet. In a sense, the Brigadistas crimes that our own Chile, because of eign lands in their name. There are would finally have come home. understandable flaws and weaknesses two Americas, the America that in our transition to democracy, has not helped to overthrow democracy in Ariel Dorfman’s complete speech, and probably will not be able to carry Chile and the America that fought that including his memory of first learning of out, is a cause of great satisfaction to intervention. The America of Nixon the Lincoln Brigade from his father, is those who struggle for human rights and the America of the Lincoln available as a CD recording for $16.50 all over the world but must be particu- Brigade. And the America of the (including postage). Make checks payable larly satisfying to the Veterans of the Lincoln Brigade still has unfinished to VALB, P.O. Box 884354, San Abraham Lincoln Brigade, who business at home, right here in the Francisco, CA 94188. watched Francisco Franco die in his United States. bed without ever having been held It is not enough for Pinochet to be accountable. The fact that [Pinochet] tried for his crimes against humanity. THE VOLUNTEER, Summer 1999 15 Bay Area News by Dave Smith

OW—It was an awesome sight, WWthe 10x14 foot cabin, built in 1906, hanging from a crane 40 feet above the ground. Bill Bailey’s former home was placed on a flat bed truck and hauled from Telegraph Hill to a temporary storage site in San Francisco. Both local newspapers, the Chronicle and the Examiner, covered the event, referring to Bailey as “the leg- endary waterfront Bill Bailey’s Cottage labor leader.” The ROWN

VALB cottage com- B

Seeks New Site ON mittee got the support H of San Francisco Mayor Willy Brown and help from the PHOTO International Longshore and gave the neighborhood character.” nearby site has been sent to the San Warehouse Union. Since 1997 our Vets committee Francisco Board of Supervisors for Bailey’s former neighbor, Peter has been involved with plans for the their approval. Dwarres, recalled his memories of the cottage. Without going into many former ILWU officer: “He was rugged, details, there is now a question about Dave Smith is the VALB Commander of one of a kind, individualistic, a social- the final resting place of Bill’s house. the Bay Area Post ist, and a very fine gentleman. He A proposal to move the cottage to a A Legacy of Hannah Olson Creighton he obituary of VALB Associate ower, and Dean Slocum organized an Pacific University's Los Amigos optome- TTHannah Creighton appeared in the eye clinic in Cuidadela Guillermo try organization brought 10,000 pairs of Winter 98/99 issue of The Volunteer. Manuel Ungo, El Salvador in Hannah’s donated prescription glasses, 450 read- Since then, Gene Coyle, Hannah’s wid- honor. Twenty-two volunteers from the ing glasses, medications, and examining equipment to El Salvador. The clinic was held in a school room in Marin, California’s sister city. In five days the clinic treated 2000 patients. Most of the patients only needed reading glasses. To test the strength, patients were given a needle and thread and then tried on different glasses until they could thread the nee- dle without difficulty. After the traveling eye clinic left, the school building was renamed and dedicated to Hannah. The Bay Area post is proud of the contributions made by Hannah and the dedication of the clinic. It is another milestone in the contributions of the Vets and their associates to the cause of Dean Slocum (left) and Gene Coyle humanity.

16 THE VOLUNTEER, Summer1999 GGeoreorgege WWattatt AAwwarardsds ALBA’s annual George Watt Awards are given to students for the best papers on the Spanish Civil War. The awards include a $500 cash prize. This year’s winners are Yossef C. Blum of Yeshiva University, New York, for an essay on Dr. Edward Barsky, and Catherine Wigginton, Cole College, Iowa, for an essay on Salaria Kee. Summaries of the award winning essays are printed below.

Dr. Edward Barsky various problems, Dr. Barsky by Yossef C. Blum invented several innovative surgical procedures that vir- Dr. Edward Barsky, a world- tually revolutionized the renowned surgeon who devoted his practice of war medicine. great talents to helping the Spanish After the war Dr. Barsky Republic and the Spanish refugees, devoted countless years to helping included in that group. Kee was the was an extraordinary individual. Spanish refugees. In 1941, he helped only African-American woman. After graduating from Columbia found the Joint Anti-Fascist Refugee Kee arrived with the Second University of Physicians and Committee (JAFRC), an organization American Medical Unit in Spain on Surgeons in 1919, he became a top devoted to improving the horrendous April 3, 1937. Her group set up a base surgeon at Beth Israel Medical Center health and living conditions of the hospital in Villa Paz, near Madrid, in Manhattan. His medical expertise refugees. While this organization was and hospital beds immediately filled was well established, and many initially successful, the JAFRC was with hundreds of wounded soldiers. regarded him as one of the ablest sur- one of the first organizations to be The medical site lacked both sufficient attacked by HUAC. Presented with an skilled labor and many resources, but order to produce the JAFRC's records, Kee did not mind. Under these cir- Dr. Barsky led the committee's refusal cumstances the American doctors and and was subsequently charged with nurses had to work quickly and effec- contempt. tively. Hence, leadership and respect Throughout the trial, the three were given based on merit alone. years of appeals, and his jail sentence Kee's superior nursing skills resulted of five months, Dr. Barsky received in her appointment as head nurse of wide support from many who felt he two wards in the hospital. had simply done nothing wrong; his Five months into her service, Kee primary goal had been to save thou- met and fell in love with Pat O'Reilly, sands of innocent lives. a wounded Irish International brigader. Of Dr. Barsky’s sacrifice, Ernest The two married on October 2, 1937. geons in the East. Yet, he did not limit Hemingway said, “Eddie is a Saint. Four months later, in February 1938, his application of the medical model That's where we put our saints in this the medical unit received orders to to individual cases; he sought to aid country, in jail.” move to the front, but in March a human beings on a grander, more bomb dropped by fascist planes over global scale. Salaria Kee her field hospital converted her into Dr. Barsky helped form the the patient, no longer capable of mili- American Medical Bureau to Aid by Catherine Wigginton tary service. Kee spent the next Spanish Democracy, a relief group They were there in Spain 1937-1938, several months in America fundrais- that succeeded in raising over American Negroes. History has record- ing for the war effort, until the civil $1,000,000, an extraordinary sum for ed it. Before that time, the leading war ended in 1939. that time. Although he also was in ambassadors of the Negro in Europe Although after the Spanish Civil charge of putting together a group of were jazz-band musicians, concert War Kee fell out of political activity, doctors and nurses to assist the artists, dancers, or other performers. But she had established herself in history. Abraham Lincoln Brigade in Spain, it these Negroes in Spain were fighters— Not only had she made a difference in came as quite a surprise to him when voluntary fighters—which is where her own life by putting herself in a sit- he was called upon to lead the medi- history turned another page. uation where she experienced cal effort in Spain. Salaria Kee was one of the 2,800 equality, but she had also been a par- Risking his life on a daily basis, Americans who traveled to Spain in ticipant in one of the greatest Dr.Barsky described his work in Spain 1937 to volunteer for the Second struggles of the twentieth century. as "a forbidding workload under Spanish Republic. Sixty women and formidable conditions." Despite all the ninety African-Americans were THE VOLUNTEER, Summer 1999 17 Book Reviews Spain’s Women Prisoners Speak

Prison of Women, Testimonies of War world the opportunity to read these and Resistance in Spain, l939-l975 moving and tragic stories of solidarity by Tomasa Cuevas. Translated and and survival. In addition, while in all edited by Mary E. Giles. three volumes Cuevas de-emphasizes Albany State University of New York the importance of her own testi- Press, 1998 monies, Giles reorders her intermittently rendered life story and brings it to the foreground. What we by Shirley Mangini have is both a tribute to Tomasa and n 1989, Mary Giles, a Professor of well-edited narrative of the life of a IHumanities at California State woman who never wavered in her pur- University, Sacramento, was in suit of a free Spain. Madrid researching documents from Cuevas describes her early years the Spanish Inquisition when she as the daughter of a chronically-ill came upon a book of prison testi- mother and a handicapped father monies by women from the Spanish who had to abandon her education to Civil War, Carcel de mujeres 1939- help her sick mother, thereby learn- 1945 (Barcelona: Sirocco, 1985) ing only elementary skills. At the age compiled by Tomasa Cuevas. Giles of nine she was working, and shortly later found that Cuevas had pub- thereafter began delivering messages lished two other volumes: Carcel de for the Communist Party, though she Mujeres (1985) and Mujeres de la later joined the JSU (the unified resistencia (1986). She began corre- socialist and communist youth orga- sponding with Tomasa and they nization). Her first arrest came in agreed on a translation. 1934, to be followed by others after husband was away on dangerous mis- When they met to work five the war when she worked with the sions and her daughter was cared for years later, Giles was overwhelm- resistance until she finally fled to by family members. ingly impressed by this tiny spirited France in 1953. Yet her narrative is not a plaint or woman who had endured years of Cuevas tells many stories about an apology, nor does it reveal any bit- torture and imprisonment, and in her plight that are similar to those of terness. It merely describes the life of an indomitable crusader whose exem- plary life of commitment makes her a They lost their voices, their freedom, their health, their families heroine of quixotic stature. Despite the and their country. Fortunately, many of the survivors never limitations of her writing skills and relinquished their ideals and persevered and because of her meager financial resources, Cuevas did not hesitate to subsidize Tomasa Cuevas, who has acted as a medium for those silenced her travels and the publication of the women, we are able to read their stories today. transcribed testimonies. She was con- vinced her goal was worth every ounce of strength and every last pese- her waning years still had the sense her prisonmates. Her life is the portrait ta to bring the voices of her cellmates of commitment and the energy of a woman of exceptional will power to print. She was right. required to travel around Spain with who, though severely injured while tor- The book describes the peregrina- a tape recorder in search of her lost tured, never revealed the whereabouts tions of the women from prison to cellmates. of her comrades. Tomasa married prison, the hunger, the torture, the ill- Mary Giles has accomplished a another resistance member, had a child nesses caused by the abominable laudable feat. By selecting testimonies and endured countless emotional and from the three books (largely the first physical hardships as an underground For information about purchasing this two), editing and translating, them, activist. She describes the pain of being book see page 21 she has given the English-speaking alone for years at a time, while her 18 THE VOLUNTEER, Summer1999 conditions and the humiliations Prison of Women is a major contri- Official Web Site of the inflicted on them by righteous prison bution to literature on prison life guards, often merciless nuns. It offers during the Franco Regime, especially Pilots Association of the some of the most dramatic stories to the small body of work about the Spanish Republic repeatedly told by women who were women who suffered in myriad ways from: Henri San Benito incarcerated during the regime: that of at the hands of Franco's inquisitors. ADAR (Asociación de aviadores de Matilde Landa, who helped many They were women who had trans- la Republica Española) women elude the death sentence and gressed and were to be "reformed." whose own mysterious death haunted They lost their voices, their freedom, I have the pleasure of announcing her cellmates, and that of the “13 their health, their families and their the new incorporation on the web roses,” 13 teenage girls who perished country. Fortunately, many of the sur- of the Official Web Site of the Pilots before a firing squad and whose vivors never relinquished their ideals Association of the Spanish “crime” had been to collect money for and persevered and because of Republic “ADAR.” the Loyalists. It provides the testimo- Tomasa Cuevas, who has acted as a http://members.xoom.com/ADAR_ ny of “Rosaria la Dinamitera,” the medium for those silenced women, we ES/Index.htm young miliciana who lost her hand, are able to read their stories today. I invite you to communicate with making bombs in the first days of the us via Email war. We read of the escape of several Shirley Mangini, ALBA Board member, Salud young women from the Le Corts is a professor of Spanish Literature at Henri San Benito Prison in Barcelona and Blas Rojo’s California State University, Long Beach, [email protected] eerie memories about life on death and the author of Memories of Resistance: row and the horrific sounds of men Women’s Voices from the Spanish Civil War. being tortured and killed.

ALBA’S TRAVELING EXHIBITIONS SHOUTS FROM THE AURA OF THE CAUSE THE WALL ALBA’s photographic exhibit,The Eugene Aura of the Cause, has been shown at October 10-Nov. 20, 1999 Chicago the Puffin Room in New York City, Cultural Forum, University of Oregon the University of California-San 1585 East 13th Avenue August 14 — October 17 Diego, the Salvador Dali Museum in Eugene, OR 7403 Chicago Public Library St. Petersburg, FL, the Fonda Del Sol For additional information, contact 400 South State Street Visual Center in Washington, DC, Jessie Johnson, Visual Arts Coordinator: Chicago, IL 60606 and the University of Illinois. This 541-346-0007. (312) 747-4876, TDD (312) 747-4969 exhibit, curated by Professor Cary Nelson of the University of Illinois, For further information about The Dallas consists of hundreds of photographs Aura of the Cause exhibit, and its com- Nov. 8, 1999—Feb. 21, 2000 revealing the Abraham Lincoln panion exhibit Shouts From The Wall, DeGolyar Library Brigaders, other international volun- posters from the Spanish Civil War, Southern Methodist University teers and their Spanish comrades in contact ALBA’s executive secretary, 6404 Hilltop Lane training and at rest, among the Diane Fraher, 212-598-0968. Both Dallas, TX Spanish villages, and in battle. exhibits are available for museum Carbondale Boston and art gallery showings. March 15, 2000-May 15, 2000 Sept. 1-30, 1999 The University Museum Goffman Gallery Southern Illinois University University of Massachusetts Carbondale, IL Boston, MA BRING THESE EXHIBITS TO YOUR LOCALITY Contact Diane Fraher, ALBA executive secretary: 212-598-0968; Fax: 212-529-4603

THE VOLUNTEER, Summer 1999 19 Added to Memory’s Roster

“You don't have to be a VIP— For his activity during the WWII he was decorated as a war veteran by the because I never was—and Romanian and European Community. you don't have to be the After the war Naum became a man- ager of a Pharmaceutical Company. In smartest or the most success- 1992 he joined his family in San ful. All you need is a great Francisco and became active in the commitment to the life environmental movement. you're living and the community you're in, and the rest of it is joy." François Mazou Ruth Davidow François Mazou, French IB veter- an died at the end of July in Pau. As commissar in the 6th of February maker herself, producing 21 films, on Battalion, part of the original 15th subjects from health care to political Brigade, he was wounded and left for activism. She was born in Russia in dead at Morata de Tajula. Wounded

ERMACK 1911, and immigrated to the United again in the Ebro campaign, he later B States when she was three. She gradu- commanded the IB hospital in

ICHARD ated from Brooklyn Jewish Hospital Figueras. He was instrumental in R with a degree in nursing in 1936. After aiding Spanish refugees in the Gurs

PHOTO the civil war she married fellow concentration camp, and participated Lincoln Vet Fred Keller. Davidow in the French resistance on both sides Ruth Davidow died on June 28. of the Pyrenees. Active in IB veterans affairs, he If there were Forever Activist helped with the restoration of the for- Awards, Ruth Davidow would get the Grigore Naum gotten IB section of the local cemetery Red Star. After serving as a nurse in Grigore Naum (Naum Rotstein) of Morata. the Spanish Civil War, she used her was born in 1911 in Baltzi, Bassarabia. medical skill to serve the disadvan- He joined the youth movement and taged as a public health nurse. In 1960 organized anti-Nazi demonstrations Sid Levine she journeyed to Cuba, joining the for which he was arrested and Public Health Organization in expelled from engineering school. Sid Levine, one of the original Havana, where she worked for two When Naum joined the contingent of volunteers who named years. In 1965 she participated in the International Brigades he delivered themselves the Lincoln Battalion, died civil rights movement in Mississippi, the design of a new weapon, invented in California last July. Known for his working with the Medical Committee by his older brother, to Russian mil- courage and skill with heavy machine for Human Rights, during "Freedom iary specialists in Spain. The weapon guns, he became company comman- Summer." When Native Americans become known as "The Katiousha." der at Brunete. In 1938 he was occupied Alcatraz Island, they asked Tragically, his brother would be assigned to political work in France, Ruth to run the health care services. arrested and shot in Russia by Stalin, but when he learned of the fascist She was one of the few non-Native after inquiring about his own design. advances that spring, he left his job Americans allowed on the island. She Grigore was wounded in battle, and returned to action in Spain. Many celebrated her 85th birthday at the but was rescued by the bravery of his vets remember his heroism during the Third International Women's comrades. When the Republicans battalion’s last actions. Conference in Beijing, where she was were forced to withdraw into France, a delegate. A key subject in several he was sent by the French to Gurs Anthony De Maio documentaries including, The Good prison camp and later to Djelfa in Fight, Their Cause was Liberty, and the French Sahara along with other Obituary next issue Academy Award nominee, Forever Romanians. When the camp was lib- Activists, Davidow became a film erated in 1942 the Romanian group joined the fight on the Russian front. 20 THE VOLUNTEER, Summer1999 BOOKS ABOUT THE LINCOLN BRIGADE POSTERS Madrid 1937 — Two Spanish Civil War posters (Madrid Lion and Letters from the Spanish Civil War Victoria) are available at $10 plus postage, and thanks ed. by Nelson & Hendricks (cloth) $35 to Eva and Mark Fasanella, copies of five of Ralph Another Hill Fasanella’s posters ($20 each, plus postage). They are: by Milton Wolff (cloth) $25 Subway Riders (1960); Family Supper (1972); The Great Our Fight— Strike, Lawrence, 1912 (1978); The Daily News Strike Writings by veterans of the (1993); South Bronx Rebirth (1995). Abraham Lincoln Brigade: Spain 1936-1939 These books and tapes are available at the indicated ed. by Alvah Bessie & Albert Prago (pbk) $15 prices from: Trees Become Torches, Veterans of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade Selected Poems 799 Broadway, R. 227 by Edwin Rolfe (pbk) $10 New York, NY 10003-5552 Collected Poems of Edwin Rolfe (pbk) $21 Tel: (212) 674-5552 From Mississippi to Madrid Shipping cost: $2 per copy of book, album or tape. by James Yates (pbk) $15 Make checks payable to ALBA. Spain, the Unfinished Revolution by Arthur Landis (cloth) $25 Prisoners of the Good Fight by Carl Geiser (pbk) $15 Spain’s Cause Was Mine by Hank Rubin(new) (cloth) $29 Comrades by Harry Fisher (new) (cloth) $25 (ppb) $12 Odyssey of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade by Peter Carroll (pbk) $15 Remembering Spain: Hemingway’s VALB Eulogy by Ernest Hemingway, Cary Nelson and Milton Wolff (audio tape & pamphlet) $15 Prison of Women by Thomas Cuevas $10 EXHIBIT CATALOGS The Aura of the Cause, a photo album ed. by Cary Nelson (pbk) $25 Shouts from the Wall, a poster album Lincoln Brigade Video Wins Prize ed. by Cary Nelson (pbk) $16 The Abraham Lincoln Brigade, a video produced last year VIDEOS by Jamie L. Cromack of Phoenix, Arizona, and broadcast on the High School Channel, has won a Telly Award from The Good Fight the Center for Creativity. The 25-minute production a film by Sills/Dore/Bruckner (VCR) $35 includes footage of the Spanish Civil War provided by Forever Activists ALBA and interviews with vets David Smith and Robert a film by Judith Montell (VCR) $35 Steck as well as ALBA’s Peter Carroll. Copies of the video You Are History, You Are Legend are available for $15. Checks should be made out to a film by Judith Montell (VCR) $25 ALBA and sent to : ALBA, Box 1571, Tucker, GA 30085

THE VOLUNTEER, Summer 1999 21 See you on the web ALBA’s own website (the address of which circles the globe on the right) is being constantly updat- ed: with ALBA activities and projects tracked, back issues of The Volunteer soon being added to the site; and links to related websites kept current. Here we wish to call readers’ attention to www.ate- ww w.a neo.uam.mx — the website of the Ateneo lba-va España de Mexico, originally founded by exiles lb.org from Republican Spain, and now carrying out a variety of programs in support of liberty and justice, both in Mexico and Spain. Check ’em out. Join us in a cause that will never die ver two decades ago four veterans college and graduate school essays on insure that those of you who are not veter- of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade— OBill Susman, Leonard Lamb, Oscar these subjects, and has designed a widely- ans of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade, or Hunter and Morris Brier — created a new used Spanish Civil War high school and family members of a veteran, will continue organization: ALBA, the Abraham Lincoln college curriculum. to receive The Volunteer, and will enjoy Brigade Archives, bringing in a group of In the coming months and years other benefits of Associate status. scholars interested in the Spanish Civil ALBA will greatly expand its activity. To War and the International Brigades. do so effectively ALBA must have your From the outset, one of ALBA’s main support. Please fill out the coupon below, Fill out this coupon and send it to the tasks was to help manage and expand the enclose a $25 check (or larger amount) address indicated below. Spanish Civil War archive housed at made out to ALBA and send it to us. It will Brandies University in Waltham, ❑ Massachusetts. Explicit in this undertaking Yes, I wish to become an ALBA Associate, and I enclose a check for $25 were the educational goals of preserving, made out to ALBA. Please send me The Volunteer. disseminating and transmitting to future ❑ I would also like to receive a list of books, pamphlets and videos available generations the history and lessons of the at discount. Spanish Civil War and of the International ❑ would like to have ALBA’s poster exhibit, Shouts from the Wall, in my Brigades. locality. Please send information. To carry out these goals ALBA, in col- ❑ I would like to have ALBA’s photo exhibit, The Aura of the Cause, in my laboration with VALB, publishes The locality. Please send information. Volunteer. ALBA also collaborates on the production of books, films and videos, Name ______maintains a website at www.alba-valb.org, helps send exhibitions of photographs, Address ______documents and artwork throughout the United States and Canada, and organizes City______State ______Zip______conferences and seminars on the Spanish ❑ ❑ Civil War and on the role of the I enclose an additional donation of ______. I wish do not wish International Brigades in that conflict, and to have this donation acknowledged in The Volunteer. afterward. ALBA has established the Please mail to: ALBA, 799 Broadway, Room 227, New York, NY 10003 George Watt Memorial prizes for the best

22 THE VOLUNTEER, Summer1999 Contributions

Jennifer Auletta, in honor of Abe Osheroff, $25 Beverly Bassin, in memory of Sol Newman Adele and Sam Braude, in honor of Jesse Wallach, $50 Megan Cogswell, in memory of Ted Cogswell and Irving Weissman, $50 Marjorie Feldman in honor of Chuck and Bobby Haller, $25 Lillian Gates, in memory of George Watt, $20 Sid Gendell, in memory of Sid Harris, $15 Rhoda and Sheldon Glickman, in memory of Helen Freeman Fineberg, $25 Sandy Goldsmith, in memory of Margie Watt, $25 Rebecca Halpern, in memory of Ben and Marianne Iceland Andrew Hawley, in memory of Margie Watt, $50 Claire Iceland Hornstein, in memory of Ben Iceland, $25 Amirah Inglis, in memory of Sol Newman, $20 Grace Jameson, in honor of Margie Watt, $50 Judy Kaplan, in memory of John Perone $25 Lawrence Lynn in memory of Ben and David Linder and Margie Watt, $275 Ben Minor, $100 Rebecca Newman and Gary Drucker, in memory of Sol Newman, $36 Marion Noble, in memory of Sam Spiller, $50 Mary Pappas, in honor of Nick Pappas, $20 Michael and Ruth Podolin in memory of Si Podolin, $100 Eileen and Ted Rouland, in memory of Steve Nelson, $100 Helen Rucker, in memory of Sol Rucker, $100 Helen Rucker, in honer of Sol Newman, $100 Georgette Sanda, in memory of Sol Newman, $40 Abbott Simon, in honor of Norma Starobin, $100 George Sossenko, in memory of Bill Wheeler, $30 Tom and Victoria Springer, in memory of Margie Watt, $50 Alice Silverman Troester, in honor of Martin Kaplan, $50 David Van Strien, in memory of Margie Watt, $25 The Wellfleet Foundation, in memory of Steve Nelson, $500 Esther Barsky Weise, in honor of Ben Barsky, $20 Frank and Joan Wolff, in honor of Margie Watt, $25 Sophie, Dave, Sheila and Henry Wortis, in memory of Margie Watt, $50 Claire Zuckerman, in memory of Irv Weissman, $100 An invitation Letters continued from page 2 for posterity Dear Veterans, My name is Margarita Cortes. I am a graduate student The Volunteer invites our readers to consider in Germany. In the last couple years I have been doing making a bequest to the Abraham Lincoln research about the Spanish Civil War. Last year when I Brigade Archives. wrote a research paper about the origin of the communist ALBA is a non-profit tax-exempt organization. party in Spain, I got more and more fascinated with the Contributions and bequests provide donors with International Brigades and especially with the Abraham significant advantages in planning their estates Lincoln Brigade. I just could not stop reading about the and donations. brave Americans who left everything behind them to fight For more information, contact against fascism, while the “great powers” were too afraid to intervene. What surprised me was that every time I Diane Fraher started talking about Americans in the Spanish Civil War executive secretary with other students or some professors at my school, all VALB/ALBA you would hear was Hemingway. Nobody seemed to 799 Broadway, Rm. 277, know much about those Americans that actually fought in New York, NY10003 this war. This is one of the reasons why I have decided to Telephone: write my masters-thesis about the ALB. Another reason is 212-598-0968 that I am originally from Spain and I feel incredibly thank- E-mail: ful for what those young Americans did for my country. [email protected] Thank you, danke, muchisimas gracias no se os olvi- dara, no luchasteis en vano Margarita Cortes

THE VOLUNTEER, Summer 1999 23 Luis Quintanilla Drawings of the

Spanish Civil War OF COURTESY REPRODUCTIONS P AUL Q ITNLAADTHE AND UINTANILLA G ODWIN -T ERNBACH M USEUM

Godwin-Ternbach Museum Opening reception Nov 16, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Queens College Gallery Talk, The War Art of Luis Quintanilla by 65-30 Kissena Boulevard Jerald R. Green Nov 18, 1 p.m. Flushing, NY 11367-1597 ALBA associates and friends are encouraged to Nov. 10- Dec. 21, 1999 visit the gallery and attend the lecture. ph: 718 997-4747 for hours Supported by the Consulate General of Spain, NY.

The Volunteer c/o Veterans of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade NON-PROFIT 799 Broadway, Rm. 227 U.S. POSTAGE New York, NY 10003 PAID PERMIT NO. 280 SHIRLEY, N.Y. 11967

24 THE VOLUNTEER, Summer1999