fa thm Immei “I( is impossible to legislate for the future. All we can A Study of Strikes - - p. 2 do is to vaguely guess its The Press & the People p. 3 essential tendencies and clear the road for it," Trends in Social —KROPOTKIN Psychology - p. 3 (Modern Science & Anarchism) 1 T H E ANARCHIST WEEKLY Vol. 13, No. 44 November 1st, 1952 Threepence « Peaceful Anarchist” Fined 5/- A S reported in last week’s purely nominal sum of five shil­ lings! This can only be regurded FLOG F r e e d o m , Philip Sansom, one as the nearest possible to u complete Q N C E again the question of flog­ pletely question-begging way. of the speakers of the London convicted, the flogging campaigns Anarchist Group, appeared last victory, the obstruction laws being ging is occupying prominent were never followed by a significant "A very simple, fundamental question was posed in the editorial column of Monday at Gt. Marlborough Street what they are. space in the newspapers in response fall in the statistics of crimes of the Magistrate’s Court on charges of to an apparent increase in crimes of relevant class. Sometimes there was this newspaper last week. Do YOU, The policeman in his evidence we asked, prefer the rule of the cosh wilfully obstructing the roadway violence. It will clearly be many a slight rise.” to the corrective of corporal punish­ and the pathway, and obstructing a had wildly exaggerated the number years before humaner judgment Other' voices have been raised ment?” police constable in the course of his of people present at the meeting and the extinction of the idea of against the clamour of the doggers The Cadogan Committee's evidence duty. at the time he arrived. He said | vengeance on a criminal will cease (led, as we have come to expect, by is of little appeal to editors who. in the that pedestrians were being forced i to flourish in our society. No Lord Goddard, Lord' Chief Justice), teeth of evidence, speak of corporal The laws about obstruction in out into Charing Cross Road to get S', doubt it seems simple enough to and have, pointed out that a man punishment as “corrective”. London are such that it is prac­ past the crowd in Manette Street apply brutal punishment to brutal who has been flogged is apt to be We have noted before the rftle of tically impossible to get off on a (which is pructically a cul-de-sac off crimes. To people brought up on admired by his fellow criminals and newspapers in whipping up rather dis­ charge. If one stands still on a Charing Cross Road) und that he K the religious idea of sin and its so received encouragement as well creditable emotions (disguised, as usual, pavement, one is—legally—causing saw several cars trying to get into • atonement, on the conception of an as further brutalisation from this under virtuous indignation) rather than obstruction, and the mere setting up Manette Street but not being able Leye for an eye and a tooth for a leading public opinion by stressing the to, owing to the crowd. form of punishment. It is also plain evidence and a considered judgment. We of a platform in the street, without Booth, such logic seems sound that where brutal crimes are -com­ actually holding a meeting, con­ have also drawn attention to the signi­ Our comrade’s witnesses, John ■enough. It may be true that some mitted out of a psychopathological ficance of these “respectable" outbursts stitutes obstruction. Meetings arc ■eligious teachers struggle to im- hatred of society—represented by of hardly concealed sadism, and there allowed to be held by the grace of Bishop, Rita Milton and R. Murray- Ipress a higher morality, but they are the victim, especially if elderly— is little need to go into them now. the police and the right of public Edghill, of the London Anarchist ■ill too few—how rare-it is to find Group, and one independent wit­ such a hatred can only be nourished A Higher Morality assembly applies only as long as ghurchmen in advanced progressive by a returning brutality on the part the police decide not to bring ness. all gave their evidence firmly Paradoxically, on the question of flog­ and well, and were able to testify Movements! —and they have to of society. charges of obstruction. Struggle against the body of Old ging. the Government has adopted a that at the time the policeman All these are obvious points. Yet it more progressive and advanced position lestament teaching. Such a reli- is obvious also that they are of little However, the police themselves arrived the crowd numbered not Bpus background gives sanction to than public opinion, or the judges—for more than a dozen, that no pedes­ validity to those who are determined as the Lord Chancellor remarked in the operate strictly according to the |e expression of repulsively vin- to make punishment an expression of regulations governing their pro­ trians had been inconvenienced House of Lords last week, judges have and no drivers frustrated in their Ifctive ideas and makes them vengeance. It has repeatedly been stated not always been the best judges of this cedure, and one is not obstructing Ppectable to their bearers. in thjs country that the purpose- of sort of question. a police officer if in fact he is attempts to enter the street. punishment is preventative, deterrent and not proceeding according to those Zadogan Committee’s Findings In this article we have drawn attention The hearing last Monday had reformative, but not retributive. Yet to the evidence against the efficacy of regulations. |The idea that flogging was an most judges interpret their office as the been adjourned from the previous cient method of reducing crimes flogging. But we must stress that the exacting .of vengeance by society. anarchist attitude, as of any higher Comrade Sansom was able to week, and the comrades concerned [violence by its deterrent effect had wondered whether the magis­ Newspapers’ Role morality, is independent of the question argue, and bring witnesses to prove, BS! exhaustively examined by a of efficacy. We are opposed to flogging, trate, Mr. Paul Bennett, would use wernmental enquiry, the Cadogan that the constable who charged him , How little the Cadogan Committee's as to capital punishment, because it is had not given him warning that he the intervening week to read up on i&mmittee, in ,1938. A leading findings, or a higher and humaner out­ in itself plainly wrong, and brutalises was liable to be charged, and had anarchism. This rather seemed to (article in the Times of October 22, look mean to the average newspaper those who inflict it. whether the prison be the case, for he appeared better is shown by the News of the World officers directly concerned or society in fact acted in an excited and Puimmarizes their findings: arrogant fashion. He was therefore informed at the second hearing, j “This claim was subjected by the (not by any means the most reactionary which is vicariously responsible. These paper for all its curious position in outmoded brutalities must be condemned acquitted on the second charge— questioning comrade Sansom on the Bdogan Committee to close statis- Sunday journalism), which begins an not because they are ineffective but of obstructing the police. On the anarchist attitude to law and ■cal analysis, and in each separate article advocat^g flogging in this com­ because they are wrong and degrading. first charge he was "fined the order, to which Sansom replied that instance the argument failed to anarchists were not opposed to (stand up to the test. The Com- order but were opposed to law. fmittee reached two main conc%- Mr. Bennett also mentioned (of F sions. Among men convicted of course!) the bomb-throwing of the [ crimes for which they could suffer KENYA: The Basic Question past, but Sansom pointed out that F corporal punishment, the subse­ he was not being charged with quent record of those actually p O L I C E rule, backed by army and naval units, is now the chosen order to show that even moderate throwing bombs. He agreed with flogged was neither better nor worse method of administration in Kenya since the onset of the “dis­ opinion in this country can see the Mr. Bennett that he was a peaceful than that of those merely im­ turbances”. Newspapers have been suspended, and representatives main issues and draws conclusions anarchist! prisoned, so far as the repetition of of African aspirations everywhere arrested. It is of little value for from them not very different from that class of crime was concerned; government spokesmen to claim that these steps are necessary; they our own. In other words, the Philip Sansom conducted his own their record for crime was decidedly are always reactionary and tyrannical, and the necessity for them only attitude of F r eedo m on the events defence and handled well all his worse. As regards the supposed argues the failure of the administration to deal with local problems in in Kenya is not an extravagantly own witnesses and the policeman, deterrent effect on men hitherto un- the past. extreme one, but is based on facts who could not think of a single ______Long-felt Discontents which are recognised in reformist question to ask any of the witnesses quarters. The discontents of the large although their evidence gave the African population of Kenya have direct lie to what he had said! EN6INEERINC WORKERS Causes of Unrest The members of the group declined been expressed by their own spokes­ With the same object in mind, let to take the oath on entering the Offer men for many years and have been us quote the Observer again on witness-box, but instead read the An Insulting Pay well known to students of colonial the question of the causes of this secular affirmation. ’ ■ 'HE engineers have now an oppor­ workers quiet. imperialism. But they have also present unrest. “The Kenya fire,” tunity. to reap the benefit of their But the rank and file among the been brought to the. notice of the editorial declares, “draws its There were several policemen union leaders' efforts on their behalf. engineers are not so easily kept quiet. the administration by government fuel from three sources: land- in the Court, smiling broadly at Strangely enough, they do not seem They have been waiting now for five officials and enquiries and reports. hunger, the growth of a slum living the magistrate’s, little jokes about particularly grateful for what those months—since last May—for an increase Here is an editorial writer in the leaders have done, for the pay offer the and often workless African prole­ anarchists, peaceful and otherwise, that will really mean some noticeable Observer (26/10/52): employers have finally, grudgingly, made improvement in their conditions. Small tariat in the towns and the ‘colour- but the smiles were quickly wiped bar’.” the unions is of twopence an hour— wonder if they are beginning to get “Land hunger is to the African off their faces when Mr. Bennett 7s. 4d. per week! restive. what unemployment is to the Not merely the Observer but all gave his decision. Our previous guess, therefore, that the And they have now smelt blood. It informed commentators on Kenya employers would offer 7s. 6d. was not European. Six years ago an official Incidentally, the group held a was not lost on the workers that it report on conditions in the Kiambu have pointed to these questions be­ far out—in fact, the shipbuilding em­ was at no time the masterly pleading of fore. But when they are stated bumper meeting at Manette Street ployers have offered the extra 2d. It their leaders that shifted the employers district of the Kikuyu Reserve said the week after the arrest; .there was would seem, however, that the employers that 40 per cent, of its population thus starkly, it begins to become from their obstinate stand of making no apparent why nothing was done no Obstruction and it was perfectly are a long way out if they imagine the offer at all, but purely and simply the were landless, and gave warning orderly—without a single police­ workirs are prepared to accept what about them: for to deal with such threat of direct action in the form of that some 90,000 persons in Kiambu man in sight. they regard as an “insulting” offer. the proposed .ban on overtime and ‘might become without means of problems requires that the whole The difficulty in the negotiations is piecework. support within a short time, some­ principles of imperialism be cut Meetings will continue there as that the spokesmen of the workers are through and jettisoned. long as it is possible. not themselves affected by the increases This ban was due to start on Oct. 20, thing which cannot be faced with for which they—allegedly—argue. The but was called off when the employers equanimity’. Again, the 1951 an­ Land hunger requires a basic union leaders are not paid the same showed signs of giving way. It is likely nual report of the Kenya African revolution in the property holding wages as the men they are supposed to to be called on again very soon, how­ Affairs Department,, said of the system. But it is also said that NOTICE ever, if the employers do not give way represent—they are paid much more. Kikuyu: ‘It is necessary to protect < there is not, in Kenya, enough land considerably further. INDOOR MEETINGS Not for them, then, the feeling of the loyal majority from being ex­ to go round even if it were dis­ urgency which the worker feels when Last week, the district officials of the CHANGE OF TIME AND PLACE Amalgamated Engineering Union in ploited through their genuinely-felt tributed. “The problem is one for the cost of living is continually pushing The present series of indoor discussion- London, Birmingham and Manchester grievances over land’. These warn­ the East African High Commission, at his pocket. Not for them the personal lectures will continue at the premises of the (three of the A.E.U.'s most important ings, from unimpeachable sources, which should be empowered to give British Dreme Leegue, 9 Fitiroy Squere, interest in getting a substantial increase districts) have. expressed their deter­ on the basic engineering wage. were not acted upon.” Africans the means to move from London, W .l (off Warren Street, Tottenham mination to press for an immediate Kenya into much less crowded Court Road). For them, sitting around a conference application of the ban. The executives There can be no doubt that the territories, especially Tanganyika.” The meetings will be held on TUESDAYS table in a board room, with the cigarettes of the 38 unions in the Confederation present situation could be seen circulating it is far more a matter for coming. That it has arrived in (The Observer.) at 7.30 p.m. of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions First meetings: them to point out to the employers that such violence and turmoil in itself are meeting in London on 30th October The question of a town prole­ TUES., NOV. 3—Albert Grace on they've got to keep the workers quiet to discuss their reaction to the employers' absolutely condemns the white somehow. And the union bosses and tariat is linked with that of the A DOCKER MAKES A SURVEY offer. Their decisions can only be adminstration. the capitalist bosses try to strike a landless peasantry. Just as the TUES., NOV. 11— S. E. Parker on bargain on how little will keep the awaited with interest. We have quoted the Observer in W " Centinued on p. 4 ANARCHISTS & ASSASSINS as marking the turning point in British there arc still some misguided readers A STUDY OF STRIKES trade unionism; or, as we would put it, who believe that the General Strike the degeneration of British trade union­ demonstrated the futility of syndicalism, STRIKES: A Study in Industrial that the author provides us with some the most comprehensive political ob­ ism. It was, he points out, the collapse we commend to them the statement of Conflict, by K. G. J. C. Knowles. pertinent observations. This is a period jectives, have, for the present at any of the General Strike more than anything the General Council of the T.U.C. quoted (Blackwell, 42s.) which sees the growth of great em­ rate, made massive and stubborn strikes else which accelerated “the change of on page 112: “The General Council does ployers’ organisations, the development obsolete. The resistant, militant elements heart” between employers and trade not challenge the Constitution. It is not PROSPECTIVE readers attracted by the of national conciliation, joint consulta­ in the- unions, although they have always unions in industry as a whole. Since seeking to substitute unconstitutional title of this volume—none will be tion and arbitration machinery, and the given life and enthusiasm to the move­ 1926 and especially since the downfall government. Nor is it desirous of under­ attracted by its price!—will be dis­ participation of the State in the control ment, have proved less and less able to of the second Labour Government in mining our Parliamentary institutions. appointed if they expect to find therein and management of industry. The effect dominate it. Nor has it been much 1951, official trade unionism—and here The sole aim of the Council is to secure graphic descriptions of the workers’ of the latter is of the utmost importance. affected by the activities of outside he is quoting G. D. H. Cole—“has for the miners a decent standard of struggle in its most dramatic form. The The functions of the State begin to over­ bodies”—such as the Communists and endeavoured, not to challenge capitalism, life . . As the author rightly observes book is a monograph issued under the lap the traditional functions of the trade the Catholics. With these facts, if not but to make terms with it; and it has elsewhere (p. 8), the General Strike was auspices of the Oxford University Insti- unions; the State becomes the greatest, with the jejune judgment on the regarded as its worst enemies not the “not so much a revolutionary general tute of Statistics and is, in fact, a pains­ employer of labour; and the unions obsolescence of strikes, we can all agree. employers, but those trade unionists who strike as a peaceful demonstration of themselves acquire “something of a niche taking survey and statistical analysis of So, too, can we agree with the author have endeavoured to recall it to a more civil disobedience”. Apart from its long­ in the edifice of administration”. The British strikes mainly in the period 1911 in fixing the date of the General Strike militant policy”. And, incidentally, if term effects, the inherent importance of result is that “the strike, instead of being to 1947. Parts of it make tough reading the General Strike lies not so much in a conflict between two disputants regu­ and a good deal of the analytical section what it was as in what it might have will be understood only by those versed lated by a theoretically impartial State, become if only the rank-and-file workers in the use of statistical techniques. is becoming more and more frequently CLINGING TO THE TYRANT had been prepared to act for themselves Nevertheless, it would be a pity if a 'conflict between State and individual”. instead of putting their trust in men like anarcho-syndicalists dismissed it as simply Mr. Knowles is no syndicalist: he is a B UT, now l come to a point which isThese six do the work so well for their Thomas, Dukes and Bevin—men who an expensive attempt to justify the mis­ sound Fabian who thinks that “strikes the secret and the source of domina­ principal, that in the eye of the world were only too scared that it was develop­ guided labours of an academic “theore- are always regrettable but not always tion, the support and the foundation ofhe is the evil-doer not only of his own ing into a threat to the Constitution. ticker”; the work of a man who,’ safely reprehensible”. We appreciate all the tyranny. Those who think that the wicked deeds, but also of theirs. These The book is concerned to state and to ensconced in the ivory tower of Oxford, "more, therefore, this confirmation of the halberds of the guard, the existence of six have six hundred, who profit under analyse, the facts rather than to draw any can afford to play about with the im­ truth in the anarcho-syndicalist conten­ the watchmen protect the tyrants, are very them, and these six hundred do what general conclusions. It is only in the personal statistics of events which often tion: the struggle of the worker to-day much mistaken in my opinion; 1 believe the six do for the tyrant. These six author’s closing remarks that we find any spell misery, hardship and self-sacrifice is and must be primarily directed against that the latter make use of them as hundred are the masters of six thousand, hint of a theory of strikes. Commenting for the workers involved in them. There the State. cl matter of form and for fear rather whom they have trained in such a way on the development of trade unionism is a lot of nonsense talked about strikes Other factors in the decline of in­ than that they should trust in them. The that they are able to govern the provinces from “irresponsible” independence of and it is not only confined to the columns dustrial militancy which the author deals archers prevent the coming in of people or to manage the financial matters on employers and Government to “respon­ of the capitalist press. If some of our with at some length are the developments who have no means of existence, and of the understanding that they attend closely sible” dependence, he argues that, so long comrades still harbour romantic notions in trade unionism itself. Summarising those arnied men who might perhaps to their cupidity and cruelty, and that as political methods of achieving social of the strike as the pitched battle between this section, he states: “The Trade undertake something. It can easily be they put these into practice whenever it and economic objectives remain open to i the heroic armies of the proletariat and Union movement has been becoming proved that of the Roman emperors abe thought necessary; and that, for the the workers, strikes are not likely t< the dastardly armies of the capitalists, more heterogeneous in composition and greater number have been killed by rest, they commit so many wrongs that return to official favour. Ceasing to a reading of this book will have a therefore, probably, less inclined to take their guard than escaped danger by the they cannot remain in office but under an instrument of trade union policy, ihc| salutary effect. mass strike action; the Union’s friendly assistance of their archers. It is not the the protection of their masters and can­ nevertheless, he thinks, fulfil the functi society functions have on the whole horsemen, not the footmen, nor thenot withdraw from the laws and from of calling immediate attention to ffl The first part of the book, which deals acted, as was originally argued, as a punishment but by their assistance. The with the nature of strikes, the legal and force of arms that protects the tyrant; weaknesses in the ever-more-compL stabilising factor; the permanent trade but, though it is scarcely credible at consequences are very considerable. And machinery by which industry is regulaf other restrictions on them and the union official, who has developed as a first sight, yet it is true, it is always if anyone should like to unwind the and, analysed statistically, provide I general influences affecting industrial negotiator rather than a strike leader, four or five people who maintain thethread, he would find out that not the certain measure of these weaknesses an militancy, is likely to prove of most has grown in authority; and the control tyrant, four or five who render the coun­six thousand but hundreds of thousands, more generally, of the distrust feltH interest to the non-academic reader. The of strikes—or at least the scale and try subject to his order. It was always millions of people cling to the tyrant byrank-and-file workers of the system general picture which emerges from the duration of strikes-^by the Union execu­ five or six men who had the ear of the means of this thread, helping one regulation as a whole. In this, he cl survey of this period (1911-47) is well tive has become easier to exercise. The tyrant, and they came to him or wcref another, just as in Homer, Jupiter boasts eludes, is to be found the justificaF known to the syndicalist, who. indeed, development of the T.U.C. as the general called by him to be the accomplices of of his power to draw all the gods to­ for permitting them to occur. Syld has been among the first to point it out. staff of the unions as a whole, and the his cruelties, the companions of his wards him by pulling one string.” calists are not likely to agree with Jp “Strikes,” to-day,” says Knowles, “are shifting of the strategical field from that amusements, the-mates of his voluptuous­ —de la Boetie : Voluntary Slavery comfortable Fabian conclusion bu(j very different from what they were 25 of mere wages and conditions to include ness and his comrades in plundering. (16th Cent.) does serve to underline the need fo i years ago. Yesterday they were battles; re-statement of the syndicalist theory to-day, few of them are more than pro­ the strike in the light of the rol test demonstrations.” The tightening of development of the managerial sod trade union discipline has tended to PEASANT society. It is not so obvious as restrict the length and size of strikes at MARX AGAINST THE should like to think that, in the mod the cost of an increase in the number MARX AGAINST THE PEA­ neighbouring farms with their agricultural in danger, provided that it could incul­ world, the anarcho-syndicalist objectiJ of strikes and particularly in the number SANT, by David Mitrany. machinery, though of course that often cate in them the idea that their property workers’ control of industry—can of unofficial strikes. It is in discussing (Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 25s.) means long hours of work for him. His was in danger. achieved mainly through the use of Jfl| the reasons for the tendency of trade farm is to him not a simple piece of This book is less important for its strike and other allied weapons. In a il unions to restrict the use of what was npHIS book can be recommended to property, but, in the first place a safe­ account of the historical fights between future reformulation of our theory t n once considered to be their chief weapon all who are not well-acquainted with guard for his existence and independence, Marxism and the peasants than for the empirical and statistical survey—the fiS the peasant movements of this century, and insurance for old age and sickness, problems it poses for anarchism, i.e., the of its kind to be published in Britain! and for anarchists it is of special import­ a sure provider for everything he needs; attitude of anarchism towards the attitude will be of the utmost value. RESISTANCE TO ance on account of the attitude of the in short, a precious possession, sometimes of the peasants to their property. It can I hope that enough has been said tl more precious to him than his own therefore be recommended to every anar­ EDUCATIONAL REFORMS peasant to his little farm and owing to convince the reader that this is an irrj the fact that the peasantry is—on a^orld family. He would consider the loss of chist who is concerned with practical portant*book for all those interested lid r a lecture last week, Mr. A. S. scale—probably the biggest section of his farm as the worst calamity which steps towards social revolution. recent industrial history and in the Harrison, of the University of our modern society—or at least more could befall him, and would fight any Willy F ritzenkotter . workers’ struggle for emancipation. It numerous than the workers in industry. system which would endanger his pro­ % i London Institute of Education, discussed ★ should, however, be added that it is the “sales resistance” of many teachers The author introduces the reader to the perty rights. And he would whole­ liberally laced with quotations—many of to the reform of the curricula and struggles for existence of the European heartedly support a system which helped [We hope to publish shortly a further them from syndicalist sources—which the methods of teaching in schools.- peasantry, and proves that the con­ him to get land, because the peasants study of this important book, by a propagandist will know how to use to Reforms had percolated through ceptions of Marxism are incompatible are always land-hungry, and their con­ student of Eastern Europe.—E ditor .] good effect. * G.N.O. 1 during the last 50 years, he said, but with the psychology, the aspirations and tinual aspiration is to get more land. basically the pattern of teaching was still the economical basis of the peasants. The aspirations and the attitude of the the same. Conservatism was partly Hence the enmity of the peasants for peasants to their property has shaped the responsible. Teachers were crippled by Marxism, and of the Marxists for the history of several countries in this cen­ Magistrates Reject Re-introduction “administrative arthritis”. For example, peasants. tury. The Russian peasants supported when the junior schools had been about Marx and the Marxists misjudged the the Bolsheviks because they gave them of Flogging to follow the kindergartens in reform­ economic basis of peasant life, blinded the land of the divided feudal estates. ing their curricula they had been stopped by their biased conception of economics, Later, they were expropriated and en­ A T the annual meeting in London sort they were considering were caused yesterday-of the Magistrates* Associa­ by the introduction of the “selection at i.e., that all property would automatically slaved on their own • soil. The same by the desire of young offenders to “look 11-plus” examination, which they con­ concentrate in the course of time into occurred in China, and the same ultimate tion, a resolution favouring the re- big” in the opinion of their fellows.' sidered left them no time for trying new relatively few hands, and that all artisans, fate awaits the Chinese peasants. With­ introduction of corporal punishment was What could give a lad higher standing ways. peasants, etc., would have to give up their out the support of the peasants, Hitler defeated. It advocated the repeal of than to be able to say he had been Educational reformers, Mr. Harrison occupations and become wage-earners. and Mussolini would not have come to Section 2 of the Criminal Justice Act, birched? The prestige of a man in thought,' were also to blame. They had This has come true to a certain extent power: the peasants were scared that the 1948, which abolished the power of prison who had been flogged was very tried to reform the curriculum piece­ in industry but in agriculture the pre­ Marxists would expropriate them, so courts to impose a sentence of whipping. great. It was his contention that to meal. Instead of replanning the whole diction of Marx has turned out to be they sought the protection of these An amendment stated that the associa­ reintroduce corporal punishment would they had devised means of overcoming contradicted by the facts: the peasants dictators. The list coulds be continued. tion, while regarding with concern the not prevent crime but increase it. individual weakness, and had then refuse to die the economical death pre­ Every reactionary movement could draw prevalence of crimes of violence and Not a Deterrent sought, not always successfully, to fit dicted by Marx; They are well able to help from the peasantry whenever it was supporting the view that such crimes Alderman George Hale (Burnley), | _ these into the old pattern. compete on the markets with the agricul­ demanded severity of punishment, noted seconding the amendment, said brutality tural products of big farms and land- that particular crimes for which corporal could not be cured by brutal ^methods. estates in price as well as quality. JOURNAL OF SEX EDUCA­ punishment could previously be imposed Mr. C. Royle, M.P., said the adoption The reasons for the abilities of the TION. had decreased since its abolition, and of the resolution would be a retrograde peasant are his organisation of his work /T HHE September-October issue of the recommended that the association should step. The 1948 Act was an experiment FREEDOM BOOKSHOP not be prepared at this time to lend and his view of life, i.e., his view of Journal of Sex Education (Vol. 5, and had not had the opportunity of a Men and Gods Rex Warner 27- his farm, because the peasant’s life is his No. 1), 2/6, contain^ tributes to the support to its reintroduction. The voting full test. It would be many years before Thirty-two of the most famous was 166 for the resolution and 219 for and most beautiful of the Greek farm. He works his 5 to 15 acre farm Journal’s late editor, Norman Haire and it could be properly proved. The sug­ myths retold from Ovid. with his family in a sort of family co­ an account of his life and work for* the amendment. gestion contained in the resolution was Mr. T. F. Marron (Eccles), who moved The World Scene from the operative, and tries to make the best sexual enlightenment. a barbarous one; it would mean a re­ Libertarian Point of View 2/6 he can of his farm for himself and his There is also a note on the future of the resolution, said the menace of version to the policy of “an eye for an Among the authors of the twenty crimes of violence was growing and family. He takes good care of the soil the Journal, which had been financed, eye and a tooth for a tooth”. essays in this collection are the courts were now unable to deal M. P. T. Acharya, Gaston and the crops so that on the average he edited and published by Dr. Haire The State should never reply to bar­ Lcval, Albert Meltzer, George raises more on an acre than the big personally. adequately with it. A high proportion barous behaviour with barbarous legal Woodcock and David Wieck. of crimes involved brutality and the The remaining contents of this issue practices. An addict of violent action The British* Worker public were entitled to protection. Ferdynend Zweig 2/6 include the text of a talk by J. C. Flugel could not be cured by his being given A social and psychological study on “Sublimation,” a further instalment of “Retrograde Step” a demonstration of violence. The aim of the industrial worker at THE SYNDICALIST home, at work and at play. Ren6 Guyon’s “Sex Offences in the Mr. W. Provost (Birmingham), second­ of the law in modern times was deterence ^^MONG the contents of the October Future Penal Code,” ah article on ing, said that the abolition of corporal and reformation rather than punishment. Psychiatry To-day * issue of T he Syndicalist are an Suffering would not reform. It created David Stafford-Clark 2/6 “Homosexuality: Active and Passive” by punishment was one of the most retro­ The problems of mental illness analysis of Bevanism, an article on D. W. Cory, “Sofne Notes on Nudism” grade steps ever taken in the annals of a desire for revenge on society in the and abnormality, its causes, its apprenticeship with the title “Youth and by A. M. Poznanski, an article on “The British justice. He did not believe that mind of the criminal and therefore could treatment, its medical and social the Machine,” a note on “ ‘Our’ Bomb,” a implications. I Right of Abortion” by Stella Browne, hardened criminals cared “two hoots” not be a deterrent. report on disabled miners, a brief history Obtainable from and Hans Lehfeldt’s “New York about corrective training of five years in Mr. John Watson spoke of the ex* of syndicalism in America and the sixth Letter.” There are also the usual prison. perience of juvenile courts when boys 27, RED IION STREET, in the series on anarcho-syndicalism. questions and answers, book reviews and Mr. W. W. Llewellyn (Wareham), who had been ordered to be birched. He T he Syndicalist costs twopence, ar.d LONDON, W.C.I correspondence. moved the amendment, said he had been thought there would be a good case for our readers may have it sent by post The Journal of Sex Education can be a house master and governor of Borstal birching if it prevented boys from for an extra two shillings on their yearly obtained from Freedom Bookshop for institutions fo r-27 years. He believed becoming criminals. In point of fact jjjg subscription to Freedom . 2/9, including postage. that a great many of the crimes of the did not have that effect. 3 Lessons of the Spanish Revolution —16 The Revolutionary Significance of the May Days [In last week’s instalment we dealt with the government in his detailed account of the struggle points out that parts of Barcelona and from the provinces of Catalonia provocations which resulted in the Barcelona ’'May negotiations were opened between the C.N.T. and the j to the effect that: Vol. 13, No. 44 November 1,1952 Days", the attitude of the Communists to this struggle Government, and lasted until six o’clock on the morning which cost the lives of more than five hundred workers, of May 4th, adding: “Toward morning the workers be­ *• . . the overwhelming majority of the population and finally we referred to documents which indicated that gan building barricades in the. outer districts of the city. were with the C.N.T., and that most towns and villages THE PRESS AND the "May Days" were part of a plan by the Catalan There was no fighting daring this first night but the were in the hands of our organisations. R would have separatist movement to eliminate the revolutionary general tension increased.” Only when the Palace of been easy to attack the centre of the city, had the res­ T H E P E O P L E elements in Catalonia and, with the aid of foreign powers, Justice was occupied by the police did the fighting ponsible committee so decided. Tliey only had to appeal to establish a Catalan State. Though the National Com­begin, and even then negotiations were proceeding to the defence committees of the outlying districts. But mittee of the C.N.T.-F.AJ. did not implicate the Com­ Aneurin Bevan has recently between the C.N.T. Regional Committee and trie the Regional Committee of the C.N.T, was opposed to MR- munists as being equally responsible in the conspiracy, government. renewed his contemptuous criti­ and though their objectives might not have been those of it. Every proposal of attack was unanimously rejected, cism of the British Press—not, in the Separatists, the fact remains that they were on the The government refused to accede to the C.N.T. including the F.A.I.” our opinion, without cause. The same side of the barricades.] demands that the police be withdrawn and that Salas and the Minister, Ayguadc, be dismissed, nor would it The attitude of the C.N.T.-F.A.I. leaders was that way m which the Conservative * negotiate until the streets were cleared of the armed the enemies of the revolutionary workers had wanted papers, especially the Beaverbrook YJ^HETHER or not the May Days were part of a workers. This was obviously a critical moment for this struggle as an excuse to liquidate them, and that press, have sought to exploit the carefully prepared plan does not seem to have been Companys and the politicians. By acceeding to the they should therefore refuse to play the enemy's game. established with documentary evidence. In his book, revolutionary workers they would be admitting that Bevanite controversy for party pur­ On the other hand, there were a large number of I Was Stalin’s Agent, General Krivitsky maintains that when it came to the point their power was based on militants who took the view that the C.N.T.-F.A.I. had poses has shed much more light he was aware of the approaching May Days. Reports a myth and that the armed workers were as strong, been playing the government’s game too tong, at the on the papers concerned than on he saw, in Moscow at the time, and the government as weak, as on that memorable expense of the social revolution and the struggle *\ . . made it clear that the O.GJP.U. was plotting to July 19th, when Franco’s carefully prepared putsch met against Franco, and that what was now happening in Ac particular case. For in it more than its equal in the badly armed workers ot can be seen that attitude, almost crush the ‘uncontrollable’ elements in Barcelona and Barcelona was a “show-down”. Souchy-—who adopted seize control for Stalin. . . . The fact is that in Catalonia Barcelona. It would mean that all these months of the "leaders” position—admits in his account that universal among newspapers the intrigue, of political sleight of band, of manoeuvring “perhaps at some other time, this assault upon the the great majority of the workers were fiercely anti- could be undone in one day. There was only one world over, which regards the news Stalinist. Stalin knew that a show-down was inevitable, telephone Building might not have had such con­ course open to the government: no compromise with sequences. But the accumulation of political conflicts not as facts of proved veracity, but but he also knew that the opposition forces were badly the revolutionary workers. as material to be manipulated to divided and could be crushed by swift, bold action. The during the past few months had made the atmosphere tense. It was impossible to stem the indignation of .serve a particular end. The fact O.GJP.U. fanned the flames and provoked syndicalists, Their task was made all the easier, and their final anarchists and socialists against one another.” success ensured, by the co-operation of the leaders of the masses" (our italics). Peirats also refers to the that readers are misled and the the workers’ organisations, whose r61e throughout the fact that the workers of the C.N.T. could not carry Krivitsky also states that Negrin had already been out the often repeated appeals by the leaders for an cause of truth not served at all is selected by Moscow as Caballero’s successor some struggle was a conciliatory one. Once the government plainly of little consequence to such months earlier, and that one further purpose the May refused to negotiate, they appealed to the workers to “armistice”, for “serenity” for “a cease fire”. “Dis papers. Days were to serve was to provoke a crisis in the lay down their arms using in the process the all too content among them was increasing. An important Caballero government and force the ‘’Spanish Lenin” familiar jargon of the politicians—what will the boys section of opinion began to express its opposition to the When statesmen address the press, at the front think, or, such action only helps Franco, attitude of the Committees. At the head of this extremist to resign. All the may be true, but no palpable evidence current were ‘The Friends of Durruti’ (Los Amigos de or representative journalists speak is brought forward, for instance, by Peirats* who sup­ etc. Meanwhile, the government resigned, and a pro­ visional one composed of one member from each party Durruti), This grouping was based on elements who at public functions, they represent ports this view but limits himself to lengthy quotations were hostile to militarisation, many of whom had left from Krivitsky. If then, the attack on the Telephone and organisation previously represented in it was formed the newspapers’ duty as informing (in this way it was possible to drop Salas and Ayguad6 the units of the newly-formed Popular Army when the Exchange was to be the signal for the Communists and voluntary militias were dissolved.” Their organ of public opinion, and draw derisive their allies to attempt the armed liquidation of the without any loss of face). By that time a delegation had arrived from Valencia, composed of the Secretary expression, El Amigo del Pueblo (The Friend of the contrasts with the totalitarian press revolutionary movement in Barcelona, it seems to have People), conducted a campaign against ihe Confederal whose purpose, they rightly say, is grossly misfired. Rodriguez Salas and his men arrived of the National Committee of the C.N.T., Mariano i (C.N.T.) ministers and Committees and advocated a the moulding of public opinion to there at 3 p.m. on May 3rd. The attack was halted, and Vdsquez, and the “anarchist” Minister of Justice, Garcia continuation of the revolutionary struggle started on in Peirats’ words: “. . . the cry of alarm by the beseiged Oliver. They were later joined by the “anarchist’ I suit an official political line. In July L9th, 1936. The Confederal Committees im­ workers was answered by the workers in the suburbs Minister of Health, Federica Montseny. Also from I mediately repudiated the “Friends of Durruti”. “In practice, however, the press in the and their energetic intervention initiated the bloody Valencia came members of the Executive Committee oi | spite of this, they did not disappear,” comments Peirats western world shows no kind of struggle at strong points and at the barricades.” Souchyt the U.G.T. Their efforts were directed at pacifiAiion > somewhat cryptically. It is to be especially regretted sincere adherence to a duty of at all costs—at least so far as the C.N.T. leaders/ were therefore, that to this “important scciion ot\opinion” • * J. Peirats: La C.Sf.T . cn la Revolution Espaiiola, Vol. 2 concerned. And this attitude was certainly not based ! • informing the public about facts, (Toulouse, 1952). the historiographer of the C.N.T. devotes but 18 lines. t Augustin Souchy: The Tragic JPee* in May, English Edition on a situation of inferiority at the barricades. According j about truth. (Barcelona, 1937). to Souchy, reports came in on the second day from aii | Continued on p. 4 Presenting the facts is one thing: ?bot another aspect of any paper’s [activity- is comment on news and burrenr events. Here again "'the Is it “ human nature" or a sick society! 'duties of the Press” as expounded on official occasions is a very dif­ TRENDS IN SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY FREEDOM PRESS ferent thing from the daily practice. MAR1E-LOUISE BERNER1 x Few instruments could exert a more D°. you change society by chang­ . ‘^Furthermore, while Freud, with his him through the mediation of his Neither East nor West powerful influence for progress than ing the; individual or do you individualist and biological orientation, ‘parents. It is bluntly stated that ‘per­ cloth 10s. 6d., paper 7s. 6d. a national daily paper. Yet how change the individual by changing bad believed that man was dominated to sonality is the subjective aspect of Workers in Stalin’s Russia. „ Is. rare in history does one-find a society? Further thoughts on this a considerable extent by his instincts, . culture,’ or, in the words of G. H. SELECTIONS FROM FREEDOM was innately aggressive and basically at Mead, that ‘it is absurd to look at the Vol. 1, 1951, Mankind is One progressive cause taken up and perennial question are offered by a odd|; with the civilisation he had mind simply from the standpoint of the paper 7s. 6d. materially assisted by the press? recent survey by the Times o f created, the Cultural school emphasized individual organism; for although it has j TONY GIBSON x Instead of ’ wise and" informed modern trends in psychological the importance of learning and cultural its focus there, it is essentially a social Youth for Freedom paper 2a. counsel, one finds a pandering to thoughtSf After discussing the training. Miss Clara Thompson, in a phenomenon*. (Carlo Levi, the Italian j PHILIP SANSOM x the lowest denominator of public various schools of thought among recent book, Psychoanalysis: Evolution novelist, has intuitively grasped this point Syndicalism—The Workers’ opinion. Freud’s discipl^i the article turns and Development, summarises the basic of view when he describes the mind as Nexf^Sipp is. jfo the “Cultural’’ .school within the thesis. of the „ Cultural school c ’il luogo di tutti rapporti,’ the meeting- ERRICO MALATESTA x The question of floggings will [ A n a rch y ^ 6d.' psychoanalytic ;school influenced by follows: place of all relationships.) The problem serve as an illustration. It is ob­ 7^*M an?s-‘ lust; for power and his of instincts. in man, once a major issue Vou—What Fori id. field anthropologists and the. "Be^j vious that liberal progress, which yearning for submission are npt in psychology, is treated by this school IM. BAKUNIN s havionrist” school in academic(i^eki has seen the * abolition (in thisS -basic biological needs but attitudes de­ erf thought with equal iconoclasm. Marxism. Freedom and the State . non-Freudian) psychology. Of the paper 2s. 6d., cloth 5a. country) of torture, of pubHcrexeeu-* veloped ;out of the raw material of Thus* in his Social Psychology, Robert Cultural school, the survey writesJj human nature! by a specific culture. Fari$ writes^ I HERBERT READ x tion, of slavery, will eventually, if An and the Evolution of Mon. 4k. I “As far back as the 1930s, Bronislaw When predominating trends in the cul­ “ ‘It does no good to search for the permitted to proceed, secure the ture .are destructive, the individual in it Existentialism. Marxism and A nar- abolition of flogging- Yet with Malinowski, on the. basis of hi$ own elements' of behaviour in the physio­ chksm. 3s. od. researches and field work in the \^om es frustrated and also destructive logical nature of man, because the Poetry and Anarchism. almost no exceptions,, the penny Trobriand Islands^' had suggested that jerf himself and others. vgp min’s most elements are not there . . . [They] will cloth 5s., paper 2s. 6d. j press has played up the-]satiisin, some, at any ratg** of Freud’s .observa­ ebnipelling problems have t6 do with b£ found not in the biological organism f he Philosophy of Anarchism. the vindictiveness, the Very lowest tion^ might prove to be artefacts of needs bis society has created in him. but in the social process'.” boards 2s. 6d., paper is. j emotions involved, in an attempt to western European culture rather than T& g^ not sex or aggression as such, “The biological, and individual ap­ ! 7 he Education of Free n. I s. j get flogging restored to the statute universally applicable truths^ about crSaite his^greatest difficulties’.” proach to the problems of neurosis is, !RUDOLF ROCKER: book. human nature. In other words, it was . w m ,. in the minds of many of the younger Nationalism and Culture. alleged that Freud, generalising from his Turning to the Behaviourists, the . generation of psychiatrists, giving place cloth 218. It seems that public opinion is own experience and timesx had wrongly to the goncept that neurosis is the result ALEX COMFORT t overwhelmingly in favour of the suiypy;Goiiti nu ^ ||« | * • Delinquency . 6d. attributed to ‘human; nature’ tpany “Whereas the orthodox Freudian view of ‘defective interpersonal relationships’ Barbarism & Sexual Freedom. cat and the birch. Yet how is one feature^ which were. simply ^xharaey has always been that personality was a which, in their turn, are the reflection paper 2s. 6d., stiff boards 3s. 6d. to assess such "a public' opinion” . ’qf a ’sick society’. Dr. L. K. Frank is terjstic of the patriarchigal middie-class creation of the first five years of life, ALEXANDER BERKMAN x when the press which should be society of western jEurqpe in the 1890s. the modern tendency is to assert that, expressing a fairly . general attitude ABC o f Anarchism. Is. presenting facts and profound argu­ although certain attitudes developed (although one which is. more popular in PETER KROPOTKIN x ments, merely se&ks to inflame during these years tend to persist, adult the United States than in Europe) when The State: Its Historic Rdle. Is. emotions and play on repressed behaviour is to a large extent influenced he writes: The Wage System. 3d. [• sadistic tendencies? Th^ N e w s o f of the: press in moulding public! by • the groups within which the : indi-. “ ‘If we .could regard crime, mental Revolutionary Government. 3d. opinion, and suppose that a vast vidual has to function and the; Social disorders, family disorganisation, juvenile Organised Vengeance Called Justice. the World makes great play of the delinquency, prostitution and sex of­ 2d. majority of the .people of this rdles .he has to play. Even his nuclear fact that their correspondents on fences,; and much that now passes as JOHN HEWETSON : the subject favour flogging by 50 country favour flogging that does personality, however, the relatively SexuaL Freedom for the Young 6d. Stable aspect of the mind developed the result of pathological process (for to H But when we see the totali­ not make flogging right. It still example, gastric ulcer) as evidence not . Ill-Health, Poverty and the State. remains a barbarous, shameful during the first five years of life; is' a , cloth 2$. 6d., paper la tarian press abroad “creating” pub- - creation of his culture as it has reached of individual wickedness, incompetence, procedure, and no amount of perversity or pathology, but as human GEORGE WOODCOCK x Be opinion and the government Anarchy or Chaos. 2s. 6d. then ‘^accepting the verdict of the majority support can.alter that. reactions to cultural disintegration, a New Life to the Land. 6d. forward step would be taken’.” people,we ..c&D only feel disgust It is of the greatest possible im-J Railways and Society. 3d. €.B;C.O. Horhes or Hovels? 6d. and revulsion. The whole art of portanc^ that individuals ’ Should ;7 ."'======~ . "•-==■* demagogy consists not in serving the /T*HE 13th Annual Report of the What is Anarchism? Id. retain the desire and the ability to ^ Central Board for Concientious Ob­ The Basis of CommunalLiving, la real wishes of the people (about the proclaim the truth and struggle THE PRBCE OF things that matter to them in their jectors, just issued, gives statistical and ★ towards progress Whatever the persAial information about conscientious F R EE DO M Marie Louise Berncri Memorial daily lives) but in making it appear majority think. And anarchists will objfttors to military service for the year ; Commitee publication* x that die government is the servant do well to remember this not only ended 31st March, 1952. Marie Louise Berneri, 1918-1949*. I of “the people” and simply carries in a world which pays so much lip A sign of the times in the report is is ij/- * (U.|& $3) for one A Tribute, cloth 5a out their wishes. the sentence, “We have . . . thought it j Journey Through Utopia. service; to the “voice of the people”, yeaJCjg 8/6 f o r 6 m o n th s , doth 16s. (O.S.A. S2-50) Now anarchists believe that peoJ but still more in a time of revolution right to approach the West German Government in anticipation of the re- 4/ 6. for three months. IS' pie in general are the best judges? wheq the glorification of the people K. J. KENAFICK x introduction of military service there, of their needs and a^e quite Capable can only too readily stifle the ideals Michael Bakunin and Karl Marx. with the suggestion that they should draw Thl£ is just at reminder to Paper 6a j of running their own lives. But this of the Social revolution itself. At on the experience of this country in its thq^ who have not yet does not mean that they accept the such times, as always, the proper handling of conscientious objectors.? : 27* Red Lion Street* folc of the majority. stilT lps that function o f the press is "the pursuit The report costs sixpence and is obtain-S renewed their subscriptions! gj^e majority is, of necessity, right of truth and devotion to ideals of able from the G.B.C.O., 6 Endsleigh St., London* W .CI. Even if we disregard the effect human progress. London, W.C.I. FREEDOM LETTERS TO THE EDITORS unfortunately, the self-styled anarchist authority, power, government, are used may not be a rational man. Despite the irrespective of the meanings hidden under Editors' extensive experience of the “hard daily glibness. POWER, GOVERNMENT, ANARCHISM, etc. • • realities of life*', there are men—rational Each of them contains a kernel reflection, [X must admit that anarchists—who will never misuse power. implying leadership not imposition. If this is described as State machinery, anarchist revolution. It demands a Power corrupts only those who are ^ the editorial repudiation of my 1 have no objection except to say that Authority is not force. It implies origin­ majority of anarchists for its success, and already corrupt. The greater the num­ ality and self-moving. in its derivation. “authority-delegation” theory of anar­ the term “anarchist State" would then if anarchists are already in the majority chist organisation in Britain is justified. not be self-contradictory. There, would ber of these men—and women—and the Power is not force. It implies ability B 9 before the revolution, the old form of greater the power in their hands, the But let me return to the main issue be no deterioration to the level of society will have ceased to exist, and arising out of self-training and is a nearer shall we be to the free society. with some comments. * , government as we know it so long as there will be nothing to revolt against. quality of being. Government is not Leicester, Oct. 19. P. L. Lewis. Editors' Reply: para. 1: I have not the society was aware of the social forces Those who think that a minority of anar­ force. It implies in its derivation guid­ tried to show that "power is not which can cause such a deterioration. chists can “educate the ineople" during ance, as if a helmsman. To quote Van dangerous if properly used"; in this The use of powers (legal or otherwise) the revolutionary period, n io re the new Eeden again: “The power which controls context, it is always dangerous. by a minority or a majority to impose the needle of a compass-needle is institutions arise, fail to understand the ■''T'HE speech of the herd has become The man who holds a loaded gun is its will is not necessarily immoral. Each irrational foundations of non-anarchist infinitesimal; nevertheless a great ship is Vain and hollow, a lame and un­ not necessarily using it for coercion; case must be judged on its merits. social institutions. Such failures in guided by this small degree of power.” dependable limb which, like a worn- however, I am prepared to coerce any­ Para. 3: The institution of government, mental functioning as superstition, pre­ None of the above qualities can be one, with or without a gun, with or limited by the absence of authority to judice, and irrationality" in general, are out piece of machinery, functions less bestowed by others. They are inherent, without preliminary “hair-splitting" per­ formulate punitive laws, is neither useless adequately every day . . . too clumsy to or cultivated by a man’s self. They are deep-rooted and cannot be persuaded deal with . . . innner meanings." Thus suasion. whenever I see fit. nor necessarily harmful, although every away: but they can be prevented (as by effective from within, not from without. The Editors are entitled to oppose this government must have authority and the free education of A.S. Neill) or cured the philosopher. Van Eeden. The words London, Oct. 20. Ephuaima A natole . view ; they may look askance at "people may have a police force. (as by the therapy of Wilhelm Reich). who have the means, and who are pre­ Para. 4: Here the fundamental differ­ It follows that progress towards an Editors’ Reply: pared in the last resort to impose their ences in our altitudes can be seen. The anarchist society must be gradual, and wishes on others by force if necessary": Editors look forward to the mythical that old-fashioned, unrealistic revolu­ [We will use comrade Lewis’ analogy Lewis and then proceeds to say that for but such high ideals sound strange from “social revolution” and “the destruction tionaries who neglect the practical pre­ of the gun in order to explain to himits success the anarchists must be in a advocates of the “social revolution", who of those institutions which are the basis ventative and curative remedies of to-day very simply what we mean by the majority, and that if they are there will are ready to meet with violence the of privilege," etc. These institutions can for the millenial success of to-morrow anarchist social resolution. In present- be no need to revolt as the revolution U violence of the ruling classes, presumably only be forcibly destroyed by destroying are merely hindering that progress. I do day society, a minority by pointing a will have already been model Is he- in the hope of winning the struggle and the men in whose minds they are rooted, not wish to imply that the Editors are gun at the majority is in a position toechoing what we meant when we wrote; M -A | imposing their desire for a new society on i.e„ by mass murder. They, serve a social guilty of such neglect, but the importance coerce and exploit that majority for its "we think that a social revolution which the minority who desire the old. need, which remains despite the des­ they attach to the destruction of institu­ own benefit. The aim of the anarchists, could be achieved in its initial stages ’ Para. 2; The entry of "anarchist” truction of buildings and documents, just tions suggests that they are' confusing is not to possess that gun but to destroy■ without violence is the one which has\ j ministers into the Spanish Government as a weed remains after it has been cut the symptoms with the disease. it. We do not hope to .win the struggle the greatest chances of a successful o&l-j I did not morally commit anarchists and off at ground level. The rational man is necessarily an in order to impose our desire for a new come . . But society does not evolve 4 syndicalists; only their agreement or There can never be a successful anarchist, whether he admits it or not; society on a Minority who desire the in this simple way. The ruling class doesi' , acquiescence could commit them. In fact, old. All we want to • do is to free not permit such thoroughgoing revolu-\ J the movement as a whole acquiesced. ourselves from the physical and mental tionary education, nor do the workers I Therefore, it was an anarchist movement coercion and exploitation of others. Italways have the patience to wait until A in no more than name. The main mis­ KENYA: The Basic Problem is true that as a result those who desire a - counting of heads shows they are) in I take here is not in “anarchist tactics” in the existing society will, be deprived of a majority. Revolutionary situations are ] joining the Spanish Government, but in W Continued from p. X this country can see the issues and the human material on which their not manufactured in cellars, nor describing such tacticians and their sup­ man-power needs of the industrial knows what the solutions are. privilege and power was built. By they follow any particular pattern. Our porters as anarchists. Anarchists have revolution were met in this country Such a process is nothing less than refusing to continue to be exploited byideals can only profit from revolutionary more in common with non-anarchists like a century ago by the Rural Exodus, the unmasking of imperialism and them are we coercing them? Yet that situations if there are at the time suffi- \ is in fact what comrade Lewis now cient anarchists, with clear ideas and \ Wilhelm Reich and A. S. Neill than with so the needs of industry in Africa shows once again, that those who these “pseudo-comrades". are' met by landless peasants who , maintains. with principles—and we insist that there J 1 agree that the Swedish syndicalists, oppose imperialism because it is can be no bartering of principles /o rl migrate to the towns because they wrong in principle and on moral expediency— who will play their part m l by their action, gave moral approval to cannot get a living on the land. A Our correspondent refuses to see that . the institution of government, or, more grounds have also the most practical once you give “executive powers” tothe workers’ struggle refusing all col-1 accurately, to the principle of administra­ radical solution of the land problem case. laboration with the politicians. Indeed* would deprive industry of its sup­ anybody, they are no longer your repre­ tion of social affairs by an executive Role of Native Educational sentatives, in the syndicalist serise of it is the task of the anarchists to wami body. They have my full support in this. ply of cheap native labour. that word. The executive, by definition, their fellow workers of the dangers they* Needless to say, the colour-bar is Establishments incur by allowing the initative to passu But it would be ridiculous to suggest It i$ now being said that the is the body charged with the administra­ that a man who elects representatives also entrenched in the social and tion of a government. Con)rade Lewis into the hands of the politicians, jfifowf with the explicit proviso that he does not economic distinctions between white Kikuyu Independent Schools As­ supports the action of the Swedish can they do this effectively with unclear^ authorise them to formulate laws and and coloured population. Radical­ sociation have been inculcating anti- Syndicalists who gave moral approval hands? impose them by force is morally respon­ ism in the approach to the economic European sentiments as against to the institution of government. Our One final word. To our minds the\ sible if those representatives use the legal needs of the Africans would re­ mission and government-aided dictionary does not give the hidden or only people who would not misuse! authority granted by the central govern­ quire the abandonment of white schools. (It is not, however, pointed the personal meanings attributed to power are those who refuse \—3 U ment to enforce their decisions. out that these latter schools extol government by our two correspondents. E d ito r s .] An anarchist could elect representatives privilege and hold over the adminis­ “The act of governing, or the state of. tration. Any radical change here imperialism and the advantages of only on the understanding that they were Christianity). Whatever form the being governed, especially authoritative am “assuming the authority for the exist­ would affect not Kenya only but administration of the affairs of a State the whole precarious balance of anti-European teaching of the ing laws, and for the administration of Kikuyu takes, it is clear that it will or other community; control, direction jwrirr"—in the usual sense of those colour relations in Africa as derive its force from the attitude or restraint exercised over men in a whole. Numerous instances— communities.” words. However, 1 must insist (thus of Europeans and their position of modifying my previous statements) that notably the Seretse-Khama mar­ * * * the existence of laws, the use of coercion privilege. No doubt the govern­ Comrade Lewis dismisses the Spanish riage and the appeasement of Dr. ment will seek to suppress such .to enforce executive decisions, and the Malan—have shown what the experience without drawing the real LONDON ANARCHIST n iftie r of a police force to carry them schools or re-staff them. But unless lessons; namely that the participation of GROUP settled policy of Whitehall is on the reality of white power and out, may be desirable in an anarchist this issue. the C.N.T.-F.A.I. in the Central and OPEN AIR MEETINGS society Let us suppose that the society privilege is altered, anti-European Catalan governments was the inevitable Weather Permitting has unanimously agreed that anyone Imperialist Impasse sentiments will continue to flourish. and logical outcome of their participa­ HYDE PARK rmsonably suspected of having com­ An imperialist administration To sum up: the Kenya situation tion in all the institutions of the State. Every Sunday at 4.30 p.m. mitted a murder shall be detained until may see the outstanding problems, is inherent in imperialist economic Once you start collaborating, where do MANETTE STREET the society or its authorised representa­ but its very nature prevents it and social structure. But the you draw the line? Comrade Lewis (by Foyle's, Charing Cross Rood! tives (Le„ a jury and/or criminological from doing anything about them. grievances of Africans could be tries to place conditions on such col­ Every Saturday at 6.0 p.m. experts! have decided what shall be This is why the warnings went laboration; hence all the contradictions duac The society may legitimately solved by the application of revolu­ in what he has written, which are too INDOOR MEETINGS authorise its executive to act on informa­ unheeded, and why the “remedies” tionary principles of social economy obvious for us to underline again. See front page tion received, decide whether “reasonable of imperialism consist in police and human relations. It does not * * * NORTH-EAST LONDON suspicion exists, and instruct police to rule and martial law. As we have look as if anything short of this will uThere can never be a successful •met aad detain the suspect. seen, even moderate opinion in be sufficient. anarchist revolution,” says comrade DISCUSSION MEETINGS IN EAST HAM A iternate Wednesdays at 7.30 p.m. C.N.T. workers. Souchy writes: The members of the NOV. 12i-Julian Pilling Lessons off the Spanish Revolution -16 C.N.T. saw that they had been betrayed and im­ "FOLK LORE” mediately informed the Regional Committee [which] 1 Caatiauctl fro m p. X He was right—if he was referring to the leaders intervened with the government. They demanded the LIVERPOOL who (hat very month had permitted the crisis in the Accufdwg to a Trotskyist writer, “The Regional Com­ police be withdrawn . . . Half-an-hour later the Generaliutt to be solved by “proving [to be]very com­ DISCUSSION MEETINGS at mittee m chc C-N.l. gave to the entire press—Stalinist Generality replied: the fait accompli cannot by recalled". 101 Upper Parliament Street, and bourgeois included—a denunciation of the friends plying. They renounced their former demands, modi­ Liverpool, 8. (t Durruii as agenU-provocaleui s ’.** fied (he desires of the proletariat by pointing out the And Souchy continues; “This broken agreement aroused necessities of the war against fascism, and urged them great indignation among the workers of the C.N.T. Had Every Sunday at 8 p.m. Just tu (he defence of Barcelona in July 1936 was ato concentrate (heir forces for the period after the the workers in the outlying districts been informed im­ spontaneous movement of the workers, so ui May J y37 defeat of the fascists” (Souchy), mediately of this development, they would surely have GLASGOW insisted upon taking further measures and returned the decision to be on the qiti uve against possible ft is not surprising, therefore, that following the failure INDOOR MEETINGS attacks once more came trom the rank and Am. the to the attack. But when the matter was discussed luter, of Vasquez and Oliver to persuade (lie workers to the more moderate point of view won out.’ (our italics). at leaders in July, as we nave already shown, concerned CENTRAL HALLS, aj Bath Street themselves with coma in toy the movement Jbcy were abandon Ute barricades (Oliver's radio appeal has been Once again information was being withheld from the afraid that the impetus winch so decisively routed rightly described as an "oratorical masierpiece which workers, and decisions taken at a higher level. And. in Every Sunday at 7 p.m. drew tears but not obedience”) Tedcrica Monlseny was franco's troops would carry forward in* social revolu­ the words of the Generality, “the fait acompil cannot With John Gaffney, Frank Leech, tion to a point wnere it would he outside Ihetr control. sent on behalf of the Valencia Government lo try out her be recalled”. Once more Ihe workers had been betrayed. oratorical powers on the “uncontrollable” workers of Jane Strachan. Eddie Shaw, This attitude of the C.N. I , lead or ship was not tost on Their compromise did not end the lighting. All it did Prank Carlin ■he politicians. What greeter condemnation ol the Barcelona. She came at a lime when the central was to make their task more difficult, for now with leadership than the repiy given by Company. to agovernment had wilhdrawn iroopi from the fronts the telephone exchange out of their hands, their means foreign yournaiiM who had predicted in April 1937 that ready for Modmg to Barcelona. But before leaving of communication were limited to the short-wave radio tivr assassination ol Antonio Martin, the anarchist ‘Valencia she obtained ihe government's agreement that station located in the C.N.T.-F.A.I. headquarters from "these forces were noi to be sent until such time as mayor ol Perigcerda and three of his comrades would which only orders to return to work, and capitulation FREEDOM lead to a revolt: "[CompanysJ laugned scornfully and’ (he Minister of Health should judge It opportune to could be expected. said the anarchists would capitulate as they always had do so ' (Petratsj. It is quite possible that Federtca The Anarchist Weekly before. "I Monlseny had no intention of calling the Iroopi to When, by Friday, May 7th, the lighting had ceased Barcelona to put down ihe street lighting, but this does but for occasional unimportant skirmishes, the Govcrn- Postal Subscription Nitre* t not in any way minimise the significance of her state­ felt itself strong enough to disregard any of the demands 12 months 17/- (U.S.A. $3.00] )5 fctis Morrow; lintdmlioa aad Cnnl*i-Hroa.ttv. la Sporm 6 months 8/6 [U.S.A. $ 1.50) (Now York, 19)1). gouchy amillom u p m May tdi , ment so far as the public was concerned; and it cannot pul forward by the workers. Several thousand troops “aswly-teutuiad group ulM ‘IrwiMs ol UuijM) furuluauna be denied that it wae a reflection of her feeling of had arrived from Valencia, and with them the control 3 months 4/6 (U.S.A. $0.75) ee dw fringe* of roc C.N.T.-KA.I., published a procUmaiuai self-importance, and authority over Ihe workers. of Ihe lighting units and the forces of public order in Special Subscription Rates lor 2 copies dsrianne seat 'A Revolutionary Junta has Soon canaiiuwa in Barcelona. Ail chuos responsible for ibe Ban ,, luiaiirrun So far at one can judge, the effect of (he intervention of Catalonia passed to the Central Government. Hostages 12 months 27/- (U.S.A. $4.50) losUer the protection at the government, elwll be eoecuwU 3 lie Ihe influential members of ihe C.N.T.-F.A.I. was lo create taken by the government during the fighting were not 6 months 13/6 (U.S.A. $2.26) P.O.L'M lthe anli-Sulllu.l Manuel Puny) shall he e member confusion in the ranks of the workers, and oblige thoec released, in spite of solemn promises to do so. Indeed, Cheques, P.O.'s and Money Order* should o t (he Kerohnionaor Junta bee.use they stood by the workers,' be made out to FREEDOM PRESS, crossed T V Regional Commute, decided not to (anew nub line prats- of the C.N1. to make all the compromises. Thus, on after the fighting hed ceased many further arrests were e/e Payee, end addressed to the publishers: mebao. The Libertarian Youth librnsse resected ir, On the Thursday, May 6th, to show their "wiUingnese lo restore made. A Strict press censorship was imposed, and the aivi day. Thureday, May Sth, their oflkeial « was various decree laws that had provoked the crisis in FREEDOM PRESS prated at the entire peiee of Jtercekma. “ Souehy deal net peace", the workers of the C.N.T. agreed to leave the p w the text of (he srei roi ml, and at dn lima of writing Telephone Boilding. The authorities promised to with­ April was put into effect, The bourgeoisie had gained 27 Red Lion Street we hose not haen able to arnmuk roe B n at M idandad 09r.ro draw the assault guard* at the same lime. Instead of a signal victory; the social revolution had suffered a 10 check trie r o a n a u made by Me Trashy in mnici. London, W .C .I England which they occupied the whole building, bringing in decisive defeat. feta Chancery 13*4 1 Oeh in The S m S jg U tm m • Aidefon, May i |, tpjy. mambeff* of the U.G.T. to taka over the jobs of the (To becontinued) V.R,