Slipperyslopes(theanarchistsinSpain)-ManuelAzaretto

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Writtenin1939byamemberofFORU(RegionalWorkersFederationofUruguay),thisbookascathingindictmentoftheleadersoftheSpanishCNTandFAIfortheirbetrayalofanarchistprinciplescontains,inadditiontoofficialdocumentsandproclamationsoftheCNTandFAIandarticlesfromtheSpanishandinternationalanarchosyndicalistpress,relevantpassagesdrawnfromMaxNettlau,DiegoAbaddeSantillán,DavidAntona,FedericaMontseny,JuanGarcíaOliver,PierreBesnard,AlexanderSchapiro,SebastiénFaure,Camillo

Berneri,MarianoVázquez,MikhailBakuninandotheranarchistsandanarchosyndicalists.

TranslatedinMay-June2014fromtheSpanishoriginalbyManuelAzaretto,LasPendientesResbaladizas(LosanarquistasenEspańa),EditorialGerminal,Montevideo,1939.

IntroductionbyJoséA.Barrionuevo

SlipperySlopes(TheAnarchistsinSpain)ManuelAzaretto

Introduction

Inourview,noneofthegreatsocial-politicaleventsofthelasttwenty-five

yearshasgivenrisetoasmuchhopeorcausedasmuchdisappointmentastheSpanishconflict.Andwealsobelievethatnosingleeventthathastakenplaceinthissamequartercenturyhasgivenrisetosuchprofoundorsuchopposedandpassionateopinionsasthisconflict,whosesorrowfulconclusion,unfortunately,stillinflictssuchpainintheheartsofthoseofuswho,despiteourdistancefromtheevents,havesufferedfromthedefeatandthepainoftheIberianpeople.

ButifthehopesandopinionsthataroseasaresultoftheeventsinSpainhavebeenamplyjustifiedinalltheso-calledpopularsectors,thisawakeningofhopes

andclashofopinionshasencounterednogreaterechoormorelogicaljustificationthanontheterrainoftheanarchistworkersmovement.Foritmustnotbeforgottenthatwhileitistruethatinthestruggleagainstfascismothernumericallystrongfractionswithsignificantinfluenceoverthemultitudesalsoplayedarole,itisnolesstruethatoneoftheforceswiththegreatestinfluenceamongtheSpanishproletariat,waspreciselytheonethatwasrepresentedintheinstitutionsthatinSpainadvocatedthesameprinciplesandaspirationsastheanarchistworkersmovement.Anditwaspreciselythiscommunityofprinciplesandfinalgoalsthatexistedamongalltheorganizations

thatwereenrolledintheranksoftheInternationalWorkingmensAssociation,whichexplainstheprofoundimpactthattheSpanishconflicthashadontheinternationalmovementandespeciallyontheFederacionesObrerasRegionalesUruguayayArgentina.1AndwesayespeciallyontheFederacionesObrerasRegionalesUruguayayArgentinabecausethesetwoFederationsbothwithdeeprootsintheproletariatonbothbanksoftheRíoPlatahavebeenthemostoutstandingorganizationsontheinternationalplaneduetothezealwithwhichtheypursuedthehistoricalcontinuityoftheirdailystrugglesandactivities,whichwerealwaysorientedtowardsanarchistsidealsandprinciples,

anditwaslogicalthattheSpanisheventswouldproduceineverysenseagreaterreactionamongthemilitantsofthesetwomovements.ThiswastobeexpectedbecausetheanarchistsofSpainonmorethanoneoccasionspoketousofthesocialrevolution,meaningtosaythattheynotonlyfoughttodefeatfascismbutalsotoestablishaneworderofthingsinharmonywiththeidealstheyclaimedtouphold.

However,thisreactionthathasbeenexpressedonthebasisoftheunqualifiedsupportforalltheactionsandpositionsofSpanishanarchism,includingspiritedbutsincerecriticismoftheorientationandconductoftheFAIandCNTduring

theconflict,hasledtounfortunateresultsamongourranks.ForunderthepretextthatitwasnotaquestionofcriticizingbutratherofgivingimmediateandcompletesolidaritytotheanarchistswhowerefightingfascisminSpainwitharmsinhand,theexerciseofcriticismwassetasideuntilafterthestruggleandthevoicesofthosewho,astheeventsunfoldedandwhenitwasnecessary,daredtobreakthecodeofsilenceimposedbythosewhoonlywantedtohearapplauseandpraiseevenforthemosthumiliatingattitudesoftheanarchismofthatcountryweretreatedasexpressionsofunmitigatedheresy.

Butifthecircumstancesmentionedabove

justifiedthefactthattheclashofopinions,asaresultoftheeventsinSpain,resultedinseriousfrictionbetweenthemilitantsoftherevolutionaryworkersmovement,theattemptsbyenemiesofallstripesandwithoutanyrevolutionarymorality,ontheotherhand,whohavetriedtosubjectanarchismtojudgmentbypresentingitashavingfailed,arenotatalljustified.Andevenlessjustificationcanbeadducedforthoseanarchistswho,deafandblindtoallexperience,arenowattemptingtoteachlessonsbasedonalltheerrorsofSpanishanarchism,aschoolingthatiscurrentlytakingplaceatthismomentinArgentina,Uruguayandotherneighboringcountries.

ItiscertainlytruethatmanythingshappenedinSpain,forwhichtheanarchistsofthatcountrywereresponsibleinwholeorinpart,whichhavecastagreatdealofdiscreditontheideaofanarchismheldbymanypeople,whoconsideredanarchismtobetheonlymovementthatwasincapableofdeviatingfromitsoldandcommittedpositionagainstthestate,refusingallcollaborationwithitstraditionalenemies.Thiscircumstance,however,whichalreadyconstitutesaseriousblowagainstanarchism,ismuchmoreseriousstillifwetakeaccountofthefactthatourenemies,bypointingtotheconversionofSpanishanarchisminpracticaltermsonallterrains,alsoproclaimthefailureof

thismovement.Ofcourse,itisclearthatthislatterclaimisabsolutelyuntrueandevencontrarytocommonsense.Butthefalsificationsofouradversariesdonotpreventconfusionamongtheworkers,nordotheylessenthedangerofourmovementbeingentangledinthewebofdiscreditthatthreatenstohaveseriousconsequencesforusinthefuture.

Thelieisalwaysadangerousweapon,butifitisdeployedattherighttimeandwithintelligenceitcanyieldresults,eveniftransitoryones,thatarefavorableforthosewhowieldit.Butifthelieandthedistortionofthetruthprovideeasyalthoughephemeralvictories,thegreaterandmorenobletask,sofruitfuldespite

thefrequentingratitudeofthosewhoareatthereceivingendofit,istospeakthetruth,evenifitinjuresus;thenobleandfruitfultaskforouridealsistoclearawaytheconfusiontowhichthedefeatofapeoplegaverise,aconfusionwhichentailstheconcealmentofthehistoryofamovementwhosemoralgrandeurisbasedonidealsthatcannotbetarnishedbythecalumnyofitsadversariesnorbydefeatistdesertiononthepartofitsdefenders.AnditispreciselythiskindoftaskthatisservedbytheworkthatiscarriedoutbycomradeAzarettointhisbook.

ForanarchismdidnotfailinSpain.Themenwhorepresentedit,thosewhospoke

andworkedinitsname,mayhavemademistakes;theSpanishanarchistsmayhavedeliveredovertowrackandruinallthatupuntilnowhasconstitutedthebestandmostpreciousmoralpatrimonyoftheinternationalanarchistmovement,butwemustaskwhetherallthemistakestheymade,ormighthavemade,authorizeandjustifythemalevolenceofthedetractorsofanarchismwhentheyseektopresentourmovementashavingfailedanditsidealsasplainlyfinished?AndtoattempttotransplanttoAmerica,ortotherestofEurope,invokingallkindsofreasons,practicalmodesofactionandtacticsthatareclearlyinspiredbytheSpanisheventsandbythepracticalexperienceoftheanarchismoftheIberianPeninsula,does

thisnotmeantojustify,withoutanyvalidreasons,sincetheseriouserrorsofSpanishanarchismareeasilydemonstrated,theargumentsofourenemieswithregardtothisallegedfailure?No.Neithertheonenortheotherisjustified.Ourenemiesdonothavethemoralauthoritytoattackus;nordowehavetotolerate,inthenameofideas,orotherreasons,theintroductionintotheanarchistworkersmovementofpracticesandvicesthat,overashortperiodoftime,woulddestroyitasalivingandactiveexpressionofmilitantanarchism.Itisinsteadaquestionofputtingeverythinginitsproperplace,attemptingtoshedlightontheinterventionofSpanishanarchismintherecent

unfortunateeventsofthatcountry,andtodogoodworkforanarchistsideasandtheinstitutionsthatrepresentthemontheterrainoftheeverydaystruggleforfreedomandamorecomprehensiveandeffectivesocialjustice.

ButjustwhatisitthatcomradeM.Azarettointendstoaccomplishwiththepublicationofhisbook,SlipperySlopes?Preciselywhatwehavejustdescribed:topointouttheerrorsandtheseriousdeviationsbroughttolightbytheeventsandtheobservedconductofIberiananarchism;toshowthattherewasnogeneralfailureofanarchismbutapureandsimplefailureofmen,andthattheinstitutionsthatmanypeopleconsidered

tobethemostrepresentativeinstitutionsoftheanarchistrevolutionweretooweaktorealizetheideastheyclaimedtorepresent.

Itremainstobesaidthatinthisbookthereisnoover-abundanceofeloquence.Itsauthorknowsnothingoftheliterarynuancesandthesensationalistphraseologythataresofashionablethesedays.SlipperySlopesisthusnotabookthatonecanreadforpleasure,norisitabookaimedatabroadpublicaudience.Thisisabookmeantforindependentminds,formindsopentostudyandthesereneanalysisofthedeedsandideasthat,itmustbeadmitted,haveburdenedthehistoryofinternationalanarchism

withdisagreeablepages.Amanofthepeople,aworkerwhoisalsoamilitantoftheanarchistworkersmovement,Azarettohassacrificedhisleisuretimetowritethisbookandhisgoal,asheexpresseditinaletter,istomakeamodestcontributiontoclearingtheairoftheinternationalenvironmentofanentirepropagandaplaguedwithinconsistenciesanddenialsandwhichhasmadeacultoftheheroismofapeoplewhowereusedascannonfodderandwhofoughtlikelionsbutforacausethatwasnottheirown.Asaresult,inthesepagesyouwillnotfindmeticulousandorderlyargumentsoftheexperiencesofleaders.Thebookhasbeenwrittenforthepurposeofconfrontingthoseruinouscurrentsofthe

emancipatorymovements.Andthatisalreadyagreatdeal.

InSlipperySlopestherearenotmanypagesdevotedtoexposingtheactionsundertakeninSpainbythetraditionalenemiesofanarchism.ThebooktendstodefendourmovementfromtheBolshevizinginroadsthatthreatenitasaconsequenceoftheforgettingofmanyoftheirideasbymanyanarchists,andforthisandnootherreasonthebasicthrustofitscritiqueisdirectednotsomuchatourenemiesasatthemenandinstitutionsofthemovementwhofollowedtheCNTandFAIandwhoparticipatedsoactivelyintheSpanishconflict.Nordoestheauthorspendmuchtimediscussingthe

causesofandwhowasresponsibleforthemilitarydefeatsthatculminatedinthetotaldefeatoftheSpanishproletariat.Foritmustbeadmittedthatitisnotexactlytheseaspectsofthequestionthatareofthegreatestinteresttoanarchistmilitants.

Azaretto,largelyignoringtheseaspectsoftheSpanishevents,oronlymentioningtheminpassing,hasselectedaseriesofexcerptsfromtextspublishedbytheCNT-FAIthat,transcribedinthebookintheorderhehaschosen,documentthetransgressionsandseriouserrorscommittedbytheresponsibleofficialsoftheseorganizationstotheprejudiceoftherevolutionthattheSpanishpeoplelaunchedwithsomuchvalorduringthe

memorabledaysofJulyandwhichthosesameofficialslatersuppressed.Itis,ofcourse,inevitablethatdeficiencieswillbenotedinthisbook.Therearechapters,forexample,thatcouldeasilybeenrichedwiththeinsertionofmoreextensiveormorecarefullyselecteddocumentation.Aswesaidabove,Azaretto,whomustdividehistimebetweenthefactorywhereheworksandthedailyactivitiesofpropaganda,haswrittenhisbookbyrobbinghimselfofhishoursofrest.AnditisonlytheurgentneedtocontributetotheclarificationoftheintellectualenvironmentofthemovementthatledhimtowriteSlipperySlopes.However,thedefectsthatwehavealludedtoandwhichthereaderwillnodoubtdiscover

forhimself,donotatallservetodiscredittheworkthathehasdoneorthegoalthatAzarettoseekstoachievewiththepublicationofthisbook.Beyondallthesefactors,however,thereissomethingthatnothingcanchangeandnoonecandeny:thesincerityoftheauthorandthenobilityofhisintentions.ThissincerityandtheseintentionsthatthereaderwillnodoubtdiscerninthepagesofthisbookareconfirmedbythelackofinterestinpersonalprofitthatcharacterizescomradeAzaretto.Forhehasannouncedthatthesmallprofitthatthesaleofthebookmightyield,ifsuchaprofitisrealized,willbedevotedentirelytothenewspapersOrganizaciónObreraandSolidaridad,thepressorgansofthe

FORAandtheFORU,respectively.This,itseemstous,speakseloquentlyenoughaboutthenoblepurposethatmotivatescomradeAzaretto,andsparesusfromhavingtosayanythingmoreaboutthismatter.Itisnonethelesstobedesired,andthisisourhope,thatotherworksofthissamenaturewillbeaddedtothismodestcontributionandhelptofurtherclarifythetumultuousanarchistmilieu.

Thereturntothetacticsandhealthynormsinspiredbytheanarchistideasthatwecallourown,iswhatmustinterestandbeofconcerntomenwhoreallywanttoretainunsulliedthelimpidcourseofamovementthatcannotandmustnotsilencethoseviewsthat,evenifthe

overridingnecessitiesofthestruggleareinvoked,aswasarguedinordertojustifytheaberrationsoftheSpanishanarchists,degradeitanddiscredititathomeandthroughouttheworld.

Giventhecurrentsituationoftheproletariat,confusedandcorruptedbyathousandcurrentsthatareopposedtofreedomandprogress,theveryfutureofhumanity,whichtodayfacesthemostterriblecrossroadsofitshistory,obligesustoraisewiththegreatestdeterminationthebannerofAnarchythatnoteventhedefeatistdefectionofsomeofitsdefendersorthecalumniesofitsenemieshassucceeded,norwilltheyeversucceed,indistortingorbesmirching,

sinceeverythingthathappenedinSpainhasonlyconfirmedallthatanarchismhasproclaimedandrecommended.Thisisourconvictionandthatiswhy,becausewelookforwardtobetterdaysforthemovementthatcountsusamongitsmilitants,wehavehappilyacceptedassociatingournamewiththatofcomradeAzaretto.Thatthecomradesandworkerswhoreadthisbookshouldreflectonitscontents,andespeciallythosewhoyesterdaydidnotevenwanttodelveintotheseproblems,iswhatwedesireandistheverybestpraisethatwecangivetoSlipperySlopes.

JoséA.Barrionuevo

BuenosAires,August1939

1.TheFOR,RegionalWorkersFederation;FORU=RegionalWorkersFederationofUruguay;FORA=RegionalWorkersFederationofArgentina[TranslatorsNote].

TothemilitantsoftheFOR

TothemilitantsoftheFOR

Atthisuncertainjunctureinthehistoryoftheworld,inwhichwewitnesswithshockthetotalcollapseofmoralandspiritualvalues;inwhichbruteforceprevailsoverreasonandjusticeandanundergroundcurrentofapostasyeasilyfracturesthenarrowlayerofideologicalvarnishofcertainpeoplewhose

consciencesareforsale,Iconsideritdignifyingandbeautiful,althoughithasbeenaccumulatedwiththebitternessofself-abnegationandsacrifice,tobeabletoexhibitacleantrajectory,anexemplaryactivityandanethicalintegrityworthyofthenobleandgreatidealthatweadvocateanddefend.

ThatiswhyIadmireandencouragethosemenwhoalthoughtheyareundergoingferociouspolicepersecution;unjustimprisonmentinjailsandprisons;thespiteoftheresentfulandtheapostatesenrolledinthemulticoloredranksofopportunismandthecalumnyandhatredofpoliticiansandcapitalistsstandfirm,uprightandhonest,voicingthe

imperishablepostulatesofAnarchyanddefendinginthedomainoflaborthelongrevolutionaryhistoryoftheFORsofArgentinaandUruguay,theirtacticsofstruggleandtheultimatelongingforanarchistcommunismthatistheemancipatorygoalofbothworkingclassorganizations.

Tothem,tothecommittedandbraveFORistmilitants,thisbookisdedicatedwhich,withouteitherreticenceoreuphemisms,itspagesoverflowingwiththesincerityofmyconvictions,focusesdecisivelyandstraightforwardlyontheurgentproblemposedforinternationalanarchismbytheCNTandtheFAI,withtheirerrorsandtheirdefeats,andseeksto

contributetotheirclarification.

ManuelAzaretto

Preface

Preface

ThebloodyconflictthatunfoldedforalmostthreeyearsinthecountrysideofSpainhasconcludedwiththevictoryofSpanishmilitarism,theclergyandthelandowners,cynicallysupportedandbackedbyinternationalcapitalismandtheforcesofreaction.Awoefulandunjustresult,becauseoftheefforts,thesacrificesandthelivesthatitcosttheSpanishpeople,butaresultthatwasexpectedbythematerialintereststhat

wereinplayandbythecoregroupsofconspiratorsthatturnedthepolitical,diplomaticandfinancialgearsofthiswar.

Forusanarchists,thisdramaticeventwillalwaysberememberedasacruelepisodeinthelongCalvaryofthepeoplesenslavedandhumiliatedbytheauthoritarianregimes,evenifithadonlybeenrestrictedtothebitterclashofpoliticalfactionsforpredominanceandtheassaultonstatepower.However,because,inthiscruelepisode,specificworkingclassorganizationsandinstitutionsdirectedbyanarchistsplayedarole,itisjustifiablyincumbentonustoconsidertheconflictfromitsverybeginningwhenthepeopleandthe

anarchistssurgedintothestreets,witharmsinhand,tothwartandtocrushthemilitaryrevoltasahistoricaleventofasocialcharacter,duetotheemancipatoryaspectitacquiredinsomeIberianregions,onlyinordertosubsequentlydegenerateintoacivilwarwiththeforeigninterventionofmilitarypersonnelandmateriel.

Asmaylogicallybeassumed,theinterventioninthisarmedstruggleonthepartoftheworkerswhoweremembersoftheCNTandoftheanarchistsorganizedintheFAIproducedgreatexpectationsandprofoundconcernswithintheranksofthemilitantsoftheworkingclassorganizationsonbothbanksoftheRío

Plata,theFORUandtheFORA,becauseoftherepercussionsthatcouldbeexpectedfromtheiractiveparticipationandduetothelessonsthattheconstructiveeffortsofthesenumerousproletarianforceswouldcontributetotheWorldofLabor.

HowcouldtheinterventionofourSpanishbrothersinthatvastinsurrectionarymovementnotproducesuchexpectations,howcoulditnotcauseustobeconcernedandplungeusintoprofoundmeditations,ifwiththeiractionouremancipatoryidealwasputtothetestAnarchyconsideredasautopiabytyrosandfalsefriends?Howcouldourheartsnotswellwithjoyandsatisfaction

ifthebraveandtenaciousconductofthecomradesoftheCNTandtheFAI,withthegenerouscontributionsoftheSpanishpeople,woulddependonusbeingspectatorsofthisfelicitousdawning,inonecorneroftheglobe,ofanewsocial,just,fraternalandsolidarity-baseddispensation,presentedbyasufferingandoppressedpeople,andpropagatedanddefendedbytheanarchists?Howcouldwenotbeinterestedinconfirmingthefaithfulinterpretationofourideologicalconcepts,whichrejecttheprincipleofauthorityandofallformsofexploitation,ifourcomradesinSpaineveniftheydidsowithmajorerrorscarriedoutabeautifulanarchistfinaljudgmentthatwasconqueredatthe

costofenormoussacrifices,ofbloodystatepersecutions,ofepicrevolutionaryeventsandtheheroicdeathsofsomanypeople?

ThisiswhytheenthusiasmthatfilledtheFORistworkerswithsuchpassionissounderstandableandsological,aswellastheemergence,everywhere,ofnumerousinitiatives,allofwhichwereorientedtowardscontributingmoralandeconomicsupporttothemilitantsoftheCNTandtheFAI.Materialsolidaritywasimpossible,duetothedismantlingofourorganizationalcadres,asaresultofthedissolvingactionofopportunism[chameleonism]andthestaterepressionthatafflictedalltheSouthAmerican

countries,andespeciallyArgentina,forsuchalongtime.Nonetheless,wepaidverycloseattentiontoallthediversechangesoffortuneofthisgreatevent.

Whatwecouldnothaveimagined,however,wasthatwewouldsoonperceivethefirstsignsofdeviations.Then,documentaryproof.Later,deceptivesophisticalarguments.Thesocialrevolutionhadbeenheldincheckandthwarted.

Thosewhohadconfirmedtheirhistoryofanarchistmilitancywithsublimeactsofheroism,generosityandawillingnesstorisktheirlivesinthefrontranksoftheassaultsquadsintheattacksonthebarracksinBarcelona,Madrid,Valencia,

Oviedo,Gijón,etc.,didnotfindimitators,inotheraspectsofthestruggle,amongthemajorityoftheresponsibleofficialsinthedirectivebodiesoftheCNTandtheFAI,whofeltincapableoforafraidtogivedirectiontoandchanneltheredemptiveimpulsesandtheoverwhelmingpassionofanoppressedpopulationwhohadfoundtheoutletfortheirjusthatreds,andwhochoseinsteadtodivertthemandconfusethem,recommendingnovelpracticesofdirectaction,novelformulasofsocialcoexistenceandnovelideologicalconceptions.Andwhatisevenworse,theydevotedthemselvestodiscreditingandpacifying,seekingtoneutralizethem,thosecomradeswho,understandingthat

theyfacedaconfirmedcaseofbetrayalofprinciples,1hadthecouragetocallattentiontoitandtofightthisbetrayalwiththehealthyintentionofrectifyingit.Theyweretoolate;theMarxistinclinationsthathadbeenpreviouslykeptunderwrapsandwhich,ontheotherhand,hadbeenrevealedonseveraloccasionsintheirpreviousactivitiesandexpressedviews,cameoutintotheopen.

***

ThismadeanenormousimpressionontheanarchistmilitantsofSouthAmerica.

ThesamepsychologicalphenomenonobservedasareboundeffectoftheRussianRevolution,wasnowtobe

observedamongus,althoughinalessconcentratedform.Thosewhointhepastwereobstinatepanegyristsofthedictatorshipoftheproletariateveryonemakesmistakesnowandthennowseetheirpositionjustifiedbytheabout-faceexecutedandadvisedbytheSpanishcomradesandinordernottodenytheirpasttheydevotethemselves,withablindpassion,tosowingconfusionintheranksoftheFORistmovement.

Fortunately,becausethecomradesoftheFORhavelearnedtheirlessonsfrompreviousevents,thisdidnotresultinthehoped-foreffects,andthecalmjudgmentandsensibleunderstandingoftheeventsthathadtakenplacepreventedpassion

andbitternessfromgettingtheupperhandandinsteadthecomradesdiscernedwithprecisiontheseriousproblemsthatwereposedtotheanarchistmovementinSouthAmericabytheselloutsandnoveltheoriesthattheCNTandFAImilitantshaddiscoveredandimplemented.

***

Timepasses.CalmhasreturnedtotheFORistmilieu.Mindsarebeginningtoreflectwithoutprejudiceontherawdatawereceivefromimpartialandsinceresources.

Thetimehascome,inourview,toanalyzethecausesthatforcedthecomradesoftheCNTandtheFAIto

interveneinthecivilwarthatbledandcontinuestobleedtheSpanishpeople;tocommentontheactivitiesofthesecomradesandtheirchangingpolicies;toindicatetheseriouserrorsandbetrayalsforwhichtheywereresponsibleandtothoroughlyanalyzetheconceptstheyofferedtojustifytheiractionsandthemethodstheypracticed,advisedandattemptedtobequeathasalegacytotheinternationalanarchistmovement.

Someonesaidthat,thetruthistheonlyVenusdeMilothatmendonotwanttoseenaked,butthisisnotpossible,inhomagetotheidealofredemption:Anarchy,whichwepropagateanddefend,overcomesthistruthandwe

provideitwithoutfigleaves,evenifwecloseoureyestothebitternessofitsreality.

Letusthereforeundertakethistask,withoutanyclaimtohavingcarriedoutameticulousdocumentaryreviewandwithoutanyconcernforthejudgmentthatthesellouts,thosewhohavesuccumbedtothediseaseofrevisionismandtheauthoritarians,willthinkthatthisworkdeserves.

1.TheSpanishwordusedintheoriginal,claudicación,istranslatedinthistextasbetrayalorbetrayalofprinciples,andoccasionallyassellout[s]orbacksliding,dependingonthecontext[TranslatorsNote].

Chapter1:ThecharacteristicsoftheSpanishanarchists

1

ThecharacteristicsoftheSpanishanarchists

Theanarchistidealhashad,formanyyears,intelligentanddiligentchampionsintheregionsofSpain.TheFirstInternationalwascourageouslysupportedbyitsSpanishSection,whichlaterbecametheSpanishRegionalFederationofWorkers,in1881.

WehaveoftentakenpleasureinreadingthebeautifulpagesofthebooksofPrat,

Mella,AnselmoLorenzo,TarridadelMármol.WerecalltherestlessandexemplaryactionsofSalvochea.In1906weknew,inArgentinaandUruguay,AntonioLoredoandotherswhosenameswecannotrecall.

AndwealsoknowthatsincetheSpanishanarchistsappearedonthestageofthesocialstruggle,theyhavesufferedpersecutionandmanywereshot.

ManuelBuenacasa,inhisbook,Elmovimientoobreroespańol,citesthefamousuprisingofJerez,inJanuary1892,inwhichfourthousandmen,shoutingVivalaAnarquía,enteredthecityandhelditforseveralhours.

Butwedonotwanttostraytoofarfromoursubject.ItistheNationalConfederationofLaborthatweareconcernedwithhere.

WewouldnotbehonestifwedidnotsaythatthecharacteristicsoftheanarchistmilitantsoftheCNTinSpaindeserveourclosestscrutiny.Moreover,wecansaythattheenormousamountofpropagandasenttotheIberianpeninsulafromSouthAmericaandtheexchangeofmilitantswiththeFORistmovementofArgentinaandUruguayanexchangemadenecessarybythepersecutionsanddeportationsthatwehaveundergoneandwhichwereimplementedbyrepublicananddemocraticgovernmentsonbothsidesof

theRíoPlatadidnotexercisetheinfluencethatwewouldhavedesired,sincewehavenotedthatactivitieswithintheCNThaveseldommanifestedtheintransigence,courageandconvictionsthatwehaveourselvesdisplayedagainstallpoliticalfractionsandthestate.

SincethefoundingoftheCNT,inSeptember1911,upuntiltoday,theCNThasundergonemanyfluctuationsinitsideologicalorientationanditspracticaltacticsofstruggle,andwearenottheonlyoneswhothinkso.AsBuenacasa,inthebookcitedabove,says:

Ihavesaidandwrittenonmorethanoneoccasion,thattheCNTofSpainhasexperiencedperiodswhoseexemplary

naturehasalmostovershadowedthebestmomentsoftheoldSpanishSectionofthefirstInternationalWorkingmensAssociation.Itcannotbedoubted,however,thatthisinstitution,duringtheperiodbetween1919andtoday[1926],hassufferedfromthemostlamentablemistakesandthemostdisastrousdeviations.

WhilerelationsbetweentheCNTandpoliticalelementswereneververycordial,theCNTdidremainincontactwiththemandeventriedtoattractthembymeansofobjectivealliances.ThelessonsofthestrugglesthathadtakenplaceallovertheworldhadnoinfluenceonthemindsoftheSpanishmilitants.It

wouldappearthattheysoughttoreestablishthesincerity,orrathertheingenuousness,thattheiranarchistpredecessorshaddisplayedforsomanyyears,intheirattempttomaintaintheunityofthetwotendenciesintowhichtheEuropeanproletariatwasdivided:anarchistsandauthoritarians,afactthatwasconscientiouslydescribedandstudiedbyLópezArangoinhisbook,Elanarquismoenelmovimientoobrero.

SostubbornwereourcomradesinSpain,intheirattempttoattracttheworkingclassmultitudeswhohadbeeninfluencedbytheMarxists,thatitwasnotenoughtoconvincethemoftheirerrorbyreferringtothemanybetrayalsforwhichthe

MarxistswereresponsibleinalltheconflictsinwhichtheCNThadtoconfrontthecapitalistsandthestate.AndasfortheauthoritarianmentalitythatdominatedtheMarxists,thisisdemonstrated,asplainasday,byaveryrecenthistoricalfact:theOctoberrebellioninAsturias,wheretheimpracticalityofmergingtheMarxistswiththeanarchistswasrevealed,tosuchadegreethattheenormousdifferenceofpracticalorientationsandpoliciesthatdistinguishbothproletarianfractionsbecameclearlyevident,adifferencethatcouldhavebeendistinctlyappreciatedinSamaandLaFelguera,neighboringtowns,inwhichattemptsweremadetoimplementnewformsofsocialexistence,

whichonlyhighlightedthedifferencesbetweenthem;forwhileinSamaacommitteemodeledonthedictatorshipoftheproletariatwasorganized,whosechekaarrestedtheanarchistsinordertoputthemontrial,inLaFelguerathecomradesconductedthemselvesinaframeworkoffullfreedomandsolidarityamongitsinhabitants.

***

Letuslookback,however,andexaminetheallianceacceptedbytheCNTwiththeUGTandtheleftistpoliticianslikeCombóandLerroux,thatwasimplementedasapreludetothegreatstrikeofAugust1917,which,althoughithadarealrevolutionarycharacter,was

betrayedbythesocialistsandrepublicans,andthisunfortunateexperimentalallianceresultedincountlessvictimsamongthemembersoftheCNT.

AlittlelaterasaresultoftheelationcausedintheanarchistranksbytheeventsthatweretakingplaceinRussiaweobservedaprocessofBolshevizationintheCNT,whichledtoagreatdealofconfusion.

Pestańa,whowasaprestigiousmemberoftheCNTorganization,wenttoMoscowtoattendtheSecondCongressoftheCommunistInternational.Accordingtosubsequentreports,thissamePestańawasalsoasignatoryofthe

foundingconstitutionoftheRedTradeUnionInternational.

OntheIberianpeninsula,meanwhile,theconversos1whohadacknowledgedtheneedforatransitionalinstitutionthedictatorshipoftheproletariatcontinuedtosowthenewseed,andweresosuccessfulthatatthefamousCongressoftheCNTheldattheTeatrodelaComediainMadridin1919,theyobtainedtheapprovalofthedelegatesforthefollowingshockingresolution:

ThattheNationalConfederationofLaborofSpaindeclaresthatitisafirmsupporteroftheprinciplesoftheFirstInternationalasadvocatedbyBakunin.Itdeclaresitsprovisionaladherencetothe

CommunistInternational,becauseoftherevolutionarycharacterwithwhichitisimbued,andinthemeantimetheNationalConfederationofLaborwillorganizeandconvoketheworldwideworkerscongressthatwillagreeuponanddeterminethebasesuponwhichtherealWorkersInternationalmustbefounded.2

Intheinterestsoffulldisclosureandtohighlightitscontradictions,weshallpointoutthatatthesamecongressamotionproposingamergerwiththeUGTwasrejectedandwereadthefollowingdeclarationofprinciples:

Takingintoaccountthefactthatthetendencythatismostpowerfullymanifestedintheworkersorganizations

ofallcountriesistheonethatleadstowardsthecomplete,totalandabsoluteliberationofhumanityonthemoral,economicandpoliticalplanes,andconsideringthatthisgoalcannotbeachievedaslongasthelandandtheinstrumentsofproductionandexchangehavenotbeensocializedandaslongastheall-encompassingpowerofthestatehasnotdisappeared,theproposalissubmittedtotheCongress,thatinaccordancewiththeessenceofthepostulatesoftheFirstInternational,thattheCongressshoulddeclarethatthegoalthatispursuedbytheNationalConfederationofLaborofSpainisAnarchistCommunism.

WehaveprovidedthesedetailsconcerningthewaytheCNTwentaboutproposingallianceswithpoliticianswhichfullyjustifyBuenacasasstatementthattheCNThassufferedfromthemostlamentablemistakesandthemostdisastrousdeviationsinordertoprovidethereaderwithsomebackgroundinformationconcerningthelaterattitudesadoptedbytheSpanishlaborconfederation.

DespitethemistakescommittedandthediscouragingresultsobtainedinthevariouseffortsbytheCNTtoattempttoputitsunificationistslogansintopractice,theCNTpersistedinitserroneousways,forattheZaragozaCongressofMay

1936,itapprovedaresolutionthatcalledupontheUGT,anavowedlypoliticallaborunion,toenterarevolutionaryalliancewhosepurposewouldbethedestructionofthepoliticalregime.Thisalliancewasachieved,withgreatfanfareamongthemembersoftheCNT,intheyearoftheoutbreakofthemilitaryrevolt,andwasbitterlycriticizedbytheUruguayanFORacritiquethatwaspublishedinthefifthissueoftheInternationalJournaloftheIWAacritiquethatweshallsubjecttofurtherexamination,insofarasitrelatestothisalliance,sinceitssensiblecommentsweretobecompletelyvindicatedbytheeventswithwhichwearenowsofamiliar.

1.AhistoricaltermreferringtoJewishorMosleminhabitantsofSpainwhoconvertedtoCatholicismduringtheconquestofSpainbytheChristianmonarchy,especiallyduringthe14thand15thcenturies[TranslatorsNote].

2.TheseresolutionsweretranslatedintoEnglishandpublishedintheIWWsIndustrialPioneer,March1921,p.53,asfollows:FIRST:ThattheConfederaciónNacionaldelTrabajodeclaresitselfthefirmdefenderoftheprincipleswhichgaveformtotheFirstInternational,sustainedbyBakounine;SECOND:ThatitdeclaresitsprovisionaladherencetotheThirdInternational,becauseoftherevolutionarycharacterofitspresent

directorate,anduntiltheorganizationandholdingoftheInternationalCongressinSpain,whichistolaythebasisuponwhichwillbefoundedtherealInternationaloftheworkers.[TranslatorsNote.]

Chapter2:Theanti-emancipatorypositionoftheCNT

2

Theanti-emancipatorypositionoftheCNT

Thepro-politicaltendencyintheCNTinthisemergencystandsopposedtothebrillianthistoryoftheSpanishandinternationalworkersmovement,whose

passionforthecauseofhumanliberationwastransmittedtoitbythefirstinternationalists.TheCNTdoesnotactinaccordancewithitsrevolutionaryexperiencesfromthevantagepointofitspositionsintheinstitutionsofthestate,butratheradvisestheinternationalproletariattofollowitsexample,urgingittoabandonitsrevolutionarypositions,andtosetasidetheprincipledanarchistintransigenceagainstauthoritariancurrents,inordertothusembracethepoliticiansofantifascism,who,asfarasthecauseoftheworkersisconcerned,arenobetterorworsethanthepoliticiansoffascism,sinceifthereisindeedanydifferencebetweenthem,thiswouldnotbeareasonfortheanarchist-oriented

internationalrevolutionarymovementtoabandonitsrevolutionarypositions,whicharecharacterizedbydirectaction,anti-statismandtheanarchistgoal,inordertosubmittothebourgeoisierepresentedbyantifascism.

Theimprovementofthelivesandtheworkingconditionsoftheproletariatanditsliberation,canonlybeobtainedbywayofthemeansofstruggleandpropagandathatdistinguishanarchism,whicharesolidlyandresolutelyopposedtoallpolitical,statistandauthoritarianideas.Anyotherpracticewouldamounttocooperatingwiththeenemy,consciouslyorunconsciously,inordertomerelyprolongourmiserableexistence,

towhichwearereducedbytheiniquitousexploitationoftheemployersandtheoppressionofthestate.

***

EveryoneknowsthepositionoftheCNT,but,inordertorevealtheperniciouseffectthatitwouldhaveontheworldproletariat,especiallyontheSpanishproletariat,iftheIWACongressweretoapproveofitsgovernmentalistpolicies,weshalltranscribesomeofthepointsoftheUGT-CNTUnitedActionProgramwhich,asweshallsee,contradictsanarchistprinciples,andwhichstandsinabsolutecontrasttotheprogramapproved65yearsagoattheCongressofCordobathatapprovedtheresolutionsof

Saint-ImierandrejectedthoseapprovedatTheHagueandwhichdemonstratethatnowtheCNTispracticingthestatisttheoriesthatwererejectedbytheSpanishproletariatatthatCongress.

THEUGT-CNTUNITEDACTIONPROGRAM1

NATIONALDEFENSE.

TheUGTandtheCNTrecognizethegreatprogressachievedinthecreationofthePopularArmywithregardtoitscombateffectivenessandthetechnicalimprovementofitscommandstructureandaredeterminedtoreinforcealltheresourcesthatwillfacilitatetheformationofaregularefficientArmy,thatwill

guaranteevictoryinthewarandinanyforeignmilitarycontingenciesthatmightresultfromthatvictory.

TheguidingideaoftheUGTandtheCNTintheircollaborationinseekingtoimplementtheseimmediatereformsisthatofarapidandoverwhelmingvictoryoverfascism,toimplementapositivedemocracyinalltheaspectsoforganizationandactionofthewar,toreinforcetheCommissariatasameansofpurgingandstrengtheningthePopularArmyandTOMAKEAPRACTICALCONTRIBUTIONWITHTHEIREXPERIENCEANDTHEIRFORCES,INTHEWORKOFTHEGOVERNMENTBODIES,ASSUMING

ALARGEPARTOFTHEIRRESPONSIBILITY.

WARINDUSTRIES.

4.Transport,whichisbyitsverynatureofthegreatestnecessityforthepurposesofconductingthewar,willbeplacedatthedisposaloftheGovernment,CENTRALIZEDANDMILITARIZED,withtheprovisionthatitshouldberequiredbyunavoidablenecessityandthatproductionandcommerceintherearguardshouldnotbesubjecttoextortion.

COLLECTIVES.

1.TheUGTandtheCNTagreethatthe

juridicallegalizationoftheCollectivesisnecessaryandthereforeconsiderthatlegislationconcerningtheCollectivesisalsoneededthatwilldetermineWHICHCOLLECTIVESWILLCONTINUETOEXIST,rulesfortheirconstitutionandoperations,andstateinterventionintheiraffairs.COLLECTIVESTHATDONOTABIDEBYTHISLEGISLATIONMUSTDISAPPEAR.

2.ThestatewillassisttheCollectivesthatcomplywiththislegislationandwhoseeconomicutilityisacknowledged.

3.ThelegislationconcerningtheCollectivesmustbestudiedandproposedtotheGovernmentbytheNationalCounciloftheEconomy.

WAGES,PRICESANDPROVISIONS.

2.ThecreationofstrongConsumersCooperativesattheretaillevelandtheestablishmentofProducersCooperativesmustbeencouraged,withveryrestrictivelegislationapplyingtothelatterandtheestablishmentoflargewholesalesalesoutletsforexportpurposesUNDERTHERIGOROUSCONTROLOFTHESTATEinaccordancewiththeresolutionsoftheCounciloftheEconomy.

3.TheUGTandtheCNTagreethataminimumwagemustbeestablished,onethatispeggedtothecostofliving,andthattakesintoaccount,ontheonehand,

theprofessionalcategories,andontheother,theoutputofeach.Inthissensetheprincipleofformoreandhigherqualityproduction,morepaywillbedefended,withoutanydistinctionwithregardtogender,orage,aslongasthecircumstancesrelatedtotheneedsfornationalreconstructionshouldprevail.

WORKERSCONTROL.

10.TheGovernmentmustpromulgateaworkerscontrollawinwhichtheresponsibilitiesoftheworkerswithregardtothecontrolofproductionandthesurveillanceoftheiroutput,theirroleintheadministrationanddeterminingthedistributionofprofits,workingconditionsandthedefenseofsociallegislation,will

beestablished.

AGRICULTURE.

TheUGTandtheCNTannouncetheirsupportfortheNATIONALIZATIONOFTHELAND,whichmustbeconveyedinusufructpreferentiallytotheagriculturalCollectivesandCooperativesand,amongthelatter,especiallytothoseformedbytheUGTandtheCNT,respectingthewillofthepeasantswhoprefertocultivatetheirlandindividually,andalsoentailingtheimplementationbythestateofapolicyofassistancefortheexistingCollectives,withpreferencefortheUGTandtheCNTandthosewhichshallbevoluntarilyconstituted,INACCORDANCEWITHTHELAW,by

theworkersinthecountryside.

Therightsofthesmall-scalelandowner,asadirectcultivatorofthesoil,willberespectedaslongashecanprovethathislandWASLEGALLYACQUIREDANDASLONGASHEABIDESBYTHERELEVANTLEGISLATION.

SOCIALWELFARE.

TheGovernmentwillundertaketostudyformulasforfamilycompensation,tobelegallyimplemented.

ThetwoOrganizationsproclaimtheircommitmenttoensurethatattheendoftheconflictagainstfascismtherightoftheSpanishpeopleandespeciallythe

workingclassTOENDOWTHEMSELVESWITHTHATFORMOFGOVERNMENTthatrespondstothesacrificethattheyarenowmakingandtomaintainatruedemocracyinourcountrywillbeguaranteed.

ThesepassagesclearlydemonstratejusthowdeeplyimplicatedtheCNTwasinthestatistprinciple.TheyrepresentadistinctcontrasttotheCongressofSaint-Imier,whoseresolutionswereapprovedbytheSpanishproletariatattheCongressofCordoba65yearsagoandliberatedtheinternationalproletariatfromfallinginchainsbetweenthehammersofpoliticsandthestate,thuspointingouttotheworkersoftheworldtherevolutionary

paththatwillleadthemtotheirtotalemancipation.TheCNTpracticallyrejectedtheintellectualpatrimonyandeffortsofthemostvaliantfiguresofanarchism,representedinthebrillianthistoryofanarchismintheworkersmovement,whichallowedittoassumeanextremelyelevatedplaceamongrevolutionarypositions,acquiredinbloodystrugglesandfrompreciouslessons.

ThesepassagesalsoshowhowtheSpanishproletariatwasforbiddenallindependenceofaction,offreeorganizationandpropaganda,ofrevolutionaryexperimentationandanyaspirationforafuturefreefromthe

oppressorstate.Andhowallitsactivity,asproducerandintermsofpropaganda,wastobecontrolledandauthorizedbythestate.WiththesepracticestheCNThandcuffedtheworkers,subjectingthemtotheyokeofwagelabor,sothattheywouldcontinuetobevictimsofexploitationbyprivateorstatecapitalism,andrenderedallfreedomofactionontheirpartforthedefenseoftheirinterestsandtheirlibertyimpossible.

Thereignofinjusticeistherebyperpetuated,byallowingforthecontinuedexistenceoftheprivilegesofthedronesofthehumanhiveandanexistencefullofprivationandsuffering

fortheworkers,whoaretherealproducersofsocialwealthandprogress.(TheFederalCounciloftheFirstInternational)

***

Fromwhatwehaveseen,itwouldappearthattheanarchistmilitantsofSpain,duetoalackofcoherenceintheiractivity,aconfusedfocusonsocialproblemsandtheunstablenatureoftheiranti-stateandanti-politicalconvictions,haveallowedcertainMarxistmethodsandconceptionstotakerootandflourishamongthemthatopenlycontradictthetermsthattheyuseintheirpropaganda.

WeshallnotfollowthePestańasandthe

Peirósintheirconfusedadventuresthatledtotheformationofthesyndicalistpoliticalparty,forwhichtheformerwastoserveasadeputyintherepresentativebodiesofthePopularFront.ManyothersamongtheCNTeliteactedandthoughtinaccordancewithauthoritarianperspectives.NothingismoreilluminatingatthisjunctureforthepurposeofexplainingthedeviationsthattookplaceduringthecivilwarandthatwereendorsedbytheleadersoftheCNTandtheFAI,thanthefollowingarticlepublishedinMay1936inTierrayLibertad,entitledSlipperySlopes,inwhichtheauthoritariancurrentisidentifiedandwhichfeaturesthefollowingobservations:

Alltheslopesareslippery,andonefalsestepwillcauseustofall,andleadustotumbleheadlongintotheabyss.Ifonflatandfamiliarterrainonecanadvancewithoutanyconcern,withoutnoticinginsignificantobstacles,withoutpayinganyattentiontotheoccasionaldifficulties,whenwehavetoclimbmountains,withhighpeaksanddangeroussummits,alloursensesmustbealertinordernottomakeadisastrousmisstep,inordernottogoastraywithoutanywayout.

Theroadoftherevolutionisnotflat;itisriddledwithdangers,withdifficulties,withwellequippedenemies.Wehavetogoforwardcalmly,avoidingtheobstacles

thatwearenotinapositiontodestroy,overcomingdifficultiesandskirtingnotafewdeadlyabysses.Nonetheless,ourfriendlyhandisalwaysopenforthosewho,awareofallthesedangers,undertaketheriskwhentheycanandwhentheydare,sothathumanitycantakeastepforward.Therevolutionimpliessacrifices,energeticstruggle,butalsoacalmandclearviewofwhatwewantandthemeansthatmustbeemployedtoachieveourgoal.

Overthecourseofseveraldecadesofexistenceasanideaandmovement,anarchismhasestablisheditstrajectory,itsideasanditsmethods.Bythetimethatalmostallofuswereborn,anarchismhad

alreadyexisted,delineatedinitsaspirationsandtactics.Thisdoesnotmeanthatitiscompleteandperfect,thatitwillnotadmitanymoreenrichment,ormoreconclusionsderivedfromexperience,andthatwehavetobindourselvesindedicationtowhatourpredecessorshavesaid.Wehaveproventhatweareiconoclasts,thatwearealwaysreadytoembraceanyidea,anyinitiativeandtosubjectthemfreelytoevaluation,inordertoderivefromthemthemaximumbenefitforourgreatcause.Wearenotunalloyedandpetrifieddoctrinaires,enemiesofallinnovation,ofallboldthinking,ofallinitiativeforactionthatdisturbsthestagnantandtheimmobilized.Andthatiswhyweare

tolerant;thatiswhywealwaysopposeeverythingthatcutsoffthefreedomofthoughtinourowncampandeverywhere.

Wecannot,however,ceasetobewhatwewanttobe;wecannotdenyourselvesinoursocialmeaning,preciselyatthemomentwhenallsocialandpoliticalvalueshavefailedandourlibertariansolutionistheonlyremaininghopeforhumanredemption.

Athesishasoftenbeenrepeatedinpublicconfederalproceedings,bysomeofourcomrades,onethatanarchistsnolongerdiscuss,justaswedonotdiscussmanyothermattersthathavebeendefinitivelyaddressed.Iamspeakingoftheconquest

ofPower,oftheseizureofPower,ofthecreationofrevolutionaryarmies,etc.,whichamountstoaconfessionthatanarchismhasnoreasontoexistandthatwemustreturntothemethodsofauthority,thesystematicandreasonedcritiqueofwhichdistinguishesthepositionthatwehavetaken.

Thisisnotthefirsttimethattheseattemptstorehabilitatetheauthoritarianmethodsofrevolutionhavetakenplace.Rebelliouspassioncausessometobelievethattheanarchistsaremovingtooslowly,thatthesolutionistotaketheshortcutofthecoupdétat,theroadtotheconquestofPower.ThereistalknowofdemandingthatthecurrentGovernment

handoverPowertotheworkersorganizations.Allofthisisnotjustamisstep;itisaheadlongplungedownaslipperyslope!Thefactthatthesethingshavealwaysbeenadvocatedintheenemycamp,andthatthepossibilityofcarryingouttherevolutionbydecreehasbeenproposedbythesepeople,istobeexpected;butthatthesethingsshouldbesaidinthenameofanarchism,byanarchistcomrades,cannotbeallowedtogounnoticed.Cordially,withallthecordialityofwhichwearecapable,weinvitethesecomradestoreflect,tostopforamomenttocontemplatetheabyssintowhichtheyarefallingfromtheslopeonwhichtheyfindthemselvesandtoreturntothegoodroadoffreedom,which

isnotjustanidealaspiration,butatacticalinstrument,amethodofstruggle,aninterpretationofaction.

ThisadvocacyoftheseizureofPower,regardlessoftheintentionsofitspartisans,canonlybenefitthepartiesthatpinthehopesoftheirrevolutionarydoctrineontheConquestofPower.WedonotwanttoseizePower,wewanttodestroyit,andnotjustdestroyit,buttopreventitfromeverbeingreconstructed,andwearenottoofastidiousaboutthemeansrequiredtoachievethisend!;thereisonlyoneroadthathasproventobeimpracticalforthedestructionofPower:itsconquest.Apartfromthismeans,allroadsandallweaponsseemtobegoodas

farasweareconcerned.

Webelievethatabriefpauseforreflection,outsidetheimpassionedarenaofpropaganda,willmakethesecomradesunderstand,whomwedonotwanttolose,andofwhoseassociationwedonotwanttobedeprived,thattheyhavedepartedfromthelibertarianchannel,fromthegoodroadacceptedbytheanarchists,towhichtheyshouldreturn,avoidingdangerousconfusion.Fornowthatisall.

***

Ourinclusionofthisarticleheredoesnotmeanthatweacceptallofitspropositions.Wehaveincludeditforthe

solepurposeofdemonstratingtheexistenceofapowerfulMarxistcurrentwhichitdenouncesthatwasundermininganddestroyingthestructure,thepracticesandtheideologicalconceptsthatupuntilthenhadbeenthepredominantessenceoftheCNT.

Theauthoritariantheorythatwasidentifiedand(ineffectively)combatedbytheeditorialistofTierrayLibertadwasalreadyacancerontheIberianpeninsulaandavirulentepidemicthatalsomadeitselffeltinourcircles,againstwhich,morethanonce,wehavegoneontheoffensive,advisingtheworkerstoimmunizethemselvesagainstthesepestilentialbacilli.

Norwerewetheonlyones.Withregardtothisquestionitseemsmostpertinenttorecallthecriticalconceptsadvanced,inJune1936,bytheoldmasterMaxNettlauIbegyourpardon,iconoclastsagainstthevenerablebeardedoneswhowaslogicallyalarmedbytherapidpropagationoftheconfusionistvirus,whichappearedinvariouscountriesunderdifferentnames.

HereisthepassagefromNettlau:

Forfortyyearsanarchismhasbeensubjectedtoinfiltration,so-calledpuresyndicalism,nationalism,dictatorship,transitionalperiod,platformism,etc.,andthecurrentfashion,whichisnotinitselfanythingnew,electoralanti-

abstentionism,belongsinthesameseries.Theverydistinctionbetweenquestionsofprinciplesandsimpletacticalquestions,whichimpliesthat,fortacticalreasons,oneshouldbepreparedtotramplealloveronesprinciples,doesnotpossesstheleastresemblancetotheanarchistview.Theanarchistprincipleknowsonlyoneformula,ratherthantwo:eitheroneprofessesitsideas,oroneabandonsthembyovercomingonesscruples.Theseinfiltrationsinevitablydestroywithintheirvictimsanytraceofalibertariansentimentandsoonerorlater,butgenerallyquiterapidly,transformthemintonationalists,fascists,Bolsheviks,politicians,orworkerists.

Thisunavoidabledebrisistheresultofakindofauto-purgationofweakandinconsistentelements,whothinktheyareanarchistswithouteverreallyhavingbeenanarchistsatall.Andjustasabigrivercannotbepollutedbytheharmfulsubstancesdumpedintoit,so,too,doesthelong-livedandworldwidecurrentofanarchismautomaticallypurifyitselfandcontinueonitsway.

Itisbecomingclearerwitheachpassingdaythatthefinalstrugglewillbeneithereconomic,norpolitical,betweenclassesandparties,butintellectualandethical,andwilltakeplace,undermultipleforms,betweentheprogressiveindividualsofanethicalbentwhopossesssome

intellectualcapacity,andtheunderdevelopedstragglers.Itisnecessarytoopenlysaythis:completeAnarchymustissueastheoutcomeofthisstruggle,integral,healthyandrobust,andnotthatmiserableabortionthatisengenderedbythetirelesseffortsoftheinfiltratorswhenevertheygetthechance.

MaxNettlau(fromSolidaridad)

1.ExcerptsfromthetextoftheMarch1938UGT-CNTUnityPact[TranslatorsNote].

Chapter3:Theinsurrectionaryclimate

3

Theinsurrectionaryclimate

WedonotneedtoomanyargumentstoprovethattheenvironmentinwhichtheSpanishpeoplelivedduringtheperiodleadinguptoJune19,1936,wasoneofopeninsurrection.ApopulationthathadenduredsomanyyearsoftheBourbonmonarchicregime,AlfonsoXIIIbeingthelastrepresentativeofthiscenturies-longrule;thathadtosufferunderthedisastrousinfluenceofthelegionsof

monksandfriars,withtheirobscurantistandsuperstitiouspreaching;thathadbeentheplaythingofthelocalcaciquesandpoliticalbosses,withtheirpromisesanddeceitfulness,andwhichsheditsbloodsoabundantlyinthedesolateregionsofMorocco,ledbytheambitionsandintriguesofthethugswhostaffthehighestlevelsoftheroyalistmilitary,logicallyhadtowakeuptorealityandmakethemselvescapableofconqueringtheirwellbeing.

Theoppressionthattheyweresubjectedtoundertherepublicanaswellasthemonarchicalregimesinstinctivelyledthemtorebelagainstthosewhowereoppressingthem.Theyhaveoftenproved

thatwithintheirrankshopeandapromisingnewdawnarebeingcultivated.

TheSpanishpeoplehaveaglorioushistoryofepicrevolutionaryattempts.Fewarethecities,townsorvillageswhosestreetsarenotstainedwiththebloodoftheworkersandanarchists.AlongtheroadsinSpain,likebattleflagsofrebellionandvengeance,onesees,oneafteranother,crossesofwoodorsimplesignsindicatingthatonthatspotananarchistfighterhadfallen,murderedduringthemercilessimplementationofthelawofflight.

InJuly1909,afteranenergeticprotestcampaignagainstthewarinMorocco,ahugegeneralstrikebrokeoutin

Barcelona,inwhichthegeneralpopulationofthecityalsotookanactivepart,andthepopulationsurgedintothestreetsandevenburnedchurchesandmonasteries.ThisepisodehasbeengiventhenameoftheTragicWeekbecauseoftheenormousnumberofworkerslivesthatweresacrificedduetotheviolentmeasuresofrepressionadoptedbythedespoticgovernmentoftheclericalistAntonioMaura.

Ashorttimeafterwards,thefounderoftheModernSchool,FranciscoFerrerGuardia,wasshotinthedungeonsoftheghastlyfortressofMontjuich,byorderofthesameMaura,andthisreprehensibledeedcausednotonlythepeopleofSpain,

butalsothepeopleofthewholeworld,topourintothestreetsinprotestagainsttheSpanishgovernment,consideringthiscrimetobeashamelessmaneuveroftheIberianclericalparty.

IntheregionsandthecitiesoftheNorthAsturias,Vizcaya,Bilbao,Santander,Oviedo,etc.thecampaignagainstthewarfoundfertilesoilandwhenthegovernmentwantedtosendtheyoungsoldiersofSpaintotheslaughterhouseoftheRiff,themothers,sistersandgirlfriendsoftheboysrebelledagainstthemilitarycaste,eventakingtheirprotesttothedockswherethetroopsweretoembarkforMorocco,temporarilypreventingtheirdeparture.

In1911,abloodyincidenttookplaceinatowninthevicinityofValenciaandtheCivilGuardimmediatelycarriedoutviciousrepressionagainstitsinhabitants,inthepreludetothefamoustrialknownastheCullera,inwhichtheprosecutingattorneycalledforthreeconsecutivelifesentencesforoneworkerandlifeimprisonmentforeveryoneoftheother17workerswhowerehisco-defendants.Thistrialhadamajorimpact,forinBuenosAiresandMontevideoaprotestcampaignwasorganizedagainstthisjudicialoutrage.

Theseincidents,andthosethatfollowedduringthereignofAlfonsoXIII,ledtomajormassacresofworkersanda

tenaciousandcruelpersecutionofanarchistsandrevolutionaryworkers.

DuringthedictatorshipofPrimodeRivera,whichlastedsevenyears,themenoftheCNTwerebitterlypersecuted,andmanyofthemweresubjectedtothedictatesofthesadlyfamouslawofflight;theworkerswereshotunderthepretextthattheyhadattemptedtoescape.ThebloodstainedgeneralMartínezAnido,organizerofthefreetradeunions,soweddeaththroughoutthestreetsofBarcelona.

ThencameApril14,1931.TheSpanishpeople,tiredofsupportingsuchdespotismandexploitation,turnedtheirattentiontowardsthepoliticianswholoudlyproclaimedtheirrepublicanviews

and,hopingforaradicalchange,helpedthesepoliticianswinthemunicipalelectionsonthatdate.KingAlfonso,responsibleforsomanycrimesandpersecutions,wasovercomewithfearandfled,leavingthegovernmentinthehandsoftherepublicans.

Allofthischangednothingwithregardtothemethodsofoppression.Therepublic,too,imprisoned,persecutedandshotrebels.DuringperiodoftheAzańagovernment,whopresidedoveracabinetthatincludedLargoCaballero,Quiroga,Maura(junior),Prietoandotherssomeofwhomweretolaterplayaprominentroleduringthecivilwarthecrimescontinuedtobecommitted,butnowinthenameof

therepublic,andthetotalnumberofdeadandprisonersreachedintothethousands,manyofwhomweremilitantsoftheCNTandtheFAI.

IntheperiodofthecabinetpresidedoverbyCasaresQuiroga,bloodyincidentstookplaceandthestatereactedwithgreatviolence,culminatingintheignominiouseventofthetragedyofCasasViejas,whichhadworldwiderepercussions,where,underorderstotakeneitherwoundednorprisoners,alargenumberofpeasantsweremassacredforthecrimeofyearningformorebreadandfreedom.ThenthetragicLerrouxrosetopower,who,determinednottofallshortoftheeffortsofhispredecessors,continuedto

carryoutaferociousrepressionagainstthemostinsignificantinstancesofprotestandrebellion,fillingthejailswithanarchistmilitants.

NowwecometotherevolutionofAsturias,ledbytheAsturianminers,inwhichtheaffiliatesoftheCNTandtheFAIplayedanactiverole.ThebloodyrepressioncarriedoutbyGeneralOchoaisabittermemory.

Chapter4:The“PopularFront”

4

ThePopularFront

ItcannotbedeniedthattheSpanish

peoplecontinuedtopayaveryhighpricefortheiryearningtobefreeandtoenjoythefruitsofliberty.ThetragedyoftheAsturianinsurrectiondevastatedtheirspiritsandthevoicesthatechoedfromtheprisonswouldtellataleofshockandsuffering.MorethanathousanddeadandmanythousandsimprisonedwastheresultthattheLerrouxgovernmentcouldboastofhavingachieved.

Theambitiousso-calledleftistpoliticians,exploitingthissadsituation,usedasarallyingpoint,intheelectoralcampaigntoreformtherepresentativebranchofgovernment,freedomfortheprisoners,andunitedundertheBolsheviksloganofpopularfront.

Thebaittheyofferedwaspersuasive;theprisonersdemandedtobefreedandthesentimental,sincereandalwaysnaiveworkerscontributedtothevictoryoftheleftistelectoralslate.TheCNT,whichwasanti-politicalduetoitstradeunionstructure,andwhichhadledbeautifulcampaignsinfavorofelectoralabstentionism,onthisoccasionsuspiciouslychangeditsattitude.

Santillán,who,eventhoughhehadnotsetasidecertainscruples,explainedthisfactwithouttheleasttraceofironyinthefollowingdelectableparagraphs:

WithregardtotheelectionsofFebruary16,1936,wewereconfrontedinSpainwithoneofthemostseriousmomentsof

ourexistenceasamovement.Wehadthekeytothefutureinourhand.Butanti-electoralpropagandahadbecomearoutinethatwashardtoovercome.Principlesandtacticswerecapriciouslyinvoked.Andeveryonerememberedtheanti-electoralcampaignofNovember1933,themostintensesuchcampaignever.Theywereinsistentlydemandingarepetition,almostacarboncopy.Thesituation,however,wasclear.Ifweoptedforelectoralabstention,aswehadalwaysdonebefore,thevictoryoftherightwouldhavebeeninevitable.Thevictoryoftherightwouldbefascismwithalegalandpopularsanction.

Thereweremanymilitantswhodidnot

wanttounderstandthisandraisedaclamoragainstourview.Severalextremelytenseweeksfollowed.Iftheresponsibilitywasnotsogreat,wewouldhaveleftthefieldopentothedemagogueswhosuddenlytransformedthemselvesintothefierceguardiansofprinciplesandsoughttoteachuslessonsaboutRevolutionandAnarchy.Weresisted.Undernocircumstancescouldwehandoverpowertotheright,totheforcesofGilRobles,byabstaining.Norwasitpossible,becausethelackofunderstandingwouldbeevengreater,toopenlyadvocateparticipationintheelections.Itwouldhavebeeninterpretedasadefectionfromourprinciples.Fortunately,thegoodinstinctsofthe

broadmassescametoouraid.Wefocusedontheliberationoftheprisonersand,inourpress,wesetforththechoices,andcarriedoutareasonablepropagandacampaignthatpreventedabstentiononthescaleof1933andconsequentlymadethevictoryoftherepublicanleftpossible.

Nocommentariesarenecessarywithregardtothispoint,forSantillánhasspokenquiteclearly.Hedoesnotunderstandwhathedoesnotwant.

Disappointmentdidnottakelongtoarrive.Whilesomeprisonerswerereleased,otherpeoplewereimprisoned,becausethesocialproblemcontinuedtobecomemoreexplosiveastheworkersorganizedfortheconquestofeconomic

improvementsthatSpanishcapitalismrefusedtoconcede.

ThesloganofthePopularFrontgovernmentwas:Firstreinforcetherepublic;thenconcessions.ThissloganwastakensoseriouslythatstrikesweredeclaredtobecrimesoflčsemajestéandtheleftistssoughttosettlestrikesledbytheCNTincourtsofarbitration.TheterribleordealofthemembersoftheCNTandtheFAIcontinued.Thereactionwasfierceandbloody.

Whiletherevolutionaryworkerswerebeingpersecutedwithferociousrage,thelandowners,theclergyandthedisgruntledmilitaryofficerswereallowed,logically,intheenvironmentof

conspiracyinwhichtheylived,toworkintheopenlightofdayinpreparationforthemomentwhentheywouldattempttoseizepower.SovisiblewerethemaneuversofthereactionariesthattheCNTmadethempublicinanannouncementdistributedonFebruary14,1936,whosecrucialparagraphswereproducebelow:

Witheachpassingdaythesuspicionthatright-wingelementsarepreparedtolaunchamilitaryuprisingbecomesmorewidespread.Itisevenamatterofpublicknowledge,nowthatleftwingnewspapersareconstantlypublishingarticleswarningaboutmachinationsthat

areostensiblysecret,butareinrealityshamelessandopen,carriedoutbythereactionaryofficersinthebarracksandinthecivilandecclesiasticalcirclesofthecounterrevolution.

Moroccoappearstobethemainfocalpointandepicenteroftheconspiracy.Whetherornotaninsurrectiontakesplaceiscontingentontheresultsoftheelections.Theplannedpreventiveactionwillbeimplementediftheleftwinstheelections.

We,whodonotdefendtherepublic,butwhorelentlesslyfightagainstfascism,willcontributealltheforcesatourdisposalinordertodefeatthehistoricalexecutionersoftheSpanishproletariat.

Inaddition,wedonothesitatetorecommendthat,whereverthelegionsoftyrannymayappear,thatyouunhesitatinglyreachanagreementwiththeantifascistsectorsbyenergeticallyattemptingtoensurethatthedefensivepreparationsofthemassesshouldfollowthepathsoftherealsocialrevolution,undertheauspicesoflibertariancommunism.

Oncemore:Keepyoureyesopen,comrades!Itisbettertotakecourageousmeasurestobesafe,eveniftheyaremistaken,thantobesorryduetonegligence.TheNationalCommittee.

Everyonemustbevigilant.Ifthe

conspiratorslightthefirewemustpursuetheactsofoppositiontotheirmaximumconsequenceswithoutallowingtheliberalbourgeoisieandtheirMarxistalliestostopthecourseofeventsshouldthefascistrevoltbeutterlysuppressedinitsverybeginnings.If,tothecontrary,thestruggleisahardone,sucharecommendationwouldbesuperfluous,becausenoonewouldstopuntiloneofthecontendingpowersiseliminated,andoverthecourseofthepeoplesvictorytheirdemocraticillusionswouldbedispelled;if,ontheotherhand,thepeoplearedefeated,thedictatorialnightmarewillannihilateus.Oncesomeoneseriouslyopensuphostilities,democracywillperishbetweentwofires,

becauseitisirrelevantandhasnoplaceonthefieldofbattle:eitherfascismorsocialrevolution.Defeatoftheformerisadutyincumbentuponthewholeproletariatandallfreedom-lovers,weaponsinhand:thattherevolutionshouldbesocialandlibertarianoughttobethemostprofoundpreoccupationofmembersoftheConfederation.Itdependsuponourintelligence,andtheunityofourthoughtandouraction,whetherornotwewillbethemostauthoritativeinspirationforthemassesandthattheywillputintopracticemodesofsociabilitythatconformtothespiritoflibertarianideas,andwhethertheseideaswillbetheimpregnabledefensiveshieldagainsttheauthoritarianinstinctsofthe

whitesandthereds.

Oncemore:Keepyoureyesopen,comrades!Itisbettertotakecourageousmeasurestobesafe,eveniftheyaremistaken,thantobesorryduetonegligence.

TheNationalCommittee.

***

ThepoliticiansofthePopularFrontwerenotinterestedintheactivitiesofthereactionaries.Outofcowardicetheywouldnotdareeventoorderviolentmeasuresagainstthemilitaryconspirators;thelatter,increasinglymorearrogant,madeuseofcriminalelements

toprovokedisorders,attacksandpremeditatedcrimes.TheSpanishpubliclivedinastateoffearandshock.

TheworkersoftheCNTcontinuedtoplanvaliantstrikemovementsandtheleftistministerscontinuedtoattempttodestroytheorganization.

Itwaspossibletoobserve,inthepreludetothemilitaryuprising,spectaclessuchastheoneaconfederalnewspaperdescribed,whichtookplaceinMadrid,duringthecourseofaconstructionworkersstrike:whiletheworkersenrolledintheUGTweretryingtoreturntowork,inaccordancewithordersissuedbythesocialistministers,theworkerswhoweremembersoftheCNTstood

withcrossedarmsinfrontoftheconstructionsites,inprotestagainstthisbetrayal.

Chapter5:July19

5

July19

TheassassinationoftherightwingpoliticianCalvoSotelohastenedthepaceofevents.TheconspiratorsgavetheordertorevoltandonthedawnofJuly19,1936therewasfightingonthestreetsofallthecitiesinSpain.ThegreatmajorityoftheunitsoftheSpanisharmyjoinedtherevolt.

Itseemsunnecessaryforustodescribetheharrowingepisodes,thebloodyclashes,andtheheroicdeedsofthe

Spanishpeopleandtheanarchiststhattookplaceduringthemorningofthathallowedday;wealsolacktheskilltodepicttheminarealisticwaythatwouldimmortalizethem.Thespiritofstruggle,sacrificeandheroismwasonceagaininevidence,recallingtheeventsofpasteras.Sublimeepicsbyacclaimedauthors.AnotherNumantiaandanotherSaguntum.

Onceagain,thesufferingandvaliantpeopletooktothestreets,constructedbarricades,assaultedthebarracks,burnedchurchesandmonasteriesandpublicoffices,withoutanyotherweapons,inmanycases,thantheiridealofredemptionandinothercaseswith

antiquatedoruselessarms.Baredbreastsconfrontedthemachineguns.Men,womenandtheelderly,gaspingforbreathandfullofenthusiasmandholyhatreds,defieddeathwithoutsecondthoughtsorcowardice.

Whatwascertainwas,withtheendoftheday,newshadalreadyarrivedfrommanycitiesonthePeninsula.Insome,thepeoplehadbeenmassacredanddefeated,withcountlessvictims.Inothers,thepeoplehadovercometherebelmilitaryforces.

Everywhere,thecomradesoftheCNTandtheFAIdisplayedprodigiesofvalorandaudacityandriskedtheirpreciouslives.

Weshallallowtheirleaderstospeakforthemselves,anddescribeafewscenesofthestruggle:

Madridwaslikeaninferno.Thebraveryofitschildrenduringthosedramatichoursdeservestobeinscribedinlinesofgold;downtheGranVíacamesomecavalrytrooperstowardsthebarracksatLaMontańa.TheyaresonsofthepeoplewhocomefromVicálvaro,withafewartillerypieces.Thepeopledonotallowthemtopass.Theysurroundthem,embracingthem.Manycriedforjoy.Automobiles,numerousautomobileswereracingdownthestreets,withpeopleclingingtothemontheirrunningboards!

LargecolumnsofsmokeroseabovethebuildingsofMadridintothesky

.

Aroundallthechurchesandmonasteriesabeautifulbuzzwasheard.Thereisnotamomentforrest.Thepeopleseemtobemotivatedasifbyasinglewill.Thefeverhasembracedallofthem.OnecouldsaythatallofMadridisoutonthestreets.Astheseriousnessofthesituationbecomesmoreapparent,therevolutionaryardorofthepeoplegrows.Itisasiftheyhadasinglebrainandasinglewill.Nopower,onethinks,candefeatthistempest.Thosewhorevoltedwillhavetotastethedustofdefeat.

LaMontańabarrackshasfallen.TheCNTfightersinthelead,scornfulofdeath,withsomeassaultguardsandyoungsocialists,enteredlikeahurricaneandsweptawayallresistance.Itwasthepowerofthepeoplewhowerereadytotakejusticeintotheirownhands.Theonlycreativeandfruitfuljustice.

Atthatsolemnhour(12a.m.onJuly20,1936),anentireregimentdiedatthehandsofthepeopleinarms.ThebulletsthatendedthelivesoftheofficersandcommandersofthearmyinthebarracksofLaMontańa,didnotjustkillahandfulofmen,butkilledawholesociety

.

AgroupofcomradesarrivedinatroopattheheadquartersoftheNationalCommitteeonCalledeSilva.Theycamearmedwithriflesandmachineguns.Wetookthemwithourowntwohands,theysaid,crazedwithjoy,andtheyarefortheOrganization.Theyweresoonmountedoncarsandsenttootherlocationsinsearchofnewrebelstrongholds.

AfterthebarracksofLaMontańa,theotherfasciststrongholdsinMadridfelloneafteranother.ThepeopleofMadrid,withanexemplaryheroism,joinedtheassaultonthebarrackswiththeirbreastsbared,whichmadegreathistoricaldeedspossible.

Oncetherebellionwasdefeatedin

Madrid,reinforcementsweredispatchedtotheSierradelGuadarrama,wherethetroopsofthebloodygeneralMolawerecornered.Onthenextday,July21,ourforcestookAlcaládeHenares,breakingthesiegeofMadridandforcingthefasciststofleetowardsGuadalajara.

(DavidAntona)

thingsweregettingorganized.Whilethestrugglecontinuedandthemilitaryuprisingwasbeingliquidated,thepeopleinarms,theabsolutemastersofBarcelona,theCNTandtheFAI;everysectorfoughtagainsttherebels,butitwastheimpulseofourmen,itwasthe

unequaledexampleofthebraveryofourmilitants,whichgalvanizedthemultitudes,itisnecessarytosaythisloudandcleartheybegantoprepareforthedawningofanewday,nowthatBarcelona,nowthatCataloniawereinthehandsofthevictoriousrevolution.TheCommitteeofAntifascistMilitias,formedonthe20thandonwhichallthesectorsthathadjoinedthefightagainstfascismwererepresented,was,infactandlegally,therealgovernmentofCatalonia.TheGeneralitatdisappearedinthefaceoftheforceandthemajestyofthenewrevolutionaryinstitutionthathadarisenfromthepopularwill

.

IntheoutlyingcountiesofCataloniathesamethinghappened.Thefascistuprisingwasimmediatelysuppressed;themunicipalgovernmentswereinthehandsoftheworkers;LocalCommitteesofAntifascistMilitiaswereformed,therevolutionwasnowafaitaccompli,unstoppable,imposingandformidable.AndifaffairshadproceededintherestofthePeninsulaastheyhadinCatalonia,ifintheotherpartsofSpainthepeoplesvictoryhadbeenasdefinitiveandasoverwhelming,howsoonwewouldhaveembarkedupontheroadtosocialism!

InBarcelona,Catalonia,July19cametoagloriousendamidstthesplendorofthefires,intherevolutionaryeuphoriaofa

dayofpopularvictory.ThehornsofthecarsthatwereracingalloverBarcelonaloadedwithworkerswithriflesintheirhands,playedthemarveloussymphonyFAI-CNT!thatwouldresoundfivedayslaterinthechorusoftheraggedyetheroicmilitias,drunkonillusionsandenthusiasm,wholeftforZaragozawithDurruti.

ThelettersCNT-FAIwerewrittenoneverywall,oneverybuilding,oneverydooroneveryhouse,oncars,andoneverything!Theredandblackflagflewinthewind,triumphantandfantastic,amarvelousimage,thatwecontemplatedwithanenchantedsoulandshiningeyes,askingourselvesifwewereonly

dreamingorifthiswasreal!No,wewerenotsleeping.Wewerewide-awake.Aswerecalltheharshvictoriousreality,thegreatfruitfulandtragicreality,thenthewidowsandtheorphanswouldcome.Howmuchnoblebloodwasspilled.Howmanymenfellinbattle,intheheatofthestruggle,mixedtogetherinholyanonymity!

(FedericaMontseny)

***

Aswecansee,andaswehonestlyrecall,inalltheencountersinwhichtheanarchistmilitantsparticipatedtheyverifiedwiththeirdignityandbraveconducttheirpastasgladiatorsofan

idealoflove,justiceandfreedom,andfaceddeathwiththeirusualnobilityandheroism.

Furthermore:thankstotheiraudacity,forgedincountlesssocialconflicts,theyledthepeople,intheprincipalIberiancities,toaresoundingvictory.Concerningtheresultsobtainedandtheconductoftheanarchists,thefollowingparagraphsfromaninterviewconductedwiththePresidentoftheGeneralitat,theCatalanpoliticianCompanys,aremostinformative,asrecountedbyJuanGarcíaOliver,latertheMinisterofJustice:

FirstofallImustsaythattheCNTandtheFAIhaveneverbeentreatedastheydeserveinviewoftheirrealimportance.

Theyhavealwaysbeenharshlypersecuted;andI,mostregretfully,butforcedtodosobypoliticalrealities,whowasonceonyourside,waslaterforcedtopersecuteyou.TodayyouarethemastersofthecityandCatalonia,becauseyoualonehavedefeatedthefascistmilitaryandIhopethatyouwillnotthinkitoffensiveonmyparttoremindyouthatyouhavenotlackedthehelpofthefewormanyloyalmenfrommypartyandfromtheguardsandthestableattendants

.

Butthetruthisthat,althoughharshlypersecutedupuntiljustyesterday,todayyouhavedefeatedthemilitaryandthefascists.Ithereforecannot,knowingyou

andthekindofpeopleyouare,useanybutthemostsincerelanguage.Youhavewonandeverythingisinyourpower,ifyoudonotneedmeordonotwantmetocontinuetoserveasthePresidentofCatalonia,tellmenowsothatIcanjointheranksasonemoresoldierinthestruggleagainstfascism.If,ontheotherhand,youbelievethatinthispostthatonlydeathcouldhavecausedmetoyieldtovictoriousfascism,Ican,withthemenofmyparty,withmynameandmyprestige,beusefulinthisstruggle,which,ifithasturnedoutsowelltodayinthecity,wedonotknowwhenorhowitwillendintherestofSpain,youcancountonmeandonmyloyaltyasamanandasapolitician,amanwhoisconvincedthat

todayanentiredisgracefulpasthasperished,andthatIsincerelydesirethatCataloniashouldmarchattheheadofthemostadvancedcountrieswithregardtosocialquestions.

GarcíaOlivercommentsonthisinterviewasfollows:

Atthattime,Companyswasspeakingwithanobvioussincerity.Amalleable,morethanmalleableandrealisticman,whoprofoundlyexperiencedthetragedyofhispeoplesavedfromage-longslaverybytheeffortsoftheanarchists,heusedthelanguagedemandedbythecircumstances,androsetotheverydifficulttaskofmeasuringuptothem,inauniquegestureofdignityand

understanding,qualitiesthathavebeensosorelylackingamongSpanishpoliticians.Companys,withoutyieldingtofearoftherevolution,logicallythinkingthattherevolutionitselfwouldcometounderstandwhatwaspossibleandwhatwasimpossibleunderthecircumstances,madeanefforttoassumeadignifiedposition,asaCatalonianwhounderstoodthatthemomentoftruthhasarrivedforhiscountry,andasamanofadvancedliberalopinions,whodidnotfeartheboldestprogramsinthesocialdomain,aslongasthelatterarebasedonthelivingrealityofwhatispossible.

AndSantillán,inhisbook,TheRevolutionandtheWarinSpain,

discussingthesameinterview,says:

OncetherevoltwasliquidatedinCatalonia,thePresidentoftheGeneralitat,LuisCompanys,calleduponustoattendaconferenceinordertohearourproposalsonhowtofacilitatevictory.WecametotheGeneralitatarmedwiththeweaponsofvictory,accompaniedbyanumerousgroupthatservedusasabodyguard.Wecouldhavegoneitalone,imposedourabsolutedictatorship,declaredtheGeneralitattobeabolishedandinstituted,initsplace,therealpowerofthepeople;butwedidnotbelieveindictatorshipwhenitwasexercisedagainstus,norcanwedesireitwhenwecanourselvesexerciseittothedetriment

ofothers.TheGeneralitatcontinuedtofunctionwithPresidentCompanysatitsheadandthepopularforceswereorganizedinmilitiastocontinuethestrugglefortheliberationofSpain,afterhavingliberatedCataloniafromtheclawsofthemilitary.

***

WiththebloodyscenesthatunfoldedonJuly19,1936,whicharedescribedinasummaryformintheabovepassages,theshockingtragedythattheSpanishpeopleenduredformorethanthirtymonthsbegan,withthedisastrousresultsthatarenowsowellknown,whichIrecountedinmyIntroductionaboveendorsedbythemilitantswhooccupiedpostsof

responsibilityintheCNTandtheFAI,whoviedwitheachotherwithrespecttotheerrors,backroomdealsandselloutstheycommittedthetragedyofoneofthemostdisappointingchaptersoftheemancipatoryhistoryoftheworkingclassmassesofSpain.

Chapter6:Thefirstcontradictions

6

Thefirstcontradictions

Fromthebriefdescriptionsrelatedabove,weseethattheday-by-dayexpectationofthesocialrevolutionwasarealityimposedbythecircumstances.Theoralandwrittenpropagandathathadbeencarriedout;thebloodystrikeswagedagainstIberiancapitalism;theimprisonmentandtrialsandshootingsinflictedonthemilitantsoftheCNTandtheFAI,overdecadesthroughoutSpain,

hadborntheirlongawaitedfruit.

Thepeopleinarmshaddestroyedaregimeofopprobrium,tyrannyandexploitationandhaddecidedtobuildanewsocietywhereeveryonewouldenjoylibertyandwellbeing.

Theanarchistmilitants,whowerethefirsttomanthemostdangerouspositions,wouldalsobethefirsttoorientthepeopletowardstheiremancipation,takingcarethattheywouldnothavetoexperiencewhattheRussianpeoplehadtogothrough,afterNovember7,1919[sic:shouldbe1917],whenthepoliticianstookadvantageofalltheenormouseffortsandsomanyliveslost:sothatnowtheRussianpeopleliveunder

theruleofabloodydictatorship.

Weweresurethatitcouldnothappeninanyotherway.Thatwaswhenwereceivedacommuniqué,whichhadbeensentbytheCNTtothemembersoftheconfederationandtheSpanishpeopleingeneral,issuingawarningwithregardtotheongoingevents,inthefollowingterms:

Comrades:Compelledbytheeventsandunderstandingthateveryhourthatpassesrequiresadifferentapproach,becausethegreatcounterrevolutionaryoffensiveisbasicallydifferentbothinformandsubstance,weareissuingthismanifestotoday,readyasalwaystoprovideorientationandassistancetothosewho

areaccessibletoourmessage,theSpanishrevolutionarymasses.

Thisisadangeroustimefortheinterestsoftheproletariancommunity.Onthehorizonwecanobserve,withincreasinglywell-definedoutlines,theimplacableunfoldingofthebloodymaneuversoftheSpanishbourgeoisie.

Thosewho,likeus,donotparticipateinthepoliticalleadershipofthecountry,althoughwithourattitudewehaveonmorethanoneoccasioncausedachangeofcourseinthegovernmentalsphere,mustnowsetforth,aswehaveonsomanyothersimilaroccasions,ourpositiononthenationsgovernment.

Everyoneknowsaboutouraversiontoparticipating,werepeat,inthepoliticalfateofthepopulation.Politicsistheinfectiousdunghillthatpollutestheentirebodywithitsmiasmas.Thatiswhatwehavealwaysthoughtandnoweachpassinghourreinforcesourconvictionsaboutthismatter,thattheroadsoftherevolutioncannotbesqueezedintothenarrowandconstraininglanesofferedbythedespicableeverydaypolitics.Thelatterarefullofblindalleysanddeceptivecrossroadsthatcauseindividualsandcollectivestolosetheirproperfeatures.ThatiswhytheNationalConfederationofLabor,inaccordancewiththeorientationsoftheFirstInternational,onceagainsaystothe

insurrectionarymasses:donottrustanyoneelsetodosomethingforyou;theleaders,inthegreatturningpointsofhistory,alwaysadvisecalmanddiscipline.Thisiswhywenowseek,inordertoimpeltherevolutiontowardsitsfinalgoal,toconvincethemassestodisregardtheappealsofthosewhoturntheirbacksonthecrudeandsharplydefinedreality,andwhopreferademocracydrapedintheshroudofhungerandpersecutions,ratherthanaprofoundandtransformativerevolution.Asforfascism,thecriminalityofthepowerfulcasteselevatedintoasystem,youcanonlyabolishitbydestroyingcapitalistsocietyatitsroots.

***

Whatadifferencethereisbetweentheactualpositionstheseorganizationsweretoadoptandthebeautifulconceptsproclaimedabove!Thebreezeofrealityleftquiteapileofdeadleavesbehindit!

Thosewhocontrolledthefateofanenormouspopulationandanimmenseterritory,suchasisrepresentedbyBarcelonaandAragon,withinafewhoursofhavingbecomeawareoftheirvictorycommittedtheirfirstmistakesandpublicizedtheirfirstactsofbetrayalwithregardtomattersofprinciple.TheyjoinedaCommitteeofMilitias,inshamefulassociationwiththepoliticians,andtheCNTandtheFAIproclaimedthat

theirorganizationswereinfavorofcollaborationanddemocracy,renouncingtherevolutionarytotalitarianismthatwouldnecessarilyleadtothesuffocationoftherepublicbyaconfederalandanarchistdictatorship,inthewordsofGarcíaOliver;theyrecognizedthepriorityofcollectiveresponsibility,addingthatnotallowingourselvestobesweptawaybytheexcitement,nortobeintoxicatedbytherapid,definitiveandoverwhelmingvictorythatwehadwon,theyissuedtheordertoconquerthetownscontrolledbyfascism.Thereisnolibertariancommunism.Firstwehavetofighttheenemywhereverhemaybefound,accordingtoMarianoVázquez.

Theyhadforgotten,afewdaysaftersigningthemwiththeirownhandsandpublishingthem,thoselapidaryphrasesoftheCNTscommuniqué:Donottrustanyoneelsetodoanythingforyou;theleaders,attheturningpointsofhistory,alwaysadvisecalmanddiscipline

.

TheSpanishpeople,whohadbeentheeternalvictimsofthepriests,thevillagecaciquesandpoliticalcaudillos,werenowthevictimsoftheconfederalcaudillos.

TheconceptsdisseminatedbytheCNTandtheFAIintheirnewspapersandmagazines,whichwerenumerousin

Barcelona,Madrid,Valencia,etc.,inordertojustifythesefirstretreatswithrespecttoprinciple,donotmeritcomment,eveniftheyareintheirownwayemotionallycompelling.Theysoughttoputthebrakesonthepeoplesinnateyearningforredemption,thesocialrevolution,sothattheMarxistpoliticiansofSpainandthebourgeoisandproletariandemocraciesFrance,EnglandandRussiawouldhelptheSpanishpeopleintheirbattleagainstfascism!!

Fromthenon,everythingwasdisconcertingandshameful.Inordertodrivehomethenailoftheirinconsistencies,oftheirbetrayaloftheirownideas,theyinitiatedaspirited

campaigninfavorofunifiedcommand,controlanddiscipline,allarmstothefront,andwinthewar.

Theyhadceasedtobeanarchistsandinsteadbecameplainantifascistsandsought,indeedbeggedanxiously,forunitywithallthepoliticians,andpositionsofresponsibilityinSpainscentralgovernment.

Chapter7:Thegentlemen“ministers”

7

Thegentlemenministers

Itissomewhatdifficulttopiecetogetherindetailtheattitudesadoptedandthe

resolutionsapprovedbythemajorityoftherepresentativesoftheCNTandtheFAIinthewakeoftherevolt.Butitisworthmentioningthatbecauseoftheirsubsequentdeleteriouseffectsonouraspirationsthattheagreementssignedatthatfamoussessionwheretheabove-mentionedinstitutions,demonstratingtheirrevolutionarymaturity,andafterthedeclarationsofcomradeCompanysYouhavedefeatedthemilitaryandthefascistsandeverythingisinyourhands;ifyoudonotwantmetobethePresidentofCatalonia,tellmenow,sothatImaybeonemoresoldierwereofanimmensehistoricalsignificanceandalsoentaileddefeatistandsuicidalconsequences.

Thefactthattheydecidedforcollaboration,fordemocracy,andagainstanydictatorialrevolutionarysolution,hadtheimmediateresultofleavingthingsastheywerebeforethemilitaryuprising.ThebourgeoisStatehadsufferedasetback,fromwhichitwouldsoonrecoverwiththecooperationofthemajoritycenetistasandfaístas.TheyputtheirtrustinthewordofaCataloniandemocratandmaintainedandsupportedCompanysasthePresidentoftheGeneralitat.Andbecausetheywerethemajorityforceuponwhichtheattempttoconstitutearealdemocracymustfall,andbecausewedonotwanttoimitatethebigandarrogantfish,whoneverallowtheirzealtodevourthelittlefishtoflagmost

ofthesephrasesthatwearetranscribingcomefromGarcíaOlivertheyagreedtojoinaCommitteeofMilitiastogetherwiththerepresentativesofthepoliticalparties.

***

Whatwesaidabove,aboutthemilitaristslogansproclaimedbythepressandpropagandaorgansoftheCNTandtheFAI,isfullyjustified.ManyprestigiousmembersoftheCNTandtheFAIwerehigh-rankingmilitaryofficersandmanagerialofficestafflaterconnectedwiththewar.

Butwhyweretheysoenthusiasticaboutacceptingtheseslogansthatboresuchan

authoritariananddictatorialstamp?

Atthetime,theexplanationofferedwasthatmanygoodboysmadeuseofdeceptiontorejectthetakingupofarms.Thatduetothelackofmilitaryknowledgemorelivesweresacrificedthannecessaryandthatactionswerenotundertakenattherighttimeandplace,and

wehavecultivatedmanymoreconjectures.Itis,however,undeniable,duetotheeventsthattookplaceatthetime,thatthesesloganshadadifferentpurpose.

TheassuranceoftheCNTandtheFAI,intheirconformancetothetranscendental

resolutionofpostponingthesocialrevolution,thatitwasthemajority,meansthataminoritydisagreedwiththisfirstdeviation.Andwhataboutthisminority?Diditsmembersquietlyacceptthisseriouserror?Didtheyobeytheordersoftheleadersofthemilitias?

TheeventsthattookplaceatthetimeinformusthattheydidnotandthatitwasnotunlikelythattheantifascistsfeltinfringeduponintheirhierarchicaldelusionsandintheirMarxistandultimatelyauthoritarianmaneuversandsoughttoenclosewithintherigidgripofdisciplinethosewhowouldneveraccept,asanarchists,suchanoverwhelmingbetrayaloftheirredemptiveideas.

Buttheresoundingfallofthecenetistaandfaístatheoreticiansdidnotstopthere.

WhenFrancoshostsreachedthegatesofMadridandthePopularFrontgovernmenthadfledtoValencia,anappealtodefendtheCapitalwiththepreconceivedpurposeoffurtherweakeningtheAragonFront,inordertoadvantageouslypursuereactionarymaneuversthatwerelatersuccessfullyconcludedbytheauthoritarianfractionswasmadetothemenoftheCNTandtheFAI;thiscallwasansweredbyDurrutiwithacolumnofmilitiamenwhoperformedgloriousfeatsinthetrenchesoftheCiudadUniversitaria.Atthesametimeaftermuchplaintive

beggingrepresentativesoftheCNTandtheFAIwereallowedtoenterthatgovernmentthathadfledinsuchacowardlymannerfromMadrid.Theserepresentativesthenbecameministers,alongsidethepoliticianswho,beforetheuprising,hadorderedmercilesspersecutionsofanarchistmilitants.

But

itwasanimperiousnecessity.Wejoinedthegovernment,Santillánsaid,becausewehadasingledominantconcern:toplaceallresources,allenergies,allpossibilitiesofthecountryattheserviceofthewar,whichweconsideredsacred,becauseitwasawarofthepeopleagainstthosewhohadrevoltedinordertoreduce

ittoaslaveryworsethantheonetheyalreadysuffered.

***

Nevertheless,allthedialecticspouredoutbythosewhoundertooktoimplementthenewwayscannotpossiblycobbletogetheraconvincing,honestandsincereexplanationthatwouldjustifythesluggishness,thedocilityandtheindifferencedemonstratedbytheresponsiblemembersoftheCNTandtheFAIinalltheshamefulanddisreputableepisodesthatlatertookplace

.Nordotheyexplainthetacitcollaborationgrantedtoallthegovernmentsthatsucceededoneanother

intheperiodofthecivilwar,fortheyconformedtoallthepoliticalchangesthattookplaceandwerethereforeCaballeristas,Prietistas,Negrinistas,Miajistas,andfinallyCasadistas;inoneword,governmentalists.

Itisclearthatonedoesnotneedtobeanespeciallyastuteobservertodeducewithoutanyintentiontojudgewhatwasontheirmindsthat,besidesthesatisfactionsthattheywillhaveenjoyedbybreakingintothecircleofthepreeminentmenofstate,especiallyduringsuchacruelperiod,historymustattestthatthestatusofcollaboratorswithanygovernmentgrantsthemcertainadvantagesandprerogativesthatwerenot

enjoyedbythosewhofoughtonthebattlefields;advantagesandprerogativesthatperhapstheyneverenteredintotheiralliancistcalculationstheyverywellavailedthemselvesofintheirretreatfromBarcelonatoFrance,escapinginairplanesorotherconvenientmeansoftransportandfromthecentralfrontMadrid,ValenciaandAndalusiainairplanesandmerchantshipsandeveninEnglishwarshipswhilethemilitiamenremainedinSpainatthemercyofFrancosmercenaries.Eveninexiletheyobtainedadvantageswiththeirhighstatusasministers,forwhilethelatterwereabletofindrefugeinallthemostimportantcitiesofEurope,thetragedyoftheantifascistsoldierscontinuedinthe

unsanitaryconcentrationcampsconstructedinFrance.

***

Letusreturntothemaintrail.Itwouldbeasignofunpardonabledisrespectifweweretorefrainfrommentioningthenamesofthegentlemenministersandsomeoftheirrevealinginitiatives,whosepurposewastogetthestatecar,whichhadatthetimesufferedaseriouspanne[breakdown],backontheroad.

WearenotinterestedintheperformanceofFedericaMontsenyasMinisterofHealth,althoughitdidhavesomehumanitarianaspects;shehadtherewardofagreatdealofpersonalsatisfaction,

sincesheisrememberedforhermeritoriouslaborasMinisterofHealth,andthefactthatawingoftheVélezRubioMaternityHospitalhasbeennamedafterher.

***

WehadoriginallyintendednottomentiontheMinisterofCommerce,JuanLópez,outofrespectforhislearnedreputationinPoliticsandSociology,but,quiteopportunely,anarticleofhiscameintoourhandsthathadbeenpublishedinCulturaProletaria,inwhich,soliloquizinginfavorofthefamily,heshowshistruecolorsandmakesafewdeclarationsthatwejustcannotresistquoting.

Aftertellingusaboutthenarrowhorizonoftheideologicalfamily;ofthedemagogythatparadesboldlyinthestreets;ofthefactthathisentryintothegovernmentwastheconquestofarevolutionarystronghold;thattheywerenotgoingtoestablishLibertarianCommunism,orrealizetheintegralprogramofSocialism,buttoupholdtheworldoftherepublichethenproceedstoalengthydiscussionoftherevoltofMay1937inBarcelonarepudiatedbytheCNTministersagainstwhichhedisplayshisutmostindignationbecauseitforcedhimtoresignfromhisgovernmentposition,fromwhichheintendedtoensuretheconquestsoftheworkingclassand

becauseinafewhourstheeffortsofsomanymonthsofworkcollapsedandmagnificentpositionsofallkindswerelost.

Heconcludeshisarticlebysaying:

TheeventsofMay3ultimatelymeanthefollowing:

Theabsenceofrealdisciplineinthelibertarianmovement,which,duetoitsirresponsibleactionsinCatalonia,facilitatedthepoliticalmaneuverthatputanendtothegovernmentofLargoCaballero.

Removingusfromtherevolutionarypositionswehadconqueredandtheloss

ofanychancetoconsolidatethemISWHATOURRESIGNATIONFROMTHEGOVERNMENTIMPLIES.

***

JuanPeiró,intheMinistryofIndustry,musthavedisplayedagreatdealofclevernesstodeservethepraiseofhissubordinatesinthatgovernmentaldepartmentwhenheattendedregretfully,perhapstheceremonywhereheofficiallysteppeddownfromsuchanhonorableposition,since,accordingtoPeiróhimself,uponhisdeparture,theytoldhim:

YoumaydepartwiththeassurancethattheMinistryofIndustryhasneverbeen

soproductiveasitwasduringyourincumbency.

Thisadulatorypraiseoftheseofficeparasitesisexplainableandjustified,sincetheycouldconfirmtheenthusiasmandassiduousnessJuanPeiródisplayedinhisreconstructivelaborsinordertoingratiatehimselfwiththebourgeoisieandthepoliticiansandinordertobuttressthepoweroftheState.FurtherproofofwhatwesaidabovecanbefoundinthetranscriptofaspeechPeiródeliveredattheGranTeatroinValencia,afewdaysafterresigningfromhishighoffice,inordertoexplainhisconductintheMinistry,fromwhichweshallquotethefollowingpassage:

NoonecandenythecollaborationprovidedbytheCNTandtheFAIwithrespecttopublicorder.ThemenoftheCNT,themenoftheFAI,havedoneeverythingwithintheirpowertoreestablishorderwherever,duetocircumstancesthatIshallnotanalyzehere,disorderhadarisen.Noonewillbeabletodenythis,becauseoftherecenteventsinCatalonia,morepreciselytheeventsinBarcelona,andthecomradesoftheUGTthemselveshavehadanopportunitytoseehowtheelementsoftheConfederationbehavewhohavebeenassignedthejobofestablishingorderandreestablishingdisciplineinBarcelona.

WhentheCNTjoinedthegovernmentof

CataloniaandthegovernmentoftheRepublic,allofustookupourpostshavingrenouncedanyandalltotalitarianintentions.Weknewthatweweregoingtocollaborate,andincollaboratingwedidsoinasincere,honorableanddisinterestedmanner.

Havingreadtheaboveparagraphs,thereaderwillbeconvincedbyPeiróstoneofthestatistmentalitythatprevailedamongthesebureaucratsandthedubiousmissionthattheywereperforming.Theyassumedresponsibilitywedonotdiscoverbywhoseordersforreestablishingorderanddisciplinewheretheywerelacking.

***

NowallthatremainsistodiscussJuanGarcíaOliverwho,representingtheCNT,wastobecometheMinisterofJustice.

WearenotinanypositiontouncovertheMachiavellianintentionsthatguidedthepoliticianLargoCaballerowhen,yieldingtotheinsistentpetitionsoftheCNTandtheFAI,hegavethemfourbureaucraticpositionsinthegovernmentthathadfledtoValencia;butwedoknowthatthefactthatamilitantwhocalledhimselfananarchistoccupiedthepostofMinisterofJusticewasmostinconceivableandridiculousandgivesanideaofthestatistdeliriumfromwhichtheseleaderssuffered.

WhatiscertainisthatGarcíaOliver,

brandishinghisactionprogramNowtherewillbejusticeassumedthemagistratesgownandwithsmugsatisfaction,cheerfulandcontent,hedecidedtorepresentthegoddessThemis.

Injustwhatmannerheperformedwhatappearedtobethemostgrotesqueactsintheexecution,bydecrees,ofjustice,isexemplifiedbythezealhedisplayedindraftinglegislationonjudicialsentencing(!)andontheorganizationofprisonlife.

GarcíaOliverplungedwithsuchunexpecteddiligenceintoaregenerativelaborofsuchpettifoggingmagnitudethathedidnotallowhimselftoreflectonhisideologicalpositionpriortotheconflictthatwastakingplace,tosuchanextent

thathe,inplainlyboastfulterms,wroteameticulousdescriptionofthedraftlegislationheproposed,thedecreesheissued,andthejusticemeasuresthathehadimplemented,especiallyemphasizingtheonesthatgrantedlegalrightstowomen,thatcancelledcriminalrecordsforcrimescommittedbeforetheuprising,thatstipulatedtheorganizationofLaborCamps(i.e.,ConcentrationCamps)andamultitudeofotherinitiativesthatheauthorized,expressinghimselfasfollows:Iftheworkwashard,thefruitsweremagnificent.Andhefulfilledhisobsession:Toperfectthejusticesystem.

ButthisintensivejudicialactivitydoesnotexhaustthedynamismofGarcía

Oliver.

HavingattractedtheattentionoftheMinistryofWarbecauseoftheimpressiveconstructivequalitieshedisplayed,hewasorderedbythatMinistrytocreateandorganizethePeoplesMilitaryAcademies,whichwouldlatergraduatethousandsofofficerswhoweassumewouldbetheproletarianofficercorpsuponwhichthegovernmentalistcenetistaswouldrelytocarryoutthesocialrevolutionwhenthecivilwarended.However,inaspeechthatGarcíaOliverdeliveredtotheofficerswhograduatedfromoneofthesePeoplesAcademies,thatofBarcelona,wemaydeducethatsuchanassumption

wouldbeacrasserror.

Thisiswhathesaidinthisspeech:

You,theofficersofthepopulararmy,mustobserveanIRONDISCIPLINEandimposeitonyourmen,who,oncetheyareincorporatedintheranks,mustCEASETOBEYOURCOMRADESinordertobecomecogsinthemilitarymachineofourarmy.Yourmissionistoassurevictoryovertheinvadingfascistforcesandmaintain,atthemomentofvictory,apowerfulpopulararmyuponwhichwecanrelytorespondtoanyfascistprovocation,whetheropenorconcealed,ofaforeignpower,andthatwillknowhowtomakethenameofSpainrespected,whichhasforsolong

beendisregardedininternationalaffairs.

TheMinisterofJustice,besidesbeingaMinister,wasarabidmilitaristandafanaticalpatriot.

Onefactofthegreatestimportance,however,tellsusthatGarcíaOliverwasseriouslyderangedbyhispositioninthesphereofthegovernment,thathiseyesightandhishearingwereseverelydamaged,leavinghimcompletelymyopicanddeaf,forwhileHisExcellencytheHonorableMinisterofJusticewaslegislatingaboutjudicialsentencingstandardsandwasissuingdecreesthatcancelledpunishments,inallthetownsandcitiesofloyalistSpainthechekaorganizedbythecommunists,with

expertssentfromRussia,wasassassinatinganarchistsorimprisoningthemintorturechambers,withoutGarcíaOlivereverinterveningontheirbehalformakinguseofhisexaltedposition,whichindisputablyprovesthatJuanGarcíaOliver,justlikehisthreecomradesinthecabinet,representingtheCNT,wereplayingadespicableandregrettablerole.TheywereridiculouspuppetsdisguisedasMinistersandadornedwithshininggoldbraid,givingtheimpressionthatratherthanpuppetstheyinsteadresembledthedisreputableclownsandstreetperformerswhotravelledtheroadsofSpaininothertimes.

Inthemeantimedespitesuchunfortunate

andmiserableevidenceoftheiractivitiestheCNTMinisters,complyingwiththeirstatistsloganofdisinterest,spiritofsacrificeandloveofwork,werestilldistinctlyensconcedwithinthehybridblocoftheantifascists.

Chapter8:Feedingthecrows….

8

Feedingthecrows

.

OurbareassertionthattherewasaminoritythatopposedthefirsttranscendentalresolutionsoftheCNTmajorityandtheFAIandsubsequent

suchproclamations,canbedemonstratedbythealarmingnewsthatreachedusandrecentlyprovideduswithanaccurateaccountofcertainarbitraryfactsthat,intheirownfashion,weredepictedforusbythecorrespondentsofthenewsagencies.

Onthebasisofthesenewsreportswedrewtheconclusionthattheauthoritarianelementshadincreasedinnumberandinpower,withthecondescensionoftheMinisterialists.Censorshipwasstrict.Allthecommitteesofananarchistoriginweredissolved.MarxistnucleiwereincreasinglybeinginsertedintotheCNTmilitiasandtheStateextendeditstentaclesallthewaytotheborderwith

France.

TheSecretaryoftheIWA,Besnard,tellsusagreatdealaboutthesedevelopmentsinhisreporttotheIWA:

1.ThatthemilitiaswerecondemnedandmilitarizationacceptedbytheCNT.

2.Thatthefreemunicipalitiesthatemergedfromtherevolutionhadbeenreplacedbystateinstitutions.

3.ThattheCounciloftheEconomypassedfromthehandsoftheCNTintothoseoftheGeneralitat.

IhaveonmanyoccasionsinsistedwithregardtoSantillán;thathewas

responsibleforthepreservationofthemilitias.IhaveexplainedtohimthedangersthatanarmyinthehandsofagovernmentwouldrepresentandthesecuritythatworkersmilitiasorganizedbytheCNTwouldoffertotherevolution.AlthoughSantillánassuredmethathewouldmaintainthisinstrumentofdefenseoftherevolutionunderhisjurisdiction,onbehalfoftheCNT,henonethelessaccepteditsdisappearancealongwithalltheconsequences.Fromthatmoment,however,ashehadtowritelaterinTierrayLibertad,hebelievedintheneedforatransitionalStatetorepresentSpaininforeignaffairs,andintheneedforadisciplinedgovernmentarmytodefeatfascism.Itisofnouse

emphasizinghowforeignthisconceptistoourdoctrine,andhowmuchitresemblesauthoritariancommunism.Itcannotbutfavorthedevelopmentofthelatter,markingaconsiderableretreatoftheCNTandanincreasingabandonmentofourmethodsandideas.

***

Inthemeantime,calamitouseventshavetakenplaceinSpain,eventsthathavejustifiedthewarningthatcomradeBesnardexpressedinhisreport.

TheCommunistParty,withatinymembershipbeforethemilitaryuprising,hasgrownasaresultoftheaffiliationofthousandsofpettybourgeoisieandbythe

infiltrationoftechnicianswhocametoSpainfromallovertheworld,especiallyfromRussia,whichwasthepriceofthesaleofthearmsneededbytheantifascistsoldiers.ThedominanceoftheBolshevikswasapparentnotonlyinthearmy,butalsointhepoliceforces.Andthemeansutilizedbythelattertoasserttheirpowerinvolvedthecommissionofcertaincrimes.

AlthoughthecomradesoftheCNTandtheFAIhavenotdecidedtoopenlyclaimthis,nonetheless,itiscertainthatDurrutiwaskilledbythecommunists.ThepresscorrespondentinSpainfortheBuenosAiresnewspaperCrítica,JoséGabriel,accusestheBolsheviksofbeing

responsibleforhisdeath.

Todaythistestimonyisnolongernecessary.Afterthe(all-toobelated)publicationoftheimportantrevelationsmadebycertaingovernmentalelementsaffiliatedwiththeCNT,concerningthedespicableproceedingsoftheauthoritarians,itcannotbedeniedthatthisdubiousassassinationandmanyothersthattookplaceinSpainwerethesinisterworkoftheantifascistcheka.

TherewasthecaseofYagüe,acommunistmemberoftheMadridDefenseCouncil,whowaswoundedbyaguardpostedonahighwayinAragon.TheBolsheviks,whobythattimeweredistinguishedbytheirpredominance,

usedthisincidentasanexcusetounleashwithevenmoreviolencetheiranimositytowardstheirallies,andthiscampaignwaswagedonsuchalargescalethattheCNTandtheFAI,alarmedbythedirectionthatthesedemonstrationsoffriendshiphadtaken,issuedthiscommuniqué:

Facedwiththesituationofviolencethattheywanttoimposeonus,weproperlyrespondthatweshallnotallow,onceagain,aftercomradeYagüewaswounded,thatthecomradesofourOrganizationshouldbemurderedinthestreetsofMadrid,thusignitingabonfireofuncontainablepassions.ThreemilitantsoftheCNThavebeenfound

deadinthelastfewdaysinthevicinityoftheCapital.

TheAnarchistYouth,ofMadrid,alsoaddedthefollowing:

Weshallnotconsentforevenonemoreminutetoallowtheauthoritiestobeat,insultandarrestourmilitantsandtorefusetorecognizethemembershipcardsoftheCNT,theFAIandtheLibertarianYouth.Wearepreparedtoshootwithoutmercyallthosetraitorsandthenew-stylepolicewhotrytoarrestandbeatus.

***

YettheMinisterialistsoftheCNTandtheFAIcontinuedtoserveintheireminent

positions.ThemaneuversoftheBolsheviksdidnotcausethemanygrieforconcerns.Suchwasthespiritofunitythatprevailedamongthesecomrades,andtheadmirationandadulationthattheydisplayedtowardstheStalinistauthoritariansoutofexpediencyoroutoffearthatcomradeA.Schapirowasledtomakethefollowingobservations:

THEUSSRANDTHECNT

AnunacceptablepositionItiswithgrowingsadnessandafeelingofacutepainthatonenowreads,andthishasbeenthecaseforsometimenow,SolidaridadObrera,theorganoftheCNT.Wearecompelledtocometothisconclusion,thatthisdailynewspaper

withaprintrunofaquartermillioncopiesaday,hasbecomeasemi-officialdailynewspaperoftheUSSR.

Youneedonlyleafthroughthepagesofouranti-BolshevikSolitoseethatitisfullofarticlesthatsupporttheUSSRandStalinsforeignpolicy,withouttheleastdiscordantnotethatwouldmitigatethisimpression.

WeneedonlylookthroughadozenissuesofSolioverthelastfewweekswithregardtotheattitudeoftheUSSRinGenevaandNyon.

TheworldproletariatmustdefinitivelysupportthepositionoftheUSSR,onearticlestates,datedSeptember9,while

theeditorialinthesameissuedeclaresthatallthefreepeopleoftheworldmustsupportthedemandsoftheUSSRandtodrivehomethisopinion,anotherarticleproclaimsthatthereisonlyonewaytoreinforcethedecisivepositionoftheUSSR:thatisinternationalworkingclassactiontogetherwiththeSovietproletariat.OnthenextdaySoliclaimsthattheattentionoftheproletariatiseagerlyawaitingagesturefromRussia.Byacoincidencethatcanonlymakeonelaugh,aheadlineonthesamepagesays,Machiavelli,theInspirationofItalyandGermany

forgetting,byanoversight,nodoubt,toaddtheUSSR,themostaccomplished

discipleoftheItalianphilosopher.

Adaylater,onSeptember11,SoliannouncedthattheNationalCommitteeoftheCNThadselecteditsrepresentativetoserveontheCommission(createdbyTheFriendsoftheUSSR)tocommemoratethe20thanniversaryoftheUSSR.AfewdayslaterwereadthattheCNTofMadridparticipatedinthetributetotheSovietUnion.IntheSoliofSeptember12,wearepleasedtodiscoverthatSpain,keptawayfromNyonbyEuropeandiplomacy,willhaveitsplacetherethankstothevoiceoftheUSSRandonSeptember18,Solicontainsaportraitofcomrade(spareus!)Ovseenko,ontheoccasionofhisappointmenttothepostof

MinisterofJusticeoftheUSSR.

ButwhileSoliandtheCNTpileupsomanyproofsoftheirsupportfortheUSSR,itsgovernmentanditsrepresentativesinNyonandBarcelona,neitherrefrainedfromengaginginabundantcriticism,oftenquitebitter,ofthePSUC,whichistheCommunistPartyofCatalonia,SectionoftheThirdInternational,andentirelysubjecttotheordersofthatsamegovernmentoftheUSSR.ThisisaparadoxthatshowsthewholetragedyofasituationthatobligestheCNTtoplaythisdoublegame:tosimultaneouslysupportMoscowandtoattackMoscowsSpanishorganism,thePSUC.

Oneisforcedtoask:withregardtothesepositions,inwhichcasearetheCNTandSolisincereandinwhichcasearetheynot?Certainly,theUSSRsellsitsmilitarysuppliestorepublicanSpain.Wesaysell,becauseithasbeendemonstratedthatnotonekiloofweaponryhaseverbeensentbyStalinwithoutreceivingpaymentinmoney

oringold.ConcerningthisquestionweshalltranscribethefollowingpassageswrittenbyL.V.inLeRéveil,ofGeneva:

OurfriendshaveinvokedtheaidprovidedbyRussia.ItisimpossibletoattacktherepresentativesofMoscow,becausethematerialsupportofMoscow,asopposedtotheshamefuldefectionof

thedemocratic-capitaliststatesandespeciallythecowardiceoftheproletariansofthosestateswhohavebeendeceivedbytheirleaders,wasabsolutelyindispensabletomaintainanychancetodefeatthefascisttroops!However,whynotcomerightoutandsayit:Russiahassentusarmsofsuchandsuchaqualityandinsuchandsuchamounts.Spain,ontheotherhand,hasgivenRussiasomuch

andfurthermore,theSovietleadershaveproposed,inthearenaofdomesticpolitics,suchandsuchconditionsandsuchandsuchdemands.Why,then,shouldweacknowledgetheaidprovidedbytheSovietsbutnotadmitthepricethat

MoscowhasimposedandthathasbeenacceptedbyValencia?Theanarchistorganizationshavebeenmadefoolsof,theyhavebeenvictimsandaccomplicesofthisunacceptablehypocrisy!

ForthisunacceptablehypocrisythatcontinuestobedisplayedeachandeverydayinSoliandwhichismanifestedintheattitudeoftheCNT,sothattheUSSRcanmakethemdirectaccomplicesofthepoliticalcalamitiesthatareafflictingso-calledrepublicanSpain,andespeciallyCatalonia.Weaskonceagain:whichoftheCNTsattitudesaresincere?ThejustifiedcritiqueofthePSUCorthesomuchlessjustifiedadmirationforthegovernmentoftheUSSRanditsforeign

representatives,LitvinovandOvseenko?IstheCNTsincereinbothcases?Isitsincereineitherone?

RegardlessofhowtheCNTmightrespondtothesequestions,twofactsremain:thegovernmentofMoscowistakingmarvelousadvantageofthesilenceoftheCNTinordertounderminetheCNTsposition,transformingthelatter,willy-nilly,intotheaccompliceoftheanti-revolutionaryanddemocratic-capitalistpolicythatMoscowisconstantlypursuing.TheCNT,uptoitsneckinkneejerksupportforagovernmentofassassins,supportforwhichitispayingwithitsbloodinordertoobtainarmsdeliveriesthatareusedin

awarthathasnothingantifascistaboutit,willsomedaybeforcedtodesistfromitscriticismoftheSpanishcommunists.

Foritisillogicaltosupportagovernmentwithoutalsosupportingitspoliticalrepresentatives.

TheSpanishcomradesmightrespondthattheirsupportisnotforthegovernmentoftheUSSR,butfortheRussianproletariat;thatitsparticipationinthecelebrationsofthe20thanniversaryofthefoundingoftheUSSRimpliesnomorethanitsexpressionofappreciationfortheOctoberRevolution.Sucharesponsewouldbeinsincere.IthasbeenalongtimesincewehaveheardanynewsfromtheRussianproletariat(whichpossesses

nomeansofexpression).TheappreciationoftheOctoberRevolutionthatallofushaveneverceasedtocelebratesince1917,bynomeansrequiresquitethecontraryanycollaborationwithpreciselythosewhostrangledthatRevolution.

Thisunacceptablehypocrisymustcease.MoscowisintheprocessofsellingtoEngland,andatabargainprice,whatlittleremainsoftheSpanishRevolutionofJuly19,1936.

Weshallnotbecomeaccomplicesinthisbetrayal,inthismoralsupportprovidedbySoliandtheCNTtotheStalinistpoliticians.ThePSUConlycarriesouttheordersofMoscow.Ourattitude

towardsMoscowmustbeconsistentwiththisfact.Wemustpubliclycondemnthosewho,oneasmuchastheother,andunderthesameaegis,arestranglingtheSpanishRevolution.

(AlexanderSchapiroreproducedbySolidaridad,thejournaloftheFORU,secondhalfofDecember1937.1)

1.AnotherEnglishtranslationofthislettermaybeconsultedonlineatthewebsiteoftheKateSharpleyLibrary:http://www.katesharpleylibrary.net/pk0q0r[TranslatorsNote].

Chapter9:Afatalslope

9

Afatalslope

WeareusingthetitleofapamphletbySebastiénFaureasthetitleforthissection,justaswecouldhaveusedthetitle,TortuousPaths,whichisthetitleofanarticlebycomradeJuanC.RomerothatwaspublishedintheRosarionewspaper,LaFora,orthetitle,SlipperySlopes,whichisthetitleofanarticlepublishedintheBarcelonajournalTierrayLibertadinMay1936,becauseitmostaccuratelysummarizesthetopicweshalladdressbelow.

OncethedecisionthatthemilitantsoftheCNTandtheFAIshouldparticipateinthegovernmenthadbeenmadewithsuchgreatfanfare,theyandtheiradmirersnotonlydidnottakeintoaccountthecounter-argumentsofferedinoppositiontothistreacherouspositionbymanyanarchistcomradesfromallovertheworld,buttheyinitiatedanoffensiveagainstallthosewhodidnotacceptthecaptiousargumentstheyemployedtojustifythisacclaimedreversalinpractice.

Theobfuscationandthepassiontheymarshaledintheirineffectivedefense,oncetheirMarxistinclinationshadbecomeclear,reachedsuchapointthattheycopiedthestyleandthevery

terminologyoftheBolshevikshadusedinSouthAmericatodiscreditus.Theyfuriouslyralliedaroundtheprincipleofauthority,whichhadbeensoseverelymalignedbytheCNTandtheFAIupuntilrecentlyandtheycontinuedtoattackusforconsideringittobethebasisoftheState.

Wehavereadoneoftheseattemptsatjustification,withadegreeofshockandbitterness,intheBuenosAiresnewspaperLaProtestanoless,andwesaynoless,becausewedidnotexpectthatnewspapertopublishsuchatactlessandinsolentpieceinajournalthathasdefendedtheanarchistidealformorethanfortyyears,andwhichhaspaidthepriceofsomany

sacrificesandpersecutionstogivethatideallifeandpassiononthepartofthecommittedmilitantsofanarchisminArgentinaandwhichhastodaylostitswaybycarryingoutanegativeandconfusionistpropaganda.

LetstakealookatafewparagraphsfromTheHourofAnarchism,byA.Gilabert,publishedinLaProtesta:

Someoftheenemiesofanarchism,disguisedascomrades,arenowattemptingtospeaktousaboutprinciples,tacticsandideas.Theythinkthatanarchismhasgoneastrayfromitsnormalcourse,andhascompromisedwiththebourgeoisieandrepudiateditsanti-stateprinciples.

Thiscritiqueisnotinspiredbyveryhealthyintentions.Itsintentionsaretwo-fold,andmustbeunmasked.Ofcourse,anarchisminSpainhasundergoneachangeofcourse.Ithasrectifiedeverythingthatwasnegativeaboutit.Whenanarchismwasamovementofpermanentopposition,itexplainedthatitrejectedtheentireestablishedorder.InSpain,however,weareinthemidstofspecialcircumstances.Here,wehaveceasedtobeanoppositioninordertobecomeadeterminingforce.Anarchism,ratherthandenying,mustmakeanewreality.Thosewhomakeanewrealitywillbe:thosewhoarevictorious.

WecannotdemandoftheSpanishpeople

thattheymaintainthenegativepositionthatwasthatofclassicalinternationalanarchism.Thetimesaretoogravetoentertainourselvesbylookingtothepast.Isthereapositiveexample,aneffectiveprecedentfromoutsideofSpainthatcanhelpguideourconduct?InternationalanarchismisoftoolittlesignificancetodictateorderstoSpanishanarchism.WemustproudlysaythatSpainmustserveasanexamplefortheanarchistsoftheentireworld.

Asanarchistswehavetheobligationandthedutytocriticizeandtowagethewaragainstfascismandtherevolutionagainstcapitalism,notonlyfrombelow,fromthe

base,butalsobyassumingpositionsofresponsibilityintheinstitutionsthatrulethedestinyofthecountry.

Thosewhocriticizethepositionoftheanarchistsareenemiesindisguise,agentsofthebourgeoisie,individualswhoarenotverysatisfiedbythelibertarianinfluencethatradiatesfromtheSpanishpeople.Thisisthehourofanarchism,andwemustacceptthestruggleinallofitsconsequences,assumingfullresponsibilityinthesedecisivemoments!

Barcelona,November5,1936.

Evenmoreexplicitanddecisive,displayingjusthowintoxicatedthecenetistasandfaistasarewith

authoritarianism,isthearticlepublishedinthePuigcerdánewspaper,Sembrador,onDecember6,1936.Thisarticleisfullofslanderandthreats.Itreadsasfollows:

CONSTRUCTIVECRITICISM.

Weanarchistsareadvocatesofserene,nobleandwell-documentedcriticism,butweonlygrantthisrighttothosewhoaredoingeverythingintheirpowertodefeatfascism.Butwehavetobeverycarefulwiththiscriticism.Nowisthetimefordeeds,forpositiverealization,ratherthancriticism.Asageneralrule,thelatterisaweaponthatisskillfullyutilizedintheambushescarriedoutbythefifthcolumn,bythosewhomwemustsilence,thosewhomwemusteliminate.

Thisarticleinsinuatesthatthecomradestheyarecriticizingcouldverywellbefascists.

***

ItcannotbedeniedthatamajorityoftheleadersoftheCNTandtheFAIhavethrownoverboardtheimperishableanarchistprinciples,tacticsofdirectactionandemancipatoryconcepts,andhavestriventobringthehotspotsofthesocialrevolutionthathaveemergedinvariousregionstoadeadhalt,inordertodevotethemselves,fromtheirpostsinthegovernment,tochannelingtheactivitiesofthepeopletowardsthesolepurposeofwinningthewar.

Wedonothavetofollowindetailthecourseofthemanyargumentsthathavebeenofferedindefenseofthisseriouserror.

Wecannotunderstandpeoplewhoarewell-groundedinanarchisttheory,yetwho,overnight,changecoursesosuddenly,whentheyknowthatthischangeofcoursesignifiesabetrayalofthepostulatesthattheyhaddefended,inordertobecomeinsteadpropsofthestate,andthereforeridiculousbossesoftheSpanishpeopleandoftheirowncomradesinthecause,untiljustrecently.ThedefinitiveproofofthisisprovidedbyArticle15oftheUnityPactbetweentheCNTandtheUGT:

Weagreetoundertakejointactiontoliquidatetheharmfulactivityofthegroupsofuncontrollables,because,duetoeitheralackofunderstandingorbadfaith,theyareendangeringtherealizationofthisprogram.

AndnotonlyinthetextofthisPact,butinpractice,aswell,thepassiontogiveordersandmakethemobeyedisrevealed,sincethosewhorebelledagainsttheseauthoritarianpolicieswerepunishedandimprisoned.

Wemustalsoaddthattheconvertstoministerialismconductedtheiroralandwrittenpropagandainadistinctlyauthoritariantone.Whatisregrettableisthefactthattheyshoulduseourconcepts,

whichareclearlyinoppositiontothenewwaystheyhaveadopted,sinceitissurprisingthat,afterhavingsacrificedtheirentiregloriouspasttheyshouldnonethelessspeakinalanguagethatdoesnotsuitthem.

***

ItislogicalthatsomeofthecomradeswhowenttoSpaintocontributetheireffortstohelpthesocialrevolutiontobevictorious,andmanycomradesfromallpartsofEuropeandAmerica,shouldissuewarningsandprotestsabouttheprecipiceuponwhichthemajoritariansoftheCNTandtheFAIarepoised.

Webelievethatitisappropriateto

conveysomeoftheseopinions.SebastiénFaure,inthepamphletentitled,TheFatalSlope,setsforthhisdisagreementwiththestatistpositionassumedbythecenetistasandfaístas,whichissummarizedinthefollowingparagraphs:

Thefactthatapoliticianwhobelongstoapoliticalgroupshouldacceptaministerialpostinagovernmentcabinet,thatheshouldhavesuchanambition,thatheshouldsolicitthishonoranditsadvantages,isverynatural;thismanplayshiscards,hetakeshischance,hefollowsthepathsthathehasembarkeduponandtakesgoodcarenottomisshisopportunity.Butthatan

anarchosyndicalist,thatananarchist,shouldacceptapostinagovernmentcabinet,thatisaltogetheradifferentmatter.

Theanarchosyndicalisthasinscribedonhisflagingiantletters:DeathtotheState.

Theanarchisthasinscribed,inlettersoffire,onhisflag:DeathtoAuthority.

Bothareconnectedbyaclearandpreciseprogram,basedonclearandpreciseprinciples.Nothingandnooneforcesthemtosupporttheseprinciples.Itiswithcompleteindependenceandfullawarenessofthereasons,deliberately,thathehassubscribedtotheseprinciples.

Thathehasupheld,propagatedanddefendedthisprogram.

Thisbeingso,ImaintainthattheanarchosyndicalistmustprohibithimselffromjoiningthosewhohavethemissiontopilotTHESHIPOFSTATE,sinceheisconvincedthatthisship,thisfamousship,mustbeabsolutelydestroyed.

AndIsaythattheanarchisthasthedutytorejectallauthoritarianpositions,sinceheisfullyconvincedthatallauthoritymustbedestroyed.

Therewillbenolackofthosewhowillobjectthat,byreasoninginthismanner,Iamonlytakingprinciplesintoaccountandthatitoftenhappensthatthecourse

ofevents,thecircumstances,thefacts,thatis,whatiscommonlycalledREALITY,contradictsourprinciplesandcausesthosewhomakeacultofloveandrespectforprinciplestonecessarilydistancethemselvesprovisionallyfromtheirprinciples,andthattheysoonreturntotheiroldpositionswhenthenewREALITIESmakesuchareturnpossible.

Iunderstandthisobjectionandhereismyresponse:

First:eitherourprinciplesarefalse,orTHEREALITYTHATCONTRADICTSTHEMisfalse.Inthiscasewemustimmediatelyabandontheseprinciples.Inthiscasewemusthavethehonestytopubliclyconfessthefalsehoodofthese

principlesandwemusthavethecouragetofightthemwithasmuchpassionandactivityasweonceusedtodefendthem;wemustimmediatelyengageinthesearchformoresolidprinciplesandthistimetheymustbecorrect,precise,infallible.

Or,tothecontrary,theprinciplesuponwhichourideologyandourtacticsisbasedretain,regardlessofthewhathappens,allitsconsistencyandarejustasvalidtodayastheywereyesterdayandinthiscasewemustremainfaithfultothem.Todeparteveninexceptionalcircumstancesandbrieflyfromthelineofconductthatourprincipleshavetracedforus,torenouncethemethodofstruggle

thatisinconformancewiththeseprinciples,thismeanscommittingamistakeandadangerousandrecklessact.Topersistinthiserrorwouldmeancommittingamistakewhoseconsequencesgraduallyleadtotheprovisionalabandonmentofourprinciplesandfromoneconcessiontoanotheruntilthedefinitiveabandonmentofourprinciples.

Onceagain:itisthemachinery,itisthefatalslopethatcanleadusveryfar.

Second:ButIthinkthattheexperimentundertakenbyourcomradesinCatalonia,farfromcompromisingthestrengthofourprinciplesandweakeningordestroyingjustice,canandmusthaveasa

result,ifweknowhowtolearnthepreciouslessonsthatitcontainsandtoavailourselvesoftheselessons,thatourprinciplesandtheirpowerareproventobecorrect.

Theanarchistshaveresolutelywaged,AGAINSTEVERYTHINGANDEVERYBODY,amercilessstruggle;theyaredeterminedtoprosecutethisstrugglerelentlesslyuntiltheyachievevictory.Thisstruggleentails,ontheonehand,DOINGWHATISNECESSARY,REGARDLESSOFTHEPRICE,andontheother,NOTDOINGWHATISNOTNECESSARYREGARDLESSOFTHECONDITIONS.Iamnotunawareofthe

factthatitisnotalwayspossibletodowhatitisnecessarytodo;butIdoknowthattherearethingsthatitisrigorouslynecessarytoprohibit,andasaresulttoneverdothem.

TheSpanishexperimentcanandmustserveusasalesson.Thisexperimentmustserveasawarningagainstthedangerofconcessionsandalliances,evenunderparticularconditionsandforalimitedperiodoftime.Tosaythatallconcessionsweakenthosewhomakethemandstrengthenthosewhoaretheirbeneficiariesistomerelyutteranindisputabletruth.Tosaythatanyagreement,evenatemporaryone,consentedtobytheanarchistswitha

politicalpartythat,theoreticallyandpractically,isanti-anarchist,isadeceitandthatitisalwaystheanarchistswhoarethevictims,isatruththatisprovenbyExperience,byHistoryandbysimpleReason.Overthecourseoftheroadtakenalongsidetheauthoritarians,theloyaltyandthesincerityoftheanarchistsarealwaysentangledintheperfidyandclevernessoftheirprovisionalandcircumstantialallies

.

***

Evenmoreforcefulandprecise,however,aretheargumentssetforthbytheFrenchGeneralConfederationofLabor-

RevolutionarySyndicalists[CGT-SR],inanarticleentitled,TheDecisiveMoment,publishedinthenewspaper,LeCombatSindicaliste,anarticlethatproducedasensationamongtheinternationalcirclesofanarchistmilitantsandagreatdealofangeramongthegovernmentcollaboratorsoftheCNTandtheFAI.Thearticlecontainsthefollowingobservations:

WHERETHECNTISBEINGLEDBYITSLEADERS.

Theworkersoftheworldwanttoknow.TheemotionsarousedbythebombingoftheDeutschlandandbytheatrociousrepressioninflictedonthepopulationofAlmeríahavespenttheirfury.Aftersome

Platonicprotestswhosepurposewastosilencethecriesofhorrorthatarosefromallsides(keepinginmindthatweareonlytalkingaboutthecommonpeople)thecurtainslowlydescendsonthetragedy,smotheringthemoansoftheinnocentvictims.

Diplomacyhasremainedimpassive,andhasnowreturnedtoitstraditionalactivity.Everyoneknowswhatthatmeans.TheforeignofficesofLondonandParis,backedbyWashington,havenotlostallhopeofimposingtheirpeaceonSpain.Theirplanhasnotchangedanditisexpected,bothinLondonandinParis,thatthelastGermanresistancewillbeovercomeandthattheRussianplan,

whoseessentialpointisapreventivewar,willdefinitelybetorpedoed.

Afteraperiodofeclipse,mediationisonceagaintheorderoftheday.

ThisobligesourinternationalmovementtoexamineasmeticulouslyaspossibletheSpanishsituationasawhole,bothonthedomesticaswellastheinternationalarena,tostudythepositionandtacticsoftheCNT,theTradeUnionCentralrepresentingtheIWAinSpain,withregardtothewarandtheRevolution.

SuchanexaminationwasalreadyundertakeninNovember1936;itdemonstratedthatthereistotalandgeneraldisagreementbetweentheCNT

andalltheotheraffiliatedtradeunionsoftheIWAinregardtotheirpointsofview.For,whereastheCNTconsidersittobeitsdutytoacceptthemilitarizationofthemilitias,thesuppressionofthefreemunicipalities,thereplacementoftheTradeUnionEconomicCouncilbyaGovernmentalEconomicCouncil,participationintheBarcelonaandValenciaGovernments,italsoagreestograntprioritytothewar,andthussituatestheRevolutiononasecondarylevel,alltheotheraffiliatedTradeUnionCentralOrganizationsareofatotallydifferentopinion.

Nonetheless,inordertopreserveintacttheunityofourinternationalmovement

andhavingreceivedassurancesthattheCNTwillundertaketheindispensablerectificationofthissituationwhencircumstancesallow,thePlenumoftheIWAdeclaredthatitunderstood,withoutendorsing,thepositionadoptedbytheCNT.

Sixmonthshavepassedsincethattimeand,unfortunately,allthefearsexpressedbythePlenumoftheIWAhavebeenrealized.ThesuppressionofthemilitiashasplacedaregulararmyinthehandsoftheCentralGovernment,anarmythatposesaconstantdangertotheRevolution.Thedisappearanceofthefreemunicipalitiesreturnedallthecountrysadministrativemachinerytothehandsof

theCentralPower.TheliquidationoftheTradeUnionEconomicCouncilhasdeprivedtheworkersorganizationsoftheirdirectionandcontrolovertheeconomy.TheCNTsparticipationinPowerhasallowedtheValenciaandBarcelonagovernmentstosharetheirresponsibilitieswiththeCNTwithoutthelatterhavingpracticallyanyopportunitytoimposeitspointsofview.

ThefactthattheputschofMay6couldtakeplaceinBarcelona,aftersomanyothereventsofthesamekindhadalreadytakenplaceinCerdańaandCatalonia,demonstratesthenullityoftheCNTMinistersintheirgovernmentpositions.

Forwemustadmitthattheywere

completelyinthedark,thateverythingwaspreparedandexecutedwithoutthemknowinganything.Sowhatkindofantifascistgovernmentsarethese,inwhichsomeoftheirministersareunawareofwhattheotheronesareplotting,preparingandexecuting?Whatkindofgovernmentsaretheseinwhichahandfulofpeopleruneverythingandtheothersdonothing?Andwhatistheroleofthosewhoarekeptinthedark,exceptthatoffoolsandhostages,responsibleofficialsuponwhomtheconspiratorspassthebuck,whenthetimecomes,oftheweightoftheirfaultsandtheircrimesagainstthecountryandtheRevolution?

Suchapolicyisutterlyreprehensible.It

ispreciselywhatthePlenumoftheIWAdeclaredinNovember1936toberadicallyfalse.IthasendedupcausingtheCNTtoloseallthepositionsconqueredinmajorbattles,witharmsinhand.

IthaspermittedthepoliticianswhosepowerwasliquidatedonthedayafterJuly19,toreturntotakethehelmofthedestinyofthecountry.IthasdefinitivelycompromisedthetriumphoftheSocialRevolution,subordinatingittoawarthatcanonlybenefitinternationalcapitalismanditsrepresentatives.ThispolicyoftheCNThasallowedtheSpanishCommunistParty,whichwasnon-existentonlyrecently,toshowtheclawsofits

dictatorshipwhichwilldonothingbutfavortherestorationoftheDemocraticRepublic.

Inshort,thispolicyhasendedupfacilitatingthegreatestrevolutionarycollapseinHistory.

Anditisattheverymomentwhenallofthisisconfirmed,whenthecorpsesofthecomradesoftheCNTwhowereassassinatedbythecommunists,bytheValenciaandBarcelonapolice,arestillwarm,thatthousandsofanarchistshavebeenimprisoned,thatthepressoftheCNThasbeenmuzzled,thatnoonecangotoSpainorleaveitastheyplease,thattheCNT,onceagainofferstoparticipateintheGovernment,inthisGovernmentof

capitulationpresidedoverbyNegrín,thesameNegrínwhohuntedthemlikeanimals(SolidaridadObrera,June2,1937).ItisatthisverymomentthattheCNTbowsdownatthefeetofLargoCaballero,thatcraftyoldpolitician,whoselifeisnothingbutonelongbetrayal;atthefeetofthatLargoCaballerowhowas,successively,theright-handmanofPrimodeRivera,ofAzańaandofStalin;thatLargoCaballerowhoistheauthorofthelawsforthedefenseoftheRepublic,ofCasasViejasandVillaCisneros.

YoumightthinkthatyouweredreamingasyoureadsomanysuchthingsinthepressoftheCNT,butitisunfortunately

nothingbutthetruth.OneasksoneselfjusthowfartheaberrationoftheleadersoftheSpanishlaborfederationwillgo.

Itisnecessaryforthistocometoanend.ItisnecessaryfortheGeneralStaffoftheCNTtounderstanditsmistakeorfortheworkerstomakeitunderstand.

Onethingisforsure,inanyevent.SuchapositionhasgivenrisetotheindignationofallthesisteraffiliatesoftheCNT,thosethatwillnotallowthemselvestobedraggedintoacollapsesuchastheCNTisleadingtheSpanishRevolution.

Itisindispensableforthistobesaid,thatthewholeworldshouldknowit;thatjudgmentshouldbepassedandpositions

defined.

Howeversureofthemselvestheseleadersmightbewewillwaitforamoment,butjustforonemoment!theywillnotbeabletoupholdtheirpositiononthisterrain,inthefaceofalltheworkersoftheworld,whohavesupportedandassistedtheSpanishRevolution.TheymustbewarnedthatthisRevolutionwillbedefendedagainstthem,againsttheirerrorsandagainsttheirfaults.

Itisnecessaryforthemtounderstandthattherearecurrentstheycannotresist,howeverstrongtheythinktheyare.Agreatwavehasbroughtthemtowheretheyare,andanother,evenbiggerwave,candrownthemandsavetheRevolution.

Itislikely,afterall,thatthiswavewillbreakwiththesamepowerwithinasitdidfromwithout.

Inanycase,onecanbesurethatweshallnotallowthemtocrushit,withoutsayingordoinganythinginfavoroftheSpanishRevolution.Itistwiceours.Weshallknowhowtodefendit,andhowtodefenditagainstallthosewhowouldbetrayitorabandonit.

Morethanever:LonglivetheSpanishRevolution!

(CGT-SR)[GeneralConfederationofLaborRevolutionarySyndicalists]

Chapter10:The“antifascist”

bureaucracy

10

Theantifascistbureaucracy

TheparticipationoftherepresentativesoftheCNTandtheFAIintheCommitteeofMilitias,inBarcelona,first,andtheninthecentralgovernmentandothergovernmentposts,errors,deviationsbetrayalsofprinciple,wewouldcallthemwhichcometomindanddonotadmitofanyjustifications,entails,inevitably,besidestheresurgenceoftheauthorityprincipleinthosewhohadrejectedandcombatedit,thecontaminationofthemicrobeofthebureaucracy,inherentineverystate

system.

ThetradeunionbureaucracywasamongtheoperationalmodalitiesthattheCNTmilitantswerefamiliarwith,butwhichtheyscarcelypracticed.Unlikeourtradeunionfederations,whichfoughtagainstandneverallowedthedevelopmentofabureaucracy,inSpainthebureaucracymadeheadway,butnotwithoutacertainamountofresistance.

Thus,theyhadhardlyevenbeenestablishedintheirluxuriousofficesuiteswhentheministerialistswerebesiegedandsurroundedbymanyelementswhowerequitereadytocooperate,fromthevantagepointofpublicoffices,notforthetriumphofthesocialrevolution,since

thelatterhadalreadybeenstifled,butfortheprosecutionofthewarandwearesurethatwearenotmistakenwhenweclaimthatthesepeoplehadbeenthemostferventadvocatesofthenewtheoryofdirectaction,ofthecollaborationimposedbythesupremeandunavoidablenecessityofdefeatingfascism.Andlikeeveryhumanbeingthathasanyeducationandauthoritariansentiments,thebrandnewbureaucratswouldbehavejustlikebureaucrats,astheirpositionsrequired,leavingatthedoorofthegovernmentbuildingsthedisguisethattheyhadwornforsolong.

***

Concerningthequestionofhowthese

bureaucratsbehavedwecangetavagueideafromafewfragmentaryconceptsthatappearedinantifascistnewspapers.AswemayreadinRuta,theorganoftheLibertarianYouthinBarcelona,ofMay18,1937:

Therearesomeresponsiblecomradeswho,duetothefactthattheyhaveoccupiedofficialposts,forgettheiroriginsandpurpose.Weshallremindthemthatintheexerciseofatemporaryfunction,theyshouldnotrenegeontheprinciplesthataretheheartofourorganizations.Inordertoremindthemwearereadytoshowthembeforetheyimprudentlyrevalorizethestate.

Insupportoftheseconceptsweshall

recallthatSantillán,whenhewasservingasMinisteroftheEconomyintheGeneralitat,feltalarmedbythepassiondisplayedinthebattleformoreportfolios,formoreextensiveinterventioningovernmentaffairsandwhatseemedstrangetohimwasthespectacleofourcomradesfightingwithallthepassionsofthepoliticiansofthepasttoobtainhighpositions,tobeinvestedwithpower

aswellasthepassionwithwhichtheydebatedandminutelyanalyzedthelawsanddecrees,andevenengagedinthemostdetailedexegeses.

Theseparagraphswillgiveussomeideaofthegraveproblemposedbythenew

bureaucratswho,besidesrepresentingaheavydeadweightfortheSpanishpeoplethatwassheddingitsbloodinthestruggle,wasaperniciousoutcomeofthecircumstantialoperationalmethodsengagedinbythecenetistaandfaístastrategists,andofferedanopportunityforamultitudeofindividualswhodidnotpossessevenashredofrevolutionarycommitment,toassumepositionsaspettylittledeskjockeybosses,withalltheprerogativesinherenttosuchanelevatedhierarchy,who,oncetheywereentrenchedinthesepositions,couldgivefreereintotheirmostpathologicalimpulsesandcommitteddespicableandunscrupulousdeeds.

Andwhatisevenmorelamentable,manyoftheseelementswhocamefromsuchabackgroundwhowerequitewellknowninthespecificistcampanditsderivativesinordertoorienttheachievementsoftheSpanishpeople,foundasuitableenvironmenttoexhibittheiracrobaticqualities,theirtemperamentalinterpretationsandtranquillyfitrightintothemachineryofthebureaucracy.Andoncetheyreturnedfromtheirexperimentallaboratory,withnoothertrophyofwarthantheirtypewriters,theyhavetocontinue,withouteitherhardworkorglory,sowingconfusionismandjustifyingtheiractionstotheirhierarchicalsuperiors,sinceforthemthehustleandbustleandthecruelty

oflifeinthetrenchesandtheclamorofcombatwereonlyrumors,painfulandsad,whichreachedthembyindirectroutes.

Chapter11:Firstthewar…thentherevolution

11

Firstthewar

thentherevolution

IfweweretotakeaccountoftheabundantrhetoricemittedinthepropagandawrittenbytheCNTandtheFAI,inordertokeeptheforeigncountriesinastateofexpectant

nervousnessandimpressionism,itwouldbeveryhardforustodiscoverthetacticalreasonsthatledourSpanishcomradestoshapethisrhetoricinaccordancewiththerawreality,whichderangedtheireyesight.Becauseitisreasonabletoassumethattheauthorsofthispropagandaexpectedittobereadwitheagerness,andthatitwouldthenbeanalyzedandcomparedwiththefacts.

Itistrueenoughthattheyexercisedtheirrhetoricalskillsnotinordertoconcealtheirbetrayalsoftheirprinciples,eventhoughtheytaxedtheiringenuitytofindargumentstojustifytheiractions.Butitisinconceivablethattheycouldhavestriventodistorttheirphrasesandtheir

conceptstoavoidposingthefundamentalproblem:therejectionofanarchistprinciplesandtacticsofstrugglethattheyhadpropagatedandpracticedupuntilthen.

Wecouldhavegoneitalone,imposedourabsolutedictatorship,declaredtheGeneralitattobeabolishedandinstituted,initsplace,therealpowerofthepeople;butwedidnotbelieveindictatorshipwhenitwasexercisedagainstus,norcanwedesireitwhenwecanourselvesexerciseittothedetrimentofothers,saysSantilláninhisbook,TheRevolutionandtheWarinSpain.TheCNTandtheFAIdecidedinfavorofcollaborationanddemocracybyrenouncingthe

revolutionarytotalitarianismthatwouldhaveledtothestrangulationoftheRevolutionbyaconfederalandanarchistdictatorship,GarcíaOliversaysinoneofhisarticles.

Andifthisishowthesemenjustifiedtheiractions,withthesupportofmanyotherswecouldname,whydidtheyinsistonusing,insomanycommuniqués,newspaperarticlesandradicalspeeches,thephrase,socialrevolution?Thesocialrevolutionhadbeensuppressedbytheseverysamemen;indeed,ithadbeenterminatedafewdaysafterJuly19.

Thehonestandsensibleresponsewasreflectedintheslogan:Firstthewar;then

therevolution.Thelattershouldbecategorizedasbait.

If,intheheatofcombat;inthespiritedassaultsledbytheanarchists,togetherwiththepeople,againstthemilitaryrebels;ifinthesebattlesnooneconsideredorsoughttocompletelydestroytheveryfoundationsofcapitalistsocietytodoawaywiththeState;andthesesamechampionsofthesocialrevolutionacted,duringtheseevents,asthugs,upholdinganddefendingthehighgovernmentalauthoritiesCompanysandLargoCaballeroitwaslogically,thecivilwarthathadbeenunleashed.Andthustheyshouldhavedeclaredthistobeso,tacitly,burying,astheyhadburied

anarchistcommunism,allthetermsthatsignifiedadeceptionoftheworkers.

Becauseitmustbeacknowledged,nowthattheyarenotintheircabinetoffices,intheirgovernmentdepartments,inthehustleandbustleoftheirdeskjobs,thattheyhadlivedbydailycontradictingthemselves.

***

Itistrue,however,thatnotalltheresponsibleofficialsdemonstratedtheirreluctancetoengageinrationalargumentsandexplanations.

Inissueno.224oftheInformationBulletinoftheCNTandFAI,wereadthe

followingeditorialstatement:

Wehave,inourcollaboration,tornourideologicalconceptiontoshreds,wehaveperformedthehighestsacrifice,byleavingpartofourideologybehindusinourtradeunionoffices.Sowhydidtheybecomesoangryandrespondwithsomanyobfuscations,whenmanyofuscriticizedthemforhavingbetrayedtheirdoctrines?

Noteventhesecondpartoftheslogan,Firstthewar;thentherevolution,conformedwithreality.Becausethedocumentsthatrecountthehistoryoftheeventsprovethatwecanharbornoillusionsthatthecenetistasandfaístaswouldhavecarriedouttherevolution

aftertheendofthecivilwar.

TheyhadbeenimpartialwithregardtotheGeneralitat.TheyletthefightersdieattheAragonfrontandotherfrontswithoutweaponsbecausethesemilitiamenrejectedtheStatethecentralgovernmentofLargoCaballero.Thesesameconfederalleadershadallowedthereplacementofthemilitiasbyasingleunifiedmilitaryforce.Theconfederaldivisionsweremergedwithinternationalbrigades,composedalmostexclusivelyofMarxistelements.Thelatteradvocatedandsucceededinobtainingtheestablishmentofrigiddisciplineandunifiedmilitarycommand.TheanarchistswereexpelledfromtheCouncilof

DefenseofAragon.TheywereshotthroughoutloyalistSpainandinthestreetsofBarcelonathiscrimebecamethenorm.Thepeopleweredeprivedofarms;thecenetistasthemselvesrecommendedharshpenaltiesforthosewhoconcealedweapons.ThearmywasBolshevizedinallitsbranches.Theprisonswerefullofuncontrollableanarchists,whowereaccusedofbeingspiesorofbelongingtothefifthcolumn;butthisentirepanoramaofsetbacksanddenialswaspursuedwiththerefrain:Firstthewar;thentherevolution.

***

Itcannotbeassumedthatthesegeniusesofantifascistthoughtwerethevictimsof

theirowningenuousness.Ifwecannotmakethisassumption,itisbecausethereiscopiousproofoftheenormousattractionthatbureaucraticpostsandsomanyotherprerogativesofbourgeoissocietyexercisedoncertainminds,webelievethattheintoxicationwithcomfortablejobsinofficeswasthecauseofsomuchfoolishchatter,somanysophisms,somanycontradictionsandsuchgravebetrayalsthatwehadtoendureandattestto,thatwerecommittedbytheresponsibleleadersoftheCNTandtheFAI.

Armstothefront!Goldforthewar!Unityanddiscipline!UnifiedCommand!Winthewartobefree!And

whygoon?Theyshreddedthemselveswithslogans.

Andifthesesameindividualsthedirectauthorsofthepowerfulresurgenceoftheauthoritariansystemfromwithin,sincetheyhadproceededtoreinforcetheState,facedwiththeoverwhelmingnecessityofdirectlyinterveninginthedirectionofthewar,ofpoliticsandoftheeconomy,withtheobjectofpreventingthecontinuoussabotagewagedagainsttheCNT,thecollectivesandthemilitiacolumnsbythecentralgovernment

demonstratedthepredominanceandpoweroftheBolsheviksineveryfacetofmilitaryaffairsandpolitics;ifthecheka,organizedbythecommunists,

assassinatedandimprisonedmanyanarchists;if,dayafterday,theCNTlostpositionsandinfluence;whydidthemembersoftheCNTandtheFAIremainintheirpostsasministersandgovernmentbureaucrats,orcontinuetoseekappointmenttotheseposts?Hadtheybecomeaccustomedtothisenvironment?

Thedocumentsweinterspersedthroughoutthepreviouschaptersprove,profusely,thattheclaimsthattheministerialsofferedoncethecivilwarwasover,withthevictoryoftheantifascistsimpliedthattheywouldreinforcethestatewithveryprogressiveandwonderfulinitiativesandwiththe

creationofnewgovernmentdepartments,ledandcontrolledbythecenetistas,inordertotherebyprepare,fromabove,forthenextrevolution

.

Chapter12:Thecapersofafool

12

Thecapersofafool

PerhapsthefollowingbiographicalsketchofoneofthemostoutstandingrepresentativesoftheCNT,responsibleforandadvocateofallthemistakes,deviationsandbetrayalsrecountedinthissamebook,willbeinterpretedas

irreverent.WearereferringtoDiegoAbaddeSantillán.

Weshallnotdenythatheisanexcellentwriterandwemayalsosayinhisfavorthat,besideshisintellectualtraining,heisphysicallyquitephotogenic;butallhisbeautifulqualitiesdonotobviatethedisappointingimpressionthathislifeasananarchistmilitanthasmadeonus,alifethatissofullofcapriciousness,andhissociologicalproductionthatisplaguedwithdisturbingcontradictions.

Itwouldseemthathepossessesamindthatisverysusceptibletosuggestion;adaptabletotheinfluencesoftheenvironment,theclimateandthemenwithwhomheassociates;shapedbyan

exaggeratedimpressionismthatmakeshimlosecontroloverhisreflectivefaculties,tothepointwherehedeniestodaywhatheassertedyesterday,andtoonceagainsaytomorrowwhathedeniedyesterday.

Backin1925,Santillánco-wrotetogetherwithEmilioLópezArangothebook,AnarchismintheWorkersMovement,inwhich,relatingthehistoryofthesocialstrugglesthattookplaceinArgentina,hevaliantlyattackstheMarxistsectorsandtheopportunistelementsthatbrandishedthebannerofinnovationsandunitedfronts.EventhoughSantillánwasonlytheco-authorofthebook,thisdoesnotmaketheconceptssetforthinthebook

anylesshisresponsibility.Inthisbook,onpage179,Santillán,combatingneutralismandamorphoussyndicalismintheworkingclassorganizations,proclaims:

Areweanarchistsornot?Ifweare,wemustbeanarchistsallthetime,andeverywhere;ifwearenot,itwouldbewrongofustosimulate,oncertainfestivaldaysoramongcertaindrinkingcompanions,ideasandsentimentsthatwedonotreallyuphold.

Wearetoldthatthetradeunionisforthewageworkerswhowanttofightagainstcapitalism.Anothertriteexpression!ThereistheRussianexampleofthefirstorder,todemonstratetothosewhodonot

wanttobeblind,thatcapitalismislessfundamentalasanenemythanstatism,thantheprincipleofauthority.TheRussianRevolutiondestroyedtheoldcapitalistforms,itplungedprivatecapitalintoruin,butitleftthestatemachinestandingandthecapitalismthathadbeenthrownoutthewindowreturnedtwoyearslater,bythedoor,alongwiththehonorsandobeisanceofitsallegedenemiesofthepast,welcomedasthesaviorofthecountry.Itisnotenoughtobeanenemyofcapitalismtobearevolutionary,especiallyaftertheexperienceoftheRussianRevolution.Andthosewhoexertthemselvestosuggesttotheworkingclassmassesthattheirmainenemyiscapitalismare

simultaneouslystrivingtodiverttheproletariatformitsinstinctivewaragainsttheState.Furthermore,oureverydaystrugglesdonotjustcauseustoconfrontcapitalismonlyonce,asifwedidnothavetoreckonwiththehost:theinterventionoftheStateintheformofthepolice,thesoldier,thejudge,etc.TheinterestsoftheState,eveninthecountriesthatclaimtoberuledbyworkersgovernments,areidentifiedwiththoseofcapitalism.Everyoneknowsthis.Andallweneednowisforsomesophiststocomealong,andinthenameofsyndicalismseparatethetwothingsandorganizetheworkersforthestruggleagainstcapitalism,leavingthestate,itsinstitutionsandtheideasuponwhichitis

basedintact,inpraiseofanallegedclassunitythatisshatteredwhentheanarchists,enemiesoftheprincipleofauthority,attackthestateandstatism.

***

BecauseoftheoutrageousassassinationofcomradeLópezArango,whoduringhistimewasthemostfaithfulinterpreterofthefinalistconceptionofanarchistcommunismamongthetradeunionorganizationsandavaliantdefenderoftheFORA,SantillánwasabletotakecontroloftheanarchistdailynewspaperLaProtestaandimmediatelydemonstratedasuddenchangeinhisappreciationofsocialreality.Intheweeklysupplementthatheedited,this

newspaper,forthemostpart,publishedarticlesbywriterswhorejectedthepolemicalandpositiveworkdonebyArangointhecolumnsofthispublicationforsomanyyears.

InArgentina,Uriburustagedhismilitarycoup.Santillánbecameanenthusiasticpropagandistinfavorofanalliancebetweentheradicalsyndicalists,theMarxistpoliticalpartiesandthespecificistanarchistgroups,withtheFORA.

***

In1932Santillánpublishedthepamphlet,TheBankruptcyoftheEconomicandPoliticalSystemofCapitalism,from

whichwetranscribethefollowingparagraphs:

ParaphrasingProudhonandBakuninwesaythatanyauthorityprinciple,inanyform,isincompatiblewiththedignityandlibertyofmananditisnecessarytochoose:eitherthecontinuationofpoliticalauthority,ofnotionsandlawsthatareaboveman,andthustheslavery,indignityanddegradationoftheindividual,orelseliberty,dignity,humanaffirmationandconsequentlythesuppressioninthemindsofthepeopleofallpolitical,divine,economicormoralfantasiesthatareplacedaboveman.

Allpoliticalandeconomicclassregimes,alltyranniesarealwaysbasedonthe

annihilationofman.

wemustreplacethedominationofmanbytheadministrationofthings;wemustundertaketomakethegovernmentalStatedisappear,thesupremeexpressioninourtimeoftheauthorityofmanoverman,themostpowerfulinstrumentofslaveryofthepeoplesfortheirfleecingbyaprivilegedminority.Aslongasthegovernmentalstateexiststherewillberichandpoor,mastersandslaves,oppressorsandoppressed,andaslongasthisinequalityreignstherecanbenopeace,solidarityoragreementamongmen.

WithoutthesuppressionoftheStateandgenerallyofeveryprincipleofpoliticallyorganizedandimposedauthority,therewillbeprivilegedanddispossessed,becauseagovernmentcannotbeconceivedexceptastheexpressionofthedefenseoftheprivilegesofaparticularcategoryofmenagainstthedemandsoftheothers.

AsaresultofsomemeasurestakenbytheUriburistapolice,whichpromisedretributionagainstthosewhousedviolentlanguageinordertoappeartoberevolutionaries,SantillánhadtomakehisescapetoMontevideoandhereweseehiminthecafécirclesamongtheexiledpoliticians.

ThepresidentofUruguay,Terra,declaredhimselftobedictatoranddischargedtheBlancos,Battlistas,andColoradosfromtheirgovernmentposts.SantilláninsinuatedhimselfintothesocialcirclesofthosewhopassedthemselvesoffastheoppositionandinashamefulamalgamofBlancos,Battlistas,socialists,Bolsheviksandanarcho-dictatorialistscreatedtheCommitteeforAgitationAgainsttheDictatorships,attemptingtodragtheFORUontothisconfusedterrain,whichgaveitareasontoopenlydistanceitselffromtheanarchistsofUruguay.

AfterhisbrilliantactivityinMontevideoandafterhisdisplayofalliancistconceptscompletelyatoddswiththe

ideasheadvocatedinhiswritingshemadehisexit,happyandconfident,fromthisenvironment,inwhichitwasnolongerpossibleforhimtopropagandizesuccessfullyonbehalfofhisnovelcircumstantialtheory.

AshorttimelaterhemadehistriumphantappearanceontheIberianPeninsula.AndyoucanimaginehowamanofsuchintellectualprestigeandsuchabackgroundofexperienceinhisdealingswiththedemocraticpoliticianswouldhavebeengiventhewelcomehedeservedbytheSpanishworkers,givinghimthechancetotesthissociologicaldiscoveries.Theenvironmentshouldhavebeenpropitiousforhim.

HearrivedinSpainonJuly19,1936.ThemilitaryrevoltledbyFrancohadjustbrokenout.

SantillánmadehisdramaticentryarmedandwithanescortatthepalaceoftheGeneralitat,inordertohaveaninterviewwithPresidentCompanys,asinceredemocrat,andatthismomentheplacedtheofficialsealoftheCNTonthefirstbetrayal.

Ofhisactivities,ofhisflashyideasandhisconductwithregardtothechoicesposedbythecivilwar,wehavealreadyprovidedsomedetailsinthepassagestranscribedinthisbookfromthereportpresentedbycomradeBesnardtotheExtraordinaryCongressoftheIWA,and

inotherchapters.

AndinTiemposNuevos,amagazinepublishedinBarcelona,inJune1937,Santillán,inthearticleentitled,AnarchistsintheGovernmentorGovernmentalAnarchists?,heardentlybangsonthedrumofhisapostasyinordertoofferusthisdiscordantmusicalscore:

Regardlessofthecorrelationandthedependence;regardlessoftheharmonythatmustalwaysreignbetweenwhatonesaysandwhatonedoes,betweenonesideasandthefactsrecitedintheirsupport,betweendoctrinesandthepracticalconductofthosewhoupholdthosedoctrines,theydonotalwaysgo

handinhand,together,generalprinciples,whicharetheessence,withthetacticalmeans,whichdependoncircumstancesandareinfluencedbythem.

Principles,theideal,arelikethecompassthatguidesonesstepstowardsthegoal.Theyarethestraightlinetracedinourabstractions.Tacticsaretheapplicationoftheseprinciples,ofthatcourse,tothetwistingandchangingcontingenciesandobstaclesoftheroad.Ifoftenhappensthatitisnotthestraightlinethatleadsusasrapidlyaspossibleandmostsurelytoourgoal;sometimesonegetstherefirstbywayofzigzags.Sometimesitevenhappensthatonegetstherefasterbyretracingonessteps.

Inallofthiswhatisimportantisnottolosesight,evenwhentheattainmentofouridealbecomeslesslikelyforthetimebeing,ofthetruenorthindicatedbythecompassofourreasonforexistence.ButathousandroadsleadtoRomeandthechoiceofthebestonedependsonamultitudeofcircumstancesandfactorsoftheprecisemomentwhenthechoiceismade.

ThistheoryisafaithfulcopyoftheBolshevikslogan:Anymeansisgood,aslongasitleadstotheend.AndtheendthatisproposedbytheobsequiousservantsofStalinistheState.

ThemostfelicitousaspectofthisSantillanistinconsistencyisthefactthat,

inordertomakehispompouslitanyseemlessarrogant,heclaimsthattogettoRometotheMinistryoftheEconomyhehadtosetasidecertainscruples,asifhehadnotalreadyabandonedthesescruplesalongtimebefore,withhisadventuresamongthepoliticiansofourlittlepartoftheworld.

***

Butthatisnotall.Theworstisyettocome.

AlmostattheendofthetragedyexperiencedbytheSpanishpeople,Santillánpublishedhisretrospectivebook,TheRevolutionandtheWarinSpain,inwhich,whiledescribingthe

mostimportanteventsofthecivilwarandalotofquiteignominiousbackroomgoings-on,heaskshimselfwhetherallthebetrayalsofprinciplesthatheendorsedandimplementedwiththeotherleadersoftheCNTwerebeneficialordetrimental,andheconcludeseachchapterwithawhiningcommentaryabouttheinsinceritydemonstratedbythepoliticiansintheantifascistbloc!

AnditisthankstothisbookthatwehavebecomeacquaintedwiththelastdiscoveriesmadebySantillán.Heunderstandsthatthesocialrevolutionisadictatorshiptothedetrimentofothersandforthatreasonhepreferredtoacceptthedictatorshipofthepoliticians.Ofcourse,

ifheactedasananarchist,hewouldnothavehadthesatisfactionofsittinginasofteasychairattheMinistryoftheEconomy.

Hefurthermorediscoveredthatthepettybourgeoisiemustnotbedeprivedofthatminimumofcomfortandsecurityoflifetowhichtheyhavebecomeaccustomed

asanessentialconditionofanyvictory.

PoorSantillán!Hewastedsomanyyearsofhislifeasapropagandistformethodsofstruggleandideasofabettersocialwayoflifeforhumanityandsuddenlythescalesfellfromhiseyes,andhebeheldthecrudereality:thebeautifulawakening,theheroicdeedsofthe

Spanishpeople,theiroverwhelmingvictory,alltounderstandthatthesocialrevolutionthathewitnessedwasadictatorshiptothedetrimentofthebourgeoisieandtheauthoritarians.

Thisbringsusbacktotheacrobaticsofarevolutionarypoetwhowasactiveinourcirclesin1906:ÁngelFalco.HavingrevealedthathiscolleagueSantosChocanohadperformedasaclownfortheroyalpalacesofEurope,hededicatedthefamoussonnetFromFightertoCourtiertoChocano.Ashorttimelater,ÁngelFalcoacceptedapositioninthediplomaticcorpsanddidnotwriteanymorerevolutionaryverses.

Santillán,ontheotherhand,inhis

retrospectiveworkplaguedbysophistry,inconsistenciesanddenialsseemstoclenchhisfistand,strikinghimselfinhischest,likethecatechumens,recitingMeaculpa,meaculpa,meamaximaculpa.1

1.TherefrainoftheconfessionalprayeroftheRomanCatholicMass,Myfault,myfault,mymostgrievousfault,whichissupposedtoberecitedwhilestrikingoneschestwithonesfistthreetimes[TranslatorsNote].

Chapter13:ThetragiceventsofMayinBarcelona

13

ThetragiceventsofMayinBarcelona

Despitetheappealsforsanity,senseandrectificationoftheirconductthatweredirectedfromeverycorneroftheworldatthecenetistasandfaístas,thelatterremainedunperturbed,implementingtheirnewdoctrinesandoperationalmethodsandexercisinggreatcarenottohurtthefeelingsoftheirantifascistallies.ThetermsocialrevolutionwasexpungedfromtheSpanishvocabulary.Itwasreplacedbythephrasewemustwinthewar,aphrasethatwasveryflatteringtotheMarxistpoliticians,whiletheypubliclydeclaredthattheywerefightingforademocraticrepublic.

Inthemeantime,therewasahand,invisibleonlytothosewhosufferedfrom

anequallycircumstantialmyopia,thatpulledthestringsoftheplanthatwashatchedbythecentralgovernmentofLargoCaballeroinconnivancewiththediplomacyofthedemocraticnationswhosepurposewastocompletelyeliminatethenowgreatlydiminishedinfluenceoftheanarchistsinCataloniaandAragon.ThesameplanthatwaslatercarriedoutbyNegrín,Prieto,etc.

Onemonthbeforetheeventsthatweshalldescribebelow,theGeneralitathadundergoneagovernmentcrisis,whichwasresolvedbythedemocratCompanysinamostcapriciouswayaccordingtoSouchybecausehewasseekingtoreducethenumberofCNTministers.Sincethese

CNTministers,however,demonstratedtheircomplacencyandagreatcapacityforpatience,inordernottobreaktheantifascistfront,theyalsoswallowedthisbitterpill(Souchy).

AttheendofApril1937,AntonioMartín,ananarchistmilitantfromPuigcerdá,alongwithseveralofhiscomradesinthatlocality,wereassassinated.

TheCNT,however,madeoverturestowardstheUGTregardingajointcelebrationofMayDaybythetwotradeunioncentrals,butitsunionistproposalsdidnotmeetwithsuccess.

***

DuringthefirstfewdaysofMay,comradeCamilloBernerialongwithhiscomradeGiovanniBarbieriwasfounddead,who,alreadyinNovember1936,hadengagedinaviolentcritiqueofthedeviationswhoseexistencehehadconfirmed,andsaidthatitwasamatterforregret,thatacertainprocessofBolshevizationwasunderwaywithintheCNTandinthenewspaperGuerradiClasse,duringthesamemonth,hepublishedapropheticarticle,fromwhichweshallreproduceafewparagraphsfullofevidencethatisrelevantforourtimeandforallthosewhoobservethingswiththeeyesofrealityandnotwiththesmoke-tintedlensesofspecialcircumstances.Bernerisaid:

Therepublicans,thesocialistleadershipandthecommunistsarenowunitedontheconstitutionalistbasis.TheExecutiveCommitteeoftheSpanishCommunistPartydeclaredrecentlythatintodaysstruggle,itcalledforthedefenseofdemocracyandofprivateproperty.ThisisbeginningtosmelllikeNoske.WereMadridnotinflameswewouldbeforcedtothinkofKronstadt.ButthepolicyofMadridwillbevictorious.ItwillnotarmorfinancerevolutionaryCatalonia.

PerhapsthiswasdoneonlyasamessagetotheUSSRthatitshouldsendarmsandcadresforthepurposeofcontrollingtherevolutionarystruggleandstoppingthedevelopmentofthesocialrevolution,

forcingitintothechannelofthearmedstruggleagainstfascism?Theblackmail:MadridorFranco,thisiswhathasparalyzedSpanishanarchism.TodayBarcelonaisbetweenBurgos,Rome,Berlin,MadridandMoscow.Asiege.

Blackcloudsaregatheringonthehorizon;thehazeblindsus.

Weconcentrateourgazeandholdtherudderinagripofsteel.Weareonthehighseasandthereisastorm.Butweknowhowtoperformmiracles.BetweenthePrussiansandVersailles,theCommunesetalightabeaconthatilluminatedtheentireworld.

BetweenBurgosandMadrid,lies

Barcelona.

Keepthatinmind,GaudetsofMoscow.1

(C.Berneri)

Bernerihadsignedhisowndeathsentence,whichwastobecarriedoutbythemercenariesworkingundertheordersoftheantifascistfront,ormoreaccurately,theemissariesofStalin.

***

InordertofindoutwhattookplaceduringtheMayDaysandduringthesubsequentperiodinBarcelona,thereisnobetterplacetolookthanthearchivesoftheCNTandtheFAI.Weshallread

somefragmentsfromthelongreportpublishedintheInformationBulletinoftheCNTandFAI,whichweobtainedfromanissueofSolidaridadofMontevideopublishedduringthecivilwar,alongwithcommentarybytheeditorsofthelatternewspaper,inwhichtheeditorsaccuratelyoutlineanexplanationofthecausesthatledtotheeventsofMay:

WeshalltakefromtheInformationBulletinoftheCNTandFAI,ofBarcelona,thecommuniquédatedMay17,publishedbytheNationalCommitteeoftheCNT,relatinganaccountoftheeventsinCataloniaandtheircauses.Wethinkthisreportisinterestingbecauseit

istheofficialstatementoftheNationalCommitteeoftheCNT,whichprovidesthecomradeswithevidenceuponthebasisofwhichtheycaninterpretthemeaningoftheeventsandunderstandthemotivesthatguidedthosewhodideverythingintheirpowertoprovokethem.

Wemust,however,emphasizeonceagain,thattheyarethenaturalconsequenceofthatalliancisttendencythatsometimesarisesinourmovement,enticedbytheillusionofnumericalgrowth,withoutunderstandingthatfromthemomentthatwemakeanalliancewithanenemy,wenolongertreathimasanenemy,andconsequentlytheworkers

whoaremembersofaninstitutionthatwearefightingandwhohavebeguntofeeltheeffectofourpreaching,insteadofabandoningthatinstitutionbecausetheyfeelasenseofbrotherhoodwithourprinciples,onceagainfeelatpeacewiththeirconsciences,becauseouractionhasvalorizedtheenemyinstitutiontowhichtheybelong,andmuchworse,fromthemomentthat,inevitablyandbyvirtueofthisalliance,wenolongersaythatthatinstitutionisbad,theyaretheoneswhowillmakesurethatwearesilent,topreserveUNITY.

ThisismoreorlesswhathashappenedtoourSpanishcomrades,withtheirallianceinanantifascistfront,withtheworse,and

unjustifiableaggravatingfactoroftheirinterventionintheinstitutionsofthegovernment.

THEREPORTOFTHENATIONALCOMMITTEE:

Esteemedcomrades:theeventsthathavetakenplaceintheCatalonianregionobligeustoprovidetotheorganizationareportontheevents,andmostespecially,concerningthewaythosewhocomposethisNationalCommitteehaveintervenedintheseevents.

OnMondayweheardthenewsthatsomethingserioushadtakenplaceinBarcelona.Wedidnotdecidetointervene,becauseforseveraldays

abnormalconditionshadprevailedthere,andwewereconvincedthatitwouldnotbeeasytoactinsuchawaythatourinterventionwouldbringtheeventstoahalt.AwareofthefactthattheOrganizationinCataloniawasundergoingastageofexperimentation,whichconsistedinapplyingunderexistingcircumstancesthesamemethodsthatconferlifeandconsistencytotheCNT,withoutthecomradesrecallingthattoday,inaplanofgovernmentinterventionismandobligatorycollaboration,thesemethodsrequireachange,onethatcoincideswiththechangefromoppositiontointervention.Ontheotherhand,thepoliticaladversaryactedinaprovocativemanner,forthe

obstinatelypursuedpurposeofmakingtheConfederalOrganizationreturntoitsoldstreetfightingways.Theprocesswasalongone,andwecouldhaveintervenedbutwesawthatoureffortswereuseless,sincethediscussionsattheplenumsandmeetingsframedthequestioninanINOPPORTUNEMANNER.

OnTuesday,the4th,thecomradeswhoparticipatedintheValenciaGovernmentweresummonedbythePresidentoftheGovernment,whoinformedthemthatthesituationinBarcelonawasserious,thatdecisiveinterventionwasrequired,inordertobringahalttothecivilwarthathadbrokenoutwithsuchgreatviolence.LargoCaballeroexplainedthatthe

CouncilorofInternalSecurityofCataloniahadsentarequesttotheMinisterrepresentingtheCentralGovernmentfortheurgentdispatchof1,500assaultguards,aforcethatwasindispensabletosuppressthemovement.TheGovernmentcouldnotdothisbecausethiswouldmeansendingforcestooperateattheserviceofelementsthatmayhavehadsomethingtodowithprovokingtheconflict.Ratherthanagreeingtosendtheassaultguards,heproceededtoinstituteanemergencydraftoftheServicesofPublicOrder,asstipulatedintheConstitution.ItwasnecessaryfortheNationalCommitteesoftheCNTandtheUGTtoimmediatelyproceedtoBarcelonainordertoattempt

topersuadethefighterstodisarm,withassurancesthat,afterwards,thecausesoftheeventswouldbediscussedandsolutionswouldbesought.TheNationalCommitteemetanddecidedtogotoBarcelonainordertofulfillitsprimarymissionofbringingaboutacease-fire,inordertopreventtheemergencydraftoftheServicesofPublicOrderbytheCentralGovernmentandtocarryoutasmuchdamagecontrolaspossible,tomitigatethedisasterthecivilwarthathadbrokenoutimpliedwithregardtointernationalanddomesticaffairs.

WeappointedcomradesJuanGarcíaOliverandMarianoVázquez,directingthemtoproceedtoBarcelona.Onbehalf

oftheExecutiveCommitteeoftheUGT,comradesHernándezZancajoandMuńozwereappointed.Thejourneywasmadebyairplane.

TheconstantPROVOCATIONShadledtotheclashesinthestreets.ThelastprovocationwasthedispatchofpublicforcestotheTelephoneBuilding,inordertoseizeitandthusstrikeablowattheUGT-CNTControlCommittee.AtthemostrecentmeetingoftheCounciloftheGeneralitat,everyoneagreedinacknowledgingthatAyguadéhadexceededhisauthorityasthecommanderofthepublicforces.Butnoonewantedtoacceptresponsibilityforreplacingor

punishingtheresponsibleparties,AyguadéandRodriguezSalas.

AttheGeneralitatameetingwasconvenedthatwasattendedbyrepresentativesofallsectors.Oncethismeetinghadbegun,weimmediatelyproposed,asthefirstissueontheagenda,thebenefitsthatwouldcomefromtherepresentativesoftheorganizationsbroadcastingviaradioanaddresscallingforacease-fire.Itwasnecessarytogaintime,topreventmorevictims.Andforeseeingthatthediscussioncouldbealongone,wecutourpresentationshort,andalsomadeitcleartotheattendeesthatallofuswereunitedandreadytofindasolutiontotheveryserious

problemposedinthestreets.Ourproposalwasacceptedbytheotherrepresentatives.Themeetingwasadjourned.Wespokeovertheradio.Andwemetonceagain.Afteracomprehensivedebate,weproposedtheformulathataProvisionalCouncilshouldbeconstituted,withfourrepresentatives,towhichnoindividualwhohadparticipatedinpreviousCouncilswouldbeadmitted

.ThisCouncilwouldhaveaprovisionalcharacterandwouldbepresidedoverbyCompanys.Itsmissionwouldlast10to15days,duringwhichtimetheorganizationswouldengageindiscussionsoftheirpointsofviewand

elaborateactionprogramsthatwouldobligeeachorganization,inaresponsibleway,tofulfillthetermsoftheiractionprogramsandnottorepeatwhathadbeentheusualcaseuptothattime,i.e.,thefactthatpactsandagreementswereadeadletter.Thisproposalwasalsoaccepted,afterextensivedebate.WedefendedtheviewthatthisCouncilshouldbeconstitutedimmediatelyinordertomakepublicthefactthattheconflicthasbeenresolved,andtoimposetheconditionthateveryoneshouldgohome.TherepresentativesoftheUGTtheCommunistsinCataloniaexpressedtheiroppositiontothisproposal,claimingthatitwasfirstnecessarytoimmediatelyachieveacease-fireinthestreets;itwas

better,accordingtothem,toallowsometimeforthesituationtonormalize

.Weexhaustedalltheargumentsindefenseofourposition.Wethoughtitwasnecessarytogaintime,inordertopreventtheGovernmentfrombeingobligedtodrafttheServicesofPublicOrder.Buttherewasnowaytomakethemunderstand.TheEzquerraandtheRabassaires,althoughtheydidnotparticipateinthedebate,supportedtheCommuinistposition.Finally,attwointhemorning,themeetingconcludedwiththedecisiontomakeanotherspeechontheradio,emphasizingthefactthatwehadtomakeourselvesunderstoodandthatitwasnecessarytobringabouta

totalceasefire,andtonormalizethesituation.ThenextmorningCompanysannouncedtheconstitutionofthenewCounciloftheGeneralitat,aprovisionalCouncilforpacification.Attheendofthemeeting,wenotifiedtheGovernmentthatthingsweregoingwell.TheGovernmenthadbeenmeetinginpermanentsession,addressingtheproblemofCataloniaanddebatingwhetherornottoissueaDecreetodrafttheServicesofPublicOrder.ComradeFedericaMontsenyledtheoppositionforfourhoursagainsttheCommunistsandRepublicanswhoadvocatedthedraftingoftheServicesofPublicOrderandDefense.Thiswasaheateddebate;whenitcameupforavote,welost,thedraftwasorderedwith

thestipulationthattheGovernmentwouldwaituntilthelastpossiblemomenttodispatchthetroops.TheCouncilremainedinsessionuntiltwointhemorningwhenwewereinformedthatthesituationwasreturningtonormal.

InBarcelona,earlyinthemorning,weobservedthatthesituationhadgottenworse.Ourfirstradioaddresshadanimpact.Butinafewhoursthefightingresumed.AndatdawnonWednesday,thesituationinBarcelonapresentedaverygrimpanorama.

WecouldclearlyobservetheconcealedsatisfactionwithwhicheveryonehadwelcomedthedecisionoftheGovernment.ThenewssoonreachedtheGeneralitatthatseveralFrenchandEnglishwarshipshadanchoredintheportofBarcelona.Inspiteofeverythingwewerestilltryingtoputoutthefire.

OnWednesdaynight,inagreementwithallthecomradeswhowereattheGeneralitat,wedecidedtospeakovertheradiotogetherwithVidiellafromtheUGTinordertoissueonelastappealmakingitclearthattheCNTwasreadytoexpelfromitsranksanypersonswhocontinuedtobeararmsinthestreetsafter

thepassageofonemorehour.

TheFederationofTradeUnions,inagreementwiththeLocalFederationoftheUGT,draftedtheordertoreturntowork.WeagreedthatthedirectorsofthedailynewspapersoftheCNTandtheUGTwouldorderthattheThursdayeditionsoftheirpaperswouldissueanappealforconcord.Thursdaydawnedrelativelypeacefullyonthestreets;peoplebegantogoabouttheirdailybusiness.Thetransportunionissuedtheordertoreturntowork;butsincethetransitlineswerenotoperational,itwasnecessarytodispatchrepairteams.Theseteamsdepartedintraincarsfromtherepairshops,butasthemorning

progressedtheyhadtoreturntotheirshopsbecausesniperswereshootingatthem.Anytrolleycarthattriedtodepartfromthestationswasshotat.ThemetrohadtosuspendoperationsbecauseatsomeentrancestheCommunistpoliceandpolicefromtheEstatCataláassailedthepassengers.Atthecheckpointsandbarricadesmannedbytheothersectorsthatweremembersofthefrontarrayedagainstus,peopleweredetainedandsearched,andmembershipcardsoftheCNTweretornup.Atsomelocations,largequantitiesofdestroyedConfederalmembershipcardswerefound.Inotherplaces,ourcomradeswereattacked.Ourofficeswereattacked.Ourenemiesseizedstrongpoints,takingadvantageof

thetrucevoluntarilycompliedwithbyourcomrades,whowereanxioustoputanendtothefratricidalstruggle.Thissituationhadtheresultthatbymid-daythesituationhadgottenworseandthefightinghadonceagainbecomegeneralized.Thatevening,theSecretaryoftheNationalCommitteearrivedattheheadquartersoftheRegionalCommittee,whereameetingwasheld.Wewereimmediatelyinformedthatthesituationhadbecomeworsethanever.Thecomradeswerereadyforanything

.

Regardlessofhowmanyprovocationswereaimedatus,andnomatterwhatwedid,itwasnotpossibleforustocloseour

eyesanddecidetowagethefinalbattle

.Wecouldnotforgetthataglanceatthefactsprovedbeyondashadowofadoubtthatwewouldthusbeplayingtheenemysgame.Theywantedustosurgeintothestreets,theywantedresponsibilityforPublicOrdertopassintothehandsoftheGovernment,convincedthatthelatter,intheinterestofprosecutingthewar,andofdomesticandinternationalnecessities,wouldhavetocrushthemovement.Inthisway,theCentralGovernmentwouldfightagainstusandafterwardstheywouldappear,oncetheCNThadbeeneliminatedandifforeigninterventiondidnottakeplacefirst,washingtheirhandsandmastersofthesituationinCatalonia,

sincenoonewouldbeabletosaythattheywereresponsiblefortherepression

.Weunderstandperfectlywellthetragedyofthecomradeswhofelttheyhadbeendrivenintoacornerandprovoked.Thefactisthattheycontemplatedthedownfalloftheirfriendsandcomrades.ButABOVEALLELSEthereistheneedtopreventtheresoundingcollapseofeverythingthattheSpanishproletariathadachievedsinceJuly19,handingvictorytoFrancoonaplatter,ontheonehand,andplayingtheenemysgameontheother

.

TheNationalCommitteeimmediately

departed,togetherwithaCommission,fortheGeneralitat,inordertocontacttheGovernmentbytelephone.UponspeakingwiththeMinister,weexplainedasclearlyaspossiblejusthowseriousthesituationwas.WedenouncedtheattitudeofthecommandersoftheServiceofPublicOrder.WepointedoutthatRodriguezSalaswasstillthechiefoftheCommissariatofPublicOrder,whichjustifiedtheprovocationsofthepublicforces,sincetheywerestillunderhiscommand.WeclearlysuggestedthattheproblemofBarcelonawasnotaproblemtoberesolvedwithpublicforce,butwithtact.Inordertoputanendtothefighting,theestablishmentofatrucewasindispensable.Threehourswouldbe

enough.Itwasofurgentimportancethatduringthisperiodoftimethepublicforcesmustnotinterveneatall;thattheymustnotconductsearches;thattheymustnotarrestanyone;thattheymustdoabsolutelynothing.Thenthosewhoarearmedcanabandonthebarricades,thebuildingstheyseizedandanyotherplacestheyhaveoccupied.Galarzaacceptedoursuggestion.ItwasagreedthatfromsixtonineinthemorningonThursdaythepublicforceswouldnotinterferewithanyone.Andthatasofthatmomentfinalorderswouldbeissuedforacease-fire.Asforthecommanders,weweretoldthatthenextdaythenewofficerswouldarrivebyairplanewithwrittenordersthatwouldbeissued

sothatwewouldbeassuredthattheywereengaginginaplanofpacificationratherthanrepression.AsfortheCommissariatofPublicOrder,itwasorderedthatRodríguezSalasshouldbeIMMEDIATELYdischarged.Itwasnecessary,accordingtoGalarza,thatthepublicforcesthatwerecomingfromValenciamustbeallowedtopassunhinderedtoBarcelona.TheirpresenceinBarcelonawasessential,sincetheguardsthatwereondutywereapartisan,biasedforce,andrepresentedadangerforpacification.UndertheseconditionswecametoanagreementwiththeMinisteroftheGovernment.Butwespecified,becauseitwasofsuchimportance,thatthepublicforcesshouldnotenter

Barcelonauntilafternineinthemorning,inordertoavoidincidents.Galarzaacceptedthisideaandpromisedtoseetoitthatitwasobserved.

WeinformedtheCatalonianorganizationoftheconclusionswehadreached,orderingthecomradestobepreparedtowithdrawfromtheirpositionsatsixinthemorning.

TheLocalFederationofTradeUnions,togetherwiththeLocalCommitteeoftheUGT,draftedanothernoticeorderingareturntowork.Furthermore,wespokewithArrando,inordertoironoutthedetailsconcerningtheordersissuedbytheMinisteroftheGovernment.Atthesametimewesuggested,andArrando

concurred,thatthecontrolpatrols,apublicforcethathadbeenplacedundertheordersoftheDelegateofPublicOrder,andwhichhadnotbeeninvolvedintheevents,shouldleavetheirbarracksatsixinthemorninginordertopatrolthestreetsofBarcelona,inordertopreventanyincidents.

Thiswasahardblowtotheircalculations.Thewholeplancollapsed,attheverymomentwereachedanagreementwiththecentralgovernment.

Thatmorning,thecomrades,havingreadtheorders,immediatelywithdrewtotheirhomes.Longbeforetheexpirationofthethreehourtruce,noneofourcomradesremainedarmedatbarricades.However,

theothercontendingpartiestookadvantageofeveryopportunitytocarryoutprovocations.Insomecasesitwasdifficulttocontaintheoutrageofthecomradeswhowerethetargetsofmachinegunfire,despitetheordersthatwereissued.Thisconstitutedyetmoreevidencethatourenemiesdidnotwantatruce.Theysoughttocontinuethefightingatanyprice.Thatwastheirpremeditatedplan.Buttheyfailedbecausegoodsensewasinculcatedintoourcomradesandtheydidnotrespondtotheprovocations.InthiswayaseriousproblemwasliquidatedinBarcelona.

Intheoutlyingtowns,thecomradesallowedtheforcescomingfromValencia

tohavefreepassage;insomeplaces,however,ourenemies,alwaysactingaccordingtotheirplanofprovocationandrevenge,tookadvantageofthewithdrawalofourarmedcomradesassoonastheproblemofBarcelonawasresolved.Inotherplacestheyengagedinrepression.ThiswasduetothefactthatthecommandersofthepublicforcesactedinthetownsundertheordersofthePartythathadbroughtthewartoBarcelona,againsttheCNT.Noprovocationswereenoughtoovercomethesenseofresponsibilityandthegoodsensethatourmovementexhibited.

Thisisthesituation.Nowallthatis

necessaryisfortheOrganizationtoengageinprofoundreflectiononwhathastakenplace.Itisonemoreexperiencethatclearlyindicatesthatgoodwillisnotenough.Itspecifiestheneedforustoneversituateourselvesontheplaneofplayingourenemysgame.Thepoliticalsituationisincreasinglymorecomplex.Onlyacarefulanalysis,carriedoutbythoseofuswhoknowthecomplicationsandhiddencharacteristicsofthesesituations,canhelpguideusbytheroadthatisintheinterestofthemovement,toprogressandvictoryinthewar.Aboveall,sothatwemustneverproceedunconsciouslytotheplacethatwewanttoreach,aplacethatwehavetoreachandwhichistoourbenefit.

Werestrainedourimpulses.Andnowwecanattendtowhatreallymatters.

Andnowtheyareallactinglikeidiots;thepartieshavelosttheirsenseofdirection,especiallythecommunistparty,amidsttheoverwhelmingfailureoftheirmaneuver.Weshallorienttheoffensiveontheplaneofgoodsenseandanorderlyexplanationofthefacts,abandoninganaggressivetoneandlettingthemallshoutandcryasmuchastheywant.Givethemenoughrope.Andthelibertarianmovementwillclearthewaywithitsabilityandgreatsenseofobjectivereality.

***

Withcarefullychosenwordsandwithoutanykindofprecautions,thisreportoftheNationalCommitteeoftheCNTexpressesasclearlyaspossiblethemostabsolutenegationofitsanarchistrootsandthesuicidalproposalsofsurrenderthatthegovernmentalcenetistasandfaístascherishedandcontinuedtoimplementinacowardlyandincompetentmanner,goingsofarasnotonlytodisavowthearmedresistanceoftheanarchistcomrades,whichwassobravelydisplayedonthebarricadesbuiltonthestreetsofBarcelona,buteven,availingthemselvesoftheunjustifiedprestigeandinfluencetheyhadamongourcomrades,undertookbymeansofunderhandedmaneuvers,tocausethemto

desistfromtheirdignifiedattitudeandsurrenderthemselvestothemercyoftheauthoritarianblocthat,withitsoutrageshadprovokedtheindignationoftheanarchistsandthepeopleofBarcelona.

thecomradeswerereadyforanything

.Regardlessofhowmanyprovocationswereaimedatus,andnomatterwhatwedid,itwasnotpossibleforustocloseoureyesanddecidetowagethefinalbattle

.Werestrainedourimpulses.Andnowwecanattendtowhatreallymatters.Thisiswhattheministerialistshavethenervetosay.Thebarricadesmustbetorndown

.Onestoneforeachcitizen,anddownwiththebarricades,whicharememorialstoatragictime,memoriesthatmustdisappear,thatitisnecessaryforthemtodisappearasasacrificetotheunityandfraternitythatwehavetopreserve,arminarm

.ThatiswhattheybroadcastoverRadioCNT-FAI.

Andinthisway,withspeechesontheradioandleafletssaturatedwithwordsofthesamekind,onceagain,theredemptiveimpulsesandthejustindignationoftheanarchistsandasensiblepartoftheSpanishpeopleweresuppressed,who,reactingmostenergeticallyagainstthedeceptionby

whichtheyhadbeenvictimizedbythecenetistasandfaístas,andseekingtopreventtheirowncomradesfrombeingmurderedandwantingtoresisttheauthoritarianarroganceofallthepoliticians,hadpouredintothestreetstorisktheirlivesforfreedom.Andevenmoreimportantly:ifitwerepossibleforustodevotemorespacetorecountingotherunfortunateanddisagreeableepisodesthatoccurredduringthisshortperiod,wecouldfullyexposethetreasonouscancerthathadunderminedthemorale,thecourageandthegoodnessoftheSpanishpeople.Andifyouhavetheopportunitytoreadthepamphletbythefence-sitterA.Souchy,TheTragicWeekinMay:TheMayDays,Barcelona,

1937,2youwillbeabletoappreciatejusthowcowardlythebehavioroftheministerialistsreallywas;howshamelesslytheyconcludedtheiradventuresandflirtationswiththeantifascistpoliticiansandtowhatextenttheybetrayedthenoblecauseofhumanemancipation.

1.AnotherEnglishtranslationofthispassagemaybeconsultedatonlineattheWebsiteoftheKateSharpleyLibrary:http://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/camillo-berneri-war-and-revolution[TranslatorsNote].

2.AnEnglishtranslationofSouchy’spamphletmaybeconsultedonlineat:http://flag.blackened.net/revolt/spain/souchy_may.html

[TranslatorsNote].

Chapter14:Theopportunismoftheadmirers

14

Theopportunismoftheadmirers

Internationalopportunismwasneverofferedsuchidealopportunitiesamidstthethickundergrowthoflabelsanarcho-dictators,faquistas,syndicalists,aliancistas,antifascistsandotherismsthanthosethatwereafforded,bythehandful,tothemenwhoheldpositionsofresponsibilityintheCNTandtheFAI.

Andnotonlydidtheyprovideevidence

oftheirobsequiousnesswiththeexampleoftheiractivitiesduringtheentireperiodofthecivilwarinSpain,but,withstubbornnessworthyofabettercause,initiatedaradio,journalisticandtelegraphicoffensivewiththesuicidalgoalofspreadingthecontagionoftheircircumstantialoperationalstrategiesandconceptstothoseenvironmentsoftheinternationalworkersmovementthatwereyetuncontaminatedbytheconfusionistvirusandpromisingtheirsolidarityandassociationforthosewhoarealwaysreadytoimitatetheircapriciousnesswithwordsoragestures.

Letustakealookatsomeoftheconceptstheytransmitted,thefruitoftheir

circumstantialoffensive:

Wemustachieve,regardlessofthecost,unityofopinioninantifasciststruggles,andthecoordinationofallefforts.Wemustachievethesegoals,circumventing,ifnecessary,anynumberofblind,obstinate,unconsciousorcriminalelements,whoareopposedtothesegoalsandplaceobstaclesinourpath,wearetoldbyFedericaMontseny.

Theformerenemiesofthefatherlandhavenowbecomeitsdefenders

.Weacceptmilitarizationandwithitwesetaside,wedemotetoasecondarymatter,ourstruggleagainstmilitarydiscipline.Wehaverecognizedthe

authorityoftheState,temporarilysuspendingouroldstruggleagainstallstateinstitutions.Wehaveparticipatedinthegovernmentandwearecollaboratingwithit,inthetasksrelatedtowinningthewaragainstfascism,writesA.Souchy.

Wearegettingclosertoreality.Andwearemovingawayalittle,althoughonlyalittle,fromthevenerablebeards

.Theyhavealreadyfulfilledtheirmission.Wenowhavetofulfillours.Andiftheyweretoreturn,theywouldaccuseusofincompetence,sectarianism,stupidity,ifweweretohaveremainedrigidlystuckinthepast,regardlessofhowmuchcircumstanceshavechanged,proclaimed,inhiscapacityasSecretary

GeneraloftheCNT,MarianoR.Vázquez.

TheCNTdidnotwanttobecomeseparatedfromreality.Withoutrenouncingitsfinalgoals,itadapteditstacticstothedemandsofthetime,ManuelVillartellsus.

Forthefirsttimeinthehistoryofthesocialmovement,we,theanarchists,havejoinedagovernmentwithalltheresponsibilitiesinherenttothatfunction.Butthisisnotbecausewehaveforgottenourfundamentalpostulates,DiegoAbaddeSantillánexpostulated.

Therefore,welcometothecenetistaministers!,LuisHerediatoldthem,inthe

journalLaProtestaofChile.Ourfatherland,thefatherlandofalltheworkers,isthepatrimonythatweholdinourhandstoday.Thefatherlandisindanger,theMinisterofJustice,JuanGarcíaOliversaidinoneofhispublicaddresses.Fortunately,theactionoftheSpanishanarchistshashadaprofoundinfluenceonthepeopleofthiscountry

.ThefactthatLargoCaballerohasadoptedarevolutionarypositionbyacknowledgingthedesiresofthevastmultitudes,whoaretiredof,anddisappointedwith,parliamentarism,andwithbourgeoislegality,signifiesoneofthegreatestvictoriesforthepositionoftheCNTandtheFAI,asoneofthe

faquistasofArgentinaputitinAcciónLibertaria.

Theanarchistshavechangednothing,absolutelynothing;neitherwithregardtotheorynorwithregardtopractice

.TheCNTjoinedthegovernmentunderthecompulsionofaspecialsituationandcircumstancescreatedbyarevolutionthatwasnotentirelyinitshands

.,statedtheUruguayanopportunistsviatheirorgan,thejournalEsfuerzo.

Anarchismnottheoldmasters,butcontemporaryanarchismlacksahistoricalvisionandcultivatesanabstractideologythatmustalwaysbesterile.Thesolemn

declamationofeternalprincipleswhichcannotbealteredatall,doesnotmaketheworldchange

.Wehavetostudythepossibilityofescaping,inmanycountries,sectarianisolation

.,H.Rudigerblurtedout.

IhavebothfaithandhopeintheCNTandtheFAIandtheirmilitantswhenIsaythatoncethewarisover,Spain,despitethefactthattheconfederalorganizationintervenedintheofficialmanagementofthegovernment,inordertosavethecountryfromtheinvasionofworldfascism,willcontinuetobethecradleofanarchismand

anarchosyndicalism,saidMascarell.

We,theanarchists,stillhaveourrepresentativesinthisprovisionalgovernment,inordertodiplomaticallyrepresentoutsideofSpaintherightofself-defense,ofindependenceandfreedom

.,arguesCulturaProletariaofNewYork.

***

Manyothermessagesandproclamationsofthesameorsimilarkindwerescatteredtothefourwindsandtheopportunistsapplaudedloudly.Andthatwasnotall.

Theincompetentandtreasonousactivity

ofthecenetistasandfaístasinthevariousbureaucraticpositionsintheSpanishgovernmentcausedthemtogrowup;theirentireinnovative,capricious,confusionistandwhimsicalpastwasofficiallyvindicated.Theycangoonwiththeirhobnobbingandassociating,moreopenly,incorporatingvaluablerevolutionarytactics,evenwithoutthepresenceofthespecialcircumstance,withalltherightwingorleftwingpoliticians.InSpain,withrepublicans,socialists,communists.InArgentina,withtheradicals,conservatives,etc.Andhere,inUruguay,withbattlistas,blancos,frugonianosandBolsheviks.Withallthosewhowillspeakofdemocracy.Toextendtheantifascistfrontacrossevery

ocean.

Thisexplainstheunanimityoftheapplause,indefenseandjustification,thatarosefromtheopportunistranks,forthecenetistasandthefaístas.Thiswasthevoiceoftheirconsciousnessthatbrokeoutinjoyfulcelebrationuponconfirmingthatonemoreismcanbeaddedtolonglistofisms:anarcho-governmentalism.

Itwastherealizationoftheirpropheticideas.Thecrackingoftheoldprinciplisteggshell,whichopenedupnewhorizonsfortheoverwhelmingunionistunrest.

Withthereinforcementofsuchvariegatedandplentifulcircumstantialconceptions,opportunismwas

rejuvenatedinbodyandsoultoattempttocarryoutnewincursionsintothecampoftheworkingclass,inthemeantimehopingtoreincorporatethosewhohadgonetoSpainandtoprovethegoodnessandtheefficacyoftheirtacticsandtheirideologicalinterpretations.

Fortunately,aftersomeinitialoutbreaksofconfusion,theworkingclassandanarchistmilieushavewitnessedarapidandsalutaryreactionwhichhasmadeitverydifficultforthenewtacticsandnewoperationalmethodstransmittedfromtheIberianPeninsulatoprosper,afterthesetbacktheyexperienced.

Chapter15:CNTpressureontheIWA

15

CNTpressureontheIWA

ItisundeniablethattheSecretariatoftheInternationalWorkingmensAssociation,theinstitutiontowhichtheFORUandtheFORAbelong,underwentsomeanxiousanddifficultmomentsasitattemptedtodefendtheideologicalorientationandthepracticesofstruggleapprovedattheIWAsfoundingcongress.

Intheinterestsoffairness,wemustdeclarethatcomradePierreBesnard,whowastheSecretaryoftheIWAsincetheperiodbeforethewaruntilquiterecently,triedtomaintainalineofconductthataccordswiththeIWAsdeclarationof

principlesandtirelesslyfoughttopreventanydeviationsfromarisingandtoattempttoconvincethecenetistastorectifytheirtreasonousgovernmentalpolicies.

Thisstatement,whichactuallyrepresentsasincereeulogyfortheworkofcomradeBesnardinthatemergency,doesnotmeanthatweagreewithhiswayofthinkingwithrespecttotheworkersmovement,sinceweacceptneitherthetermanarchosyndicalismnorthefinalgoalthatheattributestothetradeunions.

ItwouldbeofinteresttotheworkerstobecomefullyacquaintedwiththeterriblydifficulttaskoftheSecretariatoftheIWA,butsincethiswouldmeanmaking

thistextevenlongerthanitalreadyis,weshalllimitourselvestodescribinginwhatmaybereferredtoasasummaryformsomeofhisinterventionswithregardtotheSpanishCNT.

***

MostofthequotationsinthissectionaretakenfromthereportpresentedbycomradeBesnardattheExtraordinaryCongressoftheIWAheldinParisinDecember1937.

InhisfirstvisittoSpainhewasabletoobservetheanimosityandthemaliciousintentionsexhibitedbythecentralgovernmentofLargoCaballerotowardsthecenetistamilitiacolumns,goingsofar

astodenythemweaponsforthedefenseoftheAragonfront,whichtheywereresponsiblefordefending.TheSecretariatinformedtheresponsibleofficialsoftheCNTandtheFAIofthisseriousanomalyandencouragedthemtoattempttoobtainthenecessaryarms.ThiswaswhytheCNTandtheFAIbegannegotiationswithanarmsdealer,butthedealfellthroughandBesnardsaid:

Therefore,Spaindidnotreceivethearmsitimmediatelyneeded,andRussiasuppliedtotheMadridgovernment,forcash,armsofadebatablequality,andonlyalittleatatime,withthepromisethattheywouldnotbedistributedtotheCNTcolumnsandthatthecommunist

partywouldbeabletocarryoutitsactivitiesandexpandinparticularlyfavorableconditions.InotedhowRussianinfluencewasgainingground.GarcíaOliverandSantillán,andespeciallytheformer,onlysaweverythingthroughtheeyesofAntonovOvseenko,theConsulGeneralofRussiainBarcelona

.FacedwithsuchsubmissiontoRussia,theSecretariatoftheIWAcoulddonothingbutreturnwithoutfurtherdiscussionstoParis.

***

Inthemeantime,theCNT,embarkingonthetortuouspathofbetrayals,conveneda

PlenumofRegionalFederationsonOctober23,1936,andpassedthefollowingresolutions:

1.TheappointmentofaPlenumCommittee,composedoftheLevant,theCenterandCatalonia,toconductaninterviewinBarcelonawiththePresidentoftheRepublic,Azańa,inordertoexplaintohimtheneedtoprecipitateagovernmentcrisissothattheCNTcanjointhegovernmentforthepurposesandundertheconditionsapprovedatthePlenumofRegionalFederationsheldonSeptember15.ThisCommitteemustrequireananswerfromAzańawithin48hours.

2.Shouldtheproposalberejected,we

shalltakemeasuresofamilitarykindtoensurecommunicationsbetweenMadrid,Levant,Aragon,AndalusiaandCataloniaandtocontrolthepassageofmenandsuppliesfromtheseregionstowardsMadrid.InordertoimplementthisresolutiontheNationalCommitteewillappointaNationalWarCommittee.BymeansofthisCommittee,thefrontsofCatalonia,Aragon,LevantandAndalusiawillbeunified.

3.TheCNTmustproceedtomobilize100,000menfromitsconfederalforces.ThismobilizationwillbecarriedoutinconjunctionwiththeRegionalCommitteesandtheNationalWarCommittee.

4.Organizejointactionwithallourregionalforcesinordertoachievecontrolovertheeconomyandtocoordinatereserves.

5.ExpeditethenegotiationsthatarecurrentlyunderwaywiththediplomaticrepresentativesofRussia,inordertoachievethemeasuresnecessaryfortheimplementationoftheresolutionsadoptedbyourPlenum.

6.ReviseanypriorresolutionsandintensifythepubliccampaigninfavoroftheresolutionsapprovedatthePlenumofSeptember15.

ThemostimportantresolutionofSeptember15,mentionedinthetext

quotedabove,readsasfollows:

TheconstitutioninMadridofaNationalDefenseCouncilcomposedofelementsfromallthepoliticalforcesthatarefightingfascism,inthefollowingproportions:fivedelegatesfromtheUGT,fivefromtheCNTandfourrepublicans.PresidencyoftheNationalCouncil:LargoCaballero.TheconstitutionofthisNationalDefenseCouncilproposesthatthecurrentpresidentshouldcontinuetoholdofficeandthatheshouldgoverntherepublicinthesamemannerashehasdoneupuntilthisdate.

Itmustbenotedthat,concerningtherequestmadetothecentralgovernment

fortheformationoftheNationalDefenseCouncilandtheresolutionsapprovedatthePlenumofOctober23,1936,thatitwasallnothingbutcheappyrotechnics,andthatnoneoftheresolutionswereimplemented,but,despitethefactthatthewonderfuleffectthatwasexpectedfromthesefearsomepositionsdidnotmaterialize,alittlelatertheyenteredthecentralgovernmentanyway,andtheCNTandtheFAIexplainedthisfactinthefollowingterms:

TheNationalPlenumofRegionalFederationsheldinMadridonSeptember28,1936,informedofthenegotiationscarriedoutbytheNationalCommitteeinordertoobtaintheformationofthe

NationalDefenseCouncil,inviewofthemanyobstaclesencounteredinthesenegotiations,andfacedwiththeimperiousnecessityofdirectlyinterveninginthedirectionofthewar,politicsandtheeconomy,forthepurposeofpreventingthecontinuoussabotagethathasbeendirectedagainstourOrganization,ourcollectivesandourmilitiacolumns,gaveanoverwhelmingvoteofconfidencetotheNationalCommitteesothat,facedwiththeimpossibilityofformingtheNationalDefenseCouncilasresolvedatthePlenumofthispastSeptember15,theparticipationoftheCNTinthegovernmentmaybeobtained.

ItmustbeemphasizedthatwithregardtothequestionofthemilitiasafewdaysafterJuly19,theCNTandtheFAIcommittedtheirfirstobviousblunder,byjoiningtheCommitteeofAntiFascistMilitias,whichsoondisappearedinordertobereorganizedastheCounciloftheGeneralitat,justifyingtheirparticipationinthefollowingmanner:

Itwasconsideredthat,inordertoavoidtheduplicationofpowersthatwouldbeimpliedbytheexistenceofboththeCommitteeofAntifascistMilitiasandtheGovernmentoftheGeneralitat,theformerwouldhavetodisappearandthattheCounciloftheGeneralitatofCataloniamustbeformed,carryingout

morepositiveactivities,withouttheimpedimentsofaclashofpowersandinordernullifythepretextofthedemocraciesthattheywillnothelpusbecausetheanarchistsareincontrol.

TheSecretariatcriticizedthisdoubletalkandsaidinhisreportthat:TheSpanishcomradesoftheCNTbecameveryangry,andwouldacceptneitheradvicenorcriticismfromanyone.

AlarmedbythedirectionthatthedreadfulconductoftheCNTwastaking,theSecretariatconvokedaPlenumofthememberorganizationsoftheIWA,whichwasheldfromSeptember15to17,1936.

Theresolutionadoptedatthismeeting,

withrespecttothedeviationsoftheCNT,wasquitefrivolousandconfused,indicating,atthisstageoftheevents,theinfluenceofthecenetistasintheIWA.

Laterinhisreport,comradeBesnardcontinuedasfollows:

DespitetheassurancedisplayedbytheCNTdelegationandtheconfidencemanifestedbythevoteoftheconciliatoryresolutionadoptedbythePlenum,theSpanishConfederationdidnotmodifyitslineofconductatall.Tothecontrary,itspolicyofconciliationandcollaborationwiththegovernmentbecamealittlemoreaccentuatedwitheachpassingday.Ihadanopportunitytobecomeacquaintedwiththefactthattheretreatfrom

revolutionarypositionshadbeenconsiderablyaccelerated.DuringthecourseofmyvisittoSpain,whichlasted26days,ItraveledthroughCatalonia,CerdańaandAragon.

EverywhereInotedthattheactionofthemassesontheeconomicandsocialterraintendedtomaintainanddeveloptherevolutionaryconquests,despitetheincreasinglymoredangerousconcessionsmadetothepoliticalpartiesinordertopreserveintactanantifascistfrontthatwasneveranythingbutaruse

whosevictimwastheCNT.ItwasclearthatdespitethefactthattheCNTwasrepresentedinthegovernmentsofValenciaandBarcelona,itwaslosing

influenceandthishadanimmediateimpactonthepoliticalplane.

Atthattime,theforeigncomradeswerealready,inDecember1936,beingpersecutedandarrested,andOvseenkowasimposinghiscensorship.

InJune1937,anotherPlenumofthememberorganizationsoftheIWAwasheld,whoseessentialresolutionwasthefollowing:

Thattheconductoftherevolutionarywar,aswellastheimplementationofsocialpolicies,aretendingtobecarriedoutwithoutanydirectparticipationoftheCNTaswellaswithoutanyindirectintelligenceinconjunctionwiththe

governmentsofValenciaandBarcelona,andthatitwillbenecessaryfortheCNTtoabandonallconcessionsofapolitical,economicordoctrinalkindmadetothesegovernmentsthatweremadeinordertopreserveintactanallegedantifascistfrontcomposedofsectorsthatareworkingfortheclassenemytoliquidatethewarandcrushtherevolution.ItisconsideredthattheofficialwithdrawaloftheCNTfromtheantifascistfrontisbecomingmoreandmoreimperative,butthatitshouldnonethelessreservetherighttoacceptorinitiatecircumstantialagreementswithtrulyantifascistelementsofthatfront,whichwantthewartobeendedbyanemancipatoryrevolutionoftheSpanishproletariat,arevolutiondirectedagainst

fascismandalsoagainsttheso-calledrepublicandemocracy.1

AnotherresolutionoffundamentalimportancewasapprovedatthisPlenum,whichcalledforthecontainmentoftherevolutionaryLeninists,thesameoneswhobroughtusKronstadtandtheUkraine,whobythistimewereflirtingwithelementsoftheCNT.Theresolutionreadsasfollows:

Thattheoppositionoftherevolutionaryproletariatofallcountries,unitedwithintheIWA,toMarxisminallitsforms,shouldbeasfirmasbefore,inviewofthefactthatsocialdemocracy,aswellasthedictatorialBolshevismoftheschoolofStalinorTrotsky,withalltheir

ramificationsandsubdivisions,whetherthePSUCorthePOUM,areequallyharmfulanddangerousfortherealizationoftherevolution.

***

TheseresolutionswouldexacerbateyetmorethedifferencesanddisputesbetweentheIWAandtheCNT,whichwerefurtheraggravatedwhentheCNTwasinformedoftheresolutionofthePlenumwithrespecttotheInternationalSolidarityFundoftheIWA,whichearmarked80%ofitsproceedsforsupportfortheSpanishRevolutionand20%toassistthecomradesinothercountries.

TheCNTdidnotacceptthisperspectiveand,nowinopenrebellionandbreakingwiththeorganicrulesandsolidarityagreementsoftheInternational,foundedanotherinstitutionwithgoalsthatappearedtobesimilartothoseoftheInternationalSolidarityFund,butonethatwasindependentoftheIWA,or,whichamountstothesamething,onethatwasnotundertheauthorityoftheinternationalinstitution

.Itwasheterogeneous,sinceitwasrunbyindividualpersonalitiesandspecificcommitteesandinstitutions,someofwhichactedtosabotagetheregionalworkersfederationsthatweremembersofourInternational.Butratherthan

attempttoexplainthisourselves,itisbettertoletthefollowingletterspeakforitself:

Valencia,July3,1937.

TotheSecretariatoftheIWA,Paris.

Esteemedcomrades:

InresponsetoyourlettersdatedJune15and17,Iamconveyingthefollowingaccordswhich,asyouwillbeabletosee,donotemanatefromthisCommittee,butfromourentireOrganization.DuringthecourseoftheNationalPlenumofRegionalFederationsheldonApril15andthefollowingdays,itwasresolvedthattherewasaneedtocreatean

institutiontocompetewithInternationalRedAid,whichisnothingbutavehiclenotonlyforfundssubsequentlyutilizedbythecommunistpartyforitsownpropaganda,butalsoamethodofrecruitment,ofproselytismandpropaganda.

Itwasstipulatedthatthisinstitutionshouldnothaveapartisanandclosednature,butthatitwouldhavetohaveasmuchroomformaneuveraspossible,thatitshouldcontainsomeprestigiousnationalandinternationalfigures,itbeingunderstoodthatitmustalwaysbeorientedbythelibertarianmovement.Inshort,thiswasthegenesisofInternationalAntifascistSolidarity(IAS).

YouwillthereforeunderstandthattheIAScannotbeapartoftheIWA,inordernottocutofftheimmensepossibilitiesforexpansionthatareopentoit.YouwillhavetoadmitthattheCNTisrecognizedinplaceswherenoonehaseverheardoftheIWA.AndthiswillbeevenmoretrueoftheIASsincethelatteris,oratleastwillappeartobe,aninstitutionoutsideofanyworkingclasspartyororganization,displayingthecharacterofanorganizationforantifascistsolidarity.

Asaresult,wemustinformyouthatwecannotaccepttheagreementofthePlenumoftheIWA.Weshallthereforepursue,withtheIASanditsGeneralCommitteebasedinSpain,thecreationof

sectionsineverycountry,andinordertodothiswewillrelyonindividualcomradesratherthanonorganizations,sincethisistheonlywaytocarryoutaseriousprojectofthiskindandtoachievethesought-afterobjective.NordowedoubtthatitwillalsobeafieldthatisopentoourpropagandaandameansforustocreatecertainfavorablepositionsamongcertainsectorsoftheproletariatthatcouldbeofbenefittotheIWAinitsfurtherdevelopment.

ItisveryimportanttopointoutthattheIASwillhavethedutyofassistingtherefugeecomradesandothers;thisisthepurposeoftheIASandsolidarityofthiskindrequiressubstantialfunds.Thisis

whyweconsiderthattheIWAshouldnotundermineourdecisionbutquitethecontrary:theIWAhastheobligationtorequestthatitsmemberfederationssupporttheprogressoftheIASontheonehandandalsoassistinitscreation.

Thisis,inourview,whatmustbedone.Beyondallofthis,whentheIWAneedsfunds,itwillhavetocometous,anddependingonitspossibilitiesweshallcontributethenecessaryfunds.

Tosummarize:itisessentialthatthefundsinthecontroloftheSecretariatoftheIWAthatareearmarkedfortheCNTandtheFAIshouldbesenttoourcomradeNemesioGalve,ourdelegateinParis.Thatisallfornow.

Withfraternalgreetings,OnbehalfoftheNationalCommitteeoftheCNT,

MARIANOVÁZQUEZ,secretary.

***

TheIAScentralcommitteewaslegallyregistered,anditsstatuteswereapprovedandsignedbythegovernorofValencia.AsforhowthisinstitutionoperatedinSpain,andstilldoesinothercountries,wecanofferfewcomments.WeshallonlysaythattheUruguayanSection,actingstrictlyinaccordancewithArticle2ofitsstatutesInthepursuitoftheaforementionedobjectives,theIASwillcarryoutitsactivityonthepurestterrain

ofhumansolidarity,renouncingallpoliticalandreligiousinterferencepossessed,inJune1938,aGeneralCouncilcomposedofconceitedintellectualswhowereactiveintheblancoandcoloradoparties,varioussocialistsandanassortmentofmanyotherelementsofvariableorcolorlessaffiliations.

Furthermore,afewmonthsagoafundraiserorganizedbytheIAS-UruguayanSectionwasheldinMontevideo,andwecouldobserve,asifitwastheresultofsomekindofoversight,thatinthevicinityofthebuildingwherethefundraiserwasheldthereweretwolonglinesofparked

automobiles.Theywerenotproletarianautomobiles.Wewillletthereadersdrawtheirownconclusionsfromthisobservation.

And,totopitalloff,andtodemonstratethearroganceandtherealintentionsoftheCNT,readthefollowingcommuniquéfromtheCNTthatsignalsitscompleteseparationfromtheIWAandexposesitsattempttodivertthefundsearmarkedfortheInternationalinordertoseizethemforitsownpurposes:

Weareadvisingalltheorganizations,committees,socialcenters,culturalsocietiesandindividualsinforeigncountrieswhowanttohelptheanarchosyndicalistmovementthatthey

mustnotsendanymorefundstotheaddressofA.G.inParis,astheyhavedoneupuntilnow.ThefundssenttothataddressarenotremittedtotheCNT.Werequestthat,untilfurthernotice,yousendfundstothefollowingaddress:N.Galve,30RueSt.Augustine,Paris.(FromtheInformationBulletinoftheCNT,datedAugust13.)

ThisincidentwasfollowedbyacampaignofslanderandintriguedirectedagainsttheSecretariat,andwhenthelatteraskedforanexplanationhewasansweredwithsilence.

WithregardtotheseriousandshamefuleventsofMay1937inBarcelona,Besnardsaid:

TheeventsinBarcelona,therisetopoweroftheNegríngovernment,theagentofAnglo-French,andconsequentlyRussian,will,entailedaradicalchangeintheattitudetowardstheconfederalmasses,themilitantsoftheCNT-FAIandtheforeigners.ThepredominanceofthecentralpowerinCataloniacausedonetonotetheextremedegreetowhichallsecuritywasabolishedforourcomrades,especiallythosewhohadcomefromothercountriestohelptheSpanishrevolution.ItcouldsoonbeobservedthattheNegríngovernmentwasactingcompletelyundertheordersofthecommunistsandtheirelementsweretakingcontrol,quietlybutsurely,ofall

theleadingpositionsoftheState:police,army,publicadministration.ThepoliceoftheChekacarriedoutitsinvestigationsofourcomrades,alongsidetheSpanishpolicewhowereonlythereinordertopreserveappearances.Inafewweeks,60militantsoftheCNTdisappeared,2,000werearrestedandhundredsofforeignerswereimprisonedorexpelledfromSpain.

TheexpulsionoftheItaliancomradesfromBarcelonawascarriedoutwiththecollaborationoftheArgentineconsul,whowasresponsibleforthedefenseoftheinterestsofthefascistgovernmentsofRomeandBerlin.ThisconsulhadtheaudacitytorecommendtoItalianandGermanantifasciststhattheyshould

presentthemselvestohiscolleagues,therepresentativesofHitlerandMussoliniinFrance,sothattheycouldberepatriatedtotheircountriesoforigin.

TomeitseemsimpossibletogoanylowerthantheNegríngovernment.

(Paris,July19,1937.)

ImmediatelyafterwardshesentanotetothememberorganizationsoftheIWA,informingthemoftheseeventsandattachingacopyofaletterfromvariousprisoners,advisingthattheorganizationsrequestthattheCNTshouldresolvethesituation.Theprisonerssaid:

Valencia,January21,1937[sic:this

shouldreadJune21,1937].

EsteemedH.

IamwritingtoyouinthenameofsevencomradeswhohavebeenillegallyimprisonedintheConventofSaintUrsula

.Here,inthedungeon,areH.K.,E.I.,F.H.,H.L.,M.andG.,allinthesamecell.L.andG.arecurrentlybeingheldintheprovincialhospitalofValencia.H.isveryill.Ihavepneumonia.Thejailisveryfilthyandunhealthy.Weneedsoap,towels,andclothingandtheywillnotgiveusourmoney.Theyhaverefusedtoallowustocontactourorganization(DAS)andourfamilies.Theyhave

interrogatedus.Somehavebeeninterrogatedtwice.

Theyhaveaccusedofbeingspies,ofhavingbeenincontactwiththeGestapoduringtheMayeventsinBarcelona.Thisisabsurdanditisnotsurprisingthattheyneededmonthsinordertofabricatethisabominableaccusation.

IntheConventofSaintUrsulathereare150prisoners,60%ofthemforeigners,mostlyGermans.Thisjailisarealconcentrationcamp.Ifwedonotgethelpfromoutside,wewillbeburiedaliveforaverylongtime.Doeverythingpossibletohelpus.Youhavetothinkofcomingtoseeus,orelsegettingaSpanishcomradetoworkenergeticallyforour

release.OnJuly29wearegoingtobeginahungerstrike.WeareinterrogatedbySpaniards,buttheCommissarsarealwaysRussiansandGermans

.

Dearcomrades,donotforgetus.Healthtoall.

X.X.

TheSecretariatinformedtheCNTofthecontentsoftheletterfromtheseprisonersandthetextofanurgenttelegramsentbytheRegionalCommitteeofCatalonia,inwhichitisrequestedthatnegotiationsbeundertakentopreventtheGermananarchistsfrombeingdeportedto

MarseillesbytheNegríngovernmentandhandedovertotheNaziconsuls,sincethelatterpossesseddocumentssuppliedtothembytheArgentineconsulwhowasresponsibleforGermanandItalianaffairsinSpain.

Keepingallthesefactsinmind,thefollowingtwonotesfromtheCNTwillbeofinterest:

NationalConfederationofLabor.

NationalCommittee.Valencia,September22,1937.

TotheSecretariatoftheIWA,Paris.

InresponsetoyournotedatedAugust23

withreferencetothenegotiationsinconnectionwiththetelegramsentbytheRegionalCommitteeofCataloniaregardingthedeportationsofforeignantifascistcomrades,wearequitesatisfiedwiththenegotiationscarriedoutwithL.J.andtheLeaguefortheRightsofMan.Asforthetwospecificdemandsyoumade,weshallalsoinformyouthattheCNThassinceJuly19,1936lookedaftertheinterestsoftheforeigncomradeswhohavecometoSpainandcontinuestodosowheneverpossible.ButyouwillunderstandthatthisisaproblemthatalsoinvolvesthepoliticalsituationandthatthiscompelsustoconcludethatanymoreorlessefficaciousactionthattheCNTmightbeabletoundertakeindefenseof

theforeigncomradesdependsonthegreaterorlessereffectivenessoftheCNTsparticipationintheSpanishgovernment.Itisofgreatimportancetorequesttherightofasylumfortheforeigncomrades,butitisalsomuchmoreimportantyouwillunderstandthistoworktoresolvethedomesticproblem,toputanendtotherepressionandtoundertakejoint,solidarity-basedactiontowinthewaranddefendtheconquestsofthepeople.

Theproblemoftheforeignersisveryimportant,butcomparedtothecontinuedprosecutionofthisbloodyandterriblewarthatwearewagingagainstfascismitisaVERYINSIGNIFICANTDETAIL.

WewillalsotellyouthattheproblemoftheforeignersisverycomplexbecausefascismhasbeenverydiligentandhasitsagentsinSpain.Weshalldraftspecificrequeststoobtainthereleaseoftheforeigncomradeswhoarereallyantifascists,andwhoareworthyoftheconfidenceofthelibertarianmovement,asaresultoftheirlonghistoryofactivityasmilitants.

Asforyoursecondquestion,ouransweristhatweacknowledgethegoodintentionsoftheIWAtohelpdefendusagainstcounterrevolutionaryattacks,butthetruthisthataslongastheIWAisnotproperlyorganized,anduntilitputsanendtoitsinternaldisagreementsand

resolvestoworkactivelytosupporttheantifascistandrevolutionarywarinSpain,itcanaccomplishlittledespiteitsgoodintentions.ThedecisivesupportthatwedesireandneedfornowtofightagainstthecounterrevolutioninSpain,isthesupportthattheworldproletariatcangiveusbyengagingineffectiveactionagainstthefascistinvader.Ifourwargoeswellthiswillchangeandoursituationwillimprove,andtheattacksandthepredominanceofthecounterrevolutionwillbediminished.Youhavetotakeallofthisintoaccount.

Withrevolutionarygreetings.

M.R.Vázquez,Sec.

***

NationalConfederationofLabor.

NationalCommittee.Valencia,September22,1937.

TotheSecretariatoftheIWA,Paris.

Respectedcomrade:

WereceiveyourcircularNo.8datedAugust23.WeregretthattheSecretariatoftheIWA,uponreceivingatelegramfromaRegionalFederationofourSectionandnotingitscontent,wouldbrandishitasaredflag,givingthememberSectionsoftheIWAtheimpressionthattheCNTisneglectfulof

theaffairoftheforeigncomrades.WethinkthattheSecretariatoftheIWA,inaccordancewithfederativenorms,isobligedtorecognizethathecannotattendtoanyreportfromSpainthatdoesnotproceedfromtheNationalCommitteeoftheCNT,asitisthemissionofthelattertomaintainrelationswiththeSecretariatoftheIWA.

Afterexpressingourpositiononthisconduct,weshallproceedtoformulateourprotestagainsttheheedlessdecisiontoorienttheSectionstowardstheformationofCommitteesofAidandAssistancefortheVictimsoftheCounterrevolutioninSpain.ThisgivesustheimpressionthattheSecretariatofthe

IWAisusinganincidenttounderminethecreationandoperationsofthegroupsofInternationalAntifascistSolidarity,whichwerecreatedbytheSpanishlibertarianmovement.

Wecannotacceptthelastparagraphofyourcircularwhichsays:And,finally,tointervenewiththeCNTinordertocombineyourprotestandyouractivitieswithours.ThisimpliesareproachdirectedagainstthisNationalCommitteethatweenergeticallyreject,becausewehavealwaysattendedtotheforeigncomradeswhohavebeenpersecutedinSpainandbecausewedonotneedtobepressuredtodoourduty.ButalsobecausetheNationalCommitteecannot

interveneagainsttheoutragesthathavebeeninflictedontheforeigncomradesIFITISNOTINFORMEDofthefacts.TheNationalCommitteehasalwaysdevoteddueattentiontoalltheaffairsofwhichithasbeeninformedandhasaddressedthemdirectly.

WedonotdoubtthatinthefuturetheSecretariatoftheIWAwillconformtothenormsofourmovementandthathewillonlypaydueattentiontotheofficialreportsfromourNationalCommittee.

OnceagainwemustprotestagainstyourcircularandtheinsinuationsthatitcontainsbecausetheyareinsultstotheREVOLUTIONARYVIEWSandsolidarityoftheCNTthatatalltimesis

vigilantandpaysproperattentiontotheforeigncomradeswhohavecometoSpaintofight.

Withanarchosyndicalistgreetings.

FortheNationalCommittee,

MarianoR.Vázquez,secretary.

WemustnotifythereaderthatwehavetranscribedsomephrasesfromthesenotesinALLCAPITALLETTERS,becausetheyrevealthepassionateconcernoftheCNTtoonceagainoccupytheministerialpoststhatitlostandtheminorimportanceitconcedestothemiserablesituationofthosewhoarepersecutedbythecommunistreaction,

presidedoverbythefigurehead,Negrín.

***

InviewoftheseriousproblemtheIWAfacedbecauseofitsintentiontohelptheanarchistswhofledfromthebloodyrepressionthatwasunleashedinBarcelonaaftertheMayevents,andthoseanarchistswhoweredeportedbytheNegríngovernment,viaPerpignan,toMarseilles,theSecretariattakingaccountofthefactthattherepresentativesoftheCNTinParishadrenegedontheircommitmenttohelpthewoundedmilitiamenandthefamiliesofthecombatants,despitehavingreceived1,400,000francsfromtheIWAtreasurerlogicallyappealedtothe

memberorganizationsoftheIWAtosendmoremoneyandatthesametimehealsosuggestedthattheyshouldorganizeCommitteesforAidandAssistancetotheVictimsoftheSpanishCounterrevolutionintheirrespectiveregions.

WeknowthattheIWAaffiliatesinArgentinaandUruguayformedsuchaCommittee.Here,inMontevideo,theFORUpublicizedtheformationofthisCommitteewithanoticeinSolidaridad,butdidnottakeitsguestintoconsideration.ThecenetistaplenipotentiaryinUruguaytheCNThadtheminmanycountriesattemptedtodiscredittheCommitteebyclaimingthatitwasnotauthorizedbytheCNT,and

alsoexpressedcontemptuousandoffensiveviewswithregardtotheanarchistswhowerepersecuted,imprisonedorshotbyNegrínsthugs.Wecannotstatewithcertaintywhetherornothehadreceivedofficialreportstothateffect,butitisalmostcertainthathismannerofspeakingaboutthisissuewasbasedonhispersonalimpressionsfromlifeintherearguard,sincehehadlivedforafewmonthsinSpain,asamemberofseveraldelegations.

Toconcludethischapter,wewillsaythatthecenetistas,notsatisfiedwiththeirclearlydemonstratedbetrayalsandbackroommachinations,dedicatedthemselvestopreparingtheinternational

workingclasstoobtainitssupportforaMotiontobeproposedattheOrdinaryCongressoftheIWAthatwouldmodifytheprinciplesandpracticesofthatinstitution,adaptingthemtothepracticalmodalitiesandconceptsadvocatedbytheministerialistsoftheCNTandtheFAI.

AtthisCongress,heldinNovember1938withoutthepresenceofthedelegationsoftheFORAandtheFORU,duetoinsurmountableobstaclesthecircumstantialtheoryofthecenetistas,whichhadalreadybeenelaboratedpriortotheCongress,wasoverwhelminglyapproved.

InthejournaloftheIWA,No.6,acenetistanowdeceasedsaid:

wehavetooperateineverycountry,inaccordancewiththecircumstances,psychology,possibilitiesandcharacteristics.Inthedeclarationofprinciples,wecannotcontinuetoupholdthethesisofrabidapoliticism.Wedonothavetoincludesupportforpoliticsinourdeclaration.Butwemustnotcloseandsealoffthedoor,andexcommunicateanySectionthatinparticularcircumstancesworkspolitically,withtheclearunderstandingthatpoliticsmeansforuscollaborationwithothersectorsinthepolitical-social-economicleadershipofacountry.

Unfortunately,inthemodificationsintroducedintheDeclarationofPrinciplesoftheIWA,wemustpointoutwedonothavethecompletetextatourdisposalthattheyleavethedooropentoworkinginaccordancetothecircumstances,eveninpolitics.Thus,thenewSecretariatoftheIWAsaid,inasomewhatvagueway,inhisreporttothememberorganizations,thatitwasestablishedthat,thegoalandtendencyofanarchosyndicalismremainsfaithfultofederalism,andthat,asaresult,theIWAconcedestoitsSectionsthegreatestpossiblefreedomofactioninthestruggleforthefinalgoal.

Theanxiousmomentsnowbeing

experiencedbytheworldproletariatdonotallowonetoexpectthattheIWAcancontinuetodevelopinanormalway.Itisthereforetobehopedthatwhencircumstancesallowtheexchangeofopinions,theFORAandtheFORUmustattackthesecollaborationistreformsandwillworktoseetoitthattheseinnovationsarenotincludedintheDeclarationofPrinciples,butratherthattheanarchistconceptthatisproudlyupheldbybothorganizationsisreaffirmed.

1.ThereadermaywishtoconsultasubstantiallydifferenttranslationofthisresolutionthatmaybefoundinJoséPeirats,TheCNTintheSpanish

Revolution,Volume2,editedandrevisedbyChrisEalham,translatedbyPaulSharkeyandChrisEalham,ChristieBooks,Hastings,2005,pp.196-197;thebookisalsoavailableonlineat:http://books.google.com/books?id=vcauoD75eBMC&pg=PA196&lpg=PA196&dq=June+1937+regional+plenum+cnt&source=bl&ots=VZwFVKrI7P&sig=BP9TfZomlTcIi6lcMmPjXPbK94A&hl=en&sa=X&ei=GLKZU8rtKIKKyATB8ICgAw&ved=0CCMQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=June%201937%20regional%20plenum%20cnt&f=false[TranslatorsNote].

Chapter16:Fascismandantifascism

16

Fascismandantifascism

Giventhejargonthathasinfectedsomepoliticalandworkingclasssectors,entirelycontrarytotheviewsoftheFORistmovementinArgentinaandUruguay,andinviewofthepersistentuseoftheword,antifascistbytheSpanishandinternationalministerialists,webelievethatitisnecessarytoofferafewreflectionsonwhatweunderstandbytheterm,fascism,andbyitsnegationby

itsseemingantithesis,antifascism.

Fascism,ormoreprecisely,itsessence,isnothingnewinthehistoryofthepeoples.Itisthemaximum,themostrefined,cruelandbrutalmanifestationoftheauthoritariansystem;oppressiveanddomineeringfromtoptobottom.AllthecoercivemeanshavebeenemployedinordertogivetheStatethepowerofdominationthatisnecessary;tofullycentralizebruteforceinthegovernmentalmechanism.Allthemeansofpersuasionhavebeenregimentedinordertosilencethepublicconscienceandslogansarerecitedwithanabsoluteunanimity,moldingthemostdiverseopinionsaccordingtothepoliticalneedsofthe

State.

ThesameproceduresusedtosilencethevoicesofthehereticsthatwereputintopracticebytheexecutionersattheordersoftheinquisitorsArbuésandTorquemada,adaptedtotheprogressofourcentury,havebeenutilizedbythetotalitarianregimesimposedinItaly,Russia,Germany,andnowinSpain.

ThesayingoftheUruguayanpoliticiantheycallRasputinCalmdownandlive,orrebelanddieisthenormofthewayoflifeimposedonthepeoplessothattheywillsilentlyendurethestatemonstrosity.IamtheState,Igivetheordersandyoumustobeyme,saythedictators,andthepeoplesobey,smiling,withapplauseand

tranquilityinordertoavoidtheconsequencesoftheangerorthesuspicionofthehenchmenofauthority.

Humanconsciousnessisbecomingmechanized.Speechhasbeenstandardized.Gestures,stereotyped.Peoplefallsilentwhentheyarenotmouthingwordsofconformityandservility.Theinhabitantsoftheworldhavebeenregimented,andtheyknowwhen,whereandhowtoworkorrefrainfromworking,whattothink,etc.;wheretheycangathertogetherandrelatetooneanother.TheStateknowseverythingduetoitslegionsofspiesorinformersandhasitssolutionforeverything.Shootings,thegibbet,decapitations,thedespicable

garrote,theguillotineandtheelectricchair,arethefinal,quiteconvincingargumentsthatitsdevoteesengageinandthatbecomemorefrequentwitheachpassingday

.

InGermany,theycutoffheads.InRussia,theypurgetheoppositionandthepeople.InItaly,theyprescribecastoroil;thenthegarroteorthefiringsquad.InSpain,atthepresenttime,theyaresettingaratherhighstandard;withoutanytrial,theyshootconvictsattherateofupto800murdered

atatime.

Andthisonlyreferstothetotalitarianregimes;regardingwhichonecouldsaythatfascismisbecominggeneralized.

***

Nowletustakealookatthedemocracies.InFrancetheyusetheguillotine.IntheUnitedStateshumanbeingsareeliminatedbymeansofelectrocutionorhanging.Intheothercountries,thesameorsimilarproceduresareutilizedforsettinganexample.Tortureisalsoemployedbymeansofrubbertruncheonsorcattleprods,withwhichwearefamiliarinourpartoftheworld.

Insomecountriestherehasbeenan

attenuationinthesuffering,anattractivelabel,adisguisewithplebiangilding,butalwaysbasedonviolence,audacity,inhumanityandcrime:theshellofthestate.

Fascism,Nazism,statecommunism,nationalism,democracy,socialism,arealldifferentnamesbutallarebasedononething:theauthorityprinciple;andonegoal:thestate.

Thegoaldoesnotchange,then,whetheryoucallitdictatorship,empire,kingdom,parliamentaryrepublic,orevenifyougiveitthepompoustitleof:republicoftheworkersorofthesovietsproletariandictatorshiporanyothertransitionalbridge,asisinsinuatedbytheantifascists

oftheCNT-FAI.

Nowthatwehaveexpressedtheseverysimpledeductionsconcerningwhatisoftencalledbecauseofsnobbismafascistregime,weshouldpointoutthatthewordantifascismhasanidenticalorigin,becausethepowersthat,callingthemselvesdemocratic,claimtofightthefascistregimecannotbedifferentiatedfromthelatter,norcanthepoliticalfractionsthatareitsopponents,usingdemagogy,denytheirauthoritarianessence.

***

Whopresentsthemselvestotheworkersasantifascists?

Thesocialists,whoadore,upholdandadvocatethestatiststructure!InFrance,thesocialistBriandwasinpower,andthearmyandthepoliceathisordersliquidatedtheFrenchrailroadworkersstrike,persecuting,imprisoningandmassacringthestrikingworkers.InGermany,asocialistcabinetpresidedoverbyNoskeorderedthemassacreofthepeopleofBavaria,murdering,inaddition,outstandinganarchistmilitants,amongotherpeople,comradeLandauer.InSpain,beforethemilitaryrevolt,thesocialistsdominatedrepublicancabinets,andCasasViejasisstillfreshinourmemories:Arnedo,theshackofSeisdedoswhereapeasantfamilyofeightwasburnedaliveandthemembers

oftheCNTandtheFAIandtheSpanishpeoplewerepersecutedandmurdered.

Thecommunists!InRussiawhosemysticalandstoicpeopleknowtherigorsandtheomnipotenceofthedictatorshipimposedbytherulingparty:Leninyesterday,andnowStalintheredarmyattheordersofthegeneralissimoTrotskytodayavoluntaryexilefromthecountryofhisgreatdeedsmercilesslymassacredthesailorsofKronstadt,whichhadbeen,duringtheperiodofCzarism,abeaconoffreedomandrebellion,andwhosegarrisonhadbeenthespearheadoftherevolutionduringthatdisastrousregime.ThebraveMaknovistguerrillaswereexterminated,whohadexpelledthe

mercenaryarmiesfromtheUkraine.Theanarchistsandopponentsofthedictatorshipwereshotorhiddenawayintheprisonsofinhospitableregions,andmorerecentlytherehavebeenrepeatedpurgesofthemembersoftherulingparty,shootingastraitorsandNazispiessomeoftheintellectualfigureswhowerecomradesofLenin.

TheradicalsofArgentina!WerecallthestrikeinthemetallurgicalplantofVasena,whereviolentclasheswiththeIrigoyenistapolicetookplace,inwhichmanycomradesdied,anepisodethatledtowhatwecalltheWeekofJanuaryandwhichthebourgeoisjournalistJuanJ.deSoizaReillywithoutgoingintothe

distinctlyproletarianaspect,whichwasanxiousandcrueldescribed,vaguelyreflectingsomescenes,intheseparagraphs:

Ijustcamebackfromansorrowfuljourney.IvisitedsomeofthehomesoftheIsraeliteswheretheyshedtearsofblood.Ihaveseeninnocentoldpeoplebeingdraggedbytheirbeards.Ihaveseenapaleandsmilinglittleoldmanwholifteduphisshirttoshowustwoofhisribs.Theystuckoutofhisskinlikesticks,bleeding

.Ihaveseenhard-workingandhumblelaborerslikealltheJewishworkerswithbothlegsbroken,incasts.Pileduplikefirewoodonthesidewalks.Ihaveseen

scientificlibrariesburned

.Ihaveseenaheroicwomanwhowasforcedtoeatherownexcrement.Ihaveseenhouseslootedandpocketsemptiedbyrobbers.Ihaveseenpoorlittlegirlsof14and15yearsofagecryingonthestreetcorners.Theycoveredtheirfaceswiththeirhands.Theywereashamed.Theyhadlosttheholytreasureoftheirinnocenceamongtheclawsofthebeasts

.Oneofthemshowedmeherrighthand,cutbyanaxe,becauseItriedtodefendmyselffromthebrute

.Ihaveseen,inaddition

.But,whyreproducethehorrorsthatI

haveseen,therevulsionthatIfelt?

IfIdipmypenintothisrevulsion,Iwouldwritethischroniclewithrage

.

AndthesorrowfulepisodesofPatagonia,wherethesoldiersunderthecommandofcolonelVarelamadethestrikersdigtheirowngravesbeforeshootingthem?AndthemassacresoftheChaco,thepersecutionsanddeportationsofFORistmilitants?

Thebattlistas,governmentcoloradosandtheblancos!ThestreetsofMontevideoandsomeofthetownsoftheinteriorhavebeendrenchedinthebloodofthe

workers;thosewhowentonstrikewerebeatenandthejailsswallowedmanyanarchists.

WhydothepoliticalfractionsthatformedthePopularFrontinSpaincallthemselvesantifascists,when,priortoJuly19andduringthecivilwar,theymurderedtheanarchistswhorefusedtoobeytheauthoritarians?

Allofthisisvillainy,arrogance,violenceandcriminality,eveniftheperpetratorscallthemselvessocialists,communists,radicals,blancos,coloradosorantifascists,andtheycannotbyanymeansbedistinguishedfromthewaysofthefascists.ItisalwaystheState.

Therefore,thealliancemadebytheresponsibleleadersoftheCNTandtheFAIwiththeauthoritarianelementsofSpainisentirelyillogical,andcannotbejustifiedbyanyvalid,convincingargument,anymorethansuchanalliancewiththeMarxistsofourpartoftheworldwouldhave.

***

Arecentpoliticalevent,whichcausedasensationincertainstatistspheresandamongsomesimple-mindedpeoplewillreinforceourargument:theembraceofHitlerandStalin.Theyhavebroughttogether,inonesolidbundle,rabidanti-communismandcynicalanti-nazism.

Thiseventwillnothavebeensurprisingtosensiblepeople,becausewhiletheyarepoliticalideologiesthatseeminglyrepeleachother,withregardtotheirmethods,theregimesandtheirinterestsareidenticalandcannotremainseparated.

TheembraceofStalinwithHitlermightimpressthosewho,concealingtheirauthoritarianinclinationsandways,hadtakenupasarallyingbannerameaningless,deceitfulandpuerilelabel,butthishasnoimportanceforthosewho,likeusanarchists,donotallowourselvestodifferentiatebetweentheregimesandconsidertheactions,themaneuversandthefalsehoodsofthosewhoruleoverthepeoplestobealogicalconsequenceof

thecorruptionthatengulfsthecapitalistsystem.Onethingiscertain:anti-nazismandanti-communismsignedamilitarypactandthengorgedthemselvesonthebloodyspoilsofthePolishpeople,sharingout,inaddition,theland,thewealthandtheinhabitantslivingintheframeworkofthebordersthatthemapassignedtoPoland,justaspreviouslythesameorotherStateshaddividedupthelandsofCzechoslovakia,Hungary,Ethiopia,TheTransvaal,India,Morocco,etc.,andarestillassailingthesepeoples.

Chapter17:UpheavalintheFAI

17

UpheavalintheFAI

ThisacronymstandsfortheIberianAnarchistFederation,aspecificallyanarchistinstitutionofSpain,whichplayedanoutstandingroleintheguerrillaactivitiesthattookplaceinSpain,butanegativeonewithregardtothevalorizationoftheideologicalpostulatesthatcorrespondwithitsname.

Itwasfirstactivein1927,withadefinite

programaccordingtodeclarationspublishedtojustifyitsexistenceasaspecificallyanarchistorganizationofworkingintheCNTinordertoreinforcetheanarchistorientationthatwasinstilledintheworkerswhoweremembersofthisworkingclasstradeunionconfederationandtowinsupportforthecauseofemancipation.

ItisundeniablethattheworkoftrainingandexpressionofourideasthatwasundertakenbytheFAIwasbeneficialandthatitsmembershadtoenduretheharshpersecutiondirectedatthembytherightandleftwinggovernmentsthatsucceededeachotherinSpain,overthelastfewyears.Butthisacknowledgementdoes

notpreventusfromexplaining,withallfrankness,ouropinionofoppositiontothecontagiouswayofoperatingthathasappearedoverthelastfewyearsamongtheanarchists,inthattheyorganizeaspecifically[separate]anarchistorganization,becausethisbringsinitswakeadualfocusofactivity,agroundlessprideinappearingtobeguidesandadangerousinnovativetendencyfortheworkersmovementwithananarchistgoal.

InSouthAmericaweareveryfamiliarwiththerestlessspiritsandtheactivitiesofsomesimilarinstitutions:theArgentineLibertarianAlliance,nowrebornastheFACA,inArgentina,and

theAnarchistFederationofUruguay,inthiscountrynowdefunctinstitutionsthathavebeenabreedinggroundfordeviationsandmorethanonesplitamonganarchistmilitants.InsteadofhelpingtodeveloptheFORistworkingclassfederations,theyhaveimpededtheirnormalfederalistdevelopmentandhavesowedconfusionwithinmanyworkingclassorganizations,facilitatingtheirabsorptionbyMarxistelements.

However,becauseitisnotourpurposetoconductanin-depthanalysisoftheproblemofSpecificism,weshallreturntoourexaminationofthevariousfacetspresentedbytheFAIinitsdisconcertingpilgrimagebetweentheoryandpractice.

ThecontradictionsaremanyandtheregressionsofsuchamagnitudethattheydeservetobehighlightedinordertoerasefromthefeverishmindsofthepanegyristsoftheFAIthefollowingdefinitionofwhatthesethreelettersmean:asunthatshinesonthosewhosufferpersecutionandaforcethatencouragesthosewhohungerforjustice;atorchforthepariahsandapromisefortheoppressed,astheBarcelonajournalTierrayLibertadproclaimed.

***

Whentheghastlybirdsofillomen,ofpillageanddestruction,nourishedbySpanishmilitarism,theclergyandcapitalism,begantocircleoverthesoilof

Spain,theFAIfeltspurredonforthelasttimebythespiritofitsideologicalpatrimonytohammeritsalert,filledwithredemptiveconcepts,intotheconsciousnessoftheSpanishpeople,urgingthemtofightindefenseoftheirrights,underassaultbystatistarrogance,andoftheirfreedomthatwasunderthreatfromthereactionaries.

HereistheresolutionapprovedattheFAIPlenumofRegionalFederations,heldonFebruary1,1936:

ConsideringtheextremegravityofthecurrentconjunctureinSpain,dueasmuchtoeconomicdifficultiesanddomesticpolicies,astotheinfluenceandimpactoftheinternationalsituation,and

havinglearnedfromtheexperienceofothercountriesandfromtheverylogicoftheeventsandissues;

Consideringthat,becauseofthesizeoftherevolutionaryproletariatinSpain,thelatterhasmoreresponsibilitythaninothercountrieswithregardtoconfrontinganyreactionaryattempts;

Thatthephenomenonoffascism,embodiedinthetotalitarianState,isasystemofreaction,ofwhichthestreetviolenceandthebestialattacksofthereactionariesconstitutemerelyoneaspectofavastcomplexofideasandliberticidalaspirations,whicharemanifestedintheabsolutesuppressionofallrightsofcriticismandallhumandignityand

whichtend,furthermore,topersistbyrecruitmentfromtheverybeginning.Thatthefascistreactionisthedirectresultofthebankruptcyoftheeconomicsystemofcapitalism,thatitcanberesistedonlyontheterrainofthesuppressionofcapitalismandintheestablishmentofaregimeoflifethatwillrenderimpossiblethemonstrouscontradictionsoftheeconomy,ofprivilegeandofmonopoly.

Thattheworldhistoricalexperienceshavedemonstratedtheimpotenceandthedeceptionofso-calleddemocracy,anallegedpoliticalequalitygraftedontothemostobnoxiouseconomicinequality,inordertomodifytheessenceofthe

establishedorder.

TheRegionalFederationsoftheIberianAnarchistFederationsetforththeirpositioninthefollowingmanner:

a)TheydeplorethefactthatworkingclassinstitutionswhichhadblazedafranklyrevolutionaryandproletarianpathinOctober1934,shouldalignthemselveswiththedemocratic-bourgeoispartiesinordertofindasolutionwherenosuchsolutionexists.

b)Theyadvocateatotalbreakbytheproletariatwithallthestatistdemocraticillusions,anditsconcentrationaroundtheworkingclassandpeasantsolution,whichimpliesthepossessionofthesocial

andnaturalwealthbytheproducersthemselves.

c)Theymaintainthatonlyintheworldoflabor,intheworkplaces,cananeffectiveanddefinitiveremedybefoundforallformsofreaction.

Theystatethattheagreementoftheproducersispossibleunderthefollowingconditions:

1.Theexclusionfromtheworkplaceofelementsaffiliatedwithfascistinstitutions,bywayofthejointactionoftheanti-capitalisttradeunionorganizations.

2.Employmentoftheinsurrectionary

methodfortheconquestofthesocialwealthusurpedbyprivilegedminorities,anditsadministrationbytheproducersthemselves.

3.Establishmentofaregimeoflife,oflaborandofconsumptionthatrespondstothecommonneedsofthepopulationanddoesnotallowexploitationandthedominationofmanovermantoexistinanyform.

4.Thedefenseofthisnewregimeoflifecannotbeentrustedtoprofessionalarmiesorpoliticalbodies,butmustbeinthehandsofalltheworkers,withoutthelatterlosingcontactwiththeirworkplaces.

5.Respectandtolerationforthediverseproletarianandrevolutionarysocialconceptionsandguaranteesfortheirfreeexercise.

6.Thestruggleagainstfascism,aninternationalphenomenon,mustbecarriedoutinternationally,bytheworkingclassandrevolutionaryinstitutions,totheexclusionofallnationalistideasandsentiments.

***

Asonecanseefromthedocumentpresentedabove,onemaynowobservewhatisessentiallyasurrendertoalliancismandtheuseofthetermantifascism;butthisbackslidingseems

quiteinsignificantwhenwecompareittothelatertreasonouspositions.

LetusseehowtheFAIpresenteditsviewsafterithadalreadyfallensomewaydownthefatalslope:

Allthepropagandaandalltheactionofanarchismarebasedonanti-capitalismandanti-statism.Thesetwoformsofeconomicandpoliticaldominationimplythenegationoftherightsoftheproducerandofthefreedomoftheindividual.

IntheState,capitalismfindsitsweaponofdefense.Theexploitationoftheworkers,ofthepeasants,ofthetechnicians,allowstheaccumulationofwealthandeconomicpowertheforce

majeuretowhichthedisinheritedaresubjectedinthehandsofanunproductiveminority.Bymeansofthelawsthatassurethebourgeoisietherightofpropertywithallitsrepressivesystem,withitsarmedforce,theStateconstitutesthemostsolidbastionofthecapitalistsystem.AsopposedtotheMarxistpositionthatattributestotheStatetransitionalfunctionsinthecreationofanewsociety,andwhichmaintainsthattheStatewillgraduallywitherawayuntilitdisappearswhenclassdifferenceswillhavedisappeared,anarchismproclaimstheuselessnessoftheStateandstatesthatitspresenceaftertherevolutionaryeventswouldsignifytheresurgenceofanewpower,ofanewdictatorship,withthe

consequentemergenceofaprivilegedbureaucracyandthelogicalestablishmentofapartygovernmentorpreferentiallyonebasedontheleadersoftherulingparty.

Economicorganizationuponsocialistfoundation,beingpracticable,causestheneweconomicordertorequireanewpoliticalform.Theanti-capitalistandanti-statistpositionofanarchismisconfirmedbyhistoricalexperienceandbythecertaintyofbeingabletoorganizecollectivelife,providingeveryonewiththepossibilitytosatisfytheirownneeds,inexchangefortheirlaborinaregimebasedonthesocializationofthemeansofproduction.

Federativeorganization,fromthebottomupfromthebasetothesummitwilltaketheplaceofthestatesystem.Thisreaffirmationofprinciplesisfullyjustifiedatthepresenttime.Constrainedbythecircumstancesthataccompanythewar,theFAIandtheCNThavehadtoparticipateinthegovernmentalmachinery.Thecollaborationimposedbythesupremeandunavoidablenecessityofdefeatingfascismandcoexistencealongsidetheantifascistsectorsledustoreluctantlyabandonourideologicalposition.Butthisdoesnotmeanthatwehaverenouncedtheanarchistidealandtactics.Theoccupationofpostsofresponsibilityinthedepartmentsofthecentralgovernmentandofthe

Generalitat,poststhatwehadtooccupy,beingcompelledbythecircumstancesofthewar,bynomeansimpliesachangeinourtheoreticalconceptions.No;weshallcontinuetobeanarchistsasbefore,andweshallalwayshavethesameopinionoftheStateandthedictatorialsolution(regardlessofwhatnameitisgiven).

Beforetheentireworld,beforeourcomradesintheanarchistmovement,beforethosewhohavedeliberatelydistortedtheinterpretationoftheeventsinSpainandourtemporaryparticipationinthegovernment,wecanstatewithoutanyexaggerationthatthisresolutionoftheFAIhasanincalculablehistoricalvalue.

***

TheconceptsexpoundedbytheFAI,apartfrommanyinconsistenciesandcontradictions,breakallrecordsforarrogance.

Wecouldreproduce,inordertosupportourview,asensiblecommentarywrittenbycomradeA.SchapiroinresponsetothepatheticappealissuedbytheFAItotheinternationalanarchistmovementcallinguponthelattertoimitatetheFAI,andtoenterintoallianceswiththepoliticalsectorsofthedifferentregions,butweshallrefrainfromdoingsobecausethetextisalreadysowellknown.

Weshall,however,transcribetheresolutionsapprovedbytheCongressoftheFrenchLanguageAnarchistFederationatitscongressheldonAugust14-15,1937,concerningthedelicateandridiculouspositionoftheFAIandtheCNT,togetherwiththecommentarybytheeditorsofSolidaridad(No.143,April1938),theofficialorganoftheFORU,ontheseresolutions,becausetheywillsaveusthetroubleofelucidatingfundamentalobjectionsandbecausethetextcontainingthemisalapidarycounterstroke:

WeshalltranscribesomeresolutionsoftheFrenchLanguageAnarchistFederation,approvedattheCongress

heldonAugust14-15,1937inthecityofClermont-Ferrand.Inviewofthechaosthatprevailsininternationalanarchism,causedbytheSpanishevents,whichbroughtconfusionismtoalargepartofourmovement,thefirmpositionoftheanarchistsoftheFrenchLanguageAnarchistFederationmeritsourattention,who,withgreatcourage,madeafirmstandagainstrevolutionarymystifications,sallyingforthindefenseofthepropagandaandofthepracticesofstrugglethatareconsistentwiththeprinciplesofanarchism.Evenwhenwedonottotallyagreewiththeinterpretationtheyofferregardingthepracticalapplicationofanarchismintheworkersmovementsincewhiletheyseek

toinstillthelatterwithananarchistcharacterfromtheoutside,fromthegroups,we,basedontheexperienceofalongrevolutionaryhistory,whichdemonstratesthesuperiorityoftheFORistinterpretation,optforthesystemthatrecommendsthattheanarchistsmustnotactinthetradeunionsectionsasmembersofothergroupsoutsideofthem,butasmembersofthesesametradeunions,andbythismeanssuccessfullyimpressupontheworkersmovementadefinitelyanarchistorientation,adoptinginadvancethepracticesofstruggleofdirectaction,afederalistsystemoforganizationbytradeandanarchistprinciplesandgoalsdespitethis,wesay,weconsiderittobeofgreatimportance

thattheFrenchanarchistshavereturnedtoactivitywithinthetradeunions,whichwillallowthemtogaintheinfluenceamongtheworkersthattheyhavelackeduntilnow,duetotheerroneouspracticeoforganizinginspecificgroupsoutsidetheworkingclassorganization.

Somethingelsethatdeservesemphasis,isthefacttheyhavebrokenwiththeprejudiceofallianceswithpoliticiansandthetradeunionmergersthatadvocatetheabsurdityofattemptingtoamalgamatealltheworkersinasinglebloc,outsideofallideology,whentheyopenlydeclarethattheyareworkingforthegrowthoftheCGT-SR(affiliatedwiththeIWA),providingitwithincreasinglygreater

materialandideologicalpower,whichcouldcounteracttheemasculatingworkofthereformistCGT,savingtheproletariatfromopportunisticambiguitiesandpoliticaldemagogyandliberatingitfromallobstaclesthatcouldhinderitinitsprogresstowardsitsemancipation.

Weattributethehighestimportancetotheseresolutions,bothwithregardtothepositionagainststatistanarchism,aswellaswithregardtomilitantactionintheworkingclassmovement,sinceitistobehopedthatthisattitudewillbeatleastimitated,ifnotsurpassed,bytheanarchistsoftheothercountries,whicharelosingtheirsenseofdirectionorvegetatingintheviciouscircleof

specificism,andthatthoserevolutionaryaberrationsshouldbeabandonedandthecomradesshouldresolvetocreatearealtradeunionmovement,inwhichtheactivityoftheanarchistswho,foronereasonoranotherdonotbelongtothetradeunions,willnotonlybeallowedbutencouraged,onthebasisofwhichonecanworkfreelytoforgeanarchistconsciousness,forthepurposeofbeingabletoexposetheentirepopulationtothedetailsofourideal,leadingittoconceivethepossibilityoftheexistenceofasocietywithoutaState,basedonfreeagreementandmutualaid,whichwillleadittofightconsciouslyforthedestructionoftheauthoritarianregimesandfortheestablishmentofAnarchist

Communism.

ResolutionsoftheCongressoftheFrenchLanguageAnarchistFederation:

Consideringthat,facedwiththesituationinwhichapartoftheCNT-FAIhascommitted,fromtheverybeginning,deplorableerrorswithrespecttotheirpositions,thisCongressdeemsthattheonlywaytorectifythesituationinSpain,bothfromtheanarchistpointofviewaswellasfromtheperspectiveofourfinalvictory,istoimmediatelyabandonallgovernmental,political,militaristanddiplomaticactivityandreturntorevolutionarymethodsofstruggle.Thatallthenon-conformistelementsofbothorganizationsaretheonlyoneswhocan

accomplishthis,butthattheinternationalanarchistmovementfindsitselfobligedtobreakwiththepoliticalandpoliticizingelementsoftheCNT-FAI,whostillspeakinthenameoftheorganizationandtherevolution.

TheCongressdeclaresthatitisprofoundlysaddenedandangrybecauseoftheofficiallackofconcernonthepartoftheCNT-FAIregardingthepersecutionoftheanarchistsinSpain,andcallsforacampaignofenergeticprotestineverycountry.

InfavoroftheanarchistprisonersandvictimsoftheStalinistrepressionTheodiousrepressionunderwayinSpainmustbedenouncedbeforethe

internationalworkersmovementandthedefamatorycampaignwagedbytheThirdInternationalagainstthosewhodevotethemselvestotallytothestruggleagainstfascismandwhohaveformorethanayearcarriedoutprodigiesofheroismtocrushthemercenarygangsofFranco,MussoliniandHitler,mustberepudiated.

WecallupontheorganizationsoftheCNT-FAItorespondwithfirmnessandtoprovidethematerialandmoralsolidaritythatisowedtotheforeigncomradesarrestedaftertheMayDaysof1937inBarcelona,toenergeticallydefendthemandtoattemptbyallmeanstopreventthemfrombeingexecuted,anddecidetoundertakeacampaigntobreakthecode

ofsilencearoundtheantifascistandpopularfronts,inordertodenouncetheorganizedmurderofthebestrevolutionariesbythelackeysundertheordersofMoscow.

***

Ithasbeendemonstratedthat,inthenameoftheFAI,theenlightenedoneshavebeensenttogoverntheSpanishpeople.Moreover;whentheMarxistpoliticiansdidnotneedtheirgoodservicesandtheyweredismissedfromtheirposts,theFAIattemptedtotransformitselfintoapoliticalpartyinordertoprepareitselftoonceagainoccupycertainministerialposts,incasetheyaresummonedtheythoughtthey

wereindispensablebytheantifascists.

Despitethefactthattheysoearnestlydesiredsuchpositions,theministerialcrisesthatsubsequentlytookplacedidnotprovidethefaístaswithanopportunitytocontinuetodemonstratetheirgreatabilitiesasstatesmen,diplomatsandsociologists.

Chapter18:Exportedslogansandpractices

18

Exportedslogansandpractices

WehavealreadysaidelsewhereinthisbookthattheCNTpressuredtheInternationalWorkingmensAssociationtoacceptthecircumstantialgovernmentaloperationalpracticestestedinSpainandtotransmitthemtotherestoftheinternationalworkersmovement.

Wepossessperfectproofofwhatweareclaimingintheresolutionapprovedby

theIWAattheExtraordinaryCongressheldinDecember1937,insofarasitcalledforunityofactionwiththereformistinternationalinordertojointlyadoptmeasuresofdefenseinfavoroftheSpanishpeople.

Fortunately,theinitiativetranscendingalltheideologicaldifferencesthatseparateourmovementfromtheInternationalofthereformisttradeunionsaccordingtotheSecretariatoftheIWAexperiencedthemostresoundingfiascobecausethereformistsrefusedtocomplywiththerequestedunityprogram,buttheridiculethatconsequentlyattachedtotheIWA,thankstotheobviouspressureoftheCNT,isworthnoting.

Anothersloganthatwassupposedtobetranslatedintopractice,attheinsistenceoftheCNT,wasthatofunifyingtheeffortsoftheFORofArgentinawiththeFACA,aspecificistinstitutionwhosemembersaredeclaredenemiesoftheFORistworkersmovementandwhoareactiveinthetradeunionsoftheyellowtradeunionfederationofArgentina,theCGT,andintheindependenttradeunions,instillingthemwiththeanti-FORistorientationwherevertheyattainprominence.

Also,inMontevideo,someanarchistswhohavewithdrawnfrommilitantactivityperhapswithsincerityandingoodfaith,weshallnotpresumetojudge

theminitiatednegotiationstounifytheFORUwiththegroupofanarcho-dictatorswhoorganizedandstillcallthemselvestheUniónSindicalUruguaya,negotiationsthatdidnotsucceedbecauseitwasunderstoodthatthosewhosplitfromthemotherentityoftheUruguayanproletariatdonotidentifywiththepracticesandgoalsoftheFORistmovement.

Butthatisnowathingofthepast.WhatremainsisthedisseminatingoffranklyauthoritarianslogansandpracticesthroughouttheWorldofLabor,acropthatisnowripeforharvest.ItwaslogicaltoassumethattheministerialistsoftheCNTandtheFAIwouldhavetofind,in

additiontoenthusiasticpanegyrists,manyadvanceddisciplesreadytohonororevensurpasstheirmastersandtoprescribeasinfallibletheantifascistpanaceasthatweretestedwithsomuchtenacityandstubbornnessbytheirministerialistmasters,andthetextthatweshallnowread,fromElAndamio,ofChile,proveswhatwesaidabove.

MarianoVázquezclaimedthatwemustnotburyourselvesindogmatismandthatweshouldoperateineverycountry,inaccordancewiththecircumstances,psychology,possibilitiesandcharacteristics.Buthiswordswerenotheeded,andthecenetistaandfaístamodesofoperationtendtobe

generalized,andtobetranslatedintothelocalidiom.Inanyevent,opportunismhaslongpracticethem.

LetusseewhatJuanPintoD.saysinhisrecentarticlethatappearedinElAndamioonMay26,1939:

DISCIPLINEINTHELIBERTARIANMOVEMENT.Thevarioustheoriesanddoctrinesthatseektosolvetheeconomic,politicalandsocialproblemsthatareaffectinghumanityhaveoverthelastfewyearsundergonesuchprofoundchangesofpositionthatinsomecasestheBolshevikmovementtheyhavesignifiedanoverwhelmingnegationoftheirpast.Thelibertarianmovementanarchosyndicalistand

anarchisthasalsofelttheeffectsoftheconfrontationwithreality.SpainhasbeenthesceneofexperimentationwheretheFAIandtheCNTfoundthemselvesfacingtheunavoidablenecessityofgoingbeyondsacredprinciplesonceheldtobeinvariable.Itisclearthatthepositionoftheseinstitutionshasbeencriticizedbyaminorityofmilitantsandsupportedbyamajority.

So:wedonotwanttoengageinanin-depthanalysisoftheinternationalproblem,weshallrestrictourattentiontoourownproblems.

InChiletherehavebeenseverallibertarianfederations;thesehaveorganizedheterogeneousmassesand

smallgroupsofmilitants,theirrevolutionaryactivityhasbeenrestrictedtosporadicactionsthathavenotbenefitedfromaprocessofpreparationandtrainingoftheirownforces.

Theirinterventions,then,inthepoliticalandsocialaffairsofthecountryhavenotinfluencedthebroadercourseofevents.TheyhavenotbeeninfluentialnordoIthinktheywillhaveanimpactinthefutureiftheycontinuetooperateinthesamewaytheyhaveforthelastfifteenyears.Therevolutionaryprocessiscomplexandrequirestheinterventionofthemilitantsnotonlyontherestrictedplaneuponwhichthetradeunionoperates,butineveryaspectthatis

presented.

Arevolutionarymovementthatwantstohaveadecisiveimpactonevents,needsaspecificorganizationthathassupportthroughouttheentirecountry,onethatpresentsasingleface,whichhasDISCIPLINE,andaboveallonethatisnotafraidofwordsandtheNEWMODALITIES,especiallytheonesthatrepresentedsuchaninnovationinSpain.

Aspecificorganization.Thepoliticalapparatusoftherevolution;thisistheoverwhelmingnecessityinourmovementandtosatisfyitwemustmobilizetheenthusiasmofallthosewhodonotwanttoseetheemancipatoryhopeofhumanitysymbolizedintheanarchosyndicalist

movementdisappear.

Chapter19:TheEconomicPlenumoftheCNT

19

TheEconomicPlenumoftheCNT

Wehavesetforthindetail,withexcessiveredundancy,thebetrayalsthattheresponsibleleadersoftheCNTandtheFAIendorsedandimplemented.Thereisoneotheraspect:theeconomic,whichmustbeaddressedandtowhichweshalldevoteafewbriefcomments.

Thecenetistasandfaístas,havinglosttheirwaywithregardtoideologyand

slippeddownthechuteofapostasy,dedicatedthemselveswithtenaciouszealtothetaskofpluggingtheholesintheshipofstatewhichtheyhadsavedfromsinkingengagingininitiativesdirectedtowardsrestoringittoitsformercondition.Theystillwerenotsatisfied,however,withhavingputthebrakesonthesocialrevolution;theyenteredintoalliancesofeverykindwiththepoliticalfactions;theycollaboratedwiththecentralgovernmentfromtheministries.Theyhadtocomplementtheirdisastrousactivitiesbyaddressing,forconstructivepurposes,thecomplexeconomicproblemsthecountryfacedbecauseofthecivilwar,seeking,preferentially,apossibilistsolution.

ThepoliciesapprovedattheExtendedNationalEconomicPlenumoftheCNT,heldinJanuary1938,exhibitbyvirtueoftheirstructureandessenceapassionateappetiteforreformism,amultiplicationofthegovernmentalbureaucracyand,evenmoreimportantly,amistakenoperationalconceptionofstatesyndicalism.

Wemusttakeintoaccounttheabnormalsituationthatprevailedatthetime,inordertoaffirmthattheorganizationandfunctioningofthisPlenumsufferedfrommanydefectsandshortcomings,whichdepriveitsresolutionsofanymoralauthority.Evenmoreimportantthanthesedefectsandshortcomingsarethe

assumptionsandthementalitythatinformedtheconceptualmotorforcethatwouldmakepossibletherealizationofandconferreddynamismtotheseactivities.Itcouldbeargued,withpowerfullogic,thatthedelegationswerenotthefaithfulrepresentativesoftheworkersorganizedinconfederalcadres,nordidtheyconveythepreciseexpressionofthoseworkersconcerningtheseeconomicpanaceas,sincemanyworkerswereatthefrontanddidnotparticipateinthepreliminarydebates.

WhatisundeniableisthefactthattheinitiativetoconvoketheEconomicPlenumarosefromthehighestlevelsoftheorganizationfromthetopdownand

thatthedelegationsexceptforafewexceptions,letusaddweremonopolizedbynattilydressedgovernmentalistbureaucrats.

Itwouldnotbeappropriatetosaythatthisfactconstitutesevidenceofmalfeasance,becausethatwouldbeaplatitudeandbesides,itwouldmeanthatthatwewouldhavetominutelyexamineallthepoliticalandlegalisticloopholesandfinepointsofthewholeprocess.Wecansay,however,thatitwasanindecencywhosepurposewastosowconfusionamongtheworkers.

***

TheCNT,exudingoptimism,

proposedaccordingtothetextoftheapprovedresolutionsthecreationofpowerfulstate-syndicalistbodieswiththeirrespectivelegionsofparasitestocontrolanddirecttheindustriesundertheirjurisdiction;legislationconcerningthevariousmanifestationsofhumaneffort,measuringtheirqualityandquantityinordertoestablishpayscalesandtocreatefilesforeachcategory;thecentralizationortrustificationofwrittenpropagandaandmanagingthefundsoftheorganizations.Itwasareconstructiveplanonavastscale,whichwouldhaveleftthemostprestigiousstatistsawestruckandwouldhavemadethoseStatesthatboastofhavingadvancedsocialandeconomiclegislationlook

ridiculous.

LetustakealookattheconcernsoftheCNTandthegeneraltenoroftheresolutionsoftheEconomicPlenum.

LABORINSPECTORS

Intheintroductorysectionofthisparticularproposal,theCNTassertsthatitisnotguidedbyanyproselytizingends.Wecannotconfirmtheveracityofthisassertion.Wecansay,however,thatthoseofuswholiveintheselittlerepublics[inSouthAmerica]areinuredtoincredulity.Whenapoliticalparty,whetherornotitisinpower,proposesthecreationofanewgovernmentbodyorinspectorate,besidestheproselytizingmotivewhatis

ofmuchgreaterinteresttoitistobeabletofindjobsforitsfriends.

Bycallingattentiontothisexampleitisnotourintentiontoreprimandthecenetistasbycataloguingthemundertheheadingofpolitics.Theyactedwithandlikethepoliticians,becauseofimperiouscircumstantialnecessities.

HereisthetextoftheArticlesontheLaborInspectorate:

1.TheNationalIndustrialFederations,attheproposaloftheTradeUnionsasconveyedthroughtheRegional,CountyandLocalFederations,willappointtheTechnicalDelegatesneededtoinspectanddirecttheEconomicunitsundertheir

jurisdiction.

2.TheseDelegateswillproposethenormstobeimplementedinordertoeffectivelydirectthedifferentIndustrialunitsforthepurposeofimprovingtheirefficiencyandadministration.Theywillnotoperateontheirownaccount;theywillberesponsibleforcomplyingwithandenforcingcompliancewiththedirectivesissuedbytheCouncils,towhichtheywillbeanswerable.

3.Toachievegreaterefficiencyandoperationalimprovementsandinsuchcaseswhereitwillbenecessary,theywillproposetotheCouncilsthathaveappointedthemtheapplicationofsanctionsagainstthoseInstitutionsor

individualswho,asaresultofthenon-fulfillmentoftheirduties,havemeritedsuchsanctions.

TheOrganizationwillagreetotheextensionofthecorrespondingcoercivemeanstotheInstitutionswhichmustavailthemselvesofthisright,establishingtheRulesthatwilldeterminehowthesecoercivemeansmaybeapplied.ThesedirectivesareundertakenexclusivelybyandreferonlytotheIndustriesthatareinthehandsoftheworkers.

PAYSCALES

ThehumanistandjustanarchistconceptFromeachaccordingtohis

abilitieshadnoplaceinthestatistplansoftheCNT.Itsplansseemedtobeorientedinaccordancewiththestandardtypeestablishedbycapitalism.TheCNTplannedtorecompensetheeffortsoftheworkersaccordingtotheiroutputsandskilllevels,thuspreservingprivilegedcategories.

ItsoughtaccordingtotheCNTtocorrectthosedeficienciesandinequalitiesthatsooftensowdiscordandapathyamongtheworkers,tothedetrimentoftheeconomyandthereforethePlenumresolved:

First.Theacceptanceofpayaccordingtojobcategories,andweproposethattheNationalIndustrialFederationsadopt,whileadaptingthemtotheireconomic

possibilities,thefollowingscalesofpayment,takingXastheinitialindispensablequantitynecessarytocovertheneedsoftheproducer:

BaseCategory.Assistantlaborer

.X1asuperiorcategory.Skilledworker20%ofincrease2asuperiorcategory.Specialist40%ofincrease3asuperiorcategory.AssistantTechnician70%ofincrease4asuperiorcategory.TechnicalDirector100%ofincrease.

Theabovepercentagesaretobeunderstoodasbeingapplicabletothebasecategory.

Thescheduleofpayscalesapprovedat

thisPlenumwasarevolutionaryinnovation.ItisverysimilartotheoneestablishedinRussia.WearenotsayingthattheCNTsversionisanexactcopyoftheBolshevistsystem.

IBERIANTRADEUNIONBANK

Onecanverywellimaginethat,iftheCNTwasproceedinginthedirectionofastatistorientation,regulatingandcontrollingtheeconomyofthecountry,thenitlogicallyshouldcreateaTradeUnionBanktoincreaseproduction,torebuildindustry,offerloanstothepeasants,etc.Thusitwasthat,whileattheCongressoftheAgriculturalCollectivesofAragonthedelegatesweretryingtoabolishmoney,creatinginits

steadarationingcard,theCNTgavemoneythesameexchangevaluethatcapitalismassignedtoit.Thiswasdeliberate.Weshouldpointoutthatinordertoarriveattheseparadoxicalpositions,ormoreaccurately,theseaberrations,oftheCNT,eminentacademicshadpreviouslycomeforthtoholdconferencesoneconomic,financial,monetary,commercialandstatisticaltopicsamongothers,Fábregas,Santillán,Leval,López,Carsi,CardonaRosell,etc.whoorientedthecenetistaapproachinthissense.WearegoingtoreadafragmentofthearticlesignedbyAmezcua,publishedinSolidaridadObrerawhiletheCNTsEconomicPlenumwasinsession,whichwillhelp

ustoevaluatethestatesyndicalistmentalitythatpredominatedamongthecenetistas.Letusbeginbygettingonethingstraight:

Theideal

thesuppressionofmoney;unquestionable.Butuntilwegetthere,wehavetogothroughstages,overcomeveryprominentobstaclesandclimbtheslopesofthesocialeconomictopography.Andhecontinuesasfollows:

MONEY.ITSNATURALFUNCTION,UNDERMINEDBYTHEPLUTOCRACY.

Intheliquidatedeconomy,itwasthe

functionoftheBanktostorethemoney,tolookafteritscirculation,toensureitsfictitiousmultiplication,itsinvestmentorassignment,constitutingwiththeindividualandvoluntarydepositsofthismoney,massesofcapitalwithwhichitdecisivelyinfluencedtheindustrialandeventhemorallifeofthecountry,leadingtothehegemonyofthepossessorsofthelargestquantityofmonetarysymbolstothedetrimentofthemoremodestpossessors,whoneverobtainedmorethanasparseandalwaysmiserablereturnontheirdeposits.Thecapitalistimaginationinvented,tothedetrimentofthenon-capitalistsandforitsprofit,thetheoryofcreditandoftheloaningofmoney,andonthisbasisthegreatest

immoralitieshavebeencommitted,givingwaytousury,totheabuseofconfidentialityandtofraud,whichCAUSEDTHEDISCREDITINGOFMONEYanelementofexchangeandcirculationofnaturalandindustrialproductsbyemployingitasjustanothercommodity.Naturally,theproducers,whodidnotparticipateinallthepermutationsanddishonestgamesplayedwithmoneybythebankers,butpossessinganinstinctiveunderstandingofallthischicanery,andinpartunderstandingitbecauseofitspracticalrepercussions(thepriceofbread,clothingandothernecessitiesoflife),haverepudiatedmoneyasthecauseofthemiseryoftheworkingclass,andhad

noobjectionagainsttheproposalthatmoneybepurelyandsimplyABOLISHED,imaginingthatitcouldbereplacedbythedirectexchangeofproducts.Itwasthespecificandprecisefunctionofmoney,however,toregulatethisexchange,sinceitmadepossibletheestablishmentofastandardofexchangebetweendiverseproductsacommondenominatorforknowing,forexample,howmuchwheatmustbedeliveredbyaPeasantOrganizationinordertoobtainapairofshoesandtotheextentthatmoneyperformsandislimitedtoperformingthisfunctionandisnottheobjectofspeculationthatwoulddisturbitsNATURALROLEASREGULATOROFSUPPLYANDDEMAND,ofproduction

andconsumption,THERECANBENODOUBTABOUTITSNECESSITYwithinaneconomiccomplex,muchlessinaregimewhosenature,withthesuppressionofthecapriciousandinorganicactivityoftheindividual,andwithinthestructuralframeworkoftheTradeUnion,willhaveentailedthedisappearanceofeventhepossibilityofanydeviationoftheuseofmoneyfromitsexclusiveroleasregulatorofexchangeaswellasobviatinganydangerthatitwouldeverserveasanobjectofspeculationandexploitationoftheworker.OncetheMONETARYSYMBOLHASBEENPURIFIEDANDRECOVEREDfromthegripoftheplutocracyTHATHADDISTORTEDIT

ANDEVENPROSTITUTEDIT,itmustperformitsnaturalroleinthecollectivizedEconomy,aswillthateconomicsectorwhich,aswepointedoutabove,hastheSPECIFICTASKOFSTORING,CIRCULATINGANDINVESTINGTHESYMBOLOFEXCHANGE.

***

Asyoucansee,inthelastparagraphtheauthorarguesinfavorofthecreationoftheTradeUnionBank.Andnotonlydoesheendorsethecreationofsuchabank,buthealsoextendstheinitiativetothecreationoftwootherbanks:theProducersBankandtheBankofForeignTrade.Itisunnecessarytopointoutthat

thecreationoftheIberianTradeUnionBankimpliestheappointingofapresident,vicepresident,directorgeneralandmanyotheremployees.

THETRADEUNIONINSURANCEADMINISTRATIONAGENCY

Thepurposeofthisinstitutionistoadministertheinsuranceprogramforillness,workplaceaccidents,pensions,maternityleave,etc.;inshort,whatiscalledsocialwelfareinthedemocracies.Theessenceofthisprojectiscontainedinthisparagraph:

a)TodemandtherepresentationoftheCNTineachaneveryoneoftheofficialStateinstitutions,AutonomousRegional

Governments,andProvincialandMunicipalCouncilsinLoyalistSpain,whosemissionistoregulate,direct,orprovideconsultativeserviceswithregardtothemanagementandimplementationofnational,regional,provincialandlocal,orcountypoliciesrelatingtoinsuranceandsocialwelfareinallofitsdimensions.Thisrepresentationmustnotbeinferiortothatalreadypossessed,orwhichmaybegrantedinthefuture,totheothertradeunioncentralorganization.

CONCERNINGTHEADVISABILITYOFREDUCINGTHENUMBEROFCONFEDERALPUBLICATIONSANDHOWTHISISSUEWASADDRESSED

WehavenotedthatinSpain,duringthe

war,itwashardtoobtaintherawmaterialsformanufacturingpaper.Atfirstsight,thiswouldseemtojustifytheproposaltoimposerestrictionsonthepress.However,ofthethreecompellingreasonsthattheCNToffered,thethirdoneistheonethatbestexpressesitsviewsregardinganditsinterestinsuchrestrictions:

Thelastreasonisthenecessityofconferringhomogeneitytotheorientationofourpublications,whichistheonlywaytoobtainbenefitsfromthepowerfulweaponknownasthepress.WehavetoputanendtothepublicdisagreementsintheMovement.Upuntilnow,thishasbeenlargelyachievedintheBulletinof

InternalOrientation,publishedbytheSecretaryoftheNationalCommittee,butitseffectivenessiscancelledoutbythesmallpublicationsthat,althoughoflittleimportanceinthemselves,producenosmalleffectbydisorientinginsteadoforientingopinionandthemilitants,becausetheydonotabidebytheESTABLISHEDLINEofthenationalorderforpropaganda.

ItisobviousthattheCNTwantedtocentralizecontroloverwrittenpropaganda,inordertosilencethosewhocriticizedthestatistorientationthatwasexpressedbytheunfoldingevents.

Thisisprovenbythesetwoparagraphsoftheproposal:

Withthisplanforthepublicationofnewspapers,thepropagandaofourMovementisabsolutelyguaranteed,withregardtobothaspects.Themajorpublicationswithalargecirculationandthesmallerpapersintheprovincesthatfulfilltheneedtoprovideguidancethatisinconcordancewiththepsychologyandthecustomsofeachtown.

Allthenewspapersthatdonotabidebythisplanmustdisappearasaresultoftheirbeingcontrarytoeconomicefficiencyandunnecessary.

WehavealreadymentionedthattheCNT,dominatedbyafeverishzealforplanning,waspassionatelypreoccupied

withreconstructingtheeconomythatwasdestroyedbythewarandestablishingcertaincreationstestedduringthesubsequentmonths.ThisisprovenbyoursummarycommentaryontheworkoftheEconomicPlenum.Thereismuchmoreevidence,however,whichwecannotprovidebecauseofconsiderationsofspace.Weshallmerelyproceed,then,byprovidingthenamesoftheinstitutionsthatitsoughttocreateandtherulesthatitsoughttoimpose,whichwereapprovedatthePlenum.

TheproposalrecommendedthecreationandfurtherdevelopmentofConsumersCooperatives.Itcalledforresearchonhowtocarryouttheimplementationof

effectiveplanningofIndustry,withoutwaitingforthecreationoftheNationalCounciloftheEconomy,agovernmentorganizationwithamixedstate-tradeunioncomposition,whichwouldbecalledupontofulfillthisobviouseconomicnecessity.WeshalladdthatthisgovernmentbodywasinsistentlyadvocatedbytheCNTinitspetitionstothecentralgovernment.TheproposalfurthermoreadvisedtheadministrativeCentralizationoftheConfederalEconomy,andthatwithintheresultingadministrativebodymanyothersectionswouldbeformed.And,finally,itproposedregulationsconcerninggenerallaborstandards,bymeansofwhichhumanlaborpowercouldbecontrolled;

thesenormswouldspecifythequalityandquantityofproductionandwouldapplymoralsanctionsagainstthoseworkerswhofailedtocomplywiththeirstandards,thosewhocametoworklate,thosewhodidnotcarryoutthetypeofproductionindicated,etc.

***

Sofarwehavedescribed,inbroadstrokes,theresultsofthedeliberationsoftheExtendedEconomicPlenumoftheCNT.Byvirtueofitscontentsanditsproposalsforthefuture,itmaybededucedthatthecenetistashavingrenegedontheirideologicalpatrimonywereconcerned,directlyandindirectly,withreinforcingtheprestigeof

bourgeoisinstitutions,givingthematradeunioncharacteranddenomination.Wesaythisbecausethereaderwillhavenoticedthattheseinstitutionswould,inordertofunctionnormally,havetobelegalizedbytheState;thatis,theStatewouldhavetoapprovetheirstatutesandparticipateintheircontrolandsupervision.Evenassuming,however,thatalltheproposedinitiativesweretobeimplementedundertheaegisoftherevolution,whatperspectivesandwhatbasisdidtheCNTpossessthatwouldleadittobelievethattheStatewouldnotdestroythesecreationsinthesamewaywithamilitaryincursionthattheCollectivesofAragonweredestroyed?AccordingtotheCNT,theseproposals

werebasedonthesolidpurposeofhelpingtowinthewar.Furthermore,inthetextoftheregulationsandintheappealsissuedbythePlenum,afteritsadjournment,totheconfederalorganizations,alllanguageofarevolutionarycharacteriseliminated,withtheintention,ofcourse,thatnoobstaclesshouldbeinterposedbytheauthoritarianstotheimplementationoftheseplans.Thisappealconcludeswiththesewords:Hailtoalltheantifascists,regardlessoftheirotherviews!

***

WeareconvincedthattheSpanishworkersmovementmustbereborn,likethePhoenix,inordertoonceagaintake

upitspostinthestruggleforemancipation.Manyseedshavebeensownandthegerminationofrebellionandtheexpressionoftheanarchistidealmustsoonbreakoutwithgreaterforce.TheSpanishpeopleareindomitableandpreserveintheirheartsthehopeforfreedom.Theyarespurredonbytheiryearningforredemptionandthemoralforceoftheirgloriousrevolutionaryhistory,thatmoralforcethatourcomradeP.Minottirecallsinanarticlethatwereadashorttimeagoandinoneofitsparagraphshesays:

Wethereforegranttothesemoralforcesalltheirsplendorandcharacter,duetotheelevatedsignificancetheyimplyinthe

strugglesforliberty,inthevehiclesofouranarchistpropaganda.Itcanneverbetheoffspringofmerewordsorofthemoreorlessbrilliantdemagogyofleaders,ofpoliticiansofeverystripeandcolor,becauseasopposedtotheephemeralandtraitorouswords,intheconscienceofmentheremustbe,firminanarchistideals,ideasofsocialtransformation;themoredismalthepresenttime,themorefirmmustbethemoralforcesoftheanarchists.Theyhavenotbeendestroyed,norhavetheybeenreplacedbythenegativismofhistoricalmaterialism.Weneedtoknowhowtogivethefecundpassionsofthepeopletheirtruefunctionintheprocessofsocialtransformation,which,accordingtothewordsofMikhail

Bakunin,willcreateanewworldfromtheold.

AndwhenthismissionisresumedthecreationofanewworldtheSpanishworkerswill,withtheirgreatrevolutionaryachievements,erasefromhistoryalltheaberrationsandbetrayalsoftheCNT,inordertoaffirmanarchistcommunism.

Chapter20:DefendingtheorientationoftheIWA

20

DefendingtheorientationoftheIWA

Noonecandenythat,oncethefirst

alarmingnewsofthedevelopmentsinSpainhadbeenreceived,thetwosisterorganizationsonbothsidesoftheRíoPlata,theFORAandtheFORU,affiliatesoftheInternationalWorkingmensAssociation,werefilledwithenthusiasmandactivityinordertoreaffirmtheirmoralsolidaritywiththeirSpanishcomrades.Economicsupportwascontributedinaccordancewiththeirmeansandasthecircumstanceallowed.

ButitisalsotruethatoncetheybecameawareofthedeviationsendorsedbythemajorityoftherepresentativesoftheCNT,andsubsequently,thepressureexertedbythelatterontheIWAtoconvincethelattertoacceptandbestow

itsimprimaturonthesedeviations,theyclearlyexpressedtheirdisagreementswiththesedevelopmentsinbothorganizations.

ThisisdemonstratedbytheresolutionsapprovedonquestionspertainingtotheCNTwhich,becauseoftheimpossibilityofsendingdelegatesinpersonwhowouldrepresentboththeFORAandtheFORUattheExtraordinaryCongressoftheIWAheldinParisinDecember1937,weretransmittedinwriting.FromthetextsoftheseresolutionsconcerningtheproblemoftheCNTanditsattitudeandpositionsafterJuly19,weshallquotesomeexcerptsfromatextoftheFORU:

TheFORUunderstandsthattheCongress

oftheIWAmustclearlysetforthitspositionontheSpanishevents.TheFORUdrawsattentiontothefactthatthereisadifferencebetweentheterms,WARandREVOLUTION.Withrespecttothewar,theIWAmustaffirmitstraditionalmissionofopposingallwarsandcombatingthemilitaristspirit,understandingbyWARthestrugglefortheseizureofPoweramongthevariouscapitalistfractions,representedinthevariousfactionsinthegovernment,knownasmonarchists,republicans,socialists,communists,andanyotherismsthatarecurrentlypolarizedaroundthesetwopoles,apparentlyopposed,butbothofwhicharedistinctlyreactionary,andinveterateenemiesofProletarian

emancipation:FASCISMandANTIFASCISM.

Withregardtotherevolution,ontheotherhand,thatis,withregardtotheworkcarriedoutfrombelow,outsideofandagainstallgovernmentalinstitutions,expropriatingpropertywithoutanyhesitationatall,abolishingtheentiresystemofexploitationandtheregimeofwagelabor,theIWAmustcooperatetothefullestextentofitsabilities,forthepurposehelpingtherevolutiontoadvanceasfarasthecircumstancesallow.

ConcerningthedelicateproblemposedbytheCNT,whichwasengenderingconflictwithinthemovementoftheIWAbyengenderingcircumstantially

sympatheticnuclei,giventhedeviationistpositionoftheCNT,theFORUexpresseditsviewsinthefollowingmanner:

WithregardtothenucleithataresympathetictotheIWA,whichexistinvariouscountries,andwhichtheCNTiscurrentlyencouragingtointerveneintheCongress(exceptforthosewhichhavemaintainedaconnectionwiththeAssociationasmemberorganizations),thisisnotthetimetogivethemrights,whentheyhaveforgottentheirmostessentialduties,bycombatingorsabotagingtheorganizationsthatareworkingamongtherankandfileofthemovement,intheirattempttoinfectthesectionsoftheIWAwith

authoritarianism,andwhichonthisoccasion,takingadvantageofourliberality,maneuveredtoformamajority,onethatapprovesofparticipationintheinstitutionsoftheState,whethertemporarilyorpermanently,andthereforedistortingtheprincipledcourseoftheinternationalmovementrepresentedintheIWA.Rather,theattendanceattheCongress,likealltheactsandlaborsoftheInternational,ofnucleiwithanorganiccharacterwhichact,eventemporarily,withinoroutsidethecountriesthatarecurrentlyexperiencingemergencysituations,butinconformancewiththetraditionalfoundationofanarchistmilitancy,whichconfersupontheworkersmovementitstransformative

idealism,weconsiderthattheymusttakeapositionintheentity,sinceinmostcasestheirdisorganizedconditionistheresultofattackslaunchedbythereactionariesandtheopportunists,oftenconcealedbehindreformistordictatorialworkersmovements.Asaresult,andconvincedthatitisameetingofdelegatesofmemberorganizationsaffiliatedwiththeAssociation,devotedtothetaskofelucidatingtheproblemsthataffectthemovement,interestedinstrengtheningandaffirmingitsfundamentalprinciples,withtheelevatedmoralityofmenwhoareguidedbyahigheridealratherthanbasepassions,capableofadmittinganerroriftheyhavecommittedone,wehaveengagedinanexaminationofthe

currentpositionoftheCNT,andthepointsthatareproposedasthebasisfordiscussionattheCongress.

ThepositionoftheFORUattheExtraordinaryCongressissummarizedasfollows:

ConcretizingthethoughtsoftheFORUconcerningthepointsthathavecometoourattention,whichwereproposedbytheCNTtobeincludedontheagendafortheCongress,andalsoconcerningthosewhosecontentsareunknowntous,whichwereproposedbycomradesGalvéandRudiger,whichmakereference,accordingtothesynopsisoftheSecretariatoftheIWA,toareexaminationoftheDeclarationof

PrinciplesandoftheStatutesoftheAssociation,weconsideritadvisabletosetforthasummaryofourviews,inordertoinformthecomradedelegatesattendingthisCongress,andconcerningwhichwewouldverymuchdesiretoreachafreeagreement.Ourviewsare:

1.FraternalacceptancebytheCNTofthecritiquesofitsgovernmentalistactivities,reaffirmingitsadherencetotheDeclarationofPrinciplesoftheIWAanditscommitmenttoactinaccordancewiththem

.

3.APositionStatementbytheIWAconcerningtheSpanishevents,

expressingthedeepestsolidaritywiththerevolutionaryachievements,manifestedinthearmedstruggleandinthesocialexperimentsthathavebeencarriedout,orareintheprocessofbeingimplemented,basedonfreeagreementanddirectaction.Reaffirmationofitsspiritofrejectionofallwars,whichessentiallyinvolvecontentionfordominanceoversystemsofgovernment,inthegameofpoliticaldisputes,toobtainhegemonyovertheres-publica.

4.RejectionofanyrevisionoftheDeclarationofPrinciplesoftheIWA,andaffirmationofthecurrentstructureoftheSecretariat,proposingthatshouldanychangesbecontemplated,theymustfirst

besubmittedtothereviewofthememberorganizations,andtheymustbegivenenoughtimetoissuetheirreports.

FortheFederalCouncil,theSecretary.

Later,fortheOrdinaryCongress,alsoheldinParisin1938,whereparticularattentionwasdevotedtodebatingthetopics,ExaminationandClarificationofthePrinciplesoftheIWAStatutes,andInternationalPracticalNormsofAnarchosyndicalism,theFORUcondenseditsviewsinthefollowingstatements:

RegardingtheExaminationoftheStatutesandtheDeclarationofPrinciplesoftheIWA,theFORUunderstandsthe

needtoaffirmtheexistingPactanditsDeclarationofPrinciples,itsanti-statenormsandpracticesanddirectaction,andifanymodificationisappropriateitwouldbeforthepurposeofmakingitmoreconsistentwiththefederalistcharacterofthemovementuponwhichtheInternationalWorkingmensAssociationisbasedandinwhichtheanarchistgoaloftheIWAisembodied.

SixteenyearsafterthefoundingoftheIWA,theheiroftheFirstInternationalthatBakunin,Reclús,Lorenzoandsomanyothercomradesworkedtocreate,andwhichattheCongressofSaint-Imierin1872acquireditsowndistinctivecharacterwiththeapprovalofananti-

statist,anti-politicalandrevolutionarydeclarationduringitsproceedings,allofwhichwasreaffirmedatthefoundingCongressofthecurrentIWAthattookplacein1922inBerlin,whichrangedusagainstthereformismofsocialdemocracy,themasteroftheAmsterdamInternational,thelatterthereforebeingsubordinatedtotheebbandflowofitsstatistandlegalaction,andalsoagainsttheRedTradeUnionInternationalofMoscow,anobligatoryappendageoftheBolshevikParty,victoriousinRussia,thusdistinguishingtheIWAastheonlylibertarianandemancipatoryInternational,diametricallyopposedtothecentralizingmechanismofthesecorporatebodies,whicharesubjecttothe

directivesofpoliticalMarxismandtoitsmaterialistconceptofthestrugglesoftheproletariat,ourAssociation,althoughithasrecentlyexperiencedadeclineinthenumberofitsadherents,duetothepersecutionsenduredbyitsaffiliatedorganizationsinvariouscountries,itsprestigeanditspossibilitieshavebeengreatlyincreased,becausetheworkers,tiredoflegalagitation,whichonlyservestobolsterthestrengthofcapitalismandtheState,areturningtowardsthemethodsandpracticesadvocatedbytheIWA,andthatiswhyitissoessentialtointensifypropagandaamongalltheworkers,aboutthemeaningofitstacticsofstruggle,andthecontentofitsDeclarationofPrinciples,puttingmore

emphasisonitssyndicalistdimensiontoinfluencetheiractivities,positingAnarchistCommunismasthefinalgoal,highlightingthecomprehensivehumanmeaningthatinspiresthememberorganizationsoftheAssociation,toadvocateformsofsociallifebasedonmutualaidandfreeagreement,outsideofthepoliticalandeconomicsystemswhosereasonforexistenceisbasedoncapitalistexploitationandonthetyrannyoftheState,regardlessoftheformofthelatter,bourgeoisorproletarian,sincebothareupheldbytheAuthorityofbayonets.

***

TheFORofArgentinasentthefollowingproposedresolutionsconcerningthe

questionoftheCNTmentionedabovetotheOrdinaryCongressoftheCNTheldinParisinDecember1938:

FOURTHPOINT.Everydeclarationofprincipleshas,ofcourse,atheoreticalmeaning,sinceitspurposeistoarticulateaspirationsorproposalsforthefulfillmentofanyparticularmovement;declarationsofprinciples,however,nomatterhowbrilliantandrelevanttheymaybe,areabsolutelyworthlessiftheinstitutionorthemovementthatadoptsthemiscontenttorestrictthemtoanexistenceonpaperbutdoesnotseektorealizethemtothegreatestpossibleextent,adjustingitsdevelopmentanditstacticstotheirmeaning.Itisforthis

reasonthat,fromthepointofviewoftheFORA,whichtriestoalwaysremainfaithfultothemessageofitsprinciples,declarationsofprinciplesdonotrepresentapurelytheoreticalexposition,butratheraline,apointofperspectivethatfixesthecourseofamovement;alineandapointofperspectivefromwhichonecannotdeviatewithoutfallingintoirresponsibility,andtowhichitisnecessarytoadaptthemeaningoftacticsandmilitancy.

Withoutthiszealandthisfaithfulnesstowhichthedeclarationofprinciplesappeals,itistobeunderstoodthatprinciplescanbesetasideandthatthemilitancyanddailyactivitiesofthe

movementswouldfollowthepathofpossibilismandcontingency.WhenthedeclarationofprinciplesupheldbytheIWAwasdrafted,theFORAtooktheopportunitytoexpressitsopinionsandtomakeproposalsthroughitsdelegates,andwecantodayexpresswithsatisfactionthatthemeaningoftheprincipledpositionswhichinformedthoseopinionsandproposalsofours,havenotchangedintheleast.Rathertothecontrary,theeventsofthelastfewyearshavecontributedtothereaffirmationoftheconceptadvocatedbytheFORAregardingthismatter.Thisiswhy,confrontedwithaninvitationlikethisonethatcallsforaclarificationandexaminationofthedeclarationof

principlesoftheIWA,weunderstandthateverythingthatmightbedoneinthisrespectcanonlybeacceptedwhenitreaffirmsthepostulatesofemancipationthatconstitutethedirectionandgoalofourstruggles;andalsoinviewofthefactthatinthissensethereisnothingsuperiortothedeclarationofprinciplesoftheFORA,ortoitsmethodsofstruggleanditssystemoforganization,werejectanyattemptthatisdirectedinthesenseofintroducingmodificationsthatwouldtendtodiminishtheanti-state,anti-politicalandanti-collaborationistpositionthatmustbetheguidingbeaconforalltheactionsandactivitiesoftheIWA.

FIFTHPOINT.Consideringthatevery

statuteisalwaysincompatiblewiththefederalistprincipleandwiththefreeagreementthatwehaveadutytopracticeinalldimensionsofouractivitiesinordertoenabletheworkerstoexercisethesesameprinciples,andalsoforthepurposethat,asaresultofthisconsequence,theywillbeinstilledwiththefaithintheidealsofthemovement,itisouropinionthatthereshouldbenootherstatutesfortheIWAotherthanthoseagreementsanddecisionsmadebyitscongressesandassemblies.

SIXTHPOINT.WithregardtotheissuediscussedinourFourthPoint,theFORAcannotconceiveofatacticthatwouldnotbeconditionedbyitstheory,thatis,byits

declarationofprinciples.Thatiswhy,sincethefirstmeetingoftherevolutionarysyndicaliststhatledtothefoundingoftheIWA,theFORAhasplacedspecialemphasisonitsdeclarationofprinciplesandonitsconceptofsyndicalism,understandingthatthelattermustnecessarilybeconditionedbytheformer.TheFORAsetforthitsconceptionconcerningthismatterintheminutesthatitpresentedtothemeeting,andithasreaffirmedthisconceptatallthecongressesormeetingsthathavetakenplacesincethen.Todayouropinionhasnotchanged.Westillthinkthatworkingclasssyndicalismwithitstacticofdirectstruggle,conditionedbyasuperiordeclarationofprinciples,

constitutesaninvincibleweaponinthehandsoftheproletariat;wethinkthatthisweaponcannotbeabandonedaslongastheregimeofexploitationandtyrannythatweighsuponthepeoplesendures;butweconsiderthat,withregardtotheinterpretationofaregimeofequalityandsocialjustice,ourhopesforworkingclasssyndicalismcanonlybeembodiedinadeclarationofprinciplessuchasweadvocate,whichassuresforthefutureaneraofeconomicequalityandfreedomofexpressionthroughtheestablishmentofCommunismandAnarchy.ThisisthesocialgoaloftheFORAanditisalsothesocialgoaloftheIWAifwetakeintoaccountthefactthatinitsdeclarationofprinciplesLibertarianCommunism

figuresastheleadingaspirationofitsstruggles.WeconsiderthatallofthisiswellknowntoallthosewhohavehadtheopportunitytogettoknowthenatureoftheFORAwithintheIWA.Wethereforedonotthinkitisnecessarytoinsistonthis.Weshallonlysayspecificallyandevenatthepriceofsuccumbingtotheviceofredundancy,thatsyndicalismmustadaptitstacticsofstruggleaswellasitssystemoforganizationtothesocialgoalthathasbeensetforthinitsdeclarationofprinciples.

Chapter21:TheFederationofCollectivesofAragon

21

TheFederationofCollectivesofAragon

OneofthemostfruitfulexperimentsconductedbytheanarchistsduringthefirstmonthsofthewarinSpainwasundoubtedlytheFederationofCollectivesofAragon,wherethetransformationofcapitalistsocietyintoasystemofsociallifecharacterizedbysolidarityandjusticewastosomeextentactuallyrealized.

DespiteallthecompromisesandbackroomdealswiththeMarxistpoliticians,alifeoffreedom,mutualaidandcommunallaborwasassayedinAragon.ThepeasantsofAragon,whohadalonghistoryofrebellion,wererapidlyabletoappreciatethedifference

ofthemethods,thepracticalityoftheanarchistideasandthenobilityofthesocialstructurewithoutmasters,localpoliticalbosses,priestsorexploiters.

ItistruethatinAragon,theauthorityprinciplewasnottotallyeliminated,sincetheanarchists,intheirsuicidalofferofcooperationandalliancewiththepoliticians,allowedthepreservationofdisguisedstateformsintheCouncilofDefense,butitmustbeacknowledgedthattheymadethelandlordsandfeudallordsdisappearinordertocollectivizethelandforthosewhoworkedonit.

Aswesaidpreviously,however,thehealthycontentmentandsatisfactionoftheAragonesepeasantswouldnotlast

verylong,becausethegovernmentthathadfledto[sic:from]MadridandwasrebornwiththeparticipationoftheministerialistsoftheCNTandtheFAIinValencia,whosepresident,underthecircumstancesbyorderofRussia,whichwaspressuredtodosobythedemocraticpowerswasthepuppetNegrín,decidedtoabolishthelastvestigesofthesocialrevolution,theCollectivesofAragon,anddispatchedanexpeditionaryforceunderthecommandofthecommunistListertodothebiddingofinternationalcapitalismandtheantifascistpowers.

Thismaneuver,whichwasurgentlyimplemented,isdescribed,withrealbitterness,bycomradeAscaso,inan

interviewwithajournalistforLeReveil,ofGeneva,excerptsfromwhichwereproducebelow:

Naturally,wehelddiscussions,weexaminedthedanger,wemetmorethanonce,butmoderationandawaitandseeattitude,andadesiretofindacompromisesolution,alwaysprevailed.Itwasnecessarytoholddiscussions,toconciliate,tomakeadealwithNegrín,togotoValencia,tomeetwiththevariousministers,etc.Andthenalwaystowait,nottobecomealarmed,nottorespondtoprovocations,inordertoexperienceadebacle,whichwastheinevitableresultofsuchmethods.

AsIalreadytoldyou,Iandthefivecomradeswho,withme,formedthemajorityoftheCouncilofAragon,allagreed.Wewouldhaveresisted,wewouldhaveremainedatourpostsandassumedresponsibilityforwhateverwouldhavehappened.RegardlessofthedefeatistpositionoftheCNT,wewouldhavedefendedourCouncilwitharmsinhand,becausethatishowweunderstoodtherevolutionandwearestilltothisdaythesameanarchistsandrevolutionariesthatwewereinthepast.AndIwilltellyouevenmore,soyouwillunderstandtherefinedJesuitismofthepoliticians.WhileIwasinValenciaonanurgentmission,havingbeengivenassurances

thatwecouldcometoanagreement,thedivisioncommandedbythesinisterLister,thecommunist,marchedonCaspe,andIwasarrestedatthegatesofValencia,afterhavingspokentotheministers.IamsurethatifIhadbeenabletoreachCaspe,ListerwouldnothavebeenabletodissolveourCouncil,sincealltheconfederaldivisionswereatourdisposal.

ThatishowtheexperimentoftheAragonesecollectivesended,which,whiletheymayhavesufferedfromseriousoperationaldefects,setthestandardthatshowedthattheanarchistidealhadceasedtobeautopiainordertoinstillinthemindsofthepeasantsthe

convictionthatthecapitalistsystemhaddeniedthemtherighttoLife.

Chapter22:Theunderhandedmachinationsofinternationaldiplomacy

22

Theunderhandedmachinationsofinternationaldiplomacy

Thecenetistaandfaístabureaucracy,initsclumsyandridiculousattempttojustifyitsbetrayalsanditscollaborationwiththeState,conceivedtheargumentthatitwasnecessarytosupportCompanysinCataloniaandthereforetoobeyandupholdthepowerofthecentralgovernmentaswellwhosePresidentwas

Azańasothat,onthesurface,SpainwouldgivetheappearancetothediplomatsofthedemocraticgovernmentsofacountryruledinaccordancewiththelegalandpoliticalnormsinherenttoanywellconstitutedState,sothatthesecountrieswouldmakeweapons,munitionsandotherurgentlyneededmaterielavailabletotheantifascistalliance.

ItisnotnecessarytoopenthebookthattellsthestoryoftheobscurediplomaticplotsandmachinationsoftheantifascistpowersagainstrepublicanSpain,whichweresoclearlyrevealedbythegraveeventsthattookplaceinthose30monthsoffratricidalwar,inordertoaffirmthat

thetranscendentalresolutionoftheCNTandtheFAItoallowthewholedilapidatedstructureoftheSpanishstatetoremainstanding,inordertoobtainmoralsupportandarmsfromthedemocracies,wasmerelyacrudepretexttoconcealtheirabsolutelackofanarchistconvictions;theircowardiceinthefaceoftheshockingspectacleoftheawakeningoftheIberianproletarianmultitudes;theirwell-dissimulatedambitiousfantasiesandtheirboundlessauthoritariancareerism.Foritisnotpossibletosupposethatduringthosemomentstheyhadforgottenthepastofopprobriumanddespotismthatthesenationshadbehindthem,onethatisidenticalwithregardtoviolentmethods

andservileendstothebehaviorcurrentlymanifestedbythetotalitarianstatesastheprizeofconquestbyimposinghumiliationontheCzech,Ethiopian,Austrian,Albanianandotherpeoples.

Francehasusedtheguillotineonitsrebels.IthasenslavedthepeoplesofAfrica,whereitimposes,byforceofarms,Europeancivilization.

EnglandhasdemonstrateditsbarbarousproceduresofadaptationinthebloodywaragainsttheBoers,inTransvaal,andrulesoverIndia,Palestine,andothervast,andwealthy,regions.

TheUnitedStatesflaunts,initslongreactionaryhistory,theredblemishofthe

ChicagoMartyrs.ItelectrocutedSaccoandVanzettiandithasimposeditsmilitaryandeconomicdominanceonvariouslittlerepublicsinSouthAmerica.Russia,which,byanironyoflanguage,isdenominatedbyitspaidpanegyristsasthevanguardofdemocracy,hasarigidandcrueldictatorshipoftheproletariat;thereisnofreedomofassemblyorspeechandtheonlypressistheofficialstatepress.

However,evenifweweretoassumethattheirmemorieshadproventobeunreliable,thesuspiciouseventsthatweretakingplacetherefusaltodeliverthetraincarsfullofammunitioninIrún;theinitiativeoftheleaderoftheFrench

cabinet,thesocialistBlum,toformthefamousNon-InterventionCommittee,whichresultedinatightblockadeonthecoastsofloyalistSpain;thefallofthecabinetpresidedoverbyLargoCaballero,orderedbyRussiawiththeacquiescenceofFranceandEngland;thesurrenderofMálaga,Bilbao,Santander,etc.,withoutafight,withoutdestroyingthemachineryoftheminesorthearmamentsfactories;thepresenceintheportofBarcelonaofEnglishandFrenchwarshipsduringtheMayDaysof1937,whentheMarxistsweremurderingtheanarchistsinordertoimposetheircompletedominationovertheworkersRepublic;therefusaltosendarmstotheAragonfront;theBolshevizationofthe

antifascistarmy,anditsinfiltrationbylargenumbersoftechnicians,allcommunists;thecontrolexercisedbythecommunistsoverthefrontierwithFrance;thedissolutionoftheDefenseCommitteeandtheagrariancollectivesofAragon;theinterventionofthearmyofPortugalanallyofEnglandalongsideFrancoshordes;thetransport,rightunderthenosesoftheEnglishandtheFrench,ofthousandsofvolunteerssentbyMussoliniandHitler,withouttheirknowledgeandwithoutthembeingdetected;thebombingofSpanishcitiesandtownsbyGermanandItalianairplanes,fueledwithRussiangasoline;andmanyothergraveandsymptomaticeventsdiditneveroccurtothebrilliant

mindsofthemenofresponsibilityoftheCNTandtheFAItobeconcernedwithinvestigatingjustwheretheiringenuousness,goodfaithandzealtomakeallianceswiththeauthoritarianpoliticiansunitedintheantifascistblocandwiththedemocraticnationshadledandwasleadingthem?

Themachinationsandbackdoorplotsbeinghatchedinthechancelleriesoftheantifascistcountrieswerenomystery,maneuverstendingtoeliminatethedangerthatwasrepresented,forthegovernmentsandcapitalistsofthetotalitariannationsaswellasalltheotherones,bytherevolutionarywavespearheadedbytheanarchistsofthe

IberianPeninsula.TierrayLibertad,ofBarcelona,initsissueofMarch20,1937,said:

Internationalcapitalismhasnowallthatdividesthefascistcapitalistsfromthedemocraticcapitalists,orthemonarchistsfromtheliberals,therightistsfromtheleftists.IthasitsgreatcentersinLondonandinNewYork,inBerlinandinParis,inRomeandinBuenosAires,inTokyoandinGeneva,inallthegreatcapitalsoftheglobe.

Santillánclaimed:

So-calledloyalistSpaincollapsedasaresultofourvictoryofJuly19,undertheinfluenceoftheimperialistconstellation

oftheallegedlydemocraticpowers.EnglandandFrance,withthediplomaticallianceofRussia,werenotveryconcerned,ornotatallconcerned,withtheprospectofafascistSpain;buttheywereveryconcernedaboutthepossibilityofarevolutionarySpain.

Furthermore,thepacifistinitiativesoftheEnglishpoliticianMr.EdenwereverywellknowninSpain,initiativeswhichentailedtherestorationoftheBourbonmonarchy.TheresultsofthegrotesqueMunichConferencewerealsoknown,where,withthemutualagreementofthefourgreatpowers,thedisappearanceofCzechoslovakiawasdecided.TheeffortsoftheEnglishprimeministeronbehalfof

pacificationwerealsowellknown,whomsomehumoristsdepictedwithanopenumbrella;andnoonewasunawareofthefactthatEnglishdiplomacybydividingcountriesuporsurrenderingthemdominatestheworld;whichhelpedtransformMussoliniintoaNapoleon;whichpreferredandhelpedbringaboutFrancosvictory;whichreceivedtheprotestofPortugalagainstfascistinterferenceand

thatisalreadyenough.Thedemocraticandtotalitarianpowersseeminglyatloggerheadsthusfulfilledtheirmissiontosavehumanity,providingthemeanstomakepossiblethestabbingintheback,theimprisonmentandtheshootingofthe

anarchistsofSpainandtoday,theymustbesavoring,satisfiedandinunison,thetragictasktheyaccomplishedintheIberianregions,bymeansofthehostsofFranco.

***

Nowthattheechoofthemilitarybugles,theroarofthecannons,thestaccatotappingofthemachineguns,thebuzzofthebombers,theheartrendingcriesofthewoundedandthethumpofhumanbodieshittingtheSpanishsoil,nevertoriseagain,hasjustrecentlybeensilenced,onceagainthefourhorsemenoftheApocalypsearegallopingoverthefieldsofEurope.AttilareturnsintheformofMars.

Onceagain,thebrutalanddestructiveargumentofcombatweaponsisemployed:tanks,planes,gas,armor,flamethrowersandtoxicliquids,etc.,inordertodeterminethepoliticalandeconomicpeckingorderamongthecapitalistpowers.Itisthusthatthemadmenofabsolutistsensualism,theunbalancedanddangerousagentsofinternationaldiplomacyandthearmsmanufacturershaveonceagainledthepeoplesofoldEurope,afterhavingintoxicatedthemwiththeopiumofpatriotism,toahecatombthatisevengreaterthantheonethatstartedin1914,whichcostmillionsoflivesandleftinitswakemillionsofinvalids,orphansand

insanepeople.InalloralandwrittenpropagandawenotethefatefulduoCapitalandtheStateasthefactorsthatareresponsibleforthepainfulandDantesquespectaclethatwebeholdasspectatorsfromadistance,althoughtheirrefutableargumentsthatwehavealwaysmadetotheworkersinordertopointwiththefingerofaccusationatthecausalfactorsofthiscollectivecrimeandofourmisfortunes,sacrificesandmiseries,willnotatthepresenttimeproduceanygreaterreflectiveeffectinthemindsofthepeople,sincethelatteraredominatedbywarfever,whichthebourgeoispressinjectsintothemonadailybasis.Wemustrepeat,however,thatthosewhotodayunleashthe

whirlwindofpassions,ofhatredandoflimitlesscrueltyontheEuropeanpeoples,arestillhidingbehindfalseappearances,seekingtoappearasmessengersofpeaceandsaviorsofhumanity.

Itislogicaltostate,then,thateverypersonwithanaltruisticspiritandnoblesentimentsmustfeeldespondentinthefaceoftheimpressivesceneofcruelty,martyrdomanddestructionthatiscurrentlytakingshapeinEurope,andmustunitetheirreproachwithouranathemaagainstthiscrimeagainsthumanitysignifiedbythewar,joiningtheoutcriesofthemothers,sisters,childrenandelderlyparentswhowillbethesacrificialvictimsofthecurrentmadness

ofwar.

That,then,istheanathemawepronounceagainstallwars.

Chapter23:Ourpress

23

Ourpress

WhenIrefertoourpress,inSouthAmerica,inordertocallattentiontothepreachingofanarchistdoctrinesthatistenaciouslybeingcarriedoutbythenewspapers,OrganizaciónObrera,theorganoftheFORofArgentina,andSolidaridad,thatoftheFORofUruguay,wearenotguidedbyasenseofclosed-mindedexclusivism.Thereasonwhyweexpressitthiswayisthefactthatthesenewspapershavebeenabletokeepabreastofthecircumstancesandevents,

fearlesslycriticizingthecenetistasandfaístasatfirstfortheirdeviations,andthenfortheirideologicalbetrayals,keepingtheproletarianranksandtheanarchistmilitantsinformedofthesetrends,sothattheyshouldnotbeinfectedwiththeconfusionistvirusthatthedisastrousactionsofthosecomradeshasdisseminatedandsothattheproletariansandtheanarchistmilitantsshouldconcernthemselvesasamatterofthegreatestimportancewithlearningallthedetailsaboutthesedevelopments,inordertobreachthecordonsanitairethathasbeenorganizedonaninternationalscalebytheanarchistswhohaveimplementedtheseconstructiveandinnovativeexperiments.

Itistrue,ofcourse,thatthisworthyandnobleattitudeofourpresshasinducedenormousdiscontentintheranksofopportunismandthatithasearnedbitterreproachesandmuchantipathy.Someothernewspapersonlyaveryfewpublishedbyotheranarchistgroupshavealsoconfrontedtheconfusedsituationbroughtaboutbytheseeventsandcriticizedfromanelevatedvantagepointthecenetistaandfaístadiscoveries.

Weshallreproducethefollowingexcerptsfromtwoarticlesfromourpress,whichdemonstratetheclearandplainlyanarchistorientationoftheeditorialpolicyofthenewspapersmentionedabove:

Inissueno.55ofOrganizaciónObrerathefollowingthoughtfularticleappeared:

ThefeeblehopesthatwerenourishedconcerningapossiblefavorablechangeinthesituationoftheSpanishrepublicaretotallydissipatinginamostspectacularfashion.Inreality,consideringthewaythingsaregoingandinviewofhowthepeaceprocessisbeingprepared,onemightsaythatthedestinyofSpain,althoughnotfinallydetermined,hasnowbeencast,sincetheeventsofthelastfewdays,bothregardtothepoliticalaswellasthemilitaryaspect,leavenoroomfordoubt.Spain,althoughitispainfulforustosaythis,willdefinitelybesacrificedtothecapriceofthedictatorsandtothe

interestofbiginternationalcapitalism.

However,anddespitesuchasorrowfulconclusion,wemustpointoutthatnoneofthegreateventsofthiscentury,includingtheRussianRevolution,havecontributedagreatermassofexperiencesthantheSpanishconflict,sinceapartfromthedeepsocialsignificanceitacquiredduringitsveryfirstmoments,thecivilwarthatisnowcomingtoanendhasbeenrichinfactsandexamplesofeverykindandmagnitude.

Indeed.InSpain,toanextentseennowhereelseintheworld,wehavewitnessedthedegreetowhichpeoplearecapableofsacrificeandheroism.Alongsidethis,however,wehavealso

witnessedtheextenttowhichthesufferingandsacrificeofthepeople,whosefateisnowbeingsealed,wascynicallymanipulated.Forapartfromthebetrayalsthatpertaintothiscase,thedeceptionhasinthisinstancebeensorealthatitwillbedifficultforitsperpetratorstovindicatethemselvesbeforetheserenejudgmentofhistory,muchlessbeforetheharshjusticeofthepeoplesoftheworldwhomightdemandonanot-too-distantfuturedatethatthosewhoarenowitsleadersshouldprovideanexplanationfortheiractions.ThetruthisthatthedramaofSpainisnowcomingtoanendwiththegreatestbetrayalofourtimeandthatthisunprecedentedbetrayalistheresponsibilityofallthosewhohelpedto

causethisvaliantpeopletosetasidetheirrevolutionaryimpulsesofthefirstfewmomentsofthecivilwarandinsteadentrusttheirdestiniestothedemocraticpolicythatalltheirleaderswereadvisingthemtoadopt.

Wewillnotsayanythingnew,atleastnotforthosecomradeswhohavetriedtokeepinformedandtostudytheunfoldingeventsofthisconflict.Ifwesay,however,thatthepeoplewhofoughtonthesideoftherepublicangovernmenthavenotbeendefeated,weareonlysheddinglightonarealitythatnothingornoonecanrefuteordeny.AndweshallalsomentionanincontrovertibletruthwhenwesaythattheSpanishpeople,

afterhavingbeensuitablypacifiedanddomesticated,hasbeenmiserablysurrendered:bymeansofthedeceptionpracticedbyallthosewholedit,firstinordertoconceal,andthenlatertoannihilatetheirrevolutionoutoffearoflosingthegoodwillofthegreatdemocraticnations

whicharenowpayingthembackfortheirsacrificesbysurrenderingthemunconditionallytofascism.Isitnotclearthatthebetrayalfromtheoutsidecausedthisandmadepossiblethisdeliberatedomesticationofthepeople?Yes,thatisthetruth,thetruththatcannotbeconcealedwithphrasesortalkofcircumstances

.

TheSpanishpeoplelosttheirnaiveconfidenceintheirleaders.Althoughtheywereheroicandself-abnegatinglikenootherpeople,theSpanishpeoplewerestilltoochildlike.Theytrustedtoomuchintheoldstatistandpoliticallies.TheyweretoldthatitwasnecessarytoupholddemocracyandthefictionoftheState,butbyreestablishingthedemocracyandonceagainputtingthestatebackonitsfeet,bothturnedagainstthemandstabbedthemintheback.

If,insteadofsuppressingitsimpulsesofthefirstmoments,ithadencouragedthepeopletocontinuetoengageinthedestructionofeverythingthatstoodinthe

wayofitsdesiresforarapiddefeatoftherebelsandintheprocessradicallytransformlifethroughoutSpain;ifithadtaughtthepeoplethatitsrevolutionaryconquestscouldonlybedefendedbyundertakingnewandmoreadvancedconquests;ifithadtaughtthepeoplethatthenewlegislationofjustice,evenifitwaspromulgatedbyaworkingclassminister,wasnothingbutaskillfulmaneuverintendedtoinjectnewlifeintheregimethatwasinitsdeaththroes;inshort,ifithadtoldtheSpanishpeoplethatbytransformingitsrevolutionarystruggleintoasimplewarfornationalindependenceanoutrageousmaneuverthatonlybroughttheunitarymilitarycommandandthemilitarizationofthe

armyintheoldstylemeantthebeginningoftheendofalltheiremancipatoryefforts,itiscertainthatthefateofSpainwouldhavebeendifferentthanwhatisnowintheoffing,despitethefactthatatthistimethereistalkofanhonorablepeace.

Notall,however,islostinSpain.Theoldpromisesofanarchismbothwithregardtoitsconceptionoftherevolutionarystruggle,aswellasinrelationtoitsclassicalpositionagainsttheStateandeverythingthathelpstoupholdthepresentregime,hasnotsufferedanykindofsetback.Tothecontrary,realityhasassumedresponsibilityforonceagainconfirmingthateverythingthepeople

havedonethatisnotinaccordancewiththoseprincipleshasbeeninvain,andproducednegativeresults,although,asinthecaseofSpain,thepeopleperformedprodigiesofgloryinthegreateststruggleofourtimes.

ItisaterriblelessonthatSpainhastaughtusatthecostofenormoussacrifices.Letushopethatthislessonisheededbythepeoplesoftheworld!

***

IntheissueoftheFORUsSolidaridadforthefirsttwoweeksofOctober1937,weread:

Althoughitmightseemsurprisingto

manycomradeswhoviewtheseproblemsfromanobjectivestandpoint,theentryoftheCNT-FAIintothegovernmentministriesofValenciaandBarcelona,aswellastheallianceswiththeanti-anarchistmovements,werenotreallytheconsequencesoftheneedtodealwithspecialcircumstances,butresultedfromthelackofanarchistconvictionsamongtheprincipalarchitectsofthesepolicies;fromthefactthattheywerenotcompletelyliberatedfromthestatistprinciple,andtheessentialfunctionthatbytheirverynaturetheorgansoftheStateperform;fromtheveryfactthattheyevenadmittedthepossibilitythattheemancipatoryprojectcouldbeservedfromtheinstitutionsoftheState,ifonly

theseinstitutionsweretobecomposedofmenofgoodfaith,ofanarchists,thusdenyingtheessentialprinciplesofanarchism,elaboratedontheindestructiblebasisoftheconclusionsarrivedatfromtheundeniablefactsthathistoryhasprovidedus.

Inbrief,weshallnotresorttoclaimingthatthemisnamedgovernmentalanarchistsandthemenwhosoughttojustifytheirpolicies,eveniftheysayitwasallanexperiment,arebasicallytotallylackinginanyanarchistbeliefsquitethecontrary:theyarebasicallyauthoritarians,theydenythecreativecapacityofthepeople,frombelow(thebasisofanarchism)and

attributemoreliberatorycapacitytoactionfromabove,bymeansofcommitteesorotherinstitutionsthat,withoutorevenagainstthewilloftheworkers,dictate,notinitiativestobestudiedbyallwithequalconditionsandrights,butindisputableorders,whichmustbeobeyed,regardlessofwhetherornottheyrespondtotheneedsoftheoppressed,concerningwhichandthisistheotherbasisofanarchismitcannotbeconceivedthatthereisanygeniuswhocanregulatetheneedsandaspirationsofthepeople,butthatthelatterwillrealizetheirneedsandaspirationsonlybywayoftheexerciseoftheircompleteliberty;whenthisexerciseoflibertyislacking,thenthecreativeinitiativeandcapacityof

thepeopletostruggleagainsttheoppressorsandtoorganizelifeinsuchawayastosatisfytheirmaterialandspiritualneeds,then,werepeat,thiscapacitywillbeemasculated,becauseitwillbesuspendedinexpectationofdeedsthataretobecarriedoutbysaviors.Thisanti-libertarianlabor,unfortunately,iswhathasbeenaccomplishedbythoseanarchistswhojoinedthegovernment,supportedbythosewhoplacedmorefaithintheindispensablementhantheydidintheworkingpeople.

Theargumentthatjoiningthegovernmentwasdoneforthepurposeofpreventingtheinterventionofthegovernmentsofothercountries,sothatit

wouldappeartointernationalcapitalismthatitsinterestswerebeingsafeguarded,butthatwhattheywerereallydoingwassafeguardingtherevolution,couldnotbemorepuerile,sinceitcannotbeassumed,muchlessbythecapablemenwhojoinedthegovernment,thatinternationalcapitalismissostupidastonotknowhowtodistinguishwhetheragovernmentwasfictitiousorreal;ifitwasfictitiousthentheinterventionofarmedforcethateveryoneindisputablysoughttopreventwouldhavetakenplace,untilthefictitiousgovernmentshouldeitherbecomearealone,oruntilitisreplacedbyanotherthatreallyguaranteesitsinterestsandthoseoftheSpanishcapitalists,forwhichbothwillworkin

unison,duetotheidentityoftheirinterestsandideasofsocialorganization,establishingregimesthatwerefundamentallybased,althoughtheiroutwardformsvaried,onthesubjectionoftheworkerstotheexploitationoftheemployers,thusassuringtheexistenceoftheiriniquitiesandobnoxiousprivileges.

Tounderstandthisquestioninanyotherwayreflectsintellectualshortsightedness,regardlessofhowintellectualitsproponentsmayconsiderthemselvesandyouwillpardonusfortheheresythatsemi-literateworkerswouldbesoirreverenttowardstheeliteofrevolutionaryintellectualismorelsebespeaksofalackofcouragethatis

neededbymentoconfronttheconsequencesthateveryrevolutionbringsinitswakeandthereshouldnotbeanyrevolutionarieswhohavenotstudiedthisprobleminadvance.

Anyonewho,formanyyears,hascarriedoutpropagandainfavoroftherevolutionanddoesnotexpectthispropagandatobearfruit,wouldbelikeaparrotwhoautomaticallyspeakswordswithouttheleastunderstandingofwhattheymean.

Itispossiblethatthesemenhavesufferedfromthosetwogreatmisfortunesfortherevolution:alackofanarchistconvictionsandthesimultaneouslackofpersonalfortitudetoassumetheresponsibilitythattheoutbreakofaprofoundsocial

revolutionentails.

Wethink,however,thatitisthefirstoftheseshortcomings,whichdeterminedtheanti-revolutionarypositionthatthesemenhaveassumedandstillsupport.Ourviewisbasedonthefactthatweunderstandthatthereisnosuchthingasspontaneousgeneration,butthateverythingthathappenshasitsdevelopmentalprocess,untilitreachesitsculmination,whencircumstantialfactorscontributetoitsfullemergence.

Assumingthisisthecase,itislogicaltoexpectthatatthemomentwhentheSpanisheventscompelledthesementotakeadefiniteattitude,anarchistorstatist,theyplacedthemselvesonthe

terrainthatconformedmostcloselywiththesocialconceptionthatexistedinthedeepestrecessesoftheirsouls.Theythereforedemonstratedthattheideaoflibertythattheyhaddisseminatedforsomanyyearswasonlyathinveneerthatconcealedtheauthoritariansoulthatexistedinthedepthsoftheirbeing.

Thisassertioniscorroboratedbythefactthatthespecialcircumstancestheyinvokedbecamepermanentcircumstances,andneitherthecrimescommittedwithimpunityagainstlargecontingentsofself-sacrificinglibertariansbytheso-calledantifascists,northerefluxoftherevolutionduetotheworkopenlycarriedouttostranglethe

revolutionbytheleftwingpoliticalparties,evenwhiletheypersistedintheirobstinateordishonestattemptstobeadmittedtothegovernment,sothatfromtheirposts

theycouldcontinuetosupporttheprogressoftherevolution,withoutnotingthattheworkoftheanarchistministersinthegovernmentactuallycontributedtotheeffectivenessofthecurrentjusticesysteminitsprogramofimprisoningandexecutingamultitudeofourcomrades.

WeshallhelpthecauseoftheSpanishrevolutionwithallourabilities,butweshalldosowithoutabandoningourpositions,meaningtherevolutionarycause,theeffortsofthepeoplewhoare

fightingonthebasisofdirectaction,ontheopenlyanti-stateterrain,alwaysworkingfromthebottomup,astrugglethatisdirectedtowardsthecompletedestructionofallbureaucracyandprivileges,establishingformsofsociallifethatwillguaranteeintegralemancipationfromeverykindofexploitationandtyranny.

Chapter24:Sterilesacrifices

24

Sterilesacrifices

ItisnotourintentiontoexalttotheheavenstheactionsofcourageandheroismcarriedoutbytheanonymousmilitiamenoftheSpanishpeopleandespecially,theactionsoftheanarchistsduringtheepicassaultsagainstthereactionaryforcesofFranco,reinforcedbythevolunteerssentbythetotalitarianStatesandPortugal,becausethiswouldonlyservetobolsterthewarfeverthatwasinoculatedclumsilyandwithirresponsiblestubbornnessbythe

supermenoftheCNTandtheFAIintotheranksoftheantifascistcombatants.

Therehavealreadybeenmanybookspublishedbywritersofacknowledgedintellectualprestige,andmanymoreareonthewaywiththevisiblesignsofhavingsurrenderedtothedictatesofprofitthatcontainachronologicalandexuberantdescriptionofthisdisagreeableandheartrendingaspectoftheSpanishproblem,andmostofthemarenarratives,saccharineandsentimental,insteadofpolemicalorcriticalworks.

Despitethiscircumstance,itisourdutytosincerelyrenderajusthomagetorecordthevaliantandself-sacrificingconductofsomanyhundredsof

thousandsofanarchistmilitantswho,ledbytheirrebelspiritandspurredonbythenobleandcompassionateidealofredemptionthattheyexpressedbytheirwordsandwhichbeatsintheirproletarianhearts,facedtheemissariesofMarswithbaredbreasts,inordertoofferuptheirlivesinsacrificefortheemancipationofthehumanspecies.

IntheassaultsontheMontanaBarracksinMadridandontheAtarazanasBarracksinBarcelona,attheinternationalbridgeinIrún,inSanSebastián,inthesiegeofAlcázarinToledo,ontheparapetsoftheCiudadUniversitaria,inGuadalajara,inthereconquestofTeruel,Belchiteand

Quinto,inthemountainsofAsturias,inGijónandOviedo,inthegenerousdeedsofthesuicidebattalions,intheepicresistanceofPuigcerdáandfinally,inalltheregionsofSpain,fallingsilentforever,cutdownbythemercenariesmachineguns,manygoodandvaliantanarchistcomradesdied.

Oursenseofhonoralsoobligesustoacknowledgetheenormoussacrificesandcountlesssufferingsundergonebychildren,womenandtheelderly,whohadtoendureduringthedreadfulinfernothatthirtymonthsofaharshconflictmeantforthemtheshockingaerialbombardments,theroarofartilleryandthelamentablescenesofpillage,arson

anddestructionthattheviciousnessandbarbarismthatpossessedthehordesofMoors,Carlists,Nazisandfascistsinflictedonthem.Weempathizewiththepainoftheseinnocentvictimsofthewarinordertoanathemizethosewho,outofcrudeambitionsforpower,rapineandexploitation,unleashed,participatedinandprolongedthiscrimeagainsthumanity,thishurricaneofpassions,whichragedwithaninfernalfury,withhatredandtheurgeforvengeance.

However,withthesamesinceritywithwhichwerenderhomagetothememoryofthecomradesimmolatedinthattragicconflictandasmuchaswearehorrifiedbytheDantesquevisionofthescenesof

suffering,thevicissitudesofthestruggleandmassacresthattheSpanishpeopleexperienced,wemustalsoaffirmthatallthosetitanicefforts,theindelibledeedsofheroismcarriedoutbytheanarchists,thelivesthatwerelost,theviacrucisenduredbytheelderly,womenandchildrenand,asafinalsorrow,theheartrendingtragedyexperiencedintheconcentrationcampsofFrance,wereallcompletelyfruitlessandsterileforthenoblecauseofemancipationoftheSpanishpeople,becausewhenthelatterawakenedfromtheirtorpor,clenchedtheirfistsandsurgedintothestreetsforrevolutionaryaction,readytodestroyaregimeofopprobriumandtyranny,theyfoundthemselvessurroundedbytraitors

totheanarchistidealandpoliticians,profiteersandreactionaries,whoinsteadofcrying,Forward!,assumedthetaskofpacifyingtheholyrebellionofthevengefulcrowdsandcorralledthemintheenclosureoftreasonwiththeaccursedtentaclesofpoliticalchicaneryandauthoritarianism.

Chapter25:Summary

25

Summary

Thegrave,suicidalandoutrageousbetrayalsthatwebelievehavebeenclearlyexposedintheprecedingchapters,cannotbeunderstoodtobebasedonandmustnotbeattributedtofortuitousevents,circumstantialnecessitiesorimperativesofthewarthatbeganonJuly19,1936,butmustratherbeunderstoodaspreviouslyexisting,verydeeplyrootedmethodsofactivityandconceptions,or,moreprecisely,aperniciouscharacteristicthathadcontaminatedthehighestranks

oftheSpanishworkersmovement,acharacteristicwhichcertaincelebrityelements,whoatthattimeoccupiedresponsiblepositionsintheCNTandtheFAI,furtheraccentuatedwiththeirshamefulactivities.

Wemustnotcommittheabsurdityortheinjusticeofaccusingalltheanarchistmilitantsofcomplicityinthistreasonoussurrender,becauseweknowthatmanygoodcomradesweresweptasidebytheauthoritarianavalancheandthosewhowerenotshotasuncontrollableswereimprisonedinthejailsofloyalistSpain;butwearenotexaggeratingwhenwesaythatthefailureandthestiflingofthesocialrevolutionwhichhadsuchan

auspiciousbeginningwasarguedanddecidedinadvance,inthesecretmeetings,heldbehindthebacksofthemajorityoftheworkingclassandanarchistmilitants,inthehallsofthegovernmentpalaces.Thisassertionhasitsindisputablesourceinthepoliticalmachinationsthathadbeenunderwayforquitesometime;inthereasonablepropagandaasSantilláncalleditthathadbeendisseminatedbythecenetistaandfaístapressinadvanceoftheelectionsof1936thatmadeitpossiblefortheleftiststowin,andevenmoredistinctlyintheliaisoncommitteeformedbytheNationalConfederationofLaborandtheGeneralitatofCataloniaevenbeforethemilitaryuprising.

Itisthereforenotthefruitofcircumstantialnecessitiesaconceptthatwasabusivelyconceivedinself-defensebuttheworkofapostateandcareeristelementswho,baskingintheirliteraryreputationandinthepoststhattheyfilled,waitedhypocriticallyfortheirchancetovictoriouslyparticipateintheprivilegedlegionofbureaucratsandthustoobtainthemuchsoughtafterrewardfortheirauthoritarianambitionsandsentiments.Thesemenhadnoanarchistrootsatall.Theyweredominatedbyscepticismwithregardtothepossibilityofasuccessfulsocialrevolution.Theyneverwanteditandtheyopposedanyattempttomakeithappen,outoffearorconvenience.Theyhadalready

establishedtheirpositiononthisquestion.Itwasariskyenterpriseandfarbeyondtheircollaborationistconvictions.

Takingacloserlookattheanalysisoftheiractivitiesandtheconceptsthattheyrevealedoverthecourseoftheeventsthatwehavecommentedon,wecometotheconclusionthattheyhaveaparticulartendency,whichtranslatesafaithfulcopyofothereventsandtheactivityofothermenfromnowdistantbutnotforgottenepochs.Historyrepeatsitself.

Letustakealookbackintime.Letusgobacktotheyear1870andthereweshallseeidenticalepisodes,men,phrases,slogansandconsequences.

Apioneer,anactivemilitantandavaliantpropagandistofanarchismBakunindescribesforusinthebeautifulpagesofhisbookspagesthatwemustre-readtorefreshourmemories,strengthenourspiritandreaffirmourconvictionstheeventsthattookplaceinFranceduringthatyear,whicharethesameeventsthattookplaceinSpainjustrecently.

Changethenames,thedateandthecountryandyouwillhaveapictureofSpain,withitspersonalities,itspassions,itsintrigues,itsbetrayalsandthestrangulationofthesocialrevolution.

LetusseewhatBakunintellsusinhisletterstoaFrenchman,publishedinthe

book,TheSocialRevolutioninFrance:1

AllofthemaresincerepatriotsoftheState.Separatedonsomanypoints,theyarecompletelyunitedononlyoneissue:theyareallequallypolitical,allmenofthestate.

Assuch,theyonlyhavefaithintheregularmeans,intheforcesorganizedbytheState,andareallequallyhorrifiedbytheprospectofthedownfall,thatis,ineffect,thedishonoroftheState,notofthenation,notofthepeople;ahorrortowardsuprisings,towardsanarchisticmovementsofthepopularmasses,whicharetheendofbourgeoiscivilizationandthecertaindissolutionoftheState.

Theywant,then,tosaveFrancebytheregularmeansonlyandbytheorganizedforcesoftheState,onlyresortingaslittleaspossibletothesavageinstinctsofthemultitudes,whichbecloudtheexquisitedelicacyoftheirfeelings,oftheirtastes,andwhatisevenmoreserious,thatthreatentheirpositionandtheveryexistenceofthesocietyofthefortunateandtheprivileged.

Theyareforced,however,toresorttoit,becausethesituationisveryseriousandtheirresponsibilityimmense.Aformidableandmagnificentlyorganizedpowerhasnoothermeansofresistancethananarmythatishalf-destroyedandanincompetent,brutalizedandcorrupt

administrativeapparatus,whichonlybarelyfunctionsandisincapableofcreatinginafewdaysaforcethatitwasnotcapableofproducingintwentyyears.Itisthereforeincapableofundertakinganyseriouseffort,ifitisnotsupportedbythepublicconfidenceandassistedbypopularsacrifices.

Theywereforcedtoappealtothissenseofsacrifice.TheyproclaimedthereestablishmentoftheNationalGuardthroughoutthecountry,theincorporationoftheMobileGuardsinthearmyandthearmingofthewholenation.Ifallofthiswassincere,theywouldhaveorderedtheimmediatedistributionofarmstothepeoplethroughoutallofFrance.Butthis

wouldmeantheabdicationoftheState,thesocialrevolutioninfactaswellasintheory,andtheybynomeanswantedtodothat.

ThiswassounappealingtothemthatiftheyhadtochoosebetweenthetriumphalentranceofthePrussiansinParisandthesalvationofFrancebytherevolution,thereisnodoubtthatallofthem,exceptforGambettaandcompany,wouldoptfortheformer.Forthemthesocialrevolutionisthedeathofallcivilization,theendoftheworldandthereforeofFranceaswell.Anditwouldbebetter,theywouldthink,tohaveadishonored,dismemberedFrance,momentarilysubjecttotheinsolentwillofthePrussians,butwith

thesurehopeofrisingagain,thanaFrancethatisforeverdeadasaState,killedbythesocialrevolution.

Aspoliticianstheyhadtoface,then,thefollowingproblem:toissueacalltoarmstothepeoplewithoutarmingthepeople,buttakingadvantageofthepopularenthusiasminordertoattract,underdifferentnames,manyvoluntaryrecruitstothearmy;underthepretextofreestablishingtheNationalGuard,theywantedtoarmthebourgeoisie,excludingtheproletarians,andespeciallytheformersoldiers,inordertohaveaforcepowerfulenoughtoopposetherevoltsoftheproletariat,whowouldbeemboldenedbytheabsenceofthetroops;

toincorporateintothearmytheMobileGuards,whoaresufficientlydisciplined,andtodissolveorleaveunarmedthosewhowerenotdisciplinedenoughandwhodisplayedsentimentsthatweretoored.Nottoallowtheformationoffreemilitaryunitsexceptontheconditionthattheywouldbeorganizedandledonlybycommandersbelongingtotheprivilegedclasses:theJockeyClub,noblelandownersandbourgeoisie,inaword,menofmeans.

Lackingthecoercivepowertocontainthepopulation,theyuseditspatrioticenthusiasm,provokedasmuchbytheeventsasbytheirdeclarationsandcompulsorydecrees,topreservepublic

order,disseminatingamongthepopulationthatfalseanddisastrousconvictionthatinordertosaveFrancefromtheabyss,fromtheannihilationandslaveryposedbythePrussianthreat,thepeoplemust,atthesametimethattheyremainsufficientlyenthusiastictofeelcapableoftheextraordinarysacrificesthatwouldbedemandedofthem,forthesalvationoftheState,remaincalm,inactive,andplacethemselvesinacompletelypassivewayintothehandsoftheStateandoftheprovisionalgovernmentthathasnowtakencontrolofthelatterandtoconsiderasanenemyofFrance,andasanagentofPrussia,anyonewhoattemptstodisturbthisconfidenceandthispopulartranquility,

anyonewhowantstoprovokethenationtoengageinspontaneousactsofpublicsalvation,inaword,anyonewho,nothavingcompleteconfidenceinthecapacityandgoodfaithofitscurrentrulers,wantstosaveFrancebywayoftherevolution.

Asaresult,therearetodayamongalltheparties,withoutexceptingtheredJacobinsandnaturallyalsothebourgeoissocialists,thosewhoareintimidatedandparalyzedbythefearthatthereallypopularsocialistrevolutionariesinspireinthemtheanarchistsor,sotospeak,theHebertistesofsocialism,whoarealsoprofoundlydetestedbytheauthoritariancommunists,bytheStatecommunists,as

wellasbytheJacobinsandthebourgeoissocialistsamongalltheseparties,withoutexceptingtheStatecommunists,thereisatacitagreementtopreventtherevolutionaslongastheenemyisinFrance,forthefollowingtworeasons:

Thefirstreasonisthat,sinceallofthemcanonlyperceivethesalvationofFranceascomingfromtheactionoftheStateandintheexcessiveexaggerationofallitspowersandcapabilities,theyareallsincerelyconvincedthatiftherevolutionweretobreakoutnow,itwouldhavetheimmediateeffect,naturally,ofdestroyingthepresentState,sincetheJacobinsandtheauthoritariancommunistswouldnecessarilylackthetimeandallthe

indispensablemeanstoimmediatelyrebuildanewrevolutionaryState,it,thatis,therevolution,wouldhandoverFrancetothePrussians,byfirsthandingitovertothesocialistrepublicans.

Thesecondreasonismerelyanexplanationandafurtherconsequenceofthefirstreason.TheyfearanddetestequallytherevolutionarysocialistsandtheworkersoftheInternational,and,understandingthatinthepresentconditionstherevolutionwouldinevitablytriumph,theywantatallcoststopreventtherevolution.

Thispositionisuniquelybalancedbetweentwoenemies,oneofwhichthemonarchistsiscondemnedtodisappear,

andtheotherthesocialistrevolutionarieswhichthreatenstobevictorious,imposesontheJacobins,thebourgeoissocialistsandtheStatecommuniststheharshnecessityofsecretlyandtacitlymakinganalliancefromabovewiththereactionagainsttherevolutionfrombelow.Theydonotfearthereactionasmuchastheyfearthisrevolution.Fortheyseethattheformerisexcessivelyweakened,uptothepointofnotbeingabletoexistanylongerwithouttheirconsent,sotheytemporarilyassociatewithitanduseitinaverydisguisedwayagainstthelatter

.

Whatistheresult?Theradical

opposition,doublyconstrainedbytheinstinctiverepugnancethatithasforrevolutionarysocialismandbyitspatriotism,completelynullifiesitselfandmarchesagainstitswillbehindthisgovernmentwhichitreinforcesandsanctionswithitspresence,withitssilence,andsometimesevenwithitsdeedsandhypocriticalexpressionsofsympathy.

ThisforcedagreementbetweentheBonapartists,theOrleanists,thebourgeoisrepublicans,theredJacobinsandtheauthoritariansocialists,naturallyredoundstothebenefitofthefirsttwopartiesandtothedetrimentofthelatterthree.Iftherewereeverrepublicans

workingonbehalfofthemonarchistreaction,theyarecertainlytheFrenchJacobinsledbyGambetta.Thereactionaries,drivenintoacorner,nolongerfeelingthegroundundertheirfeet,seeingalltheoldmeansbrokenintheirhands,allthenecessaryinstrumentsforimposingthetyrannyoftheState,haveatthistimebecomeexcessivelyhumaneandcourteous,PalikaoandJeromeDavidhimself,soinsolentyesterday,aretodayextremelyaffable.Theyshowertheradicals,andespeciallyGambetta,withalltheirpraiseandwitheverykindofexpressionofrespect.Butinexchangeforthesecourtesies,theyobtainpower.Andtheradicalleftiscompletelyexcludedfrompower.

Basically,allthesemenwhoaretodaysleadershipinpower:Palikao,Crevreau[Crémieux?]andJeromeDavidontheoneside,TrochuandThiersontheother,andfinallyGambetta,thatsemi-officialintermediarybetweenthegovernmentandtheradicalleft,cordiallydetestoneanotherandconsidereachothertobemortalenemies,andprofoundlymistrusteachother,but,allofthemareengagedinplottingtogether,theyareforcedtomarchalongsideeachother,orratherareforcedtogivetheappearancethattheyaregoingforwardinagreement.Allthepowerofthisgovernmentisexclusivelybasedtodayonthefaithofthepopularmassesintheirharmonious,completeandironunity.

Sincethisgovernmentcouldonlysurviveasaresultofthefaithofthepublic,itisabsolutelynecessarythatthepeopleshouldhave,sotospeak,anabsolutefaithinthatunityofactionandinthatidentityofopinionsofallthemembersofthegovernment;forifthesalvationofFrancemustbeachievedbytheState,thisunityandthisidentityistheonlythingthatcansaveit.Itisthereforenecessaryforthepeopletobeconvincedthatallthemembersofthegovernment,puttingasidealltheirdifferencesandalltheirpastambitions,andabsolutelysettingasideallpartyinterests,shouldfranklybeconcernedaboutnothingbutthesalvationofFrance.Theinstinctofthepeopleisperfectlywellawareofthe

factthatadividedgovernment,pulledapartineveryway,inwhichallitsmembersareconspiringagainstalltheothers,isincapableofseriousenergeticaction;thatsuchagovernmentwouldsurrenderthecountryinsteadofsavingit.Andiftheykneweverythingthatwasreallytakingplacewithinthecurrentgovernment,theywouldoverthrowit.

Gambettaandcompanyknoweverythingthattakesplaceinthisgovernment,theyareintelligentenoughtounderstandthatthegovernmentistoodisunitedandistooreactionarytodeployalltheenergyrequiredbythesituationandtotakethenecessarymeasuresforthesalvationofthecountry,andremainsilentbecauseif

theyweretosaywhattheyknowtheywouldprovoketherevolution,andbecausetheirpatriotismaswellastheirbourgeoissympathiesrejecttherevolution.

***

Alltheposturing,innovativeideasandthefireworksofbellicoseslogansthatarebeingdisseminatedbythecollaboratorsofantifascismwerethelogicalconsequenceofthecompromisesmadeintheviciouscircleofthepoliticalmaniatheyhadsuccumbedtovoluntarilyandinapremeditatedway,andofallthecrudejustificationsthatreflectedthesimplefairytalesofmindsdominatedbyconfusionandbyademeaningpassion,

oncetheyfeltthattheyhadfailedintheirroleasrulersandoncetheyknewthattheyhadbeentransformedintoreprehensiblescumintheeyesofinternationalanarchism.

Nowthattheyaretumblingdownthefatalslopeoftheirbetrayals,theydonotfeeltheleasttraceofremorse,nordotheyhaveanyscruplesaboutsowingconfusioninalldirectionsinordertofindallies.Theyarenotworriedaboutthefuture.Itwasthepresentthatofferedthempraisefortheirsupermanpedantry.Notonlytheconnectionsandthebowingandscrapingwithandbeforethepowerful,thepoliticiansandthemilitarystaffbuttheirperformancesasstatesmen,

diplomats,pettybossesand,atthesametime,aslapdogsofthosesameindividuals.

***

ThemostnotableaspectoftheactivitiesandspeechesoftheministerialiststhatdeservestobehighlightedistheeasewithwhichtheyenshroudedinobscurityanentirepastofgloriousandhonorablerevolutionaryhistorythattheSpanishproletariatcouldboastofandhowtheyemphaticallydisseminatedcapricioustheoriesandsophisticalconceptions.

Itisnotpossibletograspthescalpelofcritiquetodissectthecomplexrangeofpracticesandideasofferedbythe

geniusesofantifascismanddemocracy,meticulouslyexaminingitsineffectivenessanditscontents.Theoutputofslogansandexcuseswassocopiousthatitwouldbeamostdauntingtasktoprovideachronologicalaccountofthem.Wemust,however,makeaspecialallowanceforthethesisthatwassimultaneouslyupheldbyOliver,Santillán,Peiróandothers,whichcanbesummarizedasfollows:thesocialrevolutionmeantananarchistdictatorshiporrevolutionarytotalitarianism.Itmightbesaidthatoncetheactivityoftheauthorsoftheseridiculousphrasesbecameknown,theywerebereftofanyvalue.However,sincetherearemanypeoplewhofinditeasyto

identifywiththeacrobaticsoftheidealandmodeltheirthoughtsandtheirwordsonthelatestfashionsespeciallyifthelattersupporttheireccentricinterpretationsweshallundertakearefutationofthisnotion.

Itwouldbesufficienttooffersomeopinionsfromtheprestigiouspioneersandtheoreticiansofanarchismwhoaddressedandresolvedthesocialprobleminallitsenormousrange.Butwealreadyknowthatfortheministerialistsitisaheresytofeeladmirationandrespectforthevenerablebeardsandthemanyyearsthattheyspentinstudyandresearchmeannothingtothem,nordotheyvaluetheenormous

amountoforalandwrittenpropagandatheyproduced;theiroutstandingactivityinvariouspopularinsurrections;theircruelpilgrimagefromonecountrytoanotherandfromoneprisontoanotherandtheirbeleagueredlifeasmilitants.

Accordingtothethesisoftheministerialists,thefact,oncethesocialrevolutionbreaksout,thecapitalistmonstrosityiscompletelydestroyed;thepopulationofaregion,acityoratownthendeclaresthecompleteequalityofeconomicconditions;alltheprivilegesthatasmallminorityenjoyedbyvirtueoftheimperativeofthebruteforceofarmsarerepudiatedandannulled;itisproclaimedthatthereisnomore

exploitationofmanbyman;thecoercivemeansthatthebourgeoisietodaypossessesareseizedandtheproletarianmultitudesareencouragedtofullyrealizetheirwellbeingandtodefendtheirfreedomandtheirrighttoLifeallofthissignifies,accordingtotheministerialists,anarchistdictatorship,confederaltotalitarianism,ortyrannicalambitions.

Captiousandsensationalistargumentsarecraftedinordertodisorienttheworkers,seekingtodrawaparallelbetweentheopprobriousreigningsystem,withitsshockingeconomicandsocialinequalitywhereanyfoolwhobecomesrichbymeansofboldrobberyormentalderangementandwhodreamsof

surpassingNapoleonbecomes,overnight,themasterofthelivesandthewealthofthepeoplewiththestructuralharmonythatwouldemanatefromasystembasedonmutualaid,understandingandreason,justiceandloveforonesfellowman.

Anattemptwasmadetomakethecommonpeoplefeelinferiorwho,havingstagedarevoltinfavorofacompletesocialtransformation,weresupposedtoadoptcertainprecautionarymeasuresagainstthepossiblereactionsofthedronesofthehumanhive,who,iftheywouldonlygrudginglygiveupthelavishhabitsthattheypracticetodayatthecostofotherpeoplessweatandblood,wouldthusgivethemselvestheopportunityto

dignifytheirexistencewithhonorablelabor,forthebenefitofthecollective.

Andinaccordancewiththissophistry,theministerialistsputthebrakesontheeventsandchosetosubmittothosewhotyrannizedover,exploitedandhumiliatedthepeopleinthenameoftheprincipleofauthoritytheStatesaying,withcompleteglibness,thattheyadoptedthistacticwithoutconsideringthemselvestobeoutsidethemainstreamofanarchismandwithouthavingabandonedtheirprinciples.

***

Thecruelconsequencesofthesuddeninitialreversalandofthebetrayals

executedbythecenetistasandthefaístasduringtheSpanishconflictarenowwellknown,sincebesidesbesmirching,withtheirmaneuversandshadydealsandalliances,thegreatestemancipatoryepicofalltime,theyalsoledtheIberianmassestoasenselesssacrificeandbetrayedthembysurrenderingthemtotheauthoritarianfiends.

Itwillbeobjectedthatthisopinionofoursistheresultofoursectarianisolation.

If,asCompanystoldthem,Youhavewonandeverythingisinyourpower;if,asSantillánconfirmedinhisbook,TheRevolutionandtheWarinSpain,thedissolutionofthedefeatedarmygaveus

aquantityofarmsthatmadeitimpossiblefortheenemytocarryoutanyattempttorecoveritslostpositions

.wecouldhavesingle-handedlyimposedourabsolutedictatorship,declaredthedissolutionoftheGeneralitatandestablished,initsplace,therealpowerofthepeople;if,duringtheeventsofMayinBarcelona,whenthepeopleerectedbarricadesandimmediatelydominatedtheentirecityand,furthermore,couldrelyonapproximately100,000armedmilitiameninnearbyprovinces,theleadersoftheCNTandtheFAIhadbeenmenofintegrityandanarchistconvictions,therecanbenodoubtthatinthatparticularregionofSpain,

encompassingBarcelonaandAragon,withinafewmonths,daysorhours,asystemofsociallifebasedonthemostsublimeaccord,solidarityandthejustidealofredemptionwouldhavebeenestablishedAnarchyandtheredandblackflagwouldhaveflownabovemanybuildings,thesymboloflibertyandloveforsufferingandexploitedhumanity.

Thisisnotjustadream.Theveterananarchistfighter,EmmaGoldman,whowasaneyewitnessoftheeventsinSpain,declared,severalmonthsafterthebeginningofthecivilwar:

Iamprofoundlyconvinced,indeedIamcertain,thatiftheCNT-FAI,takingintoitshandsandunderitscontrol,had

blockadedthebanks,dissolvedandeliminatedtheassaultguardsandthecivilguards,padlockedtheGeneralitatinsteadofenteringittocollaborate,givenamoralblowtotheentireoldbureaucracy,sweptawayitsenemiesnearandfar,today,onemaybecertainofthis,wewouldnotbesufferingfromthesituationthatsohumiliatesandinsultsus,becausetherevolutionwouldhavehadtoconsolidateitslogicalcourseofdevelopment.Havingsaidthis,Idonotmeantosaythatthecomradescouldhaverealizedanarchy,buttheywouldhavebeenabletomoveinthatdirection,comingascloseaspossibletotheanarchistcommunismtheytalkabouthere.

Weshallbetoldinresponsethatifthishadbeenattemptedandcarriedout,allthepowerstotalitariananddemocraticwouldhaveblockadedtheemancipatedterritoriesandpopulationsbylandandbyseaand,inaddition,theantifascistpoliticalfactionswouldhaveunitedtofightthemandtosuppressthisrevolutionaryexperiment.

However,didanythingdifferenthappen?Weretheanarchistsnotpersecuted,massacredandimprisonedbyalltheirenemies?WastherenotanagreementbetweenthetotalitarianandtheotherpowerstoeliminatethehotspotofrebellionrepresentedprincipallybyBarcelona?Andasfortheantifascistsof

loyalistSpain,everyoneknowsabouttheoutrageouspersonalintriguescarriedoutbyallthewolvesofpolitics,playingthegame,somewiththetotalitariancountriesandotherswiththedemocraticcountries,butallofthemwithinternationalcapitalism.

Itwouldhavebeenmoredignified,moreheroicandmoreexemplarytodevotetheirlives,allthelivesthatwerelost,fortherealizationofthesystemoflifethatweanarchistsyearnfor,ratherthandiligentlychoosingtodeceivetheworkersandvolunteertocollaboratewiththeState.

R.GonzálezPachecowasrightwhenhewrote,uponhisreturnfromSpain,his

leaflet,Todo[Everything],whosefinalparagraphreadsasfollows:

Atthatinstantoftheworld,whetheryesorno,goodorbad,onlythosewhowerecowardsorweaklingscouldnotcontributesomething.Theyaretheoneswhoalwaystakeadvantageofthedefeatsofthecourageousandthestrong.Thosewho,betweenthetwoextremesofthevirileeverythingornothing,oftheleaptowardstheinfiniteorthereturntothecaves,remaininthemiddle,betweentwoboldstances,which,forthem,aretwofears

.Thepeoplewanteverything.Anarchyiseverything.Nowandalways,theanarchistsforeverything!

***

Theanarchistidealhasnotsufferedanykindofsetback,norhasitbeendevaluedwithregardtoitssocialgreatnesswiththeunfortunateanddisastrousactivityofthecomradesoftheCNTandtheFAIduringthecourseofthethirtymonthsofthecivilwarinSpain.Itisthesecomradeswhohaverejecteditsideologicalconceptions,castashadowuponitsbeautifulrevolutionaryhistoryandhavedemonstratedtheirincomprehensionortheirlackofknowledgewithregardtotheemancipatorybasisthattheanarchistideaencompasses.

Anarchyisvirileaction,creativeunrest,responsibility,altruisticthoughtandgoodnessandcompletefreedom.Itdestroysprejudices,stirstheheartsofthefaltering,wipesoutborderpostsandcapacitatesmenandmakesthemabletolivetogetherinanenvironmentoffrankcamaraderie,mutualaidandfraternalaffection.

Totheextenttowhichhistoricaleventscompelustocompareitwithallthesociologicaldoctrinesthatcombatitandrejectit,thebrillianceofitsstructureandprinciplesdistinctlystandsout,anditisperceivedthatasaproductofthehumanminditcannotbesurpassed.

Theanarchistidealstillradiateswith

exhilaratingflashesbeautifulraysofloveandhopeupontheconsciousnessofthebeleaguered,sorrowfulanddowntroddenpeoples,andtheseflashesmerelyrepresentthefirstglimmerofthereddawnofitsredemptivedreams.

Asforthecollaborationistpracticesengagedinandpoliciesadvocatedbythecenetistasandfaístas,wearedeterminedtoseetoitthattheywillneitherflourishnorbeinstilledintothemarrowoftheFORistworkersmovementorinthemilieuoftheanarchistmilitantsonbothbanksofthePlatawhichprovidetheFORistmovementwithdirectionanddefendit,becauseboththeformeraswellasthelatterhavebeentestedby

experienceandhavelearnedlessonsfromthevast,imperishableeconomicconflictsandsolidaritystruggleswhich,byvirtueofmorethan40yearsoforganicfederalistexistenceandenergeticeffortstokeepthebannerofrevoltanddirectactionaloftagainstCapitalandtheState,haveaffirmed,withacherishedoptimismandanimmensespiritofsacrifice,thetruenorthoftheAnarchistCommunistgoal.

StaterepressionhasoftenwreakedhavocamongtheproletarianFORistranks;theconfusionistcurrenthasoftenarisentodisplayitspractice-orientedinnovations,buttheFORistshavealwaysbeenabletoweatherthereactionarytempestand

neutralizetheauthoritarianinroadsintheirorganizations.So,too,onthisoccasion,wemustemergevictoriousfromtheconfrontationwiththeseriousproblemsthattheIberianeventshaveposedfortheinternationalproletariat.

***

Inspiteofthebitternessandskepticismthatnowcharacterizetheattitudesofmanyproletarians,afterbecomingacquaintedwithallthedetailsofthetragedythebraveSpanishpeopleexperiencedandarestillundergoing,wemustnotthrowourselvesintothearmsofdesperationandinertia,ordeclarethatwearedefeated.Therearedefeatsthatarevictories.

Thefacts,theredshaftsoflightthatstreakthepanoramaofthesocialstruggle,whichbecomesmorecruelandbloodythemoreintenseitbecomes,regardlessofhowdiscouragingandunfavorabletheymayseem,alwaysleavearesplendentwakethatilluminatesthepaththatmustbefollowedtoreachtheredemptivegoalandpreparethepeoplestotrustmoreintheirowneffortsthaninthepromisesoftheparasitesofpoliticswho,withrevolutionaryposturing,lowerthemselvestothelevelofthemultitudesinordertotakeadvantageoftheirsincerityandgenerousnaturesinordertoincreasetheirownprestige,whichtheyneedinordertomakethedealsthatwill

givethemabetterpositionamongtheprivilegedcastes.Capitalismhasitscofferswellfilled,inordertobuythosewhomightdisturbtheirplansfordominanceandexploitation.

Thus,theanarchistsfaceanenormouslaboroftrainingandsowingtheseedsofrebellionintheconsciousnessoftheworkingmasses.

Inordertodestroytheconfusionismthatisbeinginjectedintotheworkingclassmilieubythebetrayersofourideal,itisnecessarytobecomemoreactive,todevoteourselvesmoretenaciouslyandmorepassionatelytotradeunionactions.TheFORistcadresmustbeonthelookoutfortherevisionistvirusandmust

reinforcetheirrankswithnewrevolutionarycontingents.

IftheviolentrepressionunleashedbythedemocraticStatesagainstourmilitantshasnotmadeadentinouranarchistconsciousness,thedisasterundergonebytheSpanishproletariatmustspurusontofightwithmorezealfortheemancipationofthehumanspecies.ThefuturebelongstousandwemustadvancetowardsthefutureforAnarchy.

ManuelAzaretto

1939

TranslatedinMay-June2014fromtheSpanishoriginal,LasPendientes

Resbaladizas(LosanarquistasenEspańa).Originallypublishedin1939byEditorialGerminal,Montevideo,Uruguay.

SourceoftheSpanishtext:TheWebsiteoftheFondationPierreBesnard:

http://www.fondation-besnard.org/auteur.php3?id_auteur=360.

1.ThetextthatfollowsiscomposedofexcerptsfromLetterstoaFrenchmanonthePresentCrisis(writteninSeptember1870),asitisknowninEnglish.Aselectionofexcerptsfromthispamphlet,whichdoesnothoweverincludethepassagestranslatedfromtheSpanishbelow,maybefoundonlineat:

http://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/bakunin/works/1870/letter-frenchman.htm[TranslatorsNote].