slippery slope: the anarchists in spain
DESCRIPTION
Written in 1939 by Manuel Azaretto, a member of FORU (Regional Workers Federation of Uruguay), this book a scathing indictment of the leaders of the Spanish CNT and FAI for their betrayal of anarchist principles contains, in addition to officialdocuments and proclamations of the CNT and FAI and articles from the Spanish and international anarchosyndicalist press, relevant passages drawn from Max Nettlau, Diego Abad de Santillán, David Antona, Federica Montseny, Juan GarcíaTRANSCRIPT
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Slipperyslopes(theanarchistsinSpain)-ManuelAzaretto
cma-miembros-2.jpg
Writtenin1939byamemberofFORU(RegionalWorkersFederationofUruguay),thisbookascathingindictmentoftheleadersoftheSpanishCNTandFAIfortheirbetrayalofanarchistprinciplescontains,inadditiontoofficialdocumentsandproclamationsoftheCNTandFAIandarticlesfromtheSpanishandinternationalanarchosyndicalistpress,relevantpassagesdrawnfromMaxNettlau,DiegoAbaddeSantillán,DavidAntona,FedericaMontseny,JuanGarcíaOliver,PierreBesnard,AlexanderSchapiro,SebastiénFaure,Camillo
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Berneri,MarianoVázquez,MikhailBakuninandotheranarchistsandanarchosyndicalists.
TranslatedinMay-June2014fromtheSpanishoriginalbyManuelAzaretto,LasPendientesResbaladizas(LosanarquistasenEspańa),EditorialGerminal,Montevideo,1939.
IntroductionbyJoséA.Barrionuevo
SlipperySlopes(TheAnarchistsinSpain)ManuelAzaretto
Introduction
Inourview,noneofthegreatsocial-politicaleventsofthelasttwenty-five
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yearshasgivenrisetoasmuchhopeorcausedasmuchdisappointmentastheSpanishconflict.Andwealsobelievethatnosingleeventthathastakenplaceinthissamequartercenturyhasgivenrisetosuchprofoundorsuchopposedandpassionateopinionsasthisconflict,whosesorrowfulconclusion,unfortunately,stillinflictssuchpainintheheartsofthoseofuswho,despiteourdistancefromtheevents,havesufferedfromthedefeatandthepainoftheIberianpeople.
ButifthehopesandopinionsthataroseasaresultoftheeventsinSpainhavebeenamplyjustifiedinalltheso-calledpopularsectors,thisawakeningofhopes
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andclashofopinionshasencounterednogreaterechoormorelogicaljustificationthanontheterrainoftheanarchistworkersmovement.Foritmustnotbeforgottenthatwhileitistruethatinthestruggleagainstfascismothernumericallystrongfractionswithsignificantinfluenceoverthemultitudesalsoplayedarole,itisnolesstruethatoneoftheforceswiththegreatestinfluenceamongtheSpanishproletariat,waspreciselytheonethatwasrepresentedintheinstitutionsthatinSpainadvocatedthesameprinciplesandaspirationsastheanarchistworkersmovement.Anditwaspreciselythiscommunityofprinciplesandfinalgoalsthatexistedamongalltheorganizations
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thatwereenrolledintheranksoftheInternationalWorkingmensAssociation,whichexplainstheprofoundimpactthattheSpanishconflicthashadontheinternationalmovementandespeciallyontheFederacionesObrerasRegionalesUruguayayArgentina.1AndwesayespeciallyontheFederacionesObrerasRegionalesUruguayayArgentinabecausethesetwoFederationsbothwithdeeprootsintheproletariatonbothbanksoftheRíoPlatahavebeenthemostoutstandingorganizationsontheinternationalplaneduetothezealwithwhichtheypursuedthehistoricalcontinuityoftheirdailystrugglesandactivities,whichwerealwaysorientedtowardsanarchistsidealsandprinciples,
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anditwaslogicalthattheSpanisheventswouldproduceineverysenseagreaterreactionamongthemilitantsofthesetwomovements.ThiswastobeexpectedbecausetheanarchistsofSpainonmorethanoneoccasionspoketousofthesocialrevolution,meaningtosaythattheynotonlyfoughttodefeatfascismbutalsotoestablishaneworderofthingsinharmonywiththeidealstheyclaimedtouphold.
However,thisreactionthathasbeenexpressedonthebasisoftheunqualifiedsupportforalltheactionsandpositionsofSpanishanarchism,includingspiritedbutsincerecriticismoftheorientationandconductoftheFAIandCNTduring
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theconflict,hasledtounfortunateresultsamongourranks.ForunderthepretextthatitwasnotaquestionofcriticizingbutratherofgivingimmediateandcompletesolidaritytotheanarchistswhowerefightingfascisminSpainwitharmsinhand,theexerciseofcriticismwassetasideuntilafterthestruggleandthevoicesofthosewho,astheeventsunfoldedandwhenitwasnecessary,daredtobreakthecodeofsilenceimposedbythosewhoonlywantedtohearapplauseandpraiseevenforthemosthumiliatingattitudesoftheanarchismofthatcountryweretreatedasexpressionsofunmitigatedheresy.
Butifthecircumstancesmentionedabove
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justifiedthefactthattheclashofopinions,asaresultoftheeventsinSpain,resultedinseriousfrictionbetweenthemilitantsoftherevolutionaryworkersmovement,theattemptsbyenemiesofallstripesandwithoutanyrevolutionarymorality,ontheotherhand,whohavetriedtosubjectanarchismtojudgmentbypresentingitashavingfailed,arenotatalljustified.Andevenlessjustificationcanbeadducedforthoseanarchistswho,deafandblindtoallexperience,arenowattemptingtoteachlessonsbasedonalltheerrorsofSpanishanarchism,aschoolingthatiscurrentlytakingplaceatthismomentinArgentina,Uruguayandotherneighboringcountries.
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ItiscertainlytruethatmanythingshappenedinSpain,forwhichtheanarchistsofthatcountrywereresponsibleinwholeorinpart,whichhavecastagreatdealofdiscreditontheideaofanarchismheldbymanypeople,whoconsideredanarchismtobetheonlymovementthatwasincapableofdeviatingfromitsoldandcommittedpositionagainstthestate,refusingallcollaborationwithitstraditionalenemies.Thiscircumstance,however,whichalreadyconstitutesaseriousblowagainstanarchism,ismuchmoreseriousstillifwetakeaccountofthefactthatourenemies,bypointingtotheconversionofSpanishanarchisminpracticaltermsonallterrains,alsoproclaimthefailureof
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thismovement.Ofcourse,itisclearthatthislatterclaimisabsolutelyuntrueandevencontrarytocommonsense.Butthefalsificationsofouradversariesdonotpreventconfusionamongtheworkers,nordotheylessenthedangerofourmovementbeingentangledinthewebofdiscreditthatthreatenstohaveseriousconsequencesforusinthefuture.
Thelieisalwaysadangerousweapon,butifitisdeployedattherighttimeandwithintelligenceitcanyieldresults,eveniftransitoryones,thatarefavorableforthosewhowieldit.Butifthelieandthedistortionofthetruthprovideeasyalthoughephemeralvictories,thegreaterandmorenobletask,sofruitfuldespite
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thefrequentingratitudeofthosewhoareatthereceivingendofit,istospeakthetruth,evenifitinjuresus;thenobleandfruitfultaskforouridealsistoclearawaytheconfusiontowhichthedefeatofapeoplegaverise,aconfusionwhichentailstheconcealmentofthehistoryofamovementwhosemoralgrandeurisbasedonidealsthatcannotbetarnishedbythecalumnyofitsadversariesnorbydefeatistdesertiononthepartofitsdefenders.AnditispreciselythiskindoftaskthatisservedbytheworkthatiscarriedoutbycomradeAzarettointhisbook.
ForanarchismdidnotfailinSpain.Themenwhorepresentedit,thosewhospoke
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andworkedinitsname,mayhavemademistakes;theSpanishanarchistsmayhavedeliveredovertowrackandruinallthatupuntilnowhasconstitutedthebestandmostpreciousmoralpatrimonyoftheinternationalanarchistmovement,butwemustaskwhetherallthemistakestheymade,ormighthavemade,authorizeandjustifythemalevolenceofthedetractorsofanarchismwhentheyseektopresentourmovementashavingfailedanditsidealsasplainlyfinished?AndtoattempttotransplanttoAmerica,ortotherestofEurope,invokingallkindsofreasons,practicalmodesofactionandtacticsthatareclearlyinspiredbytheSpanisheventsandbythepracticalexperienceoftheanarchismoftheIberianPeninsula,does
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thisnotmeantojustify,withoutanyvalidreasons,sincetheseriouserrorsofSpanishanarchismareeasilydemonstrated,theargumentsofourenemieswithregardtothisallegedfailure?No.Neithertheonenortheotherisjustified.Ourenemiesdonothavethemoralauthoritytoattackus;nordowehavetotolerate,inthenameofideas,orotherreasons,theintroductionintotheanarchistworkersmovementofpracticesandvicesthat,overashortperiodoftime,woulddestroyitasalivingandactiveexpressionofmilitantanarchism.Itisinsteadaquestionofputtingeverythinginitsproperplace,attemptingtoshedlightontheinterventionofSpanishanarchismintherecent
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unfortunateeventsofthatcountry,andtodogoodworkforanarchistsideasandtheinstitutionsthatrepresentthemontheterrainoftheeverydaystruggleforfreedomandamorecomprehensiveandeffectivesocialjustice.
ButjustwhatisitthatcomradeM.Azarettointendstoaccomplishwiththepublicationofhisbook,SlipperySlopes?Preciselywhatwehavejustdescribed:topointouttheerrorsandtheseriousdeviationsbroughttolightbytheeventsandtheobservedconductofIberiananarchism;toshowthattherewasnogeneralfailureofanarchismbutapureandsimplefailureofmen,andthattheinstitutionsthatmanypeopleconsidered
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tobethemostrepresentativeinstitutionsoftheanarchistrevolutionweretooweaktorealizetheideastheyclaimedtorepresent.
Itremainstobesaidthatinthisbookthereisnoover-abundanceofeloquence.Itsauthorknowsnothingoftheliterarynuancesandthesensationalistphraseologythataresofashionablethesedays.SlipperySlopesisthusnotabookthatonecanreadforpleasure,norisitabookaimedatabroadpublicaudience.Thisisabookmeantforindependentminds,formindsopentostudyandthesereneanalysisofthedeedsandideasthat,itmustbeadmitted,haveburdenedthehistoryofinternationalanarchism
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withdisagreeablepages.Amanofthepeople,aworkerwhoisalsoamilitantoftheanarchistworkersmovement,Azarettohassacrificedhisleisuretimetowritethisbookandhisgoal,asheexpresseditinaletter,istomakeamodestcontributiontoclearingtheairoftheinternationalenvironmentofanentirepropagandaplaguedwithinconsistenciesanddenialsandwhichhasmadeacultoftheheroismofapeoplewhowereusedascannonfodderandwhofoughtlikelionsbutforacausethatwasnottheirown.Asaresult,inthesepagesyouwillnotfindmeticulousandorderlyargumentsoftheexperiencesofleaders.Thebookhasbeenwrittenforthepurposeofconfrontingthoseruinouscurrentsofthe
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emancipatorymovements.Andthatisalreadyagreatdeal.
InSlipperySlopestherearenotmanypagesdevotedtoexposingtheactionsundertakeninSpainbythetraditionalenemiesofanarchism.ThebooktendstodefendourmovementfromtheBolshevizinginroadsthatthreatenitasaconsequenceoftheforgettingofmanyoftheirideasbymanyanarchists,andforthisandnootherreasonthebasicthrustofitscritiqueisdirectednotsomuchatourenemiesasatthemenandinstitutionsofthemovementwhofollowedtheCNTandFAIandwhoparticipatedsoactivelyintheSpanishconflict.Nordoestheauthorspendmuchtimediscussingthe
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causesofandwhowasresponsibleforthemilitarydefeatsthatculminatedinthetotaldefeatoftheSpanishproletariat.Foritmustbeadmittedthatitisnotexactlytheseaspectsofthequestionthatareofthegreatestinteresttoanarchistmilitants.
Azaretto,largelyignoringtheseaspectsoftheSpanishevents,oronlymentioningtheminpassing,hasselectedaseriesofexcerptsfromtextspublishedbytheCNT-FAIthat,transcribedinthebookintheorderhehaschosen,documentthetransgressionsandseriouserrorscommittedbytheresponsibleofficialsoftheseorganizationstotheprejudiceoftherevolutionthattheSpanishpeoplelaunchedwithsomuchvalorduringthe
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memorabledaysofJulyandwhichthosesameofficialslatersuppressed.Itis,ofcourse,inevitablethatdeficiencieswillbenotedinthisbook.Therearechapters,forexample,thatcouldeasilybeenrichedwiththeinsertionofmoreextensiveormorecarefullyselecteddocumentation.Aswesaidabove,Azaretto,whomustdividehistimebetweenthefactorywhereheworksandthedailyactivitiesofpropaganda,haswrittenhisbookbyrobbinghimselfofhishoursofrest.AnditisonlytheurgentneedtocontributetotheclarificationoftheintellectualenvironmentofthemovementthatledhimtowriteSlipperySlopes.However,thedefectsthatwehavealludedtoandwhichthereaderwillnodoubtdiscover
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forhimself,donotatallservetodiscredittheworkthathehasdoneorthegoalthatAzarettoseekstoachievewiththepublicationofthisbook.Beyondallthesefactors,however,thereissomethingthatnothingcanchangeandnoonecandeny:thesincerityoftheauthorandthenobilityofhisintentions.ThissincerityandtheseintentionsthatthereaderwillnodoubtdiscerninthepagesofthisbookareconfirmedbythelackofinterestinpersonalprofitthatcharacterizescomradeAzaretto.Forhehasannouncedthatthesmallprofitthatthesaleofthebookmightyield,ifsuchaprofitisrealized,willbedevotedentirelytothenewspapersOrganizaciónObreraandSolidaridad,thepressorgansofthe
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FORAandtheFORU,respectively.This,itseemstous,speakseloquentlyenoughaboutthenoblepurposethatmotivatescomradeAzaretto,andsparesusfromhavingtosayanythingmoreaboutthismatter.Itisnonethelesstobedesired,andthisisourhope,thatotherworksofthissamenaturewillbeaddedtothismodestcontributionandhelptofurtherclarifythetumultuousanarchistmilieu.
Thereturntothetacticsandhealthynormsinspiredbytheanarchistideasthatwecallourown,iswhatmustinterestandbeofconcerntomenwhoreallywanttoretainunsulliedthelimpidcourseofamovementthatcannotandmustnotsilencethoseviewsthat,evenifthe
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overridingnecessitiesofthestruggleareinvoked,aswasarguedinordertojustifytheaberrationsoftheSpanishanarchists,degradeitanddiscredititathomeandthroughouttheworld.
Giventhecurrentsituationoftheproletariat,confusedandcorruptedbyathousandcurrentsthatareopposedtofreedomandprogress,theveryfutureofhumanity,whichtodayfacesthemostterriblecrossroadsofitshistory,obligesustoraisewiththegreatestdeterminationthebannerofAnarchythatnoteventhedefeatistdefectionofsomeofitsdefendersorthecalumniesofitsenemieshassucceeded,norwilltheyeversucceed,indistortingorbesmirching,
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sinceeverythingthathappenedinSpainhasonlyconfirmedallthatanarchismhasproclaimedandrecommended.Thisisourconvictionandthatiswhy,becausewelookforwardtobetterdaysforthemovementthatcountsusamongitsmilitants,wehavehappilyacceptedassociatingournamewiththatofcomradeAzaretto.Thatthecomradesandworkerswhoreadthisbookshouldreflectonitscontents,andespeciallythosewhoyesterdaydidnotevenwanttodelveintotheseproblems,iswhatwedesireandistheverybestpraisethatwecangivetoSlipperySlopes.
JoséA.Barrionuevo
BuenosAires,August1939
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1.TheFOR,RegionalWorkersFederation;FORU=RegionalWorkersFederationofUruguay;FORA=RegionalWorkersFederationofArgentina[TranslatorsNote].
TothemilitantsoftheFOR
TothemilitantsoftheFOR
Atthisuncertainjunctureinthehistoryoftheworld,inwhichwewitnesswithshockthetotalcollapseofmoralandspiritualvalues;inwhichbruteforceprevailsoverreasonandjusticeandanundergroundcurrentofapostasyeasilyfracturesthenarrowlayerofideologicalvarnishofcertainpeoplewhose
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consciencesareforsale,Iconsideritdignifyingandbeautiful,althoughithasbeenaccumulatedwiththebitternessofself-abnegationandsacrifice,tobeabletoexhibitacleantrajectory,anexemplaryactivityandanethicalintegrityworthyofthenobleandgreatidealthatweadvocateanddefend.
ThatiswhyIadmireandencouragethosemenwhoalthoughtheyareundergoingferociouspolicepersecution;unjustimprisonmentinjailsandprisons;thespiteoftheresentfulandtheapostatesenrolledinthemulticoloredranksofopportunismandthecalumnyandhatredofpoliticiansandcapitalistsstandfirm,uprightandhonest,voicingthe
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imperishablepostulatesofAnarchyanddefendinginthedomainoflaborthelongrevolutionaryhistoryoftheFORsofArgentinaandUruguay,theirtacticsofstruggleandtheultimatelongingforanarchistcommunismthatistheemancipatorygoalofbothworkingclassorganizations.
Tothem,tothecommittedandbraveFORistmilitants,thisbookisdedicatedwhich,withouteitherreticenceoreuphemisms,itspagesoverflowingwiththesincerityofmyconvictions,focusesdecisivelyandstraightforwardlyontheurgentproblemposedforinternationalanarchismbytheCNTandtheFAI,withtheirerrorsandtheirdefeats,andseeksto
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contributetotheirclarification.
ManuelAzaretto
Preface
Preface
ThebloodyconflictthatunfoldedforalmostthreeyearsinthecountrysideofSpainhasconcludedwiththevictoryofSpanishmilitarism,theclergyandthelandowners,cynicallysupportedandbackedbyinternationalcapitalismandtheforcesofreaction.Awoefulandunjustresult,becauseoftheefforts,thesacrificesandthelivesthatitcosttheSpanishpeople,butaresultthatwasexpectedbythematerialintereststhat
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wereinplayandbythecoregroupsofconspiratorsthatturnedthepolitical,diplomaticandfinancialgearsofthiswar.
Forusanarchists,thisdramaticeventwillalwaysberememberedasacruelepisodeinthelongCalvaryofthepeoplesenslavedandhumiliatedbytheauthoritarianregimes,evenifithadonlybeenrestrictedtothebitterclashofpoliticalfactionsforpredominanceandtheassaultonstatepower.However,because,inthiscruelepisode,specificworkingclassorganizationsandinstitutionsdirectedbyanarchistsplayedarole,itisjustifiablyincumbentonustoconsidertheconflictfromitsverybeginningwhenthepeopleandthe
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anarchistssurgedintothestreets,witharmsinhand,tothwartandtocrushthemilitaryrevoltasahistoricaleventofasocialcharacter,duetotheemancipatoryaspectitacquiredinsomeIberianregions,onlyinordertosubsequentlydegenerateintoacivilwarwiththeforeigninterventionofmilitarypersonnelandmateriel.
Asmaylogicallybeassumed,theinterventioninthisarmedstruggleonthepartoftheworkerswhoweremembersoftheCNTandoftheanarchistsorganizedintheFAIproducedgreatexpectationsandprofoundconcernswithintheranksofthemilitantsoftheworkingclassorganizationsonbothbanksoftheRío
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Plata,theFORUandtheFORA,becauseoftherepercussionsthatcouldbeexpectedfromtheiractiveparticipationandduetothelessonsthattheconstructiveeffortsofthesenumerousproletarianforceswouldcontributetotheWorldofLabor.
HowcouldtheinterventionofourSpanishbrothersinthatvastinsurrectionarymovementnotproducesuchexpectations,howcoulditnotcauseustobeconcernedandplungeusintoprofoundmeditations,ifwiththeiractionouremancipatoryidealwasputtothetestAnarchyconsideredasautopiabytyrosandfalsefriends?Howcouldourheartsnotswellwithjoyandsatisfaction
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ifthebraveandtenaciousconductofthecomradesoftheCNTandtheFAI,withthegenerouscontributionsoftheSpanishpeople,woulddependonusbeingspectatorsofthisfelicitousdawning,inonecorneroftheglobe,ofanewsocial,just,fraternalandsolidarity-baseddispensation,presentedbyasufferingandoppressedpeople,andpropagatedanddefendedbytheanarchists?Howcouldwenotbeinterestedinconfirmingthefaithfulinterpretationofourideologicalconcepts,whichrejecttheprincipleofauthorityandofallformsofexploitation,ifourcomradesinSpaineveniftheydidsowithmajorerrorscarriedoutabeautifulanarchistfinaljudgmentthatwasconqueredatthe
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costofenormoussacrifices,ofbloodystatepersecutions,ofepicrevolutionaryeventsandtheheroicdeathsofsomanypeople?
ThisiswhytheenthusiasmthatfilledtheFORistworkerswithsuchpassionissounderstandableandsological,aswellastheemergence,everywhere,ofnumerousinitiatives,allofwhichwereorientedtowardscontributingmoralandeconomicsupporttothemilitantsoftheCNTandtheFAI.Materialsolidaritywasimpossible,duetothedismantlingofourorganizationalcadres,asaresultofthedissolvingactionofopportunism[chameleonism]andthestaterepressionthatafflictedalltheSouthAmerican
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countries,andespeciallyArgentina,forsuchalongtime.Nonetheless,wepaidverycloseattentiontoallthediversechangesoffortuneofthisgreatevent.
Whatwecouldnothaveimagined,however,wasthatwewouldsoonperceivethefirstsignsofdeviations.Then,documentaryproof.Later,deceptivesophisticalarguments.Thesocialrevolutionhadbeenheldincheckandthwarted.
Thosewhohadconfirmedtheirhistoryofanarchistmilitancywithsublimeactsofheroism,generosityandawillingnesstorisktheirlivesinthefrontranksoftheassaultsquadsintheattacksonthebarracksinBarcelona,Madrid,Valencia,
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Oviedo,Gijón,etc.,didnotfindimitators,inotheraspectsofthestruggle,amongthemajorityoftheresponsibleofficialsinthedirectivebodiesoftheCNTandtheFAI,whofeltincapableoforafraidtogivedirectiontoandchanneltheredemptiveimpulsesandtheoverwhelmingpassionofanoppressedpopulationwhohadfoundtheoutletfortheirjusthatreds,andwhochoseinsteadtodivertthemandconfusethem,recommendingnovelpracticesofdirectaction,novelformulasofsocialcoexistenceandnovelideologicalconceptions.Andwhatisevenworse,theydevotedthemselvestodiscreditingandpacifying,seekingtoneutralizethem,thosecomradeswho,understandingthat
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theyfacedaconfirmedcaseofbetrayalofprinciples,1hadthecouragetocallattentiontoitandtofightthisbetrayalwiththehealthyintentionofrectifyingit.Theyweretoolate;theMarxistinclinationsthathadbeenpreviouslykeptunderwrapsandwhich,ontheotherhand,hadbeenrevealedonseveraloccasionsintheirpreviousactivitiesandexpressedviews,cameoutintotheopen.
***
ThismadeanenormousimpressionontheanarchistmilitantsofSouthAmerica.
ThesamepsychologicalphenomenonobservedasareboundeffectoftheRussianRevolution,wasnowtobe
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observedamongus,althoughinalessconcentratedform.Thosewhointhepastwereobstinatepanegyristsofthedictatorshipoftheproletariateveryonemakesmistakesnowandthennowseetheirpositionjustifiedbytheabout-faceexecutedandadvisedbytheSpanishcomradesandinordernottodenytheirpasttheydevotethemselves,withablindpassion,tosowingconfusionintheranksoftheFORistmovement.
Fortunately,becausethecomradesoftheFORhavelearnedtheirlessonsfrompreviousevents,thisdidnotresultinthehoped-foreffects,andthecalmjudgmentandsensibleunderstandingoftheeventsthathadtakenplacepreventedpassion
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andbitternessfromgettingtheupperhandandinsteadthecomradesdiscernedwithprecisiontheseriousproblemsthatwereposedtotheanarchistmovementinSouthAmericabytheselloutsandnoveltheoriesthattheCNTandFAImilitantshaddiscoveredandimplemented.
***
Timepasses.CalmhasreturnedtotheFORistmilieu.Mindsarebeginningtoreflectwithoutprejudiceontherawdatawereceivefromimpartialandsinceresources.
Thetimehascome,inourview,toanalyzethecausesthatforcedthecomradesoftheCNTandtheFAIto
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interveneinthecivilwarthatbledandcontinuestobleedtheSpanishpeople;tocommentontheactivitiesofthesecomradesandtheirchangingpolicies;toindicatetheseriouserrorsandbetrayalsforwhichtheywereresponsibleandtothoroughlyanalyzetheconceptstheyofferedtojustifytheiractionsandthemethodstheypracticed,advisedandattemptedtobequeathasalegacytotheinternationalanarchistmovement.
Someonesaidthat,thetruthistheonlyVenusdeMilothatmendonotwanttoseenaked,butthisisnotpossible,inhomagetotheidealofredemption:Anarchy,whichwepropagateanddefend,overcomesthistruthandwe
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provideitwithoutfigleaves,evenifwecloseoureyestothebitternessofitsreality.
Letusthereforeundertakethistask,withoutanyclaimtohavingcarriedoutameticulousdocumentaryreviewandwithoutanyconcernforthejudgmentthatthesellouts,thosewhohavesuccumbedtothediseaseofrevisionismandtheauthoritarians,willthinkthatthisworkdeserves.
1.TheSpanishwordusedintheoriginal,claudicación,istranslatedinthistextasbetrayalorbetrayalofprinciples,andoccasionallyassellout[s]orbacksliding,dependingonthecontext[TranslatorsNote].
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Chapter1:ThecharacteristicsoftheSpanishanarchists
1
ThecharacteristicsoftheSpanishanarchists
Theanarchistidealhashad,formanyyears,intelligentanddiligentchampionsintheregionsofSpain.TheFirstInternationalwascourageouslysupportedbyitsSpanishSection,whichlaterbecametheSpanishRegionalFederationofWorkers,in1881.
WehaveoftentakenpleasureinreadingthebeautifulpagesofthebooksofPrat,
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Mella,AnselmoLorenzo,TarridadelMármol.WerecalltherestlessandexemplaryactionsofSalvochea.In1906weknew,inArgentinaandUruguay,AntonioLoredoandotherswhosenameswecannotrecall.
AndwealsoknowthatsincetheSpanishanarchistsappearedonthestageofthesocialstruggle,theyhavesufferedpersecutionandmanywereshot.
ManuelBuenacasa,inhisbook,Elmovimientoobreroespańol,citesthefamousuprisingofJerez,inJanuary1892,inwhichfourthousandmen,shoutingVivalaAnarquía,enteredthecityandhelditforseveralhours.
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Butwedonotwanttostraytoofarfromoursubject.ItistheNationalConfederationofLaborthatweareconcernedwithhere.
WewouldnotbehonestifwedidnotsaythatthecharacteristicsoftheanarchistmilitantsoftheCNTinSpaindeserveourclosestscrutiny.Moreover,wecansaythattheenormousamountofpropagandasenttotheIberianpeninsulafromSouthAmericaandtheexchangeofmilitantswiththeFORistmovementofArgentinaandUruguayanexchangemadenecessarybythepersecutionsanddeportationsthatwehaveundergoneandwhichwereimplementedbyrepublicananddemocraticgovernmentsonbothsidesof
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theRíoPlatadidnotexercisetheinfluencethatwewouldhavedesired,sincewehavenotedthatactivitieswithintheCNThaveseldommanifestedtheintransigence,courageandconvictionsthatwehaveourselvesdisplayedagainstallpoliticalfractionsandthestate.
SincethefoundingoftheCNT,inSeptember1911,upuntiltoday,theCNThasundergonemanyfluctuationsinitsideologicalorientationanditspracticaltacticsofstruggle,andwearenottheonlyoneswhothinkso.AsBuenacasa,inthebookcitedabove,says:
Ihavesaidandwrittenonmorethanoneoccasion,thattheCNTofSpainhasexperiencedperiodswhoseexemplary
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naturehasalmostovershadowedthebestmomentsoftheoldSpanishSectionofthefirstInternationalWorkingmensAssociation.Itcannotbedoubted,however,thatthisinstitution,duringtheperiodbetween1919andtoday[1926],hassufferedfromthemostlamentablemistakesandthemostdisastrousdeviations.
WhilerelationsbetweentheCNTandpoliticalelementswereneververycordial,theCNTdidremainincontactwiththemandeventriedtoattractthembymeansofobjectivealliances.ThelessonsofthestrugglesthathadtakenplaceallovertheworldhadnoinfluenceonthemindsoftheSpanishmilitants.It
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wouldappearthattheysoughttoreestablishthesincerity,orrathertheingenuousness,thattheiranarchistpredecessorshaddisplayedforsomanyyears,intheirattempttomaintaintheunityofthetwotendenciesintowhichtheEuropeanproletariatwasdivided:anarchistsandauthoritarians,afactthatwasconscientiouslydescribedandstudiedbyLópezArangoinhisbook,Elanarquismoenelmovimientoobrero.
SostubbornwereourcomradesinSpain,intheirattempttoattracttheworkingclassmultitudeswhohadbeeninfluencedbytheMarxists,thatitwasnotenoughtoconvincethemoftheirerrorbyreferringtothemanybetrayalsforwhichthe
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MarxistswereresponsibleinalltheconflictsinwhichtheCNThadtoconfrontthecapitalistsandthestate.AndasfortheauthoritarianmentalitythatdominatedtheMarxists,thisisdemonstrated,asplainasday,byaveryrecenthistoricalfact:theOctoberrebellioninAsturias,wheretheimpracticalityofmergingtheMarxistswiththeanarchistswasrevealed,tosuchadegreethattheenormousdifferenceofpracticalorientationsandpoliciesthatdistinguishbothproletarianfractionsbecameclearlyevident,adifferencethatcouldhavebeendistinctlyappreciatedinSamaandLaFelguera,neighboringtowns,inwhichattemptsweremadetoimplementnewformsofsocialexistence,
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whichonlyhighlightedthedifferencesbetweenthem;forwhileinSamaacommitteemodeledonthedictatorshipoftheproletariatwasorganized,whosechekaarrestedtheanarchistsinordertoputthemontrial,inLaFelguerathecomradesconductedthemselvesinaframeworkoffullfreedomandsolidarityamongitsinhabitants.
***
Letuslookback,however,andexaminetheallianceacceptedbytheCNTwiththeUGTandtheleftistpoliticianslikeCombóandLerroux,thatwasimplementedasapreludetothegreatstrikeofAugust1917,which,althoughithadarealrevolutionarycharacter,was
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betrayedbythesocialistsandrepublicans,andthisunfortunateexperimentalallianceresultedincountlessvictimsamongthemembersoftheCNT.
AlittlelaterasaresultoftheelationcausedintheanarchistranksbytheeventsthatweretakingplaceinRussiaweobservedaprocessofBolshevizationintheCNT,whichledtoagreatdealofconfusion.
Pestańa,whowasaprestigiousmemberoftheCNTorganization,wenttoMoscowtoattendtheSecondCongressoftheCommunistInternational.Accordingtosubsequentreports,thissamePestańawasalsoasignatoryofthe
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foundingconstitutionoftheRedTradeUnionInternational.
OntheIberianpeninsula,meanwhile,theconversos1whohadacknowledgedtheneedforatransitionalinstitutionthedictatorshipoftheproletariatcontinuedtosowthenewseed,andweresosuccessfulthatatthefamousCongressoftheCNTheldattheTeatrodelaComediainMadridin1919,theyobtainedtheapprovalofthedelegatesforthefollowingshockingresolution:
ThattheNationalConfederationofLaborofSpaindeclaresthatitisafirmsupporteroftheprinciplesoftheFirstInternationalasadvocatedbyBakunin.Itdeclaresitsprovisionaladherencetothe
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CommunistInternational,becauseoftherevolutionarycharacterwithwhichitisimbued,andinthemeantimetheNationalConfederationofLaborwillorganizeandconvoketheworldwideworkerscongressthatwillagreeuponanddeterminethebasesuponwhichtherealWorkersInternationalmustbefounded.2
Intheinterestsoffulldisclosureandtohighlightitscontradictions,weshallpointoutthatatthesamecongressamotionproposingamergerwiththeUGTwasrejectedandwereadthefollowingdeclarationofprinciples:
Takingintoaccountthefactthatthetendencythatismostpowerfullymanifestedintheworkersorganizations
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ofallcountriesistheonethatleadstowardsthecomplete,totalandabsoluteliberationofhumanityonthemoral,economicandpoliticalplanes,andconsideringthatthisgoalcannotbeachievedaslongasthelandandtheinstrumentsofproductionandexchangehavenotbeensocializedandaslongastheall-encompassingpowerofthestatehasnotdisappeared,theproposalissubmittedtotheCongress,thatinaccordancewiththeessenceofthepostulatesoftheFirstInternational,thattheCongressshoulddeclarethatthegoalthatispursuedbytheNationalConfederationofLaborofSpainisAnarchistCommunism.
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WehaveprovidedthesedetailsconcerningthewaytheCNTwentaboutproposingallianceswithpoliticianswhichfullyjustifyBuenacasasstatementthattheCNThassufferedfromthemostlamentablemistakesandthemostdisastrousdeviationsinordertoprovidethereaderwithsomebackgroundinformationconcerningthelaterattitudesadoptedbytheSpanishlaborconfederation.
DespitethemistakescommittedandthediscouragingresultsobtainedinthevariouseffortsbytheCNTtoattempttoputitsunificationistslogansintopractice,theCNTpersistedinitserroneousways,forattheZaragozaCongressofMay
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1936,itapprovedaresolutionthatcalledupontheUGT,anavowedlypoliticallaborunion,toenterarevolutionaryalliancewhosepurposewouldbethedestructionofthepoliticalregime.Thisalliancewasachieved,withgreatfanfareamongthemembersoftheCNT,intheyearoftheoutbreakofthemilitaryrevolt,andwasbitterlycriticizedbytheUruguayanFORacritiquethatwaspublishedinthefifthissueoftheInternationalJournaloftheIWAacritiquethatweshallsubjecttofurtherexamination,insofarasitrelatestothisalliance,sinceitssensiblecommentsweretobecompletelyvindicatedbytheeventswithwhichwearenowsofamiliar.
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1.AhistoricaltermreferringtoJewishorMosleminhabitantsofSpainwhoconvertedtoCatholicismduringtheconquestofSpainbytheChristianmonarchy,especiallyduringthe14thand15thcenturies[TranslatorsNote].
2.TheseresolutionsweretranslatedintoEnglishandpublishedintheIWWsIndustrialPioneer,March1921,p.53,asfollows:FIRST:ThattheConfederaciónNacionaldelTrabajodeclaresitselfthefirmdefenderoftheprincipleswhichgaveformtotheFirstInternational,sustainedbyBakounine;SECOND:ThatitdeclaresitsprovisionaladherencetotheThirdInternational,becauseoftherevolutionarycharacterofitspresent
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directorate,anduntiltheorganizationandholdingoftheInternationalCongressinSpain,whichistolaythebasisuponwhichwillbefoundedtherealInternationaloftheworkers.[TranslatorsNote.]
Chapter2:Theanti-emancipatorypositionoftheCNT
2
Theanti-emancipatorypositionoftheCNT
Thepro-politicaltendencyintheCNTinthisemergencystandsopposedtothebrillianthistoryoftheSpanishandinternationalworkersmovement,whose
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passionforthecauseofhumanliberationwastransmittedtoitbythefirstinternationalists.TheCNTdoesnotactinaccordancewithitsrevolutionaryexperiencesfromthevantagepointofitspositionsintheinstitutionsofthestate,butratheradvisestheinternationalproletariattofollowitsexample,urgingittoabandonitsrevolutionarypositions,andtosetasidetheprincipledanarchistintransigenceagainstauthoritariancurrents,inordertothusembracethepoliticiansofantifascism,who,asfarasthecauseoftheworkersisconcerned,arenobetterorworsethanthepoliticiansoffascism,sinceifthereisindeedanydifferencebetweenthem,thiswouldnotbeareasonfortheanarchist-oriented
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internationalrevolutionarymovementtoabandonitsrevolutionarypositions,whicharecharacterizedbydirectaction,anti-statismandtheanarchistgoal,inordertosubmittothebourgeoisierepresentedbyantifascism.
Theimprovementofthelivesandtheworkingconditionsoftheproletariatanditsliberation,canonlybeobtainedbywayofthemeansofstruggleandpropagandathatdistinguishanarchism,whicharesolidlyandresolutelyopposedtoallpolitical,statistandauthoritarianideas.Anyotherpracticewouldamounttocooperatingwiththeenemy,consciouslyorunconsciously,inordertomerelyprolongourmiserableexistence,
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towhichwearereducedbytheiniquitousexploitationoftheemployersandtheoppressionofthestate.
***
EveryoneknowsthepositionoftheCNT,but,inordertorevealtheperniciouseffectthatitwouldhaveontheworldproletariat,especiallyontheSpanishproletariat,iftheIWACongressweretoapproveofitsgovernmentalistpolicies,weshalltranscribesomeofthepointsoftheUGT-CNTUnitedActionProgramwhich,asweshallsee,contradictsanarchistprinciples,andwhichstandsinabsolutecontrasttotheprogramapproved65yearsagoattheCongressofCordobathatapprovedtheresolutionsof
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Saint-ImierandrejectedthoseapprovedatTheHagueandwhichdemonstratethatnowtheCNTispracticingthestatisttheoriesthatwererejectedbytheSpanishproletariatatthatCongress.
THEUGT-CNTUNITEDACTIONPROGRAM1
NATIONALDEFENSE.
TheUGTandtheCNTrecognizethegreatprogressachievedinthecreationofthePopularArmywithregardtoitscombateffectivenessandthetechnicalimprovementofitscommandstructureandaredeterminedtoreinforcealltheresourcesthatwillfacilitatetheformationofaregularefficientArmy,thatwill
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guaranteevictoryinthewarandinanyforeignmilitarycontingenciesthatmightresultfromthatvictory.
TheguidingideaoftheUGTandtheCNTintheircollaborationinseekingtoimplementtheseimmediatereformsisthatofarapidandoverwhelmingvictoryoverfascism,toimplementapositivedemocracyinalltheaspectsoforganizationandactionofthewar,toreinforcetheCommissariatasameansofpurgingandstrengtheningthePopularArmyandTOMAKEAPRACTICALCONTRIBUTIONWITHTHEIREXPERIENCEANDTHEIRFORCES,INTHEWORKOFTHEGOVERNMENTBODIES,ASSUMING
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ALARGEPARTOFTHEIRRESPONSIBILITY.
WARINDUSTRIES.
4.Transport,whichisbyitsverynatureofthegreatestnecessityforthepurposesofconductingthewar,willbeplacedatthedisposaloftheGovernment,CENTRALIZEDANDMILITARIZED,withtheprovisionthatitshouldberequiredbyunavoidablenecessityandthatproductionandcommerceintherearguardshouldnotbesubjecttoextortion.
COLLECTIVES.
1.TheUGTandtheCNTagreethatthe
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juridicallegalizationoftheCollectivesisnecessaryandthereforeconsiderthatlegislationconcerningtheCollectivesisalsoneededthatwilldetermineWHICHCOLLECTIVESWILLCONTINUETOEXIST,rulesfortheirconstitutionandoperations,andstateinterventionintheiraffairs.COLLECTIVESTHATDONOTABIDEBYTHISLEGISLATIONMUSTDISAPPEAR.
2.ThestatewillassisttheCollectivesthatcomplywiththislegislationandwhoseeconomicutilityisacknowledged.
3.ThelegislationconcerningtheCollectivesmustbestudiedandproposedtotheGovernmentbytheNationalCounciloftheEconomy.
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WAGES,PRICESANDPROVISIONS.
2.ThecreationofstrongConsumersCooperativesattheretaillevelandtheestablishmentofProducersCooperativesmustbeencouraged,withveryrestrictivelegislationapplyingtothelatterandtheestablishmentoflargewholesalesalesoutletsforexportpurposesUNDERTHERIGOROUSCONTROLOFTHESTATEinaccordancewiththeresolutionsoftheCounciloftheEconomy.
3.TheUGTandtheCNTagreethataminimumwagemustbeestablished,onethatispeggedtothecostofliving,andthattakesintoaccount,ontheonehand,
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theprofessionalcategories,andontheother,theoutputofeach.Inthissensetheprincipleofformoreandhigherqualityproduction,morepaywillbedefended,withoutanydistinctionwithregardtogender,orage,aslongasthecircumstancesrelatedtotheneedsfornationalreconstructionshouldprevail.
WORKERSCONTROL.
10.TheGovernmentmustpromulgateaworkerscontrollawinwhichtheresponsibilitiesoftheworkerswithregardtothecontrolofproductionandthesurveillanceoftheiroutput,theirroleintheadministrationanddeterminingthedistributionofprofits,workingconditionsandthedefenseofsociallegislation,will
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beestablished.
AGRICULTURE.
TheUGTandtheCNTannouncetheirsupportfortheNATIONALIZATIONOFTHELAND,whichmustbeconveyedinusufructpreferentiallytotheagriculturalCollectivesandCooperativesand,amongthelatter,especiallytothoseformedbytheUGTandtheCNT,respectingthewillofthepeasantswhoprefertocultivatetheirlandindividually,andalsoentailingtheimplementationbythestateofapolicyofassistancefortheexistingCollectives,withpreferencefortheUGTandtheCNTandthosewhichshallbevoluntarilyconstituted,INACCORDANCEWITHTHELAW,by
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theworkersinthecountryside.
Therightsofthesmall-scalelandowner,asadirectcultivatorofthesoil,willberespectedaslongashecanprovethathislandWASLEGALLYACQUIREDANDASLONGASHEABIDESBYTHERELEVANTLEGISLATION.
SOCIALWELFARE.
TheGovernmentwillundertaketostudyformulasforfamilycompensation,tobelegallyimplemented.
ThetwoOrganizationsproclaimtheircommitmenttoensurethatattheendoftheconflictagainstfascismtherightoftheSpanishpeopleandespeciallythe
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workingclassTOENDOWTHEMSELVESWITHTHATFORMOFGOVERNMENTthatrespondstothesacrificethattheyarenowmakingandtomaintainatruedemocracyinourcountrywillbeguaranteed.
ThesepassagesclearlydemonstratejusthowdeeplyimplicatedtheCNTwasinthestatistprinciple.TheyrepresentadistinctcontrasttotheCongressofSaint-Imier,whoseresolutionswereapprovedbytheSpanishproletariatattheCongressofCordoba65yearsagoandliberatedtheinternationalproletariatfromfallinginchainsbetweenthehammersofpoliticsandthestate,thuspointingouttotheworkersoftheworldtherevolutionary
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paththatwillleadthemtotheirtotalemancipation.TheCNTpracticallyrejectedtheintellectualpatrimonyandeffortsofthemostvaliantfiguresofanarchism,representedinthebrillianthistoryofanarchismintheworkersmovement,whichallowedittoassumeanextremelyelevatedplaceamongrevolutionarypositions,acquiredinbloodystrugglesandfrompreciouslessons.
ThesepassagesalsoshowhowtheSpanishproletariatwasforbiddenallindependenceofaction,offreeorganizationandpropaganda,ofrevolutionaryexperimentationandanyaspirationforafuturefreefromthe
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oppressorstate.Andhowallitsactivity,asproducerandintermsofpropaganda,wastobecontrolledandauthorizedbythestate.WiththesepracticestheCNThandcuffedtheworkers,subjectingthemtotheyokeofwagelabor,sothattheywouldcontinuetobevictimsofexploitationbyprivateorstatecapitalism,andrenderedallfreedomofactionontheirpartforthedefenseoftheirinterestsandtheirlibertyimpossible.
Thereignofinjusticeistherebyperpetuated,byallowingforthecontinuedexistenceoftheprivilegesofthedronesofthehumanhiveandanexistencefullofprivationandsuffering
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fortheworkers,whoaretherealproducersofsocialwealthandprogress.(TheFederalCounciloftheFirstInternational)
***
Fromwhatwehaveseen,itwouldappearthattheanarchistmilitantsofSpain,duetoalackofcoherenceintheiractivity,aconfusedfocusonsocialproblemsandtheunstablenatureoftheiranti-stateandanti-politicalconvictions,haveallowedcertainMarxistmethodsandconceptionstotakerootandflourishamongthemthatopenlycontradictthetermsthattheyuseintheirpropaganda.
WeshallnotfollowthePestańasandthe
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Peirósintheirconfusedadventuresthatledtotheformationofthesyndicalistpoliticalparty,forwhichtheformerwastoserveasadeputyintherepresentativebodiesofthePopularFront.ManyothersamongtheCNTeliteactedandthoughtinaccordancewithauthoritarianperspectives.NothingismoreilluminatingatthisjunctureforthepurposeofexplainingthedeviationsthattookplaceduringthecivilwarandthatwereendorsedbytheleadersoftheCNTandtheFAI,thanthefollowingarticlepublishedinMay1936inTierrayLibertad,entitledSlipperySlopes,inwhichtheauthoritariancurrentisidentifiedandwhichfeaturesthefollowingobservations:
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Alltheslopesareslippery,andonefalsestepwillcauseustofall,andleadustotumbleheadlongintotheabyss.Ifonflatandfamiliarterrainonecanadvancewithoutanyconcern,withoutnoticinginsignificantobstacles,withoutpayinganyattentiontotheoccasionaldifficulties,whenwehavetoclimbmountains,withhighpeaksanddangeroussummits,alloursensesmustbealertinordernottomakeadisastrousmisstep,inordernottogoastraywithoutanywayout.
Theroadoftherevolutionisnotflat;itisriddledwithdangers,withdifficulties,withwellequippedenemies.Wehavetogoforwardcalmly,avoidingtheobstacles
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thatwearenotinapositiontodestroy,overcomingdifficultiesandskirtingnotafewdeadlyabysses.Nonetheless,ourfriendlyhandisalwaysopenforthosewho,awareofallthesedangers,undertaketheriskwhentheycanandwhentheydare,sothathumanitycantakeastepforward.Therevolutionimpliessacrifices,energeticstruggle,butalsoacalmandclearviewofwhatwewantandthemeansthatmustbeemployedtoachieveourgoal.
Overthecourseofseveraldecadesofexistenceasanideaandmovement,anarchismhasestablisheditstrajectory,itsideasanditsmethods.Bythetimethatalmostallofuswereborn,anarchismhad
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alreadyexisted,delineatedinitsaspirationsandtactics.Thisdoesnotmeanthatitiscompleteandperfect,thatitwillnotadmitanymoreenrichment,ormoreconclusionsderivedfromexperience,andthatwehavetobindourselvesindedicationtowhatourpredecessorshavesaid.Wehaveproventhatweareiconoclasts,thatwearealwaysreadytoembraceanyidea,anyinitiativeandtosubjectthemfreelytoevaluation,inordertoderivefromthemthemaximumbenefitforourgreatcause.Wearenotunalloyedandpetrifieddoctrinaires,enemiesofallinnovation,ofallboldthinking,ofallinitiativeforactionthatdisturbsthestagnantandtheimmobilized.Andthatiswhyweare
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tolerant;thatiswhywealwaysopposeeverythingthatcutsoffthefreedomofthoughtinourowncampandeverywhere.
Wecannot,however,ceasetobewhatwewanttobe;wecannotdenyourselvesinoursocialmeaning,preciselyatthemomentwhenallsocialandpoliticalvalueshavefailedandourlibertariansolutionistheonlyremaininghopeforhumanredemption.
Athesishasoftenbeenrepeatedinpublicconfederalproceedings,bysomeofourcomrades,onethatanarchistsnolongerdiscuss,justaswedonotdiscussmanyothermattersthathavebeendefinitivelyaddressed.Iamspeakingoftheconquest
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ofPower,oftheseizureofPower,ofthecreationofrevolutionaryarmies,etc.,whichamountstoaconfessionthatanarchismhasnoreasontoexistandthatwemustreturntothemethodsofauthority,thesystematicandreasonedcritiqueofwhichdistinguishesthepositionthatwehavetaken.
Thisisnotthefirsttimethattheseattemptstorehabilitatetheauthoritarianmethodsofrevolutionhavetakenplace.Rebelliouspassioncausessometobelievethattheanarchistsaremovingtooslowly,thatthesolutionistotaketheshortcutofthecoupdétat,theroadtotheconquestofPower.ThereistalknowofdemandingthatthecurrentGovernment
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handoverPowertotheworkersorganizations.Allofthisisnotjustamisstep;itisaheadlongplungedownaslipperyslope!Thefactthatthesethingshavealwaysbeenadvocatedintheenemycamp,andthatthepossibilityofcarryingouttherevolutionbydecreehasbeenproposedbythesepeople,istobeexpected;butthatthesethingsshouldbesaidinthenameofanarchism,byanarchistcomrades,cannotbeallowedtogounnoticed.Cordially,withallthecordialityofwhichwearecapable,weinvitethesecomradestoreflect,tostopforamomenttocontemplatetheabyssintowhichtheyarefallingfromtheslopeonwhichtheyfindthemselvesandtoreturntothegoodroadoffreedom,which
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isnotjustanidealaspiration,butatacticalinstrument,amethodofstruggle,aninterpretationofaction.
ThisadvocacyoftheseizureofPower,regardlessoftheintentionsofitspartisans,canonlybenefitthepartiesthatpinthehopesoftheirrevolutionarydoctrineontheConquestofPower.WedonotwanttoseizePower,wewanttodestroyit,andnotjustdestroyit,buttopreventitfromeverbeingreconstructed,andwearenottoofastidiousaboutthemeansrequiredtoachievethisend!;thereisonlyoneroadthathasproventobeimpracticalforthedestructionofPower:itsconquest.Apartfromthismeans,allroadsandallweaponsseemtobegoodas
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farasweareconcerned.
Webelievethatabriefpauseforreflection,outsidetheimpassionedarenaofpropaganda,willmakethesecomradesunderstand,whomwedonotwanttolose,andofwhoseassociationwedonotwanttobedeprived,thattheyhavedepartedfromthelibertarianchannel,fromthegoodroadacceptedbytheanarchists,towhichtheyshouldreturn,avoidingdangerousconfusion.Fornowthatisall.
***
Ourinclusionofthisarticleheredoesnotmeanthatweacceptallofitspropositions.Wehaveincludeditforthe
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solepurposeofdemonstratingtheexistenceofapowerfulMarxistcurrentwhichitdenouncesthatwasundermininganddestroyingthestructure,thepracticesandtheideologicalconceptsthatupuntilthenhadbeenthepredominantessenceoftheCNT.
Theauthoritariantheorythatwasidentifiedand(ineffectively)combatedbytheeditorialistofTierrayLibertadwasalreadyacancerontheIberianpeninsulaandavirulentepidemicthatalsomadeitselffeltinourcircles,againstwhich,morethanonce,wehavegoneontheoffensive,advisingtheworkerstoimmunizethemselvesagainstthesepestilentialbacilli.
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Norwerewetheonlyones.Withregardtothisquestionitseemsmostpertinenttorecallthecriticalconceptsadvanced,inJune1936,bytheoldmasterMaxNettlauIbegyourpardon,iconoclastsagainstthevenerablebeardedoneswhowaslogicallyalarmedbytherapidpropagationoftheconfusionistvirus,whichappearedinvariouscountriesunderdifferentnames.
HereisthepassagefromNettlau:
Forfortyyearsanarchismhasbeensubjectedtoinfiltration,so-calledpuresyndicalism,nationalism,dictatorship,transitionalperiod,platformism,etc.,andthecurrentfashion,whichisnotinitselfanythingnew,electoralanti-
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abstentionism,belongsinthesameseries.Theverydistinctionbetweenquestionsofprinciplesandsimpletacticalquestions,whichimpliesthat,fortacticalreasons,oneshouldbepreparedtotramplealloveronesprinciples,doesnotpossesstheleastresemblancetotheanarchistview.Theanarchistprincipleknowsonlyoneformula,ratherthantwo:eitheroneprofessesitsideas,oroneabandonsthembyovercomingonesscruples.Theseinfiltrationsinevitablydestroywithintheirvictimsanytraceofalibertariansentimentandsoonerorlater,butgenerallyquiterapidly,transformthemintonationalists,fascists,Bolsheviks,politicians,orworkerists.
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Thisunavoidabledebrisistheresultofakindofauto-purgationofweakandinconsistentelements,whothinktheyareanarchistswithouteverreallyhavingbeenanarchistsatall.Andjustasabigrivercannotbepollutedbytheharmfulsubstancesdumpedintoit,so,too,doesthelong-livedandworldwidecurrentofanarchismautomaticallypurifyitselfandcontinueonitsway.
Itisbecomingclearerwitheachpassingdaythatthefinalstrugglewillbeneithereconomic,norpolitical,betweenclassesandparties,butintellectualandethical,andwilltakeplace,undermultipleforms,betweentheprogressiveindividualsofanethicalbentwhopossesssome
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intellectualcapacity,andtheunderdevelopedstragglers.Itisnecessarytoopenlysaythis:completeAnarchymustissueastheoutcomeofthisstruggle,integral,healthyandrobust,andnotthatmiserableabortionthatisengenderedbythetirelesseffortsoftheinfiltratorswhenevertheygetthechance.
MaxNettlau(fromSolidaridad)
1.ExcerptsfromthetextoftheMarch1938UGT-CNTUnityPact[TranslatorsNote].
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Chapter3:Theinsurrectionaryclimate
3
Theinsurrectionaryclimate
WedonotneedtoomanyargumentstoprovethattheenvironmentinwhichtheSpanishpeoplelivedduringtheperiodleadinguptoJune19,1936,wasoneofopeninsurrection.ApopulationthathadenduredsomanyyearsoftheBourbonmonarchicregime,AlfonsoXIIIbeingthelastrepresentativeofthiscenturies-longrule;thathadtosufferunderthedisastrousinfluenceofthelegionsof
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monksandfriars,withtheirobscurantistandsuperstitiouspreaching;thathadbeentheplaythingofthelocalcaciquesandpoliticalbosses,withtheirpromisesanddeceitfulness,andwhichsheditsbloodsoabundantlyinthedesolateregionsofMorocco,ledbytheambitionsandintriguesofthethugswhostaffthehighestlevelsoftheroyalistmilitary,logicallyhadtowakeuptorealityandmakethemselvescapableofconqueringtheirwellbeing.
Theoppressionthattheyweresubjectedtoundertherepublicanaswellasthemonarchicalregimesinstinctivelyledthemtorebelagainstthosewhowereoppressingthem.Theyhaveoftenproved
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thatwithintheirrankshopeandapromisingnewdawnarebeingcultivated.
TheSpanishpeoplehaveaglorioushistoryofepicrevolutionaryattempts.Fewarethecities,townsorvillageswhosestreetsarenotstainedwiththebloodoftheworkersandanarchists.AlongtheroadsinSpain,likebattleflagsofrebellionandvengeance,onesees,oneafteranother,crossesofwoodorsimplesignsindicatingthatonthatspotananarchistfighterhadfallen,murderedduringthemercilessimplementationofthelawofflight.
InJuly1909,afteranenergeticprotestcampaignagainstthewarinMorocco,ahugegeneralstrikebrokeoutin
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Barcelona,inwhichthegeneralpopulationofthecityalsotookanactivepart,andthepopulationsurgedintothestreetsandevenburnedchurchesandmonasteries.ThisepisodehasbeengiventhenameoftheTragicWeekbecauseoftheenormousnumberofworkerslivesthatweresacrificedduetotheviolentmeasuresofrepressionadoptedbythedespoticgovernmentoftheclericalistAntonioMaura.
Ashorttimeafterwards,thefounderoftheModernSchool,FranciscoFerrerGuardia,wasshotinthedungeonsoftheghastlyfortressofMontjuich,byorderofthesameMaura,andthisreprehensibledeedcausednotonlythepeopleofSpain,
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butalsothepeopleofthewholeworld,topourintothestreetsinprotestagainsttheSpanishgovernment,consideringthiscrimetobeashamelessmaneuveroftheIberianclericalparty.
IntheregionsandthecitiesoftheNorthAsturias,Vizcaya,Bilbao,Santander,Oviedo,etc.thecampaignagainstthewarfoundfertilesoilandwhenthegovernmentwantedtosendtheyoungsoldiersofSpaintotheslaughterhouseoftheRiff,themothers,sistersandgirlfriendsoftheboysrebelledagainstthemilitarycaste,eventakingtheirprotesttothedockswherethetroopsweretoembarkforMorocco,temporarilypreventingtheirdeparture.
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In1911,abloodyincidenttookplaceinatowninthevicinityofValenciaandtheCivilGuardimmediatelycarriedoutviciousrepressionagainstitsinhabitants,inthepreludetothefamoustrialknownastheCullera,inwhichtheprosecutingattorneycalledforthreeconsecutivelifesentencesforoneworkerandlifeimprisonmentforeveryoneoftheother17workerswhowerehisco-defendants.Thistrialhadamajorimpact,forinBuenosAiresandMontevideoaprotestcampaignwasorganizedagainstthisjudicialoutrage.
Theseincidents,andthosethatfollowedduringthereignofAlfonsoXIII,ledtomajormassacresofworkersanda
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tenaciousandcruelpersecutionofanarchistsandrevolutionaryworkers.
DuringthedictatorshipofPrimodeRivera,whichlastedsevenyears,themenoftheCNTwerebitterlypersecuted,andmanyofthemweresubjectedtothedictatesofthesadlyfamouslawofflight;theworkerswereshotunderthepretextthattheyhadattemptedtoescape.ThebloodstainedgeneralMartínezAnido,organizerofthefreetradeunions,soweddeaththroughoutthestreetsofBarcelona.
ThencameApril14,1931.TheSpanishpeople,tiredofsupportingsuchdespotismandexploitation,turnedtheirattentiontowardsthepoliticianswholoudlyproclaimedtheirrepublicanviews
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and,hopingforaradicalchange,helpedthesepoliticianswinthemunicipalelectionsonthatdate.KingAlfonso,responsibleforsomanycrimesandpersecutions,wasovercomewithfearandfled,leavingthegovernmentinthehandsoftherepublicans.
Allofthischangednothingwithregardtothemethodsofoppression.Therepublic,too,imprisoned,persecutedandshotrebels.DuringperiodoftheAzańagovernment,whopresidedoveracabinetthatincludedLargoCaballero,Quiroga,Maura(junior),Prietoandotherssomeofwhomweretolaterplayaprominentroleduringthecivilwarthecrimescontinuedtobecommitted,butnowinthenameof
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therepublic,andthetotalnumberofdeadandprisonersreachedintothethousands,manyofwhomweremilitantsoftheCNTandtheFAI.
IntheperiodofthecabinetpresidedoverbyCasaresQuiroga,bloodyincidentstookplaceandthestatereactedwithgreatviolence,culminatingintheignominiouseventofthetragedyofCasasViejas,whichhadworldwiderepercussions,where,underorderstotakeneitherwoundednorprisoners,alargenumberofpeasantsweremassacredforthecrimeofyearningformorebreadandfreedom.ThenthetragicLerrouxrosetopower,who,determinednottofallshortoftheeffortsofhispredecessors,continuedto
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carryoutaferociousrepressionagainstthemostinsignificantinstancesofprotestandrebellion,fillingthejailswithanarchistmilitants.
NowwecometotherevolutionofAsturias,ledbytheAsturianminers,inwhichtheaffiliatesoftheCNTandtheFAIplayedanactiverole.ThebloodyrepressioncarriedoutbyGeneralOchoaisabittermemory.
Chapter4:The“PopularFront”
4
ThePopularFront
ItcannotbedeniedthattheSpanish
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peoplecontinuedtopayaveryhighpricefortheiryearningtobefreeandtoenjoythefruitsofliberty.ThetragedyoftheAsturianinsurrectiondevastatedtheirspiritsandthevoicesthatechoedfromtheprisonswouldtellataleofshockandsuffering.MorethanathousanddeadandmanythousandsimprisonedwastheresultthattheLerrouxgovernmentcouldboastofhavingachieved.
Theambitiousso-calledleftistpoliticians,exploitingthissadsituation,usedasarallyingpoint,intheelectoralcampaigntoreformtherepresentativebranchofgovernment,freedomfortheprisoners,andunitedundertheBolsheviksloganofpopularfront.
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Thebaittheyofferedwaspersuasive;theprisonersdemandedtobefreedandthesentimental,sincereandalwaysnaiveworkerscontributedtothevictoryoftheleftistelectoralslate.TheCNT,whichwasanti-politicalduetoitstradeunionstructure,andwhichhadledbeautifulcampaignsinfavorofelectoralabstentionism,onthisoccasionsuspiciouslychangeditsattitude.
Santillán,who,eventhoughhehadnotsetasidecertainscruples,explainedthisfactwithouttheleasttraceofironyinthefollowingdelectableparagraphs:
WithregardtotheelectionsofFebruary16,1936,wewereconfrontedinSpainwithoneofthemostseriousmomentsof
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ourexistenceasamovement.Wehadthekeytothefutureinourhand.Butanti-electoralpropagandahadbecomearoutinethatwashardtoovercome.Principlesandtacticswerecapriciouslyinvoked.Andeveryonerememberedtheanti-electoralcampaignofNovember1933,themostintensesuchcampaignever.Theywereinsistentlydemandingarepetition,almostacarboncopy.Thesituation,however,wasclear.Ifweoptedforelectoralabstention,aswehadalwaysdonebefore,thevictoryoftherightwouldhavebeeninevitable.Thevictoryoftherightwouldbefascismwithalegalandpopularsanction.
Thereweremanymilitantswhodidnot
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wanttounderstandthisandraisedaclamoragainstourview.Severalextremelytenseweeksfollowed.Iftheresponsibilitywasnotsogreat,wewouldhaveleftthefieldopentothedemagogueswhosuddenlytransformedthemselvesintothefierceguardiansofprinciplesandsoughttoteachuslessonsaboutRevolutionandAnarchy.Weresisted.Undernocircumstancescouldwehandoverpowertotheright,totheforcesofGilRobles,byabstaining.Norwasitpossible,becausethelackofunderstandingwouldbeevengreater,toopenlyadvocateparticipationintheelections.Itwouldhavebeeninterpretedasadefectionfromourprinciples.Fortunately,thegoodinstinctsofthe
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broadmassescametoouraid.Wefocusedontheliberationoftheprisonersand,inourpress,wesetforththechoices,andcarriedoutareasonablepropagandacampaignthatpreventedabstentiononthescaleof1933andconsequentlymadethevictoryoftherepublicanleftpossible.
Nocommentariesarenecessarywithregardtothispoint,forSantillánhasspokenquiteclearly.Hedoesnotunderstandwhathedoesnotwant.
Disappointmentdidnottakelongtoarrive.Whilesomeprisonerswerereleased,otherpeoplewereimprisoned,becausethesocialproblemcontinuedtobecomemoreexplosiveastheworkersorganizedfortheconquestofeconomic
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improvementsthatSpanishcapitalismrefusedtoconcede.
ThesloganofthePopularFrontgovernmentwas:Firstreinforcetherepublic;thenconcessions.ThissloganwastakensoseriouslythatstrikesweredeclaredtobecrimesoflčsemajestéandtheleftistssoughttosettlestrikesledbytheCNTincourtsofarbitration.TheterribleordealofthemembersoftheCNTandtheFAIcontinued.Thereactionwasfierceandbloody.
Whiletherevolutionaryworkerswerebeingpersecutedwithferociousrage,thelandowners,theclergyandthedisgruntledmilitaryofficerswereallowed,logically,intheenvironmentof
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conspiracyinwhichtheylived,toworkintheopenlightofdayinpreparationforthemomentwhentheywouldattempttoseizepower.SovisiblewerethemaneuversofthereactionariesthattheCNTmadethempublicinanannouncementdistributedonFebruary14,1936,whosecrucialparagraphswereproducebelow:
Witheachpassingdaythesuspicionthatright-wingelementsarepreparedtolaunchamilitaryuprisingbecomesmorewidespread.Itisevenamatterofpublicknowledge,nowthatleftwingnewspapersareconstantlypublishingarticleswarningaboutmachinationsthat
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areostensiblysecret,butareinrealityshamelessandopen,carriedoutbythereactionaryofficersinthebarracksandinthecivilandecclesiasticalcirclesofthecounterrevolution.
Moroccoappearstobethemainfocalpointandepicenteroftheconspiracy.Whetherornotaninsurrectiontakesplaceiscontingentontheresultsoftheelections.Theplannedpreventiveactionwillbeimplementediftheleftwinstheelections.
We,whodonotdefendtherepublic,butwhorelentlesslyfightagainstfascism,willcontributealltheforcesatourdisposalinordertodefeatthehistoricalexecutionersoftheSpanishproletariat.
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Inaddition,wedonothesitatetorecommendthat,whereverthelegionsoftyrannymayappear,thatyouunhesitatinglyreachanagreementwiththeantifascistsectorsbyenergeticallyattemptingtoensurethatthedefensivepreparationsofthemassesshouldfollowthepathsoftherealsocialrevolution,undertheauspicesoflibertariancommunism.
Oncemore:Keepyoureyesopen,comrades!Itisbettertotakecourageousmeasurestobesafe,eveniftheyaremistaken,thantobesorryduetonegligence.TheNationalCommittee.
Everyonemustbevigilant.Ifthe
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conspiratorslightthefirewemustpursuetheactsofoppositiontotheirmaximumconsequenceswithoutallowingtheliberalbourgeoisieandtheirMarxistalliestostopthecourseofeventsshouldthefascistrevoltbeutterlysuppressedinitsverybeginnings.If,tothecontrary,thestruggleisahardone,sucharecommendationwouldbesuperfluous,becausenoonewouldstopuntiloneofthecontendingpowersiseliminated,andoverthecourseofthepeoplesvictorytheirdemocraticillusionswouldbedispelled;if,ontheotherhand,thepeoplearedefeated,thedictatorialnightmarewillannihilateus.Oncesomeoneseriouslyopensuphostilities,democracywillperishbetweentwofires,
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becauseitisirrelevantandhasnoplaceonthefieldofbattle:eitherfascismorsocialrevolution.Defeatoftheformerisadutyincumbentuponthewholeproletariatandallfreedom-lovers,weaponsinhand:thattherevolutionshouldbesocialandlibertarianoughttobethemostprofoundpreoccupationofmembersoftheConfederation.Itdependsuponourintelligence,andtheunityofourthoughtandouraction,whetherornotwewillbethemostauthoritativeinspirationforthemassesandthattheywillputintopracticemodesofsociabilitythatconformtothespiritoflibertarianideas,andwhethertheseideaswillbetheimpregnabledefensiveshieldagainsttheauthoritarianinstinctsofthe
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whitesandthereds.
Oncemore:Keepyoureyesopen,comrades!Itisbettertotakecourageousmeasurestobesafe,eveniftheyaremistaken,thantobesorryduetonegligence.
TheNationalCommittee.
***
ThepoliticiansofthePopularFrontwerenotinterestedintheactivitiesofthereactionaries.Outofcowardicetheywouldnotdareeventoorderviolentmeasuresagainstthemilitaryconspirators;thelatter,increasinglymorearrogant,madeuseofcriminalelements
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toprovokedisorders,attacksandpremeditatedcrimes.TheSpanishpubliclivedinastateoffearandshock.
TheworkersoftheCNTcontinuedtoplanvaliantstrikemovementsandtheleftistministerscontinuedtoattempttodestroytheorganization.
Itwaspossibletoobserve,inthepreludetothemilitaryuprising,spectaclessuchastheoneaconfederalnewspaperdescribed,whichtookplaceinMadrid,duringthecourseofaconstructionworkersstrike:whiletheworkersenrolledintheUGTweretryingtoreturntowork,inaccordancewithordersissuedbythesocialistministers,theworkerswhoweremembersoftheCNTstood
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withcrossedarmsinfrontoftheconstructionsites,inprotestagainstthisbetrayal.
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Chapter5:July19
5
July19
TheassassinationoftherightwingpoliticianCalvoSotelohastenedthepaceofevents.TheconspiratorsgavetheordertorevoltandonthedawnofJuly19,1936therewasfightingonthestreetsofallthecitiesinSpain.ThegreatmajorityoftheunitsoftheSpanisharmyjoinedtherevolt.
Itseemsunnecessaryforustodescribetheharrowingepisodes,thebloodyclashes,andtheheroicdeedsofthe
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Spanishpeopleandtheanarchiststhattookplaceduringthemorningofthathallowedday;wealsolacktheskilltodepicttheminarealisticwaythatwouldimmortalizethem.Thespiritofstruggle,sacrificeandheroismwasonceagaininevidence,recallingtheeventsofpasteras.Sublimeepicsbyacclaimedauthors.AnotherNumantiaandanotherSaguntum.
Onceagain,thesufferingandvaliantpeopletooktothestreets,constructedbarricades,assaultedthebarracks,burnedchurchesandmonasteriesandpublicoffices,withoutanyotherweapons,inmanycases,thantheiridealofredemptionandinothercaseswith
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antiquatedoruselessarms.Baredbreastsconfrontedthemachineguns.Men,womenandtheelderly,gaspingforbreathandfullofenthusiasmandholyhatreds,defieddeathwithoutsecondthoughtsorcowardice.
Whatwascertainwas,withtheendoftheday,newshadalreadyarrivedfrommanycitiesonthePeninsula.Insome,thepeoplehadbeenmassacredanddefeated,withcountlessvictims.Inothers,thepeoplehadovercometherebelmilitaryforces.
Everywhere,thecomradesoftheCNTandtheFAIdisplayedprodigiesofvalorandaudacityandriskedtheirpreciouslives.
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Weshallallowtheirleaderstospeakforthemselves,anddescribeafewscenesofthestruggle:
Madridwaslikeaninferno.Thebraveryofitschildrenduringthosedramatichoursdeservestobeinscribedinlinesofgold;downtheGranVíacamesomecavalrytrooperstowardsthebarracksatLaMontańa.TheyaresonsofthepeoplewhocomefromVicálvaro,withafewartillerypieces.Thepeopledonotallowthemtopass.Theysurroundthem,embracingthem.Manycriedforjoy.Automobiles,numerousautomobileswereracingdownthestreets,withpeopleclingingtothemontheirrunningboards!
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LargecolumnsofsmokeroseabovethebuildingsofMadridintothesky
.
Aroundallthechurchesandmonasteriesabeautifulbuzzwasheard.Thereisnotamomentforrest.Thepeopleseemtobemotivatedasifbyasinglewill.Thefeverhasembracedallofthem.OnecouldsaythatallofMadridisoutonthestreets.Astheseriousnessofthesituationbecomesmoreapparent,therevolutionaryardorofthepeoplegrows.Itisasiftheyhadasinglebrainandasinglewill.Nopower,onethinks,candefeatthistempest.Thosewhorevoltedwillhavetotastethedustofdefeat.
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LaMontańabarrackshasfallen.TheCNTfightersinthelead,scornfulofdeath,withsomeassaultguardsandyoungsocialists,enteredlikeahurricaneandsweptawayallresistance.Itwasthepowerofthepeoplewhowerereadytotakejusticeintotheirownhands.Theonlycreativeandfruitfuljustice.
Atthatsolemnhour(12a.m.onJuly20,1936),anentireregimentdiedatthehandsofthepeopleinarms.ThebulletsthatendedthelivesoftheofficersandcommandersofthearmyinthebarracksofLaMontańa,didnotjustkillahandfulofmen,butkilledawholesociety
.
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AgroupofcomradesarrivedinatroopattheheadquartersoftheNationalCommitteeonCalledeSilva.Theycamearmedwithriflesandmachineguns.Wetookthemwithourowntwohands,theysaid,crazedwithjoy,andtheyarefortheOrganization.Theyweresoonmountedoncarsandsenttootherlocationsinsearchofnewrebelstrongholds.
AfterthebarracksofLaMontańa,theotherfasciststrongholdsinMadridfelloneafteranother.ThepeopleofMadrid,withanexemplaryheroism,joinedtheassaultonthebarrackswiththeirbreastsbared,whichmadegreathistoricaldeedspossible.
Oncetherebellionwasdefeatedin
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Madrid,reinforcementsweredispatchedtotheSierradelGuadarrama,wherethetroopsofthebloodygeneralMolawerecornered.Onthenextday,July21,ourforcestookAlcaládeHenares,breakingthesiegeofMadridandforcingthefasciststofleetowardsGuadalajara.
(DavidAntona)
thingsweregettingorganized.Whilethestrugglecontinuedandthemilitaryuprisingwasbeingliquidated,thepeopleinarms,theabsolutemastersofBarcelona,theCNTandtheFAI;everysectorfoughtagainsttherebels,butitwastheimpulseofourmen,itwasthe
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unequaledexampleofthebraveryofourmilitants,whichgalvanizedthemultitudes,itisnecessarytosaythisloudandcleartheybegantoprepareforthedawningofanewday,nowthatBarcelona,nowthatCataloniawereinthehandsofthevictoriousrevolution.TheCommitteeofAntifascistMilitias,formedonthe20thandonwhichallthesectorsthathadjoinedthefightagainstfascismwererepresented,was,infactandlegally,therealgovernmentofCatalonia.TheGeneralitatdisappearedinthefaceoftheforceandthemajestyofthenewrevolutionaryinstitutionthathadarisenfromthepopularwill
.
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IntheoutlyingcountiesofCataloniathesamethinghappened.Thefascistuprisingwasimmediatelysuppressed;themunicipalgovernmentswereinthehandsoftheworkers;LocalCommitteesofAntifascistMilitiaswereformed,therevolutionwasnowafaitaccompli,unstoppable,imposingandformidable.AndifaffairshadproceededintherestofthePeninsulaastheyhadinCatalonia,ifintheotherpartsofSpainthepeoplesvictoryhadbeenasdefinitiveandasoverwhelming,howsoonwewouldhaveembarkedupontheroadtosocialism!
InBarcelona,Catalonia,July19cametoagloriousendamidstthesplendorofthefires,intherevolutionaryeuphoriaofa
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dayofpopularvictory.ThehornsofthecarsthatwereracingalloverBarcelonaloadedwithworkerswithriflesintheirhands,playedthemarveloussymphonyFAI-CNT!thatwouldresoundfivedayslaterinthechorusoftheraggedyetheroicmilitias,drunkonillusionsandenthusiasm,wholeftforZaragozawithDurruti.
ThelettersCNT-FAIwerewrittenoneverywall,oneverybuilding,oneverydooroneveryhouse,oncars,andoneverything!Theredandblackflagflewinthewind,triumphantandfantastic,amarvelousimage,thatwecontemplatedwithanenchantedsoulandshiningeyes,askingourselvesifwewereonly
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dreamingorifthiswasreal!No,wewerenotsleeping.Wewerewide-awake.Aswerecalltheharshvictoriousreality,thegreatfruitfulandtragicreality,thenthewidowsandtheorphanswouldcome.Howmuchnoblebloodwasspilled.Howmanymenfellinbattle,intheheatofthestruggle,mixedtogetherinholyanonymity!
(FedericaMontseny)
***
Aswecansee,andaswehonestlyrecall,inalltheencountersinwhichtheanarchistmilitantsparticipatedtheyverifiedwiththeirdignityandbraveconducttheirpastasgladiatorsofan
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idealoflove,justiceandfreedom,andfaceddeathwiththeirusualnobilityandheroism.
Furthermore:thankstotheiraudacity,forgedincountlesssocialconflicts,theyledthepeople,intheprincipalIberiancities,toaresoundingvictory.Concerningtheresultsobtainedandtheconductoftheanarchists,thefollowingparagraphsfromaninterviewconductedwiththePresidentoftheGeneralitat,theCatalanpoliticianCompanys,aremostinformative,asrecountedbyJuanGarcíaOliver,latertheMinisterofJustice:
FirstofallImustsaythattheCNTandtheFAIhaveneverbeentreatedastheydeserveinviewoftheirrealimportance.
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Theyhavealwaysbeenharshlypersecuted;andI,mostregretfully,butforcedtodosobypoliticalrealities,whowasonceonyourside,waslaterforcedtopersecuteyou.TodayyouarethemastersofthecityandCatalonia,becauseyoualonehavedefeatedthefascistmilitaryandIhopethatyouwillnotthinkitoffensiveonmyparttoremindyouthatyouhavenotlackedthehelpofthefewormanyloyalmenfrommypartyandfromtheguardsandthestableattendants
.
Butthetruthisthat,althoughharshlypersecutedupuntiljustyesterday,todayyouhavedefeatedthemilitaryandthefascists.Ithereforecannot,knowingyou
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andthekindofpeopleyouare,useanybutthemostsincerelanguage.Youhavewonandeverythingisinyourpower,ifyoudonotneedmeordonotwantmetocontinuetoserveasthePresidentofCatalonia,tellmenowsothatIcanjointheranksasonemoresoldierinthestruggleagainstfascism.If,ontheotherhand,youbelievethatinthispostthatonlydeathcouldhavecausedmetoyieldtovictoriousfascism,Ican,withthemenofmyparty,withmynameandmyprestige,beusefulinthisstruggle,which,ifithasturnedoutsowelltodayinthecity,wedonotknowwhenorhowitwillendintherestofSpain,youcancountonmeandonmyloyaltyasamanandasapolitician,amanwhoisconvincedthat
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todayanentiredisgracefulpasthasperished,andthatIsincerelydesirethatCataloniashouldmarchattheheadofthemostadvancedcountrieswithregardtosocialquestions.
GarcíaOlivercommentsonthisinterviewasfollows:
Atthattime,Companyswasspeakingwithanobvioussincerity.Amalleable,morethanmalleableandrealisticman,whoprofoundlyexperiencedthetragedyofhispeoplesavedfromage-longslaverybytheeffortsoftheanarchists,heusedthelanguagedemandedbythecircumstances,androsetotheverydifficulttaskofmeasuringuptothem,inauniquegestureofdignityand
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understanding,qualitiesthathavebeensosorelylackingamongSpanishpoliticians.Companys,withoutyieldingtofearoftherevolution,logicallythinkingthattherevolutionitselfwouldcometounderstandwhatwaspossibleandwhatwasimpossibleunderthecircumstances,madeanefforttoassumeadignifiedposition,asaCatalonianwhounderstoodthatthemomentoftruthhasarrivedforhiscountry,andasamanofadvancedliberalopinions,whodidnotfeartheboldestprogramsinthesocialdomain,aslongasthelatterarebasedonthelivingrealityofwhatispossible.
AndSantillán,inhisbook,TheRevolutionandtheWarinSpain,
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discussingthesameinterview,says:
OncetherevoltwasliquidatedinCatalonia,thePresidentoftheGeneralitat,LuisCompanys,calleduponustoattendaconferenceinordertohearourproposalsonhowtofacilitatevictory.WecametotheGeneralitatarmedwiththeweaponsofvictory,accompaniedbyanumerousgroupthatservedusasabodyguard.Wecouldhavegoneitalone,imposedourabsolutedictatorship,declaredtheGeneralitattobeabolishedandinstituted,initsplace,therealpowerofthepeople;butwedidnotbelieveindictatorshipwhenitwasexercisedagainstus,norcanwedesireitwhenwecanourselvesexerciseittothedetriment
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ofothers.TheGeneralitatcontinuedtofunctionwithPresidentCompanysatitsheadandthepopularforceswereorganizedinmilitiastocontinuethestrugglefortheliberationofSpain,afterhavingliberatedCataloniafromtheclawsofthemilitary.
***
WiththebloodyscenesthatunfoldedonJuly19,1936,whicharedescribedinasummaryformintheabovepassages,theshockingtragedythattheSpanishpeopleenduredformorethanthirtymonthsbegan,withthedisastrousresultsthatarenowsowellknown,whichIrecountedinmyIntroductionaboveendorsedbythemilitantswhooccupiedpostsof
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responsibilityintheCNTandtheFAI,whoviedwitheachotherwithrespecttotheerrors,backroomdealsandselloutstheycommittedthetragedyofoneofthemostdisappointingchaptersoftheemancipatoryhistoryoftheworkingclassmassesofSpain.
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Chapter6:Thefirstcontradictions
6
Thefirstcontradictions
Fromthebriefdescriptionsrelatedabove,weseethattheday-by-dayexpectationofthesocialrevolutionwasarealityimposedbythecircumstances.Theoralandwrittenpropagandathathadbeencarriedout;thebloodystrikeswagedagainstIberiancapitalism;theimprisonmentandtrialsandshootingsinflictedonthemilitantsoftheCNTandtheFAI,overdecadesthroughoutSpain,
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hadborntheirlongawaitedfruit.
Thepeopleinarmshaddestroyedaregimeofopprobrium,tyrannyandexploitationandhaddecidedtobuildanewsocietywhereeveryonewouldenjoylibertyandwellbeing.
Theanarchistmilitants,whowerethefirsttomanthemostdangerouspositions,wouldalsobethefirsttoorientthepeopletowardstheiremancipation,takingcarethattheywouldnothavetoexperiencewhattheRussianpeoplehadtogothrough,afterNovember7,1919[sic:shouldbe1917],whenthepoliticianstookadvantageofalltheenormouseffortsandsomanyliveslost:sothatnowtheRussianpeopleliveunder
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theruleofabloodydictatorship.
Weweresurethatitcouldnothappeninanyotherway.Thatwaswhenwereceivedacommuniqué,whichhadbeensentbytheCNTtothemembersoftheconfederationandtheSpanishpeopleingeneral,issuingawarningwithregardtotheongoingevents,inthefollowingterms:
Comrades:Compelledbytheeventsandunderstandingthateveryhourthatpassesrequiresadifferentapproach,becausethegreatcounterrevolutionaryoffensiveisbasicallydifferentbothinformandsubstance,weareissuingthismanifestotoday,readyasalwaystoprovideorientationandassistancetothosewho
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areaccessibletoourmessage,theSpanishrevolutionarymasses.
Thisisadangeroustimefortheinterestsoftheproletariancommunity.Onthehorizonwecanobserve,withincreasinglywell-definedoutlines,theimplacableunfoldingofthebloodymaneuversoftheSpanishbourgeoisie.
Thosewho,likeus,donotparticipateinthepoliticalleadershipofthecountry,althoughwithourattitudewehaveonmorethanoneoccasioncausedachangeofcourseinthegovernmentalsphere,mustnowsetforth,aswehaveonsomanyothersimilaroccasions,ourpositiononthenationsgovernment.
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Everyoneknowsaboutouraversiontoparticipating,werepeat,inthepoliticalfateofthepopulation.Politicsistheinfectiousdunghillthatpollutestheentirebodywithitsmiasmas.Thatiswhatwehavealwaysthoughtandnoweachpassinghourreinforcesourconvictionsaboutthismatter,thattheroadsoftherevolutioncannotbesqueezedintothenarrowandconstraininglanesofferedbythedespicableeverydaypolitics.Thelatterarefullofblindalleysanddeceptivecrossroadsthatcauseindividualsandcollectivestolosetheirproperfeatures.ThatiswhytheNationalConfederationofLabor,inaccordancewiththeorientationsoftheFirstInternational,onceagainsaystothe
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insurrectionarymasses:donottrustanyoneelsetodosomethingforyou;theleaders,inthegreatturningpointsofhistory,alwaysadvisecalmanddiscipline.Thisiswhywenowseek,inordertoimpeltherevolutiontowardsitsfinalgoal,toconvincethemassestodisregardtheappealsofthosewhoturntheirbacksonthecrudeandsharplydefinedreality,andwhopreferademocracydrapedintheshroudofhungerandpersecutions,ratherthanaprofoundandtransformativerevolution.Asforfascism,thecriminalityofthepowerfulcasteselevatedintoasystem,youcanonlyabolishitbydestroyingcapitalistsocietyatitsroots.
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***
Whatadifferencethereisbetweentheactualpositionstheseorganizationsweretoadoptandthebeautifulconceptsproclaimedabove!Thebreezeofrealityleftquiteapileofdeadleavesbehindit!
Thosewhocontrolledthefateofanenormouspopulationandanimmenseterritory,suchasisrepresentedbyBarcelonaandAragon,withinafewhoursofhavingbecomeawareoftheirvictorycommittedtheirfirstmistakesandpublicizedtheirfirstactsofbetrayalwithregardtomattersofprinciple.TheyjoinedaCommitteeofMilitias,inshamefulassociationwiththepoliticians,andtheCNTandtheFAIproclaimedthat
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theirorganizationswereinfavorofcollaborationanddemocracy,renouncingtherevolutionarytotalitarianismthatwouldnecessarilyleadtothesuffocationoftherepublicbyaconfederalandanarchistdictatorship,inthewordsofGarcíaOliver;theyrecognizedthepriorityofcollectiveresponsibility,addingthatnotallowingourselvestobesweptawaybytheexcitement,nortobeintoxicatedbytherapid,definitiveandoverwhelmingvictorythatwehadwon,theyissuedtheordertoconquerthetownscontrolledbyfascism.Thereisnolibertariancommunism.Firstwehavetofighttheenemywhereverhemaybefound,accordingtoMarianoVázquez.
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Theyhadforgotten,afewdaysaftersigningthemwiththeirownhandsandpublishingthem,thoselapidaryphrasesoftheCNTscommuniqué:Donottrustanyoneelsetodoanythingforyou;theleaders,attheturningpointsofhistory,alwaysadvisecalmanddiscipline
.
TheSpanishpeople,whohadbeentheeternalvictimsofthepriests,thevillagecaciquesandpoliticalcaudillos,werenowthevictimsoftheconfederalcaudillos.
TheconceptsdisseminatedbytheCNTandtheFAIintheirnewspapersandmagazines,whichwerenumerousin
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Barcelona,Madrid,Valencia,etc.,inordertojustifythesefirstretreatswithrespecttoprinciple,donotmeritcomment,eveniftheyareintheirownwayemotionallycompelling.Theysoughttoputthebrakesonthepeoplesinnateyearningforredemption,thesocialrevolution,sothattheMarxistpoliticiansofSpainandthebourgeoisandproletariandemocraciesFrance,EnglandandRussiawouldhelptheSpanishpeopleintheirbattleagainstfascism!!
Fromthenon,everythingwasdisconcertingandshameful.Inordertodrivehomethenailoftheirinconsistencies,oftheirbetrayaloftheirownideas,theyinitiatedaspirited
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campaigninfavorofunifiedcommand,controlanddiscipline,allarmstothefront,andwinthewar.
Theyhadceasedtobeanarchistsandinsteadbecameplainantifascistsandsought,indeedbeggedanxiously,forunitywithallthepoliticians,andpositionsofresponsibilityinSpainscentralgovernment.
Chapter7:Thegentlemen“ministers”
7
Thegentlemenministers
Itissomewhatdifficulttopiecetogetherindetailtheattitudesadoptedandthe
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resolutionsapprovedbythemajorityoftherepresentativesoftheCNTandtheFAIinthewakeoftherevolt.Butitisworthmentioningthatbecauseoftheirsubsequentdeleteriouseffectsonouraspirationsthattheagreementssignedatthatfamoussessionwheretheabove-mentionedinstitutions,demonstratingtheirrevolutionarymaturity,andafterthedeclarationsofcomradeCompanysYouhavedefeatedthemilitaryandthefascistsandeverythingisinyourhands;ifyoudonotwantmetobethePresidentofCatalonia,tellmenow,sothatImaybeonemoresoldierwereofanimmensehistoricalsignificanceandalsoentaileddefeatistandsuicidalconsequences.
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Thefactthattheydecidedforcollaboration,fordemocracy,andagainstanydictatorialrevolutionarysolution,hadtheimmediateresultofleavingthingsastheywerebeforethemilitaryuprising.ThebourgeoisStatehadsufferedasetback,fromwhichitwouldsoonrecoverwiththecooperationofthemajoritycenetistasandfaístas.TheyputtheirtrustinthewordofaCataloniandemocratandmaintainedandsupportedCompanysasthePresidentoftheGeneralitat.Andbecausetheywerethemajorityforceuponwhichtheattempttoconstitutearealdemocracymustfall,andbecausewedonotwanttoimitatethebigandarrogantfish,whoneverallowtheirzealtodevourthelittlefishtoflagmost
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ofthesephrasesthatwearetranscribingcomefromGarcíaOlivertheyagreedtojoinaCommitteeofMilitiastogetherwiththerepresentativesofthepoliticalparties.
***
Whatwesaidabove,aboutthemilitaristslogansproclaimedbythepressandpropagandaorgansoftheCNTandtheFAI,isfullyjustified.ManyprestigiousmembersoftheCNTandtheFAIwerehigh-rankingmilitaryofficersandmanagerialofficestafflaterconnectedwiththewar.
Butwhyweretheysoenthusiasticaboutacceptingtheseslogansthatboresuchan
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authoritariananddictatorialstamp?
Atthetime,theexplanationofferedwasthatmanygoodboysmadeuseofdeceptiontorejectthetakingupofarms.Thatduetothelackofmilitaryknowledgemorelivesweresacrificedthannecessaryandthatactionswerenotundertakenattherighttimeandplace,and
wehavecultivatedmanymoreconjectures.Itis,however,undeniable,duetotheeventsthattookplaceatthetime,thatthesesloganshadadifferentpurpose.
TheassuranceoftheCNTandtheFAI,intheirconformancetothetranscendental
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resolutionofpostponingthesocialrevolution,thatitwasthemajority,meansthataminoritydisagreedwiththisfirstdeviation.Andwhataboutthisminority?Diditsmembersquietlyacceptthisseriouserror?Didtheyobeytheordersoftheleadersofthemilitias?
TheeventsthattookplaceatthetimeinformusthattheydidnotandthatitwasnotunlikelythattheantifascistsfeltinfringeduponintheirhierarchicaldelusionsandintheirMarxistandultimatelyauthoritarianmaneuversandsoughttoenclosewithintherigidgripofdisciplinethosewhowouldneveraccept,asanarchists,suchanoverwhelmingbetrayaloftheirredemptiveideas.
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Buttheresoundingfallofthecenetistaandfaístatheoreticiansdidnotstopthere.
WhenFrancoshostsreachedthegatesofMadridandthePopularFrontgovernmenthadfledtoValencia,anappealtodefendtheCapitalwiththepreconceivedpurposeoffurtherweakeningtheAragonFront,inordertoadvantageouslypursuereactionarymaneuversthatwerelatersuccessfullyconcludedbytheauthoritarianfractionswasmadetothemenoftheCNTandtheFAI;thiscallwasansweredbyDurrutiwithacolumnofmilitiamenwhoperformedgloriousfeatsinthetrenchesoftheCiudadUniversitaria.Atthesametimeaftermuchplaintive
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beggingrepresentativesoftheCNTandtheFAIwereallowedtoenterthatgovernmentthathadfledinsuchacowardlymannerfromMadrid.Theserepresentativesthenbecameministers,alongsidethepoliticianswho,beforetheuprising,hadorderedmercilesspersecutionsofanarchistmilitants.
But
itwasanimperiousnecessity.Wejoinedthegovernment,Santillánsaid,becausewehadasingledominantconcern:toplaceallresources,allenergies,allpossibilitiesofthecountryattheserviceofthewar,whichweconsideredsacred,becauseitwasawarofthepeopleagainstthosewhohadrevoltedinordertoreduce
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ittoaslaveryworsethantheonetheyalreadysuffered.
***
Nevertheless,allthedialecticspouredoutbythosewhoundertooktoimplementthenewwayscannotpossiblycobbletogetheraconvincing,honestandsincereexplanationthatwouldjustifythesluggishness,thedocilityandtheindifferencedemonstratedbytheresponsiblemembersoftheCNTandtheFAIinalltheshamefulanddisreputableepisodesthatlatertookplace
.Nordotheyexplainthetacitcollaborationgrantedtoallthegovernmentsthatsucceededoneanother
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intheperiodofthecivilwar,fortheyconformedtoallthepoliticalchangesthattookplaceandwerethereforeCaballeristas,Prietistas,Negrinistas,Miajistas,andfinallyCasadistas;inoneword,governmentalists.
Itisclearthatonedoesnotneedtobeanespeciallyastuteobservertodeducewithoutanyintentiontojudgewhatwasontheirmindsthat,besidesthesatisfactionsthattheywillhaveenjoyedbybreakingintothecircleofthepreeminentmenofstate,especiallyduringsuchacruelperiod,historymustattestthatthestatusofcollaboratorswithanygovernmentgrantsthemcertainadvantagesandprerogativesthatwerenot
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enjoyedbythosewhofoughtonthebattlefields;advantagesandprerogativesthatperhapstheyneverenteredintotheiralliancistcalculationstheyverywellavailedthemselvesofintheirretreatfromBarcelonatoFrance,escapinginairplanesorotherconvenientmeansoftransportandfromthecentralfrontMadrid,ValenciaandAndalusiainairplanesandmerchantshipsandeveninEnglishwarshipswhilethemilitiamenremainedinSpainatthemercyofFrancosmercenaries.Eveninexiletheyobtainedadvantageswiththeirhighstatusasministers,forwhilethelatterwereabletofindrefugeinallthemostimportantcitiesofEurope,thetragedyoftheantifascistsoldierscontinuedinthe
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unsanitaryconcentrationcampsconstructedinFrance.
***
Letusreturntothemaintrail.Itwouldbeasignofunpardonabledisrespectifweweretorefrainfrommentioningthenamesofthegentlemenministersandsomeoftheirrevealinginitiatives,whosepurposewastogetthestatecar,whichhadatthetimesufferedaseriouspanne[breakdown],backontheroad.
WearenotinterestedintheperformanceofFedericaMontsenyasMinisterofHealth,althoughitdidhavesomehumanitarianaspects;shehadtherewardofagreatdealofpersonalsatisfaction,
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sincesheisrememberedforhermeritoriouslaborasMinisterofHealth,andthefactthatawingoftheVélezRubioMaternityHospitalhasbeennamedafterher.
***
WehadoriginallyintendednottomentiontheMinisterofCommerce,JuanLópez,outofrespectforhislearnedreputationinPoliticsandSociology,but,quiteopportunely,anarticleofhiscameintoourhandsthathadbeenpublishedinCulturaProletaria,inwhich,soliloquizinginfavorofthefamily,heshowshistruecolorsandmakesafewdeclarationsthatwejustcannotresistquoting.
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Aftertellingusaboutthenarrowhorizonoftheideologicalfamily;ofthedemagogythatparadesboldlyinthestreets;ofthefactthathisentryintothegovernmentwastheconquestofarevolutionarystronghold;thattheywerenotgoingtoestablishLibertarianCommunism,orrealizetheintegralprogramofSocialism,buttoupholdtheworldoftherepublichethenproceedstoalengthydiscussionoftherevoltofMay1937inBarcelonarepudiatedbytheCNTministersagainstwhichhedisplayshisutmostindignationbecauseitforcedhimtoresignfromhisgovernmentposition,fromwhichheintendedtoensuretheconquestsoftheworkingclassand
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becauseinafewhourstheeffortsofsomanymonthsofworkcollapsedandmagnificentpositionsofallkindswerelost.
Heconcludeshisarticlebysaying:
TheeventsofMay3ultimatelymeanthefollowing:
Theabsenceofrealdisciplineinthelibertarianmovement,which,duetoitsirresponsibleactionsinCatalonia,facilitatedthepoliticalmaneuverthatputanendtothegovernmentofLargoCaballero.
Removingusfromtherevolutionarypositionswehadconqueredandtheloss
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ofanychancetoconsolidatethemISWHATOURRESIGNATIONFROMTHEGOVERNMENTIMPLIES.
***
JuanPeiró,intheMinistryofIndustry,musthavedisplayedagreatdealofclevernesstodeservethepraiseofhissubordinatesinthatgovernmentaldepartmentwhenheattendedregretfully,perhapstheceremonywhereheofficiallysteppeddownfromsuchanhonorableposition,since,accordingtoPeiróhimself,uponhisdeparture,theytoldhim:
YoumaydepartwiththeassurancethattheMinistryofIndustryhasneverbeen
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soproductiveasitwasduringyourincumbency.
Thisadulatorypraiseoftheseofficeparasitesisexplainableandjustified,sincetheycouldconfirmtheenthusiasmandassiduousnessJuanPeiródisplayedinhisreconstructivelaborsinordertoingratiatehimselfwiththebourgeoisieandthepoliticiansandinordertobuttressthepoweroftheState.FurtherproofofwhatwesaidabovecanbefoundinthetranscriptofaspeechPeiródeliveredattheGranTeatroinValencia,afewdaysafterresigningfromhishighoffice,inordertoexplainhisconductintheMinistry,fromwhichweshallquotethefollowingpassage:
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NoonecandenythecollaborationprovidedbytheCNTandtheFAIwithrespecttopublicorder.ThemenoftheCNT,themenoftheFAI,havedoneeverythingwithintheirpowertoreestablishorderwherever,duetocircumstancesthatIshallnotanalyzehere,disorderhadarisen.Noonewillbeabletodenythis,becauseoftherecenteventsinCatalonia,morepreciselytheeventsinBarcelona,andthecomradesoftheUGTthemselveshavehadanopportunitytoseehowtheelementsoftheConfederationbehavewhohavebeenassignedthejobofestablishingorderandreestablishingdisciplineinBarcelona.
WhentheCNTjoinedthegovernmentof
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CataloniaandthegovernmentoftheRepublic,allofustookupourpostshavingrenouncedanyandalltotalitarianintentions.Weknewthatweweregoingtocollaborate,andincollaboratingwedidsoinasincere,honorableanddisinterestedmanner.
Havingreadtheaboveparagraphs,thereaderwillbeconvincedbyPeiróstoneofthestatistmentalitythatprevailedamongthesebureaucratsandthedubiousmissionthattheywereperforming.Theyassumedresponsibilitywedonotdiscoverbywhoseordersforreestablishingorderanddisciplinewheretheywerelacking.
***
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NowallthatremainsistodiscussJuanGarcíaOliverwho,representingtheCNT,wastobecometheMinisterofJustice.
WearenotinanypositiontouncovertheMachiavellianintentionsthatguidedthepoliticianLargoCaballerowhen,yieldingtotheinsistentpetitionsoftheCNTandtheFAI,hegavethemfourbureaucraticpositionsinthegovernmentthathadfledtoValencia;butwedoknowthatthefactthatamilitantwhocalledhimselfananarchistoccupiedthepostofMinisterofJusticewasmostinconceivableandridiculousandgivesanideaofthestatistdeliriumfromwhichtheseleaderssuffered.
WhatiscertainisthatGarcíaOliver,
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brandishinghisactionprogramNowtherewillbejusticeassumedthemagistratesgownandwithsmugsatisfaction,cheerfulandcontent,hedecidedtorepresentthegoddessThemis.
Injustwhatmannerheperformedwhatappearedtobethemostgrotesqueactsintheexecution,bydecrees,ofjustice,isexemplifiedbythezealhedisplayedindraftinglegislationonjudicialsentencing(!)andontheorganizationofprisonlife.
GarcíaOliverplungedwithsuchunexpecteddiligenceintoaregenerativelaborofsuchpettifoggingmagnitudethathedidnotallowhimselftoreflectonhisideologicalpositionpriortotheconflictthatwastakingplace,tosuchanextent
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thathe,inplainlyboastfulterms,wroteameticulousdescriptionofthedraftlegislationheproposed,thedecreesheissued,andthejusticemeasuresthathehadimplemented,especiallyemphasizingtheonesthatgrantedlegalrightstowomen,thatcancelledcriminalrecordsforcrimescommittedbeforetheuprising,thatstipulatedtheorganizationofLaborCamps(i.e.,ConcentrationCamps)andamultitudeofotherinitiativesthatheauthorized,expressinghimselfasfollows:Iftheworkwashard,thefruitsweremagnificent.Andhefulfilledhisobsession:Toperfectthejusticesystem.
ButthisintensivejudicialactivitydoesnotexhaustthedynamismofGarcía
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Oliver.
HavingattractedtheattentionoftheMinistryofWarbecauseoftheimpressiveconstructivequalitieshedisplayed,hewasorderedbythatMinistrytocreateandorganizethePeoplesMilitaryAcademies,whichwouldlatergraduatethousandsofofficerswhoweassumewouldbetheproletarianofficercorpsuponwhichthegovernmentalistcenetistaswouldrelytocarryoutthesocialrevolutionwhenthecivilwarended.However,inaspeechthatGarcíaOliverdeliveredtotheofficerswhograduatedfromoneofthesePeoplesAcademies,thatofBarcelona,wemaydeducethatsuchanassumption
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wouldbeacrasserror.
Thisiswhathesaidinthisspeech:
You,theofficersofthepopulararmy,mustobserveanIRONDISCIPLINEandimposeitonyourmen,who,oncetheyareincorporatedintheranks,mustCEASETOBEYOURCOMRADESinordertobecomecogsinthemilitarymachineofourarmy.Yourmissionistoassurevictoryovertheinvadingfascistforcesandmaintain,atthemomentofvictory,apowerfulpopulararmyuponwhichwecanrelytorespondtoanyfascistprovocation,whetheropenorconcealed,ofaforeignpower,andthatwillknowhowtomakethenameofSpainrespected,whichhasforsolong
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beendisregardedininternationalaffairs.
TheMinisterofJustice,besidesbeingaMinister,wasarabidmilitaristandafanaticalpatriot.
Onefactofthegreatestimportance,however,tellsusthatGarcíaOliverwasseriouslyderangedbyhispositioninthesphereofthegovernment,thathiseyesightandhishearingwereseverelydamaged,leavinghimcompletelymyopicanddeaf,forwhileHisExcellencytheHonorableMinisterofJusticewaslegislatingaboutjudicialsentencingstandardsandwasissuingdecreesthatcancelledpunishments,inallthetownsandcitiesofloyalistSpainthechekaorganizedbythecommunists,with
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expertssentfromRussia,wasassassinatinganarchistsorimprisoningthemintorturechambers,withoutGarcíaOlivereverinterveningontheirbehalformakinguseofhisexaltedposition,whichindisputablyprovesthatJuanGarcíaOliver,justlikehisthreecomradesinthecabinet,representingtheCNT,wereplayingadespicableandregrettablerole.TheywereridiculouspuppetsdisguisedasMinistersandadornedwithshininggoldbraid,givingtheimpressionthatratherthanpuppetstheyinsteadresembledthedisreputableclownsandstreetperformerswhotravelledtheroadsofSpaininothertimes.
Inthemeantimedespitesuchunfortunate
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andmiserableevidenceoftheiractivitiestheCNTMinisters,complyingwiththeirstatistsloganofdisinterest,spiritofsacrificeandloveofwork,werestilldistinctlyensconcedwithinthehybridblocoftheantifascists.
Chapter8:Feedingthecrows….
8
Feedingthecrows
.
OurbareassertionthattherewasaminoritythatopposedthefirsttranscendentalresolutionsoftheCNTmajorityandtheFAIandsubsequent
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suchproclamations,canbedemonstratedbythealarmingnewsthatreachedusandrecentlyprovideduswithanaccurateaccountofcertainarbitraryfactsthat,intheirownfashion,weredepictedforusbythecorrespondentsofthenewsagencies.
Onthebasisofthesenewsreportswedrewtheconclusionthattheauthoritarianelementshadincreasedinnumberandinpower,withthecondescensionoftheMinisterialists.Censorshipwasstrict.Allthecommitteesofananarchistoriginweredissolved.MarxistnucleiwereincreasinglybeinginsertedintotheCNTmilitiasandtheStateextendeditstentaclesallthewaytotheborderwith
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France.
TheSecretaryoftheIWA,Besnard,tellsusagreatdealaboutthesedevelopmentsinhisreporttotheIWA:
1.ThatthemilitiaswerecondemnedandmilitarizationacceptedbytheCNT.
2.Thatthefreemunicipalitiesthatemergedfromtherevolutionhadbeenreplacedbystateinstitutions.
3.ThattheCounciloftheEconomypassedfromthehandsoftheCNTintothoseoftheGeneralitat.
IhaveonmanyoccasionsinsistedwithregardtoSantillán;thathewas
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responsibleforthepreservationofthemilitias.IhaveexplainedtohimthedangersthatanarmyinthehandsofagovernmentwouldrepresentandthesecuritythatworkersmilitiasorganizedbytheCNTwouldoffertotherevolution.AlthoughSantillánassuredmethathewouldmaintainthisinstrumentofdefenseoftherevolutionunderhisjurisdiction,onbehalfoftheCNT,henonethelessaccepteditsdisappearancealongwithalltheconsequences.Fromthatmoment,however,ashehadtowritelaterinTierrayLibertad,hebelievedintheneedforatransitionalStatetorepresentSpaininforeignaffairs,andintheneedforadisciplinedgovernmentarmytodefeatfascism.Itisofnouse
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emphasizinghowforeignthisconceptistoourdoctrine,andhowmuchitresemblesauthoritariancommunism.Itcannotbutfavorthedevelopmentofthelatter,markingaconsiderableretreatoftheCNTandanincreasingabandonmentofourmethodsandideas.
***
Inthemeantime,calamitouseventshavetakenplaceinSpain,eventsthathavejustifiedthewarningthatcomradeBesnardexpressedinhisreport.
TheCommunistParty,withatinymembershipbeforethemilitaryuprising,hasgrownasaresultoftheaffiliationofthousandsofpettybourgeoisieandbythe
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infiltrationoftechnicianswhocametoSpainfromallovertheworld,especiallyfromRussia,whichwasthepriceofthesaleofthearmsneededbytheantifascistsoldiers.ThedominanceoftheBolshevikswasapparentnotonlyinthearmy,butalsointhepoliceforces.Andthemeansutilizedbythelattertoasserttheirpowerinvolvedthecommissionofcertaincrimes.
AlthoughthecomradesoftheCNTandtheFAIhavenotdecidedtoopenlyclaimthis,nonetheless,itiscertainthatDurrutiwaskilledbythecommunists.ThepresscorrespondentinSpainfortheBuenosAiresnewspaperCrítica,JoséGabriel,accusestheBolsheviksofbeing
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responsibleforhisdeath.
Todaythistestimonyisnolongernecessary.Afterthe(all-toobelated)publicationoftheimportantrevelationsmadebycertaingovernmentalelementsaffiliatedwiththeCNT,concerningthedespicableproceedingsoftheauthoritarians,itcannotbedeniedthatthisdubiousassassinationandmanyothersthattookplaceinSpainwerethesinisterworkoftheantifascistcheka.
TherewasthecaseofYagüe,acommunistmemberoftheMadridDefenseCouncil,whowaswoundedbyaguardpostedonahighwayinAragon.TheBolsheviks,whobythattimeweredistinguishedbytheirpredominance,
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usedthisincidentasanexcusetounleashwithevenmoreviolencetheiranimositytowardstheirallies,andthiscampaignwaswagedonsuchalargescalethattheCNTandtheFAI,alarmedbythedirectionthatthesedemonstrationsoffriendshiphadtaken,issuedthiscommuniqué:
Facedwiththesituationofviolencethattheywanttoimposeonus,weproperlyrespondthatweshallnotallow,onceagain,aftercomradeYagüewaswounded,thatthecomradesofourOrganizationshouldbemurderedinthestreetsofMadrid,thusignitingabonfireofuncontainablepassions.ThreemilitantsoftheCNThavebeenfound
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deadinthelastfewdaysinthevicinityoftheCapital.
TheAnarchistYouth,ofMadrid,alsoaddedthefollowing:
Weshallnotconsentforevenonemoreminutetoallowtheauthoritiestobeat,insultandarrestourmilitantsandtorefusetorecognizethemembershipcardsoftheCNT,theFAIandtheLibertarianYouth.Wearepreparedtoshootwithoutmercyallthosetraitorsandthenew-stylepolicewhotrytoarrestandbeatus.
***
YettheMinisterialistsoftheCNTandtheFAIcontinuedtoserveintheireminent
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positions.ThemaneuversoftheBolsheviksdidnotcausethemanygrieforconcerns.Suchwasthespiritofunitythatprevailedamongthesecomrades,andtheadmirationandadulationthattheydisplayedtowardstheStalinistauthoritariansoutofexpediencyoroutoffearthatcomradeA.Schapirowasledtomakethefollowingobservations:
THEUSSRANDTHECNT
AnunacceptablepositionItiswithgrowingsadnessandafeelingofacutepainthatonenowreads,andthishasbeenthecaseforsometimenow,SolidaridadObrera,theorganoftheCNT.Wearecompelledtocometothisconclusion,thatthisdailynewspaper
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withaprintrunofaquartermillioncopiesaday,hasbecomeasemi-officialdailynewspaperoftheUSSR.
Youneedonlyleafthroughthepagesofouranti-BolshevikSolitoseethatitisfullofarticlesthatsupporttheUSSRandStalinsforeignpolicy,withouttheleastdiscordantnotethatwouldmitigatethisimpression.
WeneedonlylookthroughadozenissuesofSolioverthelastfewweekswithregardtotheattitudeoftheUSSRinGenevaandNyon.
TheworldproletariatmustdefinitivelysupportthepositionoftheUSSR,onearticlestates,datedSeptember9,while
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theeditorialinthesameissuedeclaresthatallthefreepeopleoftheworldmustsupportthedemandsoftheUSSRandtodrivehomethisopinion,anotherarticleproclaimsthatthereisonlyonewaytoreinforcethedecisivepositionoftheUSSR:thatisinternationalworkingclassactiontogetherwiththeSovietproletariat.OnthenextdaySoliclaimsthattheattentionoftheproletariatiseagerlyawaitingagesturefromRussia.Byacoincidencethatcanonlymakeonelaugh,aheadlineonthesamepagesays,Machiavelli,theInspirationofItalyandGermany
forgetting,byanoversight,nodoubt,toaddtheUSSR,themostaccomplished
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discipleoftheItalianphilosopher.
Adaylater,onSeptember11,SoliannouncedthattheNationalCommitteeoftheCNThadselecteditsrepresentativetoserveontheCommission(createdbyTheFriendsoftheUSSR)tocommemoratethe20thanniversaryoftheUSSR.AfewdayslaterwereadthattheCNTofMadridparticipatedinthetributetotheSovietUnion.IntheSoliofSeptember12,wearepleasedtodiscoverthatSpain,keptawayfromNyonbyEuropeandiplomacy,willhaveitsplacetherethankstothevoiceoftheUSSRandonSeptember18,Solicontainsaportraitofcomrade(spareus!)Ovseenko,ontheoccasionofhisappointmenttothepostof
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MinisterofJusticeoftheUSSR.
ButwhileSoliandtheCNTpileupsomanyproofsoftheirsupportfortheUSSR,itsgovernmentanditsrepresentativesinNyonandBarcelona,neitherrefrainedfromengaginginabundantcriticism,oftenquitebitter,ofthePSUC,whichistheCommunistPartyofCatalonia,SectionoftheThirdInternational,andentirelysubjecttotheordersofthatsamegovernmentoftheUSSR.ThisisaparadoxthatshowsthewholetragedyofasituationthatobligestheCNTtoplaythisdoublegame:tosimultaneouslysupportMoscowandtoattackMoscowsSpanishorganism,thePSUC.
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Oneisforcedtoask:withregardtothesepositions,inwhichcasearetheCNTandSolisincereandinwhichcasearetheynot?Certainly,theUSSRsellsitsmilitarysuppliestorepublicanSpain.Wesaysell,becauseithasbeendemonstratedthatnotonekiloofweaponryhaseverbeensentbyStalinwithoutreceivingpaymentinmoney
oringold.ConcerningthisquestionweshalltranscribethefollowingpassageswrittenbyL.V.inLeRéveil,ofGeneva:
OurfriendshaveinvokedtheaidprovidedbyRussia.ItisimpossibletoattacktherepresentativesofMoscow,becausethematerialsupportofMoscow,asopposedtotheshamefuldefectionof
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thedemocratic-capitaliststatesandespeciallythecowardiceoftheproletariansofthosestateswhohavebeendeceivedbytheirleaders,wasabsolutelyindispensabletomaintainanychancetodefeatthefascisttroops!However,whynotcomerightoutandsayit:Russiahassentusarmsofsuchandsuchaqualityandinsuchandsuchamounts.Spain,ontheotherhand,hasgivenRussiasomuch
andfurthermore,theSovietleadershaveproposed,inthearenaofdomesticpolitics,suchandsuchconditionsandsuchandsuchdemands.Why,then,shouldweacknowledgetheaidprovidedbytheSovietsbutnotadmitthepricethat
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MoscowhasimposedandthathasbeenacceptedbyValencia?Theanarchistorganizationshavebeenmadefoolsof,theyhavebeenvictimsandaccomplicesofthisunacceptablehypocrisy!
ForthisunacceptablehypocrisythatcontinuestobedisplayedeachandeverydayinSoliandwhichismanifestedintheattitudeoftheCNT,sothattheUSSRcanmakethemdirectaccomplicesofthepoliticalcalamitiesthatareafflictingso-calledrepublicanSpain,andespeciallyCatalonia.Weaskonceagain:whichoftheCNTsattitudesaresincere?ThejustifiedcritiqueofthePSUCorthesomuchlessjustifiedadmirationforthegovernmentoftheUSSRanditsforeign
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representatives,LitvinovandOvseenko?IstheCNTsincereinbothcases?Isitsincereineitherone?
RegardlessofhowtheCNTmightrespondtothesequestions,twofactsremain:thegovernmentofMoscowistakingmarvelousadvantageofthesilenceoftheCNTinordertounderminetheCNTsposition,transformingthelatter,willy-nilly,intotheaccompliceoftheanti-revolutionaryanddemocratic-capitalistpolicythatMoscowisconstantlypursuing.TheCNT,uptoitsneckinkneejerksupportforagovernmentofassassins,supportforwhichitispayingwithitsbloodinordertoobtainarmsdeliveriesthatareusedin
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awarthathasnothingantifascistaboutit,willsomedaybeforcedtodesistfromitscriticismoftheSpanishcommunists.
Foritisillogicaltosupportagovernmentwithoutalsosupportingitspoliticalrepresentatives.
TheSpanishcomradesmightrespondthattheirsupportisnotforthegovernmentoftheUSSR,butfortheRussianproletariat;thatitsparticipationinthecelebrationsofthe20thanniversaryofthefoundingoftheUSSRimpliesnomorethanitsexpressionofappreciationfortheOctoberRevolution.Sucharesponsewouldbeinsincere.IthasbeenalongtimesincewehaveheardanynewsfromtheRussianproletariat(whichpossesses
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nomeansofexpression).TheappreciationoftheOctoberRevolutionthatallofushaveneverceasedtocelebratesince1917,bynomeansrequiresquitethecontraryanycollaborationwithpreciselythosewhostrangledthatRevolution.
Thisunacceptablehypocrisymustcease.MoscowisintheprocessofsellingtoEngland,andatabargainprice,whatlittleremainsoftheSpanishRevolutionofJuly19,1936.
Weshallnotbecomeaccomplicesinthisbetrayal,inthismoralsupportprovidedbySoliandtheCNTtotheStalinistpoliticians.ThePSUConlycarriesouttheordersofMoscow.Ourattitude
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towardsMoscowmustbeconsistentwiththisfact.Wemustpubliclycondemnthosewho,oneasmuchastheother,andunderthesameaegis,arestranglingtheSpanishRevolution.
(AlexanderSchapiroreproducedbySolidaridad,thejournaloftheFORU,secondhalfofDecember1937.1)
1.AnotherEnglishtranslationofthislettermaybeconsultedonlineatthewebsiteoftheKateSharpleyLibrary:http://www.katesharpleylibrary.net/pk0q0r[TranslatorsNote].
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Chapter9:Afatalslope
9
Afatalslope
WeareusingthetitleofapamphletbySebastiénFaureasthetitleforthissection,justaswecouldhaveusedthetitle,TortuousPaths,whichisthetitleofanarticlebycomradeJuanC.RomerothatwaspublishedintheRosarionewspaper,LaFora,orthetitle,SlipperySlopes,whichisthetitleofanarticlepublishedintheBarcelonajournalTierrayLibertadinMay1936,becauseitmostaccuratelysummarizesthetopicweshalladdressbelow.
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OncethedecisionthatthemilitantsoftheCNTandtheFAIshouldparticipateinthegovernmenthadbeenmadewithsuchgreatfanfare,theyandtheiradmirersnotonlydidnottakeintoaccountthecounter-argumentsofferedinoppositiontothistreacherouspositionbymanyanarchistcomradesfromallovertheworld,buttheyinitiatedanoffensiveagainstallthosewhodidnotacceptthecaptiousargumentstheyemployedtojustifythisacclaimedreversalinpractice.
Theobfuscationandthepassiontheymarshaledintheirineffectivedefense,oncetheirMarxistinclinationshadbecomeclear,reachedsuchapointthattheycopiedthestyleandthevery
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terminologyoftheBolshevikshadusedinSouthAmericatodiscreditus.Theyfuriouslyralliedaroundtheprincipleofauthority,whichhadbeensoseverelymalignedbytheCNTandtheFAIupuntilrecentlyandtheycontinuedtoattackusforconsideringittobethebasisoftheState.
Wehavereadoneoftheseattemptsatjustification,withadegreeofshockandbitterness,intheBuenosAiresnewspaperLaProtestanoless,andwesaynoless,becausewedidnotexpectthatnewspapertopublishsuchatactlessandinsolentpieceinajournalthathasdefendedtheanarchistidealformorethanfortyyears,andwhichhaspaidthepriceofsomany
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sacrificesandpersecutionstogivethatideallifeandpassiononthepartofthecommittedmilitantsofanarchisminArgentinaandwhichhastodaylostitswaybycarryingoutanegativeandconfusionistpropaganda.
LetstakealookatafewparagraphsfromTheHourofAnarchism,byA.Gilabert,publishedinLaProtesta:
Someoftheenemiesofanarchism,disguisedascomrades,arenowattemptingtospeaktousaboutprinciples,tacticsandideas.Theythinkthatanarchismhasgoneastrayfromitsnormalcourse,andhascompromisedwiththebourgeoisieandrepudiateditsanti-stateprinciples.
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Thiscritiqueisnotinspiredbyveryhealthyintentions.Itsintentionsaretwo-fold,andmustbeunmasked.Ofcourse,anarchisminSpainhasundergoneachangeofcourse.Ithasrectifiedeverythingthatwasnegativeaboutit.Whenanarchismwasamovementofpermanentopposition,itexplainedthatitrejectedtheentireestablishedorder.InSpain,however,weareinthemidstofspecialcircumstances.Here,wehaveceasedtobeanoppositioninordertobecomeadeterminingforce.Anarchism,ratherthandenying,mustmakeanewreality.Thosewhomakeanewrealitywillbe:thosewhoarevictorious.
WecannotdemandoftheSpanishpeople
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thattheymaintainthenegativepositionthatwasthatofclassicalinternationalanarchism.Thetimesaretoogravetoentertainourselvesbylookingtothepast.Isthereapositiveexample,aneffectiveprecedentfromoutsideofSpainthatcanhelpguideourconduct?InternationalanarchismisoftoolittlesignificancetodictateorderstoSpanishanarchism.WemustproudlysaythatSpainmustserveasanexamplefortheanarchistsoftheentireworld.
Asanarchistswehavetheobligationandthedutytocriticizeandtowagethewaragainstfascismandtherevolutionagainstcapitalism,notonlyfrombelow,fromthe
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base,butalsobyassumingpositionsofresponsibilityintheinstitutionsthatrulethedestinyofthecountry.
Thosewhocriticizethepositionoftheanarchistsareenemiesindisguise,agentsofthebourgeoisie,individualswhoarenotverysatisfiedbythelibertarianinfluencethatradiatesfromtheSpanishpeople.Thisisthehourofanarchism,andwemustacceptthestruggleinallofitsconsequences,assumingfullresponsibilityinthesedecisivemoments!
Barcelona,November5,1936.
Evenmoreexplicitanddecisive,displayingjusthowintoxicatedthecenetistasandfaistasarewith
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authoritarianism,isthearticlepublishedinthePuigcerdánewspaper,Sembrador,onDecember6,1936.Thisarticleisfullofslanderandthreats.Itreadsasfollows:
CONSTRUCTIVECRITICISM.
Weanarchistsareadvocatesofserene,nobleandwell-documentedcriticism,butweonlygrantthisrighttothosewhoaredoingeverythingintheirpowertodefeatfascism.Butwehavetobeverycarefulwiththiscriticism.Nowisthetimefordeeds,forpositiverealization,ratherthancriticism.Asageneralrule,thelatterisaweaponthatisskillfullyutilizedintheambushescarriedoutbythefifthcolumn,bythosewhomwemustsilence,thosewhomwemusteliminate.
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Thisarticleinsinuatesthatthecomradestheyarecriticizingcouldverywellbefascists.
***
ItcannotbedeniedthatamajorityoftheleadersoftheCNTandtheFAIhavethrownoverboardtheimperishableanarchistprinciples,tacticsofdirectactionandemancipatoryconcepts,andhavestriventobringthehotspotsofthesocialrevolutionthathaveemergedinvariousregionstoadeadhalt,inordertodevotethemselves,fromtheirpostsinthegovernment,tochannelingtheactivitiesofthepeopletowardsthesolepurposeofwinningthewar.
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Wedonothavetofollowindetailthecourseofthemanyargumentsthathavebeenofferedindefenseofthisseriouserror.
Wecannotunderstandpeoplewhoarewell-groundedinanarchisttheory,yetwho,overnight,changecoursesosuddenly,whentheyknowthatthischangeofcoursesignifiesabetrayalofthepostulatesthattheyhaddefended,inordertobecomeinsteadpropsofthestate,andthereforeridiculousbossesoftheSpanishpeopleandoftheirowncomradesinthecause,untiljustrecently.ThedefinitiveproofofthisisprovidedbyArticle15oftheUnityPactbetweentheCNTandtheUGT:
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Weagreetoundertakejointactiontoliquidatetheharmfulactivityofthegroupsofuncontrollables,because,duetoeitheralackofunderstandingorbadfaith,theyareendangeringtherealizationofthisprogram.
AndnotonlyinthetextofthisPact,butinpractice,aswell,thepassiontogiveordersandmakethemobeyedisrevealed,sincethosewhorebelledagainsttheseauthoritarianpolicieswerepunishedandimprisoned.
Wemustalsoaddthattheconvertstoministerialismconductedtheiroralandwrittenpropagandainadistinctlyauthoritariantone.Whatisregrettableisthefactthattheyshoulduseourconcepts,
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whichareclearlyinoppositiontothenewwaystheyhaveadopted,sinceitissurprisingthat,afterhavingsacrificedtheirentiregloriouspasttheyshouldnonethelessspeakinalanguagethatdoesnotsuitthem.
***
ItislogicalthatsomeofthecomradeswhowenttoSpaintocontributetheireffortstohelpthesocialrevolutiontobevictorious,andmanycomradesfromallpartsofEuropeandAmerica,shouldissuewarningsandprotestsabouttheprecipiceuponwhichthemajoritariansoftheCNTandtheFAIarepoised.
Webelievethatitisappropriateto
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conveysomeoftheseopinions.SebastiénFaure,inthepamphletentitled,TheFatalSlope,setsforthhisdisagreementwiththestatistpositionassumedbythecenetistasandfaístas,whichissummarizedinthefollowingparagraphs:
Thefactthatapoliticianwhobelongstoapoliticalgroupshouldacceptaministerialpostinagovernmentcabinet,thatheshouldhavesuchanambition,thatheshouldsolicitthishonoranditsadvantages,isverynatural;thismanplayshiscards,hetakeshischance,hefollowsthepathsthathehasembarkeduponandtakesgoodcarenottomisshisopportunity.Butthatan
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anarchosyndicalist,thatananarchist,shouldacceptapostinagovernmentcabinet,thatisaltogetheradifferentmatter.
Theanarchosyndicalisthasinscribedonhisflagingiantletters:DeathtotheState.
Theanarchisthasinscribed,inlettersoffire,onhisflag:DeathtoAuthority.
Bothareconnectedbyaclearandpreciseprogram,basedonclearandpreciseprinciples.Nothingandnooneforcesthemtosupporttheseprinciples.Itiswithcompleteindependenceandfullawarenessofthereasons,deliberately,thathehassubscribedtotheseprinciples.
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Thathehasupheld,propagatedanddefendedthisprogram.
Thisbeingso,ImaintainthattheanarchosyndicalistmustprohibithimselffromjoiningthosewhohavethemissiontopilotTHESHIPOFSTATE,sinceheisconvincedthatthisship,thisfamousship,mustbeabsolutelydestroyed.
AndIsaythattheanarchisthasthedutytorejectallauthoritarianpositions,sinceheisfullyconvincedthatallauthoritymustbedestroyed.
Therewillbenolackofthosewhowillobjectthat,byreasoninginthismanner,Iamonlytakingprinciplesintoaccountandthatitoftenhappensthatthecourse
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ofevents,thecircumstances,thefacts,thatis,whatiscommonlycalledREALITY,contradictsourprinciplesandcausesthosewhomakeacultofloveandrespectforprinciplestonecessarilydistancethemselvesprovisionallyfromtheirprinciples,andthattheysoonreturntotheiroldpositionswhenthenewREALITIESmakesuchareturnpossible.
Iunderstandthisobjectionandhereismyresponse:
First:eitherourprinciplesarefalse,orTHEREALITYTHATCONTRADICTSTHEMisfalse.Inthiscasewemustimmediatelyabandontheseprinciples.Inthiscasewemusthavethehonestytopubliclyconfessthefalsehoodofthese
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principlesandwemusthavethecouragetofightthemwithasmuchpassionandactivityasweonceusedtodefendthem;wemustimmediatelyengageinthesearchformoresolidprinciplesandthistimetheymustbecorrect,precise,infallible.
Or,tothecontrary,theprinciplesuponwhichourideologyandourtacticsisbasedretain,regardlessofthewhathappens,allitsconsistencyandarejustasvalidtodayastheywereyesterdayandinthiscasewemustremainfaithfultothem.Todeparteveninexceptionalcircumstancesandbrieflyfromthelineofconductthatourprincipleshavetracedforus,torenouncethemethodofstruggle
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thatisinconformancewiththeseprinciples,thismeanscommittingamistakeandadangerousandrecklessact.Topersistinthiserrorwouldmeancommittingamistakewhoseconsequencesgraduallyleadtotheprovisionalabandonmentofourprinciplesandfromoneconcessiontoanotheruntilthedefinitiveabandonmentofourprinciples.
Onceagain:itisthemachinery,itisthefatalslopethatcanleadusveryfar.
Second:ButIthinkthattheexperimentundertakenbyourcomradesinCatalonia,farfromcompromisingthestrengthofourprinciplesandweakeningordestroyingjustice,canandmusthaveasa
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result,ifweknowhowtolearnthepreciouslessonsthatitcontainsandtoavailourselvesoftheselessons,thatourprinciplesandtheirpowerareproventobecorrect.
Theanarchistshaveresolutelywaged,AGAINSTEVERYTHINGANDEVERYBODY,amercilessstruggle;theyaredeterminedtoprosecutethisstrugglerelentlesslyuntiltheyachievevictory.Thisstruggleentails,ontheonehand,DOINGWHATISNECESSARY,REGARDLESSOFTHEPRICE,andontheother,NOTDOINGWHATISNOTNECESSARYREGARDLESSOFTHECONDITIONS.Iamnotunawareofthe
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factthatitisnotalwayspossibletodowhatitisnecessarytodo;butIdoknowthattherearethingsthatitisrigorouslynecessarytoprohibit,andasaresulttoneverdothem.
TheSpanishexperimentcanandmustserveusasalesson.Thisexperimentmustserveasawarningagainstthedangerofconcessionsandalliances,evenunderparticularconditionsandforalimitedperiodoftime.Tosaythatallconcessionsweakenthosewhomakethemandstrengthenthosewhoaretheirbeneficiariesistomerelyutteranindisputabletruth.Tosaythatanyagreement,evenatemporaryone,consentedtobytheanarchistswitha
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politicalpartythat,theoreticallyandpractically,isanti-anarchist,isadeceitandthatitisalwaystheanarchistswhoarethevictims,isatruththatisprovenbyExperience,byHistoryandbysimpleReason.Overthecourseoftheroadtakenalongsidetheauthoritarians,theloyaltyandthesincerityoftheanarchistsarealwaysentangledintheperfidyandclevernessoftheirprovisionalandcircumstantialallies
.
***
Evenmoreforcefulandprecise,however,aretheargumentssetforthbytheFrenchGeneralConfederationofLabor-
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RevolutionarySyndicalists[CGT-SR],inanarticleentitled,TheDecisiveMoment,publishedinthenewspaper,LeCombatSindicaliste,anarticlethatproducedasensationamongtheinternationalcirclesofanarchistmilitantsandagreatdealofangeramongthegovernmentcollaboratorsoftheCNTandtheFAI.Thearticlecontainsthefollowingobservations:
WHERETHECNTISBEINGLEDBYITSLEADERS.
Theworkersoftheworldwanttoknow.TheemotionsarousedbythebombingoftheDeutschlandandbytheatrociousrepressioninflictedonthepopulationofAlmeríahavespenttheirfury.Aftersome
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Platonicprotestswhosepurposewastosilencethecriesofhorrorthatarosefromallsides(keepinginmindthatweareonlytalkingaboutthecommonpeople)thecurtainslowlydescendsonthetragedy,smotheringthemoansoftheinnocentvictims.
Diplomacyhasremainedimpassive,andhasnowreturnedtoitstraditionalactivity.Everyoneknowswhatthatmeans.TheforeignofficesofLondonandParis,backedbyWashington,havenotlostallhopeofimposingtheirpeaceonSpain.Theirplanhasnotchangedanditisexpected,bothinLondonandinParis,thatthelastGermanresistancewillbeovercomeandthattheRussianplan,
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whoseessentialpointisapreventivewar,willdefinitelybetorpedoed.
Afteraperiodofeclipse,mediationisonceagaintheorderoftheday.
ThisobligesourinternationalmovementtoexamineasmeticulouslyaspossibletheSpanishsituationasawhole,bothonthedomesticaswellastheinternationalarena,tostudythepositionandtacticsoftheCNT,theTradeUnionCentralrepresentingtheIWAinSpain,withregardtothewarandtheRevolution.
SuchanexaminationwasalreadyundertakeninNovember1936;itdemonstratedthatthereistotalandgeneraldisagreementbetweentheCNT
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andalltheotheraffiliatedtradeunionsoftheIWAinregardtotheirpointsofview.For,whereastheCNTconsidersittobeitsdutytoacceptthemilitarizationofthemilitias,thesuppressionofthefreemunicipalities,thereplacementoftheTradeUnionEconomicCouncilbyaGovernmentalEconomicCouncil,participationintheBarcelonaandValenciaGovernments,italsoagreestograntprioritytothewar,andthussituatestheRevolutiononasecondarylevel,alltheotheraffiliatedTradeUnionCentralOrganizationsareofatotallydifferentopinion.
Nonetheless,inordertopreserveintacttheunityofourinternationalmovement
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andhavingreceivedassurancesthattheCNTwillundertaketheindispensablerectificationofthissituationwhencircumstancesallow,thePlenumoftheIWAdeclaredthatitunderstood,withoutendorsing,thepositionadoptedbytheCNT.
Sixmonthshavepassedsincethattimeand,unfortunately,allthefearsexpressedbythePlenumoftheIWAhavebeenrealized.ThesuppressionofthemilitiashasplacedaregulararmyinthehandsoftheCentralGovernment,anarmythatposesaconstantdangertotheRevolution.Thedisappearanceofthefreemunicipalitiesreturnedallthecountrysadministrativemachinerytothehandsof
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theCentralPower.TheliquidationoftheTradeUnionEconomicCouncilhasdeprivedtheworkersorganizationsoftheirdirectionandcontrolovertheeconomy.TheCNTsparticipationinPowerhasallowedtheValenciaandBarcelonagovernmentstosharetheirresponsibilitieswiththeCNTwithoutthelatterhavingpracticallyanyopportunitytoimposeitspointsofview.
ThefactthattheputschofMay6couldtakeplaceinBarcelona,aftersomanyothereventsofthesamekindhadalreadytakenplaceinCerdańaandCatalonia,demonstratesthenullityoftheCNTMinistersintheirgovernmentpositions.
Forwemustadmitthattheywere
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completelyinthedark,thateverythingwaspreparedandexecutedwithoutthemknowinganything.Sowhatkindofantifascistgovernmentsarethese,inwhichsomeoftheirministersareunawareofwhattheotheronesareplotting,preparingandexecuting?Whatkindofgovernmentsaretheseinwhichahandfulofpeopleruneverythingandtheothersdonothing?Andwhatistheroleofthosewhoarekeptinthedark,exceptthatoffoolsandhostages,responsibleofficialsuponwhomtheconspiratorspassthebuck,whenthetimecomes,oftheweightoftheirfaultsandtheircrimesagainstthecountryandtheRevolution?
Suchapolicyisutterlyreprehensible.It
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ispreciselywhatthePlenumoftheIWAdeclaredinNovember1936toberadicallyfalse.IthasendedupcausingtheCNTtoloseallthepositionsconqueredinmajorbattles,witharmsinhand.
IthaspermittedthepoliticianswhosepowerwasliquidatedonthedayafterJuly19,toreturntotakethehelmofthedestinyofthecountry.IthasdefinitivelycompromisedthetriumphoftheSocialRevolution,subordinatingittoawarthatcanonlybenefitinternationalcapitalismanditsrepresentatives.ThispolicyoftheCNThasallowedtheSpanishCommunistParty,whichwasnon-existentonlyrecently,toshowtheclawsofits
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dictatorshipwhichwilldonothingbutfavortherestorationoftheDemocraticRepublic.
Inshort,thispolicyhasendedupfacilitatingthegreatestrevolutionarycollapseinHistory.
Anditisattheverymomentwhenallofthisisconfirmed,whenthecorpsesofthecomradesoftheCNTwhowereassassinatedbythecommunists,bytheValenciaandBarcelonapolice,arestillwarm,thatthousandsofanarchistshavebeenimprisoned,thatthepressoftheCNThasbeenmuzzled,thatnoonecangotoSpainorleaveitastheyplease,thattheCNT,onceagainofferstoparticipateintheGovernment,inthisGovernmentof
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capitulationpresidedoverbyNegrín,thesameNegrínwhohuntedthemlikeanimals(SolidaridadObrera,June2,1937).ItisatthisverymomentthattheCNTbowsdownatthefeetofLargoCaballero,thatcraftyoldpolitician,whoselifeisnothingbutonelongbetrayal;atthefeetofthatLargoCaballerowhowas,successively,theright-handmanofPrimodeRivera,ofAzańaandofStalin;thatLargoCaballerowhoistheauthorofthelawsforthedefenseoftheRepublic,ofCasasViejasandVillaCisneros.
YoumightthinkthatyouweredreamingasyoureadsomanysuchthingsinthepressoftheCNT,butitisunfortunately
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nothingbutthetruth.OneasksoneselfjusthowfartheaberrationoftheleadersoftheSpanishlaborfederationwillgo.
Itisnecessaryforthistocometoanend.ItisnecessaryfortheGeneralStaffoftheCNTtounderstanditsmistakeorfortheworkerstomakeitunderstand.
Onethingisforsure,inanyevent.SuchapositionhasgivenrisetotheindignationofallthesisteraffiliatesoftheCNT,thosethatwillnotallowthemselvestobedraggedintoacollapsesuchastheCNTisleadingtheSpanishRevolution.
Itisindispensableforthistobesaid,thatthewholeworldshouldknowit;thatjudgmentshouldbepassedandpositions
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defined.
Howeversureofthemselvestheseleadersmightbewewillwaitforamoment,butjustforonemoment!theywillnotbeabletoupholdtheirpositiononthisterrain,inthefaceofalltheworkersoftheworld,whohavesupportedandassistedtheSpanishRevolution.TheymustbewarnedthatthisRevolutionwillbedefendedagainstthem,againsttheirerrorsandagainsttheirfaults.
Itisnecessaryforthemtounderstandthattherearecurrentstheycannotresist,howeverstrongtheythinktheyare.Agreatwavehasbroughtthemtowheretheyare,andanother,evenbiggerwave,candrownthemandsavetheRevolution.
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Itislikely,afterall,thatthiswavewillbreakwiththesamepowerwithinasitdidfromwithout.
Inanycase,onecanbesurethatweshallnotallowthemtocrushit,withoutsayingordoinganythinginfavoroftheSpanishRevolution.Itistwiceours.Weshallknowhowtodefendit,andhowtodefenditagainstallthosewhowouldbetrayitorabandonit.
Morethanever:LonglivetheSpanishRevolution!
(CGT-SR)[GeneralConfederationofLaborRevolutionarySyndicalists]
Chapter10:The“antifascist”
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bureaucracy
10
Theantifascistbureaucracy
TheparticipationoftherepresentativesoftheCNTandtheFAIintheCommitteeofMilitias,inBarcelona,first,andtheninthecentralgovernmentandothergovernmentposts,errors,deviationsbetrayalsofprinciple,wewouldcallthemwhichcometomindanddonotadmitofanyjustifications,entails,inevitably,besidestheresurgenceoftheauthorityprincipleinthosewhohadrejectedandcombatedit,thecontaminationofthemicrobeofthebureaucracy,inherentineverystate
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system.
ThetradeunionbureaucracywasamongtheoperationalmodalitiesthattheCNTmilitantswerefamiliarwith,butwhichtheyscarcelypracticed.Unlikeourtradeunionfederations,whichfoughtagainstandneverallowedthedevelopmentofabureaucracy,inSpainthebureaucracymadeheadway,butnotwithoutacertainamountofresistance.
Thus,theyhadhardlyevenbeenestablishedintheirluxuriousofficesuiteswhentheministerialistswerebesiegedandsurroundedbymanyelementswhowerequitereadytocooperate,fromthevantagepointofpublicoffices,notforthetriumphofthesocialrevolution,since
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thelatterhadalreadybeenstifled,butfortheprosecutionofthewarandwearesurethatwearenotmistakenwhenweclaimthatthesepeoplehadbeenthemostferventadvocatesofthenewtheoryofdirectaction,ofthecollaborationimposedbythesupremeandunavoidablenecessityofdefeatingfascism.Andlikeeveryhumanbeingthathasanyeducationandauthoritariansentiments,thebrandnewbureaucratswouldbehavejustlikebureaucrats,astheirpositionsrequired,leavingatthedoorofthegovernmentbuildingsthedisguisethattheyhadwornforsolong.
***
Concerningthequestionofhowthese
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bureaucratsbehavedwecangetavagueideafromafewfragmentaryconceptsthatappearedinantifascistnewspapers.AswemayreadinRuta,theorganoftheLibertarianYouthinBarcelona,ofMay18,1937:
Therearesomeresponsiblecomradeswho,duetothefactthattheyhaveoccupiedofficialposts,forgettheiroriginsandpurpose.Weshallremindthemthatintheexerciseofatemporaryfunction,theyshouldnotrenegeontheprinciplesthataretheheartofourorganizations.Inordertoremindthemwearereadytoshowthembeforetheyimprudentlyrevalorizethestate.
Insupportoftheseconceptsweshall
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recallthatSantillán,whenhewasservingasMinisteroftheEconomyintheGeneralitat,feltalarmedbythepassiondisplayedinthebattleformoreportfolios,formoreextensiveinterventioningovernmentaffairsandwhatseemedstrangetohimwasthespectacleofourcomradesfightingwithallthepassionsofthepoliticiansofthepasttoobtainhighpositions,tobeinvestedwithpower
aswellasthepassionwithwhichtheydebatedandminutelyanalyzedthelawsanddecrees,andevenengagedinthemostdetailedexegeses.
Theseparagraphswillgiveussomeideaofthegraveproblemposedbythenew
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bureaucratswho,besidesrepresentingaheavydeadweightfortheSpanishpeoplethatwassheddingitsbloodinthestruggle,wasaperniciousoutcomeofthecircumstantialoperationalmethodsengagedinbythecenetistaandfaístastrategists,andofferedanopportunityforamultitudeofindividualswhodidnotpossessevenashredofrevolutionarycommitment,toassumepositionsaspettylittledeskjockeybosses,withalltheprerogativesinherenttosuchanelevatedhierarchy,who,oncetheywereentrenchedinthesepositions,couldgivefreereintotheirmostpathologicalimpulsesandcommitteddespicableandunscrupulousdeeds.
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Andwhatisevenmorelamentable,manyoftheseelementswhocamefromsuchabackgroundwhowerequitewellknowninthespecificistcampanditsderivativesinordertoorienttheachievementsoftheSpanishpeople,foundasuitableenvironmenttoexhibittheiracrobaticqualities,theirtemperamentalinterpretationsandtranquillyfitrightintothemachineryofthebureaucracy.Andoncetheyreturnedfromtheirexperimentallaboratory,withnoothertrophyofwarthantheirtypewriters,theyhavetocontinue,withouteitherhardworkorglory,sowingconfusionismandjustifyingtheiractionstotheirhierarchicalsuperiors,sinceforthemthehustleandbustleandthecruelty
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oflifeinthetrenchesandtheclamorofcombatwereonlyrumors,painfulandsad,whichreachedthembyindirectroutes.
Chapter11:Firstthewar…thentherevolution
11
Firstthewar
thentherevolution
IfweweretotakeaccountoftheabundantrhetoricemittedinthepropagandawrittenbytheCNTandtheFAI,inordertokeeptheforeigncountriesinastateofexpectant
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nervousnessandimpressionism,itwouldbeveryhardforustodiscoverthetacticalreasonsthatledourSpanishcomradestoshapethisrhetoricinaccordancewiththerawreality,whichderangedtheireyesight.Becauseitisreasonabletoassumethattheauthorsofthispropagandaexpectedittobereadwitheagerness,andthatitwouldthenbeanalyzedandcomparedwiththefacts.
Itistrueenoughthattheyexercisedtheirrhetoricalskillsnotinordertoconcealtheirbetrayalsoftheirprinciples,eventhoughtheytaxedtheiringenuitytofindargumentstojustifytheiractions.Butitisinconceivablethattheycouldhavestriventodistorttheirphrasesandtheir
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conceptstoavoidposingthefundamentalproblem:therejectionofanarchistprinciplesandtacticsofstrugglethattheyhadpropagatedandpracticedupuntilthen.
Wecouldhavegoneitalone,imposedourabsolutedictatorship,declaredtheGeneralitattobeabolishedandinstituted,initsplace,therealpowerofthepeople;butwedidnotbelieveindictatorshipwhenitwasexercisedagainstus,norcanwedesireitwhenwecanourselvesexerciseittothedetrimentofothers,saysSantilláninhisbook,TheRevolutionandtheWarinSpain.TheCNTandtheFAIdecidedinfavorofcollaborationanddemocracybyrenouncingthe
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revolutionarytotalitarianismthatwouldhaveledtothestrangulationoftheRevolutionbyaconfederalandanarchistdictatorship,GarcíaOliversaysinoneofhisarticles.
Andifthisishowthesemenjustifiedtheiractions,withthesupportofmanyotherswecouldname,whydidtheyinsistonusing,insomanycommuniqués,newspaperarticlesandradicalspeeches,thephrase,socialrevolution?Thesocialrevolutionhadbeensuppressedbytheseverysamemen;indeed,ithadbeenterminatedafewdaysafterJuly19.
Thehonestandsensibleresponsewasreflectedintheslogan:Firstthewar;then
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therevolution.Thelattershouldbecategorizedasbait.
If,intheheatofcombat;inthespiritedassaultsledbytheanarchists,togetherwiththepeople,againstthemilitaryrebels;ifinthesebattlesnooneconsideredorsoughttocompletelydestroytheveryfoundationsofcapitalistsocietytodoawaywiththeState;andthesesamechampionsofthesocialrevolutionacted,duringtheseevents,asthugs,upholdinganddefendingthehighgovernmentalauthoritiesCompanysandLargoCaballeroitwaslogically,thecivilwarthathadbeenunleashed.Andthustheyshouldhavedeclaredthistobeso,tacitly,burying,astheyhadburied
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anarchistcommunism,allthetermsthatsignifiedadeceptionoftheworkers.
Becauseitmustbeacknowledged,nowthattheyarenotintheircabinetoffices,intheirgovernmentdepartments,inthehustleandbustleoftheirdeskjobs,thattheyhadlivedbydailycontradictingthemselves.
***
Itistrue,however,thatnotalltheresponsibleofficialsdemonstratedtheirreluctancetoengageinrationalargumentsandexplanations.
Inissueno.224oftheInformationBulletinoftheCNTandFAI,wereadthe
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followingeditorialstatement:
Wehave,inourcollaboration,tornourideologicalconceptiontoshreds,wehaveperformedthehighestsacrifice,byleavingpartofourideologybehindusinourtradeunionoffices.Sowhydidtheybecomesoangryandrespondwithsomanyobfuscations,whenmanyofuscriticizedthemforhavingbetrayedtheirdoctrines?
Noteventhesecondpartoftheslogan,Firstthewar;thentherevolution,conformedwithreality.Becausethedocumentsthatrecountthehistoryoftheeventsprovethatwecanharbornoillusionsthatthecenetistasandfaístaswouldhavecarriedouttherevolution
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aftertheendofthecivilwar.
TheyhadbeenimpartialwithregardtotheGeneralitat.TheyletthefightersdieattheAragonfrontandotherfrontswithoutweaponsbecausethesemilitiamenrejectedtheStatethecentralgovernmentofLargoCaballero.Thesesameconfederalleadershadallowedthereplacementofthemilitiasbyasingleunifiedmilitaryforce.Theconfederaldivisionsweremergedwithinternationalbrigades,composedalmostexclusivelyofMarxistelements.Thelatteradvocatedandsucceededinobtainingtheestablishmentofrigiddisciplineandunifiedmilitarycommand.TheanarchistswereexpelledfromtheCouncilof
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DefenseofAragon.TheywereshotthroughoutloyalistSpainandinthestreetsofBarcelonathiscrimebecamethenorm.Thepeopleweredeprivedofarms;thecenetistasthemselvesrecommendedharshpenaltiesforthosewhoconcealedweapons.ThearmywasBolshevizedinallitsbranches.Theprisonswerefullofuncontrollableanarchists,whowereaccusedofbeingspiesorofbelongingtothefifthcolumn;butthisentirepanoramaofsetbacksanddenialswaspursuedwiththerefrain:Firstthewar;thentherevolution.
***
Itcannotbeassumedthatthesegeniusesofantifascistthoughtwerethevictimsof
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theirowningenuousness.Ifwecannotmakethisassumption,itisbecausethereiscopiousproofoftheenormousattractionthatbureaucraticpostsandsomanyotherprerogativesofbourgeoissocietyexercisedoncertainminds,webelievethattheintoxicationwithcomfortablejobsinofficeswasthecauseofsomuchfoolishchatter,somanysophisms,somanycontradictionsandsuchgravebetrayalsthatwehadtoendureandattestto,thatwerecommittedbytheresponsibleleadersoftheCNTandtheFAI.
Armstothefront!Goldforthewar!Unityanddiscipline!UnifiedCommand!Winthewartobefree!And
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whygoon?Theyshreddedthemselveswithslogans.
Andifthesesameindividualsthedirectauthorsofthepowerfulresurgenceoftheauthoritariansystemfromwithin,sincetheyhadproceededtoreinforcetheState,facedwiththeoverwhelmingnecessityofdirectlyinterveninginthedirectionofthewar,ofpoliticsandoftheeconomy,withtheobjectofpreventingthecontinuoussabotagewagedagainsttheCNT,thecollectivesandthemilitiacolumnsbythecentralgovernment
demonstratedthepredominanceandpoweroftheBolsheviksineveryfacetofmilitaryaffairsandpolitics;ifthecheka,organizedbythecommunists,
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assassinatedandimprisonedmanyanarchists;if,dayafterday,theCNTlostpositionsandinfluence;whydidthemembersoftheCNTandtheFAIremainintheirpostsasministersandgovernmentbureaucrats,orcontinuetoseekappointmenttotheseposts?Hadtheybecomeaccustomedtothisenvironment?
Thedocumentsweinterspersedthroughoutthepreviouschaptersprove,profusely,thattheclaimsthattheministerialsofferedoncethecivilwarwasover,withthevictoryoftheantifascistsimpliedthattheywouldreinforcethestatewithveryprogressiveandwonderfulinitiativesandwiththe
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creationofnewgovernmentdepartments,ledandcontrolledbythecenetistas,inordertotherebyprepare,fromabove,forthenextrevolution
.
Chapter12:Thecapersofafool
12
Thecapersofafool
PerhapsthefollowingbiographicalsketchofoneofthemostoutstandingrepresentativesoftheCNT,responsibleforandadvocateofallthemistakes,deviationsandbetrayalsrecountedinthissamebook,willbeinterpretedas
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irreverent.WearereferringtoDiegoAbaddeSantillán.
Weshallnotdenythatheisanexcellentwriterandwemayalsosayinhisfavorthat,besideshisintellectualtraining,heisphysicallyquitephotogenic;butallhisbeautifulqualitiesdonotobviatethedisappointingimpressionthathislifeasananarchistmilitanthasmadeonus,alifethatissofullofcapriciousness,andhissociologicalproductionthatisplaguedwithdisturbingcontradictions.
Itwouldseemthathepossessesamindthatisverysusceptibletosuggestion;adaptabletotheinfluencesoftheenvironment,theclimateandthemenwithwhomheassociates;shapedbyan
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exaggeratedimpressionismthatmakeshimlosecontroloverhisreflectivefaculties,tothepointwherehedeniestodaywhatheassertedyesterday,andtoonceagainsaytomorrowwhathedeniedyesterday.
Backin1925,Santillánco-wrotetogetherwithEmilioLópezArangothebook,AnarchismintheWorkersMovement,inwhich,relatingthehistoryofthesocialstrugglesthattookplaceinArgentina,hevaliantlyattackstheMarxistsectorsandtheopportunistelementsthatbrandishedthebannerofinnovationsandunitedfronts.EventhoughSantillánwasonlytheco-authorofthebook,thisdoesnotmaketheconceptssetforthinthebook
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anylesshisresponsibility.Inthisbook,onpage179,Santillán,combatingneutralismandamorphoussyndicalismintheworkingclassorganizations,proclaims:
Areweanarchistsornot?Ifweare,wemustbeanarchistsallthetime,andeverywhere;ifwearenot,itwouldbewrongofustosimulate,oncertainfestivaldaysoramongcertaindrinkingcompanions,ideasandsentimentsthatwedonotreallyuphold.
Wearetoldthatthetradeunionisforthewageworkerswhowanttofightagainstcapitalism.Anothertriteexpression!ThereistheRussianexampleofthefirstorder,todemonstratetothosewhodonot
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wanttobeblind,thatcapitalismislessfundamentalasanenemythanstatism,thantheprincipleofauthority.TheRussianRevolutiondestroyedtheoldcapitalistforms,itplungedprivatecapitalintoruin,butitleftthestatemachinestandingandthecapitalismthathadbeenthrownoutthewindowreturnedtwoyearslater,bythedoor,alongwiththehonorsandobeisanceofitsallegedenemiesofthepast,welcomedasthesaviorofthecountry.Itisnotenoughtobeanenemyofcapitalismtobearevolutionary,especiallyaftertheexperienceoftheRussianRevolution.Andthosewhoexertthemselvestosuggesttotheworkingclassmassesthattheirmainenemyiscapitalismare
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simultaneouslystrivingtodiverttheproletariatformitsinstinctivewaragainsttheState.Furthermore,oureverydaystrugglesdonotjustcauseustoconfrontcapitalismonlyonce,asifwedidnothavetoreckonwiththehost:theinterventionoftheStateintheformofthepolice,thesoldier,thejudge,etc.TheinterestsoftheState,eveninthecountriesthatclaimtoberuledbyworkersgovernments,areidentifiedwiththoseofcapitalism.Everyoneknowsthis.Andallweneednowisforsomesophiststocomealong,andinthenameofsyndicalismseparatethetwothingsandorganizetheworkersforthestruggleagainstcapitalism,leavingthestate,itsinstitutionsandtheideasuponwhichitis
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basedintact,inpraiseofanallegedclassunitythatisshatteredwhentheanarchists,enemiesoftheprincipleofauthority,attackthestateandstatism.
***
BecauseoftheoutrageousassassinationofcomradeLópezArango,whoduringhistimewasthemostfaithfulinterpreterofthefinalistconceptionofanarchistcommunismamongthetradeunionorganizationsandavaliantdefenderoftheFORA,SantillánwasabletotakecontroloftheanarchistdailynewspaperLaProtestaandimmediatelydemonstratedasuddenchangeinhisappreciationofsocialreality.Intheweeklysupplementthatheedited,this
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newspaper,forthemostpart,publishedarticlesbywriterswhorejectedthepolemicalandpositiveworkdonebyArangointhecolumnsofthispublicationforsomanyyears.
InArgentina,Uriburustagedhismilitarycoup.Santillánbecameanenthusiasticpropagandistinfavorofanalliancebetweentheradicalsyndicalists,theMarxistpoliticalpartiesandthespecificistanarchistgroups,withtheFORA.
***
In1932Santillánpublishedthepamphlet,TheBankruptcyoftheEconomicandPoliticalSystemofCapitalism,from
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whichwetranscribethefollowingparagraphs:
ParaphrasingProudhonandBakuninwesaythatanyauthorityprinciple,inanyform,isincompatiblewiththedignityandlibertyofmananditisnecessarytochoose:eitherthecontinuationofpoliticalauthority,ofnotionsandlawsthatareaboveman,andthustheslavery,indignityanddegradationoftheindividual,orelseliberty,dignity,humanaffirmationandconsequentlythesuppressioninthemindsofthepeopleofallpolitical,divine,economicormoralfantasiesthatareplacedaboveman.
Allpoliticalandeconomicclassregimes,alltyranniesarealwaysbasedonthe
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annihilationofman.
wemustreplacethedominationofmanbytheadministrationofthings;wemustundertaketomakethegovernmentalStatedisappear,thesupremeexpressioninourtimeoftheauthorityofmanoverman,themostpowerfulinstrumentofslaveryofthepeoplesfortheirfleecingbyaprivilegedminority.Aslongasthegovernmentalstateexiststherewillberichandpoor,mastersandslaves,oppressorsandoppressed,andaslongasthisinequalityreignstherecanbenopeace,solidarityoragreementamongmen.
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WithoutthesuppressionoftheStateandgenerallyofeveryprincipleofpoliticallyorganizedandimposedauthority,therewillbeprivilegedanddispossessed,becauseagovernmentcannotbeconceivedexceptastheexpressionofthedefenseoftheprivilegesofaparticularcategoryofmenagainstthedemandsoftheothers.
AsaresultofsomemeasurestakenbytheUriburistapolice,whichpromisedretributionagainstthosewhousedviolentlanguageinordertoappeartoberevolutionaries,SantillánhadtomakehisescapetoMontevideoandhereweseehiminthecafécirclesamongtheexiledpoliticians.
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ThepresidentofUruguay,Terra,declaredhimselftobedictatoranddischargedtheBlancos,Battlistas,andColoradosfromtheirgovernmentposts.SantilláninsinuatedhimselfintothesocialcirclesofthosewhopassedthemselvesoffastheoppositionandinashamefulamalgamofBlancos,Battlistas,socialists,Bolsheviksandanarcho-dictatorialistscreatedtheCommitteeforAgitationAgainsttheDictatorships,attemptingtodragtheFORUontothisconfusedterrain,whichgaveitareasontoopenlydistanceitselffromtheanarchistsofUruguay.
AfterhisbrilliantactivityinMontevideoandafterhisdisplayofalliancistconceptscompletelyatoddswiththe
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ideasheadvocatedinhiswritingshemadehisexit,happyandconfident,fromthisenvironment,inwhichitwasnolongerpossibleforhimtopropagandizesuccessfullyonbehalfofhisnovelcircumstantialtheory.
AshorttimelaterhemadehistriumphantappearanceontheIberianPeninsula.AndyoucanimaginehowamanofsuchintellectualprestigeandsuchabackgroundofexperienceinhisdealingswiththedemocraticpoliticianswouldhavebeengiventhewelcomehedeservedbytheSpanishworkers,givinghimthechancetotesthissociologicaldiscoveries.Theenvironmentshouldhavebeenpropitiousforhim.
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HearrivedinSpainonJuly19,1936.ThemilitaryrevoltledbyFrancohadjustbrokenout.
SantillánmadehisdramaticentryarmedandwithanescortatthepalaceoftheGeneralitat,inordertohaveaninterviewwithPresidentCompanys,asinceredemocrat,andatthismomentheplacedtheofficialsealoftheCNTonthefirstbetrayal.
Ofhisactivities,ofhisflashyideasandhisconductwithregardtothechoicesposedbythecivilwar,wehavealreadyprovidedsomedetailsinthepassagestranscribedinthisbookfromthereportpresentedbycomradeBesnardtotheExtraordinaryCongressoftheIWA,and
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inotherchapters.
AndinTiemposNuevos,amagazinepublishedinBarcelona,inJune1937,Santillán,inthearticleentitled,AnarchistsintheGovernmentorGovernmentalAnarchists?,heardentlybangsonthedrumofhisapostasyinordertoofferusthisdiscordantmusicalscore:
Regardlessofthecorrelationandthedependence;regardlessoftheharmonythatmustalwaysreignbetweenwhatonesaysandwhatonedoes,betweenonesideasandthefactsrecitedintheirsupport,betweendoctrinesandthepracticalconductofthosewhoupholdthosedoctrines,theydonotalwaysgo
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handinhand,together,generalprinciples,whicharetheessence,withthetacticalmeans,whichdependoncircumstancesandareinfluencedbythem.
Principles,theideal,arelikethecompassthatguidesonesstepstowardsthegoal.Theyarethestraightlinetracedinourabstractions.Tacticsaretheapplicationoftheseprinciples,ofthatcourse,tothetwistingandchangingcontingenciesandobstaclesoftheroad.Ifoftenhappensthatitisnotthestraightlinethatleadsusasrapidlyaspossibleandmostsurelytoourgoal;sometimesonegetstherefirstbywayofzigzags.Sometimesitevenhappensthatonegetstherefasterbyretracingonessteps.
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Inallofthiswhatisimportantisnottolosesight,evenwhentheattainmentofouridealbecomeslesslikelyforthetimebeing,ofthetruenorthindicatedbythecompassofourreasonforexistence.ButathousandroadsleadtoRomeandthechoiceofthebestonedependsonamultitudeofcircumstancesandfactorsoftheprecisemomentwhenthechoiceismade.
ThistheoryisafaithfulcopyoftheBolshevikslogan:Anymeansisgood,aslongasitleadstotheend.AndtheendthatisproposedbytheobsequiousservantsofStalinistheState.
ThemostfelicitousaspectofthisSantillanistinconsistencyisthefactthat,
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inordertomakehispompouslitanyseemlessarrogant,heclaimsthattogettoRometotheMinistryoftheEconomyhehadtosetasidecertainscruples,asifhehadnotalreadyabandonedthesescruplesalongtimebefore,withhisadventuresamongthepoliticiansofourlittlepartoftheworld.
***
Butthatisnotall.Theworstisyettocome.
AlmostattheendofthetragedyexperiencedbytheSpanishpeople,Santillánpublishedhisretrospectivebook,TheRevolutionandtheWarinSpain,inwhich,whiledescribingthe
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mostimportanteventsofthecivilwarandalotofquiteignominiousbackroomgoings-on,heaskshimselfwhetherallthebetrayalsofprinciplesthatheendorsedandimplementedwiththeotherleadersoftheCNTwerebeneficialordetrimental,andheconcludeseachchapterwithawhiningcommentaryabouttheinsinceritydemonstratedbythepoliticiansintheantifascistbloc!
AnditisthankstothisbookthatwehavebecomeacquaintedwiththelastdiscoveriesmadebySantillán.Heunderstandsthatthesocialrevolutionisadictatorshiptothedetrimentofothersandforthatreasonhepreferredtoacceptthedictatorshipofthepoliticians.Ofcourse,
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ifheactedasananarchist,hewouldnothavehadthesatisfactionofsittinginasofteasychairattheMinistryoftheEconomy.
Hefurthermorediscoveredthatthepettybourgeoisiemustnotbedeprivedofthatminimumofcomfortandsecurityoflifetowhichtheyhavebecomeaccustomed
asanessentialconditionofanyvictory.
PoorSantillán!Hewastedsomanyyearsofhislifeasapropagandistformethodsofstruggleandideasofabettersocialwayoflifeforhumanityandsuddenlythescalesfellfromhiseyes,andhebeheldthecrudereality:thebeautifulawakening,theheroicdeedsofthe
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Spanishpeople,theiroverwhelmingvictory,alltounderstandthatthesocialrevolutionthathewitnessedwasadictatorshiptothedetrimentofthebourgeoisieandtheauthoritarians.
Thisbringsusbacktotheacrobaticsofarevolutionarypoetwhowasactiveinourcirclesin1906:ÁngelFalco.HavingrevealedthathiscolleagueSantosChocanohadperformedasaclownfortheroyalpalacesofEurope,hededicatedthefamoussonnetFromFightertoCourtiertoChocano.Ashorttimelater,ÁngelFalcoacceptedapositioninthediplomaticcorpsanddidnotwriteanymorerevolutionaryverses.
Santillán,ontheotherhand,inhis
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retrospectiveworkplaguedbysophistry,inconsistenciesanddenialsseemstoclenchhisfistand,strikinghimselfinhischest,likethecatechumens,recitingMeaculpa,meaculpa,meamaximaculpa.1
1.TherefrainoftheconfessionalprayeroftheRomanCatholicMass,Myfault,myfault,mymostgrievousfault,whichissupposedtoberecitedwhilestrikingoneschestwithonesfistthreetimes[TranslatorsNote].
Chapter13:ThetragiceventsofMayinBarcelona
13
ThetragiceventsofMayinBarcelona
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Despitetheappealsforsanity,senseandrectificationoftheirconductthatweredirectedfromeverycorneroftheworldatthecenetistasandfaístas,thelatterremainedunperturbed,implementingtheirnewdoctrinesandoperationalmethodsandexercisinggreatcarenottohurtthefeelingsoftheirantifascistallies.ThetermsocialrevolutionwasexpungedfromtheSpanishvocabulary.Itwasreplacedbythephrasewemustwinthewar,aphrasethatwasveryflatteringtotheMarxistpoliticians,whiletheypubliclydeclaredthattheywerefightingforademocraticrepublic.
Inthemeantime,therewasahand,invisibleonlytothosewhosufferedfrom
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anequallycircumstantialmyopia,thatpulledthestringsoftheplanthatwashatchedbythecentralgovernmentofLargoCaballeroinconnivancewiththediplomacyofthedemocraticnationswhosepurposewastocompletelyeliminatethenowgreatlydiminishedinfluenceoftheanarchistsinCataloniaandAragon.ThesameplanthatwaslatercarriedoutbyNegrín,Prieto,etc.
Onemonthbeforetheeventsthatweshalldescribebelow,theGeneralitathadundergoneagovernmentcrisis,whichwasresolvedbythedemocratCompanysinamostcapriciouswayaccordingtoSouchybecausehewasseekingtoreducethenumberofCNTministers.Sincethese
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CNTministers,however,demonstratedtheircomplacencyandagreatcapacityforpatience,inordernottobreaktheantifascistfront,theyalsoswallowedthisbitterpill(Souchy).
AttheendofApril1937,AntonioMartín,ananarchistmilitantfromPuigcerdá,alongwithseveralofhiscomradesinthatlocality,wereassassinated.
TheCNT,however,madeoverturestowardstheUGTregardingajointcelebrationofMayDaybythetwotradeunioncentrals,butitsunionistproposalsdidnotmeetwithsuccess.
***
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DuringthefirstfewdaysofMay,comradeCamilloBernerialongwithhiscomradeGiovanniBarbieriwasfounddead,who,alreadyinNovember1936,hadengagedinaviolentcritiqueofthedeviationswhoseexistencehehadconfirmed,andsaidthatitwasamatterforregret,thatacertainprocessofBolshevizationwasunderwaywithintheCNTandinthenewspaperGuerradiClasse,duringthesamemonth,hepublishedapropheticarticle,fromwhichweshallreproduceafewparagraphsfullofevidencethatisrelevantforourtimeandforallthosewhoobservethingswiththeeyesofrealityandnotwiththesmoke-tintedlensesofspecialcircumstances.Bernerisaid:
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Therepublicans,thesocialistleadershipandthecommunistsarenowunitedontheconstitutionalistbasis.TheExecutiveCommitteeoftheSpanishCommunistPartydeclaredrecentlythatintodaysstruggle,itcalledforthedefenseofdemocracyandofprivateproperty.ThisisbeginningtosmelllikeNoske.WereMadridnotinflameswewouldbeforcedtothinkofKronstadt.ButthepolicyofMadridwillbevictorious.ItwillnotarmorfinancerevolutionaryCatalonia.
PerhapsthiswasdoneonlyasamessagetotheUSSRthatitshouldsendarmsandcadresforthepurposeofcontrollingtherevolutionarystruggleandstoppingthedevelopmentofthesocialrevolution,
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forcingitintothechannelofthearmedstruggleagainstfascism?Theblackmail:MadridorFranco,thisiswhathasparalyzedSpanishanarchism.TodayBarcelonaisbetweenBurgos,Rome,Berlin,MadridandMoscow.Asiege.
Blackcloudsaregatheringonthehorizon;thehazeblindsus.
Weconcentrateourgazeandholdtherudderinagripofsteel.Weareonthehighseasandthereisastorm.Butweknowhowtoperformmiracles.BetweenthePrussiansandVersailles,theCommunesetalightabeaconthatilluminatedtheentireworld.
BetweenBurgosandMadrid,lies
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Barcelona.
Keepthatinmind,GaudetsofMoscow.1
(C.Berneri)
Bernerihadsignedhisowndeathsentence,whichwastobecarriedoutbythemercenariesworkingundertheordersoftheantifascistfront,ormoreaccurately,theemissariesofStalin.
***
InordertofindoutwhattookplaceduringtheMayDaysandduringthesubsequentperiodinBarcelona,thereisnobetterplacetolookthanthearchivesoftheCNTandtheFAI.Weshallread
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somefragmentsfromthelongreportpublishedintheInformationBulletinoftheCNTandFAI,whichweobtainedfromanissueofSolidaridadofMontevideopublishedduringthecivilwar,alongwithcommentarybytheeditorsofthelatternewspaper,inwhichtheeditorsaccuratelyoutlineanexplanationofthecausesthatledtotheeventsofMay:
WeshalltakefromtheInformationBulletinoftheCNTandFAI,ofBarcelona,thecommuniquédatedMay17,publishedbytheNationalCommitteeoftheCNT,relatinganaccountoftheeventsinCataloniaandtheircauses.Wethinkthisreportisinterestingbecauseit
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istheofficialstatementoftheNationalCommitteeoftheCNT,whichprovidesthecomradeswithevidenceuponthebasisofwhichtheycaninterpretthemeaningoftheeventsandunderstandthemotivesthatguidedthosewhodideverythingintheirpowertoprovokethem.
Wemust,however,emphasizeonceagain,thattheyarethenaturalconsequenceofthatalliancisttendencythatsometimesarisesinourmovement,enticedbytheillusionofnumericalgrowth,withoutunderstandingthatfromthemomentthatwemakeanalliancewithanenemy,wenolongertreathimasanenemy,andconsequentlytheworkers
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whoaremembersofaninstitutionthatwearefightingandwhohavebeguntofeeltheeffectofourpreaching,insteadofabandoningthatinstitutionbecausetheyfeelasenseofbrotherhoodwithourprinciples,onceagainfeelatpeacewiththeirconsciences,becauseouractionhasvalorizedtheenemyinstitutiontowhichtheybelong,andmuchworse,fromthemomentthat,inevitablyandbyvirtueofthisalliance,wenolongersaythatthatinstitutionisbad,theyaretheoneswhowillmakesurethatwearesilent,topreserveUNITY.
ThisismoreorlesswhathashappenedtoourSpanishcomrades,withtheirallianceinanantifascistfront,withtheworse,and
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unjustifiableaggravatingfactoroftheirinterventionintheinstitutionsofthegovernment.
THEREPORTOFTHENATIONALCOMMITTEE:
Esteemedcomrades:theeventsthathavetakenplaceintheCatalonianregionobligeustoprovidetotheorganizationareportontheevents,andmostespecially,concerningthewaythosewhocomposethisNationalCommitteehaveintervenedintheseevents.
OnMondayweheardthenewsthatsomethingserioushadtakenplaceinBarcelona.Wedidnotdecidetointervene,becauseforseveraldays
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abnormalconditionshadprevailedthere,andwewereconvincedthatitwouldnotbeeasytoactinsuchawaythatourinterventionwouldbringtheeventstoahalt.AwareofthefactthattheOrganizationinCataloniawasundergoingastageofexperimentation,whichconsistedinapplyingunderexistingcircumstancesthesamemethodsthatconferlifeandconsistencytotheCNT,withoutthecomradesrecallingthattoday,inaplanofgovernmentinterventionismandobligatorycollaboration,thesemethodsrequireachange,onethatcoincideswiththechangefromoppositiontointervention.Ontheotherhand,thepoliticaladversaryactedinaprovocativemanner,forthe
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obstinatelypursuedpurposeofmakingtheConfederalOrganizationreturntoitsoldstreetfightingways.Theprocesswasalongone,andwecouldhaveintervenedbutwesawthatoureffortswereuseless,sincethediscussionsattheplenumsandmeetingsframedthequestioninanINOPPORTUNEMANNER.
OnTuesday,the4th,thecomradeswhoparticipatedintheValenciaGovernmentweresummonedbythePresidentoftheGovernment,whoinformedthemthatthesituationinBarcelonawasserious,thatdecisiveinterventionwasrequired,inordertobringahalttothecivilwarthathadbrokenoutwithsuchgreatviolence.LargoCaballeroexplainedthatthe
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CouncilorofInternalSecurityofCataloniahadsentarequesttotheMinisterrepresentingtheCentralGovernmentfortheurgentdispatchof1,500assaultguards,aforcethatwasindispensabletosuppressthemovement.TheGovernmentcouldnotdothisbecausethiswouldmeansendingforcestooperateattheserviceofelementsthatmayhavehadsomethingtodowithprovokingtheconflict.Ratherthanagreeingtosendtheassaultguards,heproceededtoinstituteanemergencydraftoftheServicesofPublicOrder,asstipulatedintheConstitution.ItwasnecessaryfortheNationalCommitteesoftheCNTandtheUGTtoimmediatelyproceedtoBarcelonainordertoattempt
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topersuadethefighterstodisarm,withassurancesthat,afterwards,thecausesoftheeventswouldbediscussedandsolutionswouldbesought.TheNationalCommitteemetanddecidedtogotoBarcelonainordertofulfillitsprimarymissionofbringingaboutacease-fire,inordertopreventtheemergencydraftoftheServicesofPublicOrderbytheCentralGovernmentandtocarryoutasmuchdamagecontrolaspossible,tomitigatethedisasterthecivilwarthathadbrokenoutimpliedwithregardtointernationalanddomesticaffairs.
WeappointedcomradesJuanGarcíaOliverandMarianoVázquez,directingthemtoproceedtoBarcelona.Onbehalf
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oftheExecutiveCommitteeoftheUGT,comradesHernándezZancajoandMuńozwereappointed.Thejourneywasmadebyairplane.
TheconstantPROVOCATIONShadledtotheclashesinthestreets.ThelastprovocationwasthedispatchofpublicforcestotheTelephoneBuilding,inordertoseizeitandthusstrikeablowattheUGT-CNTControlCommittee.AtthemostrecentmeetingoftheCounciloftheGeneralitat,everyoneagreedinacknowledgingthatAyguadéhadexceededhisauthorityasthecommanderofthepublicforces.Butnoonewantedtoacceptresponsibilityforreplacingor
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punishingtheresponsibleparties,AyguadéandRodriguezSalas.
AttheGeneralitatameetingwasconvenedthatwasattendedbyrepresentativesofallsectors.Oncethismeetinghadbegun,weimmediatelyproposed,asthefirstissueontheagenda,thebenefitsthatwouldcomefromtherepresentativesoftheorganizationsbroadcastingviaradioanaddresscallingforacease-fire.Itwasnecessarytogaintime,topreventmorevictims.Andforeseeingthatthediscussioncouldbealongone,wecutourpresentationshort,andalsomadeitcleartotheattendeesthatallofuswereunitedandreadytofindasolutiontotheveryserious
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problemposedinthestreets.Ourproposalwasacceptedbytheotherrepresentatives.Themeetingwasadjourned.Wespokeovertheradio.Andwemetonceagain.Afteracomprehensivedebate,weproposedtheformulathataProvisionalCouncilshouldbeconstituted,withfourrepresentatives,towhichnoindividualwhohadparticipatedinpreviousCouncilswouldbeadmitted
.ThisCouncilwouldhaveaprovisionalcharacterandwouldbepresidedoverbyCompanys.Itsmissionwouldlast10to15days,duringwhichtimetheorganizationswouldengageindiscussionsoftheirpointsofviewand
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elaborateactionprogramsthatwouldobligeeachorganization,inaresponsibleway,tofulfillthetermsoftheiractionprogramsandnottorepeatwhathadbeentheusualcaseuptothattime,i.e.,thefactthatpactsandagreementswereadeadletter.Thisproposalwasalsoaccepted,afterextensivedebate.WedefendedtheviewthatthisCouncilshouldbeconstitutedimmediatelyinordertomakepublicthefactthattheconflicthasbeenresolved,andtoimposetheconditionthateveryoneshouldgohome.TherepresentativesoftheUGTtheCommunistsinCataloniaexpressedtheiroppositiontothisproposal,claimingthatitwasfirstnecessarytoimmediatelyachieveacease-fireinthestreets;itwas
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better,accordingtothem,toallowsometimeforthesituationtonormalize
.Weexhaustedalltheargumentsindefenseofourposition.Wethoughtitwasnecessarytogaintime,inordertopreventtheGovernmentfrombeingobligedtodrafttheServicesofPublicOrder.Buttherewasnowaytomakethemunderstand.TheEzquerraandtheRabassaires,althoughtheydidnotparticipateinthedebate,supportedtheCommuinistposition.Finally,attwointhemorning,themeetingconcludedwiththedecisiontomakeanotherspeechontheradio,emphasizingthefactthatwehadtomakeourselvesunderstoodandthatitwasnecessarytobringabouta
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totalceasefire,andtonormalizethesituation.ThenextmorningCompanysannouncedtheconstitutionofthenewCounciloftheGeneralitat,aprovisionalCouncilforpacification.Attheendofthemeeting,wenotifiedtheGovernmentthatthingsweregoingwell.TheGovernmenthadbeenmeetinginpermanentsession,addressingtheproblemofCataloniaanddebatingwhetherornottoissueaDecreetodrafttheServicesofPublicOrder.ComradeFedericaMontsenyledtheoppositionforfourhoursagainsttheCommunistsandRepublicanswhoadvocatedthedraftingoftheServicesofPublicOrderandDefense.Thiswasaheateddebate;whenitcameupforavote,welost,thedraftwasorderedwith
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thestipulationthattheGovernmentwouldwaituntilthelastpossiblemomenttodispatchthetroops.TheCouncilremainedinsessionuntiltwointhemorningwhenwewereinformedthatthesituationwasreturningtonormal.
InBarcelona,earlyinthemorning,weobservedthatthesituationhadgottenworse.Ourfirstradioaddresshadanimpact.Butinafewhoursthefightingresumed.AndatdawnonWednesday,thesituationinBarcelonapresentedaverygrimpanorama.
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WecouldclearlyobservetheconcealedsatisfactionwithwhicheveryonehadwelcomedthedecisionoftheGovernment.ThenewssoonreachedtheGeneralitatthatseveralFrenchandEnglishwarshipshadanchoredintheportofBarcelona.Inspiteofeverythingwewerestilltryingtoputoutthefire.
OnWednesdaynight,inagreementwithallthecomradeswhowereattheGeneralitat,wedecidedtospeakovertheradiotogetherwithVidiellafromtheUGTinordertoissueonelastappealmakingitclearthattheCNTwasreadytoexpelfromitsranksanypersonswhocontinuedtobeararmsinthestreetsafter
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thepassageofonemorehour.
TheFederationofTradeUnions,inagreementwiththeLocalFederationoftheUGT,draftedtheordertoreturntowork.WeagreedthatthedirectorsofthedailynewspapersoftheCNTandtheUGTwouldorderthattheThursdayeditionsoftheirpaperswouldissueanappealforconcord.Thursdaydawnedrelativelypeacefullyonthestreets;peoplebegantogoabouttheirdailybusiness.Thetransportunionissuedtheordertoreturntowork;butsincethetransitlineswerenotoperational,itwasnecessarytodispatchrepairteams.Theseteamsdepartedintraincarsfromtherepairshops,butasthemorning
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progressedtheyhadtoreturntotheirshopsbecausesniperswereshootingatthem.Anytrolleycarthattriedtodepartfromthestationswasshotat.ThemetrohadtosuspendoperationsbecauseatsomeentrancestheCommunistpoliceandpolicefromtheEstatCataláassailedthepassengers.Atthecheckpointsandbarricadesmannedbytheothersectorsthatweremembersofthefrontarrayedagainstus,peopleweredetainedandsearched,andmembershipcardsoftheCNTweretornup.Atsomelocations,largequantitiesofdestroyedConfederalmembershipcardswerefound.Inotherplaces,ourcomradeswereattacked.Ourofficeswereattacked.Ourenemiesseizedstrongpoints,takingadvantageof
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thetrucevoluntarilycompliedwithbyourcomrades,whowereanxioustoputanendtothefratricidalstruggle.Thissituationhadtheresultthatbymid-daythesituationhadgottenworseandthefightinghadonceagainbecomegeneralized.Thatevening,theSecretaryoftheNationalCommitteearrivedattheheadquartersoftheRegionalCommittee,whereameetingwasheld.Wewereimmediatelyinformedthatthesituationhadbecomeworsethanever.Thecomradeswerereadyforanything
.
Regardlessofhowmanyprovocationswereaimedatus,andnomatterwhatwedid,itwasnotpossibleforustocloseour
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eyesanddecidetowagethefinalbattle
.Wecouldnotforgetthataglanceatthefactsprovedbeyondashadowofadoubtthatwewouldthusbeplayingtheenemysgame.Theywantedustosurgeintothestreets,theywantedresponsibilityforPublicOrdertopassintothehandsoftheGovernment,convincedthatthelatter,intheinterestofprosecutingthewar,andofdomesticandinternationalnecessities,wouldhavetocrushthemovement.Inthisway,theCentralGovernmentwouldfightagainstusandafterwardstheywouldappear,oncetheCNThadbeeneliminatedandifforeigninterventiondidnottakeplacefirst,washingtheirhandsandmastersofthesituationinCatalonia,
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sincenoonewouldbeabletosaythattheywereresponsiblefortherepression
.Weunderstandperfectlywellthetragedyofthecomradeswhofelttheyhadbeendrivenintoacornerandprovoked.Thefactisthattheycontemplatedthedownfalloftheirfriendsandcomrades.ButABOVEALLELSEthereistheneedtopreventtheresoundingcollapseofeverythingthattheSpanishproletariathadachievedsinceJuly19,handingvictorytoFrancoonaplatter,ontheonehand,andplayingtheenemysgameontheother
.
TheNationalCommitteeimmediately
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departed,togetherwithaCommission,fortheGeneralitat,inordertocontacttheGovernmentbytelephone.UponspeakingwiththeMinister,weexplainedasclearlyaspossiblejusthowseriousthesituationwas.WedenouncedtheattitudeofthecommandersoftheServiceofPublicOrder.WepointedoutthatRodriguezSalaswasstillthechiefoftheCommissariatofPublicOrder,whichjustifiedtheprovocationsofthepublicforces,sincetheywerestillunderhiscommand.WeclearlysuggestedthattheproblemofBarcelonawasnotaproblemtoberesolvedwithpublicforce,butwithtact.Inordertoputanendtothefighting,theestablishmentofatrucewasindispensable.Threehourswouldbe
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enough.Itwasofurgentimportancethatduringthisperiodoftimethepublicforcesmustnotinterveneatall;thattheymustnotconductsearches;thattheymustnotarrestanyone;thattheymustdoabsolutelynothing.Thenthosewhoarearmedcanabandonthebarricades,thebuildingstheyseizedandanyotherplacestheyhaveoccupied.Galarzaacceptedoursuggestion.ItwasagreedthatfromsixtonineinthemorningonThursdaythepublicforceswouldnotinterferewithanyone.Andthatasofthatmomentfinalorderswouldbeissuedforacease-fire.Asforthecommanders,weweretoldthatthenextdaythenewofficerswouldarrivebyairplanewithwrittenordersthatwouldbeissued
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sothatwewouldbeassuredthattheywereengaginginaplanofpacificationratherthanrepression.AsfortheCommissariatofPublicOrder,itwasorderedthatRodríguezSalasshouldbeIMMEDIATELYdischarged.Itwasnecessary,accordingtoGalarza,thatthepublicforcesthatwerecomingfromValenciamustbeallowedtopassunhinderedtoBarcelona.TheirpresenceinBarcelonawasessential,sincetheguardsthatwereondutywereapartisan,biasedforce,andrepresentedadangerforpacification.UndertheseconditionswecametoanagreementwiththeMinisteroftheGovernment.Butwespecified,becauseitwasofsuchimportance,thatthepublicforcesshouldnotenter
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Barcelonauntilafternineinthemorning,inordertoavoidincidents.Galarzaacceptedthisideaandpromisedtoseetoitthatitwasobserved.
WeinformedtheCatalonianorganizationoftheconclusionswehadreached,orderingthecomradestobepreparedtowithdrawfromtheirpositionsatsixinthemorning.
TheLocalFederationofTradeUnions,togetherwiththeLocalCommitteeoftheUGT,draftedanothernoticeorderingareturntowork.Furthermore,wespokewithArrando,inordertoironoutthedetailsconcerningtheordersissuedbytheMinisteroftheGovernment.Atthesametimewesuggested,andArrando
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concurred,thatthecontrolpatrols,apublicforcethathadbeenplacedundertheordersoftheDelegateofPublicOrder,andwhichhadnotbeeninvolvedintheevents,shouldleavetheirbarracksatsixinthemorninginordertopatrolthestreetsofBarcelona,inordertopreventanyincidents.
Thiswasahardblowtotheircalculations.Thewholeplancollapsed,attheverymomentwereachedanagreementwiththecentralgovernment.
Thatmorning,thecomrades,havingreadtheorders,immediatelywithdrewtotheirhomes.Longbeforetheexpirationofthethreehourtruce,noneofourcomradesremainedarmedatbarricades.However,
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theothercontendingpartiestookadvantageofeveryopportunitytocarryoutprovocations.Insomecasesitwasdifficulttocontaintheoutrageofthecomradeswhowerethetargetsofmachinegunfire,despitetheordersthatwereissued.Thisconstitutedyetmoreevidencethatourenemiesdidnotwantatruce.Theysoughttocontinuethefightingatanyprice.Thatwastheirpremeditatedplan.Buttheyfailedbecausegoodsensewasinculcatedintoourcomradesandtheydidnotrespondtotheprovocations.InthiswayaseriousproblemwasliquidatedinBarcelona.
Intheoutlyingtowns,thecomradesallowedtheforcescomingfromValencia
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tohavefreepassage;insomeplaces,however,ourenemies,alwaysactingaccordingtotheirplanofprovocationandrevenge,tookadvantageofthewithdrawalofourarmedcomradesassoonastheproblemofBarcelonawasresolved.Inotherplacestheyengagedinrepression.ThiswasduetothefactthatthecommandersofthepublicforcesactedinthetownsundertheordersofthePartythathadbroughtthewartoBarcelona,againsttheCNT.Noprovocationswereenoughtoovercomethesenseofresponsibilityandthegoodsensethatourmovementexhibited.
Thisisthesituation.Nowallthatis
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necessaryisfortheOrganizationtoengageinprofoundreflectiononwhathastakenplace.Itisonemoreexperiencethatclearlyindicatesthatgoodwillisnotenough.Itspecifiestheneedforustoneversituateourselvesontheplaneofplayingourenemysgame.Thepoliticalsituationisincreasinglymorecomplex.Onlyacarefulanalysis,carriedoutbythoseofuswhoknowthecomplicationsandhiddencharacteristicsofthesesituations,canhelpguideusbytheroadthatisintheinterestofthemovement,toprogressandvictoryinthewar.Aboveall,sothatwemustneverproceedunconsciouslytotheplacethatwewanttoreach,aplacethatwehavetoreachandwhichistoourbenefit.
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Werestrainedourimpulses.Andnowwecanattendtowhatreallymatters.
Andnowtheyareallactinglikeidiots;thepartieshavelosttheirsenseofdirection,especiallythecommunistparty,amidsttheoverwhelmingfailureoftheirmaneuver.Weshallorienttheoffensiveontheplaneofgoodsenseandanorderlyexplanationofthefacts,abandoninganaggressivetoneandlettingthemallshoutandcryasmuchastheywant.Givethemenoughrope.Andthelibertarianmovementwillclearthewaywithitsabilityandgreatsenseofobjectivereality.
***
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Withcarefullychosenwordsandwithoutanykindofprecautions,thisreportoftheNationalCommitteeoftheCNTexpressesasclearlyaspossiblethemostabsolutenegationofitsanarchistrootsandthesuicidalproposalsofsurrenderthatthegovernmentalcenetistasandfaístascherishedandcontinuedtoimplementinacowardlyandincompetentmanner,goingsofarasnotonlytodisavowthearmedresistanceoftheanarchistcomrades,whichwassobravelydisplayedonthebarricadesbuiltonthestreetsofBarcelona,buteven,availingthemselvesoftheunjustifiedprestigeandinfluencetheyhadamongourcomrades,undertookbymeansofunderhandedmaneuvers,tocausethemto
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desistfromtheirdignifiedattitudeandsurrenderthemselvestothemercyoftheauthoritarianblocthat,withitsoutrageshadprovokedtheindignationoftheanarchistsandthepeopleofBarcelona.
thecomradeswerereadyforanything
.Regardlessofhowmanyprovocationswereaimedatus,andnomatterwhatwedid,itwasnotpossibleforustocloseoureyesanddecidetowagethefinalbattle
.Werestrainedourimpulses.Andnowwecanattendtowhatreallymatters.Thisiswhattheministerialistshavethenervetosay.Thebarricadesmustbetorndown
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.Onestoneforeachcitizen,anddownwiththebarricades,whicharememorialstoatragictime,memoriesthatmustdisappear,thatitisnecessaryforthemtodisappearasasacrificetotheunityandfraternitythatwehavetopreserve,arminarm
.ThatiswhattheybroadcastoverRadioCNT-FAI.
Andinthisway,withspeechesontheradioandleafletssaturatedwithwordsofthesamekind,onceagain,theredemptiveimpulsesandthejustindignationoftheanarchistsandasensiblepartoftheSpanishpeopleweresuppressed,who,reactingmostenergeticallyagainstthedeceptionby
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whichtheyhadbeenvictimizedbythecenetistasandfaístas,andseekingtopreventtheirowncomradesfrombeingmurderedandwantingtoresisttheauthoritarianarroganceofallthepoliticians,hadpouredintothestreetstorisktheirlivesforfreedom.Andevenmoreimportantly:ifitwerepossibleforustodevotemorespacetorecountingotherunfortunateanddisagreeableepisodesthatoccurredduringthisshortperiod,wecouldfullyexposethetreasonouscancerthathadunderminedthemorale,thecourageandthegoodnessoftheSpanishpeople.Andifyouhavetheopportunitytoreadthepamphletbythefence-sitterA.Souchy,TheTragicWeekinMay:TheMayDays,Barcelona,
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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
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[TranslatorsNote].
Chapter14:Theopportunismoftheadmirers
14
Theopportunismoftheadmirers
Internationalopportunismwasneverofferedsuchidealopportunitiesamidstthethickundergrowthoflabelsanarcho-dictators,faquistas,syndicalists,aliancistas,antifascistsandotherismsthanthosethatwereafforded,bythehandful,tothemenwhoheldpositionsofresponsibilityintheCNTandtheFAI.
Andnotonlydidtheyprovideevidence
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oftheirobsequiousnesswiththeexampleoftheiractivitiesduringtheentireperiodofthecivilwarinSpain,but,withstubbornnessworthyofabettercause,initiatedaradio,journalisticandtelegraphicoffensivewiththesuicidalgoalofspreadingthecontagionoftheircircumstantialoperationalstrategiesandconceptstothoseenvironmentsoftheinternationalworkersmovementthatwereyetuncontaminatedbytheconfusionistvirusandpromisingtheirsolidarityandassociationforthosewhoarealwaysreadytoimitatetheircapriciousnesswithwordsoragestures.
Letustakealookatsomeoftheconceptstheytransmitted,thefruitoftheir
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circumstantialoffensive:
Wemustachieve,regardlessofthecost,unityofopinioninantifasciststruggles,andthecoordinationofallefforts.Wemustachievethesegoals,circumventing,ifnecessary,anynumberofblind,obstinate,unconsciousorcriminalelements,whoareopposedtothesegoalsandplaceobstaclesinourpath,wearetoldbyFedericaMontseny.
Theformerenemiesofthefatherlandhavenowbecomeitsdefenders
.Weacceptmilitarizationandwithitwesetaside,wedemotetoasecondarymatter,ourstruggleagainstmilitarydiscipline.Wehaverecognizedthe
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authorityoftheState,temporarilysuspendingouroldstruggleagainstallstateinstitutions.Wehaveparticipatedinthegovernmentandwearecollaboratingwithit,inthetasksrelatedtowinningthewaragainstfascism,writesA.Souchy.
Wearegettingclosertoreality.Andwearemovingawayalittle,althoughonlyalittle,fromthevenerablebeards
.Theyhavealreadyfulfilledtheirmission.Wenowhavetofulfillours.Andiftheyweretoreturn,theywouldaccuseusofincompetence,sectarianism,stupidity,ifweweretohaveremainedrigidlystuckinthepast,regardlessofhowmuchcircumstanceshavechanged,proclaimed,inhiscapacityasSecretary
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GeneraloftheCNT,MarianoR.Vázquez.
TheCNTdidnotwanttobecomeseparatedfromreality.Withoutrenouncingitsfinalgoals,itadapteditstacticstothedemandsofthetime,ManuelVillartellsus.
Forthefirsttimeinthehistoryofthesocialmovement,we,theanarchists,havejoinedagovernmentwithalltheresponsibilitiesinherenttothatfunction.Butthisisnotbecausewehaveforgottenourfundamentalpostulates,DiegoAbaddeSantillánexpostulated.
Therefore,welcometothecenetistaministers!,LuisHerediatoldthem,inthe
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journalLaProtestaofChile.Ourfatherland,thefatherlandofalltheworkers,isthepatrimonythatweholdinourhandstoday.Thefatherlandisindanger,theMinisterofJustice,JuanGarcíaOliversaidinoneofhispublicaddresses.Fortunately,theactionoftheSpanishanarchistshashadaprofoundinfluenceonthepeopleofthiscountry
.ThefactthatLargoCaballerohasadoptedarevolutionarypositionbyacknowledgingthedesiresofthevastmultitudes,whoaretiredof,anddisappointedwith,parliamentarism,andwithbourgeoislegality,signifiesoneofthegreatestvictoriesforthepositionoftheCNTandtheFAI,asoneofthe
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faquistasofArgentinaputitinAcciónLibertaria.
Theanarchistshavechangednothing,absolutelynothing;neitherwithregardtotheorynorwithregardtopractice
.TheCNTjoinedthegovernmentunderthecompulsionofaspecialsituationandcircumstancescreatedbyarevolutionthatwasnotentirelyinitshands
.,statedtheUruguayanopportunistsviatheirorgan,thejournalEsfuerzo.
Anarchismnottheoldmasters,butcontemporaryanarchismlacksahistoricalvisionandcultivatesanabstractideologythatmustalwaysbesterile.Thesolemn
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declamationofeternalprincipleswhichcannotbealteredatall,doesnotmaketheworldchange
.Wehavetostudythepossibilityofescaping,inmanycountries,sectarianisolation
.,H.Rudigerblurtedout.
IhavebothfaithandhopeintheCNTandtheFAIandtheirmilitantswhenIsaythatoncethewarisover,Spain,despitethefactthattheconfederalorganizationintervenedintheofficialmanagementofthegovernment,inordertosavethecountryfromtheinvasionofworldfascism,willcontinuetobethecradleofanarchismand
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anarchosyndicalism,saidMascarell.
We,theanarchists,stillhaveourrepresentativesinthisprovisionalgovernment,inordertodiplomaticallyrepresentoutsideofSpaintherightofself-defense,ofindependenceandfreedom
.,arguesCulturaProletariaofNewYork.
***
Manyothermessagesandproclamationsofthesameorsimilarkindwerescatteredtothefourwindsandtheopportunistsapplaudedloudly.Andthatwasnotall.
Theincompetentandtreasonousactivity
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ofthecenetistasandfaístasinthevariousbureaucraticpositionsintheSpanishgovernmentcausedthemtogrowup;theirentireinnovative,capricious,confusionistandwhimsicalpastwasofficiallyvindicated.Theycangoonwiththeirhobnobbingandassociating,moreopenly,incorporatingvaluablerevolutionarytactics,evenwithoutthepresenceofthespecialcircumstance,withalltherightwingorleftwingpoliticians.InSpain,withrepublicans,socialists,communists.InArgentina,withtheradicals,conservatives,etc.Andhere,inUruguay,withbattlistas,blancos,frugonianosandBolsheviks.Withallthosewhowillspeakofdemocracy.Toextendtheantifascistfrontacrossevery
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ocean.
Thisexplainstheunanimityoftheapplause,indefenseandjustification,thatarosefromtheopportunistranks,forthecenetistasandthefaístas.Thiswasthevoiceoftheirconsciousnessthatbrokeoutinjoyfulcelebrationuponconfirmingthatonemoreismcanbeaddedtolonglistofisms:anarcho-governmentalism.
Itwastherealizationoftheirpropheticideas.Thecrackingoftheoldprinciplisteggshell,whichopenedupnewhorizonsfortheoverwhelmingunionistunrest.
Withthereinforcementofsuchvariegatedandplentifulcircumstantialconceptions,opportunismwas
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rejuvenatedinbodyandsoultoattempttocarryoutnewincursionsintothecampoftheworkingclass,inthemeantimehopingtoreincorporatethosewhohadgonetoSpainandtoprovethegoodnessandtheefficacyoftheirtacticsandtheirideologicalinterpretations.
Fortunately,aftersomeinitialoutbreaksofconfusion,theworkingclassandanarchistmilieushavewitnessedarapidandsalutaryreactionwhichhasmadeitverydifficultforthenewtacticsandnewoperationalmethodstransmittedfromtheIberianPeninsulatoprosper,afterthesetbacktheyexperienced.
Chapter15:CNTpressureontheIWA
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15
CNTpressureontheIWA
ItisundeniablethattheSecretariatoftheInternationalWorkingmensAssociation,theinstitutiontowhichtheFORUandtheFORAbelong,underwentsomeanxiousanddifficultmomentsasitattemptedtodefendtheideologicalorientationandthepracticesofstruggleapprovedattheIWAsfoundingcongress.
Intheinterestsoffairness,wemustdeclarethatcomradePierreBesnard,whowastheSecretaryoftheIWAsincetheperiodbeforethewaruntilquiterecently,triedtomaintainalineofconductthataccordswiththeIWAsdeclarationof
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principlesandtirelesslyfoughttopreventanydeviationsfromarisingandtoattempttoconvincethecenetistastorectifytheirtreasonousgovernmentalpolicies.
Thisstatement,whichactuallyrepresentsasincereeulogyfortheworkofcomradeBesnardinthatemergency,doesnotmeanthatweagreewithhiswayofthinkingwithrespecttotheworkersmovement,sinceweacceptneitherthetermanarchosyndicalismnorthefinalgoalthatheattributestothetradeunions.
ItwouldbeofinteresttotheworkerstobecomefullyacquaintedwiththeterriblydifficulttaskoftheSecretariatoftheIWA,butsincethiswouldmeanmaking
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thistextevenlongerthanitalreadyis,weshalllimitourselvestodescribinginwhatmaybereferredtoasasummaryformsomeofhisinterventionswithregardtotheSpanishCNT.
***
MostofthequotationsinthissectionaretakenfromthereportpresentedbycomradeBesnardattheExtraordinaryCongressoftheIWAheldinParisinDecember1937.
InhisfirstvisittoSpainhewasabletoobservetheanimosityandthemaliciousintentionsexhibitedbythecentralgovernmentofLargoCaballerotowardsthecenetistamilitiacolumns,goingsofar
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astodenythemweaponsforthedefenseoftheAragonfront,whichtheywereresponsiblefordefending.TheSecretariatinformedtheresponsibleofficialsoftheCNTandtheFAIofthisseriousanomalyandencouragedthemtoattempttoobtainthenecessaryarms.ThiswaswhytheCNTandtheFAIbegannegotiationswithanarmsdealer,butthedealfellthroughandBesnardsaid:
Therefore,Spaindidnotreceivethearmsitimmediatelyneeded,andRussiasuppliedtotheMadridgovernment,forcash,armsofadebatablequality,andonlyalittleatatime,withthepromisethattheywouldnotbedistributedtotheCNTcolumnsandthatthecommunist
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partywouldbeabletocarryoutitsactivitiesandexpandinparticularlyfavorableconditions.InotedhowRussianinfluencewasgainingground.GarcíaOliverandSantillán,andespeciallytheformer,onlysaweverythingthroughtheeyesofAntonovOvseenko,theConsulGeneralofRussiainBarcelona
.FacedwithsuchsubmissiontoRussia,theSecretariatoftheIWAcoulddonothingbutreturnwithoutfurtherdiscussionstoParis.
***
Inthemeantime,theCNT,embarkingonthetortuouspathofbetrayals,conveneda
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PlenumofRegionalFederationsonOctober23,1936,andpassedthefollowingresolutions:
1.TheappointmentofaPlenumCommittee,composedoftheLevant,theCenterandCatalonia,toconductaninterviewinBarcelonawiththePresidentoftheRepublic,Azańa,inordertoexplaintohimtheneedtoprecipitateagovernmentcrisissothattheCNTcanjointhegovernmentforthepurposesandundertheconditionsapprovedatthePlenumofRegionalFederationsheldonSeptember15.ThisCommitteemustrequireananswerfromAzańawithin48hours.
2.Shouldtheproposalberejected,we
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shalltakemeasuresofamilitarykindtoensurecommunicationsbetweenMadrid,Levant,Aragon,AndalusiaandCataloniaandtocontrolthepassageofmenandsuppliesfromtheseregionstowardsMadrid.InordertoimplementthisresolutiontheNationalCommitteewillappointaNationalWarCommittee.BymeansofthisCommittee,thefrontsofCatalonia,Aragon,LevantandAndalusiawillbeunified.
3.TheCNTmustproceedtomobilize100,000menfromitsconfederalforces.ThismobilizationwillbecarriedoutinconjunctionwiththeRegionalCommitteesandtheNationalWarCommittee.
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4.Organizejointactionwithallourregionalforcesinordertoachievecontrolovertheeconomyandtocoordinatereserves.
5.ExpeditethenegotiationsthatarecurrentlyunderwaywiththediplomaticrepresentativesofRussia,inordertoachievethemeasuresnecessaryfortheimplementationoftheresolutionsadoptedbyourPlenum.
6.ReviseanypriorresolutionsandintensifythepubliccampaigninfavoroftheresolutionsapprovedatthePlenumofSeptember15.
ThemostimportantresolutionofSeptember15,mentionedinthetext
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quotedabove,readsasfollows:
TheconstitutioninMadridofaNationalDefenseCouncilcomposedofelementsfromallthepoliticalforcesthatarefightingfascism,inthefollowingproportions:fivedelegatesfromtheUGT,fivefromtheCNTandfourrepublicans.PresidencyoftheNationalCouncil:LargoCaballero.TheconstitutionofthisNationalDefenseCouncilproposesthatthecurrentpresidentshouldcontinuetoholdofficeandthatheshouldgoverntherepublicinthesamemannerashehasdoneupuntilthisdate.
Itmustbenotedthat,concerningtherequestmadetothecentralgovernment
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fortheformationoftheNationalDefenseCouncilandtheresolutionsapprovedatthePlenumofOctober23,1936,thatitwasallnothingbutcheappyrotechnics,andthatnoneoftheresolutionswereimplemented,but,despitethefactthatthewonderfuleffectthatwasexpectedfromthesefearsomepositionsdidnotmaterialize,alittlelatertheyenteredthecentralgovernmentanyway,andtheCNTandtheFAIexplainedthisfactinthefollowingterms:
TheNationalPlenumofRegionalFederationsheldinMadridonSeptember28,1936,informedofthenegotiationscarriedoutbytheNationalCommitteeinordertoobtaintheformationofthe
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NationalDefenseCouncil,inviewofthemanyobstaclesencounteredinthesenegotiations,andfacedwiththeimperiousnecessityofdirectlyinterveninginthedirectionofthewar,politicsandtheeconomy,forthepurposeofpreventingthecontinuoussabotagethathasbeendirectedagainstourOrganization,ourcollectivesandourmilitiacolumns,gaveanoverwhelmingvoteofconfidencetotheNationalCommitteesothat,facedwiththeimpossibilityofformingtheNationalDefenseCouncilasresolvedatthePlenumofthispastSeptember15,theparticipationoftheCNTinthegovernmentmaybeobtained.
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ItmustbeemphasizedthatwithregardtothequestionofthemilitiasafewdaysafterJuly19,theCNTandtheFAIcommittedtheirfirstobviousblunder,byjoiningtheCommitteeofAntiFascistMilitias,whichsoondisappearedinordertobereorganizedastheCounciloftheGeneralitat,justifyingtheirparticipationinthefollowingmanner:
Itwasconsideredthat,inordertoavoidtheduplicationofpowersthatwouldbeimpliedbytheexistenceofboththeCommitteeofAntifascistMilitiasandtheGovernmentoftheGeneralitat,theformerwouldhavetodisappearandthattheCounciloftheGeneralitatofCataloniamustbeformed,carryingout
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morepositiveactivities,withouttheimpedimentsofaclashofpowersandinordernullifythepretextofthedemocraciesthattheywillnothelpusbecausetheanarchistsareincontrol.
TheSecretariatcriticizedthisdoubletalkandsaidinhisreportthat:TheSpanishcomradesoftheCNTbecameveryangry,andwouldacceptneitheradvicenorcriticismfromanyone.
AlarmedbythedirectionthatthedreadfulconductoftheCNTwastaking,theSecretariatconvokedaPlenumofthememberorganizationsoftheIWA,whichwasheldfromSeptember15to17,1936.
Theresolutionadoptedatthismeeting,
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withrespecttothedeviationsoftheCNT,wasquitefrivolousandconfused,indicating,atthisstageoftheevents,theinfluenceofthecenetistasintheIWA.
Laterinhisreport,comradeBesnardcontinuedasfollows:
DespitetheassurancedisplayedbytheCNTdelegationandtheconfidencemanifestedbythevoteoftheconciliatoryresolutionadoptedbythePlenum,theSpanishConfederationdidnotmodifyitslineofconductatall.Tothecontrary,itspolicyofconciliationandcollaborationwiththegovernmentbecamealittlemoreaccentuatedwitheachpassingday.Ihadanopportunitytobecomeacquaintedwiththefactthattheretreatfrom
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revolutionarypositionshadbeenconsiderablyaccelerated.DuringthecourseofmyvisittoSpain,whichlasted26days,ItraveledthroughCatalonia,CerdańaandAragon.
EverywhereInotedthattheactionofthemassesontheeconomicandsocialterraintendedtomaintainanddeveloptherevolutionaryconquests,despitetheincreasinglymoredangerousconcessionsmadetothepoliticalpartiesinordertopreserveintactanantifascistfrontthatwasneveranythingbutaruse
whosevictimwastheCNT.ItwasclearthatdespitethefactthattheCNTwasrepresentedinthegovernmentsofValenciaandBarcelona,itwaslosing
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influenceandthishadanimmediateimpactonthepoliticalplane.
Atthattime,theforeigncomradeswerealready,inDecember1936,beingpersecutedandarrested,andOvseenkowasimposinghiscensorship.
InJune1937,anotherPlenumofthememberorganizationsoftheIWAwasheld,whoseessentialresolutionwasthefollowing:
Thattheconductoftherevolutionarywar,aswellastheimplementationofsocialpolicies,aretendingtobecarriedoutwithoutanydirectparticipationoftheCNTaswellaswithoutanyindirectintelligenceinconjunctionwiththe
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governmentsofValenciaandBarcelona,andthatitwillbenecessaryfortheCNTtoabandonallconcessionsofapolitical,economicordoctrinalkindmadetothesegovernmentsthatweremadeinordertopreserveintactanallegedantifascistfrontcomposedofsectorsthatareworkingfortheclassenemytoliquidatethewarandcrushtherevolution.ItisconsideredthattheofficialwithdrawaloftheCNTfromtheantifascistfrontisbecomingmoreandmoreimperative,butthatitshouldnonethelessreservetherighttoacceptorinitiatecircumstantialagreementswithtrulyantifascistelementsofthatfront,whichwantthewartobeendedbyanemancipatoryrevolutionoftheSpanishproletariat,arevolutiondirectedagainst
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fascismandalsoagainsttheso-calledrepublicandemocracy.1
AnotherresolutionoffundamentalimportancewasapprovedatthisPlenum,whichcalledforthecontainmentoftherevolutionaryLeninists,thesameoneswhobroughtusKronstadtandtheUkraine,whobythistimewereflirtingwithelementsoftheCNT.Theresolutionreadsasfollows:
Thattheoppositionoftherevolutionaryproletariatofallcountries,unitedwithintheIWA,toMarxisminallitsforms,shouldbeasfirmasbefore,inviewofthefactthatsocialdemocracy,aswellasthedictatorialBolshevismoftheschoolofStalinorTrotsky,withalltheir
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ramificationsandsubdivisions,whetherthePSUCorthePOUM,areequallyharmfulanddangerousfortherealizationoftherevolution.
***
TheseresolutionswouldexacerbateyetmorethedifferencesanddisputesbetweentheIWAandtheCNT,whichwerefurtheraggravatedwhentheCNTwasinformedoftheresolutionofthePlenumwithrespecttotheInternationalSolidarityFundoftheIWA,whichearmarked80%ofitsproceedsforsupportfortheSpanishRevolutionand20%toassistthecomradesinothercountries.
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TheCNTdidnotacceptthisperspectiveand,nowinopenrebellionandbreakingwiththeorganicrulesandsolidarityagreementsoftheInternational,foundedanotherinstitutionwithgoalsthatappearedtobesimilartothoseoftheInternationalSolidarityFund,butonethatwasindependentoftheIWA,or,whichamountstothesamething,onethatwasnotundertheauthorityoftheinternationalinstitution
.Itwasheterogeneous,sinceitwasrunbyindividualpersonalitiesandspecificcommitteesandinstitutions,someofwhichactedtosabotagetheregionalworkersfederationsthatweremembersofourInternational.Butratherthan
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attempttoexplainthisourselves,itisbettertoletthefollowingletterspeakforitself:
Valencia,July3,1937.
TotheSecretariatoftheIWA,Paris.
Esteemedcomrades:
InresponsetoyourlettersdatedJune15and17,Iamconveyingthefollowingaccordswhich,asyouwillbeabletosee,donotemanatefromthisCommittee,butfromourentireOrganization.DuringthecourseoftheNationalPlenumofRegionalFederationsheldonApril15andthefollowingdays,itwasresolvedthattherewasaneedtocreatean
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institutiontocompetewithInternationalRedAid,whichisnothingbutavehiclenotonlyforfundssubsequentlyutilizedbythecommunistpartyforitsownpropaganda,butalsoamethodofrecruitment,ofproselytismandpropaganda.
Itwasstipulatedthatthisinstitutionshouldnothaveapartisanandclosednature,butthatitwouldhavetohaveasmuchroomformaneuveraspossible,thatitshouldcontainsomeprestigiousnationalandinternationalfigures,itbeingunderstoodthatitmustalwaysbeorientedbythelibertarianmovement.Inshort,thiswasthegenesisofInternationalAntifascistSolidarity(IAS).
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YouwillthereforeunderstandthattheIAScannotbeapartoftheIWA,inordernottocutofftheimmensepossibilitiesforexpansionthatareopentoit.YouwillhavetoadmitthattheCNTisrecognizedinplaceswherenoonehaseverheardoftheIWA.AndthiswillbeevenmoretrueoftheIASsincethelatteris,oratleastwillappeartobe,aninstitutionoutsideofanyworkingclasspartyororganization,displayingthecharacterofanorganizationforantifascistsolidarity.
Asaresult,wemustinformyouthatwecannotaccepttheagreementofthePlenumoftheIWA.Weshallthereforepursue,withtheIASanditsGeneralCommitteebasedinSpain,thecreationof
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sectionsineverycountry,andinordertodothiswewillrelyonindividualcomradesratherthanonorganizations,sincethisistheonlywaytocarryoutaseriousprojectofthiskindandtoachievethesought-afterobjective.NordowedoubtthatitwillalsobeafieldthatisopentoourpropagandaandameansforustocreatecertainfavorablepositionsamongcertainsectorsoftheproletariatthatcouldbeofbenefittotheIWAinitsfurtherdevelopment.
ItisveryimportanttopointoutthattheIASwillhavethedutyofassistingtherefugeecomradesandothers;thisisthepurposeoftheIASandsolidarityofthiskindrequiressubstantialfunds.Thisis
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whyweconsiderthattheIWAshouldnotundermineourdecisionbutquitethecontrary:theIWAhastheobligationtorequestthatitsmemberfederationssupporttheprogressoftheIASontheonehandandalsoassistinitscreation.
Thisis,inourview,whatmustbedone.Beyondallofthis,whentheIWAneedsfunds,itwillhavetocometous,anddependingonitspossibilitiesweshallcontributethenecessaryfunds.
Tosummarize:itisessentialthatthefundsinthecontroloftheSecretariatoftheIWAthatareearmarkedfortheCNTandtheFAIshouldbesenttoourcomradeNemesioGalve,ourdelegateinParis.Thatisallfornow.
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Withfraternalgreetings,OnbehalfoftheNationalCommitteeoftheCNT,
MARIANOVÁZQUEZ,secretary.
***
TheIAScentralcommitteewaslegallyregistered,anditsstatuteswereapprovedandsignedbythegovernorofValencia.AsforhowthisinstitutionoperatedinSpain,andstilldoesinothercountries,wecanofferfewcomments.WeshallonlysaythattheUruguayanSection,actingstrictlyinaccordancewithArticle2ofitsstatutesInthepursuitoftheaforementionedobjectives,theIASwillcarryoutitsactivityonthepurestterrain
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ofhumansolidarity,renouncingallpoliticalandreligiousinterferencepossessed,inJune1938,aGeneralCouncilcomposedofconceitedintellectualswhowereactiveintheblancoandcoloradoparties,varioussocialistsandanassortmentofmanyotherelementsofvariableorcolorlessaffiliations.
Furthermore,afewmonthsagoafundraiserorganizedbytheIAS-UruguayanSectionwasheldinMontevideo,andwecouldobserve,asifitwastheresultofsomekindofoversight,thatinthevicinityofthebuildingwherethefundraiserwasheldthereweretwolonglinesofparked
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automobiles.Theywerenotproletarianautomobiles.Wewillletthereadersdrawtheirownconclusionsfromthisobservation.
And,totopitalloff,andtodemonstratethearroganceandtherealintentionsoftheCNT,readthefollowingcommuniquéfromtheCNTthatsignalsitscompleteseparationfromtheIWAandexposesitsattempttodivertthefundsearmarkedfortheInternationalinordertoseizethemforitsownpurposes:
Weareadvisingalltheorganizations,committees,socialcenters,culturalsocietiesandindividualsinforeigncountrieswhowanttohelptheanarchosyndicalistmovementthatthey
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mustnotsendanymorefundstotheaddressofA.G.inParis,astheyhavedoneupuntilnow.ThefundssenttothataddressarenotremittedtotheCNT.Werequestthat,untilfurthernotice,yousendfundstothefollowingaddress:N.Galve,30RueSt.Augustine,Paris.(FromtheInformationBulletinoftheCNT,datedAugust13.)
ThisincidentwasfollowedbyacampaignofslanderandintriguedirectedagainsttheSecretariat,andwhenthelatteraskedforanexplanationhewasansweredwithsilence.
WithregardtotheseriousandshamefuleventsofMay1937inBarcelona,Besnardsaid:
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TheeventsinBarcelona,therisetopoweroftheNegríngovernment,theagentofAnglo-French,andconsequentlyRussian,will,entailedaradicalchangeintheattitudetowardstheconfederalmasses,themilitantsoftheCNT-FAIandtheforeigners.ThepredominanceofthecentralpowerinCataloniacausedonetonotetheextremedegreetowhichallsecuritywasabolishedforourcomrades,especiallythosewhohadcomefromothercountriestohelptheSpanishrevolution.ItcouldsoonbeobservedthattheNegríngovernmentwasactingcompletelyundertheordersofthecommunistsandtheirelementsweretakingcontrol,quietlybutsurely,ofall
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theleadingpositionsoftheState:police,army,publicadministration.ThepoliceoftheChekacarriedoutitsinvestigationsofourcomrades,alongsidetheSpanishpolicewhowereonlythereinordertopreserveappearances.Inafewweeks,60militantsoftheCNTdisappeared,2,000werearrestedandhundredsofforeignerswereimprisonedorexpelledfromSpain.
TheexpulsionoftheItaliancomradesfromBarcelonawascarriedoutwiththecollaborationoftheArgentineconsul,whowasresponsibleforthedefenseoftheinterestsofthefascistgovernmentsofRomeandBerlin.ThisconsulhadtheaudacitytorecommendtoItalianandGermanantifasciststhattheyshould
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presentthemselvestohiscolleagues,therepresentativesofHitlerandMussoliniinFrance,sothattheycouldberepatriatedtotheircountriesoforigin.
TomeitseemsimpossibletogoanylowerthantheNegríngovernment.
(Paris,July19,1937.)
ImmediatelyafterwardshesentanotetothememberorganizationsoftheIWA,informingthemoftheseeventsandattachingacopyofaletterfromvariousprisoners,advisingthattheorganizationsrequestthattheCNTshouldresolvethesituation.Theprisonerssaid:
Valencia,January21,1937[sic:this
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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
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interrogatedus.Somehavebeeninterrogatedtwice.
Theyhaveaccusedofbeingspies,ofhavingbeenincontactwiththeGestapoduringtheMayeventsinBarcelona.Thisisabsurdanditisnotsurprisingthattheyneededmonthsinordertofabricatethisabominableaccusation.
IntheConventofSaintUrsulathereare150prisoners,60%ofthemforeigners,mostlyGermans.Thisjailisarealconcentrationcamp.Ifwedonotgethelpfromoutside,wewillbeburiedaliveforaverylongtime.Doeverythingpossibletohelpus.Youhavetothinkofcomingtoseeus,orelsegettingaSpanishcomradetoworkenergeticallyforour
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release.OnJuly29wearegoingtobeginahungerstrike.WeareinterrogatedbySpaniards,buttheCommissarsarealwaysRussiansandGermans
.
Dearcomrades,donotforgetus.Healthtoall.
X.X.
TheSecretariatinformedtheCNTofthecontentsoftheletterfromtheseprisonersandthetextofanurgenttelegramsentbytheRegionalCommitteeofCatalonia,inwhichitisrequestedthatnegotiationsbeundertakentopreventtheGermananarchistsfrombeingdeportedto
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MarseillesbytheNegríngovernmentandhandedovertotheNaziconsuls,sincethelatterpossesseddocumentssuppliedtothembytheArgentineconsulwhowasresponsibleforGermanandItalianaffairsinSpain.
Keepingallthesefactsinmind,thefollowingtwonotesfromtheCNTwillbeofinterest:
NationalConfederationofLabor.
NationalCommittee.Valencia,September22,1937.
TotheSecretariatoftheIWA,Paris.
InresponsetoyournotedatedAugust23
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withreferencetothenegotiationsinconnectionwiththetelegramsentbytheRegionalCommitteeofCataloniaregardingthedeportationsofforeignantifascistcomrades,wearequitesatisfiedwiththenegotiationscarriedoutwithL.J.andtheLeaguefortheRightsofMan.Asforthetwospecificdemandsyoumade,weshallalsoinformyouthattheCNThassinceJuly19,1936lookedaftertheinterestsoftheforeigncomradeswhohavecometoSpainandcontinuestodosowheneverpossible.ButyouwillunderstandthatthisisaproblemthatalsoinvolvesthepoliticalsituationandthatthiscompelsustoconcludethatanymoreorlessefficaciousactionthattheCNTmightbeabletoundertakeindefenseof
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theforeigncomradesdependsonthegreaterorlessereffectivenessoftheCNTsparticipationintheSpanishgovernment.Itisofgreatimportancetorequesttherightofasylumfortheforeigncomrades,butitisalsomuchmoreimportantyouwillunderstandthistoworktoresolvethedomesticproblem,toputanendtotherepressionandtoundertakejoint,solidarity-basedactiontowinthewaranddefendtheconquestsofthepeople.
Theproblemoftheforeignersisveryimportant,butcomparedtothecontinuedprosecutionofthisbloodyandterriblewarthatwearewagingagainstfascismitisaVERYINSIGNIFICANTDETAIL.
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WewillalsotellyouthattheproblemoftheforeignersisverycomplexbecausefascismhasbeenverydiligentandhasitsagentsinSpain.Weshalldraftspecificrequeststoobtainthereleaseoftheforeigncomradeswhoarereallyantifascists,andwhoareworthyoftheconfidenceofthelibertarianmovement,asaresultoftheirlonghistoryofactivityasmilitants.
Asforyoursecondquestion,ouransweristhatweacknowledgethegoodintentionsoftheIWAtohelpdefendusagainstcounterrevolutionaryattacks,butthetruthisthataslongastheIWAisnotproperlyorganized,anduntilitputsanendtoitsinternaldisagreementsand
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resolvestoworkactivelytosupporttheantifascistandrevolutionarywarinSpain,itcanaccomplishlittledespiteitsgoodintentions.ThedecisivesupportthatwedesireandneedfornowtofightagainstthecounterrevolutioninSpain,isthesupportthattheworldproletariatcangiveusbyengagingineffectiveactionagainstthefascistinvader.Ifourwargoeswellthiswillchangeandoursituationwillimprove,andtheattacksandthepredominanceofthecounterrevolutionwillbediminished.Youhavetotakeallofthisintoaccount.
Withrevolutionarygreetings.
M.R.Vázquez,Sec.
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***
NationalConfederationofLabor.
NationalCommittee.Valencia,September22,1937.
TotheSecretariatoftheIWA,Paris.
Respectedcomrade:
WereceiveyourcircularNo.8datedAugust23.WeregretthattheSecretariatoftheIWA,uponreceivingatelegramfromaRegionalFederationofourSectionandnotingitscontent,wouldbrandishitasaredflag,givingthememberSectionsoftheIWAtheimpressionthattheCNTisneglectfulof
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theaffairoftheforeigncomrades.WethinkthattheSecretariatoftheIWA,inaccordancewithfederativenorms,isobligedtorecognizethathecannotattendtoanyreportfromSpainthatdoesnotproceedfromtheNationalCommitteeoftheCNT,asitisthemissionofthelattertomaintainrelationswiththeSecretariatoftheIWA.
Afterexpressingourpositiononthisconduct,weshallproceedtoformulateourprotestagainsttheheedlessdecisiontoorienttheSectionstowardstheformationofCommitteesofAidandAssistancefortheVictimsoftheCounterrevolutioninSpain.ThisgivesustheimpressionthattheSecretariatofthe
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IWAisusinganincidenttounderminethecreationandoperationsofthegroupsofInternationalAntifascistSolidarity,whichwerecreatedbytheSpanishlibertarianmovement.
Wecannotacceptthelastparagraphofyourcircularwhichsays:And,finally,tointervenewiththeCNTinordertocombineyourprotestandyouractivitieswithours.ThisimpliesareproachdirectedagainstthisNationalCommitteethatweenergeticallyreject,becausewehavealwaysattendedtotheforeigncomradeswhohavebeenpersecutedinSpainandbecausewedonotneedtobepressuredtodoourduty.ButalsobecausetheNationalCommitteecannot
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interveneagainsttheoutragesthathavebeeninflictedontheforeigncomradesIFITISNOTINFORMEDofthefacts.TheNationalCommitteehasalwaysdevoteddueattentiontoalltheaffairsofwhichithasbeeninformedandhasaddressedthemdirectly.
WedonotdoubtthatinthefuturetheSecretariatoftheIWAwillconformtothenormsofourmovementandthathewillonlypaydueattentiontotheofficialreportsfromourNationalCommittee.
OnceagainwemustprotestagainstyourcircularandtheinsinuationsthatitcontainsbecausetheyareinsultstotheREVOLUTIONARYVIEWSandsolidarityoftheCNTthatatalltimesis
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vigilantandpaysproperattentiontotheforeigncomradeswhohavecometoSpaintofight.
Withanarchosyndicalistgreetings.
FortheNationalCommittee,
MarianoR.Vázquez,secretary.
WemustnotifythereaderthatwehavetranscribedsomephrasesfromthesenotesinALLCAPITALLETTERS,becausetheyrevealthepassionateconcernoftheCNTtoonceagainoccupytheministerialpoststhatitlostandtheminorimportanceitconcedestothemiserablesituationofthosewhoarepersecutedbythecommunistreaction,
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presidedoverbythefigurehead,Negrín.
***
InviewoftheseriousproblemtheIWAfacedbecauseofitsintentiontohelptheanarchistswhofledfromthebloodyrepressionthatwasunleashedinBarcelonaaftertheMayevents,andthoseanarchistswhoweredeportedbytheNegríngovernment,viaPerpignan,toMarseilles,theSecretariattakingaccountofthefactthattherepresentativesoftheCNTinParishadrenegedontheircommitmenttohelpthewoundedmilitiamenandthefamiliesofthecombatants,despitehavingreceived1,400,000francsfromtheIWAtreasurerlogicallyappealedtothe
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memberorganizationsoftheIWAtosendmoremoneyandatthesametimehealsosuggestedthattheyshouldorganizeCommitteesforAidandAssistancetotheVictimsoftheSpanishCounterrevolutionintheirrespectiveregions.
WeknowthattheIWAaffiliatesinArgentinaandUruguayformedsuchaCommittee.Here,inMontevideo,theFORUpublicizedtheformationofthisCommitteewithanoticeinSolidaridad,butdidnottakeitsguestintoconsideration.ThecenetistaplenipotentiaryinUruguaytheCNThadtheminmanycountriesattemptedtodiscredittheCommitteebyclaimingthatitwasnotauthorizedbytheCNT,and
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alsoexpressedcontemptuousandoffensiveviewswithregardtotheanarchistswhowerepersecuted,imprisonedorshotbyNegrínsthugs.Wecannotstatewithcertaintywhetherornothehadreceivedofficialreportstothateffect,butitisalmostcertainthathismannerofspeakingaboutthisissuewasbasedonhispersonalimpressionsfromlifeintherearguard,sincehehadlivedforafewmonthsinSpain,asamemberofseveraldelegations.
Toconcludethischapter,wewillsaythatthecenetistas,notsatisfiedwiththeirclearlydemonstratedbetrayalsandbackroommachinations,dedicatedthemselvestopreparingtheinternational
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workingclasstoobtainitssupportforaMotiontobeproposedattheOrdinaryCongressoftheIWAthatwouldmodifytheprinciplesandpracticesofthatinstitution,adaptingthemtothepracticalmodalitiesandconceptsadvocatedbytheministerialistsoftheCNTandtheFAI.
AtthisCongress,heldinNovember1938withoutthepresenceofthedelegationsoftheFORAandtheFORU,duetoinsurmountableobstaclesthecircumstantialtheoryofthecenetistas,whichhadalreadybeenelaboratedpriortotheCongress,wasoverwhelminglyapproved.
InthejournaloftheIWA,No.6,acenetistanowdeceasedsaid:
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wehavetooperateineverycountry,inaccordancewiththecircumstances,psychology,possibilitiesandcharacteristics.Inthedeclarationofprinciples,wecannotcontinuetoupholdthethesisofrabidapoliticism.Wedonothavetoincludesupportforpoliticsinourdeclaration.Butwemustnotcloseandsealoffthedoor,andexcommunicateanySectionthatinparticularcircumstancesworkspolitically,withtheclearunderstandingthatpoliticsmeansforuscollaborationwithothersectorsinthepolitical-social-economicleadershipofacountry.
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Unfortunately,inthemodificationsintroducedintheDeclarationofPrinciplesoftheIWA,wemustpointoutwedonothavethecompletetextatourdisposalthattheyleavethedooropentoworkinginaccordancetothecircumstances,eveninpolitics.Thus,thenewSecretariatoftheIWAsaid,inasomewhatvagueway,inhisreporttothememberorganizations,thatitwasestablishedthat,thegoalandtendencyofanarchosyndicalismremainsfaithfultofederalism,andthat,asaresult,theIWAconcedestoitsSectionsthegreatestpossiblefreedomofactioninthestruggleforthefinalgoal.
Theanxiousmomentsnowbeing
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experiencedbytheworldproletariatdonotallowonetoexpectthattheIWAcancontinuetodevelopinanormalway.Itisthereforetobehopedthatwhencircumstancesallowtheexchangeofopinions,theFORAandtheFORUmustattackthesecollaborationistreformsandwillworktoseetoitthattheseinnovationsarenotincludedintheDeclarationofPrinciples,butratherthattheanarchistconceptthatisproudlyupheldbybothorganizationsisreaffirmed.
1.ThereadermaywishtoconsultasubstantiallydifferenttranslationofthisresolutionthatmaybefoundinJoséPeirats,TheCNTintheSpanish
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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].
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Chapter16:Fascismandantifascism
16
Fascismandantifascism
Giventhejargonthathasinfectedsomepoliticalandworkingclasssectors,entirelycontrarytotheviewsoftheFORistmovementinArgentinaandUruguay,andinviewofthepersistentuseoftheword,antifascistbytheSpanishandinternationalministerialists,webelievethatitisnecessarytoofferafewreflectionsonwhatweunderstandbytheterm,fascism,andbyitsnegationby
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itsseemingantithesis,antifascism.
Fascism,ormoreprecisely,itsessence,isnothingnewinthehistoryofthepeoples.Itisthemaximum,themostrefined,cruelandbrutalmanifestationoftheauthoritariansystem;oppressiveanddomineeringfromtoptobottom.AllthecoercivemeanshavebeenemployedinordertogivetheStatethepowerofdominationthatisnecessary;tofullycentralizebruteforceinthegovernmentalmechanism.Allthemeansofpersuasionhavebeenregimentedinordertosilencethepublicconscienceandslogansarerecitedwithanabsoluteunanimity,moldingthemostdiverseopinionsaccordingtothepoliticalneedsofthe
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State.
ThesameproceduresusedtosilencethevoicesofthehereticsthatwereputintopracticebytheexecutionersattheordersoftheinquisitorsArbuésandTorquemada,adaptedtotheprogressofourcentury,havebeenutilizedbythetotalitarianregimesimposedinItaly,Russia,Germany,andnowinSpain.
ThesayingoftheUruguayanpoliticiantheycallRasputinCalmdownandlive,orrebelanddieisthenormofthewayoflifeimposedonthepeoplessothattheywillsilentlyendurethestatemonstrosity.IamtheState,Igivetheordersandyoumustobeyme,saythedictators,andthepeoplesobey,smiling,withapplauseand
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tranquilityinordertoavoidtheconsequencesoftheangerorthesuspicionofthehenchmenofauthority.
Humanconsciousnessisbecomingmechanized.Speechhasbeenstandardized.Gestures,stereotyped.Peoplefallsilentwhentheyarenotmouthingwordsofconformityandservility.Theinhabitantsoftheworldhavebeenregimented,andtheyknowwhen,whereandhowtoworkorrefrainfromworking,whattothink,etc.;wheretheycangathertogetherandrelatetooneanother.TheStateknowseverythingduetoitslegionsofspiesorinformersandhasitssolutionforeverything.Shootings,thegibbet,decapitations,thedespicable
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garrote,theguillotineandtheelectricchair,arethefinal,quiteconvincingargumentsthatitsdevoteesengageinandthatbecomemorefrequentwitheachpassingday
.
InGermany,theycutoffheads.InRussia,theypurgetheoppositionandthepeople.InItaly,theyprescribecastoroil;thenthegarroteorthefiringsquad.InSpain,atthepresenttime,theyaresettingaratherhighstandard;withoutanytrial,theyshootconvictsattherateofupto800murdered
atatime.
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Andthisonlyreferstothetotalitarianregimes;regardingwhichonecouldsaythatfascismisbecominggeneralized.
***
Nowletustakealookatthedemocracies.InFrancetheyusetheguillotine.IntheUnitedStateshumanbeingsareeliminatedbymeansofelectrocutionorhanging.Intheothercountries,thesameorsimilarproceduresareutilizedforsettinganexample.Tortureisalsoemployedbymeansofrubbertruncheonsorcattleprods,withwhichwearefamiliarinourpartoftheworld.
Insomecountriestherehasbeenan
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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
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oftheCNT-FAI.
Nowthatwehaveexpressedtheseverysimpledeductionsconcerningwhatisoftencalledbecauseofsnobbismafascistregime,weshouldpointoutthatthewordantifascismhasanidenticalorigin,becausethepowersthat,callingthemselvesdemocratic,claimtofightthefascistregimecannotbedifferentiatedfromthelatter,norcanthepoliticalfractionsthatareitsopponents,usingdemagogy,denytheirauthoritarianessence.
***
Whopresentsthemselvestotheworkersasantifascists?
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Thesocialists,whoadore,upholdandadvocatethestatiststructure!InFrance,thesocialistBriandwasinpower,andthearmyandthepoliceathisordersliquidatedtheFrenchrailroadworkersstrike,persecuting,imprisoningandmassacringthestrikingworkers.InGermany,asocialistcabinetpresidedoverbyNoskeorderedthemassacreofthepeopleofBavaria,murdering,inaddition,outstandinganarchistmilitants,amongotherpeople,comradeLandauer.InSpain,beforethemilitaryrevolt,thesocialistsdominatedrepublicancabinets,andCasasViejasisstillfreshinourmemories:Arnedo,theshackofSeisdedoswhereapeasantfamilyofeightwasburnedaliveandthemembers
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oftheCNTandtheFAIandtheSpanishpeoplewerepersecutedandmurdered.
Thecommunists!InRussiawhosemysticalandstoicpeopleknowtherigorsandtheomnipotenceofthedictatorshipimposedbytherulingparty:Leninyesterday,andnowStalintheredarmyattheordersofthegeneralissimoTrotskytodayavoluntaryexilefromthecountryofhisgreatdeedsmercilesslymassacredthesailorsofKronstadt,whichhadbeen,duringtheperiodofCzarism,abeaconoffreedomandrebellion,andwhosegarrisonhadbeenthespearheadoftherevolutionduringthatdisastrousregime.ThebraveMaknovistguerrillaswereexterminated,whohadexpelledthe
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mercenaryarmiesfromtheUkraine.Theanarchistsandopponentsofthedictatorshipwereshotorhiddenawayintheprisonsofinhospitableregions,andmorerecentlytherehavebeenrepeatedpurgesofthemembersoftherulingparty,shootingastraitorsandNazispiessomeoftheintellectualfigureswhowerecomradesofLenin.
TheradicalsofArgentina!WerecallthestrikeinthemetallurgicalplantofVasena,whereviolentclasheswiththeIrigoyenistapolicetookplace,inwhichmanycomradesdied,anepisodethatledtowhatwecalltheWeekofJanuaryandwhichthebourgeoisjournalistJuanJ.deSoizaReillywithoutgoingintothe
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distinctlyproletarianaspect,whichwasanxiousandcrueldescribed,vaguelyreflectingsomescenes,intheseparagraphs:
Ijustcamebackfromansorrowfuljourney.IvisitedsomeofthehomesoftheIsraeliteswheretheyshedtearsofblood.Ihaveseeninnocentoldpeoplebeingdraggedbytheirbeards.Ihaveseenapaleandsmilinglittleoldmanwholifteduphisshirttoshowustwoofhisribs.Theystuckoutofhisskinlikesticks,bleeding
.Ihaveseenhard-workingandhumblelaborerslikealltheJewishworkerswithbothlegsbroken,incasts.Pileduplikefirewoodonthesidewalks.Ihaveseen
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scientificlibrariesburned
.Ihaveseenaheroicwomanwhowasforcedtoeatherownexcrement.Ihaveseenhouseslootedandpocketsemptiedbyrobbers.Ihaveseenpoorlittlegirlsof14and15yearsofagecryingonthestreetcorners.Theycoveredtheirfaceswiththeirhands.Theywereashamed.Theyhadlosttheholytreasureoftheirinnocenceamongtheclawsofthebeasts
.Oneofthemshowedmeherrighthand,cutbyanaxe,becauseItriedtodefendmyselffromthebrute
.Ihaveseen,inaddition
.But,whyreproducethehorrorsthatI
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haveseen,therevulsionthatIfelt?
IfIdipmypenintothisrevulsion,Iwouldwritethischroniclewithrage
.
AndthesorrowfulepisodesofPatagonia,wherethesoldiersunderthecommandofcolonelVarelamadethestrikersdigtheirowngravesbeforeshootingthem?AndthemassacresoftheChaco,thepersecutionsanddeportationsofFORistmilitants?
Thebattlistas,governmentcoloradosandtheblancos!ThestreetsofMontevideoandsomeofthetownsoftheinteriorhavebeendrenchedinthebloodofthe
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workers;thosewhowentonstrikewerebeatenandthejailsswallowedmanyanarchists.
WhydothepoliticalfractionsthatformedthePopularFrontinSpaincallthemselvesantifascists,when,priortoJuly19andduringthecivilwar,theymurderedtheanarchistswhorefusedtoobeytheauthoritarians?
Allofthisisvillainy,arrogance,violenceandcriminality,eveniftheperpetratorscallthemselvessocialists,communists,radicals,blancos,coloradosorantifascists,andtheycannotbyanymeansbedistinguishedfromthewaysofthefascists.ItisalwaystheState.
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Therefore,thealliancemadebytheresponsibleleadersoftheCNTandtheFAIwiththeauthoritarianelementsofSpainisentirelyillogical,andcannotbejustifiedbyanyvalid,convincingargument,anymorethansuchanalliancewiththeMarxistsofourpartoftheworldwouldhave.
***
Arecentpoliticalevent,whichcausedasensationincertainstatistspheresandamongsomesimple-mindedpeoplewillreinforceourargument:theembraceofHitlerandStalin.Theyhavebroughttogether,inonesolidbundle,rabidanti-communismandcynicalanti-nazism.
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Thiseventwillnothavebeensurprisingtosensiblepeople,becausewhiletheyarepoliticalideologiesthatseeminglyrepeleachother,withregardtotheirmethods,theregimesandtheirinterestsareidenticalandcannotremainseparated.
TheembraceofStalinwithHitlermightimpressthosewho,concealingtheirauthoritarianinclinationsandways,hadtakenupasarallyingbannerameaningless,deceitfulandpuerilelabel,butthishasnoimportanceforthosewho,likeusanarchists,donotallowourselvestodifferentiatebetweentheregimesandconsidertheactions,themaneuversandthefalsehoodsofthosewhoruleoverthepeoplestobealogicalconsequenceof
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thecorruptionthatengulfsthecapitalistsystem.Onethingiscertain:anti-nazismandanti-communismsignedamilitarypactandthengorgedthemselvesonthebloodyspoilsofthePolishpeople,sharingout,inaddition,theland,thewealthandtheinhabitantslivingintheframeworkofthebordersthatthemapassignedtoPoland,justaspreviouslythesameorotherStateshaddividedupthelandsofCzechoslovakia,Hungary,Ethiopia,TheTransvaal,India,Morocco,etc.,andarestillassailingthesepeoples.
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Chapter17:UpheavalintheFAI
17
UpheavalintheFAI
ThisacronymstandsfortheIberianAnarchistFederation,aspecificallyanarchistinstitutionofSpain,whichplayedanoutstandingroleintheguerrillaactivitiesthattookplaceinSpain,butanegativeonewithregardtothevalorizationoftheideologicalpostulatesthatcorrespondwithitsname.
Itwasfirstactivein1927,withadefinite
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programaccordingtodeclarationspublishedtojustifyitsexistenceasaspecificallyanarchistorganizationofworkingintheCNTinordertoreinforcetheanarchistorientationthatwasinstilledintheworkerswhoweremembersofthisworkingclasstradeunionconfederationandtowinsupportforthecauseofemancipation.
ItisundeniablethattheworkoftrainingandexpressionofourideasthatwasundertakenbytheFAIwasbeneficialandthatitsmembershadtoenduretheharshpersecutiondirectedatthembytherightandleftwinggovernmentsthatsucceededeachotherinSpain,overthelastfewyears.Butthisacknowledgementdoes
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notpreventusfromexplaining,withallfrankness,ouropinionofoppositiontothecontagiouswayofoperatingthathasappearedoverthelastfewyearsamongtheanarchists,inthattheyorganizeaspecifically[separate]anarchistorganization,becausethisbringsinitswakeadualfocusofactivity,agroundlessprideinappearingtobeguidesandadangerousinnovativetendencyfortheworkersmovementwithananarchistgoal.
InSouthAmericaweareveryfamiliarwiththerestlessspiritsandtheactivitiesofsomesimilarinstitutions:theArgentineLibertarianAlliance,nowrebornastheFACA,inArgentina,and
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theAnarchistFederationofUruguay,inthiscountrynowdefunctinstitutionsthathavebeenabreedinggroundfordeviationsandmorethanonesplitamonganarchistmilitants.InsteadofhelpingtodeveloptheFORistworkingclassfederations,theyhaveimpededtheirnormalfederalistdevelopmentandhavesowedconfusionwithinmanyworkingclassorganizations,facilitatingtheirabsorptionbyMarxistelements.
However,becauseitisnotourpurposetoconductanin-depthanalysisoftheproblemofSpecificism,weshallreturntoourexaminationofthevariousfacetspresentedbytheFAIinitsdisconcertingpilgrimagebetweentheoryandpractice.
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ThecontradictionsaremanyandtheregressionsofsuchamagnitudethattheydeservetobehighlightedinordertoerasefromthefeverishmindsofthepanegyristsoftheFAIthefollowingdefinitionofwhatthesethreelettersmean:asunthatshinesonthosewhosufferpersecutionandaforcethatencouragesthosewhohungerforjustice;atorchforthepariahsandapromisefortheoppressed,astheBarcelonajournalTierrayLibertadproclaimed.
***
Whentheghastlybirdsofillomen,ofpillageanddestruction,nourishedbySpanishmilitarism,theclergyandcapitalism,begantocircleoverthesoilof
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Spain,theFAIfeltspurredonforthelasttimebythespiritofitsideologicalpatrimonytohammeritsalert,filledwithredemptiveconcepts,intotheconsciousnessoftheSpanishpeople,urgingthemtofightindefenseoftheirrights,underassaultbystatistarrogance,andoftheirfreedomthatwasunderthreatfromthereactionaries.
HereistheresolutionapprovedattheFAIPlenumofRegionalFederations,heldonFebruary1,1936:
ConsideringtheextremegravityofthecurrentconjunctureinSpain,dueasmuchtoeconomicdifficultiesanddomesticpolicies,astotheinfluenceandimpactoftheinternationalsituation,and
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havinglearnedfromtheexperienceofothercountriesandfromtheverylogicoftheeventsandissues;
Consideringthat,becauseofthesizeoftherevolutionaryproletariatinSpain,thelatterhasmoreresponsibilitythaninothercountrieswithregardtoconfrontinganyreactionaryattempts;
Thatthephenomenonoffascism,embodiedinthetotalitarianState,isasystemofreaction,ofwhichthestreetviolenceandthebestialattacksofthereactionariesconstitutemerelyoneaspectofavastcomplexofideasandliberticidalaspirations,whicharemanifestedintheabsolutesuppressionofallrightsofcriticismandallhumandignityand
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whichtend,furthermore,topersistbyrecruitmentfromtheverybeginning.Thatthefascistreactionisthedirectresultofthebankruptcyoftheeconomicsystemofcapitalism,thatitcanberesistedonlyontheterrainofthesuppressionofcapitalismandintheestablishmentofaregimeoflifethatwillrenderimpossiblethemonstrouscontradictionsoftheeconomy,ofprivilegeandofmonopoly.
Thattheworldhistoricalexperienceshavedemonstratedtheimpotenceandthedeceptionofso-calleddemocracy,anallegedpoliticalequalitygraftedontothemostobnoxiouseconomicinequality,inordertomodifytheessenceofthe
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establishedorder.
TheRegionalFederationsoftheIberianAnarchistFederationsetforththeirpositioninthefollowingmanner:
a)TheydeplorethefactthatworkingclassinstitutionswhichhadblazedafranklyrevolutionaryandproletarianpathinOctober1934,shouldalignthemselveswiththedemocratic-bourgeoispartiesinordertofindasolutionwherenosuchsolutionexists.
b)Theyadvocateatotalbreakbytheproletariatwithallthestatistdemocraticillusions,anditsconcentrationaroundtheworkingclassandpeasantsolution,whichimpliesthepossessionofthesocial
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andnaturalwealthbytheproducersthemselves.
c)Theymaintainthatonlyintheworldoflabor,intheworkplaces,cananeffectiveanddefinitiveremedybefoundforallformsofreaction.
Theystatethattheagreementoftheproducersispossibleunderthefollowingconditions:
1.Theexclusionfromtheworkplaceofelementsaffiliatedwithfascistinstitutions,bywayofthejointactionoftheanti-capitalisttradeunionorganizations.
2.Employmentoftheinsurrectionary
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methodfortheconquestofthesocialwealthusurpedbyprivilegedminorities,anditsadministrationbytheproducersthemselves.
3.Establishmentofaregimeoflife,oflaborandofconsumptionthatrespondstothecommonneedsofthepopulationanddoesnotallowexploitationandthedominationofmanovermantoexistinanyform.
4.Thedefenseofthisnewregimeoflifecannotbeentrustedtoprofessionalarmiesorpoliticalbodies,butmustbeinthehandsofalltheworkers,withoutthelatterlosingcontactwiththeirworkplaces.
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5.Respectandtolerationforthediverseproletarianandrevolutionarysocialconceptionsandguaranteesfortheirfreeexercise.
6.Thestruggleagainstfascism,aninternationalphenomenon,mustbecarriedoutinternationally,bytheworkingclassandrevolutionaryinstitutions,totheexclusionofallnationalistideasandsentiments.
***
Asonecanseefromthedocumentpresentedabove,onemaynowobservewhatisessentiallyasurrendertoalliancismandtheuseofthetermantifascism;butthisbackslidingseems
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quiteinsignificantwhenwecompareittothelatertreasonouspositions.
LetusseehowtheFAIpresenteditsviewsafterithadalreadyfallensomewaydownthefatalslope:
Allthepropagandaandalltheactionofanarchismarebasedonanti-capitalismandanti-statism.Thesetwoformsofeconomicandpoliticaldominationimplythenegationoftherightsoftheproducerandofthefreedomoftheindividual.
IntheState,capitalismfindsitsweaponofdefense.Theexploitationoftheworkers,ofthepeasants,ofthetechnicians,allowstheaccumulationofwealthandeconomicpowertheforce
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majeuretowhichthedisinheritedaresubjectedinthehandsofanunproductiveminority.Bymeansofthelawsthatassurethebourgeoisietherightofpropertywithallitsrepressivesystem,withitsarmedforce,theStateconstitutesthemostsolidbastionofthecapitalistsystem.AsopposedtotheMarxistpositionthatattributestotheStatetransitionalfunctionsinthecreationofanewsociety,andwhichmaintainsthattheStatewillgraduallywitherawayuntilitdisappearswhenclassdifferenceswillhavedisappeared,anarchismproclaimstheuselessnessoftheStateandstatesthatitspresenceaftertherevolutionaryeventswouldsignifytheresurgenceofanewpower,ofanewdictatorship,withthe
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consequentemergenceofaprivilegedbureaucracyandthelogicalestablishmentofapartygovernmentorpreferentiallyonebasedontheleadersoftherulingparty.
Economicorganizationuponsocialistfoundation,beingpracticable,causestheneweconomicordertorequireanewpoliticalform.Theanti-capitalistandanti-statistpositionofanarchismisconfirmedbyhistoricalexperienceandbythecertaintyofbeingabletoorganizecollectivelife,providingeveryonewiththepossibilitytosatisfytheirownneeds,inexchangefortheirlaborinaregimebasedonthesocializationofthemeansofproduction.
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Federativeorganization,fromthebottomupfromthebasetothesummitwilltaketheplaceofthestatesystem.Thisreaffirmationofprinciplesisfullyjustifiedatthepresenttime.Constrainedbythecircumstancesthataccompanythewar,theFAIandtheCNThavehadtoparticipateinthegovernmentalmachinery.Thecollaborationimposedbythesupremeandunavoidablenecessityofdefeatingfascismandcoexistencealongsidetheantifascistsectorsledustoreluctantlyabandonourideologicalposition.Butthisdoesnotmeanthatwehaverenouncedtheanarchistidealandtactics.Theoccupationofpostsofresponsibilityinthedepartmentsofthecentralgovernmentandofthe
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Generalitat,poststhatwehadtooccupy,beingcompelledbythecircumstancesofthewar,bynomeansimpliesachangeinourtheoreticalconceptions.No;weshallcontinuetobeanarchistsasbefore,andweshallalwayshavethesameopinionoftheStateandthedictatorialsolution(regardlessofwhatnameitisgiven).
Beforetheentireworld,beforeourcomradesintheanarchistmovement,beforethosewhohavedeliberatelydistortedtheinterpretationoftheeventsinSpainandourtemporaryparticipationinthegovernment,wecanstatewithoutanyexaggerationthatthisresolutionoftheFAIhasanincalculablehistoricalvalue.
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***
TheconceptsexpoundedbytheFAI,apartfrommanyinconsistenciesandcontradictions,breakallrecordsforarrogance.
Wecouldreproduce,inordertosupportourview,asensiblecommentarywrittenbycomradeA.SchapiroinresponsetothepatheticappealissuedbytheFAItotheinternationalanarchistmovementcallinguponthelattertoimitatetheFAI,andtoenterintoallianceswiththepoliticalsectorsofthedifferentregions,butweshallrefrainfromdoingsobecausethetextisalreadysowellknown.
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Weshall,however,transcribetheresolutionsapprovedbytheCongressoftheFrenchLanguageAnarchistFederationatitscongressheldonAugust14-15,1937,concerningthedelicateandridiculouspositionoftheFAIandtheCNT,togetherwiththecommentarybytheeditorsofSolidaridad(No.143,April1938),theofficialorganoftheFORU,ontheseresolutions,becausetheywillsaveusthetroubleofelucidatingfundamentalobjectionsandbecausethetextcontainingthemisalapidarycounterstroke:
WeshalltranscribesomeresolutionsoftheFrenchLanguageAnarchistFederation,approvedattheCongress
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heldonAugust14-15,1937inthecityofClermont-Ferrand.Inviewofthechaosthatprevailsininternationalanarchism,causedbytheSpanishevents,whichbroughtconfusionismtoalargepartofourmovement,thefirmpositionoftheanarchistsoftheFrenchLanguageAnarchistFederationmeritsourattention,who,withgreatcourage,madeafirmstandagainstrevolutionarymystifications,sallyingforthindefenseofthepropagandaandofthepracticesofstrugglethatareconsistentwiththeprinciplesofanarchism.Evenwhenwedonottotallyagreewiththeinterpretationtheyofferregardingthepracticalapplicationofanarchismintheworkersmovementsincewhiletheyseek
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toinstillthelatterwithananarchistcharacterfromtheoutside,fromthegroups,we,basedontheexperienceofalongrevolutionaryhistory,whichdemonstratesthesuperiorityoftheFORistinterpretation,optforthesystemthatrecommendsthattheanarchistsmustnotactinthetradeunionsectionsasmembersofothergroupsoutsideofthem,butasmembersofthesesametradeunions,andbythismeanssuccessfullyimpressupontheworkersmovementadefinitelyanarchistorientation,adoptinginadvancethepracticesofstruggleofdirectaction,afederalistsystemoforganizationbytradeandanarchistprinciplesandgoalsdespitethis,wesay,weconsiderittobeofgreatimportance
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thattheFrenchanarchistshavereturnedtoactivitywithinthetradeunions,whichwillallowthemtogaintheinfluenceamongtheworkersthattheyhavelackeduntilnow,duetotheerroneouspracticeoforganizinginspecificgroupsoutsidetheworkingclassorganization.
Somethingelsethatdeservesemphasis,isthefacttheyhavebrokenwiththeprejudiceofallianceswithpoliticiansandthetradeunionmergersthatadvocatetheabsurdityofattemptingtoamalgamatealltheworkersinasinglebloc,outsideofallideology,whentheyopenlydeclarethattheyareworkingforthegrowthoftheCGT-SR(affiliatedwiththeIWA),providingitwithincreasinglygreater
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materialandideologicalpower,whichcouldcounteracttheemasculatingworkofthereformistCGT,savingtheproletariatfromopportunisticambiguitiesandpoliticaldemagogyandliberatingitfromallobstaclesthatcouldhinderitinitsprogresstowardsitsemancipation.
Weattributethehighestimportancetotheseresolutions,bothwithregardtothepositionagainststatistanarchism,aswellaswithregardtomilitantactionintheworkingclassmovement,sinceitistobehopedthatthisattitudewillbeatleastimitated,ifnotsurpassed,bytheanarchistsoftheothercountries,whicharelosingtheirsenseofdirectionorvegetatingintheviciouscircleof
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specificism,andthatthoserevolutionaryaberrationsshouldbeabandonedandthecomradesshouldresolvetocreatearealtradeunionmovement,inwhichtheactivityoftheanarchistswho,foronereasonoranotherdonotbelongtothetradeunions,willnotonlybeallowedbutencouraged,onthebasisofwhichonecanworkfreelytoforgeanarchistconsciousness,forthepurposeofbeingabletoexposetheentirepopulationtothedetailsofourideal,leadingittoconceivethepossibilityoftheexistenceofasocietywithoutaState,basedonfreeagreementandmutualaid,whichwillleadittofightconsciouslyforthedestructionoftheauthoritarianregimesandfortheestablishmentofAnarchist
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Communism.
ResolutionsoftheCongressoftheFrenchLanguageAnarchistFederation:
Consideringthat,facedwiththesituationinwhichapartoftheCNT-FAIhascommitted,fromtheverybeginning,deplorableerrorswithrespecttotheirpositions,thisCongressdeemsthattheonlywaytorectifythesituationinSpain,bothfromtheanarchistpointofviewaswellasfromtheperspectiveofourfinalvictory,istoimmediatelyabandonallgovernmental,political,militaristanddiplomaticactivityandreturntorevolutionarymethodsofstruggle.Thatallthenon-conformistelementsofbothorganizationsaretheonlyoneswhocan
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accomplishthis,butthattheinternationalanarchistmovementfindsitselfobligedtobreakwiththepoliticalandpoliticizingelementsoftheCNT-FAI,whostillspeakinthenameoftheorganizationandtherevolution.
TheCongressdeclaresthatitisprofoundlysaddenedandangrybecauseoftheofficiallackofconcernonthepartoftheCNT-FAIregardingthepersecutionoftheanarchistsinSpain,andcallsforacampaignofenergeticprotestineverycountry.
InfavoroftheanarchistprisonersandvictimsoftheStalinistrepressionTheodiousrepressionunderwayinSpainmustbedenouncedbeforethe
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internationalworkersmovementandthedefamatorycampaignwagedbytheThirdInternationalagainstthosewhodevotethemselvestotallytothestruggleagainstfascismandwhohaveformorethanayearcarriedoutprodigiesofheroismtocrushthemercenarygangsofFranco,MussoliniandHitler,mustberepudiated.
WecallupontheorganizationsoftheCNT-FAItorespondwithfirmnessandtoprovidethematerialandmoralsolidaritythatisowedtotheforeigncomradesarrestedaftertheMayDaysof1937inBarcelona,toenergeticallydefendthemandtoattemptbyallmeanstopreventthemfrombeingexecuted,anddecidetoundertakeacampaigntobreakthecode
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ofsilencearoundtheantifascistandpopularfronts,inordertodenouncetheorganizedmurderofthebestrevolutionariesbythelackeysundertheordersofMoscow.
***
Ithasbeendemonstratedthat,inthenameoftheFAI,theenlightenedoneshavebeensenttogoverntheSpanishpeople.Moreover;whentheMarxistpoliticiansdidnotneedtheirgoodservicesandtheyweredismissedfromtheirposts,theFAIattemptedtotransformitselfintoapoliticalpartyinordertoprepareitselftoonceagainoccupycertainministerialposts,incasetheyaresummonedtheythoughtthey
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wereindispensablebytheantifascists.
Despitethefactthattheysoearnestlydesiredsuchpositions,theministerialcrisesthatsubsequentlytookplacedidnotprovidethefaístaswithanopportunitytocontinuetodemonstratetheirgreatabilitiesasstatesmen,diplomatsandsociologists.
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Chapter18:Exportedslogansandpractices
18
Exportedslogansandpractices
WehavealreadysaidelsewhereinthisbookthattheCNTpressuredtheInternationalWorkingmensAssociationtoacceptthecircumstantialgovernmentaloperationalpracticestestedinSpainandtotransmitthemtotherestoftheinternationalworkersmovement.
Wepossessperfectproofofwhatweareclaimingintheresolutionapprovedby
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theIWAattheExtraordinaryCongressheldinDecember1937,insofarasitcalledforunityofactionwiththereformistinternationalinordertojointlyadoptmeasuresofdefenseinfavoroftheSpanishpeople.
Fortunately,theinitiativetranscendingalltheideologicaldifferencesthatseparateourmovementfromtheInternationalofthereformisttradeunionsaccordingtotheSecretariatoftheIWAexperiencedthemostresoundingfiascobecausethereformistsrefusedtocomplywiththerequestedunityprogram,buttheridiculethatconsequentlyattachedtotheIWA,thankstotheobviouspressureoftheCNT,isworthnoting.
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Anothersloganthatwassupposedtobetranslatedintopractice,attheinsistenceoftheCNT,wasthatofunifyingtheeffortsoftheFORofArgentinawiththeFACA,aspecificistinstitutionwhosemembersaredeclaredenemiesoftheFORistworkersmovementandwhoareactiveinthetradeunionsoftheyellowtradeunionfederationofArgentina,theCGT,andintheindependenttradeunions,instillingthemwiththeanti-FORistorientationwherevertheyattainprominence.
Also,inMontevideo,someanarchistswhohavewithdrawnfrommilitantactivityperhapswithsincerityandingoodfaith,weshallnotpresumetojudge
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theminitiatednegotiationstounifytheFORUwiththegroupofanarcho-dictatorswhoorganizedandstillcallthemselvestheUniónSindicalUruguaya,negotiationsthatdidnotsucceedbecauseitwasunderstoodthatthosewhosplitfromthemotherentityoftheUruguayanproletariatdonotidentifywiththepracticesandgoalsoftheFORistmovement.
Butthatisnowathingofthepast.WhatremainsisthedisseminatingoffranklyauthoritarianslogansandpracticesthroughouttheWorldofLabor,acropthatisnowripeforharvest.ItwaslogicaltoassumethattheministerialistsoftheCNTandtheFAIwouldhavetofind,in
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additiontoenthusiasticpanegyrists,manyadvanceddisciplesreadytohonororevensurpasstheirmastersandtoprescribeasinfallibletheantifascistpanaceasthatweretestedwithsomuchtenacityandstubbornnessbytheirministerialistmasters,andthetextthatweshallnowread,fromElAndamio,ofChile,proveswhatwesaidabove.
MarianoVázquezclaimedthatwemustnotburyourselvesindogmatismandthatweshouldoperateineverycountry,inaccordancewiththecircumstances,psychology,possibilitiesandcharacteristics.Buthiswordswerenotheeded,andthecenetistaandfaístamodesofoperationtendtobe
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generalized,andtobetranslatedintothelocalidiom.Inanyevent,opportunismhaslongpracticethem.
LetusseewhatJuanPintoD.saysinhisrecentarticlethatappearedinElAndamioonMay26,1939:
DISCIPLINEINTHELIBERTARIANMOVEMENT.Thevarioustheoriesanddoctrinesthatseektosolvetheeconomic,politicalandsocialproblemsthatareaffectinghumanityhaveoverthelastfewyearsundergonesuchprofoundchangesofpositionthatinsomecasestheBolshevikmovementtheyhavesignifiedanoverwhelmingnegationoftheirpast.Thelibertarianmovementanarchosyndicalistand
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anarchisthasalsofelttheeffectsoftheconfrontationwithreality.SpainhasbeenthesceneofexperimentationwheretheFAIandtheCNTfoundthemselvesfacingtheunavoidablenecessityofgoingbeyondsacredprinciplesonceheldtobeinvariable.Itisclearthatthepositionoftheseinstitutionshasbeencriticizedbyaminorityofmilitantsandsupportedbyamajority.
So:wedonotwanttoengageinanin-depthanalysisoftheinternationalproblem,weshallrestrictourattentiontoourownproblems.
InChiletherehavebeenseverallibertarianfederations;thesehaveorganizedheterogeneousmassesand
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smallgroupsofmilitants,theirrevolutionaryactivityhasbeenrestrictedtosporadicactionsthathavenotbenefitedfromaprocessofpreparationandtrainingoftheirownforces.
Theirinterventions,then,inthepoliticalandsocialaffairsofthecountryhavenotinfluencedthebroadercourseofevents.TheyhavenotbeeninfluentialnordoIthinktheywillhaveanimpactinthefutureiftheycontinuetooperateinthesamewaytheyhaveforthelastfifteenyears.Therevolutionaryprocessiscomplexandrequirestheinterventionofthemilitantsnotonlyontherestrictedplaneuponwhichthetradeunionoperates,butineveryaspectthatis
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presented.
Arevolutionarymovementthatwantstohaveadecisiveimpactonevents,needsaspecificorganizationthathassupportthroughouttheentirecountry,onethatpresentsasingleface,whichhasDISCIPLINE,andaboveallonethatisnotafraidofwordsandtheNEWMODALITIES,especiallytheonesthatrepresentedsuchaninnovationinSpain.
Aspecificorganization.Thepoliticalapparatusoftherevolution;thisistheoverwhelmingnecessityinourmovementandtosatisfyitwemustmobilizetheenthusiasmofallthosewhodonotwanttoseetheemancipatoryhopeofhumanitysymbolizedintheanarchosyndicalist
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movementdisappear.
Chapter19:TheEconomicPlenumoftheCNT
19
TheEconomicPlenumoftheCNT
Wehavesetforthindetail,withexcessiveredundancy,thebetrayalsthattheresponsibleleadersoftheCNTandtheFAIendorsedandimplemented.Thereisoneotheraspect:theeconomic,whichmustbeaddressedandtowhichweshalldevoteafewbriefcomments.
Thecenetistasandfaístas,havinglosttheirwaywithregardtoideologyand
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slippeddownthechuteofapostasy,dedicatedthemselveswithtenaciouszealtothetaskofpluggingtheholesintheshipofstatewhichtheyhadsavedfromsinkingengagingininitiativesdirectedtowardsrestoringittoitsformercondition.Theystillwerenotsatisfied,however,withhavingputthebrakesonthesocialrevolution;theyenteredintoalliancesofeverykindwiththepoliticalfactions;theycollaboratedwiththecentralgovernmentfromtheministries.Theyhadtocomplementtheirdisastrousactivitiesbyaddressing,forconstructivepurposes,thecomplexeconomicproblemsthecountryfacedbecauseofthecivilwar,seeking,preferentially,apossibilistsolution.
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ThepoliciesapprovedattheExtendedNationalEconomicPlenumoftheCNT,heldinJanuary1938,exhibitbyvirtueoftheirstructureandessenceapassionateappetiteforreformism,amultiplicationofthegovernmentalbureaucracyand,evenmoreimportantly,amistakenoperationalconceptionofstatesyndicalism.
Wemusttakeintoaccounttheabnormalsituationthatprevailedatthetime,inordertoaffirmthattheorganizationandfunctioningofthisPlenumsufferedfrommanydefectsandshortcomings,whichdepriveitsresolutionsofanymoralauthority.Evenmoreimportantthanthesedefectsandshortcomingsarethe
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assumptionsandthementalitythatinformedtheconceptualmotorforcethatwouldmakepossibletherealizationofandconferreddynamismtotheseactivities.Itcouldbeargued,withpowerfullogic,thatthedelegationswerenotthefaithfulrepresentativesoftheworkersorganizedinconfederalcadres,nordidtheyconveythepreciseexpressionofthoseworkersconcerningtheseeconomicpanaceas,sincemanyworkerswereatthefrontanddidnotparticipateinthepreliminarydebates.
WhatisundeniableisthefactthattheinitiativetoconvoketheEconomicPlenumarosefromthehighestlevelsoftheorganizationfromthetopdownand
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thatthedelegationsexceptforafewexceptions,letusaddweremonopolizedbynattilydressedgovernmentalistbureaucrats.
Itwouldnotbeappropriatetosaythatthisfactconstitutesevidenceofmalfeasance,becausethatwouldbeaplatitudeandbesides,itwouldmeanthatthatwewouldhavetominutelyexamineallthepoliticalandlegalisticloopholesandfinepointsofthewholeprocess.Wecansay,however,thatitwasanindecencywhosepurposewastosowconfusionamongtheworkers.
***
TheCNT,exudingoptimism,
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proposedaccordingtothetextoftheapprovedresolutionsthecreationofpowerfulstate-syndicalistbodieswiththeirrespectivelegionsofparasitestocontrolanddirecttheindustriesundertheirjurisdiction;legislationconcerningthevariousmanifestationsofhumaneffort,measuringtheirqualityandquantityinordertoestablishpayscalesandtocreatefilesforeachcategory;thecentralizationortrustificationofwrittenpropagandaandmanagingthefundsoftheorganizations.Itwasareconstructiveplanonavastscale,whichwouldhaveleftthemostprestigiousstatistsawestruckandwouldhavemadethoseStatesthatboastofhavingadvancedsocialandeconomiclegislationlook
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ridiculous.
LetustakealookattheconcernsoftheCNTandthegeneraltenoroftheresolutionsoftheEconomicPlenum.
LABORINSPECTORS
Intheintroductorysectionofthisparticularproposal,theCNTassertsthatitisnotguidedbyanyproselytizingends.Wecannotconfirmtheveracityofthisassertion.Wecansay,however,thatthoseofuswholiveintheselittlerepublics[inSouthAmerica]areinuredtoincredulity.Whenapoliticalparty,whetherornotitisinpower,proposesthecreationofanewgovernmentbodyorinspectorate,besidestheproselytizingmotivewhatis
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ofmuchgreaterinteresttoitistobeabletofindjobsforitsfriends.
Bycallingattentiontothisexampleitisnotourintentiontoreprimandthecenetistasbycataloguingthemundertheheadingofpolitics.Theyactedwithandlikethepoliticians,becauseofimperiouscircumstantialnecessities.
HereisthetextoftheArticlesontheLaborInspectorate:
1.TheNationalIndustrialFederations,attheproposaloftheTradeUnionsasconveyedthroughtheRegional,CountyandLocalFederations,willappointtheTechnicalDelegatesneededtoinspectanddirecttheEconomicunitsundertheir
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jurisdiction.
2.TheseDelegateswillproposethenormstobeimplementedinordertoeffectivelydirectthedifferentIndustrialunitsforthepurposeofimprovingtheirefficiencyandadministration.Theywillnotoperateontheirownaccount;theywillberesponsibleforcomplyingwithandenforcingcompliancewiththedirectivesissuedbytheCouncils,towhichtheywillbeanswerable.
3.Toachievegreaterefficiencyandoperationalimprovementsandinsuchcaseswhereitwillbenecessary,theywillproposetotheCouncilsthathaveappointedthemtheapplicationofsanctionsagainstthoseInstitutionsor
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individualswho,asaresultofthenon-fulfillmentoftheirduties,havemeritedsuchsanctions.
TheOrganizationwillagreetotheextensionofthecorrespondingcoercivemeanstotheInstitutionswhichmustavailthemselvesofthisright,establishingtheRulesthatwilldeterminehowthesecoercivemeansmaybeapplied.ThesedirectivesareundertakenexclusivelybyandreferonlytotheIndustriesthatareinthehandsoftheworkers.
PAYSCALES
ThehumanistandjustanarchistconceptFromeachaccordingtohis
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abilitieshadnoplaceinthestatistplansoftheCNT.Itsplansseemedtobeorientedinaccordancewiththestandardtypeestablishedbycapitalism.TheCNTplannedtorecompensetheeffortsoftheworkersaccordingtotheiroutputsandskilllevels,thuspreservingprivilegedcategories.
ItsoughtaccordingtotheCNTtocorrectthosedeficienciesandinequalitiesthatsooftensowdiscordandapathyamongtheworkers,tothedetrimentoftheeconomyandthereforethePlenumresolved:
First.Theacceptanceofpayaccordingtojobcategories,andweproposethattheNationalIndustrialFederationsadopt,whileadaptingthemtotheireconomic
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possibilities,thefollowingscalesofpayment,takingXastheinitialindispensablequantitynecessarytocovertheneedsoftheproducer:
BaseCategory.Assistantlaborer
.X1asuperiorcategory.Skilledworker20%ofincrease2asuperiorcategory.Specialist40%ofincrease3asuperiorcategory.AssistantTechnician70%ofincrease4asuperiorcategory.TechnicalDirector100%ofincrease.
Theabovepercentagesaretobeunderstoodasbeingapplicabletothebasecategory.
Thescheduleofpayscalesapprovedat
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thisPlenumwasarevolutionaryinnovation.ItisverysimilartotheoneestablishedinRussia.WearenotsayingthattheCNTsversionisanexactcopyoftheBolshevistsystem.
IBERIANTRADEUNIONBANK
Onecanverywellimaginethat,iftheCNTwasproceedinginthedirectionofastatistorientation,regulatingandcontrollingtheeconomyofthecountry,thenitlogicallyshouldcreateaTradeUnionBanktoincreaseproduction,torebuildindustry,offerloanstothepeasants,etc.Thusitwasthat,whileattheCongressoftheAgriculturalCollectivesofAragonthedelegatesweretryingtoabolishmoney,creatinginits
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steadarationingcard,theCNTgavemoneythesameexchangevaluethatcapitalismassignedtoit.Thiswasdeliberate.Weshouldpointoutthatinordertoarriveattheseparadoxicalpositions,ormoreaccurately,theseaberrations,oftheCNT,eminentacademicshadpreviouslycomeforthtoholdconferencesoneconomic,financial,monetary,commercialandstatisticaltopicsamongothers,Fábregas,Santillán,Leval,López,Carsi,CardonaRosell,etc.whoorientedthecenetistaapproachinthissense.WearegoingtoreadafragmentofthearticlesignedbyAmezcua,publishedinSolidaridadObrerawhiletheCNTsEconomicPlenumwasinsession,whichwillhelp
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ustoevaluatethestatesyndicalistmentalitythatpredominatedamongthecenetistas.Letusbeginbygettingonethingstraight:
Theideal
thesuppressionofmoney;unquestionable.Butuntilwegetthere,wehavetogothroughstages,overcomeveryprominentobstaclesandclimbtheslopesofthesocialeconomictopography.Andhecontinuesasfollows:
MONEY.ITSNATURALFUNCTION,UNDERMINEDBYTHEPLUTOCRACY.
Intheliquidatedeconomy,itwasthe
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functionoftheBanktostorethemoney,tolookafteritscirculation,toensureitsfictitiousmultiplication,itsinvestmentorassignment,constitutingwiththeindividualandvoluntarydepositsofthismoney,massesofcapitalwithwhichitdecisivelyinfluencedtheindustrialandeventhemorallifeofthecountry,leadingtothehegemonyofthepossessorsofthelargestquantityofmonetarysymbolstothedetrimentofthemoremodestpossessors,whoneverobtainedmorethanasparseandalwaysmiserablereturnontheirdeposits.Thecapitalistimaginationinvented,tothedetrimentofthenon-capitalistsandforitsprofit,thetheoryofcreditandoftheloaningofmoney,andonthisbasisthegreatest
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immoralitieshavebeencommitted,givingwaytousury,totheabuseofconfidentialityandtofraud,whichCAUSEDTHEDISCREDITINGOFMONEYanelementofexchangeandcirculationofnaturalandindustrialproductsbyemployingitasjustanothercommodity.Naturally,theproducers,whodidnotparticipateinallthepermutationsanddishonestgamesplayedwithmoneybythebankers,butpossessinganinstinctiveunderstandingofallthischicanery,andinpartunderstandingitbecauseofitspracticalrepercussions(thepriceofbread,clothingandothernecessitiesoflife),haverepudiatedmoneyasthecauseofthemiseryoftheworkingclass,andhad
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noobjectionagainsttheproposalthatmoneybepurelyandsimplyABOLISHED,imaginingthatitcouldbereplacedbythedirectexchangeofproducts.Itwasthespecificandprecisefunctionofmoney,however,toregulatethisexchange,sinceitmadepossibletheestablishmentofastandardofexchangebetweendiverseproductsacommondenominatorforknowing,forexample,howmuchwheatmustbedeliveredbyaPeasantOrganizationinordertoobtainapairofshoesandtotheextentthatmoneyperformsandislimitedtoperformingthisfunctionandisnottheobjectofspeculationthatwoulddisturbitsNATURALROLEASREGULATOROFSUPPLYANDDEMAND,ofproduction
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andconsumption,THERECANBENODOUBTABOUTITSNECESSITYwithinaneconomiccomplex,muchlessinaregimewhosenature,withthesuppressionofthecapriciousandinorganicactivityoftheindividual,andwithinthestructuralframeworkoftheTradeUnion,willhaveentailedthedisappearanceofeventhepossibilityofanydeviationoftheuseofmoneyfromitsexclusiveroleasregulatorofexchangeaswellasobviatinganydangerthatitwouldeverserveasanobjectofspeculationandexploitationoftheworker.OncetheMONETARYSYMBOLHASBEENPURIFIEDANDRECOVEREDfromthegripoftheplutocracyTHATHADDISTORTEDIT
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ANDEVENPROSTITUTEDIT,itmustperformitsnaturalroleinthecollectivizedEconomy,aswillthateconomicsectorwhich,aswepointedoutabove,hastheSPECIFICTASKOFSTORING,CIRCULATINGANDINVESTINGTHESYMBOLOFEXCHANGE.
***
Asyoucansee,inthelastparagraphtheauthorarguesinfavorofthecreationoftheTradeUnionBank.Andnotonlydoesheendorsethecreationofsuchabank,buthealsoextendstheinitiativetothecreationoftwootherbanks:theProducersBankandtheBankofForeignTrade.Itisunnecessarytopointoutthat
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thecreationoftheIberianTradeUnionBankimpliestheappointingofapresident,vicepresident,directorgeneralandmanyotheremployees.
THETRADEUNIONINSURANCEADMINISTRATIONAGENCY
Thepurposeofthisinstitutionistoadministertheinsuranceprogramforillness,workplaceaccidents,pensions,maternityleave,etc.;inshort,whatiscalledsocialwelfareinthedemocracies.Theessenceofthisprojectiscontainedinthisparagraph:
a)TodemandtherepresentationoftheCNTineachaneveryoneoftheofficialStateinstitutions,AutonomousRegional
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Governments,andProvincialandMunicipalCouncilsinLoyalistSpain,whosemissionistoregulate,direct,orprovideconsultativeserviceswithregardtothemanagementandimplementationofnational,regional,provincialandlocal,orcountypoliciesrelatingtoinsuranceandsocialwelfareinallofitsdimensions.Thisrepresentationmustnotbeinferiortothatalreadypossessed,orwhichmaybegrantedinthefuture,totheothertradeunioncentralorganization.
CONCERNINGTHEADVISABILITYOFREDUCINGTHENUMBEROFCONFEDERALPUBLICATIONSANDHOWTHISISSUEWASADDRESSED
WehavenotedthatinSpain,duringthe
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war,itwashardtoobtaintherawmaterialsformanufacturingpaper.Atfirstsight,thiswouldseemtojustifytheproposaltoimposerestrictionsonthepress.However,ofthethreecompellingreasonsthattheCNToffered,thethirdoneistheonethatbestexpressesitsviewsregardinganditsinterestinsuchrestrictions:
Thelastreasonisthenecessityofconferringhomogeneitytotheorientationofourpublications,whichistheonlywaytoobtainbenefitsfromthepowerfulweaponknownasthepress.WehavetoputanendtothepublicdisagreementsintheMovement.Upuntilnow,thishasbeenlargelyachievedintheBulletinof
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InternalOrientation,publishedbytheSecretaryoftheNationalCommittee,butitseffectivenessiscancelledoutbythesmallpublicationsthat,althoughoflittleimportanceinthemselves,producenosmalleffectbydisorientinginsteadoforientingopinionandthemilitants,becausetheydonotabidebytheESTABLISHEDLINEofthenationalorderforpropaganda.
ItisobviousthattheCNTwantedtocentralizecontroloverwrittenpropaganda,inordertosilencethosewhocriticizedthestatistorientationthatwasexpressedbytheunfoldingevents.
Thisisprovenbythesetwoparagraphsoftheproposal:
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Withthisplanforthepublicationofnewspapers,thepropagandaofourMovementisabsolutelyguaranteed,withregardtobothaspects.Themajorpublicationswithalargecirculationandthesmallerpapersintheprovincesthatfulfilltheneedtoprovideguidancethatisinconcordancewiththepsychologyandthecustomsofeachtown.
Allthenewspapersthatdonotabidebythisplanmustdisappearasaresultoftheirbeingcontrarytoeconomicefficiencyandunnecessary.
WehavealreadymentionedthattheCNT,dominatedbyafeverishzealforplanning,waspassionatelypreoccupied
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withreconstructingtheeconomythatwasdestroyedbythewarandestablishingcertaincreationstestedduringthesubsequentmonths.ThisisprovenbyoursummarycommentaryontheworkoftheEconomicPlenum.Thereismuchmoreevidence,however,whichwecannotprovidebecauseofconsiderationsofspace.Weshallmerelyproceed,then,byprovidingthenamesoftheinstitutionsthatitsoughttocreateandtherulesthatitsoughttoimpose,whichwereapprovedatthePlenum.
TheproposalrecommendedthecreationandfurtherdevelopmentofConsumersCooperatives.Itcalledforresearchonhowtocarryouttheimplementationof
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effectiveplanningofIndustry,withoutwaitingforthecreationoftheNationalCounciloftheEconomy,agovernmentorganizationwithamixedstate-tradeunioncomposition,whichwouldbecalledupontofulfillthisobviouseconomicnecessity.WeshalladdthatthisgovernmentbodywasinsistentlyadvocatedbytheCNTinitspetitionstothecentralgovernment.TheproposalfurthermoreadvisedtheadministrativeCentralizationoftheConfederalEconomy,andthatwithintheresultingadministrativebodymanyothersectionswouldbeformed.And,finally,itproposedregulationsconcerninggenerallaborstandards,bymeansofwhichhumanlaborpowercouldbecontrolled;
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thesenormswouldspecifythequalityandquantityofproductionandwouldapplymoralsanctionsagainstthoseworkerswhofailedtocomplywiththeirstandards,thosewhocametoworklate,thosewhodidnotcarryoutthetypeofproductionindicated,etc.
***
Sofarwehavedescribed,inbroadstrokes,theresultsofthedeliberationsoftheExtendedEconomicPlenumoftheCNT.Byvirtueofitscontentsanditsproposalsforthefuture,itmaybededucedthatthecenetistashavingrenegedontheirideologicalpatrimonywereconcerned,directlyandindirectly,withreinforcingtheprestigeof
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bourgeoisinstitutions,givingthematradeunioncharacteranddenomination.Wesaythisbecausethereaderwillhavenoticedthattheseinstitutionswould,inordertofunctionnormally,havetobelegalizedbytheState;thatis,theStatewouldhavetoapprovetheirstatutesandparticipateintheircontrolandsupervision.Evenassuming,however,thatalltheproposedinitiativesweretobeimplementedundertheaegisoftherevolution,whatperspectivesandwhatbasisdidtheCNTpossessthatwouldleadittobelievethattheStatewouldnotdestroythesecreationsinthesamewaywithamilitaryincursionthattheCollectivesofAragonweredestroyed?AccordingtotheCNT,theseproposals
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werebasedonthesolidpurposeofhelpingtowinthewar.Furthermore,inthetextoftheregulationsandintheappealsissuedbythePlenum,afteritsadjournment,totheconfederalorganizations,alllanguageofarevolutionarycharacteriseliminated,withtheintention,ofcourse,thatnoobstaclesshouldbeinterposedbytheauthoritarianstotheimplementationoftheseplans.Thisappealconcludeswiththesewords:Hailtoalltheantifascists,regardlessoftheirotherviews!
***
WeareconvincedthattheSpanishworkersmovementmustbereborn,likethePhoenix,inordertoonceagaintake
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upitspostinthestruggleforemancipation.Manyseedshavebeensownandthegerminationofrebellionandtheexpressionoftheanarchistidealmustsoonbreakoutwithgreaterforce.TheSpanishpeopleareindomitableandpreserveintheirheartsthehopeforfreedom.Theyarespurredonbytheiryearningforredemptionandthemoralforceoftheirgloriousrevolutionaryhistory,thatmoralforcethatourcomradeP.Minottirecallsinanarticlethatwereadashorttimeagoandinoneofitsparagraphshesays:
Wethereforegranttothesemoralforcesalltheirsplendorandcharacter,duetotheelevatedsignificancetheyimplyinthe
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strugglesforliberty,inthevehiclesofouranarchistpropaganda.Itcanneverbetheoffspringofmerewordsorofthemoreorlessbrilliantdemagogyofleaders,ofpoliticiansofeverystripeandcolor,becauseasopposedtotheephemeralandtraitorouswords,intheconscienceofmentheremustbe,firminanarchistideals,ideasofsocialtransformation;themoredismalthepresenttime,themorefirmmustbethemoralforcesoftheanarchists.Theyhavenotbeendestroyed,norhavetheybeenreplacedbythenegativismofhistoricalmaterialism.Weneedtoknowhowtogivethefecundpassionsofthepeopletheirtruefunctionintheprocessofsocialtransformation,which,accordingtothewordsofMikhail
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Bakunin,willcreateanewworldfromtheold.
AndwhenthismissionisresumedthecreationofanewworldtheSpanishworkerswill,withtheirgreatrevolutionaryachievements,erasefromhistoryalltheaberrationsandbetrayalsoftheCNT,inordertoaffirmanarchistcommunism.
Chapter20:DefendingtheorientationoftheIWA
20
DefendingtheorientationoftheIWA
Noonecandenythat,oncethefirst
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alarmingnewsofthedevelopmentsinSpainhadbeenreceived,thetwosisterorganizationsonbothsidesoftheRíoPlata,theFORAandtheFORU,affiliatesoftheInternationalWorkingmensAssociation,werefilledwithenthusiasmandactivityinordertoreaffirmtheirmoralsolidaritywiththeirSpanishcomrades.Economicsupportwascontributedinaccordancewiththeirmeansandasthecircumstanceallowed.
ButitisalsotruethatoncetheybecameawareofthedeviationsendorsedbythemajorityoftherepresentativesoftheCNT,andsubsequently,thepressureexertedbythelatterontheIWAtoconvincethelattertoacceptandbestow
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itsimprimaturonthesedeviations,theyclearlyexpressedtheirdisagreementswiththesedevelopmentsinbothorganizations.
ThisisdemonstratedbytheresolutionsapprovedonquestionspertainingtotheCNTwhich,becauseoftheimpossibilityofsendingdelegatesinpersonwhowouldrepresentboththeFORAandtheFORUattheExtraordinaryCongressoftheIWAheldinParisinDecember1937,weretransmittedinwriting.FromthetextsoftheseresolutionsconcerningtheproblemoftheCNTanditsattitudeandpositionsafterJuly19,weshallquotesomeexcerptsfromatextoftheFORU:
TheFORUunderstandsthattheCongress
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oftheIWAmustclearlysetforthitspositionontheSpanishevents.TheFORUdrawsattentiontothefactthatthereisadifferencebetweentheterms,WARandREVOLUTION.Withrespecttothewar,theIWAmustaffirmitstraditionalmissionofopposingallwarsandcombatingthemilitaristspirit,understandingbyWARthestrugglefortheseizureofPoweramongthevariouscapitalistfractions,representedinthevariousfactionsinthegovernment,knownasmonarchists,republicans,socialists,communists,andanyotherismsthatarecurrentlypolarizedaroundthesetwopoles,apparentlyopposed,butbothofwhicharedistinctlyreactionary,andinveterateenemiesofProletarian
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emancipation:FASCISMandANTIFASCISM.
Withregardtotherevolution,ontheotherhand,thatis,withregardtotheworkcarriedoutfrombelow,outsideofandagainstallgovernmentalinstitutions,expropriatingpropertywithoutanyhesitationatall,abolishingtheentiresystemofexploitationandtheregimeofwagelabor,theIWAmustcooperatetothefullestextentofitsabilities,forthepurposehelpingtherevolutiontoadvanceasfarasthecircumstancesallow.
ConcerningthedelicateproblemposedbytheCNT,whichwasengenderingconflictwithinthemovementoftheIWAbyengenderingcircumstantially
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sympatheticnuclei,giventhedeviationistpositionoftheCNT,theFORUexpresseditsviewsinthefollowingmanner:
WithregardtothenucleithataresympathetictotheIWA,whichexistinvariouscountries,andwhichtheCNTiscurrentlyencouragingtointerveneintheCongress(exceptforthosewhichhavemaintainedaconnectionwiththeAssociationasmemberorganizations),thisisnotthetimetogivethemrights,whentheyhaveforgottentheirmostessentialduties,bycombatingorsabotagingtheorganizationsthatareworkingamongtherankandfileofthemovement,intheirattempttoinfectthesectionsoftheIWAwith
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authoritarianism,andwhichonthisoccasion,takingadvantageofourliberality,maneuveredtoformamajority,onethatapprovesofparticipationintheinstitutionsoftheState,whethertemporarilyorpermanently,andthereforedistortingtheprincipledcourseoftheinternationalmovementrepresentedintheIWA.Rather,theattendanceattheCongress,likealltheactsandlaborsoftheInternational,ofnucleiwithanorganiccharacterwhichact,eventemporarily,withinoroutsidethecountriesthatarecurrentlyexperiencingemergencysituations,butinconformancewiththetraditionalfoundationofanarchistmilitancy,whichconfersupontheworkersmovementitstransformative
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idealism,weconsiderthattheymusttakeapositionintheentity,sinceinmostcasestheirdisorganizedconditionistheresultofattackslaunchedbythereactionariesandtheopportunists,oftenconcealedbehindreformistordictatorialworkersmovements.Asaresult,andconvincedthatitisameetingofdelegatesofmemberorganizationsaffiliatedwiththeAssociation,devotedtothetaskofelucidatingtheproblemsthataffectthemovement,interestedinstrengtheningandaffirmingitsfundamentalprinciples,withtheelevatedmoralityofmenwhoareguidedbyahigheridealratherthanbasepassions,capableofadmittinganerroriftheyhavecommittedone,wehaveengagedinanexaminationofthe
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currentpositionoftheCNT,andthepointsthatareproposedasthebasisfordiscussionattheCongress.
ThepositionoftheFORUattheExtraordinaryCongressissummarizedasfollows:
ConcretizingthethoughtsoftheFORUconcerningthepointsthathavecometoourattention,whichwereproposedbytheCNTtobeincludedontheagendafortheCongress,andalsoconcerningthosewhosecontentsareunknowntous,whichwereproposedbycomradesGalvéandRudiger,whichmakereference,accordingtothesynopsisoftheSecretariatoftheIWA,toareexaminationoftheDeclarationof
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PrinciplesandoftheStatutesoftheAssociation,weconsideritadvisabletosetforthasummaryofourviews,inordertoinformthecomradedelegatesattendingthisCongress,andconcerningwhichwewouldverymuchdesiretoreachafreeagreement.Ourviewsare:
1.FraternalacceptancebytheCNTofthecritiquesofitsgovernmentalistactivities,reaffirmingitsadherencetotheDeclarationofPrinciplesoftheIWAanditscommitmenttoactinaccordancewiththem
.
3.APositionStatementbytheIWAconcerningtheSpanishevents,
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expressingthedeepestsolidaritywiththerevolutionaryachievements,manifestedinthearmedstruggleandinthesocialexperimentsthathavebeencarriedout,orareintheprocessofbeingimplemented,basedonfreeagreementanddirectaction.Reaffirmationofitsspiritofrejectionofallwars,whichessentiallyinvolvecontentionfordominanceoversystemsofgovernment,inthegameofpoliticaldisputes,toobtainhegemonyovertheres-publica.
4.RejectionofanyrevisionoftheDeclarationofPrinciplesoftheIWA,andaffirmationofthecurrentstructureoftheSecretariat,proposingthatshouldanychangesbecontemplated,theymustfirst
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besubmittedtothereviewofthememberorganizations,andtheymustbegivenenoughtimetoissuetheirreports.
FortheFederalCouncil,theSecretary.
Later,fortheOrdinaryCongress,alsoheldinParisin1938,whereparticularattentionwasdevotedtodebatingthetopics,ExaminationandClarificationofthePrinciplesoftheIWAStatutes,andInternationalPracticalNormsofAnarchosyndicalism,theFORUcondenseditsviewsinthefollowingstatements:
RegardingtheExaminationoftheStatutesandtheDeclarationofPrinciplesoftheIWA,theFORUunderstandsthe
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needtoaffirmtheexistingPactanditsDeclarationofPrinciples,itsanti-statenormsandpracticesanddirectaction,andifanymodificationisappropriateitwouldbeforthepurposeofmakingitmoreconsistentwiththefederalistcharacterofthemovementuponwhichtheInternationalWorkingmensAssociationisbasedandinwhichtheanarchistgoaloftheIWAisembodied.
SixteenyearsafterthefoundingoftheIWA,theheiroftheFirstInternationalthatBakunin,Reclús,Lorenzoandsomanyothercomradesworkedtocreate,andwhichattheCongressofSaint-Imierin1872acquireditsowndistinctivecharacterwiththeapprovalofananti-
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statist,anti-politicalandrevolutionarydeclarationduringitsproceedings,allofwhichwasreaffirmedatthefoundingCongressofthecurrentIWAthattookplacein1922inBerlin,whichrangedusagainstthereformismofsocialdemocracy,themasteroftheAmsterdamInternational,thelatterthereforebeingsubordinatedtotheebbandflowofitsstatistandlegalaction,andalsoagainsttheRedTradeUnionInternationalofMoscow,anobligatoryappendageoftheBolshevikParty,victoriousinRussia,thusdistinguishingtheIWAastheonlylibertarianandemancipatoryInternational,diametricallyopposedtothecentralizingmechanismofthesecorporatebodies,whicharesubjecttothe
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directivesofpoliticalMarxismandtoitsmaterialistconceptofthestrugglesoftheproletariat,ourAssociation,althoughithasrecentlyexperiencedadeclineinthenumberofitsadherents,duetothepersecutionsenduredbyitsaffiliatedorganizationsinvariouscountries,itsprestigeanditspossibilitieshavebeengreatlyincreased,becausetheworkers,tiredoflegalagitation,whichonlyservestobolsterthestrengthofcapitalismandtheState,areturningtowardsthemethodsandpracticesadvocatedbytheIWA,andthatiswhyitissoessentialtointensifypropagandaamongalltheworkers,aboutthemeaningofitstacticsofstruggle,andthecontentofitsDeclarationofPrinciples,puttingmore
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emphasisonitssyndicalistdimensiontoinfluencetheiractivities,positingAnarchistCommunismasthefinalgoal,highlightingthecomprehensivehumanmeaningthatinspiresthememberorganizationsoftheAssociation,toadvocateformsofsociallifebasedonmutualaidandfreeagreement,outsideofthepoliticalandeconomicsystemswhosereasonforexistenceisbasedoncapitalistexploitationandonthetyrannyoftheState,regardlessoftheformofthelatter,bourgeoisorproletarian,sincebothareupheldbytheAuthorityofbayonets.
***
TheFORofArgentinasentthefollowingproposedresolutionsconcerningthe
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questionoftheCNTmentionedabovetotheOrdinaryCongressoftheCNTheldinParisinDecember1938:
FOURTHPOINT.Everydeclarationofprincipleshas,ofcourse,atheoreticalmeaning,sinceitspurposeistoarticulateaspirationsorproposalsforthefulfillmentofanyparticularmovement;declarationsofprinciples,however,nomatterhowbrilliantandrelevanttheymaybe,areabsolutelyworthlessiftheinstitutionorthemovementthatadoptsthemiscontenttorestrictthemtoanexistenceonpaperbutdoesnotseektorealizethemtothegreatestpossibleextent,adjustingitsdevelopmentanditstacticstotheirmeaning.Itisforthis
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reasonthat,fromthepointofviewoftheFORA,whichtriestoalwaysremainfaithfultothemessageofitsprinciples,declarationsofprinciplesdonotrepresentapurelytheoreticalexposition,butratheraline,apointofperspectivethatfixesthecourseofamovement;alineandapointofperspectivefromwhichonecannotdeviatewithoutfallingintoirresponsibility,andtowhichitisnecessarytoadaptthemeaningoftacticsandmilitancy.
Withoutthiszealandthisfaithfulnesstowhichthedeclarationofprinciplesappeals,itistobeunderstoodthatprinciplescanbesetasideandthatthemilitancyanddailyactivitiesofthe
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movementswouldfollowthepathofpossibilismandcontingency.WhenthedeclarationofprinciplesupheldbytheIWAwasdrafted,theFORAtooktheopportunitytoexpressitsopinionsandtomakeproposalsthroughitsdelegates,andwecantodayexpresswithsatisfactionthatthemeaningoftheprincipledpositionswhichinformedthoseopinionsandproposalsofours,havenotchangedintheleast.Rathertothecontrary,theeventsofthelastfewyearshavecontributedtothereaffirmationoftheconceptadvocatedbytheFORAregardingthismatter.Thisiswhy,confrontedwithaninvitationlikethisonethatcallsforaclarificationandexaminationofthedeclarationof
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principlesoftheIWA,weunderstandthateverythingthatmightbedoneinthisrespectcanonlybeacceptedwhenitreaffirmsthepostulatesofemancipationthatconstitutethedirectionandgoalofourstruggles;andalsoinviewofthefactthatinthissensethereisnothingsuperiortothedeclarationofprinciplesoftheFORA,ortoitsmethodsofstruggleanditssystemoforganization,werejectanyattemptthatisdirectedinthesenseofintroducingmodificationsthatwouldtendtodiminishtheanti-state,anti-politicalandanti-collaborationistpositionthatmustbetheguidingbeaconforalltheactionsandactivitiesoftheIWA.
FIFTHPOINT.Consideringthatevery
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statuteisalwaysincompatiblewiththefederalistprincipleandwiththefreeagreementthatwehaveadutytopracticeinalldimensionsofouractivitiesinordertoenabletheworkerstoexercisethesesameprinciples,andalsoforthepurposethat,asaresultofthisconsequence,theywillbeinstilledwiththefaithintheidealsofthemovement,itisouropinionthatthereshouldbenootherstatutesfortheIWAotherthanthoseagreementsanddecisionsmadebyitscongressesandassemblies.
SIXTHPOINT.WithregardtotheissuediscussedinourFourthPoint,theFORAcannotconceiveofatacticthatwouldnotbeconditionedbyitstheory,thatis,byits
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declarationofprinciples.Thatiswhy,sincethefirstmeetingoftherevolutionarysyndicaliststhatledtothefoundingoftheIWA,theFORAhasplacedspecialemphasisonitsdeclarationofprinciplesandonitsconceptofsyndicalism,understandingthatthelattermustnecessarilybeconditionedbytheformer.TheFORAsetforthitsconceptionconcerningthismatterintheminutesthatitpresentedtothemeeting,andithasreaffirmedthisconceptatallthecongressesormeetingsthathavetakenplacesincethen.Todayouropinionhasnotchanged.Westillthinkthatworkingclasssyndicalismwithitstacticofdirectstruggle,conditionedbyasuperiordeclarationofprinciples,
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constitutesaninvincibleweaponinthehandsoftheproletariat;wethinkthatthisweaponcannotbeabandonedaslongastheregimeofexploitationandtyrannythatweighsuponthepeoplesendures;butweconsiderthat,withregardtotheinterpretationofaregimeofequalityandsocialjustice,ourhopesforworkingclasssyndicalismcanonlybeembodiedinadeclarationofprinciplessuchasweadvocate,whichassuresforthefutureaneraofeconomicequalityandfreedomofexpressionthroughtheestablishmentofCommunismandAnarchy.ThisisthesocialgoaloftheFORAanditisalsothesocialgoaloftheIWAifwetakeintoaccountthefactthatinitsdeclarationofprinciplesLibertarianCommunism
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figuresastheleadingaspirationofitsstruggles.WeconsiderthatallofthisiswellknowntoallthosewhohavehadtheopportunitytogettoknowthenatureoftheFORAwithintheIWA.Wethereforedonotthinkitisnecessarytoinsistonthis.Weshallonlysayspecificallyandevenatthepriceofsuccumbingtotheviceofredundancy,thatsyndicalismmustadaptitstacticsofstruggleaswellasitssystemoforganizationtothesocialgoalthathasbeensetforthinitsdeclarationofprinciples.
Chapter21:TheFederationofCollectivesofAragon
21
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TheFederationofCollectivesofAragon
OneofthemostfruitfulexperimentsconductedbytheanarchistsduringthefirstmonthsofthewarinSpainwasundoubtedlytheFederationofCollectivesofAragon,wherethetransformationofcapitalistsocietyintoasystemofsociallifecharacterizedbysolidarityandjusticewastosomeextentactuallyrealized.
DespiteallthecompromisesandbackroomdealswiththeMarxistpoliticians,alifeoffreedom,mutualaidandcommunallaborwasassayedinAragon.ThepeasantsofAragon,whohadalonghistoryofrebellion,wererapidlyabletoappreciatethedifference
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ofthemethods,thepracticalityoftheanarchistideasandthenobilityofthesocialstructurewithoutmasters,localpoliticalbosses,priestsorexploiters.
ItistruethatinAragon,theauthorityprinciplewasnottotallyeliminated,sincetheanarchists,intheirsuicidalofferofcooperationandalliancewiththepoliticians,allowedthepreservationofdisguisedstateformsintheCouncilofDefense,butitmustbeacknowledgedthattheymadethelandlordsandfeudallordsdisappearinordertocollectivizethelandforthosewhoworkedonit.
Aswesaidpreviously,however,thehealthycontentmentandsatisfactionoftheAragonesepeasantswouldnotlast
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verylong,becausethegovernmentthathadfledto[sic:from]MadridandwasrebornwiththeparticipationoftheministerialistsoftheCNTandtheFAIinValencia,whosepresident,underthecircumstancesbyorderofRussia,whichwaspressuredtodosobythedemocraticpowerswasthepuppetNegrín,decidedtoabolishthelastvestigesofthesocialrevolution,theCollectivesofAragon,anddispatchedanexpeditionaryforceunderthecommandofthecommunistListertodothebiddingofinternationalcapitalismandtheantifascistpowers.
Thismaneuver,whichwasurgentlyimplemented,isdescribed,withrealbitterness,bycomradeAscaso,inan
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interviewwithajournalistforLeReveil,ofGeneva,excerptsfromwhichwereproducebelow:
Naturally,wehelddiscussions,weexaminedthedanger,wemetmorethanonce,butmoderationandawaitandseeattitude,andadesiretofindacompromisesolution,alwaysprevailed.Itwasnecessarytoholddiscussions,toconciliate,tomakeadealwithNegrín,togotoValencia,tomeetwiththevariousministers,etc.Andthenalwaystowait,nottobecomealarmed,nottorespondtoprovocations,inordertoexperienceadebacle,whichwastheinevitableresultofsuchmethods.
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AsIalreadytoldyou,Iandthefivecomradeswho,withme,formedthemajorityoftheCouncilofAragon,allagreed.Wewouldhaveresisted,wewouldhaveremainedatourpostsandassumedresponsibilityforwhateverwouldhavehappened.RegardlessofthedefeatistpositionoftheCNT,wewouldhavedefendedourCouncilwitharmsinhand,becausethatishowweunderstoodtherevolutionandwearestilltothisdaythesameanarchistsandrevolutionariesthatwewereinthepast.AndIwilltellyouevenmore,soyouwillunderstandtherefinedJesuitismofthepoliticians.WhileIwasinValenciaonanurgentmission,havingbeengivenassurances
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thatwecouldcometoanagreement,thedivisioncommandedbythesinisterLister,thecommunist,marchedonCaspe,andIwasarrestedatthegatesofValencia,afterhavingspokentotheministers.IamsurethatifIhadbeenabletoreachCaspe,ListerwouldnothavebeenabletodissolveourCouncil,sincealltheconfederaldivisionswereatourdisposal.
ThatishowtheexperimentoftheAragonesecollectivesended,which,whiletheymayhavesufferedfromseriousoperationaldefects,setthestandardthatshowedthattheanarchistidealhadceasedtobeautopiainordertoinstillinthemindsofthepeasantsthe
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convictionthatthecapitalistsystemhaddeniedthemtherighttoLife.
Chapter22:Theunderhandedmachinationsofinternationaldiplomacy
22
Theunderhandedmachinationsofinternationaldiplomacy
Thecenetistaandfaístabureaucracy,initsclumsyandridiculousattempttojustifyitsbetrayalsanditscollaborationwiththeState,conceivedtheargumentthatitwasnecessarytosupportCompanysinCataloniaandthereforetoobeyandupholdthepowerofthecentralgovernmentaswellwhosePresidentwas
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Azańasothat,onthesurface,SpainwouldgivetheappearancetothediplomatsofthedemocraticgovernmentsofacountryruledinaccordancewiththelegalandpoliticalnormsinherenttoanywellconstitutedState,sothatthesecountrieswouldmakeweapons,munitionsandotherurgentlyneededmaterielavailabletotheantifascistalliance.
ItisnotnecessarytoopenthebookthattellsthestoryoftheobscurediplomaticplotsandmachinationsoftheantifascistpowersagainstrepublicanSpain,whichweresoclearlyrevealedbythegraveeventsthattookplaceinthose30monthsoffratricidalwar,inordertoaffirmthat
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thetranscendentalresolutionoftheCNTandtheFAItoallowthewholedilapidatedstructureoftheSpanishstatetoremainstanding,inordertoobtainmoralsupportandarmsfromthedemocracies,wasmerelyacrudepretexttoconcealtheirabsolutelackofanarchistconvictions;theircowardiceinthefaceoftheshockingspectacleoftheawakeningoftheIberianproletarianmultitudes;theirwell-dissimulatedambitiousfantasiesandtheirboundlessauthoritariancareerism.Foritisnotpossibletosupposethatduringthosemomentstheyhadforgottenthepastofopprobriumanddespotismthatthesenationshadbehindthem,onethatisidenticalwithregardtoviolentmethods
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andservileendstothebehaviorcurrentlymanifestedbythetotalitarianstatesastheprizeofconquestbyimposinghumiliationontheCzech,Ethiopian,Austrian,Albanianandotherpeoples.
Francehasusedtheguillotineonitsrebels.IthasenslavedthepeoplesofAfrica,whereitimposes,byforceofarms,Europeancivilization.
EnglandhasdemonstrateditsbarbarousproceduresofadaptationinthebloodywaragainsttheBoers,inTransvaal,andrulesoverIndia,Palestine,andothervast,andwealthy,regions.
TheUnitedStatesflaunts,initslongreactionaryhistory,theredblemishofthe
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ChicagoMartyrs.ItelectrocutedSaccoandVanzettiandithasimposeditsmilitaryandeconomicdominanceonvariouslittlerepublicsinSouthAmerica.Russia,which,byanironyoflanguage,isdenominatedbyitspaidpanegyristsasthevanguardofdemocracy,hasarigidandcrueldictatorshipoftheproletariat;thereisnofreedomofassemblyorspeechandtheonlypressistheofficialstatepress.
However,evenifweweretoassumethattheirmemorieshadproventobeunreliable,thesuspiciouseventsthatweretakingplacetherefusaltodeliverthetraincarsfullofammunitioninIrún;theinitiativeoftheleaderoftheFrench
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cabinet,thesocialistBlum,toformthefamousNon-InterventionCommittee,whichresultedinatightblockadeonthecoastsofloyalistSpain;thefallofthecabinetpresidedoverbyLargoCaballero,orderedbyRussiawiththeacquiescenceofFranceandEngland;thesurrenderofMálaga,Bilbao,Santander,etc.,withoutafight,withoutdestroyingthemachineryoftheminesorthearmamentsfactories;thepresenceintheportofBarcelonaofEnglishandFrenchwarshipsduringtheMayDaysof1937,whentheMarxistsweremurderingtheanarchistsinordertoimposetheircompletedominationovertheworkersRepublic;therefusaltosendarmstotheAragonfront;theBolshevizationofthe
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antifascistarmy,anditsinfiltrationbylargenumbersoftechnicians,allcommunists;thecontrolexercisedbythecommunistsoverthefrontierwithFrance;thedissolutionoftheDefenseCommitteeandtheagrariancollectivesofAragon;theinterventionofthearmyofPortugalanallyofEnglandalongsideFrancoshordes;thetransport,rightunderthenosesoftheEnglishandtheFrench,ofthousandsofvolunteerssentbyMussoliniandHitler,withouttheirknowledgeandwithoutthembeingdetected;thebombingofSpanishcitiesandtownsbyGermanandItalianairplanes,fueledwithRussiangasoline;andmanyothergraveandsymptomaticeventsdiditneveroccurtothebrilliant
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mindsofthemenofresponsibilityoftheCNTandtheFAItobeconcernedwithinvestigatingjustwheretheiringenuousness,goodfaithandzealtomakeallianceswiththeauthoritarianpoliticiansunitedintheantifascistblocandwiththedemocraticnationshadledandwasleadingthem?
Themachinationsandbackdoorplotsbeinghatchedinthechancelleriesoftheantifascistcountrieswerenomystery,maneuverstendingtoeliminatethedangerthatwasrepresented,forthegovernmentsandcapitalistsofthetotalitariannationsaswellasalltheotherones,bytherevolutionarywavespearheadedbytheanarchistsofthe
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IberianPeninsula.TierrayLibertad,ofBarcelona,initsissueofMarch20,1937,said:
Internationalcapitalismhasnowallthatdividesthefascistcapitalistsfromthedemocraticcapitalists,orthemonarchistsfromtheliberals,therightistsfromtheleftists.IthasitsgreatcentersinLondonandinNewYork,inBerlinandinParis,inRomeandinBuenosAires,inTokyoandinGeneva,inallthegreatcapitalsoftheglobe.
Santillánclaimed:
So-calledloyalistSpaincollapsedasaresultofourvictoryofJuly19,undertheinfluenceoftheimperialistconstellation
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oftheallegedlydemocraticpowers.EnglandandFrance,withthediplomaticallianceofRussia,werenotveryconcerned,ornotatallconcerned,withtheprospectofafascistSpain;buttheywereveryconcernedaboutthepossibilityofarevolutionarySpain.
Furthermore,thepacifistinitiativesoftheEnglishpoliticianMr.EdenwereverywellknowninSpain,initiativeswhichentailedtherestorationoftheBourbonmonarchy.TheresultsofthegrotesqueMunichConferencewerealsoknown,where,withthemutualagreementofthefourgreatpowers,thedisappearanceofCzechoslovakiawasdecided.TheeffortsoftheEnglishprimeministeronbehalfof
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pacificationwerealsowellknown,whomsomehumoristsdepictedwithanopenumbrella;andnoonewasunawareofthefactthatEnglishdiplomacybydividingcountriesuporsurrenderingthemdominatestheworld;whichhelpedtransformMussoliniintoaNapoleon;whichpreferredandhelpedbringaboutFrancosvictory;whichreceivedtheprotestofPortugalagainstfascistinterferenceand
thatisalreadyenough.Thedemocraticandtotalitarianpowersseeminglyatloggerheadsthusfulfilledtheirmissiontosavehumanity,providingthemeanstomakepossiblethestabbingintheback,theimprisonmentandtheshootingofthe
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anarchistsofSpainandtoday,theymustbesavoring,satisfiedandinunison,thetragictasktheyaccomplishedintheIberianregions,bymeansofthehostsofFranco.
***
Nowthattheechoofthemilitarybugles,theroarofthecannons,thestaccatotappingofthemachineguns,thebuzzofthebombers,theheartrendingcriesofthewoundedandthethumpofhumanbodieshittingtheSpanishsoil,nevertoriseagain,hasjustrecentlybeensilenced,onceagainthefourhorsemenoftheApocalypsearegallopingoverthefieldsofEurope.AttilareturnsintheformofMars.
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Onceagain,thebrutalanddestructiveargumentofcombatweaponsisemployed:tanks,planes,gas,armor,flamethrowersandtoxicliquids,etc.,inordertodeterminethepoliticalandeconomicpeckingorderamongthecapitalistpowers.Itisthusthatthemadmenofabsolutistsensualism,theunbalancedanddangerousagentsofinternationaldiplomacyandthearmsmanufacturershaveonceagainledthepeoplesofoldEurope,afterhavingintoxicatedthemwiththeopiumofpatriotism,toahecatombthatisevengreaterthantheonethatstartedin1914,whichcostmillionsoflivesandleftinitswakemillionsofinvalids,orphansand
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insanepeople.InalloralandwrittenpropagandawenotethefatefulduoCapitalandtheStateasthefactorsthatareresponsibleforthepainfulandDantesquespectaclethatwebeholdasspectatorsfromadistance,althoughtheirrefutableargumentsthatwehavealwaysmadetotheworkersinordertopointwiththefingerofaccusationatthecausalfactorsofthiscollectivecrimeandofourmisfortunes,sacrificesandmiseries,willnotatthepresenttimeproduceanygreaterreflectiveeffectinthemindsofthepeople,sincethelatteraredominatedbywarfever,whichthebourgeoispressinjectsintothemonadailybasis.Wemustrepeat,however,thatthosewhotodayunleashthe
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whirlwindofpassions,ofhatredandoflimitlesscrueltyontheEuropeanpeoples,arestillhidingbehindfalseappearances,seekingtoappearasmessengersofpeaceandsaviorsofhumanity.
Itislogicaltostate,then,thateverypersonwithanaltruisticspiritandnoblesentimentsmustfeeldespondentinthefaceoftheimpressivesceneofcruelty,martyrdomanddestructionthatiscurrentlytakingshapeinEurope,andmustunitetheirreproachwithouranathemaagainstthiscrimeagainsthumanitysignifiedbythewar,joiningtheoutcriesofthemothers,sisters,childrenandelderlyparentswhowillbethesacrificialvictimsofthecurrentmadness
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ofwar.
That,then,istheanathemawepronounceagainstallwars.
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Chapter23:Ourpress
23
Ourpress
WhenIrefertoourpress,inSouthAmerica,inordertocallattentiontothepreachingofanarchistdoctrinesthatistenaciouslybeingcarriedoutbythenewspapers,OrganizaciónObrera,theorganoftheFORofArgentina,andSolidaridad,thatoftheFORofUruguay,wearenotguidedbyasenseofclosed-mindedexclusivism.Thereasonwhyweexpressitthiswayisthefactthatthesenewspapershavebeenabletokeepabreastofthecircumstancesandevents,
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fearlesslycriticizingthecenetistasandfaístasatfirstfortheirdeviations,andthenfortheirideologicalbetrayals,keepingtheproletarianranksandtheanarchistmilitantsinformedofthesetrends,sothattheyshouldnotbeinfectedwiththeconfusionistvirusthatthedisastrousactionsofthosecomradeshasdisseminatedandsothattheproletariansandtheanarchistmilitantsshouldconcernthemselvesasamatterofthegreatestimportancewithlearningallthedetailsaboutthesedevelopments,inordertobreachthecordonsanitairethathasbeenorganizedonaninternationalscalebytheanarchistswhohaveimplementedtheseconstructiveandinnovativeexperiments.
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Itistrue,ofcourse,thatthisworthyandnobleattitudeofourpresshasinducedenormousdiscontentintheranksofopportunismandthatithasearnedbitterreproachesandmuchantipathy.Someothernewspapersonlyaveryfewpublishedbyotheranarchistgroupshavealsoconfrontedtheconfusedsituationbroughtaboutbytheseeventsandcriticizedfromanelevatedvantagepointthecenetistaandfaístadiscoveries.
Weshallreproducethefollowingexcerptsfromtwoarticlesfromourpress,whichdemonstratetheclearandplainlyanarchistorientationoftheeditorialpolicyofthenewspapersmentionedabove:
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Inissueno.55ofOrganizaciónObrerathefollowingthoughtfularticleappeared:
ThefeeblehopesthatwerenourishedconcerningapossiblefavorablechangeinthesituationoftheSpanishrepublicaretotallydissipatinginamostspectacularfashion.Inreality,consideringthewaythingsaregoingandinviewofhowthepeaceprocessisbeingprepared,onemightsaythatthedestinyofSpain,althoughnotfinallydetermined,hasnowbeencast,sincetheeventsofthelastfewdays,bothregardtothepoliticalaswellasthemilitaryaspect,leavenoroomfordoubt.Spain,althoughitispainfulforustosaythis,willdefinitelybesacrificedtothecapriceofthedictatorsandtothe
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interestofbiginternationalcapitalism.
However,anddespitesuchasorrowfulconclusion,wemustpointoutthatnoneofthegreateventsofthiscentury,includingtheRussianRevolution,havecontributedagreatermassofexperiencesthantheSpanishconflict,sinceapartfromthedeepsocialsignificanceitacquiredduringitsveryfirstmoments,thecivilwarthatisnowcomingtoanendhasbeenrichinfactsandexamplesofeverykindandmagnitude.
Indeed.InSpain,toanextentseennowhereelseintheworld,wehavewitnessedthedegreetowhichpeoplearecapableofsacrificeandheroism.Alongsidethis,however,wehavealso
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witnessedtheextenttowhichthesufferingandsacrificeofthepeople,whosefateisnowbeingsealed,wascynicallymanipulated.Forapartfromthebetrayalsthatpertaintothiscase,thedeceptionhasinthisinstancebeensorealthatitwillbedifficultforitsperpetratorstovindicatethemselvesbeforetheserenejudgmentofhistory,muchlessbeforetheharshjusticeofthepeoplesoftheworldwhomightdemandonanot-too-distantfuturedatethatthosewhoarenowitsleadersshouldprovideanexplanationfortheiractions.ThetruthisthatthedramaofSpainisnowcomingtoanendwiththegreatestbetrayalofourtimeandthatthisunprecedentedbetrayalistheresponsibilityofallthosewhohelpedto
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causethisvaliantpeopletosetasidetheirrevolutionaryimpulsesofthefirstfewmomentsofthecivilwarandinsteadentrusttheirdestiniestothedemocraticpolicythatalltheirleaderswereadvisingthemtoadopt.
Wewillnotsayanythingnew,atleastnotforthosecomradeswhohavetriedtokeepinformedandtostudytheunfoldingeventsofthisconflict.Ifwesay,however,thatthepeoplewhofoughtonthesideoftherepublicangovernmenthavenotbeendefeated,weareonlysheddinglightonarealitythatnothingornoonecanrefuteordeny.AndweshallalsomentionanincontrovertibletruthwhenwesaythattheSpanishpeople,
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afterhavingbeensuitablypacifiedanddomesticated,hasbeenmiserablysurrendered:bymeansofthedeceptionpracticedbyallthosewholedit,firstinordertoconceal,andthenlatertoannihilatetheirrevolutionoutoffearoflosingthegoodwillofthegreatdemocraticnations
whicharenowpayingthembackfortheirsacrificesbysurrenderingthemunconditionallytofascism.Isitnotclearthatthebetrayalfromtheoutsidecausedthisandmadepossiblethisdeliberatedomesticationofthepeople?Yes,thatisthetruth,thetruththatcannotbeconcealedwithphrasesortalkofcircumstances
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.
TheSpanishpeoplelosttheirnaiveconfidenceintheirleaders.Althoughtheywereheroicandself-abnegatinglikenootherpeople,theSpanishpeoplewerestilltoochildlike.Theytrustedtoomuchintheoldstatistandpoliticallies.TheyweretoldthatitwasnecessarytoupholddemocracyandthefictionoftheState,butbyreestablishingthedemocracyandonceagainputtingthestatebackonitsfeet,bothturnedagainstthemandstabbedthemintheback.
If,insteadofsuppressingitsimpulsesofthefirstmoments,ithadencouragedthepeopletocontinuetoengageinthedestructionofeverythingthatstoodinthe
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wayofitsdesiresforarapiddefeatoftherebelsandintheprocessradicallytransformlifethroughoutSpain;ifithadtaughtthepeoplethatitsrevolutionaryconquestscouldonlybedefendedbyundertakingnewandmoreadvancedconquests;ifithadtaughtthepeoplethatthenewlegislationofjustice,evenifitwaspromulgatedbyaworkingclassminister,wasnothingbutaskillfulmaneuverintendedtoinjectnewlifeintheregimethatwasinitsdeaththroes;inshort,ifithadtoldtheSpanishpeoplethatbytransformingitsrevolutionarystruggleintoasimplewarfornationalindependenceanoutrageousmaneuverthatonlybroughttheunitarymilitarycommandandthemilitarizationofthe
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armyintheoldstylemeantthebeginningoftheendofalltheiremancipatoryefforts,itiscertainthatthefateofSpainwouldhavebeendifferentthanwhatisnowintheoffing,despitethefactthatatthistimethereistalkofanhonorablepeace.
Notall,however,islostinSpain.Theoldpromisesofanarchismbothwithregardtoitsconceptionoftherevolutionarystruggle,aswellasinrelationtoitsclassicalpositionagainsttheStateandeverythingthathelpstoupholdthepresentregime,hasnotsufferedanykindofsetback.Tothecontrary,realityhasassumedresponsibilityforonceagainconfirmingthateverythingthepeople
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havedonethatisnotinaccordancewiththoseprincipleshasbeeninvain,andproducednegativeresults,although,asinthecaseofSpain,thepeopleperformedprodigiesofgloryinthegreateststruggleofourtimes.
ItisaterriblelessonthatSpainhastaughtusatthecostofenormoussacrifices.Letushopethatthislessonisheededbythepeoplesoftheworld!
***
IntheissueoftheFORUsSolidaridadforthefirsttwoweeksofOctober1937,weread:
Althoughitmightseemsurprisingto
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manycomradeswhoviewtheseproblemsfromanobjectivestandpoint,theentryoftheCNT-FAIintothegovernmentministriesofValenciaandBarcelona,aswellastheallianceswiththeanti-anarchistmovements,werenotreallytheconsequencesoftheneedtodealwithspecialcircumstances,butresultedfromthelackofanarchistconvictionsamongtheprincipalarchitectsofthesepolicies;fromthefactthattheywerenotcompletelyliberatedfromthestatistprinciple,andtheessentialfunctionthatbytheirverynaturetheorgansoftheStateperform;fromtheveryfactthattheyevenadmittedthepossibilitythattheemancipatoryprojectcouldbeservedfromtheinstitutionsoftheState,ifonly
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theseinstitutionsweretobecomposedofmenofgoodfaith,ofanarchists,thusdenyingtheessentialprinciplesofanarchism,elaboratedontheindestructiblebasisoftheconclusionsarrivedatfromtheundeniablefactsthathistoryhasprovidedus.
Inbrief,weshallnotresorttoclaimingthatthemisnamedgovernmentalanarchistsandthemenwhosoughttojustifytheirpolicies,eveniftheysayitwasallanexperiment,arebasicallytotallylackinginanyanarchistbeliefsquitethecontrary:theyarebasicallyauthoritarians,theydenythecreativecapacityofthepeople,frombelow(thebasisofanarchism)and
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attributemoreliberatorycapacitytoactionfromabove,bymeansofcommitteesorotherinstitutionsthat,withoutorevenagainstthewilloftheworkers,dictate,notinitiativestobestudiedbyallwithequalconditionsandrights,butindisputableorders,whichmustbeobeyed,regardlessofwhetherornottheyrespondtotheneedsoftheoppressed,concerningwhichandthisistheotherbasisofanarchismitcannotbeconceivedthatthereisanygeniuswhocanregulatetheneedsandaspirationsofthepeople,butthatthelatterwillrealizetheirneedsandaspirationsonlybywayoftheexerciseoftheircompleteliberty;whenthisexerciseoflibertyislacking,thenthecreativeinitiativeandcapacityof
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thepeopletostruggleagainsttheoppressorsandtoorganizelifeinsuchawayastosatisfytheirmaterialandspiritualneeds,then,werepeat,thiscapacitywillbeemasculated,becauseitwillbesuspendedinexpectationofdeedsthataretobecarriedoutbysaviors.Thisanti-libertarianlabor,unfortunately,iswhathasbeenaccomplishedbythoseanarchistswhojoinedthegovernment,supportedbythosewhoplacedmorefaithintheindispensablementhantheydidintheworkingpeople.
Theargumentthatjoiningthegovernmentwasdoneforthepurposeofpreventingtheinterventionofthegovernmentsofothercountries,sothatit
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wouldappeartointernationalcapitalismthatitsinterestswerebeingsafeguarded,butthatwhattheywerereallydoingwassafeguardingtherevolution,couldnotbemorepuerile,sinceitcannotbeassumed,muchlessbythecapablemenwhojoinedthegovernment,thatinternationalcapitalismissostupidastonotknowhowtodistinguishwhetheragovernmentwasfictitiousorreal;ifitwasfictitiousthentheinterventionofarmedforcethateveryoneindisputablysoughttopreventwouldhavetakenplace,untilthefictitiousgovernmentshouldeitherbecomearealone,oruntilitisreplacedbyanotherthatreallyguaranteesitsinterestsandthoseoftheSpanishcapitalists,forwhichbothwillworkin
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unison,duetotheidentityoftheirinterestsandideasofsocialorganization,establishingregimesthatwerefundamentallybased,althoughtheiroutwardformsvaried,onthesubjectionoftheworkerstotheexploitationoftheemployers,thusassuringtheexistenceoftheiriniquitiesandobnoxiousprivileges.
Tounderstandthisquestioninanyotherwayreflectsintellectualshortsightedness,regardlessofhowintellectualitsproponentsmayconsiderthemselvesandyouwillpardonusfortheheresythatsemi-literateworkerswouldbesoirreverenttowardstheeliteofrevolutionaryintellectualismorelsebespeaksofalackofcouragethatis
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neededbymentoconfronttheconsequencesthateveryrevolutionbringsinitswakeandthereshouldnotbeanyrevolutionarieswhohavenotstudiedthisprobleminadvance.
Anyonewho,formanyyears,hascarriedoutpropagandainfavoroftherevolutionanddoesnotexpectthispropagandatobearfruit,wouldbelikeaparrotwhoautomaticallyspeakswordswithouttheleastunderstandingofwhattheymean.
Itispossiblethatthesemenhavesufferedfromthosetwogreatmisfortunesfortherevolution:alackofanarchistconvictionsandthesimultaneouslackofpersonalfortitudetoassumetheresponsibilitythattheoutbreakofaprofoundsocial
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revolutionentails.
Wethink,however,thatitisthefirstoftheseshortcomings,whichdeterminedtheanti-revolutionarypositionthatthesemenhaveassumedandstillsupport.Ourviewisbasedonthefactthatweunderstandthatthereisnosuchthingasspontaneousgeneration,butthateverythingthathappenshasitsdevelopmentalprocess,untilitreachesitsculmination,whencircumstantialfactorscontributetoitsfullemergence.
Assumingthisisthecase,itislogicaltoexpectthatatthemomentwhentheSpanisheventscompelledthesementotakeadefiniteattitude,anarchistorstatist,theyplacedthemselvesonthe
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terrainthatconformedmostcloselywiththesocialconceptionthatexistedinthedeepestrecessesoftheirsouls.Theythereforedemonstratedthattheideaoflibertythattheyhaddisseminatedforsomanyyearswasonlyathinveneerthatconcealedtheauthoritariansoulthatexistedinthedepthsoftheirbeing.
Thisassertioniscorroboratedbythefactthatthespecialcircumstancestheyinvokedbecamepermanentcircumstances,andneitherthecrimescommittedwithimpunityagainstlargecontingentsofself-sacrificinglibertariansbytheso-calledantifascists,northerefluxoftherevolutionduetotheworkopenlycarriedouttostranglethe
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revolutionbytheleftwingpoliticalparties,evenwhiletheypersistedintheirobstinateordishonestattemptstobeadmittedtothegovernment,sothatfromtheirposts
theycouldcontinuetosupporttheprogressoftherevolution,withoutnotingthattheworkoftheanarchistministersinthegovernmentactuallycontributedtotheeffectivenessofthecurrentjusticesysteminitsprogramofimprisoningandexecutingamultitudeofourcomrades.
WeshallhelpthecauseoftheSpanishrevolutionwithallourabilities,butweshalldosowithoutabandoningourpositions,meaningtherevolutionarycause,theeffortsofthepeoplewhoare
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fightingonthebasisofdirectaction,ontheopenlyanti-stateterrain,alwaysworkingfromthebottomup,astrugglethatisdirectedtowardsthecompletedestructionofallbureaucracyandprivileges,establishingformsofsociallifethatwillguaranteeintegralemancipationfromeverykindofexploitationandtyranny.
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Chapter24:Sterilesacrifices
24
Sterilesacrifices
ItisnotourintentiontoexalttotheheavenstheactionsofcourageandheroismcarriedoutbytheanonymousmilitiamenoftheSpanishpeopleandespecially,theactionsoftheanarchistsduringtheepicassaultsagainstthereactionaryforcesofFranco,reinforcedbythevolunteerssentbythetotalitarianStatesandPortugal,becausethiswouldonlyservetobolsterthewarfeverthatwasinoculatedclumsilyandwithirresponsiblestubbornnessbythe
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supermenoftheCNTandtheFAIintotheranksoftheantifascistcombatants.
Therehavealreadybeenmanybookspublishedbywritersofacknowledgedintellectualprestige,andmanymoreareonthewaywiththevisiblesignsofhavingsurrenderedtothedictatesofprofitthatcontainachronologicalandexuberantdescriptionofthisdisagreeableandheartrendingaspectoftheSpanishproblem,andmostofthemarenarratives,saccharineandsentimental,insteadofpolemicalorcriticalworks.
Despitethiscircumstance,itisourdutytosincerelyrenderajusthomagetorecordthevaliantandself-sacrificingconductofsomanyhundredsof
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thousandsofanarchistmilitantswho,ledbytheirrebelspiritandspurredonbythenobleandcompassionateidealofredemptionthattheyexpressedbytheirwordsandwhichbeatsintheirproletarianhearts,facedtheemissariesofMarswithbaredbreasts,inordertoofferuptheirlivesinsacrificefortheemancipationofthehumanspecies.
IntheassaultsontheMontanaBarracksinMadridandontheAtarazanasBarracksinBarcelona,attheinternationalbridgeinIrún,inSanSebastián,inthesiegeofAlcázarinToledo,ontheparapetsoftheCiudadUniversitaria,inGuadalajara,inthereconquestofTeruel,Belchiteand
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Quinto,inthemountainsofAsturias,inGijónandOviedo,inthegenerousdeedsofthesuicidebattalions,intheepicresistanceofPuigcerdáandfinally,inalltheregionsofSpain,fallingsilentforever,cutdownbythemercenariesmachineguns,manygoodandvaliantanarchistcomradesdied.
Oursenseofhonoralsoobligesustoacknowledgetheenormoussacrificesandcountlesssufferingsundergonebychildren,womenandtheelderly,whohadtoendureduringthedreadfulinfernothatthirtymonthsofaharshconflictmeantforthemtheshockingaerialbombardments,theroarofartilleryandthelamentablescenesofpillage,arson
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anddestructionthattheviciousnessandbarbarismthatpossessedthehordesofMoors,Carlists,Nazisandfascistsinflictedonthem.Weempathizewiththepainoftheseinnocentvictimsofthewarinordertoanathemizethosewho,outofcrudeambitionsforpower,rapineandexploitation,unleashed,participatedinandprolongedthiscrimeagainsthumanity,thishurricaneofpassions,whichragedwithaninfernalfury,withhatredandtheurgeforvengeance.
However,withthesamesinceritywithwhichwerenderhomagetothememoryofthecomradesimmolatedinthattragicconflictandasmuchaswearehorrifiedbytheDantesquevisionofthescenesof
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suffering,thevicissitudesofthestruggleandmassacresthattheSpanishpeopleexperienced,wemustalsoaffirmthatallthosetitanicefforts,theindelibledeedsofheroismcarriedoutbytheanarchists,thelivesthatwerelost,theviacrucisenduredbytheelderly,womenandchildrenand,asafinalsorrow,theheartrendingtragedyexperiencedintheconcentrationcampsofFrance,wereallcompletelyfruitlessandsterileforthenoblecauseofemancipationoftheSpanishpeople,becausewhenthelatterawakenedfromtheirtorpor,clenchedtheirfistsandsurgedintothestreetsforrevolutionaryaction,readytodestroyaregimeofopprobriumandtyranny,theyfoundthemselvessurroundedbytraitors
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totheanarchistidealandpoliticians,profiteersandreactionaries,whoinsteadofcrying,Forward!,assumedthetaskofpacifyingtheholyrebellionofthevengefulcrowdsandcorralledthemintheenclosureoftreasonwiththeaccursedtentaclesofpoliticalchicaneryandauthoritarianism.
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Chapter25:Summary
25
Summary
Thegrave,suicidalandoutrageousbetrayalsthatwebelievehavebeenclearlyexposedintheprecedingchapters,cannotbeunderstoodtobebasedonandmustnotbeattributedtofortuitousevents,circumstantialnecessitiesorimperativesofthewarthatbeganonJuly19,1936,butmustratherbeunderstoodaspreviouslyexisting,verydeeplyrootedmethodsofactivityandconceptions,or,moreprecisely,aperniciouscharacteristicthathadcontaminatedthehighestranks
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oftheSpanishworkersmovement,acharacteristicwhichcertaincelebrityelements,whoatthattimeoccupiedresponsiblepositionsintheCNTandtheFAI,furtheraccentuatedwiththeirshamefulactivities.
Wemustnotcommittheabsurdityortheinjusticeofaccusingalltheanarchistmilitantsofcomplicityinthistreasonoussurrender,becauseweknowthatmanygoodcomradesweresweptasidebytheauthoritarianavalancheandthosewhowerenotshotasuncontrollableswereimprisonedinthejailsofloyalistSpain;butwearenotexaggeratingwhenwesaythatthefailureandthestiflingofthesocialrevolutionwhichhadsuchan
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auspiciousbeginningwasarguedanddecidedinadvance,inthesecretmeetings,heldbehindthebacksofthemajorityoftheworkingclassandanarchistmilitants,inthehallsofthegovernmentpalaces.Thisassertionhasitsindisputablesourceinthepoliticalmachinationsthathadbeenunderwayforquitesometime;inthereasonablepropagandaasSantilláncalleditthathadbeendisseminatedbythecenetistaandfaístapressinadvanceoftheelectionsof1936thatmadeitpossiblefortheleftiststowin,andevenmoredistinctlyintheliaisoncommitteeformedbytheNationalConfederationofLaborandtheGeneralitatofCataloniaevenbeforethemilitaryuprising.
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Itisthereforenotthefruitofcircumstantialnecessitiesaconceptthatwasabusivelyconceivedinself-defensebuttheworkofapostateandcareeristelementswho,baskingintheirliteraryreputationandinthepoststhattheyfilled,waitedhypocriticallyfortheirchancetovictoriouslyparticipateintheprivilegedlegionofbureaucratsandthustoobtainthemuchsoughtafterrewardfortheirauthoritarianambitionsandsentiments.Thesemenhadnoanarchistrootsatall.Theyweredominatedbyscepticismwithregardtothepossibilityofasuccessfulsocialrevolution.Theyneverwanteditandtheyopposedanyattempttomakeithappen,outoffearorconvenience.Theyhadalready
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establishedtheirpositiononthisquestion.Itwasariskyenterpriseandfarbeyondtheircollaborationistconvictions.
Takingacloserlookattheanalysisoftheiractivitiesandtheconceptsthattheyrevealedoverthecourseoftheeventsthatwehavecommentedon,wecometotheconclusionthattheyhaveaparticulartendency,whichtranslatesafaithfulcopyofothereventsandtheactivityofothermenfromnowdistantbutnotforgottenepochs.Historyrepeatsitself.
Letustakealookbackintime.Letusgobacktotheyear1870andthereweshallseeidenticalepisodes,men,phrases,slogansandconsequences.
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Apioneer,anactivemilitantandavaliantpropagandistofanarchismBakunindescribesforusinthebeautifulpagesofhisbookspagesthatwemustre-readtorefreshourmemories,strengthenourspiritandreaffirmourconvictionstheeventsthattookplaceinFranceduringthatyear,whicharethesameeventsthattookplaceinSpainjustrecently.
Changethenames,thedateandthecountryandyouwillhaveapictureofSpain,withitspersonalities,itspassions,itsintrigues,itsbetrayalsandthestrangulationofthesocialrevolution.
LetusseewhatBakunintellsusinhisletterstoaFrenchman,publishedinthe
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book,TheSocialRevolutioninFrance:1
AllofthemaresincerepatriotsoftheState.Separatedonsomanypoints,theyarecompletelyunitedononlyoneissue:theyareallequallypolitical,allmenofthestate.
Assuch,theyonlyhavefaithintheregularmeans,intheforcesorganizedbytheState,andareallequallyhorrifiedbytheprospectofthedownfall,thatis,ineffect,thedishonoroftheState,notofthenation,notofthepeople;ahorrortowardsuprisings,towardsanarchisticmovementsofthepopularmasses,whicharetheendofbourgeoiscivilizationandthecertaindissolutionoftheState.
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Theywant,then,tosaveFrancebytheregularmeansonlyandbytheorganizedforcesoftheState,onlyresortingaslittleaspossibletothesavageinstinctsofthemultitudes,whichbecloudtheexquisitedelicacyoftheirfeelings,oftheirtastes,andwhatisevenmoreserious,thatthreatentheirpositionandtheveryexistenceofthesocietyofthefortunateandtheprivileged.
Theyareforced,however,toresorttoit,becausethesituationisveryseriousandtheirresponsibilityimmense.Aformidableandmagnificentlyorganizedpowerhasnoothermeansofresistancethananarmythatishalf-destroyedandanincompetent,brutalizedandcorrupt
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administrativeapparatus,whichonlybarelyfunctionsandisincapableofcreatinginafewdaysaforcethatitwasnotcapableofproducingintwentyyears.Itisthereforeincapableofundertakinganyseriouseffort,ifitisnotsupportedbythepublicconfidenceandassistedbypopularsacrifices.
Theywereforcedtoappealtothissenseofsacrifice.TheyproclaimedthereestablishmentoftheNationalGuardthroughoutthecountry,theincorporationoftheMobileGuardsinthearmyandthearmingofthewholenation.Ifallofthiswassincere,theywouldhaveorderedtheimmediatedistributionofarmstothepeoplethroughoutallofFrance.Butthis
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wouldmeantheabdicationoftheState,thesocialrevolutioninfactaswellasintheory,andtheybynomeanswantedtodothat.
ThiswassounappealingtothemthatiftheyhadtochoosebetweenthetriumphalentranceofthePrussiansinParisandthesalvationofFrancebytherevolution,thereisnodoubtthatallofthem,exceptforGambettaandcompany,wouldoptfortheformer.Forthemthesocialrevolutionisthedeathofallcivilization,theendoftheworldandthereforeofFranceaswell.Anditwouldbebetter,theywouldthink,tohaveadishonored,dismemberedFrance,momentarilysubjecttotheinsolentwillofthePrussians,butwith
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thesurehopeofrisingagain,thanaFrancethatisforeverdeadasaState,killedbythesocialrevolution.
Aspoliticianstheyhadtoface,then,thefollowingproblem:toissueacalltoarmstothepeoplewithoutarmingthepeople,buttakingadvantageofthepopularenthusiasminordertoattract,underdifferentnames,manyvoluntaryrecruitstothearmy;underthepretextofreestablishingtheNationalGuard,theywantedtoarmthebourgeoisie,excludingtheproletarians,andespeciallytheformersoldiers,inordertohaveaforcepowerfulenoughtoopposetherevoltsoftheproletariat,whowouldbeemboldenedbytheabsenceofthetroops;
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toincorporateintothearmytheMobileGuards,whoaresufficientlydisciplined,andtodissolveorleaveunarmedthosewhowerenotdisciplinedenoughandwhodisplayedsentimentsthatweretoored.Nottoallowtheformationoffreemilitaryunitsexceptontheconditionthattheywouldbeorganizedandledonlybycommandersbelongingtotheprivilegedclasses:theJockeyClub,noblelandownersandbourgeoisie,inaword,menofmeans.
Lackingthecoercivepowertocontainthepopulation,theyuseditspatrioticenthusiasm,provokedasmuchbytheeventsasbytheirdeclarationsandcompulsorydecrees,topreservepublic
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order,disseminatingamongthepopulationthatfalseanddisastrousconvictionthatinordertosaveFrancefromtheabyss,fromtheannihilationandslaveryposedbythePrussianthreat,thepeoplemust,atthesametimethattheyremainsufficientlyenthusiastictofeelcapableoftheextraordinarysacrificesthatwouldbedemandedofthem,forthesalvationoftheState,remaincalm,inactive,andplacethemselvesinacompletelypassivewayintothehandsoftheStateandoftheprovisionalgovernmentthathasnowtakencontrolofthelatterandtoconsiderasanenemyofFrance,andasanagentofPrussia,anyonewhoattemptstodisturbthisconfidenceandthispopulartranquility,
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anyonewhowantstoprovokethenationtoengageinspontaneousactsofpublicsalvation,inaword,anyonewho,nothavingcompleteconfidenceinthecapacityandgoodfaithofitscurrentrulers,wantstosaveFrancebywayoftherevolution.
Asaresult,therearetodayamongalltheparties,withoutexceptingtheredJacobinsandnaturallyalsothebourgeoissocialists,thosewhoareintimidatedandparalyzedbythefearthatthereallypopularsocialistrevolutionariesinspireinthemtheanarchistsor,sotospeak,theHebertistesofsocialism,whoarealsoprofoundlydetestedbytheauthoritariancommunists,bytheStatecommunists,as
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wellasbytheJacobinsandthebourgeoissocialistsamongalltheseparties,withoutexceptingtheStatecommunists,thereisatacitagreementtopreventtherevolutionaslongastheenemyisinFrance,forthefollowingtworeasons:
Thefirstreasonisthat,sinceallofthemcanonlyperceivethesalvationofFranceascomingfromtheactionoftheStateandintheexcessiveexaggerationofallitspowersandcapabilities,theyareallsincerelyconvincedthatiftherevolutionweretobreakoutnow,itwouldhavetheimmediateeffect,naturally,ofdestroyingthepresentState,sincetheJacobinsandtheauthoritariancommunistswouldnecessarilylackthetimeandallthe
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indispensablemeanstoimmediatelyrebuildanewrevolutionaryState,it,thatis,therevolution,wouldhandoverFrancetothePrussians,byfirsthandingitovertothesocialistrepublicans.
Thesecondreasonismerelyanexplanationandafurtherconsequenceofthefirstreason.TheyfearanddetestequallytherevolutionarysocialistsandtheworkersoftheInternational,and,understandingthatinthepresentconditionstherevolutionwouldinevitablytriumph,theywantatallcoststopreventtherevolution.
Thispositionisuniquelybalancedbetweentwoenemies,oneofwhichthemonarchistsiscondemnedtodisappear,
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andtheotherthesocialistrevolutionarieswhichthreatenstobevictorious,imposesontheJacobins,thebourgeoissocialistsandtheStatecommuniststheharshnecessityofsecretlyandtacitlymakinganalliancefromabovewiththereactionagainsttherevolutionfrombelow.Theydonotfearthereactionasmuchastheyfearthisrevolution.Fortheyseethattheformerisexcessivelyweakened,uptothepointofnotbeingabletoexistanylongerwithouttheirconsent,sotheytemporarilyassociatewithitanduseitinaverydisguisedwayagainstthelatter
.
Whatistheresult?Theradical
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opposition,doublyconstrainedbytheinstinctiverepugnancethatithasforrevolutionarysocialismandbyitspatriotism,completelynullifiesitselfandmarchesagainstitswillbehindthisgovernmentwhichitreinforcesandsanctionswithitspresence,withitssilence,andsometimesevenwithitsdeedsandhypocriticalexpressionsofsympathy.
ThisforcedagreementbetweentheBonapartists,theOrleanists,thebourgeoisrepublicans,theredJacobinsandtheauthoritariansocialists,naturallyredoundstothebenefitofthefirsttwopartiesandtothedetrimentofthelatterthree.Iftherewereeverrepublicans
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workingonbehalfofthemonarchistreaction,theyarecertainlytheFrenchJacobinsledbyGambetta.Thereactionaries,drivenintoacorner,nolongerfeelingthegroundundertheirfeet,seeingalltheoldmeansbrokenintheirhands,allthenecessaryinstrumentsforimposingthetyrannyoftheState,haveatthistimebecomeexcessivelyhumaneandcourteous,PalikaoandJeromeDavidhimself,soinsolentyesterday,aretodayextremelyaffable.Theyshowertheradicals,andespeciallyGambetta,withalltheirpraiseandwitheverykindofexpressionofrespect.Butinexchangeforthesecourtesies,theyobtainpower.Andtheradicalleftiscompletelyexcludedfrompower.
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Basically,allthesemenwhoaretodaysleadershipinpower:Palikao,Crevreau[Crémieux?]andJeromeDavidontheoneside,TrochuandThiersontheother,andfinallyGambetta,thatsemi-officialintermediarybetweenthegovernmentandtheradicalleft,cordiallydetestoneanotherandconsidereachothertobemortalenemies,andprofoundlymistrusteachother,but,allofthemareengagedinplottingtogether,theyareforcedtomarchalongsideeachother,orratherareforcedtogivetheappearancethattheyaregoingforwardinagreement.Allthepowerofthisgovernmentisexclusivelybasedtodayonthefaithofthepopularmassesintheirharmonious,completeandironunity.
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Sincethisgovernmentcouldonlysurviveasaresultofthefaithofthepublic,itisabsolutelynecessarythatthepeopleshouldhave,sotospeak,anabsolutefaithinthatunityofactionandinthatidentityofopinionsofallthemembersofthegovernment;forifthesalvationofFrancemustbeachievedbytheState,thisunityandthisidentityistheonlythingthatcansaveit.Itisthereforenecessaryforthepeopletobeconvincedthatallthemembersofthegovernment,puttingasidealltheirdifferencesandalltheirpastambitions,andabsolutelysettingasideallpartyinterests,shouldfranklybeconcernedaboutnothingbutthesalvationofFrance.Theinstinctofthepeopleisperfectlywellawareofthe
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factthatadividedgovernment,pulledapartineveryway,inwhichallitsmembersareconspiringagainstalltheothers,isincapableofseriousenergeticaction;thatsuchagovernmentwouldsurrenderthecountryinsteadofsavingit.Andiftheykneweverythingthatwasreallytakingplacewithinthecurrentgovernment,theywouldoverthrowit.
Gambettaandcompanyknoweverythingthattakesplaceinthisgovernment,theyareintelligentenoughtounderstandthatthegovernmentistoodisunitedandistooreactionarytodeployalltheenergyrequiredbythesituationandtotakethenecessarymeasuresforthesalvationofthecountry,andremainsilentbecauseif
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theyweretosaywhattheyknowtheywouldprovoketherevolution,andbecausetheirpatriotismaswellastheirbourgeoissympathiesrejecttherevolution.
***
Alltheposturing,innovativeideasandthefireworksofbellicoseslogansthatarebeingdisseminatedbythecollaboratorsofantifascismwerethelogicalconsequenceofthecompromisesmadeintheviciouscircleofthepoliticalmaniatheyhadsuccumbedtovoluntarilyandinapremeditatedway,andofallthecrudejustificationsthatreflectedthesimplefairytalesofmindsdominatedbyconfusionandbyademeaningpassion,
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oncetheyfeltthattheyhadfailedintheirroleasrulersandoncetheyknewthattheyhadbeentransformedintoreprehensiblescumintheeyesofinternationalanarchism.
Nowthattheyaretumblingdownthefatalslopeoftheirbetrayals,theydonotfeeltheleasttraceofremorse,nordotheyhaveanyscruplesaboutsowingconfusioninalldirectionsinordertofindallies.Theyarenotworriedaboutthefuture.Itwasthepresentthatofferedthempraisefortheirsupermanpedantry.Notonlytheconnectionsandthebowingandscrapingwithandbeforethepowerful,thepoliticiansandthemilitarystaffbuttheirperformancesasstatesmen,
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diplomats,pettybossesand,atthesametime,aslapdogsofthosesameindividuals.
***
ThemostnotableaspectoftheactivitiesandspeechesoftheministerialiststhatdeservestobehighlightedistheeasewithwhichtheyenshroudedinobscurityanentirepastofgloriousandhonorablerevolutionaryhistorythattheSpanishproletariatcouldboastofandhowtheyemphaticallydisseminatedcapricioustheoriesandsophisticalconceptions.
Itisnotpossibletograspthescalpelofcritiquetodissectthecomplexrangeofpracticesandideasofferedbythe
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geniusesofantifascismanddemocracy,meticulouslyexaminingitsineffectivenessanditscontents.Theoutputofslogansandexcuseswassocopiousthatitwouldbeamostdauntingtasktoprovideachronologicalaccountofthem.Wemust,however,makeaspecialallowanceforthethesisthatwassimultaneouslyupheldbyOliver,Santillán,Peiróandothers,whichcanbesummarizedasfollows:thesocialrevolutionmeantananarchistdictatorshiporrevolutionarytotalitarianism.Itmightbesaidthatoncetheactivityoftheauthorsoftheseridiculousphrasesbecameknown,theywerebereftofanyvalue.However,sincetherearemanypeoplewhofinditeasyto
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identifywiththeacrobaticsoftheidealandmodeltheirthoughtsandtheirwordsonthelatestfashionsespeciallyifthelattersupporttheireccentricinterpretationsweshallundertakearefutationofthisnotion.
Itwouldbesufficienttooffersomeopinionsfromtheprestigiouspioneersandtheoreticiansofanarchismwhoaddressedandresolvedthesocialprobleminallitsenormousrange.Butwealreadyknowthatfortheministerialistsitisaheresytofeeladmirationandrespectforthevenerablebeardsandthemanyyearsthattheyspentinstudyandresearchmeannothingtothem,nordotheyvaluetheenormous
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amountoforalandwrittenpropagandatheyproduced;theiroutstandingactivityinvariouspopularinsurrections;theircruelpilgrimagefromonecountrytoanotherandfromoneprisontoanotherandtheirbeleagueredlifeasmilitants.
Accordingtothethesisoftheministerialists,thefact,oncethesocialrevolutionbreaksout,thecapitalistmonstrosityiscompletelydestroyed;thepopulationofaregion,acityoratownthendeclaresthecompleteequalityofeconomicconditions;alltheprivilegesthatasmallminorityenjoyedbyvirtueoftheimperativeofthebruteforceofarmsarerepudiatedandannulled;itisproclaimedthatthereisnomore
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exploitationofmanbyman;thecoercivemeansthatthebourgeoisietodaypossessesareseizedandtheproletarianmultitudesareencouragedtofullyrealizetheirwellbeingandtodefendtheirfreedomandtheirrighttoLifeallofthissignifies,accordingtotheministerialists,anarchistdictatorship,confederaltotalitarianism,ortyrannicalambitions.
Captiousandsensationalistargumentsarecraftedinordertodisorienttheworkers,seekingtodrawaparallelbetweentheopprobriousreigningsystem,withitsshockingeconomicandsocialinequalitywhereanyfoolwhobecomesrichbymeansofboldrobberyormentalderangementandwhodreamsof
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surpassingNapoleonbecomes,overnight,themasterofthelivesandthewealthofthepeoplewiththestructuralharmonythatwouldemanatefromasystembasedonmutualaid,understandingandreason,justiceandloveforonesfellowman.
Anattemptwasmadetomakethecommonpeoplefeelinferiorwho,havingstagedarevoltinfavorofacompletesocialtransformation,weresupposedtoadoptcertainprecautionarymeasuresagainstthepossiblereactionsofthedronesofthehumanhive,who,iftheywouldonlygrudginglygiveupthelavishhabitsthattheypracticetodayatthecostofotherpeoplessweatandblood,wouldthusgivethemselvestheopportunityto
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dignifytheirexistencewithhonorablelabor,forthebenefitofthecollective.
Andinaccordancewiththissophistry,theministerialistsputthebrakesontheeventsandchosetosubmittothosewhotyrannizedover,exploitedandhumiliatedthepeopleinthenameoftheprincipleofauthoritytheStatesaying,withcompleteglibness,thattheyadoptedthistacticwithoutconsideringthemselvestobeoutsidethemainstreamofanarchismandwithouthavingabandonedtheirprinciples.
***
Thecruelconsequencesofthesuddeninitialreversalandofthebetrayals
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executedbythecenetistasandthefaístasduringtheSpanishconflictarenowwellknown,sincebesidesbesmirching,withtheirmaneuversandshadydealsandalliances,thegreatestemancipatoryepicofalltime,theyalsoledtheIberianmassestoasenselesssacrificeandbetrayedthembysurrenderingthemtotheauthoritarianfiends.
Itwillbeobjectedthatthisopinionofoursistheresultofoursectarianisolation.
If,asCompanystoldthem,Youhavewonandeverythingisinyourpower;if,asSantillánconfirmedinhisbook,TheRevolutionandtheWarinSpain,thedissolutionofthedefeatedarmygaveus
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aquantityofarmsthatmadeitimpossiblefortheenemytocarryoutanyattempttorecoveritslostpositions
.wecouldhavesingle-handedlyimposedourabsolutedictatorship,declaredthedissolutionoftheGeneralitatandestablished,initsplace,therealpowerofthepeople;if,duringtheeventsofMayinBarcelona,whenthepeopleerectedbarricadesandimmediatelydominatedtheentirecityand,furthermore,couldrelyonapproximately100,000armedmilitiameninnearbyprovinces,theleadersoftheCNTandtheFAIhadbeenmenofintegrityandanarchistconvictions,therecanbenodoubtthatinthatparticularregionofSpain,
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encompassingBarcelonaandAragon,withinafewmonths,daysorhours,asystemofsociallifebasedonthemostsublimeaccord,solidarityandthejustidealofredemptionwouldhavebeenestablishedAnarchyandtheredandblackflagwouldhaveflownabovemanybuildings,thesymboloflibertyandloveforsufferingandexploitedhumanity.
Thisisnotjustadream.Theveterananarchistfighter,EmmaGoldman,whowasaneyewitnessoftheeventsinSpain,declared,severalmonthsafterthebeginningofthecivilwar:
Iamprofoundlyconvinced,indeedIamcertain,thatiftheCNT-FAI,takingintoitshandsandunderitscontrol,had
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blockadedthebanks,dissolvedandeliminatedtheassaultguardsandthecivilguards,padlockedtheGeneralitatinsteadofenteringittocollaborate,givenamoralblowtotheentireoldbureaucracy,sweptawayitsenemiesnearandfar,today,onemaybecertainofthis,wewouldnotbesufferingfromthesituationthatsohumiliatesandinsultsus,becausetherevolutionwouldhavehadtoconsolidateitslogicalcourseofdevelopment.Havingsaidthis,Idonotmeantosaythatthecomradescouldhaverealizedanarchy,buttheywouldhavebeenabletomoveinthatdirection,comingascloseaspossibletotheanarchistcommunismtheytalkabouthere.
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Weshallbetoldinresponsethatifthishadbeenattemptedandcarriedout,allthepowerstotalitariananddemocraticwouldhaveblockadedtheemancipatedterritoriesandpopulationsbylandandbyseaand,inaddition,theantifascistpoliticalfactionswouldhaveunitedtofightthemandtosuppressthisrevolutionaryexperiment.
However,didanythingdifferenthappen?Weretheanarchistsnotpersecuted,massacredandimprisonedbyalltheirenemies?WastherenotanagreementbetweenthetotalitarianandtheotherpowerstoeliminatethehotspotofrebellionrepresentedprincipallybyBarcelona?Andasfortheantifascistsof
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loyalistSpain,everyoneknowsabouttheoutrageouspersonalintriguescarriedoutbyallthewolvesofpolitics,playingthegame,somewiththetotalitariancountriesandotherswiththedemocraticcountries,butallofthemwithinternationalcapitalism.
Itwouldhavebeenmoredignified,moreheroicandmoreexemplarytodevotetheirlives,allthelivesthatwerelost,fortherealizationofthesystemoflifethatweanarchistsyearnfor,ratherthandiligentlychoosingtodeceivetheworkersandvolunteertocollaboratewiththeState.
R.GonzálezPachecowasrightwhenhewrote,uponhisreturnfromSpain,his
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leaflet,Todo[Everything],whosefinalparagraphreadsasfollows:
Atthatinstantoftheworld,whetheryesorno,goodorbad,onlythosewhowerecowardsorweaklingscouldnotcontributesomething.Theyaretheoneswhoalwaystakeadvantageofthedefeatsofthecourageousandthestrong.Thosewho,betweenthetwoextremesofthevirileeverythingornothing,oftheleaptowardstheinfiniteorthereturntothecaves,remaininthemiddle,betweentwoboldstances,which,forthem,aretwofears
.Thepeoplewanteverything.Anarchyiseverything.Nowandalways,theanarchistsforeverything!
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***
Theanarchistidealhasnotsufferedanykindofsetback,norhasitbeendevaluedwithregardtoitssocialgreatnesswiththeunfortunateanddisastrousactivityofthecomradesoftheCNTandtheFAIduringthecourseofthethirtymonthsofthecivilwarinSpain.Itisthesecomradeswhohaverejecteditsideologicalconceptions,castashadowuponitsbeautifulrevolutionaryhistoryandhavedemonstratedtheirincomprehensionortheirlackofknowledgewithregardtotheemancipatorybasisthattheanarchistideaencompasses.
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Anarchyisvirileaction,creativeunrest,responsibility,altruisticthoughtandgoodnessandcompletefreedom.Itdestroysprejudices,stirstheheartsofthefaltering,wipesoutborderpostsandcapacitatesmenandmakesthemabletolivetogetherinanenvironmentoffrankcamaraderie,mutualaidandfraternalaffection.
Totheextenttowhichhistoricaleventscompelustocompareitwithallthesociologicaldoctrinesthatcombatitandrejectit,thebrillianceofitsstructureandprinciplesdistinctlystandsout,anditisperceivedthatasaproductofthehumanminditcannotbesurpassed.
Theanarchistidealstillradiateswith
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exhilaratingflashesbeautifulraysofloveandhopeupontheconsciousnessofthebeleaguered,sorrowfulanddowntroddenpeoples,andtheseflashesmerelyrepresentthefirstglimmerofthereddawnofitsredemptivedreams.
Asforthecollaborationistpracticesengagedinandpoliciesadvocatedbythecenetistasandfaístas,wearedeterminedtoseetoitthattheywillneitherflourishnorbeinstilledintothemarrowoftheFORistworkersmovementorinthemilieuoftheanarchistmilitantsonbothbanksofthePlatawhichprovidetheFORistmovementwithdirectionanddefendit,becauseboththeformeraswellasthelatterhavebeentestedby
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experienceandhavelearnedlessonsfromthevast,imperishableeconomicconflictsandsolidaritystruggleswhich,byvirtueofmorethan40yearsoforganicfederalistexistenceandenergeticeffortstokeepthebannerofrevoltanddirectactionaloftagainstCapitalandtheState,haveaffirmed,withacherishedoptimismandanimmensespiritofsacrifice,thetruenorthoftheAnarchistCommunistgoal.
StaterepressionhasoftenwreakedhavocamongtheproletarianFORistranks;theconfusionistcurrenthasoftenarisentodisplayitspractice-orientedinnovations,buttheFORistshavealwaysbeenabletoweatherthereactionarytempestand
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neutralizetheauthoritarianinroadsintheirorganizations.So,too,onthisoccasion,wemustemergevictoriousfromtheconfrontationwiththeseriousproblemsthattheIberianeventshaveposedfortheinternationalproletariat.
***
Inspiteofthebitternessandskepticismthatnowcharacterizetheattitudesofmanyproletarians,afterbecomingacquaintedwithallthedetailsofthetragedythebraveSpanishpeopleexperiencedandarestillundergoing,wemustnotthrowourselvesintothearmsofdesperationandinertia,ordeclarethatwearedefeated.Therearedefeatsthatarevictories.
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Thefacts,theredshaftsoflightthatstreakthepanoramaofthesocialstruggle,whichbecomesmorecruelandbloodythemoreintenseitbecomes,regardlessofhowdiscouragingandunfavorabletheymayseem,alwaysleavearesplendentwakethatilluminatesthepaththatmustbefollowedtoreachtheredemptivegoalandpreparethepeoplestotrustmoreintheirowneffortsthaninthepromisesoftheparasitesofpoliticswho,withrevolutionaryposturing,lowerthemselvestothelevelofthemultitudesinordertotakeadvantageoftheirsincerityandgenerousnaturesinordertoincreasetheirownprestige,whichtheyneedinordertomakethedealsthatwill
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givethemabetterpositionamongtheprivilegedcastes.Capitalismhasitscofferswellfilled,inordertobuythosewhomightdisturbtheirplansfordominanceandexploitation.
Thus,theanarchistsfaceanenormouslaboroftrainingandsowingtheseedsofrebellionintheconsciousnessoftheworkingmasses.
Inordertodestroytheconfusionismthatisbeinginjectedintotheworkingclassmilieubythebetrayersofourideal,itisnecessarytobecomemoreactive,todevoteourselvesmoretenaciouslyandmorepassionatelytotradeunionactions.TheFORistcadresmustbeonthelookoutfortherevisionistvirusandmust
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reinforcetheirrankswithnewrevolutionarycontingents.
IftheviolentrepressionunleashedbythedemocraticStatesagainstourmilitantshasnotmadeadentinouranarchistconsciousness,thedisasterundergonebytheSpanishproletariatmustspurusontofightwithmorezealfortheemancipationofthehumanspecies.ThefuturebelongstousandwemustadvancetowardsthefutureforAnarchy.
ManuelAzaretto
1939
TranslatedinMay-June2014fromtheSpanishoriginal,LasPendientes
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Resbaladizas(LosanarquistasenEspańa).Originallypublishedin1939byEditorialGerminal,Montevideo,Uruguay.
SourceoftheSpanishtext:TheWebsiteoftheFondationPierreBesnard:
http://www.fondation-besnard.org/auteur.php3?id_auteur=360.
1.ThetextthatfollowsiscomposedofexcerptsfromLetterstoaFrenchmanonthePresentCrisis(writteninSeptember1870),asitisknowninEnglish.Aselectionofexcerptsfromthispamphlet,whichdoesnothoweverincludethepassagestranslatedfromtheSpanishbelow,maybefoundonlineat:
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http://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/bakunin/works/1870/letter-frenchman.htm[TranslatorsNote].