Slippery Slope: the Anarchists in Spain
description
Transcript of Slippery Slope: the Anarchists in Spain
Slipperyslopes(theanarchistsinSpain)-ManuelAzaretto
cma-miembros-2.jpg
Writtenin1939byamemberofFORU(RegionalWorkersFederationofUruguay),thisbookascathingindictmentoftheleadersoftheSpanishCNTandFAIfortheirbetrayalofanarchistprinciplescontains,inadditiontoofficialdocumentsandproclamationsoftheCNTandFAIandarticlesfromtheSpanishandinternationalanarchosyndicalistpress,relevantpassagesdrawnfromMaxNettlau,DiegoAbaddeSantillán,DavidAntona,FedericaMontseny,JuanGarcíaOliver,PierreBesnard,AlexanderSchapiro,SebastiénFaure,Camillo
Berneri,MarianoVázquez,MikhailBakuninandotheranarchistsandanarchosyndicalists.
TranslatedinMay-June2014fromtheSpanishoriginalbyManuelAzaretto,LasPendientesResbaladizas(LosanarquistasenEspańa),EditorialGerminal,Montevideo,1939.
IntroductionbyJoséA.Barrionuevo
SlipperySlopes(TheAnarchistsinSpain)ManuelAzaretto
Introduction
Inourview,noneofthegreatsocial-politicaleventsofthelasttwenty-five
yearshasgivenrisetoasmuchhopeorcausedasmuchdisappointmentastheSpanishconflict.Andwealsobelievethatnosingleeventthathastakenplaceinthissamequartercenturyhasgivenrisetosuchprofoundorsuchopposedandpassionateopinionsasthisconflict,whosesorrowfulconclusion,unfortunately,stillinflictssuchpainintheheartsofthoseofuswho,despiteourdistancefromtheevents,havesufferedfromthedefeatandthepainoftheIberianpeople.
ButifthehopesandopinionsthataroseasaresultoftheeventsinSpainhavebeenamplyjustifiedinalltheso-calledpopularsectors,thisawakeningofhopes
andclashofopinionshasencounterednogreaterechoormorelogicaljustificationthanontheterrainoftheanarchistworkersmovement.Foritmustnotbeforgottenthatwhileitistruethatinthestruggleagainstfascismothernumericallystrongfractionswithsignificantinfluenceoverthemultitudesalsoplayedarole,itisnolesstruethatoneoftheforceswiththegreatestinfluenceamongtheSpanishproletariat,waspreciselytheonethatwasrepresentedintheinstitutionsthatinSpainadvocatedthesameprinciplesandaspirationsastheanarchistworkersmovement.Anditwaspreciselythiscommunityofprinciplesandfinalgoalsthatexistedamongalltheorganizations
thatwereenrolledintheranksoftheInternationalWorkingmensAssociation,whichexplainstheprofoundimpactthattheSpanishconflicthashadontheinternationalmovementandespeciallyontheFederacionesObrerasRegionalesUruguayayArgentina.1AndwesayespeciallyontheFederacionesObrerasRegionalesUruguayayArgentinabecausethesetwoFederationsbothwithdeeprootsintheproletariatonbothbanksoftheRíoPlatahavebeenthemostoutstandingorganizationsontheinternationalplaneduetothezealwithwhichtheypursuedthehistoricalcontinuityoftheirdailystrugglesandactivities,whichwerealwaysorientedtowardsanarchistsidealsandprinciples,
anditwaslogicalthattheSpanisheventswouldproduceineverysenseagreaterreactionamongthemilitantsofthesetwomovements.ThiswastobeexpectedbecausetheanarchistsofSpainonmorethanoneoccasionspoketousofthesocialrevolution,meaningtosaythattheynotonlyfoughttodefeatfascismbutalsotoestablishaneworderofthingsinharmonywiththeidealstheyclaimedtouphold.
However,thisreactionthathasbeenexpressedonthebasisoftheunqualifiedsupportforalltheactionsandpositionsofSpanishanarchism,includingspiritedbutsincerecriticismoftheorientationandconductoftheFAIandCNTduring
theconflict,hasledtounfortunateresultsamongourranks.ForunderthepretextthatitwasnotaquestionofcriticizingbutratherofgivingimmediateandcompletesolidaritytotheanarchistswhowerefightingfascisminSpainwitharmsinhand,theexerciseofcriticismwassetasideuntilafterthestruggleandthevoicesofthosewho,astheeventsunfoldedandwhenitwasnecessary,daredtobreakthecodeofsilenceimposedbythosewhoonlywantedtohearapplauseandpraiseevenforthemosthumiliatingattitudesoftheanarchismofthatcountryweretreatedasexpressionsofunmitigatedheresy.
Butifthecircumstancesmentionedabove
justifiedthefactthattheclashofopinions,asaresultoftheeventsinSpain,resultedinseriousfrictionbetweenthemilitantsoftherevolutionaryworkersmovement,theattemptsbyenemiesofallstripesandwithoutanyrevolutionarymorality,ontheotherhand,whohavetriedtosubjectanarchismtojudgmentbypresentingitashavingfailed,arenotatalljustified.Andevenlessjustificationcanbeadducedforthoseanarchistswho,deafandblindtoallexperience,arenowattemptingtoteachlessonsbasedonalltheerrorsofSpanishanarchism,aschoolingthatiscurrentlytakingplaceatthismomentinArgentina,Uruguayandotherneighboringcountries.
ItiscertainlytruethatmanythingshappenedinSpain,forwhichtheanarchistsofthatcountrywereresponsibleinwholeorinpart,whichhavecastagreatdealofdiscreditontheideaofanarchismheldbymanypeople,whoconsideredanarchismtobetheonlymovementthatwasincapableofdeviatingfromitsoldandcommittedpositionagainstthestate,refusingallcollaborationwithitstraditionalenemies.Thiscircumstance,however,whichalreadyconstitutesaseriousblowagainstanarchism,ismuchmoreseriousstillifwetakeaccountofthefactthatourenemies,bypointingtotheconversionofSpanishanarchisminpracticaltermsonallterrains,alsoproclaimthefailureof
thismovement.Ofcourse,itisclearthatthislatterclaimisabsolutelyuntrueandevencontrarytocommonsense.Butthefalsificationsofouradversariesdonotpreventconfusionamongtheworkers,nordotheylessenthedangerofourmovementbeingentangledinthewebofdiscreditthatthreatenstohaveseriousconsequencesforusinthefuture.
Thelieisalwaysadangerousweapon,butifitisdeployedattherighttimeandwithintelligenceitcanyieldresults,eveniftransitoryones,thatarefavorableforthosewhowieldit.Butifthelieandthedistortionofthetruthprovideeasyalthoughephemeralvictories,thegreaterandmorenobletask,sofruitfuldespite
thefrequentingratitudeofthosewhoareatthereceivingendofit,istospeakthetruth,evenifitinjuresus;thenobleandfruitfultaskforouridealsistoclearawaytheconfusiontowhichthedefeatofapeoplegaverise,aconfusionwhichentailstheconcealmentofthehistoryofamovementwhosemoralgrandeurisbasedonidealsthatcannotbetarnishedbythecalumnyofitsadversariesnorbydefeatistdesertiononthepartofitsdefenders.AnditispreciselythiskindoftaskthatisservedbytheworkthatiscarriedoutbycomradeAzarettointhisbook.
ForanarchismdidnotfailinSpain.Themenwhorepresentedit,thosewhospoke
andworkedinitsname,mayhavemademistakes;theSpanishanarchistsmayhavedeliveredovertowrackandruinallthatupuntilnowhasconstitutedthebestandmostpreciousmoralpatrimonyoftheinternationalanarchistmovement,butwemustaskwhetherallthemistakestheymade,ormighthavemade,authorizeandjustifythemalevolenceofthedetractorsofanarchismwhentheyseektopresentourmovementashavingfailedanditsidealsasplainlyfinished?AndtoattempttotransplanttoAmerica,ortotherestofEurope,invokingallkindsofreasons,practicalmodesofactionandtacticsthatareclearlyinspiredbytheSpanisheventsandbythepracticalexperienceoftheanarchismoftheIberianPeninsula,does
thisnotmeantojustify,withoutanyvalidreasons,sincetheseriouserrorsofSpanishanarchismareeasilydemonstrated,theargumentsofourenemieswithregardtothisallegedfailure?No.Neithertheonenortheotherisjustified.Ourenemiesdonothavethemoralauthoritytoattackus;nordowehavetotolerate,inthenameofideas,orotherreasons,theintroductionintotheanarchistworkersmovementofpracticesandvicesthat,overashortperiodoftime,woulddestroyitasalivingandactiveexpressionofmilitantanarchism.Itisinsteadaquestionofputtingeverythinginitsproperplace,attemptingtoshedlightontheinterventionofSpanishanarchismintherecent
unfortunateeventsofthatcountry,andtodogoodworkforanarchistsideasandtheinstitutionsthatrepresentthemontheterrainoftheeverydaystruggleforfreedomandamorecomprehensiveandeffectivesocialjustice.
ButjustwhatisitthatcomradeM.Azarettointendstoaccomplishwiththepublicationofhisbook,SlipperySlopes?Preciselywhatwehavejustdescribed:topointouttheerrorsandtheseriousdeviationsbroughttolightbytheeventsandtheobservedconductofIberiananarchism;toshowthattherewasnogeneralfailureofanarchismbutapureandsimplefailureofmen,andthattheinstitutionsthatmanypeopleconsidered
tobethemostrepresentativeinstitutionsoftheanarchistrevolutionweretooweaktorealizetheideastheyclaimedtorepresent.
Itremainstobesaidthatinthisbookthereisnoover-abundanceofeloquence.Itsauthorknowsnothingoftheliterarynuancesandthesensationalistphraseologythataresofashionablethesedays.SlipperySlopesisthusnotabookthatonecanreadforpleasure,norisitabookaimedatabroadpublicaudience.Thisisabookmeantforindependentminds,formindsopentostudyandthesereneanalysisofthedeedsandideasthat,itmustbeadmitted,haveburdenedthehistoryofinternationalanarchism
withdisagreeablepages.Amanofthepeople,aworkerwhoisalsoamilitantoftheanarchistworkersmovement,Azarettohassacrificedhisleisuretimetowritethisbookandhisgoal,asheexpresseditinaletter,istomakeamodestcontributiontoclearingtheairoftheinternationalenvironmentofanentirepropagandaplaguedwithinconsistenciesanddenialsandwhichhasmadeacultoftheheroismofapeoplewhowereusedascannonfodderandwhofoughtlikelionsbutforacausethatwasnottheirown.Asaresult,inthesepagesyouwillnotfindmeticulousandorderlyargumentsoftheexperiencesofleaders.Thebookhasbeenwrittenforthepurposeofconfrontingthoseruinouscurrentsofthe
emancipatorymovements.Andthatisalreadyagreatdeal.
InSlipperySlopestherearenotmanypagesdevotedtoexposingtheactionsundertakeninSpainbythetraditionalenemiesofanarchism.ThebooktendstodefendourmovementfromtheBolshevizinginroadsthatthreatenitasaconsequenceoftheforgettingofmanyoftheirideasbymanyanarchists,andforthisandnootherreasonthebasicthrustofitscritiqueisdirectednotsomuchatourenemiesasatthemenandinstitutionsofthemovementwhofollowedtheCNTandFAIandwhoparticipatedsoactivelyintheSpanishconflict.Nordoestheauthorspendmuchtimediscussingthe
causesofandwhowasresponsibleforthemilitarydefeatsthatculminatedinthetotaldefeatoftheSpanishproletariat.Foritmustbeadmittedthatitisnotexactlytheseaspectsofthequestionthatareofthegreatestinteresttoanarchistmilitants.
Azaretto,largelyignoringtheseaspectsoftheSpanishevents,oronlymentioningtheminpassing,hasselectedaseriesofexcerptsfromtextspublishedbytheCNT-FAIthat,transcribedinthebookintheorderhehaschosen,documentthetransgressionsandseriouserrorscommittedbytheresponsibleofficialsoftheseorganizationstotheprejudiceoftherevolutionthattheSpanishpeoplelaunchedwithsomuchvalorduringthe
memorabledaysofJulyandwhichthosesameofficialslatersuppressed.Itis,ofcourse,inevitablethatdeficiencieswillbenotedinthisbook.Therearechapters,forexample,thatcouldeasilybeenrichedwiththeinsertionofmoreextensiveormorecarefullyselecteddocumentation.Aswesaidabove,Azaretto,whomustdividehistimebetweenthefactorywhereheworksandthedailyactivitiesofpropaganda,haswrittenhisbookbyrobbinghimselfofhishoursofrest.AnditisonlytheurgentneedtocontributetotheclarificationoftheintellectualenvironmentofthemovementthatledhimtowriteSlipperySlopes.However,thedefectsthatwehavealludedtoandwhichthereaderwillnodoubtdiscover
forhimself,donotatallservetodiscredittheworkthathehasdoneorthegoalthatAzarettoseekstoachievewiththepublicationofthisbook.Beyondallthesefactors,however,thereissomethingthatnothingcanchangeandnoonecandeny:thesincerityoftheauthorandthenobilityofhisintentions.ThissincerityandtheseintentionsthatthereaderwillnodoubtdiscerninthepagesofthisbookareconfirmedbythelackofinterestinpersonalprofitthatcharacterizescomradeAzaretto.Forhehasannouncedthatthesmallprofitthatthesaleofthebookmightyield,ifsuchaprofitisrealized,willbedevotedentirelytothenewspapersOrganizaciónObreraandSolidaridad,thepressorgansofthe
FORAandtheFORU,respectively.This,itseemstous,speakseloquentlyenoughaboutthenoblepurposethatmotivatescomradeAzaretto,andsparesusfromhavingtosayanythingmoreaboutthismatter.Itisnonethelesstobedesired,andthisisourhope,thatotherworksofthissamenaturewillbeaddedtothismodestcontributionandhelptofurtherclarifythetumultuousanarchistmilieu.
Thereturntothetacticsandhealthynormsinspiredbytheanarchistideasthatwecallourown,iswhatmustinterestandbeofconcerntomenwhoreallywanttoretainunsulliedthelimpidcourseofamovementthatcannotandmustnotsilencethoseviewsthat,evenifthe
overridingnecessitiesofthestruggleareinvoked,aswasarguedinordertojustifytheaberrationsoftheSpanishanarchists,degradeitanddiscredititathomeandthroughouttheworld.
Giventhecurrentsituationoftheproletariat,confusedandcorruptedbyathousandcurrentsthatareopposedtofreedomandprogress,theveryfutureofhumanity,whichtodayfacesthemostterriblecrossroadsofitshistory,obligesustoraisewiththegreatestdeterminationthebannerofAnarchythatnoteventhedefeatistdefectionofsomeofitsdefendersorthecalumniesofitsenemieshassucceeded,norwilltheyeversucceed,indistortingorbesmirching,
sinceeverythingthathappenedinSpainhasonlyconfirmedallthatanarchismhasproclaimedandrecommended.Thisisourconvictionandthatiswhy,becausewelookforwardtobetterdaysforthemovementthatcountsusamongitsmilitants,wehavehappilyacceptedassociatingournamewiththatofcomradeAzaretto.Thatthecomradesandworkerswhoreadthisbookshouldreflectonitscontents,andespeciallythosewhoyesterdaydidnotevenwanttodelveintotheseproblems,iswhatwedesireandistheverybestpraisethatwecangivetoSlipperySlopes.
JoséA.Barrionuevo
BuenosAires,August1939
1.TheFOR,RegionalWorkersFederation;FORU=RegionalWorkersFederationofUruguay;FORA=RegionalWorkersFederationofArgentina[TranslatorsNote].
TothemilitantsoftheFOR
TothemilitantsoftheFOR
Atthisuncertainjunctureinthehistoryoftheworld,inwhichwewitnesswithshockthetotalcollapseofmoralandspiritualvalues;inwhichbruteforceprevailsoverreasonandjusticeandanundergroundcurrentofapostasyeasilyfracturesthenarrowlayerofideologicalvarnishofcertainpeoplewhose
consciencesareforsale,Iconsideritdignifyingandbeautiful,althoughithasbeenaccumulatedwiththebitternessofself-abnegationandsacrifice,tobeabletoexhibitacleantrajectory,anexemplaryactivityandanethicalintegrityworthyofthenobleandgreatidealthatweadvocateanddefend.
ThatiswhyIadmireandencouragethosemenwhoalthoughtheyareundergoingferociouspolicepersecution;unjustimprisonmentinjailsandprisons;thespiteoftheresentfulandtheapostatesenrolledinthemulticoloredranksofopportunismandthecalumnyandhatredofpoliticiansandcapitalistsstandfirm,uprightandhonest,voicingthe
imperishablepostulatesofAnarchyanddefendinginthedomainoflaborthelongrevolutionaryhistoryoftheFORsofArgentinaandUruguay,theirtacticsofstruggleandtheultimatelongingforanarchistcommunismthatistheemancipatorygoalofbothworkingclassorganizations.
Tothem,tothecommittedandbraveFORistmilitants,thisbookisdedicatedwhich,withouteitherreticenceoreuphemisms,itspagesoverflowingwiththesincerityofmyconvictions,focusesdecisivelyandstraightforwardlyontheurgentproblemposedforinternationalanarchismbytheCNTandtheFAI,withtheirerrorsandtheirdefeats,andseeksto
contributetotheirclarification.
ManuelAzaretto
Preface
Preface
ThebloodyconflictthatunfoldedforalmostthreeyearsinthecountrysideofSpainhasconcludedwiththevictoryofSpanishmilitarism,theclergyandthelandowners,cynicallysupportedandbackedbyinternationalcapitalismandtheforcesofreaction.Awoefulandunjustresult,becauseoftheefforts,thesacrificesandthelivesthatitcosttheSpanishpeople,butaresultthatwasexpectedbythematerialintereststhat
wereinplayandbythecoregroupsofconspiratorsthatturnedthepolitical,diplomaticandfinancialgearsofthiswar.
Forusanarchists,thisdramaticeventwillalwaysberememberedasacruelepisodeinthelongCalvaryofthepeoplesenslavedandhumiliatedbytheauthoritarianregimes,evenifithadonlybeenrestrictedtothebitterclashofpoliticalfactionsforpredominanceandtheassaultonstatepower.However,because,inthiscruelepisode,specificworkingclassorganizationsandinstitutionsdirectedbyanarchistsplayedarole,itisjustifiablyincumbentonustoconsidertheconflictfromitsverybeginningwhenthepeopleandthe
anarchistssurgedintothestreets,witharmsinhand,tothwartandtocrushthemilitaryrevoltasahistoricaleventofasocialcharacter,duetotheemancipatoryaspectitacquiredinsomeIberianregions,onlyinordertosubsequentlydegenerateintoacivilwarwiththeforeigninterventionofmilitarypersonnelandmateriel.
Asmaylogicallybeassumed,theinterventioninthisarmedstruggleonthepartoftheworkerswhoweremembersoftheCNTandoftheanarchistsorganizedintheFAIproducedgreatexpectationsandprofoundconcernswithintheranksofthemilitantsoftheworkingclassorganizationsonbothbanksoftheRío
Plata,theFORUandtheFORA,becauseoftherepercussionsthatcouldbeexpectedfromtheiractiveparticipationandduetothelessonsthattheconstructiveeffortsofthesenumerousproletarianforceswouldcontributetotheWorldofLabor.
HowcouldtheinterventionofourSpanishbrothersinthatvastinsurrectionarymovementnotproducesuchexpectations,howcoulditnotcauseustobeconcernedandplungeusintoprofoundmeditations,ifwiththeiractionouremancipatoryidealwasputtothetestAnarchyconsideredasautopiabytyrosandfalsefriends?Howcouldourheartsnotswellwithjoyandsatisfaction
ifthebraveandtenaciousconductofthecomradesoftheCNTandtheFAI,withthegenerouscontributionsoftheSpanishpeople,woulddependonusbeingspectatorsofthisfelicitousdawning,inonecorneroftheglobe,ofanewsocial,just,fraternalandsolidarity-baseddispensation,presentedbyasufferingandoppressedpeople,andpropagatedanddefendedbytheanarchists?Howcouldwenotbeinterestedinconfirmingthefaithfulinterpretationofourideologicalconcepts,whichrejecttheprincipleofauthorityandofallformsofexploitation,ifourcomradesinSpaineveniftheydidsowithmajorerrorscarriedoutabeautifulanarchistfinaljudgmentthatwasconqueredatthe
costofenormoussacrifices,ofbloodystatepersecutions,ofepicrevolutionaryeventsandtheheroicdeathsofsomanypeople?
ThisiswhytheenthusiasmthatfilledtheFORistworkerswithsuchpassionissounderstandableandsological,aswellastheemergence,everywhere,ofnumerousinitiatives,allofwhichwereorientedtowardscontributingmoralandeconomicsupporttothemilitantsoftheCNTandtheFAI.Materialsolidaritywasimpossible,duetothedismantlingofourorganizationalcadres,asaresultofthedissolvingactionofopportunism[chameleonism]andthestaterepressionthatafflictedalltheSouthAmerican
countries,andespeciallyArgentina,forsuchalongtime.Nonetheless,wepaidverycloseattentiontoallthediversechangesoffortuneofthisgreatevent.
Whatwecouldnothaveimagined,however,wasthatwewouldsoonperceivethefirstsignsofdeviations.Then,documentaryproof.Later,deceptivesophisticalarguments.Thesocialrevolutionhadbeenheldincheckandthwarted.
Thosewhohadconfirmedtheirhistoryofanarchistmilitancywithsublimeactsofheroism,generosityandawillingnesstorisktheirlivesinthefrontranksoftheassaultsquadsintheattacksonthebarracksinBarcelona,Madrid,Valencia,
Oviedo,Gijón,etc.,didnotfindimitators,inotheraspectsofthestruggle,amongthemajorityoftheresponsibleofficialsinthedirectivebodiesoftheCNTandtheFAI,whofeltincapableoforafraidtogivedirectiontoandchanneltheredemptiveimpulsesandtheoverwhelmingpassionofanoppressedpopulationwhohadfoundtheoutletfortheirjusthatreds,andwhochoseinsteadtodivertthemandconfusethem,recommendingnovelpracticesofdirectaction,novelformulasofsocialcoexistenceandnovelideologicalconceptions.Andwhatisevenworse,theydevotedthemselvestodiscreditingandpacifying,seekingtoneutralizethem,thosecomradeswho,understandingthat
theyfacedaconfirmedcaseofbetrayalofprinciples,1hadthecouragetocallattentiontoitandtofightthisbetrayalwiththehealthyintentionofrectifyingit.Theyweretoolate;theMarxistinclinationsthathadbeenpreviouslykeptunderwrapsandwhich,ontheotherhand,hadbeenrevealedonseveraloccasionsintheirpreviousactivitiesandexpressedviews,cameoutintotheopen.
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ThismadeanenormousimpressionontheanarchistmilitantsofSouthAmerica.
ThesamepsychologicalphenomenonobservedasareboundeffectoftheRussianRevolution,wasnowtobe
observedamongus,althoughinalessconcentratedform.Thosewhointhepastwereobstinatepanegyristsofthedictatorshipoftheproletariateveryonemakesmistakesnowandthennowseetheirpositionjustifiedbytheabout-faceexecutedandadvisedbytheSpanishcomradesandinordernottodenytheirpasttheydevotethemselves,withablindpassion,tosowingconfusionintheranksoftheFORistmovement.
Fortunately,becausethecomradesoftheFORhavelearnedtheirlessonsfrompreviousevents,thisdidnotresultinthehoped-foreffects,andthecalmjudgmentandsensibleunderstandingoftheeventsthathadtakenplacepreventedpassion
andbitternessfromgettingtheupperhandandinsteadthecomradesdiscernedwithprecisiontheseriousproblemsthatwereposedtotheanarchistmovementinSouthAmericabytheselloutsandnoveltheoriesthattheCNTandFAImilitantshaddiscoveredandimplemented.
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Timepasses.CalmhasreturnedtotheFORistmilieu.Mindsarebeginningtoreflectwithoutprejudiceontherawdatawereceivefromimpartialandsinceresources.
Thetimehascome,inourview,toanalyzethecausesthatforcedthecomradesoftheCNTandtheFAIto
interveneinthecivilwarthatbledandcontinuestobleedtheSpanishpeople;tocommentontheactivitiesofthesecomradesandtheirchangingpolicies;toindicatetheseriouserrorsandbetrayalsforwhichtheywereresponsibleandtothoroughlyanalyzetheconceptstheyofferedtojustifytheiractionsandthemethodstheypracticed,advisedandattemptedtobequeathasalegacytotheinternationalanarchistmovement.
Someonesaidthat,thetruthistheonlyVenusdeMilothatmendonotwanttoseenaked,butthisisnotpossible,inhomagetotheidealofredemption:Anarchy,whichwepropagateanddefend,overcomesthistruthandwe
provideitwithoutfigleaves,evenifwecloseoureyestothebitternessofitsreality.
Letusthereforeundertakethistask,withoutanyclaimtohavingcarriedoutameticulousdocumentaryreviewandwithoutanyconcernforthejudgmentthatthesellouts,thosewhohavesuccumbedtothediseaseofrevisionismandtheauthoritarians,willthinkthatthisworkdeserves.
1.TheSpanishwordusedintheoriginal,claudicación,istranslatedinthistextasbetrayalorbetrayalofprinciples,andoccasionallyassellout[s]orbacksliding,dependingonthecontext[TranslatorsNote].
Chapter1:ThecharacteristicsoftheSpanishanarchists
1
ThecharacteristicsoftheSpanishanarchists
Theanarchistidealhashad,formanyyears,intelligentanddiligentchampionsintheregionsofSpain.TheFirstInternationalwascourageouslysupportedbyitsSpanishSection,whichlaterbecametheSpanishRegionalFederationofWorkers,in1881.
WehaveoftentakenpleasureinreadingthebeautifulpagesofthebooksofPrat,
Mella,AnselmoLorenzo,TarridadelMármol.WerecalltherestlessandexemplaryactionsofSalvochea.In1906weknew,inArgentinaandUruguay,AntonioLoredoandotherswhosenameswecannotrecall.
AndwealsoknowthatsincetheSpanishanarchistsappearedonthestageofthesocialstruggle,theyhavesufferedpersecutionandmanywereshot.
ManuelBuenacasa,inhisbook,Elmovimientoobreroespańol,citesthefamousuprisingofJerez,inJanuary1892,inwhichfourthousandmen,shoutingVivalaAnarquía,enteredthecityandhelditforseveralhours.
Butwedonotwanttostraytoofarfromoursubject.ItistheNationalConfederationofLaborthatweareconcernedwithhere.
WewouldnotbehonestifwedidnotsaythatthecharacteristicsoftheanarchistmilitantsoftheCNTinSpaindeserveourclosestscrutiny.Moreover,wecansaythattheenormousamountofpropagandasenttotheIberianpeninsulafromSouthAmericaandtheexchangeofmilitantswiththeFORistmovementofArgentinaandUruguayanexchangemadenecessarybythepersecutionsanddeportationsthatwehaveundergoneandwhichwereimplementedbyrepublicananddemocraticgovernmentsonbothsidesof
theRíoPlatadidnotexercisetheinfluencethatwewouldhavedesired,sincewehavenotedthatactivitieswithintheCNThaveseldommanifestedtheintransigence,courageandconvictionsthatwehaveourselvesdisplayedagainstallpoliticalfractionsandthestate.
SincethefoundingoftheCNT,inSeptember1911,upuntiltoday,theCNThasundergonemanyfluctuationsinitsideologicalorientationanditspracticaltacticsofstruggle,andwearenottheonlyoneswhothinkso.AsBuenacasa,inthebookcitedabove,says:
Ihavesaidandwrittenonmorethanoneoccasion,thattheCNTofSpainhasexperiencedperiodswhoseexemplary
naturehasalmostovershadowedthebestmomentsoftheoldSpanishSectionofthefirstInternationalWorkingmensAssociation.Itcannotbedoubted,however,thatthisinstitution,duringtheperiodbetween1919andtoday[1926],hassufferedfromthemostlamentablemistakesandthemostdisastrousdeviations.
WhilerelationsbetweentheCNTandpoliticalelementswereneververycordial,theCNTdidremainincontactwiththemandeventriedtoattractthembymeansofobjectivealliances.ThelessonsofthestrugglesthathadtakenplaceallovertheworldhadnoinfluenceonthemindsoftheSpanishmilitants.It
wouldappearthattheysoughttoreestablishthesincerity,orrathertheingenuousness,thattheiranarchistpredecessorshaddisplayedforsomanyyears,intheirattempttomaintaintheunityofthetwotendenciesintowhichtheEuropeanproletariatwasdivided:anarchistsandauthoritarians,afactthatwasconscientiouslydescribedandstudiedbyLópezArangoinhisbook,Elanarquismoenelmovimientoobrero.
SostubbornwereourcomradesinSpain,intheirattempttoattracttheworkingclassmultitudeswhohadbeeninfluencedbytheMarxists,thatitwasnotenoughtoconvincethemoftheirerrorbyreferringtothemanybetrayalsforwhichthe
MarxistswereresponsibleinalltheconflictsinwhichtheCNThadtoconfrontthecapitalistsandthestate.AndasfortheauthoritarianmentalitythatdominatedtheMarxists,thisisdemonstrated,asplainasday,byaveryrecenthistoricalfact:theOctoberrebellioninAsturias,wheretheimpracticalityofmergingtheMarxistswiththeanarchistswasrevealed,tosuchadegreethattheenormousdifferenceofpracticalorientationsandpoliciesthatdistinguishbothproletarianfractionsbecameclearlyevident,adifferencethatcouldhavebeendistinctlyappreciatedinSamaandLaFelguera,neighboringtowns,inwhichattemptsweremadetoimplementnewformsofsocialexistence,
whichonlyhighlightedthedifferencesbetweenthem;forwhileinSamaacommitteemodeledonthedictatorshipoftheproletariatwasorganized,whosechekaarrestedtheanarchistsinordertoputthemontrial,inLaFelguerathecomradesconductedthemselvesinaframeworkoffullfreedomandsolidarityamongitsinhabitants.
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Letuslookback,however,andexaminetheallianceacceptedbytheCNTwiththeUGTandtheleftistpoliticianslikeCombóandLerroux,thatwasimplementedasapreludetothegreatstrikeofAugust1917,which,althoughithadarealrevolutionarycharacter,was
betrayedbythesocialistsandrepublicans,andthisunfortunateexperimentalallianceresultedincountlessvictimsamongthemembersoftheCNT.
AlittlelaterasaresultoftheelationcausedintheanarchistranksbytheeventsthatweretakingplaceinRussiaweobservedaprocessofBolshevizationintheCNT,whichledtoagreatdealofconfusion.
Pestańa,whowasaprestigiousmemberoftheCNTorganization,wenttoMoscowtoattendtheSecondCongressoftheCommunistInternational.Accordingtosubsequentreports,thissamePestańawasalsoasignatoryofthe
foundingconstitutionoftheRedTradeUnionInternational.
OntheIberianpeninsula,meanwhile,theconversos1whohadacknowledgedtheneedforatransitionalinstitutionthedictatorshipoftheproletariatcontinuedtosowthenewseed,andweresosuccessfulthatatthefamousCongressoftheCNTheldattheTeatrodelaComediainMadridin1919,theyobtainedtheapprovalofthedelegatesforthefollowingshockingresolution:
ThattheNationalConfederationofLaborofSpaindeclaresthatitisafirmsupporteroftheprinciplesoftheFirstInternationalasadvocatedbyBakunin.Itdeclaresitsprovisionaladherencetothe
CommunistInternational,becauseoftherevolutionarycharacterwithwhichitisimbued,andinthemeantimetheNationalConfederationofLaborwillorganizeandconvoketheworldwideworkerscongressthatwillagreeuponanddeterminethebasesuponwhichtherealWorkersInternationalmustbefounded.2
Intheinterestsoffulldisclosureandtohighlightitscontradictions,weshallpointoutthatatthesamecongressamotionproposingamergerwiththeUGTwasrejectedandwereadthefollowingdeclarationofprinciples:
Takingintoaccountthefactthatthetendencythatismostpowerfullymanifestedintheworkersorganizations
ofallcountriesistheonethatleadstowardsthecomplete,totalandabsoluteliberationofhumanityonthemoral,economicandpoliticalplanes,andconsideringthatthisgoalcannotbeachievedaslongasthelandandtheinstrumentsofproductionandexchangehavenotbeensocializedandaslongastheall-encompassingpowerofthestatehasnotdisappeared,theproposalissubmittedtotheCongress,thatinaccordancewiththeessenceofthepostulatesoftheFirstInternational,thattheCongressshoulddeclarethatthegoalthatispursuedbytheNationalConfederationofLaborofSpainisAnarchistCommunism.
WehaveprovidedthesedetailsconcerningthewaytheCNTwentaboutproposingallianceswithpoliticianswhichfullyjustifyBuenacasasstatementthattheCNThassufferedfromthemostlamentablemistakesandthemostdisastrousdeviationsinordertoprovidethereaderwithsomebackgroundinformationconcerningthelaterattitudesadoptedbytheSpanishlaborconfederation.
DespitethemistakescommittedandthediscouragingresultsobtainedinthevariouseffortsbytheCNTtoattempttoputitsunificationistslogansintopractice,theCNTpersistedinitserroneousways,forattheZaragozaCongressofMay
1936,itapprovedaresolutionthatcalledupontheUGT,anavowedlypoliticallaborunion,toenterarevolutionaryalliancewhosepurposewouldbethedestructionofthepoliticalregime.Thisalliancewasachieved,withgreatfanfareamongthemembersoftheCNT,intheyearoftheoutbreakofthemilitaryrevolt,andwasbitterlycriticizedbytheUruguayanFORacritiquethatwaspublishedinthefifthissueoftheInternationalJournaloftheIWAacritiquethatweshallsubjecttofurtherexamination,insofarasitrelatestothisalliance,sinceitssensiblecommentsweretobecompletelyvindicatedbytheeventswithwhichwearenowsofamiliar.
1.AhistoricaltermreferringtoJewishorMosleminhabitantsofSpainwhoconvertedtoCatholicismduringtheconquestofSpainbytheChristianmonarchy,especiallyduringthe14thand15thcenturies[TranslatorsNote].
2.TheseresolutionsweretranslatedintoEnglishandpublishedintheIWWsIndustrialPioneer,March1921,p.53,asfollows:FIRST:ThattheConfederaciónNacionaldelTrabajodeclaresitselfthefirmdefenderoftheprincipleswhichgaveformtotheFirstInternational,sustainedbyBakounine;SECOND:ThatitdeclaresitsprovisionaladherencetotheThirdInternational,becauseoftherevolutionarycharacterofitspresent
directorate,anduntiltheorganizationandholdingoftheInternationalCongressinSpain,whichistolaythebasisuponwhichwillbefoundedtherealInternationaloftheworkers.[TranslatorsNote.]
Chapter2:Theanti-emancipatorypositionoftheCNT
2
Theanti-emancipatorypositionoftheCNT
Thepro-politicaltendencyintheCNTinthisemergencystandsopposedtothebrillianthistoryoftheSpanishandinternationalworkersmovement,whose
passionforthecauseofhumanliberationwastransmittedtoitbythefirstinternationalists.TheCNTdoesnotactinaccordancewithitsrevolutionaryexperiencesfromthevantagepointofitspositionsintheinstitutionsofthestate,butratheradvisestheinternationalproletariattofollowitsexample,urgingittoabandonitsrevolutionarypositions,andtosetasidetheprincipledanarchistintransigenceagainstauthoritariancurrents,inordertothusembracethepoliticiansofantifascism,who,asfarasthecauseoftheworkersisconcerned,arenobetterorworsethanthepoliticiansoffascism,sinceifthereisindeedanydifferencebetweenthem,thiswouldnotbeareasonfortheanarchist-oriented
internationalrevolutionarymovementtoabandonitsrevolutionarypositions,whicharecharacterizedbydirectaction,anti-statismandtheanarchistgoal,inordertosubmittothebourgeoisierepresentedbyantifascism.
Theimprovementofthelivesandtheworkingconditionsoftheproletariatanditsliberation,canonlybeobtainedbywayofthemeansofstruggleandpropagandathatdistinguishanarchism,whicharesolidlyandresolutelyopposedtoallpolitical,statistandauthoritarianideas.Anyotherpracticewouldamounttocooperatingwiththeenemy,consciouslyorunconsciously,inordertomerelyprolongourmiserableexistence,
towhichwearereducedbytheiniquitousexploitationoftheemployersandtheoppressionofthestate.
***
EveryoneknowsthepositionoftheCNT,but,inordertorevealtheperniciouseffectthatitwouldhaveontheworldproletariat,especiallyontheSpanishproletariat,iftheIWACongressweretoapproveofitsgovernmentalistpolicies,weshalltranscribesomeofthepointsoftheUGT-CNTUnitedActionProgramwhich,asweshallsee,contradictsanarchistprinciples,andwhichstandsinabsolutecontrasttotheprogramapproved65yearsagoattheCongressofCordobathatapprovedtheresolutionsof
Saint-ImierandrejectedthoseapprovedatTheHagueandwhichdemonstratethatnowtheCNTispracticingthestatisttheoriesthatwererejectedbytheSpanishproletariatatthatCongress.
THEUGT-CNTUNITEDACTIONPROGRAM1
NATIONALDEFENSE.
TheUGTandtheCNTrecognizethegreatprogressachievedinthecreationofthePopularArmywithregardtoitscombateffectivenessandthetechnicalimprovementofitscommandstructureandaredeterminedtoreinforcealltheresourcesthatwillfacilitatetheformationofaregularefficientArmy,thatwill
guaranteevictoryinthewarandinanyforeignmilitarycontingenciesthatmightresultfromthatvictory.
TheguidingideaoftheUGTandtheCNTintheircollaborationinseekingtoimplementtheseimmediatereformsisthatofarapidandoverwhelmingvictoryoverfascism,toimplementapositivedemocracyinalltheaspectsoforganizationandactionofthewar,toreinforcetheCommissariatasameansofpurgingandstrengtheningthePopularArmyandTOMAKEAPRACTICALCONTRIBUTIONWITHTHEIREXPERIENCEANDTHEIRFORCES,INTHEWORKOFTHEGOVERNMENTBODIES,ASSUMING
ALARGEPARTOFTHEIRRESPONSIBILITY.
WARINDUSTRIES.
4.Transport,whichisbyitsverynatureofthegreatestnecessityforthepurposesofconductingthewar,willbeplacedatthedisposaloftheGovernment,CENTRALIZEDANDMILITARIZED,withtheprovisionthatitshouldberequiredbyunavoidablenecessityandthatproductionandcommerceintherearguardshouldnotbesubjecttoextortion.
COLLECTIVES.
1.TheUGTandtheCNTagreethatthe
juridicallegalizationoftheCollectivesisnecessaryandthereforeconsiderthatlegislationconcerningtheCollectivesisalsoneededthatwilldetermineWHICHCOLLECTIVESWILLCONTINUETOEXIST,rulesfortheirconstitutionandoperations,andstateinterventionintheiraffairs.COLLECTIVESTHATDONOTABIDEBYTHISLEGISLATIONMUSTDISAPPEAR.
2.ThestatewillassisttheCollectivesthatcomplywiththislegislationandwhoseeconomicutilityisacknowledged.
3.ThelegislationconcerningtheCollectivesmustbestudiedandproposedtotheGovernmentbytheNationalCounciloftheEconomy.
WAGES,PRICESANDPROVISIONS.
2.ThecreationofstrongConsumersCooperativesattheretaillevelandtheestablishmentofProducersCooperativesmustbeencouraged,withveryrestrictivelegislationapplyingtothelatterandtheestablishmentoflargewholesalesalesoutletsforexportpurposesUNDERTHERIGOROUSCONTROLOFTHESTATEinaccordancewiththeresolutionsoftheCounciloftheEconomy.
3.TheUGTandtheCNTagreethataminimumwagemustbeestablished,onethatispeggedtothecostofliving,andthattakesintoaccount,ontheonehand,
theprofessionalcategories,andontheother,theoutputofeach.Inthissensetheprincipleofformoreandhigherqualityproduction,morepaywillbedefended,withoutanydistinctionwithregardtogender,orage,aslongasthecircumstancesrelatedtotheneedsfornationalreconstructionshouldprevail.
WORKERSCONTROL.
10.TheGovernmentmustpromulgateaworkerscontrollawinwhichtheresponsibilitiesoftheworkerswithregardtothecontrolofproductionandthesurveillanceoftheiroutput,theirroleintheadministrationanddeterminingthedistributionofprofits,workingconditionsandthedefenseofsociallegislation,will
beestablished.
AGRICULTURE.
TheUGTandtheCNTannouncetheirsupportfortheNATIONALIZATIONOFTHELAND,whichmustbeconveyedinusufructpreferentiallytotheagriculturalCollectivesandCooperativesand,amongthelatter,especiallytothoseformedbytheUGTandtheCNT,respectingthewillofthepeasantswhoprefertocultivatetheirlandindividually,andalsoentailingtheimplementationbythestateofapolicyofassistancefortheexistingCollectives,withpreferencefortheUGTandtheCNTandthosewhichshallbevoluntarilyconstituted,INACCORDANCEWITHTHELAW,by
theworkersinthecountryside.
Therightsofthesmall-scalelandowner,asadirectcultivatorofthesoil,willberespectedaslongashecanprovethathislandWASLEGALLYACQUIREDANDASLONGASHEABIDESBYTHERELEVANTLEGISLATION.
SOCIALWELFARE.
TheGovernmentwillundertaketostudyformulasforfamilycompensation,tobelegallyimplemented.
ThetwoOrganizationsproclaimtheircommitmenttoensurethatattheendoftheconflictagainstfascismtherightoftheSpanishpeopleandespeciallythe
workingclassTOENDOWTHEMSELVESWITHTHATFORMOFGOVERNMENTthatrespondstothesacrificethattheyarenowmakingandtomaintainatruedemocracyinourcountrywillbeguaranteed.
ThesepassagesclearlydemonstratejusthowdeeplyimplicatedtheCNTwasinthestatistprinciple.TheyrepresentadistinctcontrasttotheCongressofSaint-Imier,whoseresolutionswereapprovedbytheSpanishproletariatattheCongressofCordoba65yearsagoandliberatedtheinternationalproletariatfromfallinginchainsbetweenthehammersofpoliticsandthestate,thuspointingouttotheworkersoftheworldtherevolutionary
paththatwillleadthemtotheirtotalemancipation.TheCNTpracticallyrejectedtheintellectualpatrimonyandeffortsofthemostvaliantfiguresofanarchism,representedinthebrillianthistoryofanarchismintheworkersmovement,whichallowedittoassumeanextremelyelevatedplaceamongrevolutionarypositions,acquiredinbloodystrugglesandfrompreciouslessons.
ThesepassagesalsoshowhowtheSpanishproletariatwasforbiddenallindependenceofaction,offreeorganizationandpropaganda,ofrevolutionaryexperimentationandanyaspirationforafuturefreefromthe
oppressorstate.Andhowallitsactivity,asproducerandintermsofpropaganda,wastobecontrolledandauthorizedbythestate.WiththesepracticestheCNThandcuffedtheworkers,subjectingthemtotheyokeofwagelabor,sothattheywouldcontinuetobevictimsofexploitationbyprivateorstatecapitalism,andrenderedallfreedomofactionontheirpartforthedefenseoftheirinterestsandtheirlibertyimpossible.
Thereignofinjusticeistherebyperpetuated,byallowingforthecontinuedexistenceoftheprivilegesofthedronesofthehumanhiveandanexistencefullofprivationandsuffering
fortheworkers,whoaretherealproducersofsocialwealthandprogress.(TheFederalCounciloftheFirstInternational)
***
Fromwhatwehaveseen,itwouldappearthattheanarchistmilitantsofSpain,duetoalackofcoherenceintheiractivity,aconfusedfocusonsocialproblemsandtheunstablenatureoftheiranti-stateandanti-politicalconvictions,haveallowedcertainMarxistmethodsandconceptionstotakerootandflourishamongthemthatopenlycontradictthetermsthattheyuseintheirpropaganda.
WeshallnotfollowthePestańasandthe
Peirósintheirconfusedadventuresthatledtotheformationofthesyndicalistpoliticalparty,forwhichtheformerwastoserveasadeputyintherepresentativebodiesofthePopularFront.ManyothersamongtheCNTeliteactedandthoughtinaccordancewithauthoritarianperspectives.NothingismoreilluminatingatthisjunctureforthepurposeofexplainingthedeviationsthattookplaceduringthecivilwarandthatwereendorsedbytheleadersoftheCNTandtheFAI,thanthefollowingarticlepublishedinMay1936inTierrayLibertad,entitledSlipperySlopes,inwhichtheauthoritariancurrentisidentifiedandwhichfeaturesthefollowingobservations:
Alltheslopesareslippery,andonefalsestepwillcauseustofall,andleadustotumbleheadlongintotheabyss.Ifonflatandfamiliarterrainonecanadvancewithoutanyconcern,withoutnoticinginsignificantobstacles,withoutpayinganyattentiontotheoccasionaldifficulties,whenwehavetoclimbmountains,withhighpeaksanddangeroussummits,alloursensesmustbealertinordernottomakeadisastrousmisstep,inordernottogoastraywithoutanywayout.
Theroadoftherevolutionisnotflat;itisriddledwithdangers,withdifficulties,withwellequippedenemies.Wehavetogoforwardcalmly,avoidingtheobstacles
thatwearenotinapositiontodestroy,overcomingdifficultiesandskirtingnotafewdeadlyabysses.Nonetheless,ourfriendlyhandisalwaysopenforthosewho,awareofallthesedangers,undertaketheriskwhentheycanandwhentheydare,sothathumanitycantakeastepforward.Therevolutionimpliessacrifices,energeticstruggle,butalsoacalmandclearviewofwhatwewantandthemeansthatmustbeemployedtoachieveourgoal.
Overthecourseofseveraldecadesofexistenceasanideaandmovement,anarchismhasestablisheditstrajectory,itsideasanditsmethods.Bythetimethatalmostallofuswereborn,anarchismhad
alreadyexisted,delineatedinitsaspirationsandtactics.Thisdoesnotmeanthatitiscompleteandperfect,thatitwillnotadmitanymoreenrichment,ormoreconclusionsderivedfromexperience,andthatwehavetobindourselvesindedicationtowhatourpredecessorshavesaid.Wehaveproventhatweareiconoclasts,thatwearealwaysreadytoembraceanyidea,anyinitiativeandtosubjectthemfreelytoevaluation,inordertoderivefromthemthemaximumbenefitforourgreatcause.Wearenotunalloyedandpetrifieddoctrinaires,enemiesofallinnovation,ofallboldthinking,ofallinitiativeforactionthatdisturbsthestagnantandtheimmobilized.Andthatiswhyweare
tolerant;thatiswhywealwaysopposeeverythingthatcutsoffthefreedomofthoughtinourowncampandeverywhere.
Wecannot,however,ceasetobewhatwewanttobe;wecannotdenyourselvesinoursocialmeaning,preciselyatthemomentwhenallsocialandpoliticalvalueshavefailedandourlibertariansolutionistheonlyremaininghopeforhumanredemption.
Athesishasoftenbeenrepeatedinpublicconfederalproceedings,bysomeofourcomrades,onethatanarchistsnolongerdiscuss,justaswedonotdiscussmanyothermattersthathavebeendefinitivelyaddressed.Iamspeakingoftheconquest
ofPower,oftheseizureofPower,ofthecreationofrevolutionaryarmies,etc.,whichamountstoaconfessionthatanarchismhasnoreasontoexistandthatwemustreturntothemethodsofauthority,thesystematicandreasonedcritiqueofwhichdistinguishesthepositionthatwehavetaken.
Thisisnotthefirsttimethattheseattemptstorehabilitatetheauthoritarianmethodsofrevolutionhavetakenplace.Rebelliouspassioncausessometobelievethattheanarchistsaremovingtooslowly,thatthesolutionistotaketheshortcutofthecoupdétat,theroadtotheconquestofPower.ThereistalknowofdemandingthatthecurrentGovernment
handoverPowertotheworkersorganizations.Allofthisisnotjustamisstep;itisaheadlongplungedownaslipperyslope!Thefactthatthesethingshavealwaysbeenadvocatedintheenemycamp,andthatthepossibilityofcarryingouttherevolutionbydecreehasbeenproposedbythesepeople,istobeexpected;butthatthesethingsshouldbesaidinthenameofanarchism,byanarchistcomrades,cannotbeallowedtogounnoticed.Cordially,withallthecordialityofwhichwearecapable,weinvitethesecomradestoreflect,tostopforamomenttocontemplatetheabyssintowhichtheyarefallingfromtheslopeonwhichtheyfindthemselvesandtoreturntothegoodroadoffreedom,which
isnotjustanidealaspiration,butatacticalinstrument,amethodofstruggle,aninterpretationofaction.
ThisadvocacyoftheseizureofPower,regardlessoftheintentionsofitspartisans,canonlybenefitthepartiesthatpinthehopesoftheirrevolutionarydoctrineontheConquestofPower.WedonotwanttoseizePower,wewanttodestroyit,andnotjustdestroyit,buttopreventitfromeverbeingreconstructed,andwearenottoofastidiousaboutthemeansrequiredtoachievethisend!;thereisonlyoneroadthathasproventobeimpracticalforthedestructionofPower:itsconquest.Apartfromthismeans,allroadsandallweaponsseemtobegoodas
farasweareconcerned.
Webelievethatabriefpauseforreflection,outsidetheimpassionedarenaofpropaganda,willmakethesecomradesunderstand,whomwedonotwanttolose,andofwhoseassociationwedonotwanttobedeprived,thattheyhavedepartedfromthelibertarianchannel,fromthegoodroadacceptedbytheanarchists,towhichtheyshouldreturn,avoidingdangerousconfusion.Fornowthatisall.
***
Ourinclusionofthisarticleheredoesnotmeanthatweacceptallofitspropositions.Wehaveincludeditforthe
solepurposeofdemonstratingtheexistenceofapowerfulMarxistcurrentwhichitdenouncesthatwasundermininganddestroyingthestructure,thepracticesandtheideologicalconceptsthatupuntilthenhadbeenthepredominantessenceoftheCNT.
Theauthoritariantheorythatwasidentifiedand(ineffectively)combatedbytheeditorialistofTierrayLibertadwasalreadyacancerontheIberianpeninsulaandavirulentepidemicthatalsomadeitselffeltinourcircles,againstwhich,morethanonce,wehavegoneontheoffensive,advisingtheworkerstoimmunizethemselvesagainstthesepestilentialbacilli.
Norwerewetheonlyones.Withregardtothisquestionitseemsmostpertinenttorecallthecriticalconceptsadvanced,inJune1936,bytheoldmasterMaxNettlauIbegyourpardon,iconoclastsagainstthevenerablebeardedoneswhowaslogicallyalarmedbytherapidpropagationoftheconfusionistvirus,whichappearedinvariouscountriesunderdifferentnames.
HereisthepassagefromNettlau:
Forfortyyearsanarchismhasbeensubjectedtoinfiltration,so-calledpuresyndicalism,nationalism,dictatorship,transitionalperiod,platformism,etc.,andthecurrentfashion,whichisnotinitselfanythingnew,electoralanti-
abstentionism,belongsinthesameseries.Theverydistinctionbetweenquestionsofprinciplesandsimpletacticalquestions,whichimpliesthat,fortacticalreasons,oneshouldbepreparedtotramplealloveronesprinciples,doesnotpossesstheleastresemblancetotheanarchistview.Theanarchistprincipleknowsonlyoneformula,ratherthantwo:eitheroneprofessesitsideas,oroneabandonsthembyovercomingonesscruples.Theseinfiltrationsinevitablydestroywithintheirvictimsanytraceofalibertariansentimentandsoonerorlater,butgenerallyquiterapidly,transformthemintonationalists,fascists,Bolsheviks,politicians,orworkerists.
Thisunavoidabledebrisistheresultofakindofauto-purgationofweakandinconsistentelements,whothinktheyareanarchistswithouteverreallyhavingbeenanarchistsatall.Andjustasabigrivercannotbepollutedbytheharmfulsubstancesdumpedintoit,so,too,doesthelong-livedandworldwidecurrentofanarchismautomaticallypurifyitselfandcontinueonitsway.
Itisbecomingclearerwitheachpassingdaythatthefinalstrugglewillbeneithereconomic,norpolitical,betweenclassesandparties,butintellectualandethical,andwilltakeplace,undermultipleforms,betweentheprogressiveindividualsofanethicalbentwhopossesssome
intellectualcapacity,andtheunderdevelopedstragglers.Itisnecessarytoopenlysaythis:completeAnarchymustissueastheoutcomeofthisstruggle,integral,healthyandrobust,andnotthatmiserableabortionthatisengenderedbythetirelesseffortsoftheinfiltratorswhenevertheygetthechance.
MaxNettlau(fromSolidaridad)
1.ExcerptsfromthetextoftheMarch1938UGT-CNTUnityPact[TranslatorsNote].
Chapter3:Theinsurrectionaryclimate
3
Theinsurrectionaryclimate
WedonotneedtoomanyargumentstoprovethattheenvironmentinwhichtheSpanishpeoplelivedduringtheperiodleadinguptoJune19,1936,wasoneofopeninsurrection.ApopulationthathadenduredsomanyyearsoftheBourbonmonarchicregime,AlfonsoXIIIbeingthelastrepresentativeofthiscenturies-longrule;thathadtosufferunderthedisastrousinfluenceofthelegionsof
monksandfriars,withtheirobscurantistandsuperstitiouspreaching;thathadbeentheplaythingofthelocalcaciquesandpoliticalbosses,withtheirpromisesanddeceitfulness,andwhichsheditsbloodsoabundantlyinthedesolateregionsofMorocco,ledbytheambitionsandintriguesofthethugswhostaffthehighestlevelsoftheroyalistmilitary,logicallyhadtowakeuptorealityandmakethemselvescapableofconqueringtheirwellbeing.
Theoppressionthattheyweresubjectedtoundertherepublicanaswellasthemonarchicalregimesinstinctivelyledthemtorebelagainstthosewhowereoppressingthem.Theyhaveoftenproved
thatwithintheirrankshopeandapromisingnewdawnarebeingcultivated.
TheSpanishpeoplehaveaglorioushistoryofepicrevolutionaryattempts.Fewarethecities,townsorvillageswhosestreetsarenotstainedwiththebloodoftheworkersandanarchists.AlongtheroadsinSpain,likebattleflagsofrebellionandvengeance,onesees,oneafteranother,crossesofwoodorsimplesignsindicatingthatonthatspotananarchistfighterhadfallen,murderedduringthemercilessimplementationofthelawofflight.
InJuly1909,afteranenergeticprotestcampaignagainstthewarinMorocco,ahugegeneralstrikebrokeoutin
Barcelona,inwhichthegeneralpopulationofthecityalsotookanactivepart,andthepopulationsurgedintothestreetsandevenburnedchurchesandmonasteries.ThisepisodehasbeengiventhenameoftheTragicWeekbecauseoftheenormousnumberofworkerslivesthatweresacrificedduetotheviolentmeasuresofrepressionadoptedbythedespoticgovernmentoftheclericalistAntonioMaura.
Ashorttimeafterwards,thefounderoftheModernSchool,FranciscoFerrerGuardia,wasshotinthedungeonsoftheghastlyfortressofMontjuich,byorderofthesameMaura,andthisreprehensibledeedcausednotonlythepeopleofSpain,
butalsothepeopleofthewholeworld,topourintothestreetsinprotestagainsttheSpanishgovernment,consideringthiscrimetobeashamelessmaneuveroftheIberianclericalparty.
IntheregionsandthecitiesoftheNorthAsturias,Vizcaya,Bilbao,Santander,Oviedo,etc.thecampaignagainstthewarfoundfertilesoilandwhenthegovernmentwantedtosendtheyoungsoldiersofSpaintotheslaughterhouseoftheRiff,themothers,sistersandgirlfriendsoftheboysrebelledagainstthemilitarycaste,eventakingtheirprotesttothedockswherethetroopsweretoembarkforMorocco,temporarilypreventingtheirdeparture.
In1911,abloodyincidenttookplaceinatowninthevicinityofValenciaandtheCivilGuardimmediatelycarriedoutviciousrepressionagainstitsinhabitants,inthepreludetothefamoustrialknownastheCullera,inwhichtheprosecutingattorneycalledforthreeconsecutivelifesentencesforoneworkerandlifeimprisonmentforeveryoneoftheother17workerswhowerehisco-defendants.Thistrialhadamajorimpact,forinBuenosAiresandMontevideoaprotestcampaignwasorganizedagainstthisjudicialoutrage.
Theseincidents,andthosethatfollowedduringthereignofAlfonsoXIII,ledtomajormassacresofworkersanda
tenaciousandcruelpersecutionofanarchistsandrevolutionaryworkers.
DuringthedictatorshipofPrimodeRivera,whichlastedsevenyears,themenoftheCNTwerebitterlypersecuted,andmanyofthemweresubjectedtothedictatesofthesadlyfamouslawofflight;theworkerswereshotunderthepretextthattheyhadattemptedtoescape.ThebloodstainedgeneralMartínezAnido,organizerofthefreetradeunions,soweddeaththroughoutthestreetsofBarcelona.
ThencameApril14,1931.TheSpanishpeople,tiredofsupportingsuchdespotismandexploitation,turnedtheirattentiontowardsthepoliticianswholoudlyproclaimedtheirrepublicanviews
and,hopingforaradicalchange,helpedthesepoliticianswinthemunicipalelectionsonthatdate.KingAlfonso,responsibleforsomanycrimesandpersecutions,wasovercomewithfearandfled,leavingthegovernmentinthehandsoftherepublicans.
Allofthischangednothingwithregardtothemethodsofoppression.Therepublic,too,imprisoned,persecutedandshotrebels.DuringperiodoftheAzańagovernment,whopresidedoveracabinetthatincludedLargoCaballero,Quiroga,Maura(junior),Prietoandotherssomeofwhomweretolaterplayaprominentroleduringthecivilwarthecrimescontinuedtobecommitted,butnowinthenameof
therepublic,andthetotalnumberofdeadandprisonersreachedintothethousands,manyofwhomweremilitantsoftheCNTandtheFAI.
IntheperiodofthecabinetpresidedoverbyCasaresQuiroga,bloodyincidentstookplaceandthestatereactedwithgreatviolence,culminatingintheignominiouseventofthetragedyofCasasViejas,whichhadworldwiderepercussions,where,underorderstotakeneitherwoundednorprisoners,alargenumberofpeasantsweremassacredforthecrimeofyearningformorebreadandfreedom.ThenthetragicLerrouxrosetopower,who,determinednottofallshortoftheeffortsofhispredecessors,continuedto
carryoutaferociousrepressionagainstthemostinsignificantinstancesofprotestandrebellion,fillingthejailswithanarchistmilitants.
NowwecometotherevolutionofAsturias,ledbytheAsturianminers,inwhichtheaffiliatesoftheCNTandtheFAIplayedanactiverole.ThebloodyrepressioncarriedoutbyGeneralOchoaisabittermemory.
Chapter4:The“PopularFront”
4
ThePopularFront
ItcannotbedeniedthattheSpanish
peoplecontinuedtopayaveryhighpricefortheiryearningtobefreeandtoenjoythefruitsofliberty.ThetragedyoftheAsturianinsurrectiondevastatedtheirspiritsandthevoicesthatechoedfromtheprisonswouldtellataleofshockandsuffering.MorethanathousanddeadandmanythousandsimprisonedwastheresultthattheLerrouxgovernmentcouldboastofhavingachieved.
Theambitiousso-calledleftistpoliticians,exploitingthissadsituation,usedasarallyingpoint,intheelectoralcampaigntoreformtherepresentativebranchofgovernment,freedomfortheprisoners,andunitedundertheBolsheviksloganofpopularfront.
Thebaittheyofferedwaspersuasive;theprisonersdemandedtobefreedandthesentimental,sincereandalwaysnaiveworkerscontributedtothevictoryoftheleftistelectoralslate.TheCNT,whichwasanti-politicalduetoitstradeunionstructure,andwhichhadledbeautifulcampaignsinfavorofelectoralabstentionism,onthisoccasionsuspiciouslychangeditsattitude.
Santillán,who,eventhoughhehadnotsetasidecertainscruples,explainedthisfactwithouttheleasttraceofironyinthefollowingdelectableparagraphs:
WithregardtotheelectionsofFebruary16,1936,wewereconfrontedinSpainwithoneofthemostseriousmomentsof
ourexistenceasamovement.Wehadthekeytothefutureinourhand.Butanti-electoralpropagandahadbecomearoutinethatwashardtoovercome.Principlesandtacticswerecapriciouslyinvoked.Andeveryonerememberedtheanti-electoralcampaignofNovember1933,themostintensesuchcampaignever.Theywereinsistentlydemandingarepetition,almostacarboncopy.Thesituation,however,wasclear.Ifweoptedforelectoralabstention,aswehadalwaysdonebefore,thevictoryoftherightwouldhavebeeninevitable.Thevictoryoftherightwouldbefascismwithalegalandpopularsanction.
Thereweremanymilitantswhodidnot
wanttounderstandthisandraisedaclamoragainstourview.Severalextremelytenseweeksfollowed.Iftheresponsibilitywasnotsogreat,wewouldhaveleftthefieldopentothedemagogueswhosuddenlytransformedthemselvesintothefierceguardiansofprinciplesandsoughttoteachuslessonsaboutRevolutionandAnarchy.Weresisted.Undernocircumstancescouldwehandoverpowertotheright,totheforcesofGilRobles,byabstaining.Norwasitpossible,becausethelackofunderstandingwouldbeevengreater,toopenlyadvocateparticipationintheelections.Itwouldhavebeeninterpretedasadefectionfromourprinciples.Fortunately,thegoodinstinctsofthe
broadmassescametoouraid.Wefocusedontheliberationoftheprisonersand,inourpress,wesetforththechoices,andcarriedoutareasonablepropagandacampaignthatpreventedabstentiononthescaleof1933andconsequentlymadethevictoryoftherepublicanleftpossible.
Nocommentariesarenecessarywithregardtothispoint,forSantillánhasspokenquiteclearly.Hedoesnotunderstandwhathedoesnotwant.
Disappointmentdidnottakelongtoarrive.Whilesomeprisonerswerereleased,otherpeoplewereimprisoned,becausethesocialproblemcontinuedtobecomemoreexplosiveastheworkersorganizedfortheconquestofeconomic
improvementsthatSpanishcapitalismrefusedtoconcede.
ThesloganofthePopularFrontgovernmentwas:Firstreinforcetherepublic;thenconcessions.ThissloganwastakensoseriouslythatstrikesweredeclaredtobecrimesoflčsemajestéandtheleftistssoughttosettlestrikesledbytheCNTincourtsofarbitration.TheterribleordealofthemembersoftheCNTandtheFAIcontinued.Thereactionwasfierceandbloody.
Whiletherevolutionaryworkerswerebeingpersecutedwithferociousrage,thelandowners,theclergyandthedisgruntledmilitaryofficerswereallowed,logically,intheenvironmentof
conspiracyinwhichtheylived,toworkintheopenlightofdayinpreparationforthemomentwhentheywouldattempttoseizepower.SovisiblewerethemaneuversofthereactionariesthattheCNTmadethempublicinanannouncementdistributedonFebruary14,1936,whosecrucialparagraphswereproducebelow:
Witheachpassingdaythesuspicionthatright-wingelementsarepreparedtolaunchamilitaryuprisingbecomesmorewidespread.Itisevenamatterofpublicknowledge,nowthatleftwingnewspapersareconstantlypublishingarticleswarningaboutmachinationsthat
areostensiblysecret,butareinrealityshamelessandopen,carriedoutbythereactionaryofficersinthebarracksandinthecivilandecclesiasticalcirclesofthecounterrevolution.
Moroccoappearstobethemainfocalpointandepicenteroftheconspiracy.Whetherornotaninsurrectiontakesplaceiscontingentontheresultsoftheelections.Theplannedpreventiveactionwillbeimplementediftheleftwinstheelections.
We,whodonotdefendtherepublic,butwhorelentlesslyfightagainstfascism,willcontributealltheforcesatourdisposalinordertodefeatthehistoricalexecutionersoftheSpanishproletariat.
Inaddition,wedonothesitatetorecommendthat,whereverthelegionsoftyrannymayappear,thatyouunhesitatinglyreachanagreementwiththeantifascistsectorsbyenergeticallyattemptingtoensurethatthedefensivepreparationsofthemassesshouldfollowthepathsoftherealsocialrevolution,undertheauspicesoflibertariancommunism.
Oncemore:Keepyoureyesopen,comrades!Itisbettertotakecourageousmeasurestobesafe,eveniftheyaremistaken,thantobesorryduetonegligence.TheNationalCommittee.
Everyonemustbevigilant.Ifthe
conspiratorslightthefirewemustpursuetheactsofoppositiontotheirmaximumconsequenceswithoutallowingtheliberalbourgeoisieandtheirMarxistalliestostopthecourseofeventsshouldthefascistrevoltbeutterlysuppressedinitsverybeginnings.If,tothecontrary,thestruggleisahardone,sucharecommendationwouldbesuperfluous,becausenoonewouldstopuntiloneofthecontendingpowersiseliminated,andoverthecourseofthepeoplesvictorytheirdemocraticillusionswouldbedispelled;if,ontheotherhand,thepeoplearedefeated,thedictatorialnightmarewillannihilateus.Oncesomeoneseriouslyopensuphostilities,democracywillperishbetweentwofires,
becauseitisirrelevantandhasnoplaceonthefieldofbattle:eitherfascismorsocialrevolution.Defeatoftheformerisadutyincumbentuponthewholeproletariatandallfreedom-lovers,weaponsinhand:thattherevolutionshouldbesocialandlibertarianoughttobethemostprofoundpreoccupationofmembersoftheConfederation.Itdependsuponourintelligence,andtheunityofourthoughtandouraction,whetherornotwewillbethemostauthoritativeinspirationforthemassesandthattheywillputintopracticemodesofsociabilitythatconformtothespiritoflibertarianideas,andwhethertheseideaswillbetheimpregnabledefensiveshieldagainsttheauthoritarianinstinctsofthe
whitesandthereds.
Oncemore:Keepyoureyesopen,comrades!Itisbettertotakecourageousmeasurestobesafe,eveniftheyaremistaken,thantobesorryduetonegligence.
TheNationalCommittee.
***
ThepoliticiansofthePopularFrontwerenotinterestedintheactivitiesofthereactionaries.Outofcowardicetheywouldnotdareeventoorderviolentmeasuresagainstthemilitaryconspirators;thelatter,increasinglymorearrogant,madeuseofcriminalelements
toprovokedisorders,attacksandpremeditatedcrimes.TheSpanishpubliclivedinastateoffearandshock.
TheworkersoftheCNTcontinuedtoplanvaliantstrikemovementsandtheleftistministerscontinuedtoattempttodestroytheorganization.
Itwaspossibletoobserve,inthepreludetothemilitaryuprising,spectaclessuchastheoneaconfederalnewspaperdescribed,whichtookplaceinMadrid,duringthecourseofaconstructionworkersstrike:whiletheworkersenrolledintheUGTweretryingtoreturntowork,inaccordancewithordersissuedbythesocialistministers,theworkerswhoweremembersoftheCNTstood
withcrossedarmsinfrontoftheconstructionsites,inprotestagainstthisbetrayal.
Chapter5:July19
5
July19
TheassassinationoftherightwingpoliticianCalvoSotelohastenedthepaceofevents.TheconspiratorsgavetheordertorevoltandonthedawnofJuly19,1936therewasfightingonthestreetsofallthecitiesinSpain.ThegreatmajorityoftheunitsoftheSpanisharmyjoinedtherevolt.
Itseemsunnecessaryforustodescribetheharrowingepisodes,thebloodyclashes,andtheheroicdeedsofthe
Spanishpeopleandtheanarchiststhattookplaceduringthemorningofthathallowedday;wealsolacktheskilltodepicttheminarealisticwaythatwouldimmortalizethem.Thespiritofstruggle,sacrificeandheroismwasonceagaininevidence,recallingtheeventsofpasteras.Sublimeepicsbyacclaimedauthors.AnotherNumantiaandanotherSaguntum.
Onceagain,thesufferingandvaliantpeopletooktothestreets,constructedbarricades,assaultedthebarracks,burnedchurchesandmonasteriesandpublicoffices,withoutanyotherweapons,inmanycases,thantheiridealofredemptionandinothercaseswith
antiquatedoruselessarms.Baredbreastsconfrontedthemachineguns.Men,womenandtheelderly,gaspingforbreathandfullofenthusiasmandholyhatreds,defieddeathwithoutsecondthoughtsorcowardice.
Whatwascertainwas,withtheendoftheday,newshadalreadyarrivedfrommanycitiesonthePeninsula.Insome,thepeoplehadbeenmassacredanddefeated,withcountlessvictims.Inothers,thepeoplehadovercometherebelmilitaryforces.
Everywhere,thecomradesoftheCNTandtheFAIdisplayedprodigiesofvalorandaudacityandriskedtheirpreciouslives.
Weshallallowtheirleaderstospeakforthemselves,anddescribeafewscenesofthestruggle:
Madridwaslikeaninferno.Thebraveryofitschildrenduringthosedramatichoursdeservestobeinscribedinlinesofgold;downtheGranVíacamesomecavalrytrooperstowardsthebarracksatLaMontańa.TheyaresonsofthepeoplewhocomefromVicálvaro,withafewartillerypieces.Thepeopledonotallowthemtopass.Theysurroundthem,embracingthem.Manycriedforjoy.Automobiles,numerousautomobileswereracingdownthestreets,withpeopleclingingtothemontheirrunningboards!
LargecolumnsofsmokeroseabovethebuildingsofMadridintothesky
.
Aroundallthechurchesandmonasteriesabeautifulbuzzwasheard.Thereisnotamomentforrest.Thepeopleseemtobemotivatedasifbyasinglewill.Thefeverhasembracedallofthem.OnecouldsaythatallofMadridisoutonthestreets.Astheseriousnessofthesituationbecomesmoreapparent,therevolutionaryardorofthepeoplegrows.Itisasiftheyhadasinglebrainandasinglewill.Nopower,onethinks,candefeatthistempest.Thosewhorevoltedwillhavetotastethedustofdefeat.
LaMontańabarrackshasfallen.TheCNTfightersinthelead,scornfulofdeath,withsomeassaultguardsandyoungsocialists,enteredlikeahurricaneandsweptawayallresistance.Itwasthepowerofthepeoplewhowerereadytotakejusticeintotheirownhands.Theonlycreativeandfruitfuljustice.
Atthatsolemnhour(12a.m.onJuly20,1936),anentireregimentdiedatthehandsofthepeopleinarms.ThebulletsthatendedthelivesoftheofficersandcommandersofthearmyinthebarracksofLaMontańa,didnotjustkillahandfulofmen,butkilledawholesociety
.
AgroupofcomradesarrivedinatroopattheheadquartersoftheNationalCommitteeonCalledeSilva.Theycamearmedwithriflesandmachineguns.Wetookthemwithourowntwohands,theysaid,crazedwithjoy,andtheyarefortheOrganization.Theyweresoonmountedoncarsandsenttootherlocationsinsearchofnewrebelstrongholds.
AfterthebarracksofLaMontańa,theotherfasciststrongholdsinMadridfelloneafteranother.ThepeopleofMadrid,withanexemplaryheroism,joinedtheassaultonthebarrackswiththeirbreastsbared,whichmadegreathistoricaldeedspossible.
Oncetherebellionwasdefeatedin
Madrid,reinforcementsweredispatchedtotheSierradelGuadarrama,wherethetroopsofthebloodygeneralMolawerecornered.Onthenextday,July21,ourforcestookAlcaládeHenares,breakingthesiegeofMadridandforcingthefasciststofleetowardsGuadalajara.
(DavidAntona)
thingsweregettingorganized.Whilethestrugglecontinuedandthemilitaryuprisingwasbeingliquidated,thepeopleinarms,theabsolutemastersofBarcelona,theCNTandtheFAI;everysectorfoughtagainsttherebels,butitwastheimpulseofourmen,itwasthe
unequaledexampleofthebraveryofourmilitants,whichgalvanizedthemultitudes,itisnecessarytosaythisloudandcleartheybegantoprepareforthedawningofanewday,nowthatBarcelona,nowthatCataloniawereinthehandsofthevictoriousrevolution.TheCommitteeofAntifascistMilitias,formedonthe20thandonwhichallthesectorsthathadjoinedthefightagainstfascismwererepresented,was,infactandlegally,therealgovernmentofCatalonia.TheGeneralitatdisappearedinthefaceoftheforceandthemajestyofthenewrevolutionaryinstitutionthathadarisenfromthepopularwill
.
IntheoutlyingcountiesofCataloniathesamethinghappened.Thefascistuprisingwasimmediatelysuppressed;themunicipalgovernmentswereinthehandsoftheworkers;LocalCommitteesofAntifascistMilitiaswereformed,therevolutionwasnowafaitaccompli,unstoppable,imposingandformidable.AndifaffairshadproceededintherestofthePeninsulaastheyhadinCatalonia,ifintheotherpartsofSpainthepeoplesvictoryhadbeenasdefinitiveandasoverwhelming,howsoonwewouldhaveembarkedupontheroadtosocialism!
InBarcelona,Catalonia,July19cametoagloriousendamidstthesplendorofthefires,intherevolutionaryeuphoriaofa
dayofpopularvictory.ThehornsofthecarsthatwereracingalloverBarcelonaloadedwithworkerswithriflesintheirhands,playedthemarveloussymphonyFAI-CNT!thatwouldresoundfivedayslaterinthechorusoftheraggedyetheroicmilitias,drunkonillusionsandenthusiasm,wholeftforZaragozawithDurruti.
ThelettersCNT-FAIwerewrittenoneverywall,oneverybuilding,oneverydooroneveryhouse,oncars,andoneverything!Theredandblackflagflewinthewind,triumphantandfantastic,amarvelousimage,thatwecontemplatedwithanenchantedsoulandshiningeyes,askingourselvesifwewereonly
dreamingorifthiswasreal!No,wewerenotsleeping.Wewerewide-awake.Aswerecalltheharshvictoriousreality,thegreatfruitfulandtragicreality,thenthewidowsandtheorphanswouldcome.Howmuchnoblebloodwasspilled.Howmanymenfellinbattle,intheheatofthestruggle,mixedtogetherinholyanonymity!
(FedericaMontseny)
***
Aswecansee,andaswehonestlyrecall,inalltheencountersinwhichtheanarchistmilitantsparticipatedtheyverifiedwiththeirdignityandbraveconducttheirpastasgladiatorsofan
idealoflove,justiceandfreedom,andfaceddeathwiththeirusualnobilityandheroism.
Furthermore:thankstotheiraudacity,forgedincountlesssocialconflicts,theyledthepeople,intheprincipalIberiancities,toaresoundingvictory.Concerningtheresultsobtainedandtheconductoftheanarchists,thefollowingparagraphsfromaninterviewconductedwiththePresidentoftheGeneralitat,theCatalanpoliticianCompanys,aremostinformative,asrecountedbyJuanGarcíaOliver,latertheMinisterofJustice:
FirstofallImustsaythattheCNTandtheFAIhaveneverbeentreatedastheydeserveinviewoftheirrealimportance.
Theyhavealwaysbeenharshlypersecuted;andI,mostregretfully,butforcedtodosobypoliticalrealities,whowasonceonyourside,waslaterforcedtopersecuteyou.TodayyouarethemastersofthecityandCatalonia,becauseyoualonehavedefeatedthefascistmilitaryandIhopethatyouwillnotthinkitoffensiveonmyparttoremindyouthatyouhavenotlackedthehelpofthefewormanyloyalmenfrommypartyandfromtheguardsandthestableattendants
.
Butthetruthisthat,althoughharshlypersecutedupuntiljustyesterday,todayyouhavedefeatedthemilitaryandthefascists.Ithereforecannot,knowingyou
andthekindofpeopleyouare,useanybutthemostsincerelanguage.Youhavewonandeverythingisinyourpower,ifyoudonotneedmeordonotwantmetocontinuetoserveasthePresidentofCatalonia,tellmenowsothatIcanjointheranksasonemoresoldierinthestruggleagainstfascism.If,ontheotherhand,youbelievethatinthispostthatonlydeathcouldhavecausedmetoyieldtovictoriousfascism,Ican,withthemenofmyparty,withmynameandmyprestige,beusefulinthisstruggle,which,ifithasturnedoutsowelltodayinthecity,wedonotknowwhenorhowitwillendintherestofSpain,youcancountonmeandonmyloyaltyasamanandasapolitician,amanwhoisconvincedthat
todayanentiredisgracefulpasthasperished,andthatIsincerelydesirethatCataloniashouldmarchattheheadofthemostadvancedcountrieswithregardtosocialquestions.
GarcíaOlivercommentsonthisinterviewasfollows:
Atthattime,Companyswasspeakingwithanobvioussincerity.Amalleable,morethanmalleableandrealisticman,whoprofoundlyexperiencedthetragedyofhispeoplesavedfromage-longslaverybytheeffortsoftheanarchists,heusedthelanguagedemandedbythecircumstances,androsetotheverydifficulttaskofmeasuringuptothem,inauniquegestureofdignityand
understanding,qualitiesthathavebeensosorelylackingamongSpanishpoliticians.Companys,withoutyieldingtofearoftherevolution,logicallythinkingthattherevolutionitselfwouldcometounderstandwhatwaspossibleandwhatwasimpossibleunderthecircumstances,madeanefforttoassumeadignifiedposition,asaCatalonianwhounderstoodthatthemomentoftruthhasarrivedforhiscountry,andasamanofadvancedliberalopinions,whodidnotfeartheboldestprogramsinthesocialdomain,aslongasthelatterarebasedonthelivingrealityofwhatispossible.
AndSantillán,inhisbook,TheRevolutionandtheWarinSpain,
discussingthesameinterview,says:
OncetherevoltwasliquidatedinCatalonia,thePresidentoftheGeneralitat,LuisCompanys,calleduponustoattendaconferenceinordertohearourproposalsonhowtofacilitatevictory.WecametotheGeneralitatarmedwiththeweaponsofvictory,accompaniedbyanumerousgroupthatservedusasabodyguard.Wecouldhavegoneitalone,imposedourabsolutedictatorship,declaredtheGeneralitattobeabolishedandinstituted,initsplace,therealpowerofthepeople;butwedidnotbelieveindictatorshipwhenitwasexercisedagainstus,norcanwedesireitwhenwecanourselvesexerciseittothedetriment
ofothers.TheGeneralitatcontinuedtofunctionwithPresidentCompanysatitsheadandthepopularforceswereorganizedinmilitiastocontinuethestrugglefortheliberationofSpain,afterhavingliberatedCataloniafromtheclawsofthemilitary.
***
WiththebloodyscenesthatunfoldedonJuly19,1936,whicharedescribedinasummaryformintheabovepassages,theshockingtragedythattheSpanishpeopleenduredformorethanthirtymonthsbegan,withthedisastrousresultsthatarenowsowellknown,whichIrecountedinmyIntroductionaboveendorsedbythemilitantswhooccupiedpostsof
responsibilityintheCNTandtheFAI,whoviedwitheachotherwithrespecttotheerrors,backroomdealsandselloutstheycommittedthetragedyofoneofthemostdisappointingchaptersoftheemancipatoryhistoryoftheworkingclassmassesofSpain.
Chapter6:Thefirstcontradictions
6
Thefirstcontradictions
Fromthebriefdescriptionsrelatedabove,weseethattheday-by-dayexpectationofthesocialrevolutionwasarealityimposedbythecircumstances.Theoralandwrittenpropagandathathadbeencarriedout;thebloodystrikeswagedagainstIberiancapitalism;theimprisonmentandtrialsandshootingsinflictedonthemilitantsoftheCNTandtheFAI,overdecadesthroughoutSpain,
hadborntheirlongawaitedfruit.
Thepeopleinarmshaddestroyedaregimeofopprobrium,tyrannyandexploitationandhaddecidedtobuildanewsocietywhereeveryonewouldenjoylibertyandwellbeing.
Theanarchistmilitants,whowerethefirsttomanthemostdangerouspositions,wouldalsobethefirsttoorientthepeopletowardstheiremancipation,takingcarethattheywouldnothavetoexperiencewhattheRussianpeoplehadtogothrough,afterNovember7,1919[sic:shouldbe1917],whenthepoliticianstookadvantageofalltheenormouseffortsandsomanyliveslost:sothatnowtheRussianpeopleliveunder
theruleofabloodydictatorship.
Weweresurethatitcouldnothappeninanyotherway.Thatwaswhenwereceivedacommuniqué,whichhadbeensentbytheCNTtothemembersoftheconfederationandtheSpanishpeopleingeneral,issuingawarningwithregardtotheongoingevents,inthefollowingterms:
Comrades:Compelledbytheeventsandunderstandingthateveryhourthatpassesrequiresadifferentapproach,becausethegreatcounterrevolutionaryoffensiveisbasicallydifferentbothinformandsubstance,weareissuingthismanifestotoday,readyasalwaystoprovideorientationandassistancetothosewho
areaccessibletoourmessage,theSpanishrevolutionarymasses.
Thisisadangeroustimefortheinterestsoftheproletariancommunity.Onthehorizonwecanobserve,withincreasinglywell-definedoutlines,theimplacableunfoldingofthebloodymaneuversoftheSpanishbourgeoisie.
Thosewho,likeus,donotparticipateinthepoliticalleadershipofthecountry,althoughwithourattitudewehaveonmorethanoneoccasioncausedachangeofcourseinthegovernmentalsphere,mustnowsetforth,aswehaveonsomanyothersimilaroccasions,ourpositiononthenationsgovernment.
Everyoneknowsaboutouraversiontoparticipating,werepeat,inthepoliticalfateofthepopulation.Politicsistheinfectiousdunghillthatpollutestheentirebodywithitsmiasmas.Thatiswhatwehavealwaysthoughtandnoweachpassinghourreinforcesourconvictionsaboutthismatter,thattheroadsoftherevolutioncannotbesqueezedintothenarrowandconstraininglanesofferedbythedespicableeverydaypolitics.Thelatterarefullofblindalleysanddeceptivecrossroadsthatcauseindividualsandcollectivestolosetheirproperfeatures.ThatiswhytheNationalConfederationofLabor,inaccordancewiththeorientationsoftheFirstInternational,onceagainsaystothe
insurrectionarymasses:donottrustanyoneelsetodosomethingforyou;theleaders,inthegreatturningpointsofhistory,alwaysadvisecalmanddiscipline.Thisiswhywenowseek,inordertoimpeltherevolutiontowardsitsfinalgoal,toconvincethemassestodisregardtheappealsofthosewhoturntheirbacksonthecrudeandsharplydefinedreality,andwhopreferademocracydrapedintheshroudofhungerandpersecutions,ratherthanaprofoundandtransformativerevolution.Asforfascism,thecriminalityofthepowerfulcasteselevatedintoasystem,youcanonlyabolishitbydestroyingcapitalistsocietyatitsroots.
***
Whatadifferencethereisbetweentheactualpositionstheseorganizationsweretoadoptandthebeautifulconceptsproclaimedabove!Thebreezeofrealityleftquiteapileofdeadleavesbehindit!
Thosewhocontrolledthefateofanenormouspopulationandanimmenseterritory,suchasisrepresentedbyBarcelonaandAragon,withinafewhoursofhavingbecomeawareoftheirvictorycommittedtheirfirstmistakesandpublicizedtheirfirstactsofbetrayalwithregardtomattersofprinciple.TheyjoinedaCommitteeofMilitias,inshamefulassociationwiththepoliticians,andtheCNTandtheFAIproclaimedthat
theirorganizationswereinfavorofcollaborationanddemocracy,renouncingtherevolutionarytotalitarianismthatwouldnecessarilyleadtothesuffocationoftherepublicbyaconfederalandanarchistdictatorship,inthewordsofGarcíaOliver;theyrecognizedthepriorityofcollectiveresponsibility,addingthatnotallowingourselvestobesweptawaybytheexcitement,nortobeintoxicatedbytherapid,definitiveandoverwhelmingvictorythatwehadwon,theyissuedtheordertoconquerthetownscontrolledbyfascism.Thereisnolibertariancommunism.Firstwehavetofighttheenemywhereverhemaybefound,accordingtoMarianoVázquez.
Theyhadforgotten,afewdaysaftersigningthemwiththeirownhandsandpublishingthem,thoselapidaryphrasesoftheCNTscommuniqué:Donottrustanyoneelsetodoanythingforyou;theleaders,attheturningpointsofhistory,alwaysadvisecalmanddiscipline
.
TheSpanishpeople,whohadbeentheeternalvictimsofthepriests,thevillagecaciquesandpoliticalcaudillos,werenowthevictimsoftheconfederalcaudillos.
TheconceptsdisseminatedbytheCNTandtheFAIintheirnewspapersandmagazines,whichwerenumerousin
Barcelona,Madrid,Valencia,etc.,inordertojustifythesefirstretreatswithrespecttoprinciple,donotmeritcomment,eveniftheyareintheirownwayemotionallycompelling.Theysoughttoputthebrakesonthepeoplesinnateyearningforredemption,thesocialrevolution,sothattheMarxistpoliticiansofSpainandthebourgeoisandproletariandemocraciesFrance,EnglandandRussiawouldhelptheSpanishpeopleintheirbattleagainstfascism!!
Fromthenon,everythingwasdisconcertingandshameful.Inordertodrivehomethenailoftheirinconsistencies,oftheirbetrayaloftheirownideas,theyinitiatedaspirited
campaigninfavorofunifiedcommand,controlanddiscipline,allarmstothefront,andwinthewar.
Theyhadceasedtobeanarchistsandinsteadbecameplainantifascistsandsought,indeedbeggedanxiously,forunitywithallthepoliticians,andpositionsofresponsibilityinSpainscentralgovernment.
Chapter7:Thegentlemen“ministers”
7
Thegentlemenministers
Itissomewhatdifficulttopiecetogetherindetailtheattitudesadoptedandthe
resolutionsapprovedbythemajorityoftherepresentativesoftheCNTandtheFAIinthewakeoftherevolt.Butitisworthmentioningthatbecauseoftheirsubsequentdeleteriouseffectsonouraspirationsthattheagreementssignedatthatfamoussessionwheretheabove-mentionedinstitutions,demonstratingtheirrevolutionarymaturity,andafterthedeclarationsofcomradeCompanysYouhavedefeatedthemilitaryandthefascistsandeverythingisinyourhands;ifyoudonotwantmetobethePresidentofCatalonia,tellmenow,sothatImaybeonemoresoldierwereofanimmensehistoricalsignificanceandalsoentaileddefeatistandsuicidalconsequences.
Thefactthattheydecidedforcollaboration,fordemocracy,andagainstanydictatorialrevolutionarysolution,hadtheimmediateresultofleavingthingsastheywerebeforethemilitaryuprising.ThebourgeoisStatehadsufferedasetback,fromwhichitwouldsoonrecoverwiththecooperationofthemajoritycenetistasandfaístas.TheyputtheirtrustinthewordofaCataloniandemocratandmaintainedandsupportedCompanysasthePresidentoftheGeneralitat.Andbecausetheywerethemajorityforceuponwhichtheattempttoconstitutearealdemocracymustfall,andbecausewedonotwanttoimitatethebigandarrogantfish,whoneverallowtheirzealtodevourthelittlefishtoflagmost
ofthesephrasesthatwearetranscribingcomefromGarcíaOlivertheyagreedtojoinaCommitteeofMilitiastogetherwiththerepresentativesofthepoliticalparties.
***
Whatwesaidabove,aboutthemilitaristslogansproclaimedbythepressandpropagandaorgansoftheCNTandtheFAI,isfullyjustified.ManyprestigiousmembersoftheCNTandtheFAIwerehigh-rankingmilitaryofficersandmanagerialofficestafflaterconnectedwiththewar.
Butwhyweretheysoenthusiasticaboutacceptingtheseslogansthatboresuchan
authoritariananddictatorialstamp?
Atthetime,theexplanationofferedwasthatmanygoodboysmadeuseofdeceptiontorejectthetakingupofarms.Thatduetothelackofmilitaryknowledgemorelivesweresacrificedthannecessaryandthatactionswerenotundertakenattherighttimeandplace,and
wehavecultivatedmanymoreconjectures.Itis,however,undeniable,duetotheeventsthattookplaceatthetime,thatthesesloganshadadifferentpurpose.
TheassuranceoftheCNTandtheFAI,intheirconformancetothetranscendental
resolutionofpostponingthesocialrevolution,thatitwasthemajority,meansthataminoritydisagreedwiththisfirstdeviation.Andwhataboutthisminority?Diditsmembersquietlyacceptthisseriouserror?Didtheyobeytheordersoftheleadersofthemilitias?
TheeventsthattookplaceatthetimeinformusthattheydidnotandthatitwasnotunlikelythattheantifascistsfeltinfringeduponintheirhierarchicaldelusionsandintheirMarxistandultimatelyauthoritarianmaneuversandsoughttoenclosewithintherigidgripofdisciplinethosewhowouldneveraccept,asanarchists,suchanoverwhelmingbetrayaloftheirredemptiveideas.
Buttheresoundingfallofthecenetistaandfaístatheoreticiansdidnotstopthere.
WhenFrancoshostsreachedthegatesofMadridandthePopularFrontgovernmenthadfledtoValencia,anappealtodefendtheCapitalwiththepreconceivedpurposeoffurtherweakeningtheAragonFront,inordertoadvantageouslypursuereactionarymaneuversthatwerelatersuccessfullyconcludedbytheauthoritarianfractionswasmadetothemenoftheCNTandtheFAI;thiscallwasansweredbyDurrutiwithacolumnofmilitiamenwhoperformedgloriousfeatsinthetrenchesoftheCiudadUniversitaria.Atthesametimeaftermuchplaintive
beggingrepresentativesoftheCNTandtheFAIwereallowedtoenterthatgovernmentthathadfledinsuchacowardlymannerfromMadrid.Theserepresentativesthenbecameministers,alongsidethepoliticianswho,beforetheuprising,hadorderedmercilesspersecutionsofanarchistmilitants.
But
itwasanimperiousnecessity.Wejoinedthegovernment,Santillánsaid,becausewehadasingledominantconcern:toplaceallresources,allenergies,allpossibilitiesofthecountryattheserviceofthewar,whichweconsideredsacred,becauseitwasawarofthepeopleagainstthosewhohadrevoltedinordertoreduce
ittoaslaveryworsethantheonetheyalreadysuffered.
***
Nevertheless,allthedialecticspouredoutbythosewhoundertooktoimplementthenewwayscannotpossiblycobbletogetheraconvincing,honestandsincereexplanationthatwouldjustifythesluggishness,thedocilityandtheindifferencedemonstratedbytheresponsiblemembersoftheCNTandtheFAIinalltheshamefulanddisreputableepisodesthatlatertookplace
.Nordotheyexplainthetacitcollaborationgrantedtoallthegovernmentsthatsucceededoneanother
intheperiodofthecivilwar,fortheyconformedtoallthepoliticalchangesthattookplaceandwerethereforeCaballeristas,Prietistas,Negrinistas,Miajistas,andfinallyCasadistas;inoneword,governmentalists.
Itisclearthatonedoesnotneedtobeanespeciallyastuteobservertodeducewithoutanyintentiontojudgewhatwasontheirmindsthat,besidesthesatisfactionsthattheywillhaveenjoyedbybreakingintothecircleofthepreeminentmenofstate,especiallyduringsuchacruelperiod,historymustattestthatthestatusofcollaboratorswithanygovernmentgrantsthemcertainadvantagesandprerogativesthatwerenot
enjoyedbythosewhofoughtonthebattlefields;advantagesandprerogativesthatperhapstheyneverenteredintotheiralliancistcalculationstheyverywellavailedthemselvesofintheirretreatfromBarcelonatoFrance,escapinginairplanesorotherconvenientmeansoftransportandfromthecentralfrontMadrid,ValenciaandAndalusiainairplanesandmerchantshipsandeveninEnglishwarshipswhilethemilitiamenremainedinSpainatthemercyofFrancosmercenaries.Eveninexiletheyobtainedadvantageswiththeirhighstatusasministers,forwhilethelatterwereabletofindrefugeinallthemostimportantcitiesofEurope,thetragedyoftheantifascistsoldierscontinuedinthe
unsanitaryconcentrationcampsconstructedinFrance.
***
Letusreturntothemaintrail.Itwouldbeasignofunpardonabledisrespectifweweretorefrainfrommentioningthenamesofthegentlemenministersandsomeoftheirrevealinginitiatives,whosepurposewastogetthestatecar,whichhadatthetimesufferedaseriouspanne[breakdown],backontheroad.
WearenotinterestedintheperformanceofFedericaMontsenyasMinisterofHealth,althoughitdidhavesomehumanitarianaspects;shehadtherewardofagreatdealofpersonalsatisfaction,
sincesheisrememberedforhermeritoriouslaborasMinisterofHealth,andthefactthatawingoftheVélezRubioMaternityHospitalhasbeennamedafterher.
***
WehadoriginallyintendednottomentiontheMinisterofCommerce,JuanLópez,outofrespectforhislearnedreputationinPoliticsandSociology,but,quiteopportunely,anarticleofhiscameintoourhandsthathadbeenpublishedinCulturaProletaria,inwhich,soliloquizinginfavorofthefamily,heshowshistruecolorsandmakesafewdeclarationsthatwejustcannotresistquoting.
Aftertellingusaboutthenarrowhorizonoftheideologicalfamily;ofthedemagogythatparadesboldlyinthestreets;ofthefactthathisentryintothegovernmentwastheconquestofarevolutionarystronghold;thattheywerenotgoingtoestablishLibertarianCommunism,orrealizetheintegralprogramofSocialism,buttoupholdtheworldoftherepublichethenproceedstoalengthydiscussionoftherevoltofMay1937inBarcelonarepudiatedbytheCNTministersagainstwhichhedisplayshisutmostindignationbecauseitforcedhimtoresignfromhisgovernmentposition,fromwhichheintendedtoensuretheconquestsoftheworkingclassand
becauseinafewhourstheeffortsofsomanymonthsofworkcollapsedandmagnificentpositionsofallkindswerelost.
Heconcludeshisarticlebysaying:
TheeventsofMay3ultimatelymeanthefollowing:
Theabsenceofrealdisciplineinthelibertarianmovement,which,duetoitsirresponsibleactionsinCatalonia,facilitatedthepoliticalmaneuverthatputanendtothegovernmentofLargoCaballero.
Removingusfromtherevolutionarypositionswehadconqueredandtheloss
ofanychancetoconsolidatethemISWHATOURRESIGNATIONFROMTHEGOVERNMENTIMPLIES.
***
JuanPeiró,intheMinistryofIndustry,musthavedisplayedagreatdealofclevernesstodeservethepraiseofhissubordinatesinthatgovernmentaldepartmentwhenheattendedregretfully,perhapstheceremonywhereheofficiallysteppeddownfromsuchanhonorableposition,since,accordingtoPeiróhimself,uponhisdeparture,theytoldhim:
YoumaydepartwiththeassurancethattheMinistryofIndustryhasneverbeen
soproductiveasitwasduringyourincumbency.
Thisadulatorypraiseoftheseofficeparasitesisexplainableandjustified,sincetheycouldconfirmtheenthusiasmandassiduousnessJuanPeiródisplayedinhisreconstructivelaborsinordertoingratiatehimselfwiththebourgeoisieandthepoliticiansandinordertobuttressthepoweroftheState.FurtherproofofwhatwesaidabovecanbefoundinthetranscriptofaspeechPeiródeliveredattheGranTeatroinValencia,afewdaysafterresigningfromhishighoffice,inordertoexplainhisconductintheMinistry,fromwhichweshallquotethefollowingpassage:
NoonecandenythecollaborationprovidedbytheCNTandtheFAIwithrespecttopublicorder.ThemenoftheCNT,themenoftheFAI,havedoneeverythingwithintheirpowertoreestablishorderwherever,duetocircumstancesthatIshallnotanalyzehere,disorderhadarisen.Noonewillbeabletodenythis,becauseoftherecenteventsinCatalonia,morepreciselytheeventsinBarcelona,andthecomradesoftheUGTthemselveshavehadanopportunitytoseehowtheelementsoftheConfederationbehavewhohavebeenassignedthejobofestablishingorderandreestablishingdisciplineinBarcelona.
WhentheCNTjoinedthegovernmentof
CataloniaandthegovernmentoftheRepublic,allofustookupourpostshavingrenouncedanyandalltotalitarianintentions.Weknewthatweweregoingtocollaborate,andincollaboratingwedidsoinasincere,honorableanddisinterestedmanner.
Havingreadtheaboveparagraphs,thereaderwillbeconvincedbyPeiróstoneofthestatistmentalitythatprevailedamongthesebureaucratsandthedubiousmissionthattheywereperforming.Theyassumedresponsibilitywedonotdiscoverbywhoseordersforreestablishingorderanddisciplinewheretheywerelacking.
***
NowallthatremainsistodiscussJuanGarcíaOliverwho,representingtheCNT,wastobecometheMinisterofJustice.
WearenotinanypositiontouncovertheMachiavellianintentionsthatguidedthepoliticianLargoCaballerowhen,yieldingtotheinsistentpetitionsoftheCNTandtheFAI,hegavethemfourbureaucraticpositionsinthegovernmentthathadfledtoValencia;butwedoknowthatthefactthatamilitantwhocalledhimselfananarchistoccupiedthepostofMinisterofJusticewasmostinconceivableandridiculousandgivesanideaofthestatistdeliriumfromwhichtheseleaderssuffered.
WhatiscertainisthatGarcíaOliver,
brandishinghisactionprogramNowtherewillbejusticeassumedthemagistratesgownandwithsmugsatisfaction,cheerfulandcontent,hedecidedtorepresentthegoddessThemis.
Injustwhatmannerheperformedwhatappearedtobethemostgrotesqueactsintheexecution,bydecrees,ofjustice,isexemplifiedbythezealhedisplayedindraftinglegislationonjudicialsentencing(!)andontheorganizationofprisonlife.
GarcíaOliverplungedwithsuchunexpecteddiligenceintoaregenerativelaborofsuchpettifoggingmagnitudethathedidnotallowhimselftoreflectonhisideologicalpositionpriortotheconflictthatwastakingplace,tosuchanextent
thathe,inplainlyboastfulterms,wroteameticulousdescriptionofthedraftlegislationheproposed,thedecreesheissued,andthejusticemeasuresthathehadimplemented,especiallyemphasizingtheonesthatgrantedlegalrightstowomen,thatcancelledcriminalrecordsforcrimescommittedbeforetheuprising,thatstipulatedtheorganizationofLaborCamps(i.e.,ConcentrationCamps)andamultitudeofotherinitiativesthatheauthorized,expressinghimselfasfollows:Iftheworkwashard,thefruitsweremagnificent.Andhefulfilledhisobsession:Toperfectthejusticesystem.
ButthisintensivejudicialactivitydoesnotexhaustthedynamismofGarcía
Oliver.
HavingattractedtheattentionoftheMinistryofWarbecauseoftheimpressiveconstructivequalitieshedisplayed,hewasorderedbythatMinistrytocreateandorganizethePeoplesMilitaryAcademies,whichwouldlatergraduatethousandsofofficerswhoweassumewouldbetheproletarianofficercorpsuponwhichthegovernmentalistcenetistaswouldrelytocarryoutthesocialrevolutionwhenthecivilwarended.However,inaspeechthatGarcíaOliverdeliveredtotheofficerswhograduatedfromoneofthesePeoplesAcademies,thatofBarcelona,wemaydeducethatsuchanassumption
wouldbeacrasserror.
Thisiswhathesaidinthisspeech:
You,theofficersofthepopulararmy,mustobserveanIRONDISCIPLINEandimposeitonyourmen,who,oncetheyareincorporatedintheranks,mustCEASETOBEYOURCOMRADESinordertobecomecogsinthemilitarymachineofourarmy.Yourmissionistoassurevictoryovertheinvadingfascistforcesandmaintain,atthemomentofvictory,apowerfulpopulararmyuponwhichwecanrelytorespondtoanyfascistprovocation,whetheropenorconcealed,ofaforeignpower,andthatwillknowhowtomakethenameofSpainrespected,whichhasforsolong
beendisregardedininternationalaffairs.
TheMinisterofJustice,besidesbeingaMinister,wasarabidmilitaristandafanaticalpatriot.
Onefactofthegreatestimportance,however,tellsusthatGarcíaOliverwasseriouslyderangedbyhispositioninthesphereofthegovernment,thathiseyesightandhishearingwereseverelydamaged,leavinghimcompletelymyopicanddeaf,forwhileHisExcellencytheHonorableMinisterofJusticewaslegislatingaboutjudicialsentencingstandardsandwasissuingdecreesthatcancelledpunishments,inallthetownsandcitiesofloyalistSpainthechekaorganizedbythecommunists,with
expertssentfromRussia,wasassassinatinganarchistsorimprisoningthemintorturechambers,withoutGarcíaOlivereverinterveningontheirbehalformakinguseofhisexaltedposition,whichindisputablyprovesthatJuanGarcíaOliver,justlikehisthreecomradesinthecabinet,representingtheCNT,wereplayingadespicableandregrettablerole.TheywereridiculouspuppetsdisguisedasMinistersandadornedwithshininggoldbraid,givingtheimpressionthatratherthanpuppetstheyinsteadresembledthedisreputableclownsandstreetperformerswhotravelledtheroadsofSpaininothertimes.
Inthemeantimedespitesuchunfortunate
andmiserableevidenceoftheiractivitiestheCNTMinisters,complyingwiththeirstatistsloganofdisinterest,spiritofsacrificeandloveofwork,werestilldistinctlyensconcedwithinthehybridblocoftheantifascists.
Chapter8:Feedingthecrows….
8
Feedingthecrows
.
OurbareassertionthattherewasaminoritythatopposedthefirsttranscendentalresolutionsoftheCNTmajorityandtheFAIandsubsequent
suchproclamations,canbedemonstratedbythealarmingnewsthatreachedusandrecentlyprovideduswithanaccurateaccountofcertainarbitraryfactsthat,intheirownfashion,weredepictedforusbythecorrespondentsofthenewsagencies.
Onthebasisofthesenewsreportswedrewtheconclusionthattheauthoritarianelementshadincreasedinnumberandinpower,withthecondescensionoftheMinisterialists.Censorshipwasstrict.Allthecommitteesofananarchistoriginweredissolved.MarxistnucleiwereincreasinglybeinginsertedintotheCNTmilitiasandtheStateextendeditstentaclesallthewaytotheborderwith
France.
TheSecretaryoftheIWA,Besnard,tellsusagreatdealaboutthesedevelopmentsinhisreporttotheIWA:
1.ThatthemilitiaswerecondemnedandmilitarizationacceptedbytheCNT.
2.Thatthefreemunicipalitiesthatemergedfromtherevolutionhadbeenreplacedbystateinstitutions.
3.ThattheCounciloftheEconomypassedfromthehandsoftheCNTintothoseoftheGeneralitat.
IhaveonmanyoccasionsinsistedwithregardtoSantillán;thathewas
responsibleforthepreservationofthemilitias.IhaveexplainedtohimthedangersthatanarmyinthehandsofagovernmentwouldrepresentandthesecuritythatworkersmilitiasorganizedbytheCNTwouldoffertotherevolution.AlthoughSantillánassuredmethathewouldmaintainthisinstrumentofdefenseoftherevolutionunderhisjurisdiction,onbehalfoftheCNT,henonethelessaccepteditsdisappearancealongwithalltheconsequences.Fromthatmoment,however,ashehadtowritelaterinTierrayLibertad,hebelievedintheneedforatransitionalStatetorepresentSpaininforeignaffairs,andintheneedforadisciplinedgovernmentarmytodefeatfascism.Itisofnouse
emphasizinghowforeignthisconceptistoourdoctrine,andhowmuchitresemblesauthoritariancommunism.Itcannotbutfavorthedevelopmentofthelatter,markingaconsiderableretreatoftheCNTandanincreasingabandonmentofourmethodsandideas.
***
Inthemeantime,calamitouseventshavetakenplaceinSpain,eventsthathavejustifiedthewarningthatcomradeBesnardexpressedinhisreport.
TheCommunistParty,withatinymembershipbeforethemilitaryuprising,hasgrownasaresultoftheaffiliationofthousandsofpettybourgeoisieandbythe
infiltrationoftechnicianswhocametoSpainfromallovertheworld,especiallyfromRussia,whichwasthepriceofthesaleofthearmsneededbytheantifascistsoldiers.ThedominanceoftheBolshevikswasapparentnotonlyinthearmy,butalsointhepoliceforces.Andthemeansutilizedbythelattertoasserttheirpowerinvolvedthecommissionofcertaincrimes.
AlthoughthecomradesoftheCNTandtheFAIhavenotdecidedtoopenlyclaimthis,nonetheless,itiscertainthatDurrutiwaskilledbythecommunists.ThepresscorrespondentinSpainfortheBuenosAiresnewspaperCrítica,JoséGabriel,accusestheBolsheviksofbeing
responsibleforhisdeath.
Todaythistestimonyisnolongernecessary.Afterthe(all-toobelated)publicationoftheimportantrevelationsmadebycertaingovernmentalelementsaffiliatedwiththeCNT,concerningthedespicableproceedingsoftheauthoritarians,itcannotbedeniedthatthisdubiousassassinationandmanyothersthattookplaceinSpainwerethesinisterworkoftheantifascistcheka.
TherewasthecaseofYagüe,acommunistmemberoftheMadridDefenseCouncil,whowaswoundedbyaguardpostedonahighwayinAragon.TheBolsheviks,whobythattimeweredistinguishedbytheirpredominance,
usedthisincidentasanexcusetounleashwithevenmoreviolencetheiranimositytowardstheirallies,andthiscampaignwaswagedonsuchalargescalethattheCNTandtheFAI,alarmedbythedirectionthatthesedemonstrationsoffriendshiphadtaken,issuedthiscommuniqué:
Facedwiththesituationofviolencethattheywanttoimposeonus,weproperlyrespondthatweshallnotallow,onceagain,aftercomradeYagüewaswounded,thatthecomradesofourOrganizationshouldbemurderedinthestreetsofMadrid,thusignitingabonfireofuncontainablepassions.ThreemilitantsoftheCNThavebeenfound
deadinthelastfewdaysinthevicinityoftheCapital.
TheAnarchistYouth,ofMadrid,alsoaddedthefollowing:
Weshallnotconsentforevenonemoreminutetoallowtheauthoritiestobeat,insultandarrestourmilitantsandtorefusetorecognizethemembershipcardsoftheCNT,theFAIandtheLibertarianYouth.Wearepreparedtoshootwithoutmercyallthosetraitorsandthenew-stylepolicewhotrytoarrestandbeatus.
***
YettheMinisterialistsoftheCNTandtheFAIcontinuedtoserveintheireminent
positions.ThemaneuversoftheBolsheviksdidnotcausethemanygrieforconcerns.Suchwasthespiritofunitythatprevailedamongthesecomrades,andtheadmirationandadulationthattheydisplayedtowardstheStalinistauthoritariansoutofexpediencyoroutoffearthatcomradeA.Schapirowasledtomakethefollowingobservations:
THEUSSRANDTHECNT
AnunacceptablepositionItiswithgrowingsadnessandafeelingofacutepainthatonenowreads,andthishasbeenthecaseforsometimenow,SolidaridadObrera,theorganoftheCNT.Wearecompelledtocometothisconclusion,thatthisdailynewspaper
withaprintrunofaquartermillioncopiesaday,hasbecomeasemi-officialdailynewspaperoftheUSSR.
Youneedonlyleafthroughthepagesofouranti-BolshevikSolitoseethatitisfullofarticlesthatsupporttheUSSRandStalinsforeignpolicy,withouttheleastdiscordantnotethatwouldmitigatethisimpression.
WeneedonlylookthroughadozenissuesofSolioverthelastfewweekswithregardtotheattitudeoftheUSSRinGenevaandNyon.
TheworldproletariatmustdefinitivelysupportthepositionoftheUSSR,onearticlestates,datedSeptember9,while
theeditorialinthesameissuedeclaresthatallthefreepeopleoftheworldmustsupportthedemandsoftheUSSRandtodrivehomethisopinion,anotherarticleproclaimsthatthereisonlyonewaytoreinforcethedecisivepositionoftheUSSR:thatisinternationalworkingclassactiontogetherwiththeSovietproletariat.OnthenextdaySoliclaimsthattheattentionoftheproletariatiseagerlyawaitingagesturefromRussia.Byacoincidencethatcanonlymakeonelaugh,aheadlineonthesamepagesays,Machiavelli,theInspirationofItalyandGermany
forgetting,byanoversight,nodoubt,toaddtheUSSR,themostaccomplished
discipleoftheItalianphilosopher.
Adaylater,onSeptember11,SoliannouncedthattheNationalCommitteeoftheCNThadselecteditsrepresentativetoserveontheCommission(createdbyTheFriendsoftheUSSR)tocommemoratethe20thanniversaryoftheUSSR.AfewdayslaterwereadthattheCNTofMadridparticipatedinthetributetotheSovietUnion.IntheSoliofSeptember12,wearepleasedtodiscoverthatSpain,keptawayfromNyonbyEuropeandiplomacy,willhaveitsplacetherethankstothevoiceoftheUSSRandonSeptember18,Solicontainsaportraitofcomrade(spareus!)Ovseenko,ontheoccasionofhisappointmenttothepostof
MinisterofJusticeoftheUSSR.
ButwhileSoliandtheCNTpileupsomanyproofsoftheirsupportfortheUSSR,itsgovernmentanditsrepresentativesinNyonandBarcelona,neitherrefrainedfromengaginginabundantcriticism,oftenquitebitter,ofthePSUC,whichistheCommunistPartyofCatalonia,SectionoftheThirdInternational,andentirelysubjecttotheordersofthatsamegovernmentoftheUSSR.ThisisaparadoxthatshowsthewholetragedyofasituationthatobligestheCNTtoplaythisdoublegame:tosimultaneouslysupportMoscowandtoattackMoscowsSpanishorganism,thePSUC.
Oneisforcedtoask:withregardtothesepositions,inwhichcasearetheCNTandSolisincereandinwhichcasearetheynot?Certainly,theUSSRsellsitsmilitarysuppliestorepublicanSpain.Wesaysell,becauseithasbeendemonstratedthatnotonekiloofweaponryhaseverbeensentbyStalinwithoutreceivingpaymentinmoney
oringold.ConcerningthisquestionweshalltranscribethefollowingpassageswrittenbyL.V.inLeRéveil,ofGeneva:
OurfriendshaveinvokedtheaidprovidedbyRussia.ItisimpossibletoattacktherepresentativesofMoscow,becausethematerialsupportofMoscow,asopposedtotheshamefuldefectionof
thedemocratic-capitaliststatesandespeciallythecowardiceoftheproletariansofthosestateswhohavebeendeceivedbytheirleaders,wasabsolutelyindispensabletomaintainanychancetodefeatthefascisttroops!However,whynotcomerightoutandsayit:Russiahassentusarmsofsuchandsuchaqualityandinsuchandsuchamounts.Spain,ontheotherhand,hasgivenRussiasomuch
andfurthermore,theSovietleadershaveproposed,inthearenaofdomesticpolitics,suchandsuchconditionsandsuchandsuchdemands.Why,then,shouldweacknowledgetheaidprovidedbytheSovietsbutnotadmitthepricethat
MoscowhasimposedandthathasbeenacceptedbyValencia?Theanarchistorganizationshavebeenmadefoolsof,theyhavebeenvictimsandaccomplicesofthisunacceptablehypocrisy!
ForthisunacceptablehypocrisythatcontinuestobedisplayedeachandeverydayinSoliandwhichismanifestedintheattitudeoftheCNT,sothattheUSSRcanmakethemdirectaccomplicesofthepoliticalcalamitiesthatareafflictingso-calledrepublicanSpain,andespeciallyCatalonia.Weaskonceagain:whichoftheCNTsattitudesaresincere?ThejustifiedcritiqueofthePSUCorthesomuchlessjustifiedadmirationforthegovernmentoftheUSSRanditsforeign
representatives,LitvinovandOvseenko?IstheCNTsincereinbothcases?Isitsincereineitherone?
RegardlessofhowtheCNTmightrespondtothesequestions,twofactsremain:thegovernmentofMoscowistakingmarvelousadvantageofthesilenceoftheCNTinordertounderminetheCNTsposition,transformingthelatter,willy-nilly,intotheaccompliceoftheanti-revolutionaryanddemocratic-capitalistpolicythatMoscowisconstantlypursuing.TheCNT,uptoitsneckinkneejerksupportforagovernmentofassassins,supportforwhichitispayingwithitsbloodinordertoobtainarmsdeliveriesthatareusedin
awarthathasnothingantifascistaboutit,willsomedaybeforcedtodesistfromitscriticismoftheSpanishcommunists.
Foritisillogicaltosupportagovernmentwithoutalsosupportingitspoliticalrepresentatives.
TheSpanishcomradesmightrespondthattheirsupportisnotforthegovernmentoftheUSSR,butfortheRussianproletariat;thatitsparticipationinthecelebrationsofthe20thanniversaryofthefoundingoftheUSSRimpliesnomorethanitsexpressionofappreciationfortheOctoberRevolution.Sucharesponsewouldbeinsincere.IthasbeenalongtimesincewehaveheardanynewsfromtheRussianproletariat(whichpossesses
nomeansofexpression).TheappreciationoftheOctoberRevolutionthatallofushaveneverceasedtocelebratesince1917,bynomeansrequiresquitethecontraryanycollaborationwithpreciselythosewhostrangledthatRevolution.
Thisunacceptablehypocrisymustcease.MoscowisintheprocessofsellingtoEngland,andatabargainprice,whatlittleremainsoftheSpanishRevolutionofJuly19,1936.
Weshallnotbecomeaccomplicesinthisbetrayal,inthismoralsupportprovidedbySoliandtheCNTtotheStalinistpoliticians.ThePSUConlycarriesouttheordersofMoscow.Ourattitude
towardsMoscowmustbeconsistentwiththisfact.Wemustpubliclycondemnthosewho,oneasmuchastheother,andunderthesameaegis,arestranglingtheSpanishRevolution.
(AlexanderSchapiroreproducedbySolidaridad,thejournaloftheFORU,secondhalfofDecember1937.1)
1.AnotherEnglishtranslationofthislettermaybeconsultedonlineatthewebsiteoftheKateSharpleyLibrary:http://www.katesharpleylibrary.net/pk0q0r[TranslatorsNote].
Chapter9:Afatalslope
9
Afatalslope
WeareusingthetitleofapamphletbySebastiénFaureasthetitleforthissection,justaswecouldhaveusedthetitle,TortuousPaths,whichisthetitleofanarticlebycomradeJuanC.RomerothatwaspublishedintheRosarionewspaper,LaFora,orthetitle,SlipperySlopes,whichisthetitleofanarticlepublishedintheBarcelonajournalTierrayLibertadinMay1936,becauseitmostaccuratelysummarizesthetopicweshalladdressbelow.
OncethedecisionthatthemilitantsoftheCNTandtheFAIshouldparticipateinthegovernmenthadbeenmadewithsuchgreatfanfare,theyandtheiradmirersnotonlydidnottakeintoaccountthecounter-argumentsofferedinoppositiontothistreacherouspositionbymanyanarchistcomradesfromallovertheworld,buttheyinitiatedanoffensiveagainstallthosewhodidnotacceptthecaptiousargumentstheyemployedtojustifythisacclaimedreversalinpractice.
Theobfuscationandthepassiontheymarshaledintheirineffectivedefense,oncetheirMarxistinclinationshadbecomeclear,reachedsuchapointthattheycopiedthestyleandthevery
terminologyoftheBolshevikshadusedinSouthAmericatodiscreditus.Theyfuriouslyralliedaroundtheprincipleofauthority,whichhadbeensoseverelymalignedbytheCNTandtheFAIupuntilrecentlyandtheycontinuedtoattackusforconsideringittobethebasisoftheState.
Wehavereadoneoftheseattemptsatjustification,withadegreeofshockandbitterness,intheBuenosAiresnewspaperLaProtestanoless,andwesaynoless,becausewedidnotexpectthatnewspapertopublishsuchatactlessandinsolentpieceinajournalthathasdefendedtheanarchistidealformorethanfortyyears,andwhichhaspaidthepriceofsomany
sacrificesandpersecutionstogivethatideallifeandpassiononthepartofthecommittedmilitantsofanarchisminArgentinaandwhichhastodaylostitswaybycarryingoutanegativeandconfusionistpropaganda.
LetstakealookatafewparagraphsfromTheHourofAnarchism,byA.Gilabert,publishedinLaProtesta:
Someoftheenemiesofanarchism,disguisedascomrades,arenowattemptingtospeaktousaboutprinciples,tacticsandideas.Theythinkthatanarchismhasgoneastrayfromitsnormalcourse,andhascompromisedwiththebourgeoisieandrepudiateditsanti-stateprinciples.
Thiscritiqueisnotinspiredbyveryhealthyintentions.Itsintentionsaretwo-fold,andmustbeunmasked.Ofcourse,anarchisminSpainhasundergoneachangeofcourse.Ithasrectifiedeverythingthatwasnegativeaboutit.Whenanarchismwasamovementofpermanentopposition,itexplainedthatitrejectedtheentireestablishedorder.InSpain,however,weareinthemidstofspecialcircumstances.Here,wehaveceasedtobeanoppositioninordertobecomeadeterminingforce.Anarchism,ratherthandenying,mustmakeanewreality.Thosewhomakeanewrealitywillbe:thosewhoarevictorious.
WecannotdemandoftheSpanishpeople
thattheymaintainthenegativepositionthatwasthatofclassicalinternationalanarchism.Thetimesaretoogravetoentertainourselvesbylookingtothepast.Isthereapositiveexample,aneffectiveprecedentfromoutsideofSpainthatcanhelpguideourconduct?InternationalanarchismisoftoolittlesignificancetodictateorderstoSpanishanarchism.WemustproudlysaythatSpainmustserveasanexamplefortheanarchistsoftheentireworld.
Asanarchistswehavetheobligationandthedutytocriticizeandtowagethewaragainstfascismandtherevolutionagainstcapitalism,notonlyfrombelow,fromthe
base,butalsobyassumingpositionsofresponsibilityintheinstitutionsthatrulethedestinyofthecountry.
Thosewhocriticizethepositionoftheanarchistsareenemiesindisguise,agentsofthebourgeoisie,individualswhoarenotverysatisfiedbythelibertarianinfluencethatradiatesfromtheSpanishpeople.Thisisthehourofanarchism,andwemustacceptthestruggleinallofitsconsequences,assumingfullresponsibilityinthesedecisivemoments!
Barcelona,November5,1936.
Evenmoreexplicitanddecisive,displayingjusthowintoxicatedthecenetistasandfaistasarewith
authoritarianism,isthearticlepublishedinthePuigcerdánewspaper,Sembrador,onDecember6,1936.Thisarticleisfullofslanderandthreats.Itreadsasfollows:
CONSTRUCTIVECRITICISM.
Weanarchistsareadvocatesofserene,nobleandwell-documentedcriticism,butweonlygrantthisrighttothosewhoaredoingeverythingintheirpowertodefeatfascism.Butwehavetobeverycarefulwiththiscriticism.Nowisthetimefordeeds,forpositiverealization,ratherthancriticism.Asageneralrule,thelatterisaweaponthatisskillfullyutilizedintheambushescarriedoutbythefifthcolumn,bythosewhomwemustsilence,thosewhomwemusteliminate.
Thisarticleinsinuatesthatthecomradestheyarecriticizingcouldverywellbefascists.
***
ItcannotbedeniedthatamajorityoftheleadersoftheCNTandtheFAIhavethrownoverboardtheimperishableanarchistprinciples,tacticsofdirectactionandemancipatoryconcepts,andhavestriventobringthehotspotsofthesocialrevolutionthathaveemergedinvariousregionstoadeadhalt,inordertodevotethemselves,fromtheirpostsinthegovernment,tochannelingtheactivitiesofthepeopletowardsthesolepurposeofwinningthewar.
Wedonothavetofollowindetailthecourseofthemanyargumentsthathavebeenofferedindefenseofthisseriouserror.
Wecannotunderstandpeoplewhoarewell-groundedinanarchisttheory,yetwho,overnight,changecoursesosuddenly,whentheyknowthatthischangeofcoursesignifiesabetrayalofthepostulatesthattheyhaddefended,inordertobecomeinsteadpropsofthestate,andthereforeridiculousbossesoftheSpanishpeopleandoftheirowncomradesinthecause,untiljustrecently.ThedefinitiveproofofthisisprovidedbyArticle15oftheUnityPactbetweentheCNTandtheUGT:
Weagreetoundertakejointactiontoliquidatetheharmfulactivityofthegroupsofuncontrollables,because,duetoeitheralackofunderstandingorbadfaith,theyareendangeringtherealizationofthisprogram.
AndnotonlyinthetextofthisPact,butinpractice,aswell,thepassiontogiveordersandmakethemobeyedisrevealed,sincethosewhorebelledagainsttheseauthoritarianpolicieswerepunishedandimprisoned.
Wemustalsoaddthattheconvertstoministerialismconductedtheiroralandwrittenpropagandainadistinctlyauthoritariantone.Whatisregrettableisthefactthattheyshoulduseourconcepts,
whichareclearlyinoppositiontothenewwaystheyhaveadopted,sinceitissurprisingthat,afterhavingsacrificedtheirentiregloriouspasttheyshouldnonethelessspeakinalanguagethatdoesnotsuitthem.
***
ItislogicalthatsomeofthecomradeswhowenttoSpaintocontributetheireffortstohelpthesocialrevolutiontobevictorious,andmanycomradesfromallpartsofEuropeandAmerica,shouldissuewarningsandprotestsabouttheprecipiceuponwhichthemajoritariansoftheCNTandtheFAIarepoised.
Webelievethatitisappropriateto
conveysomeoftheseopinions.SebastiénFaure,inthepamphletentitled,TheFatalSlope,setsforthhisdisagreementwiththestatistpositionassumedbythecenetistasandfaístas,whichissummarizedinthefollowingparagraphs:
Thefactthatapoliticianwhobelongstoapoliticalgroupshouldacceptaministerialpostinagovernmentcabinet,thatheshouldhavesuchanambition,thatheshouldsolicitthishonoranditsadvantages,isverynatural;thismanplayshiscards,hetakeshischance,hefollowsthepathsthathehasembarkeduponandtakesgoodcarenottomisshisopportunity.Butthatan
anarchosyndicalist,thatananarchist,shouldacceptapostinagovernmentcabinet,thatisaltogetheradifferentmatter.
Theanarchosyndicalisthasinscribedonhisflagingiantletters:DeathtotheState.
Theanarchisthasinscribed,inlettersoffire,onhisflag:DeathtoAuthority.
Bothareconnectedbyaclearandpreciseprogram,basedonclearandpreciseprinciples.Nothingandnooneforcesthemtosupporttheseprinciples.Itiswithcompleteindependenceandfullawarenessofthereasons,deliberately,thathehassubscribedtotheseprinciples.
Thathehasupheld,propagatedanddefendedthisprogram.
Thisbeingso,ImaintainthattheanarchosyndicalistmustprohibithimselffromjoiningthosewhohavethemissiontopilotTHESHIPOFSTATE,sinceheisconvincedthatthisship,thisfamousship,mustbeabsolutelydestroyed.
AndIsaythattheanarchisthasthedutytorejectallauthoritarianpositions,sinceheisfullyconvincedthatallauthoritymustbedestroyed.
Therewillbenolackofthosewhowillobjectthat,byreasoninginthismanner,Iamonlytakingprinciplesintoaccountandthatitoftenhappensthatthecourse
ofevents,thecircumstances,thefacts,thatis,whatiscommonlycalledREALITY,contradictsourprinciplesandcausesthosewhomakeacultofloveandrespectforprinciplestonecessarilydistancethemselvesprovisionallyfromtheirprinciples,andthattheysoonreturntotheiroldpositionswhenthenewREALITIESmakesuchareturnpossible.
Iunderstandthisobjectionandhereismyresponse:
First:eitherourprinciplesarefalse,orTHEREALITYTHATCONTRADICTSTHEMisfalse.Inthiscasewemustimmediatelyabandontheseprinciples.Inthiscasewemusthavethehonestytopubliclyconfessthefalsehoodofthese
principlesandwemusthavethecouragetofightthemwithasmuchpassionandactivityasweonceusedtodefendthem;wemustimmediatelyengageinthesearchformoresolidprinciplesandthistimetheymustbecorrect,precise,infallible.
Or,tothecontrary,theprinciplesuponwhichourideologyandourtacticsisbasedretain,regardlessofthewhathappens,allitsconsistencyandarejustasvalidtodayastheywereyesterdayandinthiscasewemustremainfaithfultothem.Todeparteveninexceptionalcircumstancesandbrieflyfromthelineofconductthatourprincipleshavetracedforus,torenouncethemethodofstruggle
thatisinconformancewiththeseprinciples,thismeanscommittingamistakeandadangerousandrecklessact.Topersistinthiserrorwouldmeancommittingamistakewhoseconsequencesgraduallyleadtotheprovisionalabandonmentofourprinciplesandfromoneconcessiontoanotheruntilthedefinitiveabandonmentofourprinciples.
Onceagain:itisthemachinery,itisthefatalslopethatcanleadusveryfar.
Second:ButIthinkthattheexperimentundertakenbyourcomradesinCatalonia,farfromcompromisingthestrengthofourprinciplesandweakeningordestroyingjustice,canandmusthaveasa
result,ifweknowhowtolearnthepreciouslessonsthatitcontainsandtoavailourselvesoftheselessons,thatourprinciplesandtheirpowerareproventobecorrect.
Theanarchistshaveresolutelywaged,AGAINSTEVERYTHINGANDEVERYBODY,amercilessstruggle;theyaredeterminedtoprosecutethisstrugglerelentlesslyuntiltheyachievevictory.Thisstruggleentails,ontheonehand,DOINGWHATISNECESSARY,REGARDLESSOFTHEPRICE,andontheother,NOTDOINGWHATISNOTNECESSARYREGARDLESSOFTHECONDITIONS.Iamnotunawareofthe
factthatitisnotalwayspossibletodowhatitisnecessarytodo;butIdoknowthattherearethingsthatitisrigorouslynecessarytoprohibit,andasaresulttoneverdothem.
TheSpanishexperimentcanandmustserveusasalesson.Thisexperimentmustserveasawarningagainstthedangerofconcessionsandalliances,evenunderparticularconditionsandforalimitedperiodoftime.Tosaythatallconcessionsweakenthosewhomakethemandstrengthenthosewhoaretheirbeneficiariesistomerelyutteranindisputabletruth.Tosaythatanyagreement,evenatemporaryone,consentedtobytheanarchistswitha
politicalpartythat,theoreticallyandpractically,isanti-anarchist,isadeceitandthatitisalwaystheanarchistswhoarethevictims,isatruththatisprovenbyExperience,byHistoryandbysimpleReason.Overthecourseoftheroadtakenalongsidetheauthoritarians,theloyaltyandthesincerityoftheanarchistsarealwaysentangledintheperfidyandclevernessoftheirprovisionalandcircumstantialallies
.
***
Evenmoreforcefulandprecise,however,aretheargumentssetforthbytheFrenchGeneralConfederationofLabor-
RevolutionarySyndicalists[CGT-SR],inanarticleentitled,TheDecisiveMoment,publishedinthenewspaper,LeCombatSindicaliste,anarticlethatproducedasensationamongtheinternationalcirclesofanarchistmilitantsandagreatdealofangeramongthegovernmentcollaboratorsoftheCNTandtheFAI.Thearticlecontainsthefollowingobservations:
WHERETHECNTISBEINGLEDBYITSLEADERS.
Theworkersoftheworldwanttoknow.TheemotionsarousedbythebombingoftheDeutschlandandbytheatrociousrepressioninflictedonthepopulationofAlmeríahavespenttheirfury.Aftersome
Platonicprotestswhosepurposewastosilencethecriesofhorrorthatarosefromallsides(keepinginmindthatweareonlytalkingaboutthecommonpeople)thecurtainslowlydescendsonthetragedy,smotheringthemoansoftheinnocentvictims.
Diplomacyhasremainedimpassive,andhasnowreturnedtoitstraditionalactivity.Everyoneknowswhatthatmeans.TheforeignofficesofLondonandParis,backedbyWashington,havenotlostallhopeofimposingtheirpeaceonSpain.Theirplanhasnotchangedanditisexpected,bothinLondonandinParis,thatthelastGermanresistancewillbeovercomeandthattheRussianplan,
whoseessentialpointisapreventivewar,willdefinitelybetorpedoed.
Afteraperiodofeclipse,mediationisonceagaintheorderoftheday.
ThisobligesourinternationalmovementtoexamineasmeticulouslyaspossibletheSpanishsituationasawhole,bothonthedomesticaswellastheinternationalarena,tostudythepositionandtacticsoftheCNT,theTradeUnionCentralrepresentingtheIWAinSpain,withregardtothewarandtheRevolution.
SuchanexaminationwasalreadyundertakeninNovember1936;itdemonstratedthatthereistotalandgeneraldisagreementbetweentheCNT
andalltheotheraffiliatedtradeunionsoftheIWAinregardtotheirpointsofview.For,whereastheCNTconsidersittobeitsdutytoacceptthemilitarizationofthemilitias,thesuppressionofthefreemunicipalities,thereplacementoftheTradeUnionEconomicCouncilbyaGovernmentalEconomicCouncil,participationintheBarcelonaandValenciaGovernments,italsoagreestograntprioritytothewar,andthussituatestheRevolutiononasecondarylevel,alltheotheraffiliatedTradeUnionCentralOrganizationsareofatotallydifferentopinion.
Nonetheless,inordertopreserveintacttheunityofourinternationalmovement
andhavingreceivedassurancesthattheCNTwillundertaketheindispensablerectificationofthissituationwhencircumstancesallow,thePlenumoftheIWAdeclaredthatitunderstood,withoutendorsing,thepositionadoptedbytheCNT.
Sixmonthshavepassedsincethattimeand,unfortunately,allthefearsexpressedbythePlenumoftheIWAhavebeenrealized.ThesuppressionofthemilitiashasplacedaregulararmyinthehandsoftheCentralGovernment,anarmythatposesaconstantdangertotheRevolution.Thedisappearanceofthefreemunicipalitiesreturnedallthecountrysadministrativemachinerytothehandsof
theCentralPower.TheliquidationoftheTradeUnionEconomicCouncilhasdeprivedtheworkersorganizationsoftheirdirectionandcontrolovertheeconomy.TheCNTsparticipationinPowerhasallowedtheValenciaandBarcelonagovernmentstosharetheirresponsibilitieswiththeCNTwithoutthelatterhavingpracticallyanyopportunitytoimposeitspointsofview.
ThefactthattheputschofMay6couldtakeplaceinBarcelona,aftersomanyothereventsofthesamekindhadalreadytakenplaceinCerdańaandCatalonia,demonstratesthenullityoftheCNTMinistersintheirgovernmentpositions.
Forwemustadmitthattheywere
completelyinthedark,thateverythingwaspreparedandexecutedwithoutthemknowinganything.Sowhatkindofantifascistgovernmentsarethese,inwhichsomeoftheirministersareunawareofwhattheotheronesareplotting,preparingandexecuting?Whatkindofgovernmentsaretheseinwhichahandfulofpeopleruneverythingandtheothersdonothing?Andwhatistheroleofthosewhoarekeptinthedark,exceptthatoffoolsandhostages,responsibleofficialsuponwhomtheconspiratorspassthebuck,whenthetimecomes,oftheweightoftheirfaultsandtheircrimesagainstthecountryandtheRevolution?
Suchapolicyisutterlyreprehensible.It
ispreciselywhatthePlenumoftheIWAdeclaredinNovember1936toberadicallyfalse.IthasendedupcausingtheCNTtoloseallthepositionsconqueredinmajorbattles,witharmsinhand.
IthaspermittedthepoliticianswhosepowerwasliquidatedonthedayafterJuly19,toreturntotakethehelmofthedestinyofthecountry.IthasdefinitivelycompromisedthetriumphoftheSocialRevolution,subordinatingittoawarthatcanonlybenefitinternationalcapitalismanditsrepresentatives.ThispolicyoftheCNThasallowedtheSpanishCommunistParty,whichwasnon-existentonlyrecently,toshowtheclawsofits
dictatorshipwhichwilldonothingbutfavortherestorationoftheDemocraticRepublic.
Inshort,thispolicyhasendedupfacilitatingthegreatestrevolutionarycollapseinHistory.
Anditisattheverymomentwhenallofthisisconfirmed,whenthecorpsesofthecomradesoftheCNTwhowereassassinatedbythecommunists,bytheValenciaandBarcelonapolice,arestillwarm,thatthousandsofanarchistshavebeenimprisoned,thatthepressoftheCNThasbeenmuzzled,thatnoonecangotoSpainorleaveitastheyplease,thattheCNT,onceagainofferstoparticipateintheGovernment,inthisGovernmentof
capitulationpresidedoverbyNegrín,thesameNegrínwhohuntedthemlikeanimals(SolidaridadObrera,June2,1937).ItisatthisverymomentthattheCNTbowsdownatthefeetofLargoCaballero,thatcraftyoldpolitician,whoselifeisnothingbutonelongbetrayal;atthefeetofthatLargoCaballerowhowas,successively,theright-handmanofPrimodeRivera,ofAzańaandofStalin;thatLargoCaballerowhoistheauthorofthelawsforthedefenseoftheRepublic,ofCasasViejasandVillaCisneros.
YoumightthinkthatyouweredreamingasyoureadsomanysuchthingsinthepressoftheCNT,butitisunfortunately
nothingbutthetruth.OneasksoneselfjusthowfartheaberrationoftheleadersoftheSpanishlaborfederationwillgo.
Itisnecessaryforthistocometoanend.ItisnecessaryfortheGeneralStaffoftheCNTtounderstanditsmistakeorfortheworkerstomakeitunderstand.
Onethingisforsure,inanyevent.SuchapositionhasgivenrisetotheindignationofallthesisteraffiliatesoftheCNT,thosethatwillnotallowthemselvestobedraggedintoacollapsesuchastheCNTisleadingtheSpanishRevolution.
Itisindispensableforthistobesaid,thatthewholeworldshouldknowit;thatjudgmentshouldbepassedandpositions
defined.
Howeversureofthemselvestheseleadersmightbewewillwaitforamoment,butjustforonemoment!theywillnotbeabletoupholdtheirpositiononthisterrain,inthefaceofalltheworkersoftheworld,whohavesupportedandassistedtheSpanishRevolution.TheymustbewarnedthatthisRevolutionwillbedefendedagainstthem,againsttheirerrorsandagainsttheirfaults.
Itisnecessaryforthemtounderstandthattherearecurrentstheycannotresist,howeverstrongtheythinktheyare.Agreatwavehasbroughtthemtowheretheyare,andanother,evenbiggerwave,candrownthemandsavetheRevolution.
Itislikely,afterall,thatthiswavewillbreakwiththesamepowerwithinasitdidfromwithout.
Inanycase,onecanbesurethatweshallnotallowthemtocrushit,withoutsayingordoinganythinginfavoroftheSpanishRevolution.Itistwiceours.Weshallknowhowtodefendit,andhowtodefenditagainstallthosewhowouldbetrayitorabandonit.
Morethanever:LonglivetheSpanishRevolution!
(CGT-SR)[GeneralConfederationofLaborRevolutionarySyndicalists]
Chapter10:The“antifascist”
bureaucracy
10
Theantifascistbureaucracy
TheparticipationoftherepresentativesoftheCNTandtheFAIintheCommitteeofMilitias,inBarcelona,first,andtheninthecentralgovernmentandothergovernmentposts,errors,deviationsbetrayalsofprinciple,wewouldcallthemwhichcometomindanddonotadmitofanyjustifications,entails,inevitably,besidestheresurgenceoftheauthorityprincipleinthosewhohadrejectedandcombatedit,thecontaminationofthemicrobeofthebureaucracy,inherentineverystate
system.
ThetradeunionbureaucracywasamongtheoperationalmodalitiesthattheCNTmilitantswerefamiliarwith,butwhichtheyscarcelypracticed.Unlikeourtradeunionfederations,whichfoughtagainstandneverallowedthedevelopmentofabureaucracy,inSpainthebureaucracymadeheadway,butnotwithoutacertainamountofresistance.
Thus,theyhadhardlyevenbeenestablishedintheirluxuriousofficesuiteswhentheministerialistswerebesiegedandsurroundedbymanyelementswhowerequitereadytocooperate,fromthevantagepointofpublicoffices,notforthetriumphofthesocialrevolution,since
thelatterhadalreadybeenstifled,butfortheprosecutionofthewarandwearesurethatwearenotmistakenwhenweclaimthatthesepeoplehadbeenthemostferventadvocatesofthenewtheoryofdirectaction,ofthecollaborationimposedbythesupremeandunavoidablenecessityofdefeatingfascism.Andlikeeveryhumanbeingthathasanyeducationandauthoritariansentiments,thebrandnewbureaucratswouldbehavejustlikebureaucrats,astheirpositionsrequired,leavingatthedoorofthegovernmentbuildingsthedisguisethattheyhadwornforsolong.
***
Concerningthequestionofhowthese
bureaucratsbehavedwecangetavagueideafromafewfragmentaryconceptsthatappearedinantifascistnewspapers.AswemayreadinRuta,theorganoftheLibertarianYouthinBarcelona,ofMay18,1937:
Therearesomeresponsiblecomradeswho,duetothefactthattheyhaveoccupiedofficialposts,forgettheiroriginsandpurpose.Weshallremindthemthatintheexerciseofatemporaryfunction,theyshouldnotrenegeontheprinciplesthataretheheartofourorganizations.Inordertoremindthemwearereadytoshowthembeforetheyimprudentlyrevalorizethestate.
Insupportoftheseconceptsweshall
recallthatSantillán,whenhewasservingasMinisteroftheEconomyintheGeneralitat,feltalarmedbythepassiondisplayedinthebattleformoreportfolios,formoreextensiveinterventioningovernmentaffairsandwhatseemedstrangetohimwasthespectacleofourcomradesfightingwithallthepassionsofthepoliticiansofthepasttoobtainhighpositions,tobeinvestedwithpower
aswellasthepassionwithwhichtheydebatedandminutelyanalyzedthelawsanddecrees,andevenengagedinthemostdetailedexegeses.
Theseparagraphswillgiveussomeideaofthegraveproblemposedbythenew
bureaucratswho,besidesrepresentingaheavydeadweightfortheSpanishpeoplethatwassheddingitsbloodinthestruggle,wasaperniciousoutcomeofthecircumstantialoperationalmethodsengagedinbythecenetistaandfaístastrategists,andofferedanopportunityforamultitudeofindividualswhodidnotpossessevenashredofrevolutionarycommitment,toassumepositionsaspettylittledeskjockeybosses,withalltheprerogativesinherenttosuchanelevatedhierarchy,who,oncetheywereentrenchedinthesepositions,couldgivefreereintotheirmostpathologicalimpulsesandcommitteddespicableandunscrupulousdeeds.
Andwhatisevenmorelamentable,manyoftheseelementswhocamefromsuchabackgroundwhowerequitewellknowninthespecificistcampanditsderivativesinordertoorienttheachievementsoftheSpanishpeople,foundasuitableenvironmenttoexhibittheiracrobaticqualities,theirtemperamentalinterpretationsandtranquillyfitrightintothemachineryofthebureaucracy.Andoncetheyreturnedfromtheirexperimentallaboratory,withnoothertrophyofwarthantheirtypewriters,theyhavetocontinue,withouteitherhardworkorglory,sowingconfusionismandjustifyingtheiractionstotheirhierarchicalsuperiors,sinceforthemthehustleandbustleandthecruelty
oflifeinthetrenchesandtheclamorofcombatwereonlyrumors,painfulandsad,whichreachedthembyindirectroutes.
Chapter11:Firstthewar…thentherevolution
11
Firstthewar
thentherevolution
IfweweretotakeaccountoftheabundantrhetoricemittedinthepropagandawrittenbytheCNTandtheFAI,inordertokeeptheforeigncountriesinastateofexpectant
nervousnessandimpressionism,itwouldbeveryhardforustodiscoverthetacticalreasonsthatledourSpanishcomradestoshapethisrhetoricinaccordancewiththerawreality,whichderangedtheireyesight.Becauseitisreasonabletoassumethattheauthorsofthispropagandaexpectedittobereadwitheagerness,andthatitwouldthenbeanalyzedandcomparedwiththefacts.
Itistrueenoughthattheyexercisedtheirrhetoricalskillsnotinordertoconcealtheirbetrayalsoftheirprinciples,eventhoughtheytaxedtheiringenuitytofindargumentstojustifytheiractions.Butitisinconceivablethattheycouldhavestriventodistorttheirphrasesandtheir
conceptstoavoidposingthefundamentalproblem:therejectionofanarchistprinciplesandtacticsofstrugglethattheyhadpropagatedandpracticedupuntilthen.
Wecouldhavegoneitalone,imposedourabsolutedictatorship,declaredtheGeneralitattobeabolishedandinstituted,initsplace,therealpowerofthepeople;butwedidnotbelieveindictatorshipwhenitwasexercisedagainstus,norcanwedesireitwhenwecanourselvesexerciseittothedetrimentofothers,saysSantilláninhisbook,TheRevolutionandtheWarinSpain.TheCNTandtheFAIdecidedinfavorofcollaborationanddemocracybyrenouncingthe
revolutionarytotalitarianismthatwouldhaveledtothestrangulationoftheRevolutionbyaconfederalandanarchistdictatorship,GarcíaOliversaysinoneofhisarticles.
Andifthisishowthesemenjustifiedtheiractions,withthesupportofmanyotherswecouldname,whydidtheyinsistonusing,insomanycommuniqués,newspaperarticlesandradicalspeeches,thephrase,socialrevolution?Thesocialrevolutionhadbeensuppressedbytheseverysamemen;indeed,ithadbeenterminatedafewdaysafterJuly19.
Thehonestandsensibleresponsewasreflectedintheslogan:Firstthewar;then
therevolution.Thelattershouldbecategorizedasbait.
If,intheheatofcombat;inthespiritedassaultsledbytheanarchists,togetherwiththepeople,againstthemilitaryrebels;ifinthesebattlesnooneconsideredorsoughttocompletelydestroytheveryfoundationsofcapitalistsocietytodoawaywiththeState;andthesesamechampionsofthesocialrevolutionacted,duringtheseevents,asthugs,upholdinganddefendingthehighgovernmentalauthoritiesCompanysandLargoCaballeroitwaslogically,thecivilwarthathadbeenunleashed.Andthustheyshouldhavedeclaredthistobeso,tacitly,burying,astheyhadburied
anarchistcommunism,allthetermsthatsignifiedadeceptionoftheworkers.
Becauseitmustbeacknowledged,nowthattheyarenotintheircabinetoffices,intheirgovernmentdepartments,inthehustleandbustleoftheirdeskjobs,thattheyhadlivedbydailycontradictingthemselves.
***
Itistrue,however,thatnotalltheresponsibleofficialsdemonstratedtheirreluctancetoengageinrationalargumentsandexplanations.
Inissueno.224oftheInformationBulletinoftheCNTandFAI,wereadthe
followingeditorialstatement:
Wehave,inourcollaboration,tornourideologicalconceptiontoshreds,wehaveperformedthehighestsacrifice,byleavingpartofourideologybehindusinourtradeunionoffices.Sowhydidtheybecomesoangryandrespondwithsomanyobfuscations,whenmanyofuscriticizedthemforhavingbetrayedtheirdoctrines?
Noteventhesecondpartoftheslogan,Firstthewar;thentherevolution,conformedwithreality.Becausethedocumentsthatrecountthehistoryoftheeventsprovethatwecanharbornoillusionsthatthecenetistasandfaístaswouldhavecarriedouttherevolution
aftertheendofthecivilwar.
TheyhadbeenimpartialwithregardtotheGeneralitat.TheyletthefightersdieattheAragonfrontandotherfrontswithoutweaponsbecausethesemilitiamenrejectedtheStatethecentralgovernmentofLargoCaballero.Thesesameconfederalleadershadallowedthereplacementofthemilitiasbyasingleunifiedmilitaryforce.Theconfederaldivisionsweremergedwithinternationalbrigades,composedalmostexclusivelyofMarxistelements.Thelatteradvocatedandsucceededinobtainingtheestablishmentofrigiddisciplineandunifiedmilitarycommand.TheanarchistswereexpelledfromtheCouncilof
DefenseofAragon.TheywereshotthroughoutloyalistSpainandinthestreetsofBarcelonathiscrimebecamethenorm.Thepeopleweredeprivedofarms;thecenetistasthemselvesrecommendedharshpenaltiesforthosewhoconcealedweapons.ThearmywasBolshevizedinallitsbranches.Theprisonswerefullofuncontrollableanarchists,whowereaccusedofbeingspiesorofbelongingtothefifthcolumn;butthisentirepanoramaofsetbacksanddenialswaspursuedwiththerefrain:Firstthewar;thentherevolution.
***
Itcannotbeassumedthatthesegeniusesofantifascistthoughtwerethevictimsof
theirowningenuousness.Ifwecannotmakethisassumption,itisbecausethereiscopiousproofoftheenormousattractionthatbureaucraticpostsandsomanyotherprerogativesofbourgeoissocietyexercisedoncertainminds,webelievethattheintoxicationwithcomfortablejobsinofficeswasthecauseofsomuchfoolishchatter,somanysophisms,somanycontradictionsandsuchgravebetrayalsthatwehadtoendureandattestto,thatwerecommittedbytheresponsibleleadersoftheCNTandtheFAI.
Armstothefront!Goldforthewar!Unityanddiscipline!UnifiedCommand!Winthewartobefree!And
whygoon?Theyshreddedthemselveswithslogans.
Andifthesesameindividualsthedirectauthorsofthepowerfulresurgenceoftheauthoritariansystemfromwithin,sincetheyhadproceededtoreinforcetheState,facedwiththeoverwhelmingnecessityofdirectlyinterveninginthedirectionofthewar,ofpoliticsandoftheeconomy,withtheobjectofpreventingthecontinuoussabotagewagedagainsttheCNT,thecollectivesandthemilitiacolumnsbythecentralgovernment
demonstratedthepredominanceandpoweroftheBolsheviksineveryfacetofmilitaryaffairsandpolitics;ifthecheka,organizedbythecommunists,
assassinatedandimprisonedmanyanarchists;if,dayafterday,theCNTlostpositionsandinfluence;whydidthemembersoftheCNTandtheFAIremainintheirpostsasministersandgovernmentbureaucrats,orcontinuetoseekappointmenttotheseposts?Hadtheybecomeaccustomedtothisenvironment?
Thedocumentsweinterspersedthroughoutthepreviouschaptersprove,profusely,thattheclaimsthattheministerialsofferedoncethecivilwarwasover,withthevictoryoftheantifascistsimpliedthattheywouldreinforcethestatewithveryprogressiveandwonderfulinitiativesandwiththe
creationofnewgovernmentdepartments,ledandcontrolledbythecenetistas,inordertotherebyprepare,fromabove,forthenextrevolution
.
Chapter12:Thecapersofafool
12
Thecapersofafool
PerhapsthefollowingbiographicalsketchofoneofthemostoutstandingrepresentativesoftheCNT,responsibleforandadvocateofallthemistakes,deviationsandbetrayalsrecountedinthissamebook,willbeinterpretedas
irreverent.WearereferringtoDiegoAbaddeSantillán.
Weshallnotdenythatheisanexcellentwriterandwemayalsosayinhisfavorthat,besideshisintellectualtraining,heisphysicallyquitephotogenic;butallhisbeautifulqualitiesdonotobviatethedisappointingimpressionthathislifeasananarchistmilitanthasmadeonus,alifethatissofullofcapriciousness,andhissociologicalproductionthatisplaguedwithdisturbingcontradictions.
Itwouldseemthathepossessesamindthatisverysusceptibletosuggestion;adaptabletotheinfluencesoftheenvironment,theclimateandthemenwithwhomheassociates;shapedbyan
exaggeratedimpressionismthatmakeshimlosecontroloverhisreflectivefaculties,tothepointwherehedeniestodaywhatheassertedyesterday,andtoonceagainsaytomorrowwhathedeniedyesterday.
Backin1925,Santillánco-wrotetogetherwithEmilioLópezArangothebook,AnarchismintheWorkersMovement,inwhich,relatingthehistoryofthesocialstrugglesthattookplaceinArgentina,hevaliantlyattackstheMarxistsectorsandtheopportunistelementsthatbrandishedthebannerofinnovationsandunitedfronts.EventhoughSantillánwasonlytheco-authorofthebook,thisdoesnotmaketheconceptssetforthinthebook
anylesshisresponsibility.Inthisbook,onpage179,Santillán,combatingneutralismandamorphoussyndicalismintheworkingclassorganizations,proclaims:
Areweanarchistsornot?Ifweare,wemustbeanarchistsallthetime,andeverywhere;ifwearenot,itwouldbewrongofustosimulate,oncertainfestivaldaysoramongcertaindrinkingcompanions,ideasandsentimentsthatwedonotreallyuphold.
Wearetoldthatthetradeunionisforthewageworkerswhowanttofightagainstcapitalism.Anothertriteexpression!ThereistheRussianexampleofthefirstorder,todemonstratetothosewhodonot
wanttobeblind,thatcapitalismislessfundamentalasanenemythanstatism,thantheprincipleofauthority.TheRussianRevolutiondestroyedtheoldcapitalistforms,itplungedprivatecapitalintoruin,butitleftthestatemachinestandingandthecapitalismthathadbeenthrownoutthewindowreturnedtwoyearslater,bythedoor,alongwiththehonorsandobeisanceofitsallegedenemiesofthepast,welcomedasthesaviorofthecountry.Itisnotenoughtobeanenemyofcapitalismtobearevolutionary,especiallyaftertheexperienceoftheRussianRevolution.Andthosewhoexertthemselvestosuggesttotheworkingclassmassesthattheirmainenemyiscapitalismare
simultaneouslystrivingtodiverttheproletariatformitsinstinctivewaragainsttheState.Furthermore,oureverydaystrugglesdonotjustcauseustoconfrontcapitalismonlyonce,asifwedidnothavetoreckonwiththehost:theinterventionoftheStateintheformofthepolice,thesoldier,thejudge,etc.TheinterestsoftheState,eveninthecountriesthatclaimtoberuledbyworkersgovernments,areidentifiedwiththoseofcapitalism.Everyoneknowsthis.Andallweneednowisforsomesophiststocomealong,andinthenameofsyndicalismseparatethetwothingsandorganizetheworkersforthestruggleagainstcapitalism,leavingthestate,itsinstitutionsandtheideasuponwhichitis
basedintact,inpraiseofanallegedclassunitythatisshatteredwhentheanarchists,enemiesoftheprincipleofauthority,attackthestateandstatism.
***
BecauseoftheoutrageousassassinationofcomradeLópezArango,whoduringhistimewasthemostfaithfulinterpreterofthefinalistconceptionofanarchistcommunismamongthetradeunionorganizationsandavaliantdefenderoftheFORA,SantillánwasabletotakecontroloftheanarchistdailynewspaperLaProtestaandimmediatelydemonstratedasuddenchangeinhisappreciationofsocialreality.Intheweeklysupplementthatheedited,this
newspaper,forthemostpart,publishedarticlesbywriterswhorejectedthepolemicalandpositiveworkdonebyArangointhecolumnsofthispublicationforsomanyyears.
InArgentina,Uriburustagedhismilitarycoup.Santillánbecameanenthusiasticpropagandistinfavorofanalliancebetweentheradicalsyndicalists,theMarxistpoliticalpartiesandthespecificistanarchistgroups,withtheFORA.
***
In1932Santillánpublishedthepamphlet,TheBankruptcyoftheEconomicandPoliticalSystemofCapitalism,from
whichwetranscribethefollowingparagraphs:
ParaphrasingProudhonandBakuninwesaythatanyauthorityprinciple,inanyform,isincompatiblewiththedignityandlibertyofmananditisnecessarytochoose:eitherthecontinuationofpoliticalauthority,ofnotionsandlawsthatareaboveman,andthustheslavery,indignityanddegradationoftheindividual,orelseliberty,dignity,humanaffirmationandconsequentlythesuppressioninthemindsofthepeopleofallpolitical,divine,economicormoralfantasiesthatareplacedaboveman.
Allpoliticalandeconomicclassregimes,alltyranniesarealwaysbasedonthe
annihilationofman.
wemustreplacethedominationofmanbytheadministrationofthings;wemustundertaketomakethegovernmentalStatedisappear,thesupremeexpressioninourtimeoftheauthorityofmanoverman,themostpowerfulinstrumentofslaveryofthepeoplesfortheirfleecingbyaprivilegedminority.Aslongasthegovernmentalstateexiststherewillberichandpoor,mastersandslaves,oppressorsandoppressed,andaslongasthisinequalityreignstherecanbenopeace,solidarityoragreementamongmen.
WithoutthesuppressionoftheStateandgenerallyofeveryprincipleofpoliticallyorganizedandimposedauthority,therewillbeprivilegedanddispossessed,becauseagovernmentcannotbeconceivedexceptastheexpressionofthedefenseoftheprivilegesofaparticularcategoryofmenagainstthedemandsoftheothers.
AsaresultofsomemeasurestakenbytheUriburistapolice,whichpromisedretributionagainstthosewhousedviolentlanguageinordertoappeartoberevolutionaries,SantillánhadtomakehisescapetoMontevideoandhereweseehiminthecafécirclesamongtheexiledpoliticians.
ThepresidentofUruguay,Terra,declaredhimselftobedictatoranddischargedtheBlancos,Battlistas,andColoradosfromtheirgovernmentposts.SantilláninsinuatedhimselfintothesocialcirclesofthosewhopassedthemselvesoffastheoppositionandinashamefulamalgamofBlancos,Battlistas,socialists,Bolsheviksandanarcho-dictatorialistscreatedtheCommitteeforAgitationAgainsttheDictatorships,attemptingtodragtheFORUontothisconfusedterrain,whichgaveitareasontoopenlydistanceitselffromtheanarchistsofUruguay.
AfterhisbrilliantactivityinMontevideoandafterhisdisplayofalliancistconceptscompletelyatoddswiththe
ideasheadvocatedinhiswritingshemadehisexit,happyandconfident,fromthisenvironment,inwhichitwasnolongerpossibleforhimtopropagandizesuccessfullyonbehalfofhisnovelcircumstantialtheory.
AshorttimelaterhemadehistriumphantappearanceontheIberianPeninsula.AndyoucanimaginehowamanofsuchintellectualprestigeandsuchabackgroundofexperienceinhisdealingswiththedemocraticpoliticianswouldhavebeengiventhewelcomehedeservedbytheSpanishworkers,givinghimthechancetotesthissociologicaldiscoveries.Theenvironmentshouldhavebeenpropitiousforhim.
HearrivedinSpainonJuly19,1936.ThemilitaryrevoltledbyFrancohadjustbrokenout.
SantillánmadehisdramaticentryarmedandwithanescortatthepalaceoftheGeneralitat,inordertohaveaninterviewwithPresidentCompanys,asinceredemocrat,andatthismomentheplacedtheofficialsealoftheCNTonthefirstbetrayal.
Ofhisactivities,ofhisflashyideasandhisconductwithregardtothechoicesposedbythecivilwar,wehavealreadyprovidedsomedetailsinthepassagestranscribedinthisbookfromthereportpresentedbycomradeBesnardtotheExtraordinaryCongressoftheIWA,and
inotherchapters.
AndinTiemposNuevos,amagazinepublishedinBarcelona,inJune1937,Santillán,inthearticleentitled,AnarchistsintheGovernmentorGovernmentalAnarchists?,heardentlybangsonthedrumofhisapostasyinordertoofferusthisdiscordantmusicalscore:
Regardlessofthecorrelationandthedependence;regardlessoftheharmonythatmustalwaysreignbetweenwhatonesaysandwhatonedoes,betweenonesideasandthefactsrecitedintheirsupport,betweendoctrinesandthepracticalconductofthosewhoupholdthosedoctrines,theydonotalwaysgo
handinhand,together,generalprinciples,whicharetheessence,withthetacticalmeans,whichdependoncircumstancesandareinfluencedbythem.
Principles,theideal,arelikethecompassthatguidesonesstepstowardsthegoal.Theyarethestraightlinetracedinourabstractions.Tacticsaretheapplicationoftheseprinciples,ofthatcourse,tothetwistingandchangingcontingenciesandobstaclesoftheroad.Ifoftenhappensthatitisnotthestraightlinethatleadsusasrapidlyaspossibleandmostsurelytoourgoal;sometimesonegetstherefirstbywayofzigzags.Sometimesitevenhappensthatonegetstherefasterbyretracingonessteps.
Inallofthiswhatisimportantisnottolosesight,evenwhentheattainmentofouridealbecomeslesslikelyforthetimebeing,ofthetruenorthindicatedbythecompassofourreasonforexistence.ButathousandroadsleadtoRomeandthechoiceofthebestonedependsonamultitudeofcircumstancesandfactorsoftheprecisemomentwhenthechoiceismade.
ThistheoryisafaithfulcopyoftheBolshevikslogan:Anymeansisgood,aslongasitleadstotheend.AndtheendthatisproposedbytheobsequiousservantsofStalinistheState.
ThemostfelicitousaspectofthisSantillanistinconsistencyisthefactthat,
inordertomakehispompouslitanyseemlessarrogant,heclaimsthattogettoRometotheMinistryoftheEconomyhehadtosetasidecertainscruples,asifhehadnotalreadyabandonedthesescruplesalongtimebefore,withhisadventuresamongthepoliticiansofourlittlepartoftheworld.
***
Butthatisnotall.Theworstisyettocome.
AlmostattheendofthetragedyexperiencedbytheSpanishpeople,Santillánpublishedhisretrospectivebook,TheRevolutionandtheWarinSpain,inwhich,whiledescribingthe
mostimportanteventsofthecivilwarandalotofquiteignominiousbackroomgoings-on,heaskshimselfwhetherallthebetrayalsofprinciplesthatheendorsedandimplementedwiththeotherleadersoftheCNTwerebeneficialordetrimental,andheconcludeseachchapterwithawhiningcommentaryabouttheinsinceritydemonstratedbythepoliticiansintheantifascistbloc!
AnditisthankstothisbookthatwehavebecomeacquaintedwiththelastdiscoveriesmadebySantillán.Heunderstandsthatthesocialrevolutionisadictatorshiptothedetrimentofothersandforthatreasonhepreferredtoacceptthedictatorshipofthepoliticians.Ofcourse,
ifheactedasananarchist,hewouldnothavehadthesatisfactionofsittinginasofteasychairattheMinistryoftheEconomy.
Hefurthermorediscoveredthatthepettybourgeoisiemustnotbedeprivedofthatminimumofcomfortandsecurityoflifetowhichtheyhavebecomeaccustomed
asanessentialconditionofanyvictory.
PoorSantillán!Hewastedsomanyyearsofhislifeasapropagandistformethodsofstruggleandideasofabettersocialwayoflifeforhumanityandsuddenlythescalesfellfromhiseyes,andhebeheldthecrudereality:thebeautifulawakening,theheroicdeedsofthe
Spanishpeople,theiroverwhelmingvictory,alltounderstandthatthesocialrevolutionthathewitnessedwasadictatorshiptothedetrimentofthebourgeoisieandtheauthoritarians.
Thisbringsusbacktotheacrobaticsofarevolutionarypoetwhowasactiveinourcirclesin1906:ÁngelFalco.HavingrevealedthathiscolleagueSantosChocanohadperformedasaclownfortheroyalpalacesofEurope,hededicatedthefamoussonnetFromFightertoCourtiertoChocano.Ashorttimelater,ÁngelFalcoacceptedapositioninthediplomaticcorpsanddidnotwriteanymorerevolutionaryverses.
Santillán,ontheotherhand,inhis
retrospectiveworkplaguedbysophistry,inconsistenciesanddenialsseemstoclenchhisfistand,strikinghimselfinhischest,likethecatechumens,recitingMeaculpa,meaculpa,meamaximaculpa.1
1.TherefrainoftheconfessionalprayeroftheRomanCatholicMass,Myfault,myfault,mymostgrievousfault,whichissupposedtoberecitedwhilestrikingoneschestwithonesfistthreetimes[TranslatorsNote].
Chapter13:ThetragiceventsofMayinBarcelona
13
ThetragiceventsofMayinBarcelona
Despitetheappealsforsanity,senseandrectificationoftheirconductthatweredirectedfromeverycorneroftheworldatthecenetistasandfaístas,thelatterremainedunperturbed,implementingtheirnewdoctrinesandoperationalmethodsandexercisinggreatcarenottohurtthefeelingsoftheirantifascistallies.ThetermsocialrevolutionwasexpungedfromtheSpanishvocabulary.Itwasreplacedbythephrasewemustwinthewar,aphrasethatwasveryflatteringtotheMarxistpoliticians,whiletheypubliclydeclaredthattheywerefightingforademocraticrepublic.
Inthemeantime,therewasahand,invisibleonlytothosewhosufferedfrom
anequallycircumstantialmyopia,thatpulledthestringsoftheplanthatwashatchedbythecentralgovernmentofLargoCaballeroinconnivancewiththediplomacyofthedemocraticnationswhosepurposewastocompletelyeliminatethenowgreatlydiminishedinfluenceoftheanarchistsinCataloniaandAragon.ThesameplanthatwaslatercarriedoutbyNegrín,Prieto,etc.
Onemonthbeforetheeventsthatweshalldescribebelow,theGeneralitathadundergoneagovernmentcrisis,whichwasresolvedbythedemocratCompanysinamostcapriciouswayaccordingtoSouchybecausehewasseekingtoreducethenumberofCNTministers.Sincethese
CNTministers,however,demonstratedtheircomplacencyandagreatcapacityforpatience,inordernottobreaktheantifascistfront,theyalsoswallowedthisbitterpill(Souchy).
AttheendofApril1937,AntonioMartín,ananarchistmilitantfromPuigcerdá,alongwithseveralofhiscomradesinthatlocality,wereassassinated.
TheCNT,however,madeoverturestowardstheUGTregardingajointcelebrationofMayDaybythetwotradeunioncentrals,butitsunionistproposalsdidnotmeetwithsuccess.
***
DuringthefirstfewdaysofMay,comradeCamilloBernerialongwithhiscomradeGiovanniBarbieriwasfounddead,who,alreadyinNovember1936,hadengagedinaviolentcritiqueofthedeviationswhoseexistencehehadconfirmed,andsaidthatitwasamatterforregret,thatacertainprocessofBolshevizationwasunderwaywithintheCNTandinthenewspaperGuerradiClasse,duringthesamemonth,hepublishedapropheticarticle,fromwhichweshallreproduceafewparagraphsfullofevidencethatisrelevantforourtimeandforallthosewhoobservethingswiththeeyesofrealityandnotwiththesmoke-tintedlensesofspecialcircumstances.Bernerisaid:
Therepublicans,thesocialistleadershipandthecommunistsarenowunitedontheconstitutionalistbasis.TheExecutiveCommitteeoftheSpanishCommunistPartydeclaredrecentlythatintodaysstruggle,itcalledforthedefenseofdemocracyandofprivateproperty.ThisisbeginningtosmelllikeNoske.WereMadridnotinflameswewouldbeforcedtothinkofKronstadt.ButthepolicyofMadridwillbevictorious.ItwillnotarmorfinancerevolutionaryCatalonia.
PerhapsthiswasdoneonlyasamessagetotheUSSRthatitshouldsendarmsandcadresforthepurposeofcontrollingtherevolutionarystruggleandstoppingthedevelopmentofthesocialrevolution,
forcingitintothechannelofthearmedstruggleagainstfascism?Theblackmail:MadridorFranco,thisiswhathasparalyzedSpanishanarchism.TodayBarcelonaisbetweenBurgos,Rome,Berlin,MadridandMoscow.Asiege.
Blackcloudsaregatheringonthehorizon;thehazeblindsus.
Weconcentrateourgazeandholdtherudderinagripofsteel.Weareonthehighseasandthereisastorm.Butweknowhowtoperformmiracles.BetweenthePrussiansandVersailles,theCommunesetalightabeaconthatilluminatedtheentireworld.
BetweenBurgosandMadrid,lies
Barcelona.
Keepthatinmind,GaudetsofMoscow.1
(C.Berneri)
Bernerihadsignedhisowndeathsentence,whichwastobecarriedoutbythemercenariesworkingundertheordersoftheantifascistfront,ormoreaccurately,theemissariesofStalin.
***
InordertofindoutwhattookplaceduringtheMayDaysandduringthesubsequentperiodinBarcelona,thereisnobetterplacetolookthanthearchivesoftheCNTandtheFAI.Weshallread
somefragmentsfromthelongreportpublishedintheInformationBulletinoftheCNTandFAI,whichweobtainedfromanissueofSolidaridadofMontevideopublishedduringthecivilwar,alongwithcommentarybytheeditorsofthelatternewspaper,inwhichtheeditorsaccuratelyoutlineanexplanationofthecausesthatledtotheeventsofMay:
WeshalltakefromtheInformationBulletinoftheCNTandFAI,ofBarcelona,thecommuniquédatedMay17,publishedbytheNationalCommitteeoftheCNT,relatinganaccountoftheeventsinCataloniaandtheircauses.Wethinkthisreportisinterestingbecauseit
istheofficialstatementoftheNationalCommitteeoftheCNT,whichprovidesthecomradeswithevidenceuponthebasisofwhichtheycaninterpretthemeaningoftheeventsandunderstandthemotivesthatguidedthosewhodideverythingintheirpowertoprovokethem.
Wemust,however,emphasizeonceagain,thattheyarethenaturalconsequenceofthatalliancisttendencythatsometimesarisesinourmovement,enticedbytheillusionofnumericalgrowth,withoutunderstandingthatfromthemomentthatwemakeanalliancewithanenemy,wenolongertreathimasanenemy,andconsequentlytheworkers
whoaremembersofaninstitutionthatwearefightingandwhohavebeguntofeeltheeffectofourpreaching,insteadofabandoningthatinstitutionbecausetheyfeelasenseofbrotherhoodwithourprinciples,onceagainfeelatpeacewiththeirconsciences,becauseouractionhasvalorizedtheenemyinstitutiontowhichtheybelong,andmuchworse,fromthemomentthat,inevitablyandbyvirtueofthisalliance,wenolongersaythatthatinstitutionisbad,theyaretheoneswhowillmakesurethatwearesilent,topreserveUNITY.
ThisismoreorlesswhathashappenedtoourSpanishcomrades,withtheirallianceinanantifascistfront,withtheworse,and
unjustifiableaggravatingfactoroftheirinterventionintheinstitutionsofthegovernment.
THEREPORTOFTHENATIONALCOMMITTEE:
Esteemedcomrades:theeventsthathavetakenplaceintheCatalonianregionobligeustoprovidetotheorganizationareportontheevents,andmostespecially,concerningthewaythosewhocomposethisNationalCommitteehaveintervenedintheseevents.
OnMondayweheardthenewsthatsomethingserioushadtakenplaceinBarcelona.Wedidnotdecidetointervene,becauseforseveraldays
abnormalconditionshadprevailedthere,andwewereconvincedthatitwouldnotbeeasytoactinsuchawaythatourinterventionwouldbringtheeventstoahalt.AwareofthefactthattheOrganizationinCataloniawasundergoingastageofexperimentation,whichconsistedinapplyingunderexistingcircumstancesthesamemethodsthatconferlifeandconsistencytotheCNT,withoutthecomradesrecallingthattoday,inaplanofgovernmentinterventionismandobligatorycollaboration,thesemethodsrequireachange,onethatcoincideswiththechangefromoppositiontointervention.Ontheotherhand,thepoliticaladversaryactedinaprovocativemanner,forthe
obstinatelypursuedpurposeofmakingtheConfederalOrganizationreturntoitsoldstreetfightingways.Theprocesswasalongone,andwecouldhaveintervenedbutwesawthatoureffortswereuseless,sincethediscussionsattheplenumsandmeetingsframedthequestioninanINOPPORTUNEMANNER.
OnTuesday,the4th,thecomradeswhoparticipatedintheValenciaGovernmentweresummonedbythePresidentoftheGovernment,whoinformedthemthatthesituationinBarcelonawasserious,thatdecisiveinterventionwasrequired,inordertobringahalttothecivilwarthathadbrokenoutwithsuchgreatviolence.LargoCaballeroexplainedthatthe
CouncilorofInternalSecurityofCataloniahadsentarequesttotheMinisterrepresentingtheCentralGovernmentfortheurgentdispatchof1,500assaultguards,aforcethatwasindispensabletosuppressthemovement.TheGovernmentcouldnotdothisbecausethiswouldmeansendingforcestooperateattheserviceofelementsthatmayhavehadsomethingtodowithprovokingtheconflict.Ratherthanagreeingtosendtheassaultguards,heproceededtoinstituteanemergencydraftoftheServicesofPublicOrder,asstipulatedintheConstitution.ItwasnecessaryfortheNationalCommitteesoftheCNTandtheUGTtoimmediatelyproceedtoBarcelonainordertoattempt
topersuadethefighterstodisarm,withassurancesthat,afterwards,thecausesoftheeventswouldbediscussedandsolutionswouldbesought.TheNationalCommitteemetanddecidedtogotoBarcelonainordertofulfillitsprimarymissionofbringingaboutacease-fire,inordertopreventtheemergencydraftoftheServicesofPublicOrderbytheCentralGovernmentandtocarryoutasmuchdamagecontrolaspossible,tomitigatethedisasterthecivilwarthathadbrokenoutimpliedwithregardtointernationalanddomesticaffairs.
WeappointedcomradesJuanGarcíaOliverandMarianoVázquez,directingthemtoproceedtoBarcelona.Onbehalf
oftheExecutiveCommitteeoftheUGT,comradesHernándezZancajoandMuńozwereappointed.Thejourneywasmadebyairplane.
TheconstantPROVOCATIONShadledtotheclashesinthestreets.ThelastprovocationwasthedispatchofpublicforcestotheTelephoneBuilding,inordertoseizeitandthusstrikeablowattheUGT-CNTControlCommittee.AtthemostrecentmeetingoftheCounciloftheGeneralitat,everyoneagreedinacknowledgingthatAyguadéhadexceededhisauthorityasthecommanderofthepublicforces.Butnoonewantedtoacceptresponsibilityforreplacingor
punishingtheresponsibleparties,AyguadéandRodriguezSalas.
AttheGeneralitatameetingwasconvenedthatwasattendedbyrepresentativesofallsectors.Oncethismeetinghadbegun,weimmediatelyproposed,asthefirstissueontheagenda,thebenefitsthatwouldcomefromtherepresentativesoftheorganizationsbroadcastingviaradioanaddresscallingforacease-fire.Itwasnecessarytogaintime,topreventmorevictims.Andforeseeingthatthediscussioncouldbealongone,wecutourpresentationshort,andalsomadeitcleartotheattendeesthatallofuswereunitedandreadytofindasolutiontotheveryserious
problemposedinthestreets.Ourproposalwasacceptedbytheotherrepresentatives.Themeetingwasadjourned.Wespokeovertheradio.Andwemetonceagain.Afteracomprehensivedebate,weproposedtheformulathataProvisionalCouncilshouldbeconstituted,withfourrepresentatives,towhichnoindividualwhohadparticipatedinpreviousCouncilswouldbeadmitted
.ThisCouncilwouldhaveaprovisionalcharacterandwouldbepresidedoverbyCompanys.Itsmissionwouldlast10to15days,duringwhichtimetheorganizationswouldengageindiscussionsoftheirpointsofviewand
elaborateactionprogramsthatwouldobligeeachorganization,inaresponsibleway,tofulfillthetermsoftheiractionprogramsandnottorepeatwhathadbeentheusualcaseuptothattime,i.e.,thefactthatpactsandagreementswereadeadletter.Thisproposalwasalsoaccepted,afterextensivedebate.WedefendedtheviewthatthisCouncilshouldbeconstitutedimmediatelyinordertomakepublicthefactthattheconflicthasbeenresolved,andtoimposetheconditionthateveryoneshouldgohome.TherepresentativesoftheUGTtheCommunistsinCataloniaexpressedtheiroppositiontothisproposal,claimingthatitwasfirstnecessarytoimmediatelyachieveacease-fireinthestreets;itwas
better,accordingtothem,toallowsometimeforthesituationtonormalize
.Weexhaustedalltheargumentsindefenseofourposition.Wethoughtitwasnecessarytogaintime,inordertopreventtheGovernmentfrombeingobligedtodrafttheServicesofPublicOrder.Buttherewasnowaytomakethemunderstand.TheEzquerraandtheRabassaires,althoughtheydidnotparticipateinthedebate,supportedtheCommuinistposition.Finally,attwointhemorning,themeetingconcludedwiththedecisiontomakeanotherspeechontheradio,emphasizingthefactthatwehadtomakeourselvesunderstoodandthatitwasnecessarytobringabouta
totalceasefire,andtonormalizethesituation.ThenextmorningCompanysannouncedtheconstitutionofthenewCounciloftheGeneralitat,aprovisionalCouncilforpacification.Attheendofthemeeting,wenotifiedtheGovernmentthatthingsweregoingwell.TheGovernmenthadbeenmeetinginpermanentsession,addressingtheproblemofCataloniaanddebatingwhetherornottoissueaDecreetodrafttheServicesofPublicOrder.ComradeFedericaMontsenyledtheoppositionforfourhoursagainsttheCommunistsandRepublicanswhoadvocatedthedraftingoftheServicesofPublicOrderandDefense.Thiswasaheateddebate;whenitcameupforavote,welost,thedraftwasorderedwith
thestipulationthattheGovernmentwouldwaituntilthelastpossiblemomenttodispatchthetroops.TheCouncilremainedinsessionuntiltwointhemorningwhenwewereinformedthatthesituationwasreturningtonormal.
InBarcelona,earlyinthemorning,weobservedthatthesituationhadgottenworse.Ourfirstradioaddresshadanimpact.Butinafewhoursthefightingresumed.AndatdawnonWednesday,thesituationinBarcelonapresentedaverygrimpanorama.
WecouldclearlyobservetheconcealedsatisfactionwithwhicheveryonehadwelcomedthedecisionoftheGovernment.ThenewssoonreachedtheGeneralitatthatseveralFrenchandEnglishwarshipshadanchoredintheportofBarcelona.Inspiteofeverythingwewerestilltryingtoputoutthefire.
OnWednesdaynight,inagreementwithallthecomradeswhowereattheGeneralitat,wedecidedtospeakovertheradiotogetherwithVidiellafromtheUGTinordertoissueonelastappealmakingitclearthattheCNTwasreadytoexpelfromitsranksanypersonswhocontinuedtobeararmsinthestreetsafter
thepassageofonemorehour.
TheFederationofTradeUnions,inagreementwiththeLocalFederationoftheUGT,draftedtheordertoreturntowork.WeagreedthatthedirectorsofthedailynewspapersoftheCNTandtheUGTwouldorderthattheThursdayeditionsoftheirpaperswouldissueanappealforconcord.Thursdaydawnedrelativelypeacefullyonthestreets;peoplebegantogoabouttheirdailybusiness.Thetransportunionissuedtheordertoreturntowork;butsincethetransitlineswerenotoperational,itwasnecessarytodispatchrepairteams.Theseteamsdepartedintraincarsfromtherepairshops,butasthemorning
progressedtheyhadtoreturntotheirshopsbecausesniperswereshootingatthem.Anytrolleycarthattriedtodepartfromthestationswasshotat.ThemetrohadtosuspendoperationsbecauseatsomeentrancestheCommunistpoliceandpolicefromtheEstatCataláassailedthepassengers.Atthecheckpointsandbarricadesmannedbytheothersectorsthatweremembersofthefrontarrayedagainstus,peopleweredetainedandsearched,andmembershipcardsoftheCNTweretornup.Atsomelocations,largequantitiesofdestroyedConfederalmembershipcardswerefound.Inotherplaces,ourcomradeswereattacked.Ourofficeswereattacked.Ourenemiesseizedstrongpoints,takingadvantageof
thetrucevoluntarilycompliedwithbyourcomrades,whowereanxioustoputanendtothefratricidalstruggle.Thissituationhadtheresultthatbymid-daythesituationhadgottenworseandthefightinghadonceagainbecomegeneralized.Thatevening,theSecretaryoftheNationalCommitteearrivedattheheadquartersoftheRegionalCommittee,whereameetingwasheld.Wewereimmediatelyinformedthatthesituationhadbecomeworsethanever.Thecomradeswerereadyforanything
.
Regardlessofhowmanyprovocationswereaimedatus,andnomatterwhatwedid,itwasnotpossibleforustocloseour
eyesanddecidetowagethefinalbattle
.Wecouldnotforgetthataglanceatthefactsprovedbeyondashadowofadoubtthatwewouldthusbeplayingtheenemysgame.Theywantedustosurgeintothestreets,theywantedresponsibilityforPublicOrdertopassintothehandsoftheGovernment,convincedthatthelatter,intheinterestofprosecutingthewar,andofdomesticandinternationalnecessities,wouldhavetocrushthemovement.Inthisway,theCentralGovernmentwouldfightagainstusandafterwardstheywouldappear,oncetheCNThadbeeneliminatedandifforeigninterventiondidnottakeplacefirst,washingtheirhandsandmastersofthesituationinCatalonia,
sincenoonewouldbeabletosaythattheywereresponsiblefortherepression
.Weunderstandperfectlywellthetragedyofthecomradeswhofelttheyhadbeendrivenintoacornerandprovoked.Thefactisthattheycontemplatedthedownfalloftheirfriendsandcomrades.ButABOVEALLELSEthereistheneedtopreventtheresoundingcollapseofeverythingthattheSpanishproletariathadachievedsinceJuly19,handingvictorytoFrancoonaplatter,ontheonehand,andplayingtheenemysgameontheother
.
TheNationalCommitteeimmediately
departed,togetherwithaCommission,fortheGeneralitat,inordertocontacttheGovernmentbytelephone.UponspeakingwiththeMinister,weexplainedasclearlyaspossiblejusthowseriousthesituationwas.WedenouncedtheattitudeofthecommandersoftheServiceofPublicOrder.WepointedoutthatRodriguezSalaswasstillthechiefoftheCommissariatofPublicOrder,whichjustifiedtheprovocationsofthepublicforces,sincetheywerestillunderhiscommand.WeclearlysuggestedthattheproblemofBarcelonawasnotaproblemtoberesolvedwithpublicforce,butwithtact.Inordertoputanendtothefighting,theestablishmentofatrucewasindispensable.Threehourswouldbe
enough.Itwasofurgentimportancethatduringthisperiodoftimethepublicforcesmustnotinterveneatall;thattheymustnotconductsearches;thattheymustnotarrestanyone;thattheymustdoabsolutelynothing.Thenthosewhoarearmedcanabandonthebarricades,thebuildingstheyseizedandanyotherplacestheyhaveoccupied.Galarzaacceptedoursuggestion.ItwasagreedthatfromsixtonineinthemorningonThursdaythepublicforceswouldnotinterferewithanyone.Andthatasofthatmomentfinalorderswouldbeissuedforacease-fire.Asforthecommanders,weweretoldthatthenextdaythenewofficerswouldarrivebyairplanewithwrittenordersthatwouldbeissued
sothatwewouldbeassuredthattheywereengaginginaplanofpacificationratherthanrepression.AsfortheCommissariatofPublicOrder,itwasorderedthatRodríguezSalasshouldbeIMMEDIATELYdischarged.Itwasnecessary,accordingtoGalarza,thatthepublicforcesthatwerecomingfromValenciamustbeallowedtopassunhinderedtoBarcelona.TheirpresenceinBarcelonawasessential,sincetheguardsthatwereondutywereapartisan,biasedforce,andrepresentedadangerforpacification.UndertheseconditionswecametoanagreementwiththeMinisteroftheGovernment.Butwespecified,becauseitwasofsuchimportance,thatthepublicforcesshouldnotenter
Barcelonauntilafternineinthemorning,inordertoavoidincidents.Galarzaacceptedthisideaandpromisedtoseetoitthatitwasobserved.
WeinformedtheCatalonianorganizationoftheconclusionswehadreached,orderingthecomradestobepreparedtowithdrawfromtheirpositionsatsixinthemorning.
TheLocalFederationofTradeUnions,togetherwiththeLocalCommitteeoftheUGT,draftedanothernoticeorderingareturntowork.Furthermore,wespokewithArrando,inordertoironoutthedetailsconcerningtheordersissuedbytheMinisteroftheGovernment.Atthesametimewesuggested,andArrando
concurred,thatthecontrolpatrols,apublicforcethathadbeenplacedundertheordersoftheDelegateofPublicOrder,andwhichhadnotbeeninvolvedintheevents,shouldleavetheirbarracksatsixinthemorninginordertopatrolthestreetsofBarcelona,inordertopreventanyincidents.
Thiswasahardblowtotheircalculations.Thewholeplancollapsed,attheverymomentwereachedanagreementwiththecentralgovernment.
Thatmorning,thecomrades,havingreadtheorders,immediatelywithdrewtotheirhomes.Longbeforetheexpirationofthethreehourtruce,noneofourcomradesremainedarmedatbarricades.However,
theothercontendingpartiestookadvantageofeveryopportunitytocarryoutprovocations.Insomecasesitwasdifficulttocontaintheoutrageofthecomradeswhowerethetargetsofmachinegunfire,despitetheordersthatwereissued.Thisconstitutedyetmoreevidencethatourenemiesdidnotwantatruce.Theysoughttocontinuethefightingatanyprice.Thatwastheirpremeditatedplan.Buttheyfailedbecausegoodsensewasinculcatedintoourcomradesandtheydidnotrespondtotheprovocations.InthiswayaseriousproblemwasliquidatedinBarcelona.
Intheoutlyingtowns,thecomradesallowedtheforcescomingfromValencia
tohavefreepassage;insomeplaces,however,ourenemies,alwaysactingaccordingtotheirplanofprovocationandrevenge,tookadvantageofthewithdrawalofourarmedcomradesassoonastheproblemofBarcelonawasresolved.Inotherplacestheyengagedinrepression.ThiswasduetothefactthatthecommandersofthepublicforcesactedinthetownsundertheordersofthePartythathadbroughtthewartoBarcelona,againsttheCNT.Noprovocationswereenoughtoovercomethesenseofresponsibilityandthegoodsensethatourmovementexhibited.
Thisisthesituation.Nowallthatis
necessaryisfortheOrganizationtoengageinprofoundreflectiononwhathastakenplace.Itisonemoreexperiencethatclearlyindicatesthatgoodwillisnotenough.Itspecifiestheneedforustoneversituateourselvesontheplaneofplayingourenemysgame.Thepoliticalsituationisincreasinglymorecomplex.Onlyacarefulanalysis,carriedoutbythoseofuswhoknowthecomplicationsandhiddencharacteristicsofthesesituations,canhelpguideusbytheroadthatisintheinterestofthemovement,toprogressandvictoryinthewar.Aboveall,sothatwemustneverproceedunconsciouslytotheplacethatwewanttoreach,aplacethatwehavetoreachandwhichistoourbenefit.
Werestrainedourimpulses.Andnowwecanattendtowhatreallymatters.
Andnowtheyareallactinglikeidiots;thepartieshavelosttheirsenseofdirection,especiallythecommunistparty,amidsttheoverwhelmingfailureoftheirmaneuver.Weshallorienttheoffensiveontheplaneofgoodsenseandanorderlyexplanationofthefacts,abandoninganaggressivetoneandlettingthemallshoutandcryasmuchastheywant.Givethemenoughrope.Andthelibertarianmovementwillclearthewaywithitsabilityandgreatsenseofobjectivereality.
***
Withcarefullychosenwordsandwithoutanykindofprecautions,thisreportoftheNationalCommitteeoftheCNTexpressesasclearlyaspossiblethemostabsolutenegationofitsanarchistrootsandthesuicidalproposalsofsurrenderthatthegovernmentalcenetistasandfaístascherishedandcontinuedtoimplementinacowardlyandincompetentmanner,goingsofarasnotonlytodisavowthearmedresistanceoftheanarchistcomrades,whichwassobravelydisplayedonthebarricadesbuiltonthestreetsofBarcelona,buteven,availingthemselvesoftheunjustifiedprestigeandinfluencetheyhadamongourcomrades,undertookbymeansofunderhandedmaneuvers,tocausethemto
desistfromtheirdignifiedattitudeandsurrenderthemselvestothemercyoftheauthoritarianblocthat,withitsoutrageshadprovokedtheindignationoftheanarchistsandthepeopleofBarcelona.
thecomradeswerereadyforanything
.Regardlessofhowmanyprovocationswereaimedatus,andnomatterwhatwedid,itwasnotpossibleforustocloseoureyesanddecidetowagethefinalbattle
.Werestrainedourimpulses.Andnowwecanattendtowhatreallymatters.Thisiswhattheministerialistshavethenervetosay.Thebarricadesmustbetorndown
.Onestoneforeachcitizen,anddownwiththebarricades,whicharememorialstoatragictime,memoriesthatmustdisappear,thatitisnecessaryforthemtodisappearasasacrificetotheunityandfraternitythatwehavetopreserve,arminarm
.ThatiswhattheybroadcastoverRadioCNT-FAI.
Andinthisway,withspeechesontheradioandleafletssaturatedwithwordsofthesamekind,onceagain,theredemptiveimpulsesandthejustindignationoftheanarchistsandasensiblepartoftheSpanishpeopleweresuppressed,who,reactingmostenergeticallyagainstthedeceptionby
whichtheyhadbeenvictimizedbythecenetistasandfaístas,andseekingtopreventtheirowncomradesfrombeingmurderedandwantingtoresisttheauthoritarianarroganceofallthepoliticians,hadpouredintothestreetstorisktheirlivesforfreedom.Andevenmoreimportantly:ifitwerepossibleforustodevotemorespacetorecountingotherunfortunateanddisagreeableepisodesthatoccurredduringthisshortperiod,wecouldfullyexposethetreasonouscancerthathadunderminedthemorale,thecourageandthegoodnessoftheSpanishpeople.Andifyouhavetheopportunitytoreadthepamphletbythefence-sitterA.Souchy,TheTragicWeekinMay:TheMayDays,Barcelona,
1937,2youwillbeabletoappreciatejusthowcowardlythebehavioroftheministerialistsreallywas;howshamelesslytheyconcludedtheiradventuresandflirtationswiththeantifascistpoliticiansandtowhatextenttheybetrayedthenoblecauseofhumanemancipation.
1.AnotherEnglishtranslationofthispassagemaybeconsultedatonlineattheWebsiteoftheKateSharpleyLibrary:http://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/camillo-berneri-war-and-revolution[TranslatorsNote].
2.AnEnglishtranslationofSouchy’spamphletmaybeconsultedonlineat:http://flag.blackened.net/revolt/spain/souchy_may.html
[TranslatorsNote].
Chapter14:Theopportunismoftheadmirers
14
Theopportunismoftheadmirers
Internationalopportunismwasneverofferedsuchidealopportunitiesamidstthethickundergrowthoflabelsanarcho-dictators,faquistas,syndicalists,aliancistas,antifascistsandotherismsthanthosethatwereafforded,bythehandful,tothemenwhoheldpositionsofresponsibilityintheCNTandtheFAI.
Andnotonlydidtheyprovideevidence
oftheirobsequiousnesswiththeexampleoftheiractivitiesduringtheentireperiodofthecivilwarinSpain,but,withstubbornnessworthyofabettercause,initiatedaradio,journalisticandtelegraphicoffensivewiththesuicidalgoalofspreadingthecontagionoftheircircumstantialoperationalstrategiesandconceptstothoseenvironmentsoftheinternationalworkersmovementthatwereyetuncontaminatedbytheconfusionistvirusandpromisingtheirsolidarityandassociationforthosewhoarealwaysreadytoimitatetheircapriciousnesswithwordsoragestures.
Letustakealookatsomeoftheconceptstheytransmitted,thefruitoftheir
circumstantialoffensive:
Wemustachieve,regardlessofthecost,unityofopinioninantifasciststruggles,andthecoordinationofallefforts.Wemustachievethesegoals,circumventing,ifnecessary,anynumberofblind,obstinate,unconsciousorcriminalelements,whoareopposedtothesegoalsandplaceobstaclesinourpath,wearetoldbyFedericaMontseny.
Theformerenemiesofthefatherlandhavenowbecomeitsdefenders
.Weacceptmilitarizationandwithitwesetaside,wedemotetoasecondarymatter,ourstruggleagainstmilitarydiscipline.Wehaverecognizedthe
authorityoftheState,temporarilysuspendingouroldstruggleagainstallstateinstitutions.Wehaveparticipatedinthegovernmentandwearecollaboratingwithit,inthetasksrelatedtowinningthewaragainstfascism,writesA.Souchy.
Wearegettingclosertoreality.Andwearemovingawayalittle,althoughonlyalittle,fromthevenerablebeards
.Theyhavealreadyfulfilledtheirmission.Wenowhavetofulfillours.Andiftheyweretoreturn,theywouldaccuseusofincompetence,sectarianism,stupidity,ifweweretohaveremainedrigidlystuckinthepast,regardlessofhowmuchcircumstanceshavechanged,proclaimed,inhiscapacityasSecretary
GeneraloftheCNT,MarianoR.Vázquez.
TheCNTdidnotwanttobecomeseparatedfromreality.Withoutrenouncingitsfinalgoals,itadapteditstacticstothedemandsofthetime,ManuelVillartellsus.
Forthefirsttimeinthehistoryofthesocialmovement,we,theanarchists,havejoinedagovernmentwithalltheresponsibilitiesinherenttothatfunction.Butthisisnotbecausewehaveforgottenourfundamentalpostulates,DiegoAbaddeSantillánexpostulated.
Therefore,welcometothecenetistaministers!,LuisHerediatoldthem,inthe
journalLaProtestaofChile.Ourfatherland,thefatherlandofalltheworkers,isthepatrimonythatweholdinourhandstoday.Thefatherlandisindanger,theMinisterofJustice,JuanGarcíaOliversaidinoneofhispublicaddresses.Fortunately,theactionoftheSpanishanarchistshashadaprofoundinfluenceonthepeopleofthiscountry
.ThefactthatLargoCaballerohasadoptedarevolutionarypositionbyacknowledgingthedesiresofthevastmultitudes,whoaretiredof,anddisappointedwith,parliamentarism,andwithbourgeoislegality,signifiesoneofthegreatestvictoriesforthepositionoftheCNTandtheFAI,asoneofthe
faquistasofArgentinaputitinAcciónLibertaria.
Theanarchistshavechangednothing,absolutelynothing;neitherwithregardtotheorynorwithregardtopractice
.TheCNTjoinedthegovernmentunderthecompulsionofaspecialsituationandcircumstancescreatedbyarevolutionthatwasnotentirelyinitshands
.,statedtheUruguayanopportunistsviatheirorgan,thejournalEsfuerzo.
Anarchismnottheoldmasters,butcontemporaryanarchismlacksahistoricalvisionandcultivatesanabstractideologythatmustalwaysbesterile.Thesolemn
declamationofeternalprincipleswhichcannotbealteredatall,doesnotmaketheworldchange
.Wehavetostudythepossibilityofescaping,inmanycountries,sectarianisolation
.,H.Rudigerblurtedout.
IhavebothfaithandhopeintheCNTandtheFAIandtheirmilitantswhenIsaythatoncethewarisover,Spain,despitethefactthattheconfederalorganizationintervenedintheofficialmanagementofthegovernment,inordertosavethecountryfromtheinvasionofworldfascism,willcontinuetobethecradleofanarchismand
anarchosyndicalism,saidMascarell.
We,theanarchists,stillhaveourrepresentativesinthisprovisionalgovernment,inordertodiplomaticallyrepresentoutsideofSpaintherightofself-defense,ofindependenceandfreedom
.,arguesCulturaProletariaofNewYork.
***
Manyothermessagesandproclamationsofthesameorsimilarkindwerescatteredtothefourwindsandtheopportunistsapplaudedloudly.Andthatwasnotall.
Theincompetentandtreasonousactivity
ofthecenetistasandfaístasinthevariousbureaucraticpositionsintheSpanishgovernmentcausedthemtogrowup;theirentireinnovative,capricious,confusionistandwhimsicalpastwasofficiallyvindicated.Theycangoonwiththeirhobnobbingandassociating,moreopenly,incorporatingvaluablerevolutionarytactics,evenwithoutthepresenceofthespecialcircumstance,withalltherightwingorleftwingpoliticians.InSpain,withrepublicans,socialists,communists.InArgentina,withtheradicals,conservatives,etc.Andhere,inUruguay,withbattlistas,blancos,frugonianosandBolsheviks.Withallthosewhowillspeakofdemocracy.Toextendtheantifascistfrontacrossevery
ocean.
Thisexplainstheunanimityoftheapplause,indefenseandjustification,thatarosefromtheopportunistranks,forthecenetistasandthefaístas.Thiswasthevoiceoftheirconsciousnessthatbrokeoutinjoyfulcelebrationuponconfirmingthatonemoreismcanbeaddedtolonglistofisms:anarcho-governmentalism.
Itwastherealizationoftheirpropheticideas.Thecrackingoftheoldprinciplisteggshell,whichopenedupnewhorizonsfortheoverwhelmingunionistunrest.
Withthereinforcementofsuchvariegatedandplentifulcircumstantialconceptions,opportunismwas
rejuvenatedinbodyandsoultoattempttocarryoutnewincursionsintothecampoftheworkingclass,inthemeantimehopingtoreincorporatethosewhohadgonetoSpainandtoprovethegoodnessandtheefficacyoftheirtacticsandtheirideologicalinterpretations.
Fortunately,aftersomeinitialoutbreaksofconfusion,theworkingclassandanarchistmilieushavewitnessedarapidandsalutaryreactionwhichhasmadeitverydifficultforthenewtacticsandnewoperationalmethodstransmittedfromtheIberianPeninsulatoprosper,afterthesetbacktheyexperienced.
Chapter15:CNTpressureontheIWA
15
CNTpressureontheIWA
ItisundeniablethattheSecretariatoftheInternationalWorkingmensAssociation,theinstitutiontowhichtheFORUandtheFORAbelong,underwentsomeanxiousanddifficultmomentsasitattemptedtodefendtheideologicalorientationandthepracticesofstruggleapprovedattheIWAsfoundingcongress.
Intheinterestsoffairness,wemustdeclarethatcomradePierreBesnard,whowastheSecretaryoftheIWAsincetheperiodbeforethewaruntilquiterecently,triedtomaintainalineofconductthataccordswiththeIWAsdeclarationof
principlesandtirelesslyfoughttopreventanydeviationsfromarisingandtoattempttoconvincethecenetistastorectifytheirtreasonousgovernmentalpolicies.
Thisstatement,whichactuallyrepresentsasincereeulogyfortheworkofcomradeBesnardinthatemergency,doesnotmeanthatweagreewithhiswayofthinkingwithrespecttotheworkersmovement,sinceweacceptneitherthetermanarchosyndicalismnorthefinalgoalthatheattributestothetradeunions.
ItwouldbeofinteresttotheworkerstobecomefullyacquaintedwiththeterriblydifficulttaskoftheSecretariatoftheIWA,butsincethiswouldmeanmaking
thistextevenlongerthanitalreadyis,weshalllimitourselvestodescribinginwhatmaybereferredtoasasummaryformsomeofhisinterventionswithregardtotheSpanishCNT.
***
MostofthequotationsinthissectionaretakenfromthereportpresentedbycomradeBesnardattheExtraordinaryCongressoftheIWAheldinParisinDecember1937.
InhisfirstvisittoSpainhewasabletoobservetheanimosityandthemaliciousintentionsexhibitedbythecentralgovernmentofLargoCaballerotowardsthecenetistamilitiacolumns,goingsofar
astodenythemweaponsforthedefenseoftheAragonfront,whichtheywereresponsiblefordefending.TheSecretariatinformedtheresponsibleofficialsoftheCNTandtheFAIofthisseriousanomalyandencouragedthemtoattempttoobtainthenecessaryarms.ThiswaswhytheCNTandtheFAIbegannegotiationswithanarmsdealer,butthedealfellthroughandBesnardsaid:
Therefore,Spaindidnotreceivethearmsitimmediatelyneeded,andRussiasuppliedtotheMadridgovernment,forcash,armsofadebatablequality,andonlyalittleatatime,withthepromisethattheywouldnotbedistributedtotheCNTcolumnsandthatthecommunist
partywouldbeabletocarryoutitsactivitiesandexpandinparticularlyfavorableconditions.InotedhowRussianinfluencewasgainingground.GarcíaOliverandSantillán,andespeciallytheformer,onlysaweverythingthroughtheeyesofAntonovOvseenko,theConsulGeneralofRussiainBarcelona
.FacedwithsuchsubmissiontoRussia,theSecretariatoftheIWAcoulddonothingbutreturnwithoutfurtherdiscussionstoParis.
***
Inthemeantime,theCNT,embarkingonthetortuouspathofbetrayals,conveneda
PlenumofRegionalFederationsonOctober23,1936,andpassedthefollowingresolutions:
1.TheappointmentofaPlenumCommittee,composedoftheLevant,theCenterandCatalonia,toconductaninterviewinBarcelonawiththePresidentoftheRepublic,Azańa,inordertoexplaintohimtheneedtoprecipitateagovernmentcrisissothattheCNTcanjointhegovernmentforthepurposesandundertheconditionsapprovedatthePlenumofRegionalFederationsheldonSeptember15.ThisCommitteemustrequireananswerfromAzańawithin48hours.
2.Shouldtheproposalberejected,we
shalltakemeasuresofamilitarykindtoensurecommunicationsbetweenMadrid,Levant,Aragon,AndalusiaandCataloniaandtocontrolthepassageofmenandsuppliesfromtheseregionstowardsMadrid.InordertoimplementthisresolutiontheNationalCommitteewillappointaNationalWarCommittee.BymeansofthisCommittee,thefrontsofCatalonia,Aragon,LevantandAndalusiawillbeunified.
3.TheCNTmustproceedtomobilize100,000menfromitsconfederalforces.ThismobilizationwillbecarriedoutinconjunctionwiththeRegionalCommitteesandtheNationalWarCommittee.
4.Organizejointactionwithallourregionalforcesinordertoachievecontrolovertheeconomyandtocoordinatereserves.
5.ExpeditethenegotiationsthatarecurrentlyunderwaywiththediplomaticrepresentativesofRussia,inordertoachievethemeasuresnecessaryfortheimplementationoftheresolutionsadoptedbyourPlenum.
6.ReviseanypriorresolutionsandintensifythepubliccampaigninfavoroftheresolutionsapprovedatthePlenumofSeptember15.
ThemostimportantresolutionofSeptember15,mentionedinthetext
quotedabove,readsasfollows:
TheconstitutioninMadridofaNationalDefenseCouncilcomposedofelementsfromallthepoliticalforcesthatarefightingfascism,inthefollowingproportions:fivedelegatesfromtheUGT,fivefromtheCNTandfourrepublicans.PresidencyoftheNationalCouncil:LargoCaballero.TheconstitutionofthisNationalDefenseCouncilproposesthatthecurrentpresidentshouldcontinuetoholdofficeandthatheshouldgoverntherepublicinthesamemannerashehasdoneupuntilthisdate.
Itmustbenotedthat,concerningtherequestmadetothecentralgovernment
fortheformationoftheNationalDefenseCouncilandtheresolutionsapprovedatthePlenumofOctober23,1936,thatitwasallnothingbutcheappyrotechnics,andthatnoneoftheresolutionswereimplemented,but,despitethefactthatthewonderfuleffectthatwasexpectedfromthesefearsomepositionsdidnotmaterialize,alittlelatertheyenteredthecentralgovernmentanyway,andtheCNTandtheFAIexplainedthisfactinthefollowingterms:
TheNationalPlenumofRegionalFederationsheldinMadridonSeptember28,1936,informedofthenegotiationscarriedoutbytheNationalCommitteeinordertoobtaintheformationofthe
NationalDefenseCouncil,inviewofthemanyobstaclesencounteredinthesenegotiations,andfacedwiththeimperiousnecessityofdirectlyinterveninginthedirectionofthewar,politicsandtheeconomy,forthepurposeofpreventingthecontinuoussabotagethathasbeendirectedagainstourOrganization,ourcollectivesandourmilitiacolumns,gaveanoverwhelmingvoteofconfidencetotheNationalCommitteesothat,facedwiththeimpossibilityofformingtheNationalDefenseCouncilasresolvedatthePlenumofthispastSeptember15,theparticipationoftheCNTinthegovernmentmaybeobtained.
ItmustbeemphasizedthatwithregardtothequestionofthemilitiasafewdaysafterJuly19,theCNTandtheFAIcommittedtheirfirstobviousblunder,byjoiningtheCommitteeofAntiFascistMilitias,whichsoondisappearedinordertobereorganizedastheCounciloftheGeneralitat,justifyingtheirparticipationinthefollowingmanner:
Itwasconsideredthat,inordertoavoidtheduplicationofpowersthatwouldbeimpliedbytheexistenceofboththeCommitteeofAntifascistMilitiasandtheGovernmentoftheGeneralitat,theformerwouldhavetodisappearandthattheCounciloftheGeneralitatofCataloniamustbeformed,carryingout
morepositiveactivities,withouttheimpedimentsofaclashofpowersandinordernullifythepretextofthedemocraciesthattheywillnothelpusbecausetheanarchistsareincontrol.
TheSecretariatcriticizedthisdoubletalkandsaidinhisreportthat:TheSpanishcomradesoftheCNTbecameveryangry,andwouldacceptneitheradvicenorcriticismfromanyone.
AlarmedbythedirectionthatthedreadfulconductoftheCNTwastaking,theSecretariatconvokedaPlenumofthememberorganizationsoftheIWA,whichwasheldfromSeptember15to17,1936.
Theresolutionadoptedatthismeeting,
withrespecttothedeviationsoftheCNT,wasquitefrivolousandconfused,indicating,atthisstageoftheevents,theinfluenceofthecenetistasintheIWA.
Laterinhisreport,comradeBesnardcontinuedasfollows:
DespitetheassurancedisplayedbytheCNTdelegationandtheconfidencemanifestedbythevoteoftheconciliatoryresolutionadoptedbythePlenum,theSpanishConfederationdidnotmodifyitslineofconductatall.Tothecontrary,itspolicyofconciliationandcollaborationwiththegovernmentbecamealittlemoreaccentuatedwitheachpassingday.Ihadanopportunitytobecomeacquaintedwiththefactthattheretreatfrom
revolutionarypositionshadbeenconsiderablyaccelerated.DuringthecourseofmyvisittoSpain,whichlasted26days,ItraveledthroughCatalonia,CerdańaandAragon.
EverywhereInotedthattheactionofthemassesontheeconomicandsocialterraintendedtomaintainanddeveloptherevolutionaryconquests,despitetheincreasinglymoredangerousconcessionsmadetothepoliticalpartiesinordertopreserveintactanantifascistfrontthatwasneveranythingbutaruse
whosevictimwastheCNT.ItwasclearthatdespitethefactthattheCNTwasrepresentedinthegovernmentsofValenciaandBarcelona,itwaslosing
influenceandthishadanimmediateimpactonthepoliticalplane.
Atthattime,theforeigncomradeswerealready,inDecember1936,beingpersecutedandarrested,andOvseenkowasimposinghiscensorship.
InJune1937,anotherPlenumofthememberorganizationsoftheIWAwasheld,whoseessentialresolutionwasthefollowing:
Thattheconductoftherevolutionarywar,aswellastheimplementationofsocialpolicies,aretendingtobecarriedoutwithoutanydirectparticipationoftheCNTaswellaswithoutanyindirectintelligenceinconjunctionwiththe
governmentsofValenciaandBarcelona,andthatitwillbenecessaryfortheCNTtoabandonallconcessionsofapolitical,economicordoctrinalkindmadetothesegovernmentsthatweremadeinordertopreserveintactanallegedantifascistfrontcomposedofsectorsthatareworkingfortheclassenemytoliquidatethewarandcrushtherevolution.ItisconsideredthattheofficialwithdrawaloftheCNTfromtheantifascistfrontisbecomingmoreandmoreimperative,butthatitshouldnonethelessreservetherighttoacceptorinitiatecircumstantialagreementswithtrulyantifascistelementsofthatfront,whichwantthewartobeendedbyanemancipatoryrevolutionoftheSpanishproletariat,arevolutiondirectedagainst
fascismandalsoagainsttheso-calledrepublicandemocracy.1
AnotherresolutionoffundamentalimportancewasapprovedatthisPlenum,whichcalledforthecontainmentoftherevolutionaryLeninists,thesameoneswhobroughtusKronstadtandtheUkraine,whobythistimewereflirtingwithelementsoftheCNT.Theresolutionreadsasfollows:
Thattheoppositionoftherevolutionaryproletariatofallcountries,unitedwithintheIWA,toMarxisminallitsforms,shouldbeasfirmasbefore,inviewofthefactthatsocialdemocracy,aswellasthedictatorialBolshevismoftheschoolofStalinorTrotsky,withalltheir
ramificationsandsubdivisions,whetherthePSUCorthePOUM,areequallyharmfulanddangerousfortherealizationoftherevolution.
***
TheseresolutionswouldexacerbateyetmorethedifferencesanddisputesbetweentheIWAandtheCNT,whichwerefurtheraggravatedwhentheCNTwasinformedoftheresolutionofthePlenumwithrespecttotheInternationalSolidarityFundoftheIWA,whichearmarked80%ofitsproceedsforsupportfortheSpanishRevolutionand20%toassistthecomradesinothercountries.
TheCNTdidnotacceptthisperspectiveand,nowinopenrebellionandbreakingwiththeorganicrulesandsolidarityagreementsoftheInternational,foundedanotherinstitutionwithgoalsthatappearedtobesimilartothoseoftheInternationalSolidarityFund,butonethatwasindependentoftheIWA,or,whichamountstothesamething,onethatwasnotundertheauthorityoftheinternationalinstitution
.Itwasheterogeneous,sinceitwasrunbyindividualpersonalitiesandspecificcommitteesandinstitutions,someofwhichactedtosabotagetheregionalworkersfederationsthatweremembersofourInternational.Butratherthan
attempttoexplainthisourselves,itisbettertoletthefollowingletterspeakforitself:
Valencia,July3,1937.
TotheSecretariatoftheIWA,Paris.
Esteemedcomrades:
InresponsetoyourlettersdatedJune15and17,Iamconveyingthefollowingaccordswhich,asyouwillbeabletosee,donotemanatefromthisCommittee,butfromourentireOrganization.DuringthecourseoftheNationalPlenumofRegionalFederationsheldonApril15andthefollowingdays,itwasresolvedthattherewasaneedtocreatean
institutiontocompetewithInternationalRedAid,whichisnothingbutavehiclenotonlyforfundssubsequentlyutilizedbythecommunistpartyforitsownpropaganda,butalsoamethodofrecruitment,ofproselytismandpropaganda.
Itwasstipulatedthatthisinstitutionshouldnothaveapartisanandclosednature,butthatitwouldhavetohaveasmuchroomformaneuveraspossible,thatitshouldcontainsomeprestigiousnationalandinternationalfigures,itbeingunderstoodthatitmustalwaysbeorientedbythelibertarianmovement.Inshort,thiswasthegenesisofInternationalAntifascistSolidarity(IAS).
YouwillthereforeunderstandthattheIAScannotbeapartoftheIWA,inordernottocutofftheimmensepossibilitiesforexpansionthatareopentoit.YouwillhavetoadmitthattheCNTisrecognizedinplaceswherenoonehaseverheardoftheIWA.AndthiswillbeevenmoretrueoftheIASsincethelatteris,oratleastwillappeartobe,aninstitutionoutsideofanyworkingclasspartyororganization,displayingthecharacterofanorganizationforantifascistsolidarity.
Asaresult,wemustinformyouthatwecannotaccepttheagreementofthePlenumoftheIWA.Weshallthereforepursue,withtheIASanditsGeneralCommitteebasedinSpain,thecreationof
sectionsineverycountry,andinordertodothiswewillrelyonindividualcomradesratherthanonorganizations,sincethisistheonlywaytocarryoutaseriousprojectofthiskindandtoachievethesought-afterobjective.NordowedoubtthatitwillalsobeafieldthatisopentoourpropagandaandameansforustocreatecertainfavorablepositionsamongcertainsectorsoftheproletariatthatcouldbeofbenefittotheIWAinitsfurtherdevelopment.
ItisveryimportanttopointoutthattheIASwillhavethedutyofassistingtherefugeecomradesandothers;thisisthepurposeoftheIASandsolidarityofthiskindrequiressubstantialfunds.Thisis
whyweconsiderthattheIWAshouldnotundermineourdecisionbutquitethecontrary:theIWAhastheobligationtorequestthatitsmemberfederationssupporttheprogressoftheIASontheonehandandalsoassistinitscreation.
Thisis,inourview,whatmustbedone.Beyondallofthis,whentheIWAneedsfunds,itwillhavetocometous,anddependingonitspossibilitiesweshallcontributethenecessaryfunds.
Tosummarize:itisessentialthatthefundsinthecontroloftheSecretariatoftheIWAthatareearmarkedfortheCNTandtheFAIshouldbesenttoourcomradeNemesioGalve,ourdelegateinParis.Thatisallfornow.
Withfraternalgreetings,OnbehalfoftheNationalCommitteeoftheCNT,
MARIANOVÁZQUEZ,secretary.
***
TheIAScentralcommitteewaslegallyregistered,anditsstatuteswereapprovedandsignedbythegovernorofValencia.AsforhowthisinstitutionoperatedinSpain,andstilldoesinothercountries,wecanofferfewcomments.WeshallonlysaythattheUruguayanSection,actingstrictlyinaccordancewithArticle2ofitsstatutesInthepursuitoftheaforementionedobjectives,theIASwillcarryoutitsactivityonthepurestterrain
ofhumansolidarity,renouncingallpoliticalandreligiousinterferencepossessed,inJune1938,aGeneralCouncilcomposedofconceitedintellectualswhowereactiveintheblancoandcoloradoparties,varioussocialistsandanassortmentofmanyotherelementsofvariableorcolorlessaffiliations.
Furthermore,afewmonthsagoafundraiserorganizedbytheIAS-UruguayanSectionwasheldinMontevideo,andwecouldobserve,asifitwastheresultofsomekindofoversight,thatinthevicinityofthebuildingwherethefundraiserwasheldthereweretwolonglinesofparked
automobiles.Theywerenotproletarianautomobiles.Wewillletthereadersdrawtheirownconclusionsfromthisobservation.
And,totopitalloff,andtodemonstratethearroganceandtherealintentionsoftheCNT,readthefollowingcommuniquéfromtheCNTthatsignalsitscompleteseparationfromtheIWAandexposesitsattempttodivertthefundsearmarkedfortheInternationalinordertoseizethemforitsownpurposes:
Weareadvisingalltheorganizations,committees,socialcenters,culturalsocietiesandindividualsinforeigncountrieswhowanttohelptheanarchosyndicalistmovementthatthey
mustnotsendanymorefundstotheaddressofA.G.inParis,astheyhavedoneupuntilnow.ThefundssenttothataddressarenotremittedtotheCNT.Werequestthat,untilfurthernotice,yousendfundstothefollowingaddress:N.Galve,30RueSt.Augustine,Paris.(FromtheInformationBulletinoftheCNT,datedAugust13.)
ThisincidentwasfollowedbyacampaignofslanderandintriguedirectedagainsttheSecretariat,andwhenthelatteraskedforanexplanationhewasansweredwithsilence.
WithregardtotheseriousandshamefuleventsofMay1937inBarcelona,Besnardsaid:
TheeventsinBarcelona,therisetopoweroftheNegríngovernment,theagentofAnglo-French,andconsequentlyRussian,will,entailedaradicalchangeintheattitudetowardstheconfederalmasses,themilitantsoftheCNT-FAIandtheforeigners.ThepredominanceofthecentralpowerinCataloniacausedonetonotetheextremedegreetowhichallsecuritywasabolishedforourcomrades,especiallythosewhohadcomefromothercountriestohelptheSpanishrevolution.ItcouldsoonbeobservedthattheNegríngovernmentwasactingcompletelyundertheordersofthecommunistsandtheirelementsweretakingcontrol,quietlybutsurely,ofall
theleadingpositionsoftheState:police,army,publicadministration.ThepoliceoftheChekacarriedoutitsinvestigationsofourcomrades,alongsidetheSpanishpolicewhowereonlythereinordertopreserveappearances.Inafewweeks,60militantsoftheCNTdisappeared,2,000werearrestedandhundredsofforeignerswereimprisonedorexpelledfromSpain.
TheexpulsionoftheItaliancomradesfromBarcelonawascarriedoutwiththecollaborationoftheArgentineconsul,whowasresponsibleforthedefenseoftheinterestsofthefascistgovernmentsofRomeandBerlin.ThisconsulhadtheaudacitytorecommendtoItalianandGermanantifasciststhattheyshould
presentthemselvestohiscolleagues,therepresentativesofHitlerandMussoliniinFrance,sothattheycouldberepatriatedtotheircountriesoforigin.
TomeitseemsimpossibletogoanylowerthantheNegríngovernment.
(Paris,July19,1937.)
ImmediatelyafterwardshesentanotetothememberorganizationsoftheIWA,informingthemoftheseeventsandattachingacopyofaletterfromvariousprisoners,advisingthattheorganizationsrequestthattheCNTshouldresolvethesituation.Theprisonerssaid:
Valencia,January21,1937[sic:this
shouldreadJune21,1937].
EsteemedH.
IamwritingtoyouinthenameofsevencomradeswhohavebeenillegallyimprisonedintheConventofSaintUrsula
.Here,inthedungeon,areH.K.,E.I.,F.H.,H.L.,M.andG.,allinthesamecell.L.andG.arecurrentlybeingheldintheprovincialhospitalofValencia.H.isveryill.Ihavepneumonia.Thejailisveryfilthyandunhealthy.Weneedsoap,towels,andclothingandtheywillnotgiveusourmoney.Theyhaverefusedtoallowustocontactourorganization(DAS)andourfamilies.Theyhave
interrogatedus.Somehavebeeninterrogatedtwice.
Theyhaveaccusedofbeingspies,ofhavingbeenincontactwiththeGestapoduringtheMayeventsinBarcelona.Thisisabsurdanditisnotsurprisingthattheyneededmonthsinordertofabricatethisabominableaccusation.
IntheConventofSaintUrsulathereare150prisoners,60%ofthemforeigners,mostlyGermans.Thisjailisarealconcentrationcamp.Ifwedonotgethelpfromoutside,wewillbeburiedaliveforaverylongtime.Doeverythingpossibletohelpus.Youhavetothinkofcomingtoseeus,orelsegettingaSpanishcomradetoworkenergeticallyforour
release.OnJuly29wearegoingtobeginahungerstrike.WeareinterrogatedbySpaniards,buttheCommissarsarealwaysRussiansandGermans
.
Dearcomrades,donotforgetus.Healthtoall.
X.X.
TheSecretariatinformedtheCNTofthecontentsoftheletterfromtheseprisonersandthetextofanurgenttelegramsentbytheRegionalCommitteeofCatalonia,inwhichitisrequestedthatnegotiationsbeundertakentopreventtheGermananarchistsfrombeingdeportedto
MarseillesbytheNegríngovernmentandhandedovertotheNaziconsuls,sincethelatterpossesseddocumentssuppliedtothembytheArgentineconsulwhowasresponsibleforGermanandItalianaffairsinSpain.
Keepingallthesefactsinmind,thefollowingtwonotesfromtheCNTwillbeofinterest:
NationalConfederationofLabor.
NationalCommittee.Valencia,September22,1937.
TotheSecretariatoftheIWA,Paris.
InresponsetoyournotedatedAugust23
withreferencetothenegotiationsinconnectionwiththetelegramsentbytheRegionalCommitteeofCataloniaregardingthedeportationsofforeignantifascistcomrades,wearequitesatisfiedwiththenegotiationscarriedoutwithL.J.andtheLeaguefortheRightsofMan.Asforthetwospecificdemandsyoumade,weshallalsoinformyouthattheCNThassinceJuly19,1936lookedaftertheinterestsoftheforeigncomradeswhohavecometoSpainandcontinuestodosowheneverpossible.ButyouwillunderstandthatthisisaproblemthatalsoinvolvesthepoliticalsituationandthatthiscompelsustoconcludethatanymoreorlessefficaciousactionthattheCNTmightbeabletoundertakeindefenseof
theforeigncomradesdependsonthegreaterorlessereffectivenessoftheCNTsparticipationintheSpanishgovernment.Itisofgreatimportancetorequesttherightofasylumfortheforeigncomrades,butitisalsomuchmoreimportantyouwillunderstandthistoworktoresolvethedomesticproblem,toputanendtotherepressionandtoundertakejoint,solidarity-basedactiontowinthewaranddefendtheconquestsofthepeople.
Theproblemoftheforeignersisveryimportant,butcomparedtothecontinuedprosecutionofthisbloodyandterriblewarthatwearewagingagainstfascismitisaVERYINSIGNIFICANTDETAIL.
WewillalsotellyouthattheproblemoftheforeignersisverycomplexbecausefascismhasbeenverydiligentandhasitsagentsinSpain.Weshalldraftspecificrequeststoobtainthereleaseoftheforeigncomradeswhoarereallyantifascists,andwhoareworthyoftheconfidenceofthelibertarianmovement,asaresultoftheirlonghistoryofactivityasmilitants.
Asforyoursecondquestion,ouransweristhatweacknowledgethegoodintentionsoftheIWAtohelpdefendusagainstcounterrevolutionaryattacks,butthetruthisthataslongastheIWAisnotproperlyorganized,anduntilitputsanendtoitsinternaldisagreementsand
resolvestoworkactivelytosupporttheantifascistandrevolutionarywarinSpain,itcanaccomplishlittledespiteitsgoodintentions.ThedecisivesupportthatwedesireandneedfornowtofightagainstthecounterrevolutioninSpain,isthesupportthattheworldproletariatcangiveusbyengagingineffectiveactionagainstthefascistinvader.Ifourwargoeswellthiswillchangeandoursituationwillimprove,andtheattacksandthepredominanceofthecounterrevolutionwillbediminished.Youhavetotakeallofthisintoaccount.
Withrevolutionarygreetings.
M.R.Vázquez,Sec.
***
NationalConfederationofLabor.
NationalCommittee.Valencia,September22,1937.
TotheSecretariatoftheIWA,Paris.
Respectedcomrade:
WereceiveyourcircularNo.8datedAugust23.WeregretthattheSecretariatoftheIWA,uponreceivingatelegramfromaRegionalFederationofourSectionandnotingitscontent,wouldbrandishitasaredflag,givingthememberSectionsoftheIWAtheimpressionthattheCNTisneglectfulof
theaffairoftheforeigncomrades.WethinkthattheSecretariatoftheIWA,inaccordancewithfederativenorms,isobligedtorecognizethathecannotattendtoanyreportfromSpainthatdoesnotproceedfromtheNationalCommitteeoftheCNT,asitisthemissionofthelattertomaintainrelationswiththeSecretariatoftheIWA.
Afterexpressingourpositiononthisconduct,weshallproceedtoformulateourprotestagainsttheheedlessdecisiontoorienttheSectionstowardstheformationofCommitteesofAidandAssistancefortheVictimsoftheCounterrevolutioninSpain.ThisgivesustheimpressionthattheSecretariatofthe
IWAisusinganincidenttounderminethecreationandoperationsofthegroupsofInternationalAntifascistSolidarity,whichwerecreatedbytheSpanishlibertarianmovement.
Wecannotacceptthelastparagraphofyourcircularwhichsays:And,finally,tointervenewiththeCNTinordertocombineyourprotestandyouractivitieswithours.ThisimpliesareproachdirectedagainstthisNationalCommitteethatweenergeticallyreject,becausewehavealwaysattendedtotheforeigncomradeswhohavebeenpersecutedinSpainandbecausewedonotneedtobepressuredtodoourduty.ButalsobecausetheNationalCommitteecannot
interveneagainsttheoutragesthathavebeeninflictedontheforeigncomradesIFITISNOTINFORMEDofthefacts.TheNationalCommitteehasalwaysdevoteddueattentiontoalltheaffairsofwhichithasbeeninformedandhasaddressedthemdirectly.
WedonotdoubtthatinthefuturetheSecretariatoftheIWAwillconformtothenormsofourmovementandthathewillonlypaydueattentiontotheofficialreportsfromourNationalCommittee.
OnceagainwemustprotestagainstyourcircularandtheinsinuationsthatitcontainsbecausetheyareinsultstotheREVOLUTIONARYVIEWSandsolidarityoftheCNTthatatalltimesis
vigilantandpaysproperattentiontotheforeigncomradeswhohavecometoSpaintofight.
Withanarchosyndicalistgreetings.
FortheNationalCommittee,
MarianoR.Vázquez,secretary.
WemustnotifythereaderthatwehavetranscribedsomephrasesfromthesenotesinALLCAPITALLETTERS,becausetheyrevealthepassionateconcernoftheCNTtoonceagainoccupytheministerialpoststhatitlostandtheminorimportanceitconcedestothemiserablesituationofthosewhoarepersecutedbythecommunistreaction,
presidedoverbythefigurehead,Negrín.
***
InviewoftheseriousproblemtheIWAfacedbecauseofitsintentiontohelptheanarchistswhofledfromthebloodyrepressionthatwasunleashedinBarcelonaaftertheMayevents,andthoseanarchistswhoweredeportedbytheNegríngovernment,viaPerpignan,toMarseilles,theSecretariattakingaccountofthefactthattherepresentativesoftheCNTinParishadrenegedontheircommitmenttohelpthewoundedmilitiamenandthefamiliesofthecombatants,despitehavingreceived1,400,000francsfromtheIWAtreasurerlogicallyappealedtothe
memberorganizationsoftheIWAtosendmoremoneyandatthesametimehealsosuggestedthattheyshouldorganizeCommitteesforAidandAssistancetotheVictimsoftheSpanishCounterrevolutionintheirrespectiveregions.
WeknowthattheIWAaffiliatesinArgentinaandUruguayformedsuchaCommittee.Here,inMontevideo,theFORUpublicizedtheformationofthisCommitteewithanoticeinSolidaridad,butdidnottakeitsguestintoconsideration.ThecenetistaplenipotentiaryinUruguaytheCNThadtheminmanycountriesattemptedtodiscredittheCommitteebyclaimingthatitwasnotauthorizedbytheCNT,and
alsoexpressedcontemptuousandoffensiveviewswithregardtotheanarchistswhowerepersecuted,imprisonedorshotbyNegrínsthugs.Wecannotstatewithcertaintywhetherornothehadreceivedofficialreportstothateffect,butitisalmostcertainthathismannerofspeakingaboutthisissuewasbasedonhispersonalimpressionsfromlifeintherearguard,sincehehadlivedforafewmonthsinSpain,asamemberofseveraldelegations.
Toconcludethischapter,wewillsaythatthecenetistas,notsatisfiedwiththeirclearlydemonstratedbetrayalsandbackroommachinations,dedicatedthemselvestopreparingtheinternational
workingclasstoobtainitssupportforaMotiontobeproposedattheOrdinaryCongressoftheIWAthatwouldmodifytheprinciplesandpracticesofthatinstitution,adaptingthemtothepracticalmodalitiesandconceptsadvocatedbytheministerialistsoftheCNTandtheFAI.
AtthisCongress,heldinNovember1938withoutthepresenceofthedelegationsoftheFORAandtheFORU,duetoinsurmountableobstaclesthecircumstantialtheoryofthecenetistas,whichhadalreadybeenelaboratedpriortotheCongress,wasoverwhelminglyapproved.
InthejournaloftheIWA,No.6,acenetistanowdeceasedsaid:
wehavetooperateineverycountry,inaccordancewiththecircumstances,psychology,possibilitiesandcharacteristics.Inthedeclarationofprinciples,wecannotcontinuetoupholdthethesisofrabidapoliticism.Wedonothavetoincludesupportforpoliticsinourdeclaration.Butwemustnotcloseandsealoffthedoor,andexcommunicateanySectionthatinparticularcircumstancesworkspolitically,withtheclearunderstandingthatpoliticsmeansforuscollaborationwithothersectorsinthepolitical-social-economicleadershipofacountry.
Unfortunately,inthemodificationsintroducedintheDeclarationofPrinciplesoftheIWA,wemustpointoutwedonothavethecompletetextatourdisposalthattheyleavethedooropentoworkinginaccordancetothecircumstances,eveninpolitics.Thus,thenewSecretariatoftheIWAsaid,inasomewhatvagueway,inhisreporttothememberorganizations,thatitwasestablishedthat,thegoalandtendencyofanarchosyndicalismremainsfaithfultofederalism,andthat,asaresult,theIWAconcedestoitsSectionsthegreatestpossiblefreedomofactioninthestruggleforthefinalgoal.
Theanxiousmomentsnowbeing
experiencedbytheworldproletariatdonotallowonetoexpectthattheIWAcancontinuetodevelopinanormalway.Itisthereforetobehopedthatwhencircumstancesallowtheexchangeofopinions,theFORAandtheFORUmustattackthesecollaborationistreformsandwillworktoseetoitthattheseinnovationsarenotincludedintheDeclarationofPrinciples,butratherthattheanarchistconceptthatisproudlyupheldbybothorganizationsisreaffirmed.
1.ThereadermaywishtoconsultasubstantiallydifferenttranslationofthisresolutionthatmaybefoundinJoséPeirats,TheCNTintheSpanish
Revolution,Volume2,editedandrevisedbyChrisEalham,translatedbyPaulSharkeyandChrisEalham,ChristieBooks,Hastings,2005,pp.196-197;thebookisalsoavailableonlineat:http://books.google.com/books?id=vcauoD75eBMC&pg=PA196&lpg=PA196&dq=June+1937+regional+plenum+cnt&source=bl&ots=VZwFVKrI7P&sig=BP9TfZomlTcIi6lcMmPjXPbK94A&hl=en&sa=X&ei=GLKZU8rtKIKKyATB8ICgAw&ved=0CCMQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=June%201937%20regional%20plenum%20cnt&f=false[TranslatorsNote].
Chapter16:Fascismandantifascism
16
Fascismandantifascism
Giventhejargonthathasinfectedsomepoliticalandworkingclasssectors,entirelycontrarytotheviewsoftheFORistmovementinArgentinaandUruguay,andinviewofthepersistentuseoftheword,antifascistbytheSpanishandinternationalministerialists,webelievethatitisnecessarytoofferafewreflectionsonwhatweunderstandbytheterm,fascism,andbyitsnegationby
itsseemingantithesis,antifascism.
Fascism,ormoreprecisely,itsessence,isnothingnewinthehistoryofthepeoples.Itisthemaximum,themostrefined,cruelandbrutalmanifestationoftheauthoritariansystem;oppressiveanddomineeringfromtoptobottom.AllthecoercivemeanshavebeenemployedinordertogivetheStatethepowerofdominationthatisnecessary;tofullycentralizebruteforceinthegovernmentalmechanism.Allthemeansofpersuasionhavebeenregimentedinordertosilencethepublicconscienceandslogansarerecitedwithanabsoluteunanimity,moldingthemostdiverseopinionsaccordingtothepoliticalneedsofthe
State.
ThesameproceduresusedtosilencethevoicesofthehereticsthatwereputintopracticebytheexecutionersattheordersoftheinquisitorsArbuésandTorquemada,adaptedtotheprogressofourcentury,havebeenutilizedbythetotalitarianregimesimposedinItaly,Russia,Germany,andnowinSpain.
ThesayingoftheUruguayanpoliticiantheycallRasputinCalmdownandlive,orrebelanddieisthenormofthewayoflifeimposedonthepeoplessothattheywillsilentlyendurethestatemonstrosity.IamtheState,Igivetheordersandyoumustobeyme,saythedictators,andthepeoplesobey,smiling,withapplauseand
tranquilityinordertoavoidtheconsequencesoftheangerorthesuspicionofthehenchmenofauthority.
Humanconsciousnessisbecomingmechanized.Speechhasbeenstandardized.Gestures,stereotyped.Peoplefallsilentwhentheyarenotmouthingwordsofconformityandservility.Theinhabitantsoftheworldhavebeenregimented,andtheyknowwhen,whereandhowtoworkorrefrainfromworking,whattothink,etc.;wheretheycangathertogetherandrelatetooneanother.TheStateknowseverythingduetoitslegionsofspiesorinformersandhasitssolutionforeverything.Shootings,thegibbet,decapitations,thedespicable
garrote,theguillotineandtheelectricchair,arethefinal,quiteconvincingargumentsthatitsdevoteesengageinandthatbecomemorefrequentwitheachpassingday
.
InGermany,theycutoffheads.InRussia,theypurgetheoppositionandthepeople.InItaly,theyprescribecastoroil;thenthegarroteorthefiringsquad.InSpain,atthepresenttime,theyaresettingaratherhighstandard;withoutanytrial,theyshootconvictsattherateofupto800murdered
atatime.
Andthisonlyreferstothetotalitarianregimes;regardingwhichonecouldsaythatfascismisbecominggeneralized.
***
Nowletustakealookatthedemocracies.InFrancetheyusetheguillotine.IntheUnitedStateshumanbeingsareeliminatedbymeansofelectrocutionorhanging.Intheothercountries,thesameorsimilarproceduresareutilizedforsettinganexample.Tortureisalsoemployedbymeansofrubbertruncheonsorcattleprods,withwhichwearefamiliarinourpartoftheworld.
Insomecountriestherehasbeenan
attenuationinthesuffering,anattractivelabel,adisguisewithplebiangilding,butalwaysbasedonviolence,audacity,inhumanityandcrime:theshellofthestate.
Fascism,Nazism,statecommunism,nationalism,democracy,socialism,arealldifferentnamesbutallarebasedononething:theauthorityprinciple;andonegoal:thestate.
Thegoaldoesnotchange,then,whetheryoucallitdictatorship,empire,kingdom,parliamentaryrepublic,orevenifyougiveitthepompoustitleof:republicoftheworkersorofthesovietsproletariandictatorshiporanyothertransitionalbridge,asisinsinuatedbytheantifascists
oftheCNT-FAI.
Nowthatwehaveexpressedtheseverysimpledeductionsconcerningwhatisoftencalledbecauseofsnobbismafascistregime,weshouldpointoutthatthewordantifascismhasanidenticalorigin,becausethepowersthat,callingthemselvesdemocratic,claimtofightthefascistregimecannotbedifferentiatedfromthelatter,norcanthepoliticalfractionsthatareitsopponents,usingdemagogy,denytheirauthoritarianessence.
***
Whopresentsthemselvestotheworkersasantifascists?
Thesocialists,whoadore,upholdandadvocatethestatiststructure!InFrance,thesocialistBriandwasinpower,andthearmyandthepoliceathisordersliquidatedtheFrenchrailroadworkersstrike,persecuting,imprisoningandmassacringthestrikingworkers.InGermany,asocialistcabinetpresidedoverbyNoskeorderedthemassacreofthepeopleofBavaria,murdering,inaddition,outstandinganarchistmilitants,amongotherpeople,comradeLandauer.InSpain,beforethemilitaryrevolt,thesocialistsdominatedrepublicancabinets,andCasasViejasisstillfreshinourmemories:Arnedo,theshackofSeisdedoswhereapeasantfamilyofeightwasburnedaliveandthemembers
oftheCNTandtheFAIandtheSpanishpeoplewerepersecutedandmurdered.
Thecommunists!InRussiawhosemysticalandstoicpeopleknowtherigorsandtheomnipotenceofthedictatorshipimposedbytherulingparty:Leninyesterday,andnowStalintheredarmyattheordersofthegeneralissimoTrotskytodayavoluntaryexilefromthecountryofhisgreatdeedsmercilesslymassacredthesailorsofKronstadt,whichhadbeen,duringtheperiodofCzarism,abeaconoffreedomandrebellion,andwhosegarrisonhadbeenthespearheadoftherevolutionduringthatdisastrousregime.ThebraveMaknovistguerrillaswereexterminated,whohadexpelledthe
mercenaryarmiesfromtheUkraine.Theanarchistsandopponentsofthedictatorshipwereshotorhiddenawayintheprisonsofinhospitableregions,andmorerecentlytherehavebeenrepeatedpurgesofthemembersoftherulingparty,shootingastraitorsandNazispiessomeoftheintellectualfigureswhowerecomradesofLenin.
TheradicalsofArgentina!WerecallthestrikeinthemetallurgicalplantofVasena,whereviolentclasheswiththeIrigoyenistapolicetookplace,inwhichmanycomradesdied,anepisodethatledtowhatwecalltheWeekofJanuaryandwhichthebourgeoisjournalistJuanJ.deSoizaReillywithoutgoingintothe
distinctlyproletarianaspect,whichwasanxiousandcrueldescribed,vaguelyreflectingsomescenes,intheseparagraphs:
Ijustcamebackfromansorrowfuljourney.IvisitedsomeofthehomesoftheIsraeliteswheretheyshedtearsofblood.Ihaveseeninnocentoldpeoplebeingdraggedbytheirbeards.Ihaveseenapaleandsmilinglittleoldmanwholifteduphisshirttoshowustwoofhisribs.Theystuckoutofhisskinlikesticks,bleeding
.Ihaveseenhard-workingandhumblelaborerslikealltheJewishworkerswithbothlegsbroken,incasts.Pileduplikefirewoodonthesidewalks.Ihaveseen
scientificlibrariesburned
.Ihaveseenaheroicwomanwhowasforcedtoeatherownexcrement.Ihaveseenhouseslootedandpocketsemptiedbyrobbers.Ihaveseenpoorlittlegirlsof14and15yearsofagecryingonthestreetcorners.Theycoveredtheirfaceswiththeirhands.Theywereashamed.Theyhadlosttheholytreasureoftheirinnocenceamongtheclawsofthebeasts
.Oneofthemshowedmeherrighthand,cutbyanaxe,becauseItriedtodefendmyselffromthebrute
.Ihaveseen,inaddition
.But,whyreproducethehorrorsthatI
haveseen,therevulsionthatIfelt?
IfIdipmypenintothisrevulsion,Iwouldwritethischroniclewithrage
.
AndthesorrowfulepisodesofPatagonia,wherethesoldiersunderthecommandofcolonelVarelamadethestrikersdigtheirowngravesbeforeshootingthem?AndthemassacresoftheChaco,thepersecutionsanddeportationsofFORistmilitants?
Thebattlistas,governmentcoloradosandtheblancos!ThestreetsofMontevideoandsomeofthetownsoftheinteriorhavebeendrenchedinthebloodofthe
workers;thosewhowentonstrikewerebeatenandthejailsswallowedmanyanarchists.
WhydothepoliticalfractionsthatformedthePopularFrontinSpaincallthemselvesantifascists,when,priortoJuly19andduringthecivilwar,theymurderedtheanarchistswhorefusedtoobeytheauthoritarians?
Allofthisisvillainy,arrogance,violenceandcriminality,eveniftheperpetratorscallthemselvessocialists,communists,radicals,blancos,coloradosorantifascists,andtheycannotbyanymeansbedistinguishedfromthewaysofthefascists.ItisalwaystheState.
Therefore,thealliancemadebytheresponsibleleadersoftheCNTandtheFAIwiththeauthoritarianelementsofSpainisentirelyillogical,andcannotbejustifiedbyanyvalid,convincingargument,anymorethansuchanalliancewiththeMarxistsofourpartoftheworldwouldhave.
***
Arecentpoliticalevent,whichcausedasensationincertainstatistspheresandamongsomesimple-mindedpeoplewillreinforceourargument:theembraceofHitlerandStalin.Theyhavebroughttogether,inonesolidbundle,rabidanti-communismandcynicalanti-nazism.
Thiseventwillnothavebeensurprisingtosensiblepeople,becausewhiletheyarepoliticalideologiesthatseeminglyrepeleachother,withregardtotheirmethods,theregimesandtheirinterestsareidenticalandcannotremainseparated.
TheembraceofStalinwithHitlermightimpressthosewho,concealingtheirauthoritarianinclinationsandways,hadtakenupasarallyingbannerameaningless,deceitfulandpuerilelabel,butthishasnoimportanceforthosewho,likeusanarchists,donotallowourselvestodifferentiatebetweentheregimesandconsidertheactions,themaneuversandthefalsehoodsofthosewhoruleoverthepeoplestobealogicalconsequenceof
thecorruptionthatengulfsthecapitalistsystem.Onethingiscertain:anti-nazismandanti-communismsignedamilitarypactandthengorgedthemselvesonthebloodyspoilsofthePolishpeople,sharingout,inaddition,theland,thewealthandtheinhabitantslivingintheframeworkofthebordersthatthemapassignedtoPoland,justaspreviouslythesameorotherStateshaddividedupthelandsofCzechoslovakia,Hungary,Ethiopia,TheTransvaal,India,Morocco,etc.,andarestillassailingthesepeoples.
Chapter17:UpheavalintheFAI
17
UpheavalintheFAI
ThisacronymstandsfortheIberianAnarchistFederation,aspecificallyanarchistinstitutionofSpain,whichplayedanoutstandingroleintheguerrillaactivitiesthattookplaceinSpain,butanegativeonewithregardtothevalorizationoftheideologicalpostulatesthatcorrespondwithitsname.
Itwasfirstactivein1927,withadefinite
programaccordingtodeclarationspublishedtojustifyitsexistenceasaspecificallyanarchistorganizationofworkingintheCNTinordertoreinforcetheanarchistorientationthatwasinstilledintheworkerswhoweremembersofthisworkingclasstradeunionconfederationandtowinsupportforthecauseofemancipation.
ItisundeniablethattheworkoftrainingandexpressionofourideasthatwasundertakenbytheFAIwasbeneficialandthatitsmembershadtoenduretheharshpersecutiondirectedatthembytherightandleftwinggovernmentsthatsucceededeachotherinSpain,overthelastfewyears.Butthisacknowledgementdoes
notpreventusfromexplaining,withallfrankness,ouropinionofoppositiontothecontagiouswayofoperatingthathasappearedoverthelastfewyearsamongtheanarchists,inthattheyorganizeaspecifically[separate]anarchistorganization,becausethisbringsinitswakeadualfocusofactivity,agroundlessprideinappearingtobeguidesandadangerousinnovativetendencyfortheworkersmovementwithananarchistgoal.
InSouthAmericaweareveryfamiliarwiththerestlessspiritsandtheactivitiesofsomesimilarinstitutions:theArgentineLibertarianAlliance,nowrebornastheFACA,inArgentina,and
theAnarchistFederationofUruguay,inthiscountrynowdefunctinstitutionsthathavebeenabreedinggroundfordeviationsandmorethanonesplitamonganarchistmilitants.InsteadofhelpingtodeveloptheFORistworkingclassfederations,theyhaveimpededtheirnormalfederalistdevelopmentandhavesowedconfusionwithinmanyworkingclassorganizations,facilitatingtheirabsorptionbyMarxistelements.
However,becauseitisnotourpurposetoconductanin-depthanalysisoftheproblemofSpecificism,weshallreturntoourexaminationofthevariousfacetspresentedbytheFAIinitsdisconcertingpilgrimagebetweentheoryandpractice.
ThecontradictionsaremanyandtheregressionsofsuchamagnitudethattheydeservetobehighlightedinordertoerasefromthefeverishmindsofthepanegyristsoftheFAIthefollowingdefinitionofwhatthesethreelettersmean:asunthatshinesonthosewhosufferpersecutionandaforcethatencouragesthosewhohungerforjustice;atorchforthepariahsandapromisefortheoppressed,astheBarcelonajournalTierrayLibertadproclaimed.
***
Whentheghastlybirdsofillomen,ofpillageanddestruction,nourishedbySpanishmilitarism,theclergyandcapitalism,begantocircleoverthesoilof
Spain,theFAIfeltspurredonforthelasttimebythespiritofitsideologicalpatrimonytohammeritsalert,filledwithredemptiveconcepts,intotheconsciousnessoftheSpanishpeople,urgingthemtofightindefenseoftheirrights,underassaultbystatistarrogance,andoftheirfreedomthatwasunderthreatfromthereactionaries.
HereistheresolutionapprovedattheFAIPlenumofRegionalFederations,heldonFebruary1,1936:
ConsideringtheextremegravityofthecurrentconjunctureinSpain,dueasmuchtoeconomicdifficultiesanddomesticpolicies,astotheinfluenceandimpactoftheinternationalsituation,and
havinglearnedfromtheexperienceofothercountriesandfromtheverylogicoftheeventsandissues;
Consideringthat,becauseofthesizeoftherevolutionaryproletariatinSpain,thelatterhasmoreresponsibilitythaninothercountrieswithregardtoconfrontinganyreactionaryattempts;
Thatthephenomenonoffascism,embodiedinthetotalitarianState,isasystemofreaction,ofwhichthestreetviolenceandthebestialattacksofthereactionariesconstitutemerelyoneaspectofavastcomplexofideasandliberticidalaspirations,whicharemanifestedintheabsolutesuppressionofallrightsofcriticismandallhumandignityand
whichtend,furthermore,topersistbyrecruitmentfromtheverybeginning.Thatthefascistreactionisthedirectresultofthebankruptcyoftheeconomicsystemofcapitalism,thatitcanberesistedonlyontheterrainofthesuppressionofcapitalismandintheestablishmentofaregimeoflifethatwillrenderimpossiblethemonstrouscontradictionsoftheeconomy,ofprivilegeandofmonopoly.
Thattheworldhistoricalexperienceshavedemonstratedtheimpotenceandthedeceptionofso-calleddemocracy,anallegedpoliticalequalitygraftedontothemostobnoxiouseconomicinequality,inordertomodifytheessenceofthe
establishedorder.
TheRegionalFederationsoftheIberianAnarchistFederationsetforththeirpositioninthefollowingmanner:
a)TheydeplorethefactthatworkingclassinstitutionswhichhadblazedafranklyrevolutionaryandproletarianpathinOctober1934,shouldalignthemselveswiththedemocratic-bourgeoispartiesinordertofindasolutionwherenosuchsolutionexists.
b)Theyadvocateatotalbreakbytheproletariatwithallthestatistdemocraticillusions,anditsconcentrationaroundtheworkingclassandpeasantsolution,whichimpliesthepossessionofthesocial
andnaturalwealthbytheproducersthemselves.
c)Theymaintainthatonlyintheworldoflabor,intheworkplaces,cananeffectiveanddefinitiveremedybefoundforallformsofreaction.
Theystatethattheagreementoftheproducersispossibleunderthefollowingconditions:
1.Theexclusionfromtheworkplaceofelementsaffiliatedwithfascistinstitutions,bywayofthejointactionoftheanti-capitalisttradeunionorganizations.
2.Employmentoftheinsurrectionary
methodfortheconquestofthesocialwealthusurpedbyprivilegedminorities,anditsadministrationbytheproducersthemselves.
3.Establishmentofaregimeoflife,oflaborandofconsumptionthatrespondstothecommonneedsofthepopulationanddoesnotallowexploitationandthedominationofmanovermantoexistinanyform.
4.Thedefenseofthisnewregimeoflifecannotbeentrustedtoprofessionalarmiesorpoliticalbodies,butmustbeinthehandsofalltheworkers,withoutthelatterlosingcontactwiththeirworkplaces.
5.Respectandtolerationforthediverseproletarianandrevolutionarysocialconceptionsandguaranteesfortheirfreeexercise.
6.Thestruggleagainstfascism,aninternationalphenomenon,mustbecarriedoutinternationally,bytheworkingclassandrevolutionaryinstitutions,totheexclusionofallnationalistideasandsentiments.
***
Asonecanseefromthedocumentpresentedabove,onemaynowobservewhatisessentiallyasurrendertoalliancismandtheuseofthetermantifascism;butthisbackslidingseems
quiteinsignificantwhenwecompareittothelatertreasonouspositions.
LetusseehowtheFAIpresenteditsviewsafterithadalreadyfallensomewaydownthefatalslope:
Allthepropagandaandalltheactionofanarchismarebasedonanti-capitalismandanti-statism.Thesetwoformsofeconomicandpoliticaldominationimplythenegationoftherightsoftheproducerandofthefreedomoftheindividual.
IntheState,capitalismfindsitsweaponofdefense.Theexploitationoftheworkers,ofthepeasants,ofthetechnicians,allowstheaccumulationofwealthandeconomicpowertheforce
majeuretowhichthedisinheritedaresubjectedinthehandsofanunproductiveminority.Bymeansofthelawsthatassurethebourgeoisietherightofpropertywithallitsrepressivesystem,withitsarmedforce,theStateconstitutesthemostsolidbastionofthecapitalistsystem.AsopposedtotheMarxistpositionthatattributestotheStatetransitionalfunctionsinthecreationofanewsociety,andwhichmaintainsthattheStatewillgraduallywitherawayuntilitdisappearswhenclassdifferenceswillhavedisappeared,anarchismproclaimstheuselessnessoftheStateandstatesthatitspresenceaftertherevolutionaryeventswouldsignifytheresurgenceofanewpower,ofanewdictatorship,withthe
consequentemergenceofaprivilegedbureaucracyandthelogicalestablishmentofapartygovernmentorpreferentiallyonebasedontheleadersoftherulingparty.
Economicorganizationuponsocialistfoundation,beingpracticable,causestheneweconomicordertorequireanewpoliticalform.Theanti-capitalistandanti-statistpositionofanarchismisconfirmedbyhistoricalexperienceandbythecertaintyofbeingabletoorganizecollectivelife,providingeveryonewiththepossibilitytosatisfytheirownneeds,inexchangefortheirlaborinaregimebasedonthesocializationofthemeansofproduction.
Federativeorganization,fromthebottomupfromthebasetothesummitwilltaketheplaceofthestatesystem.Thisreaffirmationofprinciplesisfullyjustifiedatthepresenttime.Constrainedbythecircumstancesthataccompanythewar,theFAIandtheCNThavehadtoparticipateinthegovernmentalmachinery.Thecollaborationimposedbythesupremeandunavoidablenecessityofdefeatingfascismandcoexistencealongsidetheantifascistsectorsledustoreluctantlyabandonourideologicalposition.Butthisdoesnotmeanthatwehaverenouncedtheanarchistidealandtactics.Theoccupationofpostsofresponsibilityinthedepartmentsofthecentralgovernmentandofthe
Generalitat,poststhatwehadtooccupy,beingcompelledbythecircumstancesofthewar,bynomeansimpliesachangeinourtheoreticalconceptions.No;weshallcontinuetobeanarchistsasbefore,andweshallalwayshavethesameopinionoftheStateandthedictatorialsolution(regardlessofwhatnameitisgiven).
Beforetheentireworld,beforeourcomradesintheanarchistmovement,beforethosewhohavedeliberatelydistortedtheinterpretationoftheeventsinSpainandourtemporaryparticipationinthegovernment,wecanstatewithoutanyexaggerationthatthisresolutionoftheFAIhasanincalculablehistoricalvalue.
***
TheconceptsexpoundedbytheFAI,apartfrommanyinconsistenciesandcontradictions,breakallrecordsforarrogance.
Wecouldreproduce,inordertosupportourview,asensiblecommentarywrittenbycomradeA.SchapiroinresponsetothepatheticappealissuedbytheFAItotheinternationalanarchistmovementcallinguponthelattertoimitatetheFAI,andtoenterintoallianceswiththepoliticalsectorsofthedifferentregions,butweshallrefrainfromdoingsobecausethetextisalreadysowellknown.
Weshall,however,transcribetheresolutionsapprovedbytheCongressoftheFrenchLanguageAnarchistFederationatitscongressheldonAugust14-15,1937,concerningthedelicateandridiculouspositionoftheFAIandtheCNT,togetherwiththecommentarybytheeditorsofSolidaridad(No.143,April1938),theofficialorganoftheFORU,ontheseresolutions,becausetheywillsaveusthetroubleofelucidatingfundamentalobjectionsandbecausethetextcontainingthemisalapidarycounterstroke:
WeshalltranscribesomeresolutionsoftheFrenchLanguageAnarchistFederation,approvedattheCongress
heldonAugust14-15,1937inthecityofClermont-Ferrand.Inviewofthechaosthatprevailsininternationalanarchism,causedbytheSpanishevents,whichbroughtconfusionismtoalargepartofourmovement,thefirmpositionoftheanarchistsoftheFrenchLanguageAnarchistFederationmeritsourattention,who,withgreatcourage,madeafirmstandagainstrevolutionarymystifications,sallyingforthindefenseofthepropagandaandofthepracticesofstrugglethatareconsistentwiththeprinciplesofanarchism.Evenwhenwedonottotallyagreewiththeinterpretationtheyofferregardingthepracticalapplicationofanarchismintheworkersmovementsincewhiletheyseek
toinstillthelatterwithananarchistcharacterfromtheoutside,fromthegroups,we,basedontheexperienceofalongrevolutionaryhistory,whichdemonstratesthesuperiorityoftheFORistinterpretation,optforthesystemthatrecommendsthattheanarchistsmustnotactinthetradeunionsectionsasmembersofothergroupsoutsideofthem,butasmembersofthesesametradeunions,andbythismeanssuccessfullyimpressupontheworkersmovementadefinitelyanarchistorientation,adoptinginadvancethepracticesofstruggleofdirectaction,afederalistsystemoforganizationbytradeandanarchistprinciplesandgoalsdespitethis,wesay,weconsiderittobeofgreatimportance
thattheFrenchanarchistshavereturnedtoactivitywithinthetradeunions,whichwillallowthemtogaintheinfluenceamongtheworkersthattheyhavelackeduntilnow,duetotheerroneouspracticeoforganizinginspecificgroupsoutsidetheworkingclassorganization.
Somethingelsethatdeservesemphasis,isthefacttheyhavebrokenwiththeprejudiceofallianceswithpoliticiansandthetradeunionmergersthatadvocatetheabsurdityofattemptingtoamalgamatealltheworkersinasinglebloc,outsideofallideology,whentheyopenlydeclarethattheyareworkingforthegrowthoftheCGT-SR(affiliatedwiththeIWA),providingitwithincreasinglygreater
materialandideologicalpower,whichcouldcounteracttheemasculatingworkofthereformistCGT,savingtheproletariatfromopportunisticambiguitiesandpoliticaldemagogyandliberatingitfromallobstaclesthatcouldhinderitinitsprogresstowardsitsemancipation.
Weattributethehighestimportancetotheseresolutions,bothwithregardtothepositionagainststatistanarchism,aswellaswithregardtomilitantactionintheworkingclassmovement,sinceitistobehopedthatthisattitudewillbeatleastimitated,ifnotsurpassed,bytheanarchistsoftheothercountries,whicharelosingtheirsenseofdirectionorvegetatingintheviciouscircleof
specificism,andthatthoserevolutionaryaberrationsshouldbeabandonedandthecomradesshouldresolvetocreatearealtradeunionmovement,inwhichtheactivityoftheanarchistswho,foronereasonoranotherdonotbelongtothetradeunions,willnotonlybeallowedbutencouraged,onthebasisofwhichonecanworkfreelytoforgeanarchistconsciousness,forthepurposeofbeingabletoexposetheentirepopulationtothedetailsofourideal,leadingittoconceivethepossibilityoftheexistenceofasocietywithoutaState,basedonfreeagreementandmutualaid,whichwillleadittofightconsciouslyforthedestructionoftheauthoritarianregimesandfortheestablishmentofAnarchist
Communism.
ResolutionsoftheCongressoftheFrenchLanguageAnarchistFederation:
Consideringthat,facedwiththesituationinwhichapartoftheCNT-FAIhascommitted,fromtheverybeginning,deplorableerrorswithrespecttotheirpositions,thisCongressdeemsthattheonlywaytorectifythesituationinSpain,bothfromtheanarchistpointofviewaswellasfromtheperspectiveofourfinalvictory,istoimmediatelyabandonallgovernmental,political,militaristanddiplomaticactivityandreturntorevolutionarymethodsofstruggle.Thatallthenon-conformistelementsofbothorganizationsaretheonlyoneswhocan
accomplishthis,butthattheinternationalanarchistmovementfindsitselfobligedtobreakwiththepoliticalandpoliticizingelementsoftheCNT-FAI,whostillspeakinthenameoftheorganizationandtherevolution.
TheCongressdeclaresthatitisprofoundlysaddenedandangrybecauseoftheofficiallackofconcernonthepartoftheCNT-FAIregardingthepersecutionoftheanarchistsinSpain,andcallsforacampaignofenergeticprotestineverycountry.
InfavoroftheanarchistprisonersandvictimsoftheStalinistrepressionTheodiousrepressionunderwayinSpainmustbedenouncedbeforethe
internationalworkersmovementandthedefamatorycampaignwagedbytheThirdInternationalagainstthosewhodevotethemselvestotallytothestruggleagainstfascismandwhohaveformorethanayearcarriedoutprodigiesofheroismtocrushthemercenarygangsofFranco,MussoliniandHitler,mustberepudiated.
WecallupontheorganizationsoftheCNT-FAItorespondwithfirmnessandtoprovidethematerialandmoralsolidaritythatisowedtotheforeigncomradesarrestedaftertheMayDaysof1937inBarcelona,toenergeticallydefendthemandtoattemptbyallmeanstopreventthemfrombeingexecuted,anddecidetoundertakeacampaigntobreakthecode
ofsilencearoundtheantifascistandpopularfronts,inordertodenouncetheorganizedmurderofthebestrevolutionariesbythelackeysundertheordersofMoscow.
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Ithasbeendemonstratedthat,inthenameoftheFAI,theenlightenedoneshavebeensenttogoverntheSpanishpeople.Moreover;whentheMarxistpoliticiansdidnotneedtheirgoodservicesandtheyweredismissedfromtheirposts,theFAIattemptedtotransformitselfintoapoliticalpartyinordertoprepareitselftoonceagainoccupycertainministerialposts,incasetheyaresummonedtheythoughtthey
wereindispensablebytheantifascists.
Despitethefactthattheysoearnestlydesiredsuchpositions,theministerialcrisesthatsubsequentlytookplacedidnotprovidethefaístaswithanopportunitytocontinuetodemonstratetheirgreatabilitiesasstatesmen,diplomatsandsociologists.
Chapter18:Exportedslogansandpractices
18
Exportedslogansandpractices
WehavealreadysaidelsewhereinthisbookthattheCNTpressuredtheInternationalWorkingmensAssociationtoacceptthecircumstantialgovernmentaloperationalpracticestestedinSpainandtotransmitthemtotherestoftheinternationalworkersmovement.
Wepossessperfectproofofwhatweareclaimingintheresolutionapprovedby
theIWAattheExtraordinaryCongressheldinDecember1937,insofarasitcalledforunityofactionwiththereformistinternationalinordertojointlyadoptmeasuresofdefenseinfavoroftheSpanishpeople.
Fortunately,theinitiativetranscendingalltheideologicaldifferencesthatseparateourmovementfromtheInternationalofthereformisttradeunionsaccordingtotheSecretariatoftheIWAexperiencedthemostresoundingfiascobecausethereformistsrefusedtocomplywiththerequestedunityprogram,buttheridiculethatconsequentlyattachedtotheIWA,thankstotheobviouspressureoftheCNT,isworthnoting.
Anothersloganthatwassupposedtobetranslatedintopractice,attheinsistenceoftheCNT,wasthatofunifyingtheeffortsoftheFORofArgentinawiththeFACA,aspecificistinstitutionwhosemembersaredeclaredenemiesoftheFORistworkersmovementandwhoareactiveinthetradeunionsoftheyellowtradeunionfederationofArgentina,theCGT,andintheindependenttradeunions,instillingthemwiththeanti-FORistorientationwherevertheyattainprominence.
Also,inMontevideo,someanarchistswhohavewithdrawnfrommilitantactivityperhapswithsincerityandingoodfaith,weshallnotpresumetojudge
theminitiatednegotiationstounifytheFORUwiththegroupofanarcho-dictatorswhoorganizedandstillcallthemselvestheUniónSindicalUruguaya,negotiationsthatdidnotsucceedbecauseitwasunderstoodthatthosewhosplitfromthemotherentityoftheUruguayanproletariatdonotidentifywiththepracticesandgoalsoftheFORistmovement.
Butthatisnowathingofthepast.WhatremainsisthedisseminatingoffranklyauthoritarianslogansandpracticesthroughouttheWorldofLabor,acropthatisnowripeforharvest.ItwaslogicaltoassumethattheministerialistsoftheCNTandtheFAIwouldhavetofind,in
additiontoenthusiasticpanegyrists,manyadvanceddisciplesreadytohonororevensurpasstheirmastersandtoprescribeasinfallibletheantifascistpanaceasthatweretestedwithsomuchtenacityandstubbornnessbytheirministerialistmasters,andthetextthatweshallnowread,fromElAndamio,ofChile,proveswhatwesaidabove.
MarianoVázquezclaimedthatwemustnotburyourselvesindogmatismandthatweshouldoperateineverycountry,inaccordancewiththecircumstances,psychology,possibilitiesandcharacteristics.Buthiswordswerenotheeded,andthecenetistaandfaístamodesofoperationtendtobe
generalized,andtobetranslatedintothelocalidiom.Inanyevent,opportunismhaslongpracticethem.
LetusseewhatJuanPintoD.saysinhisrecentarticlethatappearedinElAndamioonMay26,1939:
DISCIPLINEINTHELIBERTARIANMOVEMENT.Thevarioustheoriesanddoctrinesthatseektosolvetheeconomic,politicalandsocialproblemsthatareaffectinghumanityhaveoverthelastfewyearsundergonesuchprofoundchangesofpositionthatinsomecasestheBolshevikmovementtheyhavesignifiedanoverwhelmingnegationoftheirpast.Thelibertarianmovementanarchosyndicalistand
anarchisthasalsofelttheeffectsoftheconfrontationwithreality.SpainhasbeenthesceneofexperimentationwheretheFAIandtheCNTfoundthemselvesfacingtheunavoidablenecessityofgoingbeyondsacredprinciplesonceheldtobeinvariable.Itisclearthatthepositionoftheseinstitutionshasbeencriticizedbyaminorityofmilitantsandsupportedbyamajority.
So:wedonotwanttoengageinanin-depthanalysisoftheinternationalproblem,weshallrestrictourattentiontoourownproblems.
InChiletherehavebeenseverallibertarianfederations;thesehaveorganizedheterogeneousmassesand
smallgroupsofmilitants,theirrevolutionaryactivityhasbeenrestrictedtosporadicactionsthathavenotbenefitedfromaprocessofpreparationandtrainingoftheirownforces.
Theirinterventions,then,inthepoliticalandsocialaffairsofthecountryhavenotinfluencedthebroadercourseofevents.TheyhavenotbeeninfluentialnordoIthinktheywillhaveanimpactinthefutureiftheycontinuetooperateinthesamewaytheyhaveforthelastfifteenyears.Therevolutionaryprocessiscomplexandrequirestheinterventionofthemilitantsnotonlyontherestrictedplaneuponwhichthetradeunionoperates,butineveryaspectthatis
presented.
Arevolutionarymovementthatwantstohaveadecisiveimpactonevents,needsaspecificorganizationthathassupportthroughouttheentirecountry,onethatpresentsasingleface,whichhasDISCIPLINE,andaboveallonethatisnotafraidofwordsandtheNEWMODALITIES,especiallytheonesthatrepresentedsuchaninnovationinSpain.
Aspecificorganization.Thepoliticalapparatusoftherevolution;thisistheoverwhelmingnecessityinourmovementandtosatisfyitwemustmobilizetheenthusiasmofallthosewhodonotwanttoseetheemancipatoryhopeofhumanitysymbolizedintheanarchosyndicalist
movementdisappear.
Chapter19:TheEconomicPlenumoftheCNT
19
TheEconomicPlenumoftheCNT
Wehavesetforthindetail,withexcessiveredundancy,thebetrayalsthattheresponsibleleadersoftheCNTandtheFAIendorsedandimplemented.Thereisoneotheraspect:theeconomic,whichmustbeaddressedandtowhichweshalldevoteafewbriefcomments.
Thecenetistasandfaístas,havinglosttheirwaywithregardtoideologyand
slippeddownthechuteofapostasy,dedicatedthemselveswithtenaciouszealtothetaskofpluggingtheholesintheshipofstatewhichtheyhadsavedfromsinkingengagingininitiativesdirectedtowardsrestoringittoitsformercondition.Theystillwerenotsatisfied,however,withhavingputthebrakesonthesocialrevolution;theyenteredintoalliancesofeverykindwiththepoliticalfactions;theycollaboratedwiththecentralgovernmentfromtheministries.Theyhadtocomplementtheirdisastrousactivitiesbyaddressing,forconstructivepurposes,thecomplexeconomicproblemsthecountryfacedbecauseofthecivilwar,seeking,preferentially,apossibilistsolution.
ThepoliciesapprovedattheExtendedNationalEconomicPlenumoftheCNT,heldinJanuary1938,exhibitbyvirtueoftheirstructureandessenceapassionateappetiteforreformism,amultiplicationofthegovernmentalbureaucracyand,evenmoreimportantly,amistakenoperationalconceptionofstatesyndicalism.
Wemusttakeintoaccounttheabnormalsituationthatprevailedatthetime,inordertoaffirmthattheorganizationandfunctioningofthisPlenumsufferedfrommanydefectsandshortcomings,whichdepriveitsresolutionsofanymoralauthority.Evenmoreimportantthanthesedefectsandshortcomingsarethe
assumptionsandthementalitythatinformedtheconceptualmotorforcethatwouldmakepossibletherealizationofandconferreddynamismtotheseactivities.Itcouldbeargued,withpowerfullogic,thatthedelegationswerenotthefaithfulrepresentativesoftheworkersorganizedinconfederalcadres,nordidtheyconveythepreciseexpressionofthoseworkersconcerningtheseeconomicpanaceas,sincemanyworkerswereatthefrontanddidnotparticipateinthepreliminarydebates.
WhatisundeniableisthefactthattheinitiativetoconvoketheEconomicPlenumarosefromthehighestlevelsoftheorganizationfromthetopdownand
thatthedelegationsexceptforafewexceptions,letusaddweremonopolizedbynattilydressedgovernmentalistbureaucrats.
Itwouldnotbeappropriatetosaythatthisfactconstitutesevidenceofmalfeasance,becausethatwouldbeaplatitudeandbesides,itwouldmeanthatthatwewouldhavetominutelyexamineallthepoliticalandlegalisticloopholesandfinepointsofthewholeprocess.Wecansay,however,thatitwasanindecencywhosepurposewastosowconfusionamongtheworkers.
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TheCNT,exudingoptimism,
proposedaccordingtothetextoftheapprovedresolutionsthecreationofpowerfulstate-syndicalistbodieswiththeirrespectivelegionsofparasitestocontrolanddirecttheindustriesundertheirjurisdiction;legislationconcerningthevariousmanifestationsofhumaneffort,measuringtheirqualityandquantityinordertoestablishpayscalesandtocreatefilesforeachcategory;thecentralizationortrustificationofwrittenpropagandaandmanagingthefundsoftheorganizations.Itwasareconstructiveplanonavastscale,whichwouldhaveleftthemostprestigiousstatistsawestruckandwouldhavemadethoseStatesthatboastofhavingadvancedsocialandeconomiclegislationlook
ridiculous.
LetustakealookattheconcernsoftheCNTandthegeneraltenoroftheresolutionsoftheEconomicPlenum.
LABORINSPECTORS
Intheintroductorysectionofthisparticularproposal,theCNTassertsthatitisnotguidedbyanyproselytizingends.Wecannotconfirmtheveracityofthisassertion.Wecansay,however,thatthoseofuswholiveintheselittlerepublics[inSouthAmerica]areinuredtoincredulity.Whenapoliticalparty,whetherornotitisinpower,proposesthecreationofanewgovernmentbodyorinspectorate,besidestheproselytizingmotivewhatis
ofmuchgreaterinteresttoitistobeabletofindjobsforitsfriends.
Bycallingattentiontothisexampleitisnotourintentiontoreprimandthecenetistasbycataloguingthemundertheheadingofpolitics.Theyactedwithandlikethepoliticians,becauseofimperiouscircumstantialnecessities.
HereisthetextoftheArticlesontheLaborInspectorate:
1.TheNationalIndustrialFederations,attheproposaloftheTradeUnionsasconveyedthroughtheRegional,CountyandLocalFederations,willappointtheTechnicalDelegatesneededtoinspectanddirecttheEconomicunitsundertheir
jurisdiction.
2.TheseDelegateswillproposethenormstobeimplementedinordertoeffectivelydirectthedifferentIndustrialunitsforthepurposeofimprovingtheirefficiencyandadministration.Theywillnotoperateontheirownaccount;theywillberesponsibleforcomplyingwithandenforcingcompliancewiththedirectivesissuedbytheCouncils,towhichtheywillbeanswerable.
3.Toachievegreaterefficiencyandoperationalimprovementsandinsuchcaseswhereitwillbenecessary,theywillproposetotheCouncilsthathaveappointedthemtheapplicationofsanctionsagainstthoseInstitutionsor
individualswho,asaresultofthenon-fulfillmentoftheirduties,havemeritedsuchsanctions.
TheOrganizationwillagreetotheextensionofthecorrespondingcoercivemeanstotheInstitutionswhichmustavailthemselvesofthisright,establishingtheRulesthatwilldeterminehowthesecoercivemeansmaybeapplied.ThesedirectivesareundertakenexclusivelybyandreferonlytotheIndustriesthatareinthehandsoftheworkers.
PAYSCALES
ThehumanistandjustanarchistconceptFromeachaccordingtohis
abilitieshadnoplaceinthestatistplansoftheCNT.Itsplansseemedtobeorientedinaccordancewiththestandardtypeestablishedbycapitalism.TheCNTplannedtorecompensetheeffortsoftheworkersaccordingtotheiroutputsandskilllevels,thuspreservingprivilegedcategories.
ItsoughtaccordingtotheCNTtocorrectthosedeficienciesandinequalitiesthatsooftensowdiscordandapathyamongtheworkers,tothedetrimentoftheeconomyandthereforethePlenumresolved:
First.Theacceptanceofpayaccordingtojobcategories,andweproposethattheNationalIndustrialFederationsadopt,whileadaptingthemtotheireconomic
possibilities,thefollowingscalesofpayment,takingXastheinitialindispensablequantitynecessarytocovertheneedsoftheproducer:
BaseCategory.Assistantlaborer
.X1asuperiorcategory.Skilledworker20%ofincrease2asuperiorcategory.Specialist40%ofincrease3asuperiorcategory.AssistantTechnician70%ofincrease4asuperiorcategory.TechnicalDirector100%ofincrease.
Theabovepercentagesaretobeunderstoodasbeingapplicabletothebasecategory.
Thescheduleofpayscalesapprovedat
thisPlenumwasarevolutionaryinnovation.ItisverysimilartotheoneestablishedinRussia.WearenotsayingthattheCNTsversionisanexactcopyoftheBolshevistsystem.
IBERIANTRADEUNIONBANK
Onecanverywellimaginethat,iftheCNTwasproceedinginthedirectionofastatistorientation,regulatingandcontrollingtheeconomyofthecountry,thenitlogicallyshouldcreateaTradeUnionBanktoincreaseproduction,torebuildindustry,offerloanstothepeasants,etc.Thusitwasthat,whileattheCongressoftheAgriculturalCollectivesofAragonthedelegatesweretryingtoabolishmoney,creatinginits
steadarationingcard,theCNTgavemoneythesameexchangevaluethatcapitalismassignedtoit.Thiswasdeliberate.Weshouldpointoutthatinordertoarriveattheseparadoxicalpositions,ormoreaccurately,theseaberrations,oftheCNT,eminentacademicshadpreviouslycomeforthtoholdconferencesoneconomic,financial,monetary,commercialandstatisticaltopicsamongothers,Fábregas,Santillán,Leval,López,Carsi,CardonaRosell,etc.whoorientedthecenetistaapproachinthissense.WearegoingtoreadafragmentofthearticlesignedbyAmezcua,publishedinSolidaridadObrerawhiletheCNTsEconomicPlenumwasinsession,whichwillhelp
ustoevaluatethestatesyndicalistmentalitythatpredominatedamongthecenetistas.Letusbeginbygettingonethingstraight:
Theideal
thesuppressionofmoney;unquestionable.Butuntilwegetthere,wehavetogothroughstages,overcomeveryprominentobstaclesandclimbtheslopesofthesocialeconomictopography.Andhecontinuesasfollows:
MONEY.ITSNATURALFUNCTION,UNDERMINEDBYTHEPLUTOCRACY.
Intheliquidatedeconomy,itwasthe
functionoftheBanktostorethemoney,tolookafteritscirculation,toensureitsfictitiousmultiplication,itsinvestmentorassignment,constitutingwiththeindividualandvoluntarydepositsofthismoney,massesofcapitalwithwhichitdecisivelyinfluencedtheindustrialandeventhemorallifeofthecountry,leadingtothehegemonyofthepossessorsofthelargestquantityofmonetarysymbolstothedetrimentofthemoremodestpossessors,whoneverobtainedmorethanasparseandalwaysmiserablereturnontheirdeposits.Thecapitalistimaginationinvented,tothedetrimentofthenon-capitalistsandforitsprofit,thetheoryofcreditandoftheloaningofmoney,andonthisbasisthegreatest
immoralitieshavebeencommitted,givingwaytousury,totheabuseofconfidentialityandtofraud,whichCAUSEDTHEDISCREDITINGOFMONEYanelementofexchangeandcirculationofnaturalandindustrialproductsbyemployingitasjustanothercommodity.Naturally,theproducers,whodidnotparticipateinallthepermutationsanddishonestgamesplayedwithmoneybythebankers,butpossessinganinstinctiveunderstandingofallthischicanery,andinpartunderstandingitbecauseofitspracticalrepercussions(thepriceofbread,clothingandothernecessitiesoflife),haverepudiatedmoneyasthecauseofthemiseryoftheworkingclass,andhad
noobjectionagainsttheproposalthatmoneybepurelyandsimplyABOLISHED,imaginingthatitcouldbereplacedbythedirectexchangeofproducts.Itwasthespecificandprecisefunctionofmoney,however,toregulatethisexchange,sinceitmadepossibletheestablishmentofastandardofexchangebetweendiverseproductsacommondenominatorforknowing,forexample,howmuchwheatmustbedeliveredbyaPeasantOrganizationinordertoobtainapairofshoesandtotheextentthatmoneyperformsandislimitedtoperformingthisfunctionandisnottheobjectofspeculationthatwoulddisturbitsNATURALROLEASREGULATOROFSUPPLYANDDEMAND,ofproduction
andconsumption,THERECANBENODOUBTABOUTITSNECESSITYwithinaneconomiccomplex,muchlessinaregimewhosenature,withthesuppressionofthecapriciousandinorganicactivityoftheindividual,andwithinthestructuralframeworkoftheTradeUnion,willhaveentailedthedisappearanceofeventhepossibilityofanydeviationoftheuseofmoneyfromitsexclusiveroleasregulatorofexchangeaswellasobviatinganydangerthatitwouldeverserveasanobjectofspeculationandexploitationoftheworker.OncetheMONETARYSYMBOLHASBEENPURIFIEDANDRECOVEREDfromthegripoftheplutocracyTHATHADDISTORTEDIT
ANDEVENPROSTITUTEDIT,itmustperformitsnaturalroleinthecollectivizedEconomy,aswillthateconomicsectorwhich,aswepointedoutabove,hastheSPECIFICTASKOFSTORING,CIRCULATINGANDINVESTINGTHESYMBOLOFEXCHANGE.
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Asyoucansee,inthelastparagraphtheauthorarguesinfavorofthecreationoftheTradeUnionBank.Andnotonlydoesheendorsethecreationofsuchabank,buthealsoextendstheinitiativetothecreationoftwootherbanks:theProducersBankandtheBankofForeignTrade.Itisunnecessarytopointoutthat
thecreationoftheIberianTradeUnionBankimpliestheappointingofapresident,vicepresident,directorgeneralandmanyotheremployees.
THETRADEUNIONINSURANCEADMINISTRATIONAGENCY
Thepurposeofthisinstitutionistoadministertheinsuranceprogramforillness,workplaceaccidents,pensions,maternityleave,etc.;inshort,whatiscalledsocialwelfareinthedemocracies.Theessenceofthisprojectiscontainedinthisparagraph:
a)TodemandtherepresentationoftheCNTineachaneveryoneoftheofficialStateinstitutions,AutonomousRegional
Governments,andProvincialandMunicipalCouncilsinLoyalistSpain,whosemissionistoregulate,direct,orprovideconsultativeserviceswithregardtothemanagementandimplementationofnational,regional,provincialandlocal,orcountypoliciesrelatingtoinsuranceandsocialwelfareinallofitsdimensions.Thisrepresentationmustnotbeinferiortothatalreadypossessed,orwhichmaybegrantedinthefuture,totheothertradeunioncentralorganization.
CONCERNINGTHEADVISABILITYOFREDUCINGTHENUMBEROFCONFEDERALPUBLICATIONSANDHOWTHISISSUEWASADDRESSED
WehavenotedthatinSpain,duringthe
war,itwashardtoobtaintherawmaterialsformanufacturingpaper.Atfirstsight,thiswouldseemtojustifytheproposaltoimposerestrictionsonthepress.However,ofthethreecompellingreasonsthattheCNToffered,thethirdoneistheonethatbestexpressesitsviewsregardinganditsinterestinsuchrestrictions:
Thelastreasonisthenecessityofconferringhomogeneitytotheorientationofourpublications,whichistheonlywaytoobtainbenefitsfromthepowerfulweaponknownasthepress.WehavetoputanendtothepublicdisagreementsintheMovement.Upuntilnow,thishasbeenlargelyachievedintheBulletinof
InternalOrientation,publishedbytheSecretaryoftheNationalCommittee,butitseffectivenessiscancelledoutbythesmallpublicationsthat,althoughoflittleimportanceinthemselves,producenosmalleffectbydisorientinginsteadoforientingopinionandthemilitants,becausetheydonotabidebytheESTABLISHEDLINEofthenationalorderforpropaganda.
ItisobviousthattheCNTwantedtocentralizecontroloverwrittenpropaganda,inordertosilencethosewhocriticizedthestatistorientationthatwasexpressedbytheunfoldingevents.
Thisisprovenbythesetwoparagraphsoftheproposal:
Withthisplanforthepublicationofnewspapers,thepropagandaofourMovementisabsolutelyguaranteed,withregardtobothaspects.Themajorpublicationswithalargecirculationandthesmallerpapersintheprovincesthatfulfilltheneedtoprovideguidancethatisinconcordancewiththepsychologyandthecustomsofeachtown.
Allthenewspapersthatdonotabidebythisplanmustdisappearasaresultoftheirbeingcontrarytoeconomicefficiencyandunnecessary.
WehavealreadymentionedthattheCNT,dominatedbyafeverishzealforplanning,waspassionatelypreoccupied
withreconstructingtheeconomythatwasdestroyedbythewarandestablishingcertaincreationstestedduringthesubsequentmonths.ThisisprovenbyoursummarycommentaryontheworkoftheEconomicPlenum.Thereismuchmoreevidence,however,whichwecannotprovidebecauseofconsiderationsofspace.Weshallmerelyproceed,then,byprovidingthenamesoftheinstitutionsthatitsoughttocreateandtherulesthatitsoughttoimpose,whichwereapprovedatthePlenum.
TheproposalrecommendedthecreationandfurtherdevelopmentofConsumersCooperatives.Itcalledforresearchonhowtocarryouttheimplementationof
effectiveplanningofIndustry,withoutwaitingforthecreationoftheNationalCounciloftheEconomy,agovernmentorganizationwithamixedstate-tradeunioncomposition,whichwouldbecalledupontofulfillthisobviouseconomicnecessity.WeshalladdthatthisgovernmentbodywasinsistentlyadvocatedbytheCNTinitspetitionstothecentralgovernment.TheproposalfurthermoreadvisedtheadministrativeCentralizationoftheConfederalEconomy,andthatwithintheresultingadministrativebodymanyothersectionswouldbeformed.And,finally,itproposedregulationsconcerninggenerallaborstandards,bymeansofwhichhumanlaborpowercouldbecontrolled;
thesenormswouldspecifythequalityandquantityofproductionandwouldapplymoralsanctionsagainstthoseworkerswhofailedtocomplywiththeirstandards,thosewhocametoworklate,thosewhodidnotcarryoutthetypeofproductionindicated,etc.
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Sofarwehavedescribed,inbroadstrokes,theresultsofthedeliberationsoftheExtendedEconomicPlenumoftheCNT.Byvirtueofitscontentsanditsproposalsforthefuture,itmaybededucedthatthecenetistashavingrenegedontheirideologicalpatrimonywereconcerned,directlyandindirectly,withreinforcingtheprestigeof
bourgeoisinstitutions,givingthematradeunioncharacteranddenomination.Wesaythisbecausethereaderwillhavenoticedthattheseinstitutionswould,inordertofunctionnormally,havetobelegalizedbytheState;thatis,theStatewouldhavetoapprovetheirstatutesandparticipateintheircontrolandsupervision.Evenassuming,however,thatalltheproposedinitiativesweretobeimplementedundertheaegisoftherevolution,whatperspectivesandwhatbasisdidtheCNTpossessthatwouldleadittobelievethattheStatewouldnotdestroythesecreationsinthesamewaywithamilitaryincursionthattheCollectivesofAragonweredestroyed?AccordingtotheCNT,theseproposals
werebasedonthesolidpurposeofhelpingtowinthewar.Furthermore,inthetextoftheregulationsandintheappealsissuedbythePlenum,afteritsadjournment,totheconfederalorganizations,alllanguageofarevolutionarycharacteriseliminated,withtheintention,ofcourse,thatnoobstaclesshouldbeinterposedbytheauthoritarianstotheimplementationoftheseplans.Thisappealconcludeswiththesewords:Hailtoalltheantifascists,regardlessoftheirotherviews!
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WeareconvincedthattheSpanishworkersmovementmustbereborn,likethePhoenix,inordertoonceagaintake
upitspostinthestruggleforemancipation.Manyseedshavebeensownandthegerminationofrebellionandtheexpressionoftheanarchistidealmustsoonbreakoutwithgreaterforce.TheSpanishpeopleareindomitableandpreserveintheirheartsthehopeforfreedom.Theyarespurredonbytheiryearningforredemptionandthemoralforceoftheirgloriousrevolutionaryhistory,thatmoralforcethatourcomradeP.Minottirecallsinanarticlethatwereadashorttimeagoandinoneofitsparagraphshesays:
Wethereforegranttothesemoralforcesalltheirsplendorandcharacter,duetotheelevatedsignificancetheyimplyinthe
strugglesforliberty,inthevehiclesofouranarchistpropaganda.Itcanneverbetheoffspringofmerewordsorofthemoreorlessbrilliantdemagogyofleaders,ofpoliticiansofeverystripeandcolor,becauseasopposedtotheephemeralandtraitorouswords,intheconscienceofmentheremustbe,firminanarchistideals,ideasofsocialtransformation;themoredismalthepresenttime,themorefirmmustbethemoralforcesoftheanarchists.Theyhavenotbeendestroyed,norhavetheybeenreplacedbythenegativismofhistoricalmaterialism.Weneedtoknowhowtogivethefecundpassionsofthepeopletheirtruefunctionintheprocessofsocialtransformation,which,accordingtothewordsofMikhail
Bakunin,willcreateanewworldfromtheold.
AndwhenthismissionisresumedthecreationofanewworldtheSpanishworkerswill,withtheirgreatrevolutionaryachievements,erasefromhistoryalltheaberrationsandbetrayalsoftheCNT,inordertoaffirmanarchistcommunism.
Chapter20:DefendingtheorientationoftheIWA
20
DefendingtheorientationoftheIWA
Noonecandenythat,oncethefirst
alarmingnewsofthedevelopmentsinSpainhadbeenreceived,thetwosisterorganizationsonbothsidesoftheRíoPlata,theFORAandtheFORU,affiliatesoftheInternationalWorkingmensAssociation,werefilledwithenthusiasmandactivityinordertoreaffirmtheirmoralsolidaritywiththeirSpanishcomrades.Economicsupportwascontributedinaccordancewiththeirmeansandasthecircumstanceallowed.
ButitisalsotruethatoncetheybecameawareofthedeviationsendorsedbythemajorityoftherepresentativesoftheCNT,andsubsequently,thepressureexertedbythelatterontheIWAtoconvincethelattertoacceptandbestow
itsimprimaturonthesedeviations,theyclearlyexpressedtheirdisagreementswiththesedevelopmentsinbothorganizations.
ThisisdemonstratedbytheresolutionsapprovedonquestionspertainingtotheCNTwhich,becauseoftheimpossibilityofsendingdelegatesinpersonwhowouldrepresentboththeFORAandtheFORUattheExtraordinaryCongressoftheIWAheldinParisinDecember1937,weretransmittedinwriting.FromthetextsoftheseresolutionsconcerningtheproblemoftheCNTanditsattitudeandpositionsafterJuly19,weshallquotesomeexcerptsfromatextoftheFORU:
TheFORUunderstandsthattheCongress
oftheIWAmustclearlysetforthitspositionontheSpanishevents.TheFORUdrawsattentiontothefactthatthereisadifferencebetweentheterms,WARandREVOLUTION.Withrespecttothewar,theIWAmustaffirmitstraditionalmissionofopposingallwarsandcombatingthemilitaristspirit,understandingbyWARthestrugglefortheseizureofPoweramongthevariouscapitalistfractions,representedinthevariousfactionsinthegovernment,knownasmonarchists,republicans,socialists,communists,andanyotherismsthatarecurrentlypolarizedaroundthesetwopoles,apparentlyopposed,butbothofwhicharedistinctlyreactionary,andinveterateenemiesofProletarian
emancipation:FASCISMandANTIFASCISM.
Withregardtotherevolution,ontheotherhand,thatis,withregardtotheworkcarriedoutfrombelow,outsideofandagainstallgovernmentalinstitutions,expropriatingpropertywithoutanyhesitationatall,abolishingtheentiresystemofexploitationandtheregimeofwagelabor,theIWAmustcooperatetothefullestextentofitsabilities,forthepurposehelpingtherevolutiontoadvanceasfarasthecircumstancesallow.
ConcerningthedelicateproblemposedbytheCNT,whichwasengenderingconflictwithinthemovementoftheIWAbyengenderingcircumstantially
sympatheticnuclei,giventhedeviationistpositionoftheCNT,theFORUexpresseditsviewsinthefollowingmanner:
WithregardtothenucleithataresympathetictotheIWA,whichexistinvariouscountries,andwhichtheCNTiscurrentlyencouragingtointerveneintheCongress(exceptforthosewhichhavemaintainedaconnectionwiththeAssociationasmemberorganizations),thisisnotthetimetogivethemrights,whentheyhaveforgottentheirmostessentialduties,bycombatingorsabotagingtheorganizationsthatareworkingamongtherankandfileofthemovement,intheirattempttoinfectthesectionsoftheIWAwith
authoritarianism,andwhichonthisoccasion,takingadvantageofourliberality,maneuveredtoformamajority,onethatapprovesofparticipationintheinstitutionsoftheState,whethertemporarilyorpermanently,andthereforedistortingtheprincipledcourseoftheinternationalmovementrepresentedintheIWA.Rather,theattendanceattheCongress,likealltheactsandlaborsoftheInternational,ofnucleiwithanorganiccharacterwhichact,eventemporarily,withinoroutsidethecountriesthatarecurrentlyexperiencingemergencysituations,butinconformancewiththetraditionalfoundationofanarchistmilitancy,whichconfersupontheworkersmovementitstransformative
idealism,weconsiderthattheymusttakeapositionintheentity,sinceinmostcasestheirdisorganizedconditionistheresultofattackslaunchedbythereactionariesandtheopportunists,oftenconcealedbehindreformistordictatorialworkersmovements.Asaresult,andconvincedthatitisameetingofdelegatesofmemberorganizationsaffiliatedwiththeAssociation,devotedtothetaskofelucidatingtheproblemsthataffectthemovement,interestedinstrengtheningandaffirmingitsfundamentalprinciples,withtheelevatedmoralityofmenwhoareguidedbyahigheridealratherthanbasepassions,capableofadmittinganerroriftheyhavecommittedone,wehaveengagedinanexaminationofthe
currentpositionoftheCNT,andthepointsthatareproposedasthebasisfordiscussionattheCongress.
ThepositionoftheFORUattheExtraordinaryCongressissummarizedasfollows:
ConcretizingthethoughtsoftheFORUconcerningthepointsthathavecometoourattention,whichwereproposedbytheCNTtobeincludedontheagendafortheCongress,andalsoconcerningthosewhosecontentsareunknowntous,whichwereproposedbycomradesGalvéandRudiger,whichmakereference,accordingtothesynopsisoftheSecretariatoftheIWA,toareexaminationoftheDeclarationof
PrinciplesandoftheStatutesoftheAssociation,weconsideritadvisabletosetforthasummaryofourviews,inordertoinformthecomradedelegatesattendingthisCongress,andconcerningwhichwewouldverymuchdesiretoreachafreeagreement.Ourviewsare:
1.FraternalacceptancebytheCNTofthecritiquesofitsgovernmentalistactivities,reaffirmingitsadherencetotheDeclarationofPrinciplesoftheIWAanditscommitmenttoactinaccordancewiththem
.
3.APositionStatementbytheIWAconcerningtheSpanishevents,
expressingthedeepestsolidaritywiththerevolutionaryachievements,manifestedinthearmedstruggleandinthesocialexperimentsthathavebeencarriedout,orareintheprocessofbeingimplemented,basedonfreeagreementanddirectaction.Reaffirmationofitsspiritofrejectionofallwars,whichessentiallyinvolvecontentionfordominanceoversystemsofgovernment,inthegameofpoliticaldisputes,toobtainhegemonyovertheres-publica.
4.RejectionofanyrevisionoftheDeclarationofPrinciplesoftheIWA,andaffirmationofthecurrentstructureoftheSecretariat,proposingthatshouldanychangesbecontemplated,theymustfirst
besubmittedtothereviewofthememberorganizations,andtheymustbegivenenoughtimetoissuetheirreports.
FortheFederalCouncil,theSecretary.
Later,fortheOrdinaryCongress,alsoheldinParisin1938,whereparticularattentionwasdevotedtodebatingthetopics,ExaminationandClarificationofthePrinciplesoftheIWAStatutes,andInternationalPracticalNormsofAnarchosyndicalism,theFORUcondenseditsviewsinthefollowingstatements:
RegardingtheExaminationoftheStatutesandtheDeclarationofPrinciplesoftheIWA,theFORUunderstandsthe
needtoaffirmtheexistingPactanditsDeclarationofPrinciples,itsanti-statenormsandpracticesanddirectaction,andifanymodificationisappropriateitwouldbeforthepurposeofmakingitmoreconsistentwiththefederalistcharacterofthemovementuponwhichtheInternationalWorkingmensAssociationisbasedandinwhichtheanarchistgoaloftheIWAisembodied.
SixteenyearsafterthefoundingoftheIWA,theheiroftheFirstInternationalthatBakunin,Reclús,Lorenzoandsomanyothercomradesworkedtocreate,andwhichattheCongressofSaint-Imierin1872acquireditsowndistinctivecharacterwiththeapprovalofananti-
statist,anti-politicalandrevolutionarydeclarationduringitsproceedings,allofwhichwasreaffirmedatthefoundingCongressofthecurrentIWAthattookplacein1922inBerlin,whichrangedusagainstthereformismofsocialdemocracy,themasteroftheAmsterdamInternational,thelatterthereforebeingsubordinatedtotheebbandflowofitsstatistandlegalaction,andalsoagainsttheRedTradeUnionInternationalofMoscow,anobligatoryappendageoftheBolshevikParty,victoriousinRussia,thusdistinguishingtheIWAastheonlylibertarianandemancipatoryInternational,diametricallyopposedtothecentralizingmechanismofthesecorporatebodies,whicharesubjecttothe
directivesofpoliticalMarxismandtoitsmaterialistconceptofthestrugglesoftheproletariat,ourAssociation,althoughithasrecentlyexperiencedadeclineinthenumberofitsadherents,duetothepersecutionsenduredbyitsaffiliatedorganizationsinvariouscountries,itsprestigeanditspossibilitieshavebeengreatlyincreased,becausetheworkers,tiredoflegalagitation,whichonlyservestobolsterthestrengthofcapitalismandtheState,areturningtowardsthemethodsandpracticesadvocatedbytheIWA,andthatiswhyitissoessentialtointensifypropagandaamongalltheworkers,aboutthemeaningofitstacticsofstruggle,andthecontentofitsDeclarationofPrinciples,puttingmore
emphasisonitssyndicalistdimensiontoinfluencetheiractivities,positingAnarchistCommunismasthefinalgoal,highlightingthecomprehensivehumanmeaningthatinspiresthememberorganizationsoftheAssociation,toadvocateformsofsociallifebasedonmutualaidandfreeagreement,outsideofthepoliticalandeconomicsystemswhosereasonforexistenceisbasedoncapitalistexploitationandonthetyrannyoftheState,regardlessoftheformofthelatter,bourgeoisorproletarian,sincebothareupheldbytheAuthorityofbayonets.
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TheFORofArgentinasentthefollowingproposedresolutionsconcerningthe
questionoftheCNTmentionedabovetotheOrdinaryCongressoftheCNTheldinParisinDecember1938:
FOURTHPOINT.Everydeclarationofprincipleshas,ofcourse,atheoreticalmeaning,sinceitspurposeistoarticulateaspirationsorproposalsforthefulfillmentofanyparticularmovement;declarationsofprinciples,however,nomatterhowbrilliantandrelevanttheymaybe,areabsolutelyworthlessiftheinstitutionorthemovementthatadoptsthemiscontenttorestrictthemtoanexistenceonpaperbutdoesnotseektorealizethemtothegreatestpossibleextent,adjustingitsdevelopmentanditstacticstotheirmeaning.Itisforthis
reasonthat,fromthepointofviewoftheFORA,whichtriestoalwaysremainfaithfultothemessageofitsprinciples,declarationsofprinciplesdonotrepresentapurelytheoreticalexposition,butratheraline,apointofperspectivethatfixesthecourseofamovement;alineandapointofperspectivefromwhichonecannotdeviatewithoutfallingintoirresponsibility,andtowhichitisnecessarytoadaptthemeaningoftacticsandmilitancy.
Withoutthiszealandthisfaithfulnesstowhichthedeclarationofprinciplesappeals,itistobeunderstoodthatprinciplescanbesetasideandthatthemilitancyanddailyactivitiesofthe
movementswouldfollowthepathofpossibilismandcontingency.WhenthedeclarationofprinciplesupheldbytheIWAwasdrafted,theFORAtooktheopportunitytoexpressitsopinionsandtomakeproposalsthroughitsdelegates,andwecantodayexpresswithsatisfactionthatthemeaningoftheprincipledpositionswhichinformedthoseopinionsandproposalsofours,havenotchangedintheleast.Rathertothecontrary,theeventsofthelastfewyearshavecontributedtothereaffirmationoftheconceptadvocatedbytheFORAregardingthismatter.Thisiswhy,confrontedwithaninvitationlikethisonethatcallsforaclarificationandexaminationofthedeclarationof
principlesoftheIWA,weunderstandthateverythingthatmightbedoneinthisrespectcanonlybeacceptedwhenitreaffirmsthepostulatesofemancipationthatconstitutethedirectionandgoalofourstruggles;andalsoinviewofthefactthatinthissensethereisnothingsuperiortothedeclarationofprinciplesoftheFORA,ortoitsmethodsofstruggleanditssystemoforganization,werejectanyattemptthatisdirectedinthesenseofintroducingmodificationsthatwouldtendtodiminishtheanti-state,anti-politicalandanti-collaborationistpositionthatmustbetheguidingbeaconforalltheactionsandactivitiesoftheIWA.
FIFTHPOINT.Consideringthatevery
statuteisalwaysincompatiblewiththefederalistprincipleandwiththefreeagreementthatwehaveadutytopracticeinalldimensionsofouractivitiesinordertoenabletheworkerstoexercisethesesameprinciples,andalsoforthepurposethat,asaresultofthisconsequence,theywillbeinstilledwiththefaithintheidealsofthemovement,itisouropinionthatthereshouldbenootherstatutesfortheIWAotherthanthoseagreementsanddecisionsmadebyitscongressesandassemblies.
SIXTHPOINT.WithregardtotheissuediscussedinourFourthPoint,theFORAcannotconceiveofatacticthatwouldnotbeconditionedbyitstheory,thatis,byits
declarationofprinciples.Thatiswhy,sincethefirstmeetingoftherevolutionarysyndicaliststhatledtothefoundingoftheIWA,theFORAhasplacedspecialemphasisonitsdeclarationofprinciplesandonitsconceptofsyndicalism,understandingthatthelattermustnecessarilybeconditionedbytheformer.TheFORAsetforthitsconceptionconcerningthismatterintheminutesthatitpresentedtothemeeting,andithasreaffirmedthisconceptatallthecongressesormeetingsthathavetakenplacesincethen.Todayouropinionhasnotchanged.Westillthinkthatworkingclasssyndicalismwithitstacticofdirectstruggle,conditionedbyasuperiordeclarationofprinciples,
constitutesaninvincibleweaponinthehandsoftheproletariat;wethinkthatthisweaponcannotbeabandonedaslongastheregimeofexploitationandtyrannythatweighsuponthepeoplesendures;butweconsiderthat,withregardtotheinterpretationofaregimeofequalityandsocialjustice,ourhopesforworkingclasssyndicalismcanonlybeembodiedinadeclarationofprinciplessuchasweadvocate,whichassuresforthefutureaneraofeconomicequalityandfreedomofexpressionthroughtheestablishmentofCommunismandAnarchy.ThisisthesocialgoaloftheFORAanditisalsothesocialgoaloftheIWAifwetakeintoaccountthefactthatinitsdeclarationofprinciplesLibertarianCommunism
figuresastheleadingaspirationofitsstruggles.WeconsiderthatallofthisiswellknowntoallthosewhohavehadtheopportunitytogettoknowthenatureoftheFORAwithintheIWA.Wethereforedonotthinkitisnecessarytoinsistonthis.Weshallonlysayspecificallyandevenatthepriceofsuccumbingtotheviceofredundancy,thatsyndicalismmustadaptitstacticsofstruggleaswellasitssystemoforganizationtothesocialgoalthathasbeensetforthinitsdeclarationofprinciples.
Chapter21:TheFederationofCollectivesofAragon
21
TheFederationofCollectivesofAragon
OneofthemostfruitfulexperimentsconductedbytheanarchistsduringthefirstmonthsofthewarinSpainwasundoubtedlytheFederationofCollectivesofAragon,wherethetransformationofcapitalistsocietyintoasystemofsociallifecharacterizedbysolidarityandjusticewastosomeextentactuallyrealized.
DespiteallthecompromisesandbackroomdealswiththeMarxistpoliticians,alifeoffreedom,mutualaidandcommunallaborwasassayedinAragon.ThepeasantsofAragon,whohadalonghistoryofrebellion,wererapidlyabletoappreciatethedifference
ofthemethods,thepracticalityoftheanarchistideasandthenobilityofthesocialstructurewithoutmasters,localpoliticalbosses,priestsorexploiters.
ItistruethatinAragon,theauthorityprinciplewasnottotallyeliminated,sincetheanarchists,intheirsuicidalofferofcooperationandalliancewiththepoliticians,allowedthepreservationofdisguisedstateformsintheCouncilofDefense,butitmustbeacknowledgedthattheymadethelandlordsandfeudallordsdisappearinordertocollectivizethelandforthosewhoworkedonit.
Aswesaidpreviously,however,thehealthycontentmentandsatisfactionoftheAragonesepeasantswouldnotlast
verylong,becausethegovernmentthathadfledto[sic:from]MadridandwasrebornwiththeparticipationoftheministerialistsoftheCNTandtheFAIinValencia,whosepresident,underthecircumstancesbyorderofRussia,whichwaspressuredtodosobythedemocraticpowerswasthepuppetNegrín,decidedtoabolishthelastvestigesofthesocialrevolution,theCollectivesofAragon,anddispatchedanexpeditionaryforceunderthecommandofthecommunistListertodothebiddingofinternationalcapitalismandtheantifascistpowers.
Thismaneuver,whichwasurgentlyimplemented,isdescribed,withrealbitterness,bycomradeAscaso,inan
interviewwithajournalistforLeReveil,ofGeneva,excerptsfromwhichwereproducebelow:
Naturally,wehelddiscussions,weexaminedthedanger,wemetmorethanonce,butmoderationandawaitandseeattitude,andadesiretofindacompromisesolution,alwaysprevailed.Itwasnecessarytoholddiscussions,toconciliate,tomakeadealwithNegrín,togotoValencia,tomeetwiththevariousministers,etc.Andthenalwaystowait,nottobecomealarmed,nottorespondtoprovocations,inordertoexperienceadebacle,whichwastheinevitableresultofsuchmethods.
AsIalreadytoldyou,Iandthefivecomradeswho,withme,formedthemajorityoftheCouncilofAragon,allagreed.Wewouldhaveresisted,wewouldhaveremainedatourpostsandassumedresponsibilityforwhateverwouldhavehappened.RegardlessofthedefeatistpositionoftheCNT,wewouldhavedefendedourCouncilwitharmsinhand,becausethatishowweunderstoodtherevolutionandwearestilltothisdaythesameanarchistsandrevolutionariesthatwewereinthepast.AndIwilltellyouevenmore,soyouwillunderstandtherefinedJesuitismofthepoliticians.WhileIwasinValenciaonanurgentmission,havingbeengivenassurances
thatwecouldcometoanagreement,thedivisioncommandedbythesinisterLister,thecommunist,marchedonCaspe,andIwasarrestedatthegatesofValencia,afterhavingspokentotheministers.IamsurethatifIhadbeenabletoreachCaspe,ListerwouldnothavebeenabletodissolveourCouncil,sincealltheconfederaldivisionswereatourdisposal.
ThatishowtheexperimentoftheAragonesecollectivesended,which,whiletheymayhavesufferedfromseriousoperationaldefects,setthestandardthatshowedthattheanarchistidealhadceasedtobeautopiainordertoinstillinthemindsofthepeasantsthe
convictionthatthecapitalistsystemhaddeniedthemtherighttoLife.
Chapter22:Theunderhandedmachinationsofinternationaldiplomacy
22
Theunderhandedmachinationsofinternationaldiplomacy
Thecenetistaandfaístabureaucracy,initsclumsyandridiculousattempttojustifyitsbetrayalsanditscollaborationwiththeState,conceivedtheargumentthatitwasnecessarytosupportCompanysinCataloniaandthereforetoobeyandupholdthepowerofthecentralgovernmentaswellwhosePresidentwas
Azańasothat,onthesurface,SpainwouldgivetheappearancetothediplomatsofthedemocraticgovernmentsofacountryruledinaccordancewiththelegalandpoliticalnormsinherenttoanywellconstitutedState,sothatthesecountrieswouldmakeweapons,munitionsandotherurgentlyneededmaterielavailabletotheantifascistalliance.
ItisnotnecessarytoopenthebookthattellsthestoryoftheobscurediplomaticplotsandmachinationsoftheantifascistpowersagainstrepublicanSpain,whichweresoclearlyrevealedbythegraveeventsthattookplaceinthose30monthsoffratricidalwar,inordertoaffirmthat
thetranscendentalresolutionoftheCNTandtheFAItoallowthewholedilapidatedstructureoftheSpanishstatetoremainstanding,inordertoobtainmoralsupportandarmsfromthedemocracies,wasmerelyacrudepretexttoconcealtheirabsolutelackofanarchistconvictions;theircowardiceinthefaceoftheshockingspectacleoftheawakeningoftheIberianproletarianmultitudes;theirwell-dissimulatedambitiousfantasiesandtheirboundlessauthoritariancareerism.Foritisnotpossibletosupposethatduringthosemomentstheyhadforgottenthepastofopprobriumanddespotismthatthesenationshadbehindthem,onethatisidenticalwithregardtoviolentmethods
andservileendstothebehaviorcurrentlymanifestedbythetotalitarianstatesastheprizeofconquestbyimposinghumiliationontheCzech,Ethiopian,Austrian,Albanianandotherpeoples.
Francehasusedtheguillotineonitsrebels.IthasenslavedthepeoplesofAfrica,whereitimposes,byforceofarms,Europeancivilization.
EnglandhasdemonstrateditsbarbarousproceduresofadaptationinthebloodywaragainsttheBoers,inTransvaal,andrulesoverIndia,Palestine,andothervast,andwealthy,regions.
TheUnitedStatesflaunts,initslongreactionaryhistory,theredblemishofthe
ChicagoMartyrs.ItelectrocutedSaccoandVanzettiandithasimposeditsmilitaryandeconomicdominanceonvariouslittlerepublicsinSouthAmerica.Russia,which,byanironyoflanguage,isdenominatedbyitspaidpanegyristsasthevanguardofdemocracy,hasarigidandcrueldictatorshipoftheproletariat;thereisnofreedomofassemblyorspeechandtheonlypressistheofficialstatepress.
However,evenifweweretoassumethattheirmemorieshadproventobeunreliable,thesuspiciouseventsthatweretakingplacetherefusaltodeliverthetraincarsfullofammunitioninIrún;theinitiativeoftheleaderoftheFrench
cabinet,thesocialistBlum,toformthefamousNon-InterventionCommittee,whichresultedinatightblockadeonthecoastsofloyalistSpain;thefallofthecabinetpresidedoverbyLargoCaballero,orderedbyRussiawiththeacquiescenceofFranceandEngland;thesurrenderofMálaga,Bilbao,Santander,etc.,withoutafight,withoutdestroyingthemachineryoftheminesorthearmamentsfactories;thepresenceintheportofBarcelonaofEnglishandFrenchwarshipsduringtheMayDaysof1937,whentheMarxistsweremurderingtheanarchistsinordertoimposetheircompletedominationovertheworkersRepublic;therefusaltosendarmstotheAragonfront;theBolshevizationofthe
antifascistarmy,anditsinfiltrationbylargenumbersoftechnicians,allcommunists;thecontrolexercisedbythecommunistsoverthefrontierwithFrance;thedissolutionoftheDefenseCommitteeandtheagrariancollectivesofAragon;theinterventionofthearmyofPortugalanallyofEnglandalongsideFrancoshordes;thetransport,rightunderthenosesoftheEnglishandtheFrench,ofthousandsofvolunteerssentbyMussoliniandHitler,withouttheirknowledgeandwithoutthembeingdetected;thebombingofSpanishcitiesandtownsbyGermanandItalianairplanes,fueledwithRussiangasoline;andmanyothergraveandsymptomaticeventsdiditneveroccurtothebrilliant
mindsofthemenofresponsibilityoftheCNTandtheFAItobeconcernedwithinvestigatingjustwheretheiringenuousness,goodfaithandzealtomakeallianceswiththeauthoritarianpoliticiansunitedintheantifascistblocandwiththedemocraticnationshadledandwasleadingthem?
Themachinationsandbackdoorplotsbeinghatchedinthechancelleriesoftheantifascistcountrieswerenomystery,maneuverstendingtoeliminatethedangerthatwasrepresented,forthegovernmentsandcapitalistsofthetotalitariannationsaswellasalltheotherones,bytherevolutionarywavespearheadedbytheanarchistsofthe
IberianPeninsula.TierrayLibertad,ofBarcelona,initsissueofMarch20,1937,said:
Internationalcapitalismhasnowallthatdividesthefascistcapitalistsfromthedemocraticcapitalists,orthemonarchistsfromtheliberals,therightistsfromtheleftists.IthasitsgreatcentersinLondonandinNewYork,inBerlinandinParis,inRomeandinBuenosAires,inTokyoandinGeneva,inallthegreatcapitalsoftheglobe.
Santillánclaimed:
So-calledloyalistSpaincollapsedasaresultofourvictoryofJuly19,undertheinfluenceoftheimperialistconstellation
oftheallegedlydemocraticpowers.EnglandandFrance,withthediplomaticallianceofRussia,werenotveryconcerned,ornotatallconcerned,withtheprospectofafascistSpain;buttheywereveryconcernedaboutthepossibilityofarevolutionarySpain.
Furthermore,thepacifistinitiativesoftheEnglishpoliticianMr.EdenwereverywellknowninSpain,initiativeswhichentailedtherestorationoftheBourbonmonarchy.TheresultsofthegrotesqueMunichConferencewerealsoknown,where,withthemutualagreementofthefourgreatpowers,thedisappearanceofCzechoslovakiawasdecided.TheeffortsoftheEnglishprimeministeronbehalfof
pacificationwerealsowellknown,whomsomehumoristsdepictedwithanopenumbrella;andnoonewasunawareofthefactthatEnglishdiplomacybydividingcountriesuporsurrenderingthemdominatestheworld;whichhelpedtransformMussoliniintoaNapoleon;whichpreferredandhelpedbringaboutFrancosvictory;whichreceivedtheprotestofPortugalagainstfascistinterferenceand
thatisalreadyenough.Thedemocraticandtotalitarianpowersseeminglyatloggerheadsthusfulfilledtheirmissiontosavehumanity,providingthemeanstomakepossiblethestabbingintheback,theimprisonmentandtheshootingofthe
anarchistsofSpainandtoday,theymustbesavoring,satisfiedandinunison,thetragictasktheyaccomplishedintheIberianregions,bymeansofthehostsofFranco.
***
Nowthattheechoofthemilitarybugles,theroarofthecannons,thestaccatotappingofthemachineguns,thebuzzofthebombers,theheartrendingcriesofthewoundedandthethumpofhumanbodieshittingtheSpanishsoil,nevertoriseagain,hasjustrecentlybeensilenced,onceagainthefourhorsemenoftheApocalypsearegallopingoverthefieldsofEurope.AttilareturnsintheformofMars.
Onceagain,thebrutalanddestructiveargumentofcombatweaponsisemployed:tanks,planes,gas,armor,flamethrowersandtoxicliquids,etc.,inordertodeterminethepoliticalandeconomicpeckingorderamongthecapitalistpowers.Itisthusthatthemadmenofabsolutistsensualism,theunbalancedanddangerousagentsofinternationaldiplomacyandthearmsmanufacturershaveonceagainledthepeoplesofoldEurope,afterhavingintoxicatedthemwiththeopiumofpatriotism,toahecatombthatisevengreaterthantheonethatstartedin1914,whichcostmillionsoflivesandleftinitswakemillionsofinvalids,orphansand
insanepeople.InalloralandwrittenpropagandawenotethefatefulduoCapitalandtheStateasthefactorsthatareresponsibleforthepainfulandDantesquespectaclethatwebeholdasspectatorsfromadistance,althoughtheirrefutableargumentsthatwehavealwaysmadetotheworkersinordertopointwiththefingerofaccusationatthecausalfactorsofthiscollectivecrimeandofourmisfortunes,sacrificesandmiseries,willnotatthepresenttimeproduceanygreaterreflectiveeffectinthemindsofthepeople,sincethelatteraredominatedbywarfever,whichthebourgeoispressinjectsintothemonadailybasis.Wemustrepeat,however,thatthosewhotodayunleashthe
whirlwindofpassions,ofhatredandoflimitlesscrueltyontheEuropeanpeoples,arestillhidingbehindfalseappearances,seekingtoappearasmessengersofpeaceandsaviorsofhumanity.
Itislogicaltostate,then,thateverypersonwithanaltruisticspiritandnoblesentimentsmustfeeldespondentinthefaceoftheimpressivesceneofcruelty,martyrdomanddestructionthatiscurrentlytakingshapeinEurope,andmustunitetheirreproachwithouranathemaagainstthiscrimeagainsthumanitysignifiedbythewar,joiningtheoutcriesofthemothers,sisters,childrenandelderlyparentswhowillbethesacrificialvictimsofthecurrentmadness
ofwar.
That,then,istheanathemawepronounceagainstallwars.
Chapter23:Ourpress
23
Ourpress
WhenIrefertoourpress,inSouthAmerica,inordertocallattentiontothepreachingofanarchistdoctrinesthatistenaciouslybeingcarriedoutbythenewspapers,OrganizaciónObrera,theorganoftheFORofArgentina,andSolidaridad,thatoftheFORofUruguay,wearenotguidedbyasenseofclosed-mindedexclusivism.Thereasonwhyweexpressitthiswayisthefactthatthesenewspapershavebeenabletokeepabreastofthecircumstancesandevents,
fearlesslycriticizingthecenetistasandfaístasatfirstfortheirdeviations,andthenfortheirideologicalbetrayals,keepingtheproletarianranksandtheanarchistmilitantsinformedofthesetrends,sothattheyshouldnotbeinfectedwiththeconfusionistvirusthatthedisastrousactionsofthosecomradeshasdisseminatedandsothattheproletariansandtheanarchistmilitantsshouldconcernthemselvesasamatterofthegreatestimportancewithlearningallthedetailsaboutthesedevelopments,inordertobreachthecordonsanitairethathasbeenorganizedonaninternationalscalebytheanarchistswhohaveimplementedtheseconstructiveandinnovativeexperiments.
Itistrue,ofcourse,thatthisworthyandnobleattitudeofourpresshasinducedenormousdiscontentintheranksofopportunismandthatithasearnedbitterreproachesandmuchantipathy.Someothernewspapersonlyaveryfewpublishedbyotheranarchistgroupshavealsoconfrontedtheconfusedsituationbroughtaboutbytheseeventsandcriticizedfromanelevatedvantagepointthecenetistaandfaístadiscoveries.
Weshallreproducethefollowingexcerptsfromtwoarticlesfromourpress,whichdemonstratetheclearandplainlyanarchistorientationoftheeditorialpolicyofthenewspapersmentionedabove:
Inissueno.55ofOrganizaciónObrerathefollowingthoughtfularticleappeared:
ThefeeblehopesthatwerenourishedconcerningapossiblefavorablechangeinthesituationoftheSpanishrepublicaretotallydissipatinginamostspectacularfashion.Inreality,consideringthewaythingsaregoingandinviewofhowthepeaceprocessisbeingprepared,onemightsaythatthedestinyofSpain,althoughnotfinallydetermined,hasnowbeencast,sincetheeventsofthelastfewdays,bothregardtothepoliticalaswellasthemilitaryaspect,leavenoroomfordoubt.Spain,althoughitispainfulforustosaythis,willdefinitelybesacrificedtothecapriceofthedictatorsandtothe
interestofbiginternationalcapitalism.
However,anddespitesuchasorrowfulconclusion,wemustpointoutthatnoneofthegreateventsofthiscentury,includingtheRussianRevolution,havecontributedagreatermassofexperiencesthantheSpanishconflict,sinceapartfromthedeepsocialsignificanceitacquiredduringitsveryfirstmoments,thecivilwarthatisnowcomingtoanendhasbeenrichinfactsandexamplesofeverykindandmagnitude.
Indeed.InSpain,toanextentseennowhereelseintheworld,wehavewitnessedthedegreetowhichpeoplearecapableofsacrificeandheroism.Alongsidethis,however,wehavealso
witnessedtheextenttowhichthesufferingandsacrificeofthepeople,whosefateisnowbeingsealed,wascynicallymanipulated.Forapartfromthebetrayalsthatpertaintothiscase,thedeceptionhasinthisinstancebeensorealthatitwillbedifficultforitsperpetratorstovindicatethemselvesbeforetheserenejudgmentofhistory,muchlessbeforetheharshjusticeofthepeoplesoftheworldwhomightdemandonanot-too-distantfuturedatethatthosewhoarenowitsleadersshouldprovideanexplanationfortheiractions.ThetruthisthatthedramaofSpainisnowcomingtoanendwiththegreatestbetrayalofourtimeandthatthisunprecedentedbetrayalistheresponsibilityofallthosewhohelpedto
causethisvaliantpeopletosetasidetheirrevolutionaryimpulsesofthefirstfewmomentsofthecivilwarandinsteadentrusttheirdestiniestothedemocraticpolicythatalltheirleaderswereadvisingthemtoadopt.
Wewillnotsayanythingnew,atleastnotforthosecomradeswhohavetriedtokeepinformedandtostudytheunfoldingeventsofthisconflict.Ifwesay,however,thatthepeoplewhofoughtonthesideoftherepublicangovernmenthavenotbeendefeated,weareonlysheddinglightonarealitythatnothingornoonecanrefuteordeny.AndweshallalsomentionanincontrovertibletruthwhenwesaythattheSpanishpeople,
afterhavingbeensuitablypacifiedanddomesticated,hasbeenmiserablysurrendered:bymeansofthedeceptionpracticedbyallthosewholedit,firstinordertoconceal,andthenlatertoannihilatetheirrevolutionoutoffearoflosingthegoodwillofthegreatdemocraticnations
whicharenowpayingthembackfortheirsacrificesbysurrenderingthemunconditionallytofascism.Isitnotclearthatthebetrayalfromtheoutsidecausedthisandmadepossiblethisdeliberatedomesticationofthepeople?Yes,thatisthetruth,thetruththatcannotbeconcealedwithphrasesortalkofcircumstances
.
TheSpanishpeoplelosttheirnaiveconfidenceintheirleaders.Althoughtheywereheroicandself-abnegatinglikenootherpeople,theSpanishpeoplewerestilltoochildlike.Theytrustedtoomuchintheoldstatistandpoliticallies.TheyweretoldthatitwasnecessarytoupholddemocracyandthefictionoftheState,butbyreestablishingthedemocracyandonceagainputtingthestatebackonitsfeet,bothturnedagainstthemandstabbedthemintheback.
If,insteadofsuppressingitsimpulsesofthefirstmoments,ithadencouragedthepeopletocontinuetoengageinthedestructionofeverythingthatstoodinthe
wayofitsdesiresforarapiddefeatoftherebelsandintheprocessradicallytransformlifethroughoutSpain;ifithadtaughtthepeoplethatitsrevolutionaryconquestscouldonlybedefendedbyundertakingnewandmoreadvancedconquests;ifithadtaughtthepeoplethatthenewlegislationofjustice,evenifitwaspromulgatedbyaworkingclassminister,wasnothingbutaskillfulmaneuverintendedtoinjectnewlifeintheregimethatwasinitsdeaththroes;inshort,ifithadtoldtheSpanishpeoplethatbytransformingitsrevolutionarystruggleintoasimplewarfornationalindependenceanoutrageousmaneuverthatonlybroughttheunitarymilitarycommandandthemilitarizationofthe
armyintheoldstylemeantthebeginningoftheendofalltheiremancipatoryefforts,itiscertainthatthefateofSpainwouldhavebeendifferentthanwhatisnowintheoffing,despitethefactthatatthistimethereistalkofanhonorablepeace.
Notall,however,islostinSpain.Theoldpromisesofanarchismbothwithregardtoitsconceptionoftherevolutionarystruggle,aswellasinrelationtoitsclassicalpositionagainsttheStateandeverythingthathelpstoupholdthepresentregime,hasnotsufferedanykindofsetback.Tothecontrary,realityhasassumedresponsibilityforonceagainconfirmingthateverythingthepeople
havedonethatisnotinaccordancewiththoseprincipleshasbeeninvain,andproducednegativeresults,although,asinthecaseofSpain,thepeopleperformedprodigiesofgloryinthegreateststruggleofourtimes.
ItisaterriblelessonthatSpainhastaughtusatthecostofenormoussacrifices.Letushopethatthislessonisheededbythepeoplesoftheworld!
***
IntheissueoftheFORUsSolidaridadforthefirsttwoweeksofOctober1937,weread:
Althoughitmightseemsurprisingto
manycomradeswhoviewtheseproblemsfromanobjectivestandpoint,theentryoftheCNT-FAIintothegovernmentministriesofValenciaandBarcelona,aswellastheallianceswiththeanti-anarchistmovements,werenotreallytheconsequencesoftheneedtodealwithspecialcircumstances,butresultedfromthelackofanarchistconvictionsamongtheprincipalarchitectsofthesepolicies;fromthefactthattheywerenotcompletelyliberatedfromthestatistprinciple,andtheessentialfunctionthatbytheirverynaturetheorgansoftheStateperform;fromtheveryfactthattheyevenadmittedthepossibilitythattheemancipatoryprojectcouldbeservedfromtheinstitutionsoftheState,ifonly
theseinstitutionsweretobecomposedofmenofgoodfaith,ofanarchists,thusdenyingtheessentialprinciplesofanarchism,elaboratedontheindestructiblebasisoftheconclusionsarrivedatfromtheundeniablefactsthathistoryhasprovidedus.
Inbrief,weshallnotresorttoclaimingthatthemisnamedgovernmentalanarchistsandthemenwhosoughttojustifytheirpolicies,eveniftheysayitwasallanexperiment,arebasicallytotallylackinginanyanarchistbeliefsquitethecontrary:theyarebasicallyauthoritarians,theydenythecreativecapacityofthepeople,frombelow(thebasisofanarchism)and
attributemoreliberatorycapacitytoactionfromabove,bymeansofcommitteesorotherinstitutionsthat,withoutorevenagainstthewilloftheworkers,dictate,notinitiativestobestudiedbyallwithequalconditionsandrights,butindisputableorders,whichmustbeobeyed,regardlessofwhetherornottheyrespondtotheneedsoftheoppressed,concerningwhichandthisistheotherbasisofanarchismitcannotbeconceivedthatthereisanygeniuswhocanregulatetheneedsandaspirationsofthepeople,butthatthelatterwillrealizetheirneedsandaspirationsonlybywayoftheexerciseoftheircompleteliberty;whenthisexerciseoflibertyislacking,thenthecreativeinitiativeandcapacityof
thepeopletostruggleagainsttheoppressorsandtoorganizelifeinsuchawayastosatisfytheirmaterialandspiritualneeds,then,werepeat,thiscapacitywillbeemasculated,becauseitwillbesuspendedinexpectationofdeedsthataretobecarriedoutbysaviors.Thisanti-libertarianlabor,unfortunately,iswhathasbeenaccomplishedbythoseanarchistswhojoinedthegovernment,supportedbythosewhoplacedmorefaithintheindispensablementhantheydidintheworkingpeople.
Theargumentthatjoiningthegovernmentwasdoneforthepurposeofpreventingtheinterventionofthegovernmentsofothercountries,sothatit
wouldappeartointernationalcapitalismthatitsinterestswerebeingsafeguarded,butthatwhattheywerereallydoingwassafeguardingtherevolution,couldnotbemorepuerile,sinceitcannotbeassumed,muchlessbythecapablemenwhojoinedthegovernment,thatinternationalcapitalismissostupidastonotknowhowtodistinguishwhetheragovernmentwasfictitiousorreal;ifitwasfictitiousthentheinterventionofarmedforcethateveryoneindisputablysoughttopreventwouldhavetakenplace,untilthefictitiousgovernmentshouldeitherbecomearealone,oruntilitisreplacedbyanotherthatreallyguaranteesitsinterestsandthoseoftheSpanishcapitalists,forwhichbothwillworkin
unison,duetotheidentityoftheirinterestsandideasofsocialorganization,establishingregimesthatwerefundamentallybased,althoughtheiroutwardformsvaried,onthesubjectionoftheworkerstotheexploitationoftheemployers,thusassuringtheexistenceoftheiriniquitiesandobnoxiousprivileges.
Tounderstandthisquestioninanyotherwayreflectsintellectualshortsightedness,regardlessofhowintellectualitsproponentsmayconsiderthemselvesandyouwillpardonusfortheheresythatsemi-literateworkerswouldbesoirreverenttowardstheeliteofrevolutionaryintellectualismorelsebespeaksofalackofcouragethatis
neededbymentoconfronttheconsequencesthateveryrevolutionbringsinitswakeandthereshouldnotbeanyrevolutionarieswhohavenotstudiedthisprobleminadvance.
Anyonewho,formanyyears,hascarriedoutpropagandainfavoroftherevolutionanddoesnotexpectthispropagandatobearfruit,wouldbelikeaparrotwhoautomaticallyspeakswordswithouttheleastunderstandingofwhattheymean.
Itispossiblethatthesemenhavesufferedfromthosetwogreatmisfortunesfortherevolution:alackofanarchistconvictionsandthesimultaneouslackofpersonalfortitudetoassumetheresponsibilitythattheoutbreakofaprofoundsocial
revolutionentails.
Wethink,however,thatitisthefirstoftheseshortcomings,whichdeterminedtheanti-revolutionarypositionthatthesemenhaveassumedandstillsupport.Ourviewisbasedonthefactthatweunderstandthatthereisnosuchthingasspontaneousgeneration,butthateverythingthathappenshasitsdevelopmentalprocess,untilitreachesitsculmination,whencircumstantialfactorscontributetoitsfullemergence.
Assumingthisisthecase,itislogicaltoexpectthatatthemomentwhentheSpanisheventscompelledthesementotakeadefiniteattitude,anarchistorstatist,theyplacedthemselvesonthe
terrainthatconformedmostcloselywiththesocialconceptionthatexistedinthedeepestrecessesoftheirsouls.Theythereforedemonstratedthattheideaoflibertythattheyhaddisseminatedforsomanyyearswasonlyathinveneerthatconcealedtheauthoritariansoulthatexistedinthedepthsoftheirbeing.
Thisassertioniscorroboratedbythefactthatthespecialcircumstancestheyinvokedbecamepermanentcircumstances,andneitherthecrimescommittedwithimpunityagainstlargecontingentsofself-sacrificinglibertariansbytheso-calledantifascists,northerefluxoftherevolutionduetotheworkopenlycarriedouttostranglethe
revolutionbytheleftwingpoliticalparties,evenwhiletheypersistedintheirobstinateordishonestattemptstobeadmittedtothegovernment,sothatfromtheirposts
theycouldcontinuetosupporttheprogressoftherevolution,withoutnotingthattheworkoftheanarchistministersinthegovernmentactuallycontributedtotheeffectivenessofthecurrentjusticesysteminitsprogramofimprisoningandexecutingamultitudeofourcomrades.
WeshallhelpthecauseoftheSpanishrevolutionwithallourabilities,butweshalldosowithoutabandoningourpositions,meaningtherevolutionarycause,theeffortsofthepeoplewhoare
fightingonthebasisofdirectaction,ontheopenlyanti-stateterrain,alwaysworkingfromthebottomup,astrugglethatisdirectedtowardsthecompletedestructionofallbureaucracyandprivileges,establishingformsofsociallifethatwillguaranteeintegralemancipationfromeverykindofexploitationandtyranny.
Chapter24:Sterilesacrifices
24
Sterilesacrifices
ItisnotourintentiontoexalttotheheavenstheactionsofcourageandheroismcarriedoutbytheanonymousmilitiamenoftheSpanishpeopleandespecially,theactionsoftheanarchistsduringtheepicassaultsagainstthereactionaryforcesofFranco,reinforcedbythevolunteerssentbythetotalitarianStatesandPortugal,becausethiswouldonlyservetobolsterthewarfeverthatwasinoculatedclumsilyandwithirresponsiblestubbornnessbythe
supermenoftheCNTandtheFAIintotheranksoftheantifascistcombatants.
Therehavealreadybeenmanybookspublishedbywritersofacknowledgedintellectualprestige,andmanymoreareonthewaywiththevisiblesignsofhavingsurrenderedtothedictatesofprofitthatcontainachronologicalandexuberantdescriptionofthisdisagreeableandheartrendingaspectoftheSpanishproblem,andmostofthemarenarratives,saccharineandsentimental,insteadofpolemicalorcriticalworks.
Despitethiscircumstance,itisourdutytosincerelyrenderajusthomagetorecordthevaliantandself-sacrificingconductofsomanyhundredsof
thousandsofanarchistmilitantswho,ledbytheirrebelspiritandspurredonbythenobleandcompassionateidealofredemptionthattheyexpressedbytheirwordsandwhichbeatsintheirproletarianhearts,facedtheemissariesofMarswithbaredbreasts,inordertoofferuptheirlivesinsacrificefortheemancipationofthehumanspecies.
IntheassaultsontheMontanaBarracksinMadridandontheAtarazanasBarracksinBarcelona,attheinternationalbridgeinIrún,inSanSebastián,inthesiegeofAlcázarinToledo,ontheparapetsoftheCiudadUniversitaria,inGuadalajara,inthereconquestofTeruel,Belchiteand
Quinto,inthemountainsofAsturias,inGijónandOviedo,inthegenerousdeedsofthesuicidebattalions,intheepicresistanceofPuigcerdáandfinally,inalltheregionsofSpain,fallingsilentforever,cutdownbythemercenariesmachineguns,manygoodandvaliantanarchistcomradesdied.
Oursenseofhonoralsoobligesustoacknowledgetheenormoussacrificesandcountlesssufferingsundergonebychildren,womenandtheelderly,whohadtoendureduringthedreadfulinfernothatthirtymonthsofaharshconflictmeantforthemtheshockingaerialbombardments,theroarofartilleryandthelamentablescenesofpillage,arson
anddestructionthattheviciousnessandbarbarismthatpossessedthehordesofMoors,Carlists,Nazisandfascistsinflictedonthem.Weempathizewiththepainoftheseinnocentvictimsofthewarinordertoanathemizethosewho,outofcrudeambitionsforpower,rapineandexploitation,unleashed,participatedinandprolongedthiscrimeagainsthumanity,thishurricaneofpassions,whichragedwithaninfernalfury,withhatredandtheurgeforvengeance.
However,withthesamesinceritywithwhichwerenderhomagetothememoryofthecomradesimmolatedinthattragicconflictandasmuchaswearehorrifiedbytheDantesquevisionofthescenesof
suffering,thevicissitudesofthestruggleandmassacresthattheSpanishpeopleexperienced,wemustalsoaffirmthatallthosetitanicefforts,theindelibledeedsofheroismcarriedoutbytheanarchists,thelivesthatwerelost,theviacrucisenduredbytheelderly,womenandchildrenand,asafinalsorrow,theheartrendingtragedyexperiencedintheconcentrationcampsofFrance,wereallcompletelyfruitlessandsterileforthenoblecauseofemancipationoftheSpanishpeople,becausewhenthelatterawakenedfromtheirtorpor,clenchedtheirfistsandsurgedintothestreetsforrevolutionaryaction,readytodestroyaregimeofopprobriumandtyranny,theyfoundthemselvessurroundedbytraitors
totheanarchistidealandpoliticians,profiteersandreactionaries,whoinsteadofcrying,Forward!,assumedthetaskofpacifyingtheholyrebellionofthevengefulcrowdsandcorralledthemintheenclosureoftreasonwiththeaccursedtentaclesofpoliticalchicaneryandauthoritarianism.
Chapter25:Summary
25
Summary
Thegrave,suicidalandoutrageousbetrayalsthatwebelievehavebeenclearlyexposedintheprecedingchapters,cannotbeunderstoodtobebasedonandmustnotbeattributedtofortuitousevents,circumstantialnecessitiesorimperativesofthewarthatbeganonJuly19,1936,butmustratherbeunderstoodaspreviouslyexisting,verydeeplyrootedmethodsofactivityandconceptions,or,moreprecisely,aperniciouscharacteristicthathadcontaminatedthehighestranks
oftheSpanishworkersmovement,acharacteristicwhichcertaincelebrityelements,whoatthattimeoccupiedresponsiblepositionsintheCNTandtheFAI,furtheraccentuatedwiththeirshamefulactivities.
Wemustnotcommittheabsurdityortheinjusticeofaccusingalltheanarchistmilitantsofcomplicityinthistreasonoussurrender,becauseweknowthatmanygoodcomradesweresweptasidebytheauthoritarianavalancheandthosewhowerenotshotasuncontrollableswereimprisonedinthejailsofloyalistSpain;butwearenotexaggeratingwhenwesaythatthefailureandthestiflingofthesocialrevolutionwhichhadsuchan
auspiciousbeginningwasarguedanddecidedinadvance,inthesecretmeetings,heldbehindthebacksofthemajorityoftheworkingclassandanarchistmilitants,inthehallsofthegovernmentpalaces.Thisassertionhasitsindisputablesourceinthepoliticalmachinationsthathadbeenunderwayforquitesometime;inthereasonablepropagandaasSantilláncalleditthathadbeendisseminatedbythecenetistaandfaístapressinadvanceoftheelectionsof1936thatmadeitpossiblefortheleftiststowin,andevenmoredistinctlyintheliaisoncommitteeformedbytheNationalConfederationofLaborandtheGeneralitatofCataloniaevenbeforethemilitaryuprising.
Itisthereforenotthefruitofcircumstantialnecessitiesaconceptthatwasabusivelyconceivedinself-defensebuttheworkofapostateandcareeristelementswho,baskingintheirliteraryreputationandinthepoststhattheyfilled,waitedhypocriticallyfortheirchancetovictoriouslyparticipateintheprivilegedlegionofbureaucratsandthustoobtainthemuchsoughtafterrewardfortheirauthoritarianambitionsandsentiments.Thesemenhadnoanarchistrootsatall.Theyweredominatedbyscepticismwithregardtothepossibilityofasuccessfulsocialrevolution.Theyneverwanteditandtheyopposedanyattempttomakeithappen,outoffearorconvenience.Theyhadalready
establishedtheirpositiononthisquestion.Itwasariskyenterpriseandfarbeyondtheircollaborationistconvictions.
Takingacloserlookattheanalysisoftheiractivitiesandtheconceptsthattheyrevealedoverthecourseoftheeventsthatwehavecommentedon,wecometotheconclusionthattheyhaveaparticulartendency,whichtranslatesafaithfulcopyofothereventsandtheactivityofothermenfromnowdistantbutnotforgottenepochs.Historyrepeatsitself.
Letustakealookbackintime.Letusgobacktotheyear1870andthereweshallseeidenticalepisodes,men,phrases,slogansandconsequences.
Apioneer,anactivemilitantandavaliantpropagandistofanarchismBakunindescribesforusinthebeautifulpagesofhisbookspagesthatwemustre-readtorefreshourmemories,strengthenourspiritandreaffirmourconvictionstheeventsthattookplaceinFranceduringthatyear,whicharethesameeventsthattookplaceinSpainjustrecently.
Changethenames,thedateandthecountryandyouwillhaveapictureofSpain,withitspersonalities,itspassions,itsintrigues,itsbetrayalsandthestrangulationofthesocialrevolution.
LetusseewhatBakunintellsusinhisletterstoaFrenchman,publishedinthe
book,TheSocialRevolutioninFrance:1
AllofthemaresincerepatriotsoftheState.Separatedonsomanypoints,theyarecompletelyunitedononlyoneissue:theyareallequallypolitical,allmenofthestate.
Assuch,theyonlyhavefaithintheregularmeans,intheforcesorganizedbytheState,andareallequallyhorrifiedbytheprospectofthedownfall,thatis,ineffect,thedishonoroftheState,notofthenation,notofthepeople;ahorrortowardsuprisings,towardsanarchisticmovementsofthepopularmasses,whicharetheendofbourgeoiscivilizationandthecertaindissolutionoftheState.
Theywant,then,tosaveFrancebytheregularmeansonlyandbytheorganizedforcesoftheState,onlyresortingaslittleaspossibletothesavageinstinctsofthemultitudes,whichbecloudtheexquisitedelicacyoftheirfeelings,oftheirtastes,andwhatisevenmoreserious,thatthreatentheirpositionandtheveryexistenceofthesocietyofthefortunateandtheprivileged.
Theyareforced,however,toresorttoit,becausethesituationisveryseriousandtheirresponsibilityimmense.Aformidableandmagnificentlyorganizedpowerhasnoothermeansofresistancethananarmythatishalf-destroyedandanincompetent,brutalizedandcorrupt
administrativeapparatus,whichonlybarelyfunctionsandisincapableofcreatinginafewdaysaforcethatitwasnotcapableofproducingintwentyyears.Itisthereforeincapableofundertakinganyseriouseffort,ifitisnotsupportedbythepublicconfidenceandassistedbypopularsacrifices.
Theywereforcedtoappealtothissenseofsacrifice.TheyproclaimedthereestablishmentoftheNationalGuardthroughoutthecountry,theincorporationoftheMobileGuardsinthearmyandthearmingofthewholenation.Ifallofthiswassincere,theywouldhaveorderedtheimmediatedistributionofarmstothepeoplethroughoutallofFrance.Butthis
wouldmeantheabdicationoftheState,thesocialrevolutioninfactaswellasintheory,andtheybynomeanswantedtodothat.
ThiswassounappealingtothemthatiftheyhadtochoosebetweenthetriumphalentranceofthePrussiansinParisandthesalvationofFrancebytherevolution,thereisnodoubtthatallofthem,exceptforGambettaandcompany,wouldoptfortheformer.Forthemthesocialrevolutionisthedeathofallcivilization,theendoftheworldandthereforeofFranceaswell.Anditwouldbebetter,theywouldthink,tohaveadishonored,dismemberedFrance,momentarilysubjecttotheinsolentwillofthePrussians,butwith
thesurehopeofrisingagain,thanaFrancethatisforeverdeadasaState,killedbythesocialrevolution.
Aspoliticianstheyhadtoface,then,thefollowingproblem:toissueacalltoarmstothepeoplewithoutarmingthepeople,buttakingadvantageofthepopularenthusiasminordertoattract,underdifferentnames,manyvoluntaryrecruitstothearmy;underthepretextofreestablishingtheNationalGuard,theywantedtoarmthebourgeoisie,excludingtheproletarians,andespeciallytheformersoldiers,inordertohaveaforcepowerfulenoughtoopposetherevoltsoftheproletariat,whowouldbeemboldenedbytheabsenceofthetroops;
toincorporateintothearmytheMobileGuards,whoaresufficientlydisciplined,andtodissolveorleaveunarmedthosewhowerenotdisciplinedenoughandwhodisplayedsentimentsthatweretoored.Nottoallowtheformationoffreemilitaryunitsexceptontheconditionthattheywouldbeorganizedandledonlybycommandersbelongingtotheprivilegedclasses:theJockeyClub,noblelandownersandbourgeoisie,inaword,menofmeans.
Lackingthecoercivepowertocontainthepopulation,theyuseditspatrioticenthusiasm,provokedasmuchbytheeventsasbytheirdeclarationsandcompulsorydecrees,topreservepublic
order,disseminatingamongthepopulationthatfalseanddisastrousconvictionthatinordertosaveFrancefromtheabyss,fromtheannihilationandslaveryposedbythePrussianthreat,thepeoplemust,atthesametimethattheyremainsufficientlyenthusiastictofeelcapableoftheextraordinarysacrificesthatwouldbedemandedofthem,forthesalvationoftheState,remaincalm,inactive,andplacethemselvesinacompletelypassivewayintothehandsoftheStateandoftheprovisionalgovernmentthathasnowtakencontrolofthelatterandtoconsiderasanenemyofFrance,andasanagentofPrussia,anyonewhoattemptstodisturbthisconfidenceandthispopulartranquility,
anyonewhowantstoprovokethenationtoengageinspontaneousactsofpublicsalvation,inaword,anyonewho,nothavingcompleteconfidenceinthecapacityandgoodfaithofitscurrentrulers,wantstosaveFrancebywayoftherevolution.
Asaresult,therearetodayamongalltheparties,withoutexceptingtheredJacobinsandnaturallyalsothebourgeoissocialists,thosewhoareintimidatedandparalyzedbythefearthatthereallypopularsocialistrevolutionariesinspireinthemtheanarchistsor,sotospeak,theHebertistesofsocialism,whoarealsoprofoundlydetestedbytheauthoritariancommunists,bytheStatecommunists,as
wellasbytheJacobinsandthebourgeoissocialistsamongalltheseparties,withoutexceptingtheStatecommunists,thereisatacitagreementtopreventtherevolutionaslongastheenemyisinFrance,forthefollowingtworeasons:
Thefirstreasonisthat,sinceallofthemcanonlyperceivethesalvationofFranceascomingfromtheactionoftheStateandintheexcessiveexaggerationofallitspowersandcapabilities,theyareallsincerelyconvincedthatiftherevolutionweretobreakoutnow,itwouldhavetheimmediateeffect,naturally,ofdestroyingthepresentState,sincetheJacobinsandtheauthoritariancommunistswouldnecessarilylackthetimeandallthe
indispensablemeanstoimmediatelyrebuildanewrevolutionaryState,it,thatis,therevolution,wouldhandoverFrancetothePrussians,byfirsthandingitovertothesocialistrepublicans.
Thesecondreasonismerelyanexplanationandafurtherconsequenceofthefirstreason.TheyfearanddetestequallytherevolutionarysocialistsandtheworkersoftheInternational,and,understandingthatinthepresentconditionstherevolutionwouldinevitablytriumph,theywantatallcoststopreventtherevolution.
Thispositionisuniquelybalancedbetweentwoenemies,oneofwhichthemonarchistsiscondemnedtodisappear,
andtheotherthesocialistrevolutionarieswhichthreatenstobevictorious,imposesontheJacobins,thebourgeoissocialistsandtheStatecommuniststheharshnecessityofsecretlyandtacitlymakinganalliancefromabovewiththereactionagainsttherevolutionfrombelow.Theydonotfearthereactionasmuchastheyfearthisrevolution.Fortheyseethattheformerisexcessivelyweakened,uptothepointofnotbeingabletoexistanylongerwithouttheirconsent,sotheytemporarilyassociatewithitanduseitinaverydisguisedwayagainstthelatter
.
Whatistheresult?Theradical
opposition,doublyconstrainedbytheinstinctiverepugnancethatithasforrevolutionarysocialismandbyitspatriotism,completelynullifiesitselfandmarchesagainstitswillbehindthisgovernmentwhichitreinforcesandsanctionswithitspresence,withitssilence,andsometimesevenwithitsdeedsandhypocriticalexpressionsofsympathy.
ThisforcedagreementbetweentheBonapartists,theOrleanists,thebourgeoisrepublicans,theredJacobinsandtheauthoritariansocialists,naturallyredoundstothebenefitofthefirsttwopartiesandtothedetrimentofthelatterthree.Iftherewereeverrepublicans
workingonbehalfofthemonarchistreaction,theyarecertainlytheFrenchJacobinsledbyGambetta.Thereactionaries,drivenintoacorner,nolongerfeelingthegroundundertheirfeet,seeingalltheoldmeansbrokenintheirhands,allthenecessaryinstrumentsforimposingthetyrannyoftheState,haveatthistimebecomeexcessivelyhumaneandcourteous,PalikaoandJeromeDavidhimself,soinsolentyesterday,aretodayextremelyaffable.Theyshowertheradicals,andespeciallyGambetta,withalltheirpraiseandwitheverykindofexpressionofrespect.Butinexchangeforthesecourtesies,theyobtainpower.Andtheradicalleftiscompletelyexcludedfrompower.
Basically,allthesemenwhoaretodaysleadershipinpower:Palikao,Crevreau[Crémieux?]andJeromeDavidontheoneside,TrochuandThiersontheother,andfinallyGambetta,thatsemi-officialintermediarybetweenthegovernmentandtheradicalleft,cordiallydetestoneanotherandconsidereachothertobemortalenemies,andprofoundlymistrusteachother,but,allofthemareengagedinplottingtogether,theyareforcedtomarchalongsideeachother,orratherareforcedtogivetheappearancethattheyaregoingforwardinagreement.Allthepowerofthisgovernmentisexclusivelybasedtodayonthefaithofthepopularmassesintheirharmonious,completeandironunity.
Sincethisgovernmentcouldonlysurviveasaresultofthefaithofthepublic,itisabsolutelynecessarythatthepeopleshouldhave,sotospeak,anabsolutefaithinthatunityofactionandinthatidentityofopinionsofallthemembersofthegovernment;forifthesalvationofFrancemustbeachievedbytheState,thisunityandthisidentityistheonlythingthatcansaveit.Itisthereforenecessaryforthepeopletobeconvincedthatallthemembersofthegovernment,puttingasidealltheirdifferencesandalltheirpastambitions,andabsolutelysettingasideallpartyinterests,shouldfranklybeconcernedaboutnothingbutthesalvationofFrance.Theinstinctofthepeopleisperfectlywellawareofthe
factthatadividedgovernment,pulledapartineveryway,inwhichallitsmembersareconspiringagainstalltheothers,isincapableofseriousenergeticaction;thatsuchagovernmentwouldsurrenderthecountryinsteadofsavingit.Andiftheykneweverythingthatwasreallytakingplacewithinthecurrentgovernment,theywouldoverthrowit.
Gambettaandcompanyknoweverythingthattakesplaceinthisgovernment,theyareintelligentenoughtounderstandthatthegovernmentistoodisunitedandistooreactionarytodeployalltheenergyrequiredbythesituationandtotakethenecessarymeasuresforthesalvationofthecountry,andremainsilentbecauseif
theyweretosaywhattheyknowtheywouldprovoketherevolution,andbecausetheirpatriotismaswellastheirbourgeoissympathiesrejecttherevolution.
***
Alltheposturing,innovativeideasandthefireworksofbellicoseslogansthatarebeingdisseminatedbythecollaboratorsofantifascismwerethelogicalconsequenceofthecompromisesmadeintheviciouscircleofthepoliticalmaniatheyhadsuccumbedtovoluntarilyandinapremeditatedway,andofallthecrudejustificationsthatreflectedthesimplefairytalesofmindsdominatedbyconfusionandbyademeaningpassion,
oncetheyfeltthattheyhadfailedintheirroleasrulersandoncetheyknewthattheyhadbeentransformedintoreprehensiblescumintheeyesofinternationalanarchism.
Nowthattheyaretumblingdownthefatalslopeoftheirbetrayals,theydonotfeeltheleasttraceofremorse,nordotheyhaveanyscruplesaboutsowingconfusioninalldirectionsinordertofindallies.Theyarenotworriedaboutthefuture.Itwasthepresentthatofferedthempraisefortheirsupermanpedantry.Notonlytheconnectionsandthebowingandscrapingwithandbeforethepowerful,thepoliticiansandthemilitarystaffbuttheirperformancesasstatesmen,
diplomats,pettybossesand,atthesametime,aslapdogsofthosesameindividuals.
***
ThemostnotableaspectoftheactivitiesandspeechesoftheministerialiststhatdeservestobehighlightedistheeasewithwhichtheyenshroudedinobscurityanentirepastofgloriousandhonorablerevolutionaryhistorythattheSpanishproletariatcouldboastofandhowtheyemphaticallydisseminatedcapricioustheoriesandsophisticalconceptions.
Itisnotpossibletograspthescalpelofcritiquetodissectthecomplexrangeofpracticesandideasofferedbythe
geniusesofantifascismanddemocracy,meticulouslyexaminingitsineffectivenessanditscontents.Theoutputofslogansandexcuseswassocopiousthatitwouldbeamostdauntingtasktoprovideachronologicalaccountofthem.Wemust,however,makeaspecialallowanceforthethesisthatwassimultaneouslyupheldbyOliver,Santillán,Peiróandothers,whichcanbesummarizedasfollows:thesocialrevolutionmeantananarchistdictatorshiporrevolutionarytotalitarianism.Itmightbesaidthatoncetheactivityoftheauthorsoftheseridiculousphrasesbecameknown,theywerebereftofanyvalue.However,sincetherearemanypeoplewhofinditeasyto
identifywiththeacrobaticsoftheidealandmodeltheirthoughtsandtheirwordsonthelatestfashionsespeciallyifthelattersupporttheireccentricinterpretationsweshallundertakearefutationofthisnotion.
Itwouldbesufficienttooffersomeopinionsfromtheprestigiouspioneersandtheoreticiansofanarchismwhoaddressedandresolvedthesocialprobleminallitsenormousrange.Butwealreadyknowthatfortheministerialistsitisaheresytofeeladmirationandrespectforthevenerablebeardsandthemanyyearsthattheyspentinstudyandresearchmeannothingtothem,nordotheyvaluetheenormous
amountoforalandwrittenpropagandatheyproduced;theiroutstandingactivityinvariouspopularinsurrections;theircruelpilgrimagefromonecountrytoanotherandfromoneprisontoanotherandtheirbeleagueredlifeasmilitants.
Accordingtothethesisoftheministerialists,thefact,oncethesocialrevolutionbreaksout,thecapitalistmonstrosityiscompletelydestroyed;thepopulationofaregion,acityoratownthendeclaresthecompleteequalityofeconomicconditions;alltheprivilegesthatasmallminorityenjoyedbyvirtueoftheimperativeofthebruteforceofarmsarerepudiatedandannulled;itisproclaimedthatthereisnomore
exploitationofmanbyman;thecoercivemeansthatthebourgeoisietodaypossessesareseizedandtheproletarianmultitudesareencouragedtofullyrealizetheirwellbeingandtodefendtheirfreedomandtheirrighttoLifeallofthissignifies,accordingtotheministerialists,anarchistdictatorship,confederaltotalitarianism,ortyrannicalambitions.
Captiousandsensationalistargumentsarecraftedinordertodisorienttheworkers,seekingtodrawaparallelbetweentheopprobriousreigningsystem,withitsshockingeconomicandsocialinequalitywhereanyfoolwhobecomesrichbymeansofboldrobberyormentalderangementandwhodreamsof
surpassingNapoleonbecomes,overnight,themasterofthelivesandthewealthofthepeoplewiththestructuralharmonythatwouldemanatefromasystembasedonmutualaid,understandingandreason,justiceandloveforonesfellowman.
Anattemptwasmadetomakethecommonpeoplefeelinferiorwho,havingstagedarevoltinfavorofacompletesocialtransformation,weresupposedtoadoptcertainprecautionarymeasuresagainstthepossiblereactionsofthedronesofthehumanhive,who,iftheywouldonlygrudginglygiveupthelavishhabitsthattheypracticetodayatthecostofotherpeoplessweatandblood,wouldthusgivethemselvestheopportunityto
dignifytheirexistencewithhonorablelabor,forthebenefitofthecollective.
Andinaccordancewiththissophistry,theministerialistsputthebrakesontheeventsandchosetosubmittothosewhotyrannizedover,exploitedandhumiliatedthepeopleinthenameoftheprincipleofauthoritytheStatesaying,withcompleteglibness,thattheyadoptedthistacticwithoutconsideringthemselvestobeoutsidethemainstreamofanarchismandwithouthavingabandonedtheirprinciples.
***
Thecruelconsequencesofthesuddeninitialreversalandofthebetrayals
executedbythecenetistasandthefaístasduringtheSpanishconflictarenowwellknown,sincebesidesbesmirching,withtheirmaneuversandshadydealsandalliances,thegreatestemancipatoryepicofalltime,theyalsoledtheIberianmassestoasenselesssacrificeandbetrayedthembysurrenderingthemtotheauthoritarianfiends.
Itwillbeobjectedthatthisopinionofoursistheresultofoursectarianisolation.
If,asCompanystoldthem,Youhavewonandeverythingisinyourpower;if,asSantillánconfirmedinhisbook,TheRevolutionandtheWarinSpain,thedissolutionofthedefeatedarmygaveus
aquantityofarmsthatmadeitimpossiblefortheenemytocarryoutanyattempttorecoveritslostpositions
.wecouldhavesingle-handedlyimposedourabsolutedictatorship,declaredthedissolutionoftheGeneralitatandestablished,initsplace,therealpowerofthepeople;if,duringtheeventsofMayinBarcelona,whenthepeopleerectedbarricadesandimmediatelydominatedtheentirecityand,furthermore,couldrelyonapproximately100,000armedmilitiameninnearbyprovinces,theleadersoftheCNTandtheFAIhadbeenmenofintegrityandanarchistconvictions,therecanbenodoubtthatinthatparticularregionofSpain,
encompassingBarcelonaandAragon,withinafewmonths,daysorhours,asystemofsociallifebasedonthemostsublimeaccord,solidarityandthejustidealofredemptionwouldhavebeenestablishedAnarchyandtheredandblackflagwouldhaveflownabovemanybuildings,thesymboloflibertyandloveforsufferingandexploitedhumanity.
Thisisnotjustadream.Theveterananarchistfighter,EmmaGoldman,whowasaneyewitnessoftheeventsinSpain,declared,severalmonthsafterthebeginningofthecivilwar:
Iamprofoundlyconvinced,indeedIamcertain,thatiftheCNT-FAI,takingintoitshandsandunderitscontrol,had
blockadedthebanks,dissolvedandeliminatedtheassaultguardsandthecivilguards,padlockedtheGeneralitatinsteadofenteringittocollaborate,givenamoralblowtotheentireoldbureaucracy,sweptawayitsenemiesnearandfar,today,onemaybecertainofthis,wewouldnotbesufferingfromthesituationthatsohumiliatesandinsultsus,becausetherevolutionwouldhavehadtoconsolidateitslogicalcourseofdevelopment.Havingsaidthis,Idonotmeantosaythatthecomradescouldhaverealizedanarchy,buttheywouldhavebeenabletomoveinthatdirection,comingascloseaspossibletotheanarchistcommunismtheytalkabouthere.
Weshallbetoldinresponsethatifthishadbeenattemptedandcarriedout,allthepowerstotalitariananddemocraticwouldhaveblockadedtheemancipatedterritoriesandpopulationsbylandandbyseaand,inaddition,theantifascistpoliticalfactionswouldhaveunitedtofightthemandtosuppressthisrevolutionaryexperiment.
However,didanythingdifferenthappen?Weretheanarchistsnotpersecuted,massacredandimprisonedbyalltheirenemies?WastherenotanagreementbetweenthetotalitarianandtheotherpowerstoeliminatethehotspotofrebellionrepresentedprincipallybyBarcelona?Andasfortheantifascistsof
loyalistSpain,everyoneknowsabouttheoutrageouspersonalintriguescarriedoutbyallthewolvesofpolitics,playingthegame,somewiththetotalitariancountriesandotherswiththedemocraticcountries,butallofthemwithinternationalcapitalism.
Itwouldhavebeenmoredignified,moreheroicandmoreexemplarytodevotetheirlives,allthelivesthatwerelost,fortherealizationofthesystemoflifethatweanarchistsyearnfor,ratherthandiligentlychoosingtodeceivetheworkersandvolunteertocollaboratewiththeState.
R.GonzálezPachecowasrightwhenhewrote,uponhisreturnfromSpain,his
leaflet,Todo[Everything],whosefinalparagraphreadsasfollows:
Atthatinstantoftheworld,whetheryesorno,goodorbad,onlythosewhowerecowardsorweaklingscouldnotcontributesomething.Theyaretheoneswhoalwaystakeadvantageofthedefeatsofthecourageousandthestrong.Thosewho,betweenthetwoextremesofthevirileeverythingornothing,oftheleaptowardstheinfiniteorthereturntothecaves,remaininthemiddle,betweentwoboldstances,which,forthem,aretwofears
.Thepeoplewanteverything.Anarchyiseverything.Nowandalways,theanarchistsforeverything!
***
Theanarchistidealhasnotsufferedanykindofsetback,norhasitbeendevaluedwithregardtoitssocialgreatnesswiththeunfortunateanddisastrousactivityofthecomradesoftheCNTandtheFAIduringthecourseofthethirtymonthsofthecivilwarinSpain.Itisthesecomradeswhohaverejecteditsideologicalconceptions,castashadowuponitsbeautifulrevolutionaryhistoryandhavedemonstratedtheirincomprehensionortheirlackofknowledgewithregardtotheemancipatorybasisthattheanarchistideaencompasses.
Anarchyisvirileaction,creativeunrest,responsibility,altruisticthoughtandgoodnessandcompletefreedom.Itdestroysprejudices,stirstheheartsofthefaltering,wipesoutborderpostsandcapacitatesmenandmakesthemabletolivetogetherinanenvironmentoffrankcamaraderie,mutualaidandfraternalaffection.
Totheextenttowhichhistoricaleventscompelustocompareitwithallthesociologicaldoctrinesthatcombatitandrejectit,thebrillianceofitsstructureandprinciplesdistinctlystandsout,anditisperceivedthatasaproductofthehumanminditcannotbesurpassed.
Theanarchistidealstillradiateswith
exhilaratingflashesbeautifulraysofloveandhopeupontheconsciousnessofthebeleaguered,sorrowfulanddowntroddenpeoples,andtheseflashesmerelyrepresentthefirstglimmerofthereddawnofitsredemptivedreams.
Asforthecollaborationistpracticesengagedinandpoliciesadvocatedbythecenetistasandfaístas,wearedeterminedtoseetoitthattheywillneitherflourishnorbeinstilledintothemarrowoftheFORistworkersmovementorinthemilieuoftheanarchistmilitantsonbothbanksofthePlatawhichprovidetheFORistmovementwithdirectionanddefendit,becauseboththeformeraswellasthelatterhavebeentestedby
experienceandhavelearnedlessonsfromthevast,imperishableeconomicconflictsandsolidaritystruggleswhich,byvirtueofmorethan40yearsoforganicfederalistexistenceandenergeticeffortstokeepthebannerofrevoltanddirectactionaloftagainstCapitalandtheState,haveaffirmed,withacherishedoptimismandanimmensespiritofsacrifice,thetruenorthoftheAnarchistCommunistgoal.
StaterepressionhasoftenwreakedhavocamongtheproletarianFORistranks;theconfusionistcurrenthasoftenarisentodisplayitspractice-orientedinnovations,buttheFORistshavealwaysbeenabletoweatherthereactionarytempestand
neutralizetheauthoritarianinroadsintheirorganizations.So,too,onthisoccasion,wemustemergevictoriousfromtheconfrontationwiththeseriousproblemsthattheIberianeventshaveposedfortheinternationalproletariat.
***
Inspiteofthebitternessandskepticismthatnowcharacterizetheattitudesofmanyproletarians,afterbecomingacquaintedwithallthedetailsofthetragedythebraveSpanishpeopleexperiencedandarestillundergoing,wemustnotthrowourselvesintothearmsofdesperationandinertia,ordeclarethatwearedefeated.Therearedefeatsthatarevictories.
Thefacts,theredshaftsoflightthatstreakthepanoramaofthesocialstruggle,whichbecomesmorecruelandbloodythemoreintenseitbecomes,regardlessofhowdiscouragingandunfavorabletheymayseem,alwaysleavearesplendentwakethatilluminatesthepaththatmustbefollowedtoreachtheredemptivegoalandpreparethepeoplestotrustmoreintheirowneffortsthaninthepromisesoftheparasitesofpoliticswho,withrevolutionaryposturing,lowerthemselvestothelevelofthemultitudesinordertotakeadvantageoftheirsincerityandgenerousnaturesinordertoincreasetheirownprestige,whichtheyneedinordertomakethedealsthatwill
givethemabetterpositionamongtheprivilegedcastes.Capitalismhasitscofferswellfilled,inordertobuythosewhomightdisturbtheirplansfordominanceandexploitation.
Thus,theanarchistsfaceanenormouslaboroftrainingandsowingtheseedsofrebellionintheconsciousnessoftheworkingmasses.
Inordertodestroytheconfusionismthatisbeinginjectedintotheworkingclassmilieubythebetrayersofourideal,itisnecessarytobecomemoreactive,todevoteourselvesmoretenaciouslyandmorepassionatelytotradeunionactions.TheFORistcadresmustbeonthelookoutfortherevisionistvirusandmust
reinforcetheirrankswithnewrevolutionarycontingents.
IftheviolentrepressionunleashedbythedemocraticStatesagainstourmilitantshasnotmadeadentinouranarchistconsciousness,thedisasterundergonebytheSpanishproletariatmustspurusontofightwithmorezealfortheemancipationofthehumanspecies.ThefuturebelongstousandwemustadvancetowardsthefutureforAnarchy.
ManuelAzaretto
1939
TranslatedinMay-June2014fromtheSpanishoriginal,LasPendientes
Resbaladizas(LosanarquistasenEspańa).Originallypublishedin1939byEditorialGerminal,Montevideo,Uruguay.
SourceoftheSpanishtext:TheWebsiteoftheFondationPierreBesnard:
http://www.fondation-besnard.org/auteur.php3?id_auteur=360.
1.ThetextthatfollowsiscomposedofexcerptsfromLetterstoaFrenchmanonthePresentCrisis(writteninSeptember1870),asitisknowninEnglish.Aselectionofexcerptsfromthispamphlet,whichdoesnothoweverincludethepassagestranslatedfromtheSpanishbelow,maybefoundonlineat:
http://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/bakunin/works/1870/letter-frenchman.htm[TranslatorsNote].