slippery slope: the anarchists in spain
DESCRIPTION
Written in 1939 by Manuel Azaretto, a member of FORU (Regional Workers Federation of Uruguay), this book a scathing indictment of the leaders of the Spanish CNT and FAI for their betrayal of anarchist principles contains, in addition to officialdocuments and proclamations of the CNT and FAI and articles from the Spanish and international anarchosyndicalist press, relevant passages drawn from Max Nettlau, Diego Abad de Santillán, David Antona, Federica Montseny, Juan GarcíaTRANSCRIPT
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.
***
ThismadeanenormousimpressionontheanarchistmilitantsofSouthAmerica.
ThesamepsychologicalphenomenonobservedasareboundeffectoftheRussianRevolution,wasnowtobe
observedamongus,althoughinalessconcentratedform.Thosewhointhepastwereobstinatepanegyristsofthedictatorshipoftheproletariateveryonemakesmistakesnowandthennowseetheirpositionjustifiedbytheabout-faceexecutedandadvisedbytheSpanishcomradesandinordernottodenytheirpasttheydevotethemselves,withablindpassion,tosowingconfusionintheranksoftheFORistmovement.
Fortunately,becausethecomradesoftheFORhavelearnedtheirlessonsfrompreviousevents,thisdidnotresultinthehoped-foreffects,andthecalmjudgmentandsensibleunderstandingoftheeventsthathadtakenplacepreventedpassion
andbitternessfromgettingtheupperhandandinsteadthecomradesdiscernedwithprecisiontheseriousproblemsthatwereposedtotheanarchistmovementinSouthAmericabytheselloutsandnoveltheoriesthattheCNTandFAImilitantshaddiscoveredandimplemented.
***
Timepasses.CalmhasreturnedtotheFORistmilieu.Mindsarebeginningtoreflectwithoutprejudiceontherawdatawereceivefromimpartialandsinceresources.
Thetimehascome,inourview,toanalyzethecausesthatforcedthecomradesoftheCNTandtheFAIto
interveneinthecivilwarthatbledandcontinuestobleedtheSpanishpeople;tocommentontheactivitiesofthesecomradesandtheirchangingpolicies;toindicatetheseriouserrorsandbetrayalsforwhichtheywereresponsibleandtothoroughlyanalyzetheconceptstheyofferedtojustifytheiractionsandthemethodstheypracticed,advisedandattemptedtobequeathasalegacytotheinternationalanarchistmovement.
Someonesaidthat,thetruthistheonlyVenusdeMilothatmendonotwanttoseenaked,butthisisnotpossible,inhomagetotheidealofredemption:Anarchy,whichwepropagateanddefend,overcomesthistruthandwe
provideitwithoutfigleaves,evenifwecloseoureyestothebitternessofitsreality.
Letusthereforeundertakethistask,withoutanyclaimtohavingcarriedoutameticulousdocumentaryreviewandwithoutanyconcernforthejudgmentthatthesellouts,thosewhohavesuccumbedtothediseaseofrevisionismandtheauthoritarians,willthinkthatthisworkdeserves.
1.TheSpanishwordusedintheoriginal,claudicación,istranslatedinthistextasbetrayalorbetrayalofprinciples,andoccasionallyassellout[s]orbacksliding,dependingonthecontext[TranslatorsNote].
Chapter1:ThecharacteristicsoftheSpanishanarchists
1
ThecharacteristicsoftheSpanishanarchists
Theanarchistidealhashad,formanyyears,intelligentanddiligentchampionsintheregionsofSpain.TheFirstInternationalwascourageouslysupportedbyitsSpanishSection,whichlaterbecametheSpanishRegionalFederationofWorkers,in1881.
WehaveoftentakenpleasureinreadingthebeautifulpagesofthebooksofPrat,
Mella,AnselmoLorenzo,TarridadelMármol.WerecalltherestlessandexemplaryactionsofSalvochea.In1906weknew,inArgentinaandUruguay,AntonioLoredoandotherswhosenameswecannotrecall.
AndwealsoknowthatsincetheSpanishanarchistsappearedonthestageofthesocialstruggle,theyhavesufferedpersecutionandmanywereshot.
ManuelBuenacasa,inhisbook,Elmovimientoobreroespańol,citesthefamousuprisingofJerez,inJanuary1892,inwhichfourthousandmen,shoutingVivalaAnarquía,enteredthecityandhelditforseveralhours.
Butwedonotwanttostraytoofarfromoursubject.ItistheNationalConfederationofLaborthatweareconcernedwithhere.
WewouldnotbehonestifwedidnotsaythatthecharacteristicsoftheanarchistmilitantsoftheCNTinSpaindeserveourclosestscrutiny.Moreover,wecansaythattheenormousamountofpropagandasenttotheIberianpeninsulafromSouthAmericaandtheexchangeofmilitantswiththeFORistmovementofArgentinaandUruguayanexchangemadenecessarybythepersecutionsanddeportationsthatwehaveundergoneandwhichwereimplementedbyrepublicananddemocraticgovernmentsonbothsidesof
theRíoPlatadidnotexercisetheinfluencethatwewouldhavedesired,sincewehavenotedthatactivitieswithintheCNThaveseldommanifestedtheintransigence,courageandconvictionsthatwehaveourselvesdisplayedagainstallpoliticalfractionsandthestate.
SincethefoundingoftheCNT,inSeptember1911,upuntiltoday,theCNThasundergonemanyfluctuationsinitsideologicalorientationanditspracticaltacticsofstruggle,andwearenottheonlyoneswhothinkso.AsBuenacasa,inthebookcitedabove,says:
Ihavesaidandwrittenonmorethanoneoccasion,thattheCNTofSpainhasexperiencedperiodswhoseexemplary
naturehasalmostovershadowedthebestmomentsoftheoldSpanishSectionofthefirstInternationalWorkingmensAssociation.Itcannotbedoubted,however,thatthisinstitution,duringtheperiodbetween1919andtoday[1926],hassufferedfromthemostlamentablemistakesandthemostdisastrousdeviations.
WhilerelationsbetweentheCNTandpoliticalelementswereneververycordial,theCNTdidremainincontactwiththemandeventriedtoattractthembymeansofobjectivealliances.ThelessonsofthestrugglesthathadtakenplaceallovertheworldhadnoinfluenceonthemindsoftheSpanishmilitants.It
wouldappearthattheysoughttoreestablishthesincerity,orrathertheingenuousness,thattheiranarchistpredecessorshaddisplayedforsomanyyears,intheirattempttomaintaintheunityofthetwotendenciesintowhichtheEuropeanproletariatwasdivided:anarchistsandauthoritarians,afactthatwasconscientiouslydescribedandstudiedbyLópezArangoinhisbook,Elanarquismoenelmovimientoobrero.
SostubbornwereourcomradesinSpain,intheirattempttoattracttheworkingclassmultitudeswhohadbeeninfluencedbytheMarxists,thatitwasnotenoughtoconvincethemoftheirerrorbyreferringtothemanybetrayalsforwhichthe
MarxistswereresponsibleinalltheconflictsinwhichtheCNThadtoconfrontthecapitalistsandthestate.AndasfortheauthoritarianmentalitythatdominatedtheMarxists,thisisdemonstrated,asplainasday,byaveryrecenthistoricalfact:theOctoberrebellioninAsturias,wheretheimpracticalityofmergingtheMarxistswiththeanarchistswasrevealed,tosuchadegreethattheenormousdifferenceofpracticalorientationsandpoliciesthatdistinguishbothproletarianfractionsbecameclearlyevident,adifferencethatcouldhavebeendistinctlyappreciatedinSamaandLaFelguera,neighboringtowns,inwhichattemptsweremadetoimplementnewformsofsocialexistence,
whichonlyhighlightedthedifferencesbetweenthem;forwhileinSamaacommitteemodeledonthedictatorshipoftheproletariatwasorganized,whosechekaarrestedtheanarchistsinordertoputthemontrial,inLaFelguerathecomradesconductedthemselvesinaframeworkoffullfreedomandsolidarityamongitsinhabitants.
***
Letuslookback,however,andexaminetheallianceacceptedbytheCNTwiththeUGTandtheleftistpoliticianslikeCombóandLerroux,thatwasimplementedasapreludetothegreatstrikeofAugust1917,which,althoughithadarealrevolutionarycharacter,was
betrayedbythesocialistsandrepublicans,andthisunfortunateexperimentalallianceresultedincountlessvictimsamongthemembersoftheCNT.
AlittlelaterasaresultoftheelationcausedintheanarchistranksbytheeventsthatweretakingplaceinRussiaweobservedaprocessofBolshevizationintheCNT,whichledtoagreatdealofconfusion.
Pestańa,whowasaprestigiousmemberoftheCNTorganization,wenttoMoscowtoattendtheSecondCongressoftheCommunistInternational.Accordingtosubsequentreports,thissamePestańawasalsoasignatoryofthe
foundingconstitutionoftheRedTradeUnionInternational.
OntheIberianpeninsula,meanwhile,theconversos1whohadacknowledgedtheneedforatransitionalinstitutionthedictatorshipoftheproletariatcontinuedtosowthenewseed,andweresosuccessfulthatatthefamousCongressoftheCNTheldattheTeatrodelaComediainMadridin1919,theyobtainedtheapprovalofthedelegatesforthefollowingshockingresolution:
ThattheNationalConfederationofLaborofSpaindeclaresthatitisafirmsupporteroftheprinciplesoftheFirstInternationalasadvocatedbyBakunin.Itdeclaresitsprovisionaladherencetothe
CommunistInternational,becauseoftherevolutionarycharacterwithwhichitisimbued,andinthemeantimetheNationalConfederationofLaborwillorganizeandconvoketheworldwideworkerscongressthatwillagreeuponanddeterminethebasesuponwhichtherealWorkersInternationalmustbefounded.2
Intheinterestsoffulldisclosureandtohighlightitscontradictions,weshallpointoutthatatthesamecongressamotionproposingamergerwiththeUGTwasrejectedandwereadthefollowingdeclarationofprinciples:
Takingintoaccountthefactthatthetendencythatismostpowerfullymanifestedintheworkersorganizations
ofallcountriesistheonethatleadstowardsthecomplete,totalandabsoluteliberationofhumanityonthemoral,economicandpoliticalplanes,andconsideringthatthisgoalcannotbeachievedaslongasthelandandtheinstrumentsofproductionandexchangehavenotbeensocializedandaslongastheall-encompassingpowerofthestatehasnotdisappeared,theproposalissubmittedtotheCongress,thatinaccordancewiththeessenceofthepostulatesoftheFirstInternational,thattheCongressshoulddeclarethatthegoalthatispursuedbytheNationalConfederationofLaborofSpainisAnarchistCommunism.
WehaveprovidedthesedetailsconcerningthewaytheCNTwentaboutproposingallianceswithpoliticianswhichfullyjustifyBuenacasasstatementthattheCNThassufferedfromthemostlamentablemistakesandthemostdisastrousdeviationsinordertoprovidethereaderwithsomebackgroundinformationconcerningthelaterattitudesadoptedbytheSpanishlaborconfederation.
DespitethemistakescommittedandthediscouragingresultsobtainedinthevariouseffortsbytheCNTtoattempttoputitsunificationistslogansintopractice,theCNTpersistedinitserroneousways,forattheZaragozaCongressofMay
1936,itapprovedaresolutionthatcalledupontheUGT,anavowedlypoliticallaborunion,toenterarevolutionaryalliancewhosepurposewouldbethedestructionofthepoliticalregime.Thisalliancewasachieved,withgreatfanfareamongthemembersoftheCNT,intheyearoftheoutbreakofthemilitaryrevolt,andwasbitterlycriticizedbytheUruguayanFORacritiquethatwaspublishedinthefifthissueoftheInternationalJournaloftheIWAacritiquethatweshallsubjecttofurtherexamination,insofarasitrelatestothisalliance,sinceitssensiblecommentsweretobecompletelyvindicatedbytheeventswithwhichwearenowsofamiliar.
1.AhistoricaltermreferringtoJewishorMosleminhabitantsofSpainwhoconvertedtoCatholicismduringtheconquestofSpainbytheChristianmonarchy,especiallyduringthe14thand15thcenturies[TranslatorsNote].
2.TheseresolutionsweretranslatedintoEnglishandpublishedintheIWWsIndustrialPioneer,March1921,p.53,asfollows:FIRST:ThattheConfederaciónNacionaldelTrabajodeclaresitselfthefirmdefenderoftheprincipleswhichgaveformtotheFirstInternational,sustainedbyBakounine;SECOND:ThatitdeclaresitsprovisionaladherencetotheThirdInternational,becauseoftherevolutionarycharacterofitspresent
directorate,anduntiltheorganizationandholdingoftheInternationalCongressinSpain,whichistolaythebasisuponwhichwillbefoundedtherealInternationaloftheworkers.[TranslatorsNote.]
Chapter2:Theanti-emancipatorypositionoftheCNT
2
Theanti-emancipatorypositionoftheCNT
Thepro-politicaltendencyintheCNTinthisemergencystandsopposedtothebrillianthistoryoftheSpanishandinternationalworkersmovement,whose
passionforthecauseofhumanliberationwastransmittedtoitbythefirstinternationalists.TheCNTdoesnotactinaccordancewithitsrevolutionaryexperiencesfromthevantagepointofitspositionsintheinstitutionsofthestate,butratheradvisestheinternationalproletariattofollowitsexample,urgingittoabandonitsrevolutionarypositions,andtosetasidetheprincipledanarchistintransigenceagainstauthoritariancurrents,inordertothusembracethepoliticiansofantifascism,who,asfarasthecauseoftheworkersisconcerned,arenobetterorworsethanthepoliticiansoffascism,sinceifthereisindeedanydifferencebetweenthem,thiswouldnotbeareasonfortheanarchist-oriented
internationalrevolutionarymovementtoabandonitsrevolutionarypositions,whicharecharacterizedbydirectaction,anti-statismandtheanarchistgoal,inordertosubmittothebourgeoisierepresentedbyantifascism.
Theimprovementofthelivesandtheworkingconditionsoftheproletariatanditsliberation,canonlybeobtainedbywayofthemeansofstruggleandpropagandathatdistinguishanarchism,whicharesolidlyandresolutelyopposedtoallpolitical,statistandauthoritarianideas.Anyotherpracticewouldamounttocooperatingwiththeenemy,consciouslyorunconsciously,inordertomerelyprolongourmiserableexistence,
towhichwearereducedbytheiniquitousexploitationoftheemployersandtheoppressionofthestate.
***
EveryoneknowsthepositionoftheCNT,but,inordertorevealtheperniciouseffectthatitwouldhaveontheworldproletariat,especiallyontheSpanishproletariat,iftheIWACongressweretoapproveofitsgovernmentalistpolicies,weshalltranscribesomeofthepointsoftheUGT-CNTUnitedActionProgramwhich,asweshallsee,contradictsanarchistprinciples,andwhichstandsinabsolutecontrasttotheprogramapproved65yearsagoattheCongressofCordobathatapprovedtheresolutionsof
Saint-ImierandrejectedthoseapprovedatTheHagueandwhichdemonstratethatnowtheCNTispracticingthestatisttheoriesthatwererejectedbytheSpanishproletariatatthatCongress.
THEUGT-CNTUNITEDACTIONPROGRAM1
NATIONALDEFENSE.
TheUGTandtheCNTrecognizethegreatprogressachievedinthecreationofthePopularArmywithregardtoitscombateffectivenessandthetechnicalimprovementofitscommandstructureandaredeterminedtoreinforcealltheresourcesthatwillfacilitatetheformationofaregularefficientArmy,thatwill
guaranteevictoryinthewarandinanyforeignmilitarycontingenciesthatmightresultfromthatvictory.
TheguidingideaoftheUGTandtheCNTintheircollaborationinseekingtoimplementtheseimmediatereformsisthatofarapidandoverwhelmingvictoryoverfascism,toimplementapositivedemocracyinalltheaspectsoforganizationandactionofthewar,toreinforcetheCommissariatasameansofpurgingandstrengtheningthePopularArmyandTOMAKEAPRACTICALCONTRIBUTIONWITHTHEIREXPERIENCEANDTHEIRFORCES,INTHEWORKOFTHEGOVERNMENTBODIES,ASSUMING
ALARGEPARTOFTHEIRRESPONSIBILITY.
WARINDUSTRIES.
4.Transport,whichisbyitsverynatureofthegreatestnecessityforthepurposesofconductingthewar,willbeplacedatthedisposaloftheGovernment,CENTRALIZEDANDMILITARIZED,withtheprovisionthatitshouldberequiredbyunavoidablenecessityandthatproductionandcommerceintherearguardshouldnotbesubjecttoextortion.
COLLECTIVES.
1.TheUGTandtheCNTagreethatthe
juridicallegalizationoftheCollectivesisnecessaryandthereforeconsiderthatlegislationconcerningtheCollectivesisalsoneededthatwilldetermineWHICHCOLLECTIVESWILLCONTINUETOEXIST,rulesfortheirconstitutionandoperations,andstateinterventionintheiraffairs.COLLECTIVESTHATDONOTABIDEBYTHISLEGISLATIONMUSTDISAPPEAR.
2.ThestatewillassisttheCollectivesthatcomplywiththislegislationandwhoseeconomicutilityisacknowledged.
3.ThelegislationconcerningtheCollectivesmustbestudiedandproposedtotheGovernmentbytheNationalCounciloftheEconomy.
WAGES,PRICESANDPROVISIONS.
2.ThecreationofstrongConsumersCooperativesattheretaillevelandtheestablishmentofProducersCooperativesmustbeencouraged,withveryrestrictivelegislationapplyingtothelatterandtheestablishmentoflargewholesalesalesoutletsforexportpurposesUNDERTHERIGOROUSCONTROLOFTHESTATEinaccordancewiththeresolutionsoftheCounciloftheEconomy.
3.TheUGTandtheCNTagreethataminimumwagemustbeestablished,onethatispeggedtothecostofliving,andthattakesintoaccount,ontheonehand,
theprofessionalcategories,andontheother,theoutputofeach.Inthissensetheprincipleofformoreandhigherqualityproduction,morepaywillbedefended,withoutanydistinctionwithregardtogender,orage,aslongasthecircumstancesrelatedtotheneedsfornationalreconstructionshouldprevail.
WORKERSCONTROL.
10.TheGovernmentmustpromulgateaworkerscontrollawinwhichtheresponsibilitiesoftheworkerswithregardtothecontrolofproductionandthesurveillanceoftheiroutput,theirroleintheadministrationanddeterminingthedistributionofprofits,workingconditionsandthedefenseofsociallegislation,will
beestablished.
AGRICULTURE.
TheUGTandtheCNTannouncetheirsupportfortheNATIONALIZATIONOFTHELAND,whichmustbeconveyedinusufructpreferentiallytotheagriculturalCollectivesandCooperativesand,amongthelatter,especiallytothoseformedbytheUGTandtheCNT,respectingthewillofthepeasantswhoprefertocultivatetheirlandindividually,andalsoentailingtheimplementationbythestateofapolicyofassistancefortheexistingCollectives,withpreferencefortheUGTandtheCNTandthosewhichshallbevoluntarilyconstituted,INACCORDANCEWITHTHELAW,by
theworkersinthecountryside.
Therightsofthesmall-scalelandowner,asadirectcultivatorofthesoil,willberespectedaslongashecanprovethathislandWASLEGALLYACQUIREDANDASLONGASHEABIDESBYTHERELEVANTLEGISLATION.
SOCIALWELFARE.
TheGovernmentwillundertaketostudyformulasforfamilycompensation,tobelegallyimplemented.
ThetwoOrganizationsproclaimtheircommitmenttoensurethatattheendoftheconflictagainstfascismtherightoftheSpanishpeopleandespeciallythe
workingclassTOENDOWTHEMSELVESWITHTHATFORMOFGOVERNMENTthatrespondstothesacrificethattheyarenowmakingandtomaintainatruedemocracyinourcountrywillbeguaranteed.
ThesepassagesclearlydemonstratejusthowdeeplyimplicatedtheCNTwasinthestatistprinciple.TheyrepresentadistinctcontrasttotheCongressofSaint-Imier,whoseresolutionswereapprovedbytheSpanishproletariatattheCongressofCordoba65yearsagoandliberatedtheinternationalproletariatfromfallinginchainsbetweenthehammersofpoliticsandthestate,thuspointingouttotheworkersoftheworldtherevolutionary
paththatwillleadthemtotheirtotalemancipation.TheCNTpracticallyrejectedtheintellectualpatrimonyandeffortsofthemostvaliantfiguresofanarchism,representedinthebrillianthistoryofanarchismintheworkersmovement,whichallowedittoassumeanextremelyelevatedplaceamongrevolutionarypositions,acquiredinbloodystrugglesandfrompreciouslessons.
ThesepassagesalsoshowhowtheSpanishproletariatwasforbiddenallindependenceofaction,offreeorganizationandpropaganda,ofrevolutionaryexperimentationandanyaspirationforafuturefreefromthe
oppressorstate.Andhowallitsactivity,asproducerandintermsofpropaganda,wastobecontrolledandauthorizedbythestate.WiththesepracticestheCNThandcuffedtheworkers,subjectingthemtotheyokeofwagelabor,sothattheywouldcontinuetobevictimsofexploitationbyprivateorstatecapitalism,andrenderedallfreedomofactionontheirpartforthedefenseoftheirinterestsandtheirlibertyimpossible.
Thereignofinjusticeistherebyperpetuated,byallowingforthecontinuedexistenceoftheprivilegesofthedronesofthehumanhiveandanexistencefullofprivationandsuffering
fortheworkers,whoaretherealproducersofsocialwealthandprogress.(TheFederalCounciloftheFirstInternational)
***
Fromwhatwehaveseen,itwouldappearthattheanarchistmilitantsofSpain,duetoalackofcoherenceintheiractivity,aconfusedfocusonsocialproblemsandtheunstablenatureoftheiranti-stateandanti-politicalconvictions,haveallowedcertainMarxistmethodsandconceptionstotakerootandflourishamongthemthatopenlycontradictthetermsthattheyuseintheirpropaganda.
WeshallnotfollowthePestańasandthe
Peirósintheirconfusedadventuresthatledtotheformationofthesyndicalistpoliticalparty,forwhichtheformerwastoserveasadeputyintherepresentativebodiesofthePopularFront.ManyothersamongtheCNTeliteactedandthoughtinaccordancewithauthoritarianperspectives.NothingismoreilluminatingatthisjunctureforthepurposeofexplainingthedeviationsthattookplaceduringthecivilwarandthatwereendorsedbytheleadersoftheCNTandtheFAI,thanthefollowingarticlepublishedinMay1936inTierrayLibertad,entitledSlipperySlopes,inwhichtheauthoritariancurrentisidentifiedandwhichfeaturesthefollowingobservations:
Alltheslopesareslippery,andonefalsestepwillcauseustofall,andleadustotumbleheadlongintotheabyss.Ifonflatandfamiliarterrainonecanadvancewithoutanyconcern,withoutnoticinginsignificantobstacles,withoutpayinganyattentiontotheoccasionaldifficulties,whenwehavetoclimbmountains,withhighpeaksanddangeroussummits,alloursensesmustbealertinordernottomakeadisastrousmisstep,inordernottogoastraywithoutanywayout.
Theroadoftherevolutionisnotflat;itisriddledwithdangers,withdifficulties,withwellequippedenemies.Wehavetogoforwardcalmly,avoidingtheobstacles
thatwearenotinapositiontodestroy,overcomingdifficultiesandskirtingnotafewdeadlyabysses.Nonetheless,ourfriendlyhandisalwaysopenforthosewho,awareofallthesedangers,undertaketheriskwhentheycanandwhentheydare,sothathumanitycantakeastepforward.Therevolutionimpliessacrifices,energeticstruggle,butalsoacalmandclearviewofwhatwewantandthemeansthatmustbeemployedtoachieveourgoal.
Overthecourseofseveraldecadesofexistenceasanideaandmovement,anarchismhasestablisheditstrajectory,itsideasanditsmethods.Bythetimethatalmostallofuswereborn,anarchismhad
alreadyexisted,delineatedinitsaspirationsandtactics.Thisdoesnotmeanthatitiscompleteandperfect,thatitwillnotadmitanymoreenrichment,ormoreconclusionsderivedfromexperience,andthatwehavetobindourselvesindedicationtowhatourpredecessorshavesaid.Wehaveproventhatweareiconoclasts,thatwearealwaysreadytoembraceanyidea,anyinitiativeandtosubjectthemfreelytoevaluation,inordertoderivefromthemthemaximumbenefitforourgreatcause.Wearenotunalloyedandpetrifieddoctrinaires,enemiesofallinnovation,ofallboldthinking,ofallinitiativeforactionthatdisturbsthestagnantandtheimmobilized.Andthatiswhyweare
tolerant;thatiswhywealwaysopposeeverythingthatcutsoffthefreedomofthoughtinourowncampandeverywhere.
Wecannot,however,ceasetobewhatwewanttobe;wecannotdenyourselvesinoursocialmeaning,preciselyatthemomentwhenallsocialandpoliticalvalueshavefailedandourlibertariansolutionistheonlyremaininghopeforhumanredemption.
Athesishasoftenbeenrepeatedinpublicconfederalproceedings,bysomeofourcomrades,onethatanarchistsnolongerdiscuss,justaswedonotdiscussmanyothermattersthathavebeendefinitivelyaddressed.Iamspeakingoftheconquest
ofPower,oftheseizureofPower,ofthecreationofrevolutionaryarmies,etc.,whichamountstoaconfessionthatanarchismhasnoreasontoexistandthatwemustreturntothemethodsofauthority,thesystematicandreasonedcritiqueofwhichdistinguishesthepositionthatwehavetaken.
Thisisnotthefirsttimethattheseattemptstorehabilitatetheauthoritarianmethodsofrevolutionhavetakenplace.Rebelliouspassioncausessometobelievethattheanarchistsaremovingtooslowly,thatthesolutionistotaketheshortcutofthecoupdétat,theroadtotheconquestofPower.ThereistalknowofdemandingthatthecurrentGovernment
handoverPowertotheworkersorganizations.Allofthisisnotjustamisstep;itisaheadlongplungedownaslipperyslope!Thefactthatthesethingshavealwaysbeenadvocatedintheenemycamp,andthatthepossibilityofcarryingouttherevolutionbydecreehasbeenproposedbythesepeople,istobeexpected;butthatthesethingsshouldbesaidinthenameofanarchism,byanarchistcomrades,cannotbeallowedtogounnoticed.Cordially,withallthecordialityofwhichwearecapable,weinvitethesecomradestoreflect,tostopforamomenttocontemplatetheabyssintowhichtheyarefallingfromtheslopeonwhichtheyfindthemselvesandtoreturntothegoodroadoffreedom,which
isnotjustanidealaspiration,butatacticalinstrument,amethodofstruggle,aninterpretationofaction.
ThisadvocacyoftheseizureofPower,regardlessoftheintentionsofitspartisans,canonlybenefitthepartiesthatpinthehopesoftheirrevolutionarydoctrineontheConquestofPower.WedonotwanttoseizePower,wewanttodestroyit,andnotjustdestroyit,buttopreventitfromeverbeingreconstructed,andwearenottoofastidiousaboutthemeansrequiredtoachievethisend!;thereisonlyoneroadthathasproventobeimpracticalforthedestructionofPower:itsconquest.Apartfromthismeans,allroadsandallweaponsseemtobegoodas
farasweareconcerned.
Webelievethatabriefpauseforreflection,outsidetheimpassionedarenaofpropaganda,willmakethesecomradesunderstand,whomwedonotwanttolose,andofwhoseassociationwedonotwanttobedeprived,thattheyhavedepartedfromthelibertarianchannel,fromthegoodroadacceptedbytheanarchists,towhichtheyshouldreturn,avoidingdangerousconfusion.Fornowthatisall.
***
Ourinclusionofthisarticleheredoesnotmeanthatweacceptallofitspropositions.Wehaveincludeditforthe
solepurposeofdemonstratingtheexistenceofapowerfulMarxistcurrentwhichitdenouncesthatwasundermininganddestroyingthestructure,thepracticesandtheideologicalconceptsthatupuntilthenhadbeenthepredominantessenceoftheCNT.
Theauthoritariantheorythatwasidentifiedand(ineffectively)combatedbytheeditorialistofTierrayLibertadwasalreadyacancerontheIberianpeninsulaandavirulentepidemicthatalsomadeitselffeltinourcircles,againstwhich,morethanonce,wehavegoneontheoffensive,advisingtheworkerstoimmunizethemselvesagainstthesepestilentialbacilli.
Norwerewetheonlyones.Withregardtothisquestionitseemsmostpertinenttorecallthecriticalconceptsadvanced,inJune1936,bytheoldmasterMaxNettlauIbegyourpardon,iconoclastsagainstthevenerablebeardedoneswhowaslogicallyalarmedbytherapidpropagationoftheconfusionistvirus,whichappearedinvariouscountriesunderdifferentnames.
HereisthepassagefromNettlau:
Forfortyyearsanarchismhasbeensubjectedtoinfiltration,so-calledpuresyndicalism,nationalism,dictatorship,transitionalperiod,platformism,etc.,andthecurrentfashion,whichisnotinitselfanythingnew,electoralanti-
abstentionism,belongsinthesameseries.Theverydistinctionbetweenquestionsofprinciplesandsimpletacticalquestions,whichimpliesthat,fortacticalreasons,oneshouldbepreparedtotramplealloveronesprinciples,doesnotpossesstheleastresemblancetotheanarchistview.Theanarchistprincipleknowsonlyoneformula,ratherthantwo:eitheroneprofessesitsideas,oroneabandonsthembyovercomingonesscruples.Theseinfiltrationsinevitablydestroywithintheirvictimsanytraceofalibertariansentimentandsoonerorlater,butgenerallyquiterapidly,transformthemintonationalists,fascists,Bolsheviks,politicians,orworkerists.
Thisunavoidabledebrisistheresultofakindofauto-purgationofweakandinconsistentelements,whothinktheyareanarchistswithouteverreallyhavingbeenanarchistsatall.Andjustasabigrivercannotbepollutedbytheharmfulsubstancesdumpedintoit,so,too,doesthelong-livedandworldwidecurrentofanarchismautomaticallypurifyitselfandcontinueonitsway.
Itisbecomingclearerwitheachpassingdaythatthefinalstrugglewillbeneithereconomic,norpolitical,betweenclassesandparties,butintellectualandethical,andwilltakeplace,undermultipleforms,betweentheprogressiveindividualsofanethicalbentwhopossesssome
intellectualcapacity,andtheunderdevelopedstragglers.Itisnecessarytoopenlysaythis:completeAnarchymustissueastheoutcomeofthisstruggle,integral,healthyandrobust,andnotthatmiserableabortionthatisengenderedbythetirelesseffortsoftheinfiltratorswhenevertheygetthechance.
MaxNettlau(fromSolidaridad)
1.ExcerptsfromthetextoftheMarch1938UGT-CNTUnityPact[TranslatorsNote].
Chapter3:Theinsurrectionaryclimate
3
Theinsurrectionaryclimate
WedonotneedtoomanyargumentstoprovethattheenvironmentinwhichtheSpanishpeoplelivedduringtheperiodleadinguptoJune19,1936,wasoneofopeninsurrection.ApopulationthathadenduredsomanyyearsoftheBourbonmonarchicregime,AlfonsoXIIIbeingthelastrepresentativeofthiscenturies-longrule;thathadtosufferunderthedisastrousinfluenceofthelegionsof
monksandfriars,withtheirobscurantistandsuperstitiouspreaching;thathadbeentheplaythingofthelocalcaciquesandpoliticalbosses,withtheirpromisesanddeceitfulness,andwhichsheditsbloodsoabundantlyinthedesolateregionsofMorocco,ledbytheambitionsandintriguesofthethugswhostaffthehighestlevelsoftheroyalistmilitary,logicallyhadtowakeuptorealityandmakethemselvescapableofconqueringtheirwellbeing.
Theoppressionthattheyweresubjectedtoundertherepublicanaswellasthemonarchicalregimesinstinctivelyledthemtorebelagainstthosewhowereoppressingthem.Theyhaveoftenproved
thatwithintheirrankshopeandapromisingnewdawnarebeingcultivated.
TheSpanishpeoplehaveaglorioushistoryofepicrevolutionaryattempts.Fewarethecities,townsorvillageswhosestreetsarenotstainedwiththebloodoftheworkersandanarchists.AlongtheroadsinSpain,likebattleflagsofrebellionandvengeance,onesees,oneafteranother,crossesofwoodorsimplesignsindicatingthatonthatspotananarchistfighterhadfallen,murderedduringthemercilessimplementationofthelawofflight.
InJuly1909,afteranenergeticprotestcampaignagainstthewarinMorocco,ahugegeneralstrikebrokeoutin
Barcelona,inwhichthegeneralpopulationofthecityalsotookanactivepart,andthepopulationsurgedintothestreetsandevenburnedchurchesandmonasteries.ThisepisodehasbeengiventhenameoftheTragicWeekbecauseoftheenormousnumberofworkerslivesthatweresacrificedduetotheviolentmeasuresofrepressionadoptedbythedespoticgovernmentoftheclericalistAntonioMaura.
Ashorttimeafterwards,thefounderoftheModernSchool,FranciscoFerrerGuardia,wasshotinthedungeonsoftheghastlyfortressofMontjuich,byorderofthesameMaura,andthisreprehensibledeedcausednotonlythepeopleofSpain,
butalsothepeopleofthewholeworld,topourintothestreetsinprotestagainsttheSpanishgovernment,consideringthiscrimetobeashamelessmaneuveroftheIberianclericalparty.
IntheregionsandthecitiesoftheNorthAsturias,Vizcaya,Bilbao,Santander,Oviedo,etc.thecampaignagainstthewarfoundfertilesoilandwhenthegovernmentwantedtosendtheyoungsoldiersofSpaintotheslaughterhouseoftheRiff,themothers,sistersandgirlfriendsoftheboysrebelledagainstthemilitarycaste,eventakingtheirprotesttothedockswherethetroopsweretoembarkforMorocco,temporarilypreventingtheirdeparture.
In1911,abloodyincidenttookplaceinatowninthevicinityofValenciaandtheCivilGuardimmediatelycarriedoutviciousrepressionagainstitsinhabitants,inthepreludetothefamoustrialknownastheCullera,inwhichtheprosecutingattorneycalledforthreeconsecutivelifesentencesforoneworkerandlifeimprisonmentforeveryoneoftheother17workerswhowerehisco-defendants.Thistrialhadamajorimpact,forinBuenosAiresandMontevideoaprotestcampaignwasorganizedagainstthisjudicialoutrage.
Theseincidents,andthosethatfollowedduringthereignofAlfonsoXIII,ledtomajormassacresofworkersanda
tenaciousandcruelpersecutionofanarchistsandrevolutionaryworkers.
DuringthedictatorshipofPrimodeRivera,whichlastedsevenyears,themenoftheCNTwerebitterlypersecuted,andmanyofthemweresubjectedtothedictatesofthesadlyfamouslawofflight;theworkerswereshotunderthepretextthattheyhadattemptedtoescape.ThebloodstainedgeneralMartínezAnido,organizerofthefreetradeunions,soweddeaththroughoutthestreetsofBarcelona.
ThencameApril14,1931.TheSpanishpeople,tiredofsupportingsuchdespotismandexploitation,turnedtheirattentiontowardsthepoliticianswholoudlyproclaimedtheirrepublicanviews
and,hopingforaradicalchange,helpedthesepoliticianswinthemunicipalelectionsonthatdate.KingAlfonso,responsibleforsomanycrimesandpersecutions,wasovercomewithfearandfled,leavingthegovernmentinthehandsoftherepublicans.
Allofthischangednothingwithregardtothemethodsofoppression.Therepublic,too,imprisoned,persecutedandshotrebels.DuringperiodoftheAzańagovernment,whopresidedoveracabinetthatincludedLargoCaballero,Quiroga,Maura(junior),Prietoandotherssomeofwhomweretolaterplayaprominentroleduringthecivilwarthecrimescontinuedtobecommitted,butnowinthenameof
therepublic,andthetotalnumberofdeadandprisonersreachedintothethousands,manyofwhomweremilitantsoftheCNTandtheFAI.
IntheperiodofthecabinetpresidedoverbyCasaresQuiroga,bloodyincidentstookplaceandthestatereactedwithgreatviolence,culminatingintheignominiouseventofthetragedyofCasasViejas,whichhadworldwiderepercussions,where,underorderstotakeneitherwoundednorprisoners,alargenumberofpeasantsweremassacredforthecrimeofyearningformorebreadandfreedom.ThenthetragicLerrouxrosetopower,who,determinednottofallshortoftheeffortsofhispredecessors,continuedto
carryoutaferociousrepressionagainstthemostinsignificantinstancesofprotestandrebellion,fillingthejailswithanarchistmilitants.
NowwecometotherevolutionofAsturias,ledbytheAsturianminers,inwhichtheaffiliatesoftheCNTandtheFAIplayedanactiverole.ThebloodyrepressioncarriedoutbyGeneralOchoaisabittermemory.
Chapter4:The“PopularFront”
4
ThePopularFront
ItcannotbedeniedthattheSpanish
peoplecontinuedtopayaveryhighpricefortheiryearningtobefreeandtoenjoythefruitsofliberty.ThetragedyoftheAsturianinsurrectiondevastatedtheirspiritsandthevoicesthatechoedfromtheprisonswouldtellataleofshockandsuffering.MorethanathousanddeadandmanythousandsimprisonedwastheresultthattheLerrouxgovernmentcouldboastofhavingachieved.
Theambitiousso-calledleftistpoliticians,exploitingthissadsituation,usedasarallyingpoint,intheelectoralcampaigntoreformtherepresentativebranchofgovernment,freedomfortheprisoners,andunitedundertheBolsheviksloganofpopularfront.
Thebaittheyofferedwaspersuasive;theprisonersdemandedtobefreedandthesentimental,sincereandalwaysnaiveworkerscontributedtothevictoryoftheleftistelectoralslate.TheCNT,whichwasanti-politicalduetoitstradeunionstructure,andwhichhadledbeautifulcampaignsinfavorofelectoralabstentionism,onthisoccasionsuspiciouslychangeditsattitude.
Santillán,who,eventhoughhehadnotsetasidecertainscruples,explainedthisfactwithouttheleasttraceofironyinthefollowingdelectableparagraphs:
WithregardtotheelectionsofFebruary16,1936,wewereconfrontedinSpainwithoneofthemostseriousmomentsof
ourexistenceasamovement.Wehadthekeytothefutureinourhand.Butanti-electoralpropagandahadbecomearoutinethatwashardtoovercome.Principlesandtacticswerecapriciouslyinvoked.Andeveryonerememberedtheanti-electoralcampaignofNovember1933,themostintensesuchcampaignever.Theywereinsistentlydemandingarepetition,almostacarboncopy.Thesituation,however,wasclear.Ifweoptedforelectoralabstention,aswehadalwaysdonebefore,thevictoryoftherightwouldhavebeeninevitable.Thevictoryoftherightwouldbefascismwithalegalandpopularsanction.
Thereweremanymilitantswhodidnot
wanttounderstandthisandraisedaclamoragainstourview.Severalextremelytenseweeksfollowed.Iftheresponsibilitywasnotsogreat,wewouldhaveleftthefieldopentothedemagogueswhosuddenlytransformedthemselvesintothefierceguardiansofprinciplesandsoughttoteachuslessonsaboutRevolutionandAnarchy.Weresisted.Undernocircumstancescouldwehandoverpowertotheright,totheforcesofGilRobles,byabstaining.Norwasitpossible,becausethelackofunderstandingwouldbeevengreater,toopenlyadvocateparticipationintheelections.Itwouldhavebeeninterpretedasadefectionfromourprinciples.Fortunately,thegoodinstinctsofthe
broadmassescametoouraid.Wefocusedontheliberationoftheprisonersand,inourpress,wesetforththechoices,andcarriedoutareasonablepropagandacampaignthatpreventedabstentiononthescaleof1933andconsequentlymadethevictoryoftherepublicanleftpossible.
Nocommentariesarenecessarywithregardtothispoint,forSantillánhasspokenquiteclearly.Hedoesnotunderstandwhathedoesnotwant.
Disappointmentdidnottakelongtoarrive.Whilesomeprisonerswerereleased,otherpeoplewereimprisoned,becausethesocialproblemcontinuedtobecomemoreexplosiveastheworkersorganizedfortheconquestofeconomic
improvementsthatSpanishcapitalismrefusedtoconcede.
ThesloganofthePopularFrontgovernmentwas:Firstreinforcetherepublic;thenconcessions.ThissloganwastakensoseriouslythatstrikesweredeclaredtobecrimesoflčsemajestéandtheleftistssoughttosettlestrikesledbytheCNTincourtsofarbitration.TheterribleordealofthemembersoftheCNTandtheFAIcontinued.Thereactionwasfierceandbloody.
Whiletherevolutionaryworkerswerebeingpersecutedwithferociousrage,thelandowners,theclergyandthedisgruntledmilitaryofficerswereallowed,logically,intheenvironmentof
conspiracyinwhichtheylived,toworkintheopenlightofdayinpreparationforthemomentwhentheywouldattempttoseizepower.SovisiblewerethemaneuversofthereactionariesthattheCNTmadethempublicinanannouncementdistributedonFebruary14,1936,whosecrucialparagraphswereproducebelow:
Witheachpassingdaythesuspicionthatright-wingelementsarepreparedtolaunchamilitaryuprisingbecomesmorewidespread.Itisevenamatterofpublicknowledge,nowthatleftwingnewspapersareconstantlypublishingarticleswarningaboutmachinationsthat
areostensiblysecret,butareinrealityshamelessandopen,carriedoutbythereactionaryofficersinthebarracksandinthecivilandecclesiasticalcirclesofthecounterrevolution.
Moroccoappearstobethemainfocalpointandepicenteroftheconspiracy.Whetherornotaninsurrectiontakesplaceiscontingentontheresultsoftheelections.Theplannedpreventiveactionwillbeimplementediftheleftwinstheelections.
We,whodonotdefendtherepublic,butwhorelentlesslyfightagainstfascism,willcontributealltheforcesatourdisposalinordertodefeatthehistoricalexecutionersoftheSpanishproletariat.
Inaddition,wedonothesitatetorecommendthat,whereverthelegionsoftyrannymayappear,thatyouunhesitatinglyreachanagreementwiththeantifascistsectorsbyenergeticallyattemptingtoensurethatthedefensivepreparationsofthemassesshouldfollowthepathsoftherealsocialrevolution,undertheauspicesoflibertariancommunism.
Oncemore:Keepyoureyesopen,comrades!Itisbettertotakecourageousmeasurestobesafe,eveniftheyaremistaken,thantobesorryduetonegligence.TheNationalCommittee.
Everyonemustbevigilant.Ifthe
conspiratorslightthefirewemustpursuetheactsofoppositiontotheirmaximumconsequenceswithoutallowingtheliberalbourgeoisieandtheirMarxistalliestostopthecourseofeventsshouldthefascistrevoltbeutterlysuppressedinitsverybeginnings.If,tothecontrary,thestruggleisahardone,sucharecommendationwouldbesuperfluous,becausenoonewouldstopuntiloneofthecontendingpowersiseliminated,andoverthecourseofthepeoplesvictorytheirdemocraticillusionswouldbedispelled;if,ontheotherhand,thepeoplearedefeated,thedictatorialnightmarewillannihilateus.Oncesomeoneseriouslyopensuphostilities,democracywillperishbetweentwofires,
becauseitisirrelevantandhasnoplaceonthefieldofbattle:eitherfascismorsocialrevolution.Defeatoftheformerisadutyincumbentuponthewholeproletariatandallfreedom-lovers,weaponsinhand:thattherevolutionshouldbesocialandlibertarianoughttobethemostprofoundpreoccupationofmembersoftheConfederation.Itdependsuponourintelligence,andtheunityofourthoughtandouraction,whetherornotwewillbethemostauthoritativeinspirationforthemassesandthattheywillputintopracticemodesofsociabilitythatconformtothespiritoflibertarianideas,andwhethertheseideaswillbetheimpregnabledefensiveshieldagainsttheauthoritarianinstinctsofthe
whitesandthereds.
Oncemore:Keepyoureyesopen,comrades!Itisbettertotakecourageousmeasurestobesafe,eveniftheyaremistaken,thantobesorryduetonegligence.
TheNationalCommittee.
***
ThepoliticiansofthePopularFrontwerenotinterestedintheactivitiesofthereactionaries.Outofcowardicetheywouldnotdareeventoorderviolentmeasuresagainstthemilitaryconspirators;thelatter,increasinglymorearrogant,madeuseofcriminalelements
toprovokedisorders,attacksandpremeditatedcrimes.TheSpanishpubliclivedinastateoffearandshock.
TheworkersoftheCNTcontinuedtoplanvaliantstrikemovementsandtheleftistministerscontinuedtoattempttodestroytheorganization.
Itwaspossibletoobserve,inthepreludetothemilitaryuprising,spectaclessuchastheoneaconfederalnewspaperdescribed,whichtookplaceinMadrid,duringthecourseofaconstructionworkersstrike:whiletheworkersenrolledintheUGTweretryingtoreturntowork,inaccordancewithordersissuedbythesocialistministers,theworkerswhoweremembersoftheCNTstood
withcrossedarmsinfrontoftheconstructionsites,inprotestagainstthisbetrayal.
Chapter5:July19
5
July19
TheassassinationoftherightwingpoliticianCalvoSotelohastenedthepaceofevents.TheconspiratorsgavetheordertorevoltandonthedawnofJuly19,1936therewasfightingonthestreetsofallthecitiesinSpain.ThegreatmajorityoftheunitsoftheSpanisharmyjoinedtherevolt.
Itseemsunnecessaryforustodescribetheharrowingepisodes,thebloodyclashes,andtheheroicdeedsofthe
Spanishpeopleandtheanarchiststhattookplaceduringthemorningofthathallowedday;wealsolacktheskilltodepicttheminarealisticwaythatwouldimmortalizethem.Thespiritofstruggle,sacrificeandheroismwasonceagaininevidence,recallingtheeventsofpasteras.Sublimeepicsbyacclaimedauthors.AnotherNumantiaandanotherSaguntum.
Onceagain,thesufferingandvaliantpeopletooktothestreets,constructedbarricades,assaultedthebarracks,burnedchurchesandmonasteriesandpublicoffices,withoutanyotherweapons,inmanycases,thantheiridealofredemptionandinothercaseswith
antiquatedoruselessarms.Baredbreastsconfrontedthemachineguns.Men,womenandtheelderly,gaspingforbreathandfullofenthusiasmandholyhatreds,defieddeathwithoutsecondthoughtsorcowardice.
Whatwascertainwas,withtheendoftheday,newshadalreadyarrivedfrommanycitiesonthePeninsula.Insome,thepeoplehadbeenmassacredanddefeated,withcountlessvictims.Inothers,thepeoplehadovercometherebelmilitaryforces.
Everywhere,thecomradesoftheCNTandtheFAIdisplayedprodigiesofvalorandaudacityandriskedtheirpreciouslives.
Weshallallowtheirleaderstospeakforthemselves,anddescribeafewscenesofthestruggle:
Madridwaslikeaninferno.Thebraveryofitschildrenduringthosedramatichoursdeservestobeinscribedinlinesofgold;downtheGranVíacamesomecavalrytrooperstowardsthebarracksatLaMontańa.TheyaresonsofthepeoplewhocomefromVicálvaro,withafewartillerypieces.Thepeopledonotallowthemtopass.Theysurroundthem,embracingthem.Manycriedforjoy.Automobiles,numerousautomobileswereracingdownthestreets,withpeopleclingingtothemontheirrunningboards!
LargecolumnsofsmokeroseabovethebuildingsofMadridintothesky
.
Aroundallthechurchesandmonasteriesabeautifulbuzzwasheard.Thereisnotamomentforrest.Thepeopleseemtobemotivatedasifbyasinglewill.Thefeverhasembracedallofthem.OnecouldsaythatallofMadridisoutonthestreets.Astheseriousnessofthesituationbecomesmoreapparent,therevolutionaryardorofthepeoplegrows.Itisasiftheyhadasinglebrainandasinglewill.Nopower,onethinks,candefeatthistempest.Thosewhorevoltedwillhavetotastethedustofdefeat.
LaMontańabarrackshasfallen.TheCNTfightersinthelead,scornfulofdeath,withsomeassaultguardsandyoungsocialists,enteredlikeahurricaneandsweptawayallresistance.Itwasthepowerofthepeoplewhowerereadytotakejusticeintotheirownhands.Theonlycreativeandfruitfuljustice.
Atthatsolemnhour(12a.m.onJuly20,1936),anentireregimentdiedatthehandsofthepeopleinarms.ThebulletsthatendedthelivesoftheofficersandcommandersofthearmyinthebarracksofLaMontańa,didnotjustkillahandfulofmen,butkilledawholesociety
.
AgroupofcomradesarrivedinatroopattheheadquartersoftheNationalCommitteeonCalledeSilva.Theycamearmedwithriflesandmachineguns.Wetookthemwithourowntwohands,theysaid,crazedwithjoy,andtheyarefortheOrganization.Theyweresoonmountedoncarsandsenttootherlocationsinsearchofnewrebelstrongholds.
AfterthebarracksofLaMontańa,theotherfasciststrongholdsinMadridfelloneafteranother.ThepeopleofMadrid,withanexemplaryheroism,joinedtheassaultonthebarrackswiththeirbreastsbared,whichmadegreathistoricaldeedspossible.
Oncetherebellionwasdefeatedin
Madrid,reinforcementsweredispatchedtotheSierradelGuadarrama,wherethetroopsofthebloodygeneralMolawerecornered.Onthenextday,July21,ourforcestookAlcaládeHenares,breakingthesiegeofMadridandforcingthefasciststofleetowardsGuadalajara.
(DavidAntona)
thingsweregettingorganized.Whilethestrugglecontinuedandthemilitaryuprisingwasbeingliquidated,thepeopleinarms,theabsolutemastersofBarcelona,theCNTandtheFAI;everysectorfoughtagainsttherebels,butitwastheimpulseofourmen,itwasthe
unequaledexampleofthebraveryofourmilitants,whichgalvanizedthemultitudes,itisnecessarytosaythisloudandcleartheybegantoprepareforthedawningofanewday,nowthatBarcelona,nowthatCataloniawereinthehandsofthevictoriousrevolution.TheCommitteeofAntifascistMilitias,formedonthe20thandonwhichallthesectorsthathadjoinedthefightagainstfascismwererepresented,was,infactandlegally,therealgovernmentofCatalonia.TheGeneralitatdisappearedinthefaceoftheforceandthemajestyofthenewrevolutionaryinstitutionthathadarisenfromthepopularwill
.
IntheoutlyingcountiesofCataloniathesamethinghappened.Thefascistuprisingwasimmediatelysuppressed;themunicipalgovernmentswereinthehandsoftheworkers;LocalCommitteesofAntifascistMilitiaswereformed,therevolutionwasnowafaitaccompli,unstoppable,imposingandformidable.AndifaffairshadproceededintherestofthePeninsulaastheyhadinCatalonia,ifintheotherpartsofSpainthepeoplesvictoryhadbeenasdefinitiveandasoverwhelming,howsoonwewouldhaveembarkedupontheroadtosocialism!
InBarcelona,Catalonia,July19cametoagloriousendamidstthesplendorofthefires,intherevolutionaryeuphoriaofa
dayofpopularvictory.ThehornsofthecarsthatwereracingalloverBarcelonaloadedwithworkerswithriflesintheirhands,playedthemarveloussymphonyFAI-CNT!thatwouldresoundfivedayslaterinthechorusoftheraggedyetheroicmilitias,drunkonillusionsandenthusiasm,wholeftforZaragozawithDurruti.
ThelettersCNT-FAIwerewrittenoneverywall,oneverybuilding,oneverydooroneveryhouse,oncars,andoneverything!Theredandblackflagflewinthewind,triumphantandfantastic,amarvelousimage,thatwecontemplatedwithanenchantedsoulandshiningeyes,askingourselvesifwewereonly
dreamingorifthiswasreal!No,wewerenotsleeping.Wewerewide-awake.Aswerecalltheharshvictoriousreality,thegreatfruitfulandtragicreality,thenthewidowsandtheorphanswouldcome.Howmuchnoblebloodwasspilled.Howmanymenfellinbattle,intheheatofthestruggle,mixedtogetherinholyanonymity!
(FedericaMontseny)
***
Aswecansee,andaswehonestlyrecall,inalltheencountersinwhichtheanarchistmilitantsparticipatedtheyverifiedwiththeirdignityandbraveconducttheirpastasgladiatorsofan
idealoflove,justiceandfreedom,andfaceddeathwiththeirusualnobilityandheroism.
Furthermore:thankstotheiraudacity,forgedincountlesssocialconflicts,theyledthepeople,intheprincipalIberiancities,toaresoundingvictory.Concerningtheresultsobtainedandtheconductoftheanarchists,thefollowingparagraphsfromaninterviewconductedwiththePresidentoftheGeneralitat,theCatalanpoliticianCompanys,aremostinformative,asrecountedbyJuanGarcíaOliver,latertheMinisterofJustice:
FirstofallImustsaythattheCNTandtheFAIhaveneverbeentreatedastheydeserveinviewoftheirrealimportance.
Theyhavealwaysbeenharshlypersecuted;andI,mostregretfully,butforcedtodosobypoliticalrealities,whowasonceonyourside,waslaterforcedtopersecuteyou.TodayyouarethemastersofthecityandCatalonia,becauseyoualonehavedefeatedthefascistmilitaryandIhopethatyouwillnotthinkitoffensiveonmyparttoremindyouthatyouhavenotlackedthehelpofthefewormanyloyalmenfrommypartyandfromtheguardsandthestableattendants
.
Butthetruthisthat,althoughharshlypersecutedupuntiljustyesterday,todayyouhavedefeatedthemilitaryandthefascists.Ithereforecannot,knowingyou
andthekindofpeopleyouare,useanybutthemostsincerelanguage.Youhavewonandeverythingisinyourpower,ifyoudonotneedmeordonotwantmetocontinuetoserveasthePresidentofCatalonia,tellmenowsothatIcanjointheranksasonemoresoldierinthestruggleagainstfascism.If,ontheotherhand,youbelievethatinthispostthatonlydeathcouldhavecausedmetoyieldtovictoriousfascism,Ican,withthemenofmyparty,withmynameandmyprestige,beusefulinthisstruggle,which,ifithasturnedoutsowelltodayinthecity,wedonotknowwhenorhowitwillendintherestofSpain,youcancountonmeandonmyloyaltyasamanandasapolitician,amanwhoisconvincedthat
todayanentiredisgracefulpasthasperished,andthatIsincerelydesirethatCataloniashouldmarchattheheadofthemostadvancedcountrieswithregardtosocialquestions.
GarcíaOlivercommentsonthisinterviewasfollows:
Atthattime,Companyswasspeakingwithanobvioussincerity.Amalleable,morethanmalleableandrealisticman,whoprofoundlyexperiencedthetragedyofhispeoplesavedfromage-longslaverybytheeffortsoftheanarchists,heusedthelanguagedemandedbythecircumstances,androsetotheverydifficulttaskofmeasuringuptothem,inauniquegestureofdignityand
understanding,qualitiesthathavebeensosorelylackingamongSpanishpoliticians.Companys,withoutyieldingtofearoftherevolution,logicallythinkingthattherevolutionitselfwouldcometounderstandwhatwaspossibleandwhatwasimpossibleunderthecircumstances,madeanefforttoassumeadignifiedposition,asaCatalonianwhounderstoodthatthemomentoftruthhasarrivedforhiscountry,andasamanofadvancedliberalopinions,whodidnotfeartheboldestprogramsinthesocialdomain,aslongasthelatterarebasedonthelivingrealityofwhatispossible.
AndSantillán,inhisbook,TheRevolutionandtheWarinSpain,
discussingthesameinterview,says:
OncetherevoltwasliquidatedinCatalonia,thePresidentoftheGeneralitat,LuisCompanys,calleduponustoattendaconferenceinordertohearourproposalsonhowtofacilitatevictory.WecametotheGeneralitatarmedwiththeweaponsofvictory,accompaniedbyanumerousgroupthatservedusasabodyguard.Wecouldhavegoneitalone,imposedourabsolutedictatorship,declaredtheGeneralitattobeabolishedandinstituted,initsplace,therealpowerofthepeople;butwedidnotbelieveindictatorshipwhenitwasexercisedagainstus,norcanwedesireitwhenwecanourselvesexerciseittothedetriment
ofothers.TheGeneralitatcontinuedtofunctionwithPresidentCompanysatitsheadandthepopularforceswereorganizedinmilitiastocontinuethestrugglefortheliberationofSpain,afterhavingliberatedCataloniafromtheclawsofthemilitary.
***
WiththebloodyscenesthatunfoldedonJuly19,1936,whicharedescribedinasummaryformintheabovepassages,theshockingtragedythattheSpanishpeopleenduredformorethanthirtymonthsbegan,withthedisastrousresultsthatarenowsowellknown,whichIrecountedinmyIntroductionaboveendorsedbythemilitantswhooccupiedpostsof
responsibilityintheCNTandtheFAI,whoviedwitheachotherwithrespecttotheerrors,backroomdealsandselloutstheycommittedthetragedyofoneofthemostdisappointingchaptersoftheemancipatoryhistoryoftheworkingclassmassesofSpain.
Chapter6:Thefirstcontradictions
6
Thefirstcontradictions
Fromthebriefdescriptionsrelatedabove,weseethattheday-by-dayexpectationofthesocialrevolutionwasarealityimposedbythecircumstances.Theoralandwrittenpropagandathathadbeencarriedout;thebloodystrikeswagedagainstIberiancapitalism;theimprisonmentandtrialsandshootingsinflictedonthemilitantsoftheCNTandtheFAI,overdecadesthroughoutSpain,
hadborntheirlongawaitedfruit.
Thepeopleinarmshaddestroyedaregimeofopprobrium,tyrannyandexploitationandhaddecidedtobuildanewsocietywhereeveryonewouldenjoylibertyandwellbeing.
Theanarchistmilitants,whowerethefirsttomanthemostdangerouspositions,wouldalsobethefirsttoorientthepeopletowardstheiremancipation,takingcarethattheywouldnothavetoexperiencewhattheRussianpeoplehadtogothrough,afterNovember7,1919[sic:shouldbe1917],whenthepoliticianstookadvantageofalltheenormouseffortsandsomanyliveslost:sothatnowtheRussianpeopleliveunder
theruleofabloodydictatorship.
Weweresurethatitcouldnothappeninanyotherway.Thatwaswhenwereceivedacommuniqué,whichhadbeensentbytheCNTtothemembersoftheconfederationandtheSpanishpeopleingeneral,issuingawarningwithregardtotheongoingevents,inthefollowingterms:
Comrades:Compelledbytheeventsandunderstandingthateveryhourthatpassesrequiresadifferentapproach,becausethegreatcounterrevolutionaryoffensiveisbasicallydifferentbothinformandsubstance,weareissuingthismanifestotoday,readyasalwaystoprovideorientationandassistancetothosewho
areaccessibletoourmessage,theSpanishrevolutionarymasses.
Thisisadangeroustimefortheinterestsoftheproletariancommunity.Onthehorizonwecanobserve,withincreasinglywell-definedoutlines,theimplacableunfoldingofthebloodymaneuversoftheSpanishbourgeoisie.
Thosewho,likeus,donotparticipateinthepoliticalleadershipofthecountry,althoughwithourattitudewehaveonmorethanoneoccasioncausedachangeofcourseinthegovernmentalsphere,mustnowsetforth,aswehaveonsomanyothersimilaroccasions,ourpositiononthenationsgovernment.
Everyoneknowsaboutouraversiontoparticipating,werepeat,inthepoliticalfateofthepopulation.Politicsistheinfectiousdunghillthatpollutestheentirebodywithitsmiasmas.Thatiswhatwehavealwaysthoughtandnoweachpassinghourreinforcesourconvictionsaboutthismatter,thattheroadsoftherevolutioncannotbesqueezedintothenarrowandconstraininglanesofferedbythedespicableeverydaypolitics.Thelatterarefullofblindalleysanddeceptivecrossroadsthatcauseindividualsandcollectivestolosetheirproperfeatures.ThatiswhytheNationalConfederationofLabor,inaccordancewiththeorientationsoftheFirstInternational,onceagainsaystothe
insurrectionarymasses:donottrustanyoneelsetodosomethingforyou;theleaders,inthegreatturningpointsofhistory,alwaysadvisecalmanddiscipline.Thisiswhywenowseek,inordertoimpeltherevolutiontowardsitsfinalgoal,toconvincethemassestodisregardtheappealsofthosewhoturntheirbacksonthecrudeandsharplydefinedreality,andwhopreferademocracydrapedintheshroudofhungerandpersecutions,ratherthanaprofoundandtransformativerevolution.Asforfascism,thecriminalityofthepowerfulcasteselevatedintoasystem,youcanonlyabolishitbydestroyingcapitalistsocietyatitsroots.
***
Whatadifferencethereisbetweentheactualpositionstheseorganizationsweretoadoptandthebeautifulconceptsproclaimedabove!Thebreezeofrealityleftquiteapileofdeadleavesbehindit!
Thosewhocontrolledthefateofanenormouspopulationandanimmenseterritory,suchasisrepresentedbyBarcelonaandAragon,withinafewhoursofhavingbecomeawareoftheirvictorycommittedtheirfirstmistakesandpublicizedtheirfirstactsofbetrayalwithregardtomattersofprinciple.TheyjoinedaCommitteeofMilitias,inshamefulassociationwiththepoliticians,andtheCNTandtheFAIproclaimedthat
theirorganizationswereinfavorofcollaborationanddemocracy,renouncingtherevolutionarytotalitarianismthatwouldnecessarilyleadtothesuffocationoftherepublicbyaconfederalandanarchistdictatorship,inthewordsofGarcíaOliver;theyrecognizedthepriorityofcollectiveresponsibility,addingthatnotallowingourselvestobesweptawaybytheexcitement,nortobeintoxicatedbytherapid,definitiveandoverwhelmingvictorythatwehadwon,theyissuedtheordertoconquerthetownscontrolledbyfascism.Thereisnolibertariancommunism.Firstwehavetofighttheenemywhereverhemaybefound,accordingtoMarianoVázquez.
Theyhadforgotten,afewdaysaftersigningthemwiththeirownhandsandpublishingthem,thoselapidaryphrasesoftheCNTscommuniqué:Donottrustanyoneelsetodoanythingforyou;theleaders,attheturningpointsofhistory,alwaysadvisecalmanddiscipline
.
TheSpanishpeople,whohadbeentheeternalvictimsofthepriests,thevillagecaciquesandpoliticalcaudillos,werenowthevictimsoftheconfederalcaudillos.
TheconceptsdisseminatedbytheCNTandtheFAIintheirnewspapersandmagazines,whichwerenumerousin
Barcelona,Madrid,Valencia,etc.,inordertojustifythesefirstretreatswithrespecttoprinciple,donotmeritcomment,eveniftheyareintheirownwayemotionallycompelling.Theysoughttoputthebrakesonthepeoplesinnateyearningforredemption,thesocialrevolution,sothattheMarxistpoliticiansofSpainandthebourgeoisandproletariandemocraciesFrance,EnglandandRussiawouldhelptheSpanishpeopleintheirbattleagainstfascism!!
Fromthenon,everythingwasdisconcertingandshameful.Inordertodrivehomethenailoftheirinconsistencies,oftheirbetrayaloftheirownideas,theyinitiatedaspirited
campaigninfavorofunifiedcommand,controlanddiscipline,allarmstothefront,andwinthewar.
Theyhadceasedtobeanarchistsandinsteadbecameplainantifascistsandsought,indeedbeggedanxiously,forunitywithallthepoliticians,andpositionsofresponsibilityinSpainscentralgovernment.
Chapter7:Thegentlemen“ministers”
7
Thegentlemenministers
Itissomewhatdifficulttopiecetogetherindetailtheattitudesadoptedandthe
resolutionsapprovedbythemajorityoftherepresentativesoftheCNTandtheFAIinthewakeoftherevolt.Butitisworthmentioningthatbecauseoftheirsubsequentdeleteriouseffectsonouraspirationsthattheagreementssignedatthatfamoussessionwheretheabove-mentionedinstitutions,demonstratingtheirrevolutionarymaturity,andafterthedeclarationsofcomradeCompanysYouhavedefeatedthemilitaryandthefascistsandeverythingisinyourhands;ifyoudonotwantmetobethePresidentofCatalonia,tellmenow,sothatImaybeonemoresoldierwereofanimmensehistoricalsignificanceandalsoentaileddefeatistandsuicidalconsequences.
Thefactthattheydecidedforcollaboration,fordemocracy,andagainstanydictatorialrevolutionarysolution,hadtheimmediateresultofleavingthingsastheywerebeforethemilitaryuprising.ThebourgeoisStatehadsufferedasetback,fromwhichitwouldsoonrecoverwiththecooperationofthemajoritycenetistasandfaístas.TheyputtheirtrustinthewordofaCataloniandemocratandmaintainedandsupportedCompanysasthePresidentoftheGeneralitat.Andbecausetheywerethemajorityforceuponwhichtheattempttoconstitutearealdemocracymustfall,andbecausewedonotwanttoimitatethebigandarrogantfish,whoneverallowtheirzealtodevourthelittlefishtoflagmost
ofthesephrasesthatwearetranscribingcomefromGarcíaOlivertheyagreedtojoinaCommitteeofMilitiastogetherwiththerepresentativesofthepoliticalparties.
***
Whatwesaidabove,aboutthemilitaristslogansproclaimedbythepressandpropagandaorgansoftheCNTandtheFAI,isfullyjustified.ManyprestigiousmembersoftheCNTandtheFAIwerehigh-rankingmilitaryofficersandmanagerialofficestafflaterconnectedwiththewar.
Butwhyweretheysoenthusiasticaboutacceptingtheseslogansthatboresuchan
authoritariananddictatorialstamp?
Atthetime,theexplanationofferedwasthatmanygoodboysmadeuseofdeceptiontorejectthetakingupofarms.Thatduetothelackofmilitaryknowledgemorelivesweresacrificedthannecessaryandthatactionswerenotundertakenattherighttimeandplace,and
wehavecultivatedmanymoreconjectures.Itis,however,undeniable,duetotheeventsthattookplaceatthetime,thatthesesloganshadadifferentpurpose.
TheassuranceoftheCNTandtheFAI,intheirconformancetothetranscendental
resolutionofpostponingthesocialrevolution,thatitwasthemajority,meansthataminoritydisagreedwiththisfirstdeviation.Andwhataboutthisminority?Diditsmembersquietlyacceptthisseriouserror?Didtheyobeytheordersoftheleadersofthemilitias?
TheeventsthattookplaceatthetimeinformusthattheydidnotandthatitwasnotunlikelythattheantifascistsfeltinfringeduponintheirhierarchicaldelusionsandintheirMarxistandultimatelyauthoritarianmaneuversandsoughttoenclosewithintherigidgripofdisciplinethosewhowouldneveraccept,asanarchists,suchanoverwhelmingbetrayaloftheirredemptiveideas.
Buttheresoundingfallofthecenetistaandfaístatheoreticiansdidnotstopthere.
WhenFrancoshostsreachedthegatesofMadridandthePopularFrontgovernmenthadfledtoValencia,anappealtodefendtheCapitalwiththepreconceivedpurposeoffurtherweakeningtheAragonFront,inordertoadvantageouslypursuereactionarymaneuversthatwerelatersuccessfullyconcludedbytheauthoritarianfractionswasmadetothemenoftheCNTandtheFAI;thiscallwasansweredbyDurrutiwithacolumnofmilitiamenwhoperformedgloriousfeatsinthetrenchesoftheCiudadUniversitaria.Atthesametimeaftermuchplaintive
beggingrepresentativesoftheCNTandtheFAIwereallowedtoenterthatgovernmentthathadfledinsuchacowardlymannerfromMadrid.Theserepresentativesthenbecameministers,alongsidethepoliticianswho,beforetheuprising,hadorderedmercilesspersecutionsofanarchistmilitants.
But
itwasanimperiousnecessity.Wejoinedthegovernment,Santillánsaid,becausewehadasingledominantconcern:toplaceallresources,allenergies,allpossibilitiesofthecountryattheserviceofthewar,whichweconsideredsacred,becauseitwasawarofthepeopleagainstthosewhohadrevoltedinordertoreduce
ittoaslaveryworsethantheonetheyalreadysuffered.
***
Nevertheless,allthedialecticspouredoutbythosewhoundertooktoimplementthenewwayscannotpossiblycobbletogetheraconvincing,honestandsincereexplanationthatwouldjustifythesluggishness,thedocilityandtheindifferencedemonstratedbytheresponsiblemembersoftheCNTandtheFAIinalltheshamefulanddisreputableepisodesthatlatertookplace
.Nordotheyexplainthetacitcollaborationgrantedtoallthegovernmentsthatsucceededoneanother
intheperiodofthecivilwar,fortheyconformedtoallthepoliticalchangesthattookplaceandwerethereforeCaballeristas,Prietistas,Negrinistas,Miajistas,andfinallyCasadistas;inoneword,governmentalists.
Itisclearthatonedoesnotneedtobeanespeciallyastuteobservertodeducewithoutanyintentiontojudgewhatwasontheirmindsthat,besidesthesatisfactionsthattheywillhaveenjoyedbybreakingintothecircleofthepreeminentmenofstate,especiallyduringsuchacruelperiod,historymustattestthatthestatusofcollaboratorswithanygovernmentgrantsthemcertainadvantagesandprerogativesthatwerenot
enjoyedbythosewhofoughtonthebattlefields;advantagesandprerogativesthatperhapstheyneverenteredintotheiralliancistcalculationstheyverywellavailedthemselvesofintheirretreatfromBarcelonatoFrance,escapinginairplanesorotherconvenientmeansoftransportandfromthecentralfrontMadrid,ValenciaandAndalusiainairplanesandmerchantshipsandeveninEnglishwarshipswhilethemilitiamenremainedinSpainatthemercyofFrancosmercenaries.Eveninexiletheyobtainedadvantageswiththeirhighstatusasministers,forwhilethelatterwereabletofindrefugeinallthemostimportantcitiesofEurope,thetragedyoftheantifascistsoldierscontinuedinthe
unsanitaryconcentrationcampsconstructedinFrance.
***
Letusreturntothemaintrail.Itwouldbeasignofunpardonabledisrespectifweweretorefrainfrommentioningthenamesofthegentlemenministersandsomeoftheirrevealinginitiatives,whosepurposewastogetthestatecar,whichhadatthetimesufferedaseriouspanne[breakdown],backontheroad.
WearenotinterestedintheperformanceofFedericaMontsenyasMinisterofHealth,althoughitdidhavesomehumanitarianaspects;shehadtherewardofagreatdealofpersonalsatisfaction,
sincesheisrememberedforhermeritoriouslaborasMinisterofHealth,andthefactthatawingoftheVélezRubioMaternityHospitalhasbeennamedafterher.
***
WehadoriginallyintendednottomentiontheMinisterofCommerce,JuanLópez,outofrespectforhislearnedreputationinPoliticsandSociology,but,quiteopportunely,anarticleofhiscameintoourhandsthathadbeenpublishedinCulturaProletaria,inwhich,soliloquizinginfavorofthefamily,heshowshistruecolorsandmakesafewdeclarationsthatwejustcannotresistquoting.
Aftertellingusaboutthenarrowhorizonoftheideologicalfamily;ofthedemagogythatparadesboldlyinthestreets;ofthefactthathisentryintothegovernmentwastheconquestofarevolutionarystronghold;thattheywerenotgoingtoestablishLibertarianCommunism,orrealizetheintegralprogramofSocialism,buttoupholdtheworldoftherepublichethenproceedstoalengthydiscussionoftherevoltofMay1937inBarcelonarepudiatedbytheCNTministersagainstwhichhedisplayshisutmostindignationbecauseitforcedhimtoresignfromhisgovernmentposition,fromwhichheintendedtoensuretheconquestsoftheworkingclassand
becauseinafewhourstheeffortsofsomanymonthsofworkcollapsedandmagnificentpositionsofallkindswerelost.
Heconcludeshisarticlebysaying:
TheeventsofMay3ultimatelymeanthefollowing:
Theabsenceofrealdisciplineinthelibertarianmovement,which,duetoitsirresponsibleactionsinCatalonia,facilitatedthepoliticalmaneuverthatputanendtothegovernmentofLargoCaballero.
Removingusfromtherevolutionarypositionswehadconqueredandtheloss
ofanychancetoconsolidatethemISWHATOURRESIGNATIONFROMTHEGOVERNMENTIMPLIES.
***
JuanPeiró,intheMinistryofIndustry,musthavedisplayedagreatdealofclevernesstodeservethepraiseofhissubordinatesinthatgovernmentaldepartmentwhenheattendedregretfully,perhapstheceremonywhereheofficiallysteppeddownfromsuchanhonorableposition,since,accordingtoPeiróhimself,uponhisdeparture,theytoldhim:
YoumaydepartwiththeassurancethattheMinistryofIndustryhasneverbeen
soproductiveasitwasduringyourincumbency.
Thisadulatorypraiseoftheseofficeparasitesisexplainableandjustified,sincetheycouldconfirmtheenthusiasmandassiduousnessJuanPeiródisplayedinhisreconstructivelaborsinordertoingratiatehimselfwiththebourgeoisieandthepoliticiansandinordertobuttressthepoweroftheState.FurtherproofofwhatwesaidabovecanbefoundinthetranscriptofaspeechPeiródeliveredattheGranTeatroinValencia,afewdaysafterresigningfromhishighoffice,inordertoexplainhisconductintheMinistry,fromwhichweshallquotethefollowingpassage:
NoonecandenythecollaborationprovidedbytheCNTandtheFAIwithrespecttopublicorder.ThemenoftheCNT,themenoftheFAI,havedoneeverythingwithintheirpowertoreestablishorderwherever,duetocircumstancesthatIshallnotanalyzehere,disorderhadarisen.Noonewillbeabletodenythis,becauseoftherecenteventsinCatalonia,morepreciselytheeventsinBarcelona,andthecomradesoftheUGTthemselveshavehadanopportunitytoseehowtheelementsoftheConfederationbehavewhohavebeenassignedthejobofestablishingorderandreestablishingdisciplineinBarcelona.
WhentheCNTjoinedthegovernmentof
CataloniaandthegovernmentoftheRepublic,allofustookupourpostshavingrenouncedanyandalltotalitarianintentions.Weknewthatweweregoingtocollaborate,andincollaboratingwedidsoinasincere,honorableanddisinterestedmanner.
Havingreadtheaboveparagraphs,thereaderwillbeconvincedbyPeiróstoneofthestatistmentalitythatprevailedamongthesebureaucratsandthedubiousmissionthattheywereperforming.Theyassumedresponsibilitywedonotdiscoverbywhoseordersforreestablishingorderanddisciplinewheretheywerelacking.
***
NowallthatremainsistodiscussJuanGarcíaOliverwho,representingtheCNT,wastobecometheMinisterofJustice.
WearenotinanypositiontouncovertheMachiavellianintentionsthatguidedthepoliticianLargoCaballerowhen,yieldingtotheinsistentpetitionsoftheCNTandtheFAI,hegavethemfourbureaucraticpositionsinthegovernmentthathadfledtoValencia;butwedoknowthatthefactthatamilitantwhocalledhimselfananarchistoccupiedthepostofMinisterofJusticewasmostinconceivableandridiculousandgivesanideaofthestatistdeliriumfromwhichtheseleaderssuffered.
WhatiscertainisthatGarcíaOliver,
brandishinghisactionprogramNowtherewillbejusticeassumedthemagistratesgownandwithsmugsatisfaction,cheerfulandcontent,hedecidedtorepresentthegoddessThemis.
Injustwhatmannerheperformedwhatappearedtobethemostgrotesqueactsintheexecution,bydecrees,ofjustice,isexemplifiedbythezealhedisplayedindraftinglegislationonjudicialsentencing(!)andontheorganizationofprisonlife.
GarcíaOliverplungedwithsuchunexpecteddiligenceintoaregenerativelaborofsuchpettifoggingmagnitudethathedidnotallowhimselftoreflectonhisideologicalpositionpriortotheconflictthatwastakingplace,tosuchanextent
thathe,inplainlyboastfulterms,wroteameticulousdescriptionofthedraftlegislationheproposed,thedecreesheissued,andthejusticemeasuresthathehadimplemented,especiallyemphasizingtheonesthatgrantedlegalrightstowomen,thatcancelledcriminalrecordsforcrimescommittedbeforetheuprising,thatstipulatedtheorganizationofLaborCamps(i.e.,ConcentrationCamps)andamultitudeofotherinitiativesthatheauthorized,expressinghimselfasfollows:Iftheworkwashard,thefruitsweremagnificent.Andhefulfilledhisobsession:Toperfectthejusticesystem.
ButthisintensivejudicialactivitydoesnotexhaustthedynamismofGarcía
Oliver.
HavingattractedtheattentionoftheMinistryofWarbecauseoftheimpressiveconstructivequalitieshedisplayed,hewasorderedbythatMinistrytocreateandorganizethePeoplesMilitaryAcademies,whichwouldlatergraduatethousandsofofficerswhoweassumewouldbetheproletarianofficercorpsuponwhichthegovernmentalistcenetistaswouldrelytocarryoutthesocialrevolutionwhenthecivilwarended.However,inaspeechthatGarcíaOliverdeliveredtotheofficerswhograduatedfromoneofthesePeoplesAcademies,thatofBarcelona,wemaydeducethatsuchanassumption
wouldbeacrasserror.
Thisiswhathesaidinthisspeech:
You,theofficersofthepopulararmy,mustobserveanIRONDISCIPLINEandimposeitonyourmen,who,oncetheyareincorporatedintheranks,mustCEASETOBEYOURCOMRADESinordertobecomecogsinthemilitarymachineofourarmy.Yourmissionistoassurevictoryovertheinvadingfascistforcesandmaintain,atthemomentofvictory,apowerfulpopulararmyuponwhichwecanrelytorespondtoanyfascistprovocation,whetheropenorconcealed,ofaforeignpower,andthatwillknowhowtomakethenameofSpainrespected,whichhasforsolong
beendisregardedininternationalaffairs.
TheMinisterofJustice,besidesbeingaMinister,wasarabidmilitaristandafanaticalpatriot.
Onefactofthegreatestimportance,however,tellsusthatGarcíaOliverwasseriouslyderangedbyhispositioninthesphereofthegovernment,thathiseyesightandhishearingwereseverelydamaged,leavinghimcompletelymyopicanddeaf,forwhileHisExcellencytheHonorableMinisterofJusticewaslegislatingaboutjudicialsentencingstandardsandwasissuingdecreesthatcancelledpunishments,inallthetownsandcitiesofloyalistSpainthechekaorganizedbythecommunists,with
expertssentfromRussia,wasassassinatinganarchistsorimprisoningthemintorturechambers,withoutGarcíaOlivereverinterveningontheirbehalformakinguseofhisexaltedposition,whichindisputablyprovesthatJuanGarcíaOliver,justlikehisthreecomradesinthecabinet,representingtheCNT,wereplayingadespicableandregrettablerole.TheywereridiculouspuppetsdisguisedasMinistersandadornedwithshininggoldbraid,givingtheimpressionthatratherthanpuppetstheyinsteadresembledthedisreputableclownsandstreetperformerswhotravelledtheroadsofSpaininothertimes.
Inthemeantimedespitesuchunfortunate
andmiserableevidenceoftheiractivitiestheCNTMinisters,complyingwiththeirstatistsloganofdisinterest,spiritofsacrificeandloveofwork,werestilldistinctlyensconcedwithinthehybridblocoftheantifascists.
Chapter8:Feedingthecrows….
8
Feedingthecrows
.
OurbareassertionthattherewasaminoritythatopposedthefirsttranscendentalresolutionsoftheCNTmajorityandtheFAIandsubsequent
suchproclamations,canbedemonstratedbythealarmingnewsthatreachedusandrecentlyprovideduswithanaccurateaccountofcertainarbitraryfactsthat,intheirownfashion,weredepictedforusbythecorrespondentsofthenewsagencies.
Onthebasisofthesenewsreportswedrewtheconclusionthattheauthoritarianelementshadincreasedinnumberandinpower,withthecondescensionoftheMinisterialists.Censorshipwasstrict.Allthecommitteesofananarchistoriginweredissolved.MarxistnucleiwereincreasinglybeinginsertedintotheCNTmilitiasandtheStateextendeditstentaclesallthewaytotheborderwith
France.
TheSecretaryoftheIWA,Besnard,tellsusagreatdealaboutthesedevelopmentsinhisreporttotheIWA:
1.ThatthemilitiaswerecondemnedandmilitarizationacceptedbytheCNT.
2.Thatthefreemunicipalitiesthatemergedfromtherevolutionhadbeenreplacedbystateinstitutions.
3.ThattheCounciloftheEconomypassedfromthehandsoftheCNTintothoseoftheGeneralitat.
IhaveonmanyoccasionsinsistedwithregardtoSantillán;thathewas
responsibleforthepreservationofthemilitias.IhaveexplainedtohimthedangersthatanarmyinthehandsofagovernmentwouldrepresentandthesecuritythatworkersmilitiasorganizedbytheCNTwouldoffertotherevolution.AlthoughSantillánassuredmethathewouldmaintainthisinstrumentofdefenseoftherevolutionunderhisjurisdiction,onbehalfoftheCNT,henonethelessaccepteditsdisappearancealongwithalltheconsequences.Fromthatmoment,however,ashehadtowritelaterinTierrayLibertad,hebelievedintheneedforatransitionalStatetorepresentSpaininforeignaffairs,andintheneedforadisciplinedgovernmentarmytodefeatfascism.Itisofnouse
emphasizinghowforeignthisconceptistoourdoctrine,andhowmuchitresemblesauthoritariancommunism.Itcannotbutfavorthedevelopmentofthelatter,markingaconsiderableretreatoftheCNTandanincreasingabandonmentofourmethodsandideas.
***
Inthemeantime,calamitouseventshavetakenplaceinSpain,eventsthathavejustifiedthewarningthatcomradeBesnardexpressedinhisreport.
TheCommunistParty,withatinymembershipbeforethemilitaryuprising,hasgrownasaresultoftheaffiliationofthousandsofpettybourgeoisieandbythe
infiltrationoftechnicianswhocametoSpainfromallovertheworld,especiallyfromRussia,whichwasthepriceofthesaleofthearmsneededbytheantifascistsoldiers.ThedominanceoftheBolshevikswasapparentnotonlyinthearmy,butalsointhepoliceforces.Andthemeansutilizedbythelattertoasserttheirpowerinvolvedthecommissionofcertaincrimes.
AlthoughthecomradesoftheCNTandtheFAIhavenotdecidedtoopenlyclaimthis,nonetheless,itiscertainthatDurrutiwaskilledbythecommunists.ThepresscorrespondentinSpainfortheBuenosAiresnewspaperCrítica,JoséGabriel,accusestheBolsheviksofbeing
responsibleforhisdeath.
Todaythistestimonyisnolongernecessary.Afterthe(all-toobelated)publicationoftheimportantrevelationsmadebycertaingovernmentalelementsaffiliatedwiththeCNT,concerningthedespicableproceedingsoftheauthoritarians,itcannotbedeniedthatthisdubiousassassinationandmanyothersthattookplaceinSpainwerethesinisterworkoftheantifascistcheka.
TherewasthecaseofYagüe,acommunistmemberoftheMadridDefenseCouncil,whowaswoundedbyaguardpostedonahighwayinAragon.TheBolsheviks,whobythattimeweredistinguishedbytheirpredominance,
usedthisincidentasanexcusetounleashwithevenmoreviolencetheiranimositytowardstheirallies,andthiscampaignwaswagedonsuchalargescalethattheCNTandtheFAI,alarmedbythedirectionthatthesedemonstrationsoffriendshiphadtaken,issuedthiscommuniqué:
Facedwiththesituationofviolencethattheywanttoimposeonus,weproperlyrespondthatweshallnotallow,onceagain,aftercomradeYagüewaswounded,thatthecomradesofourOrganizationshouldbemurderedinthestreetsofMadrid,thusignitingabonfireofuncontainablepassions.ThreemilitantsoftheCNThavebeenfound
deadinthelastfewdaysinthevicinityoftheCapital.
TheAnarchistYouth,ofMadrid,alsoaddedthefollowing:
Weshallnotconsentforevenonemoreminutetoallowtheauthoritiestobeat,insultandarrestourmilitantsandtorefusetorecognizethemembershipcardsoftheCNT,theFAIandtheLibertarianYouth.Wearepreparedtoshootwithoutmercyallthosetraitorsandthenew-stylepolicewhotrytoarrestandbeatus.
***
YettheMinisterialistsoftheCNTandtheFAIcontinuedtoserveintheireminent
positions.ThemaneuversoftheBolsheviksdidnotcausethemanygrieforconcerns.Suchwasthespiritofunitythatprevailedamongthesecomrades,andtheadmirationandadulationthattheydisplayedtowardstheStalinistauthoritariansoutofexpediencyoroutoffearthatcomradeA.Schapirowasledtomakethefollowingobservations:
THEUSSRANDTHECNT
AnunacceptablepositionItiswithgrowingsadnessandafeelingofacutepainthatonenowreads,andthishasbeenthecaseforsometimenow,SolidaridadObrera,theorganoftheCNT.Wearecompelledtocometothisconclusion,thatthisdailynewspaper
withaprintrunofaquartermillioncopiesaday,hasbecomeasemi-officialdailynewspaperoftheUSSR.
Youneedonlyleafthroughthepagesofouranti-BolshevikSolitoseethatitisfullofarticlesthatsupporttheUSSRandStalinsforeignpolicy,withouttheleastdiscordantnotethatwouldmitigatethisimpression.
WeneedonlylookthroughadozenissuesofSolioverthelastfewweekswithregardtotheattitudeoftheUSSRinGenevaandNyon.
TheworldproletariatmustdefinitivelysupportthepositionoftheUSSR,onearticlestates,datedSeptember9,while
theeditorialinthesameissuedeclaresthatallthefreepeopleoftheworldmustsupportthedemandsoftheUSSRandtodrivehomethisopinion,anotherarticleproclaimsthatthereisonlyonewaytoreinforcethedecisivepositionoftheUSSR:thatisinternationalworkingclassactiontogetherwiththeSovietproletariat.OnthenextdaySoliclaimsthattheattentionoftheproletariatiseagerlyawaitingagesturefromRussia.Byacoincidencethatcanonlymakeonelaugh,aheadlineonthesamepagesays,Machiavelli,theInspirationofItalyandGermany
forgetting,byanoversight,nodoubt,toaddtheUSSR,themostaccomplished
discipleoftheItalianphilosopher.
Adaylater,onSeptember11,SoliannouncedthattheNationalCommitteeoftheCNThadselecteditsrepresentativetoserveontheCommission(createdbyTheFriendsoftheUSSR)tocommemoratethe20thanniversaryoftheUSSR.AfewdayslaterwereadthattheCNTofMadridparticipatedinthetributetotheSovietUnion.IntheSoliofSeptember12,wearepleasedtodiscoverthatSpain,keptawayfromNyonbyEuropeandiplomacy,willhaveitsplacetherethankstothevoiceoftheUSSRandonSeptember18,Solicontainsaportraitofcomrade(spareus!)Ovseenko,ontheoccasionofhisappointmenttothepostof
MinisterofJusticeoftheUSSR.
ButwhileSoliandtheCNTpileupsomanyproofsoftheirsupportfortheUSSR,itsgovernmentanditsrepresentativesinNyonandBarcelona,neitherrefrainedfromengaginginabundantcriticism,oftenquitebitter,ofthePSUC,whichistheCommunistPartyofCatalonia,SectionoftheThirdInternational,andentirelysubjecttotheordersofthatsamegovernmentoftheUSSR.ThisisaparadoxthatshowsthewholetragedyofasituationthatobligestheCNTtoplaythisdoublegame:tosimultaneouslysupportMoscowandtoattackMoscowsSpanishorganism,thePSUC.
Oneisforcedtoask:withregardtothesepositions,inwhichcasearetheCNTandSolisincereandinwhichcasearetheynot?Certainly,theUSSRsellsitsmilitarysuppliestorepublicanSpain.Wesaysell,becauseithasbeendemonstratedthatnotonekiloofweaponryhaseverbeensentbyStalinwithoutreceivingpaymentinmoney
oringold.ConcerningthisquestionweshalltranscribethefollowingpassageswrittenbyL.V.inLeRéveil,ofGeneva:
OurfriendshaveinvokedtheaidprovidedbyRussia.ItisimpossibletoattacktherepresentativesofMoscow,becausethematerialsupportofMoscow,asopposedtotheshamefuldefectionof
thedemocratic-capitaliststatesandespeciallythecowardiceoftheproletariansofthosestateswhohavebeendeceivedbytheirleaders,wasabsolutelyindispensabletomaintainanychancetodefeatthefascisttroops!However,whynotcomerightoutandsayit:Russiahassentusarmsofsuchandsuchaqualityandinsuchandsuchamounts.Spain,ontheotherhand,hasgivenRussiasomuch
andfurthermore,theSovietleadershaveproposed,inthearenaofdomesticpolitics,suchandsuchconditionsandsuchandsuchdemands.Why,then,shouldweacknowledgetheaidprovidedbytheSovietsbutnotadmitthepricethat
MoscowhasimposedandthathasbeenacceptedbyValencia?Theanarchistorganizationshavebeenmadefoolsof,theyhavebeenvictimsandaccomplicesofthisunacceptablehypocrisy!
ForthisunacceptablehypocrisythatcontinuestobedisplayedeachandeverydayinSoliandwhichismanifestedintheattitudeoftheCNT,sothattheUSSRcanmakethemdirectaccomplicesofthepoliticalcalamitiesthatareafflictingso-calledrepublicanSpain,andespeciallyCatalonia.Weaskonceagain:whichoftheCNTsattitudesaresincere?ThejustifiedcritiqueofthePSUCorthesomuchlessjustifiedadmirationforthegovernmentoftheUSSRanditsforeign
representatives,LitvinovandOvseenko?IstheCNTsincereinbothcases?Isitsincereineitherone?
RegardlessofhowtheCNTmightrespondtothesequestions,twofactsremain:thegovernmentofMoscowistakingmarvelousadvantageofthesilenceoftheCNTinordertounderminetheCNTsposition,transformingthelatter,willy-nilly,intotheaccompliceoftheanti-revolutionaryanddemocratic-capitalistpolicythatMoscowisconstantlypursuing.TheCNT,uptoitsneckinkneejerksupportforagovernmentofassassins,supportforwhichitispayingwithitsbloodinordertoobtainarmsdeliveriesthatareusedin
awarthathasnothingantifascistaboutit,willsomedaybeforcedtodesistfromitscriticismoftheSpanishcommunists.
Foritisillogicaltosupportagovernmentwithoutalsosupportingitspoliticalrepresentatives.
TheSpanishcomradesmightrespondthattheirsupportisnotforthegovernmentoftheUSSR,butfortheRussianproletariat;thatitsparticipationinthecelebrationsofthe20thanniversaryofthefoundingoftheUSSRimpliesnomorethanitsexpressionofappreciationfortheOctoberRevolution.Sucharesponsewouldbeinsincere.IthasbeenalongtimesincewehaveheardanynewsfromtheRussianproletariat(whichpossesses
nomeansofexpression).TheappreciationoftheOctoberRevolutionthatallofushaveneverceasedtocelebratesince1917,bynomeansrequiresquitethecontraryanycollaborationwithpreciselythosewhostrangledthatRevolution.
Thisunacceptablehypocrisymustcease.MoscowisintheprocessofsellingtoEngland,andatabargainprice,whatlittleremainsoftheSpanishRevolutionofJuly19,1936.
Weshallnotbecomeaccomplicesinthisbetrayal,inthismoralsupportprovidedbySoliandtheCNTtotheStalinistpoliticians.ThePSUConlycarriesouttheordersofMoscow.Ourattitude
towardsMoscowmustbeconsistentwiththisfact.Wemustpubliclycondemnthosewho,oneasmuchastheother,andunderthesameaegis,arestranglingtheSpanishRevolution.
(AlexanderSchapiroreproducedbySolidaridad,thejournaloftheFORU,secondhalfofDecember1937.1)
1.AnotherEnglishtranslationofthislettermaybeconsultedonlineatthewebsiteoftheKateSharpleyLibrary:http://www.katesharpleylibrary.net/pk0q0r[TranslatorsNote].
Chapter9:Afatalslope
9
Afatalslope
WeareusingthetitleofapamphletbySebastiénFaureasthetitleforthissection,justaswecouldhaveusedthetitle,TortuousPaths,whichisthetitleofanarticlebycomradeJuanC.RomerothatwaspublishedintheRosarionewspaper,LaFora,orthetitle,SlipperySlopes,whichisthetitleofanarticlepublishedintheBarcelonajournalTierrayLibertadinMay1936,becauseitmostaccuratelysummarizesthetopicweshalladdressbelow.
OncethedecisionthatthemilitantsoftheCNTandtheFAIshouldparticipateinthegovernmenthadbeenmadewithsuchgreatfanfare,theyandtheiradmirersnotonlydidnottakeintoaccountthecounter-argumentsofferedinoppositiontothistreacherouspositionbymanyanarchistcomradesfromallovertheworld,buttheyinitiatedanoffensiveagainstallthosewhodidnotacceptthecaptiousargumentstheyemployedtojustifythisacclaimedreversalinpractice.
Theobfuscationandthepassiontheymarshaledintheirineffectivedefense,oncetheirMarxistinclinationshadbecomeclear,reachedsuchapointthattheycopiedthestyleandthevery
terminologyoftheBolshevikshadusedinSouthAmericatodiscreditus.Theyfuriouslyralliedaroundtheprincipleofauthority,whichhadbeensoseverelymalignedbytheCNTandtheFAIupuntilrecentlyandtheycontinuedtoattackusforconsideringittobethebasisoftheState.
Wehavereadoneoftheseattemptsatjustification,withadegreeofshockandbitterness,intheBuenosAiresnewspaperLaProtestanoless,andwesaynoless,becausewedidnotexpectthatnewspapertopublishsuchatactlessandinsolentpieceinajournalthathasdefendedtheanarchistidealformorethanfortyyears,andwhichhaspaidthepriceofsomany
sacrificesandpersecutionstogivethatideallifeandpassiononthepartofthecommittedmilitantsofanarchisminArgentinaandwhichhastodaylostitswaybycarryingoutanegativeandconfusionistpropaganda.
LetstakealookatafewparagraphsfromTheHourofAnarchism,byA.Gilabert,publishedinLaProtesta:
Someoftheenemiesofanarchism,disguisedascomrades,arenowattemptingtospeaktousaboutprinciples,tacticsandideas.Theythinkthatanarchismhasgoneastrayfromitsnormalcourse,andhascompromisedwiththebourgeoisieandrepudiateditsanti-stateprinciples.
Thiscritiqueisnotinspiredbyveryhealthyintentions.Itsintentionsaretwo-fold,andmustbeunmasked.Ofcourse,anarchisminSpainhasundergoneachangeofcourse.Ithasrectifiedeverythingthatwasnegativeaboutit.Whenanarchismwasamovementofpermanentopposition,itexplainedthatitrejectedtheentireestablishedorder.InSpain,however,weareinthemidstofspecialcircumstances.Here,wehaveceasedtobeanoppositioninordertobecomeadeterminingforce.Anarchism,ratherthandenying,mustmakeanewreality.Thosewhomakeanewrealitywillbe:thosewhoarevictorious.
WecannotdemandoftheSpanishpeople
thattheymaintainthenegativepositionthatwasthatofclassicalinternationalanarchism.Thetimesaretoogravetoentertainourselvesbylookingtothepast.Isthereapositiveexample,aneffectiveprecedentfromoutsideofSpainthatcanhelpguideourconduct?InternationalanarchismisoftoolittlesignificancetodictateorderstoSpanishanarchism.WemustproudlysaythatSpainmustserveasanexamplefortheanarchistsoftheentireworld.
Asanarchistswehavetheobligationandthedutytocriticizeandtowagethewaragainstfascismandtherevolutionagainstcapitalism,notonlyfrombelow,fromthe
base,butalsobyassumingpositionsofresponsibilityintheinstitutionsthatrulethedestinyofthecountry.
Thosewhocriticizethepositionoftheanarchistsareenemiesindisguise,agentsofthebourgeoisie,individualswhoarenotverysatisfiedbythelibertarianinfluencethatradiatesfromtheSpanishpeople.Thisisthehourofanarchism,andwemustacceptthestruggleinallofitsconsequences,assumingfullresponsibilityinthesedecisivemoments!
Barcelona,November5,1936.
Evenmoreexplicitanddecisive,displayingjusthowintoxicatedthecenetistasandfaistasarewith
authoritarianism,isthearticlepublishedinthePuigcerdánewspaper,Sembrador,onDecember6,1936.Thisarticleisfullofslanderandthreats.Itreadsasfollows:
CONSTRUCTIVECRITICISM.
Weanarchistsareadvocatesofserene,nobleandwell-documentedcriticism,butweonlygrantthisrighttothosewhoaredoingeverythingintheirpowertodefeatfascism.Butwehavetobeverycarefulwiththiscriticism.Nowisthetimefordeeds,forpositiverealization,ratherthancriticism.Asageneralrule,thelatterisaweaponthatisskillfullyutilizedintheambushescarriedoutbythefifthcolumn,bythosewhomwemustsilence,thosewhomwemusteliminate.
Thisarticleinsinuatesthatthecomradestheyarecriticizingcouldverywellbefascists.
***
ItcannotbedeniedthatamajorityoftheleadersoftheCNTandtheFAIhavethrownoverboardtheimperishableanarchistprinciples,tacticsofdirectactionandemancipatoryconcepts,andhavestriventobringthehotspotsofthesocialrevolutionthathaveemergedinvariousregionstoadeadhalt,inordertodevotethemselves,fromtheirpostsinthegovernment,tochannelingtheactivitiesofthepeopletowardsthesolepurposeofwinningthewar.
Wedonothavetofollowindetailthecourseofthemanyargumentsthathavebeenofferedindefenseofthisseriouserror.
Wecannotunderstandpeoplewhoarewell-groundedinanarchisttheory,yetwho,overnight,changecoursesosuddenly,whentheyknowthatthischangeofcoursesignifiesabetrayalofthepostulatesthattheyhaddefended,inordertobecomeinsteadpropsofthestate,andthereforeridiculousbossesoftheSpanishpeopleandoftheirowncomradesinthecause,untiljustrecently.ThedefinitiveproofofthisisprovidedbyArticle15oftheUnityPactbetweentheCNTandtheUGT:
Weagreetoundertakejointactiontoliquidatetheharmfulactivityofthegroupsofuncontrollables,because,duetoeitheralackofunderstandingorbadfaith,theyareendangeringtherealizationofthisprogram.
AndnotonlyinthetextofthisPact,butinpractice,aswell,thepassiontogiveordersandmakethemobeyedisrevealed,sincethosewhorebelledagainsttheseauthoritarianpolicieswerepunishedandimprisoned.
Wemustalsoaddthattheconvertstoministerialismconductedtheiroralandwrittenpropagandainadistinctlyauthoritariantone.Whatisregrettableisthefactthattheyshoulduseourconcepts,
whichareclearlyinoppositiontothenewwaystheyhaveadopted,sinceitissurprisingthat,afterhavingsacrificedtheirentiregloriouspasttheyshouldnonethelessspeakinalanguagethatdoesnotsuitthem.
***
ItislogicalthatsomeofthecomradeswhowenttoSpaintocontributetheireffortstohelpthesocialrevolutiontobevictorious,andmanycomradesfromallpartsofEuropeandAmerica,shouldissuewarningsandprotestsabouttheprecipiceuponwhichthemajoritariansoftheCNTandtheFAIarepoised.
Webelievethatitisappropriateto
conveysomeoftheseopinions.SebastiénFaure,inthepamphletentitled,TheFatalSlope,setsforthhisdisagreementwiththestatistpositionassumedbythecenetistasandfaístas,whichissummarizedinthefollowingparagraphs:
Thefactthatapoliticianwhobelongstoapoliticalgroupshouldacceptaministerialpostinagovernmentcabinet,thatheshouldhavesuchanambition,thatheshouldsolicitthishonoranditsadvantages,isverynatural;thismanplayshiscards,hetakeshischance,hefollowsthepathsthathehasembarkeduponandtakesgoodcarenottomisshisopportunity.Butthatan
anarchosyndicalist,thatananarchist,shouldacceptapostinagovernmentcabinet,thatisaltogetheradifferentmatter.
Theanarchosyndicalisthasinscribedonhisflagingiantletters:DeathtotheState.
Theanarchisthasinscribed,inlettersoffire,onhisflag:DeathtoAuthority.
Bothareconnectedbyaclearandpreciseprogram,basedonclearandpreciseprinciples.Nothingandnooneforcesthemtosupporttheseprinciples.Itiswithcompleteindependenceandfullawarenessofthereasons,deliberately,thathehassubscribedtotheseprinciples.
Thathehasupheld,propagatedanddefendedthisprogram.
Thisbeingso,ImaintainthattheanarchosyndicalistmustprohibithimselffromjoiningthosewhohavethemissiontopilotTHESHIPOFSTATE,sinceheisconvincedthatthisship,thisfamousship,mustbeabsolutelydestroyed.
AndIsaythattheanarchisthasthedutytorejectallauthoritarianpositions,sinceheisfullyconvincedthatallauthoritymustbedestroyed.
Therewillbenolackofthosewhowillobjectthat,byreasoninginthismanner,Iamonlytakingprinciplesintoaccountandthatitoftenhappensthatthecourse
ofevents,thecircumstances,thefacts,thatis,whatiscommonlycalledREALITY,contradictsourprinciplesandcausesthosewhomakeacultofloveandrespectforprinciplestonecessarilydistancethemselvesprovisionallyfromtheirprinciples,andthattheysoonreturntotheiroldpositionswhenthenewREALITIESmakesuchareturnpossible.
Iunderstandthisobjectionandhereismyresponse:
First:eitherourprinciplesarefalse,orTHEREALITYTHATCONTRADICTSTHEMisfalse.Inthiscasewemustimmediatelyabandontheseprinciples.Inthiscasewemusthavethehonestytopubliclyconfessthefalsehoodofthese
principlesandwemusthavethecouragetofightthemwithasmuchpassionandactivityasweonceusedtodefendthem;wemustimmediatelyengageinthesearchformoresolidprinciplesandthistimetheymustbecorrect,precise,infallible.
Or,tothecontrary,theprinciplesuponwhichourideologyandourtacticsisbasedretain,regardlessofthewhathappens,allitsconsistencyandarejustasvalidtodayastheywereyesterdayandinthiscasewemustremainfaithfultothem.Todeparteveninexceptionalcircumstancesandbrieflyfromthelineofconductthatourprincipleshavetracedforus,torenouncethemethodofstruggle
thatisinconformancewiththeseprinciples,thismeanscommittingamistakeandadangerousandrecklessact.Topersistinthiserrorwouldmeancommittingamistakewhoseconsequencesgraduallyleadtotheprovisionalabandonmentofourprinciplesandfromoneconcessiontoanotheruntilthedefinitiveabandonmentofourprinciples.
Onceagain:itisthemachinery,itisthefatalslopethatcanleadusveryfar.
Second:ButIthinkthattheexperimentundertakenbyourcomradesinCatalonia,farfromcompromisingthestrengthofourprinciplesandweakeningordestroyingjustice,canandmusthaveasa
result,ifweknowhowtolearnthepreciouslessonsthatitcontainsandtoavailourselvesoftheselessons,thatourprinciplesandtheirpowerareproventobecorrect.
Theanarchistshaveresolutelywaged,AGAINSTEVERYTHINGANDEVERYBODY,amercilessstruggle;theyaredeterminedtoprosecutethisstrugglerelentlesslyuntiltheyachievevictory.Thisstruggleentails,ontheonehand,DOINGWHATISNECESSARY,REGARDLESSOFTHEPRICE,andontheother,NOTDOINGWHATISNOTNECESSARYREGARDLESSOFTHECONDITIONS.Iamnotunawareofthe
factthatitisnotalwayspossibletodowhatitisnecessarytodo;butIdoknowthattherearethingsthatitisrigorouslynecessarytoprohibit,andasaresulttoneverdothem.
TheSpanishexperimentcanandmustserveusasalesson.Thisexperimentmustserveasawarningagainstthedangerofconcessionsandalliances,evenunderparticularconditionsandforalimitedperiodoftime.Tosaythatallconcessionsweakenthosewhomakethemandstrengthenthosewhoaretheirbeneficiariesistomerelyutteranindisputabletruth.Tosaythatanyagreement,evenatemporaryone,consentedtobytheanarchistswitha
politicalpartythat,theoreticallyandpractically,isanti-anarchist,isadeceitandthatitisalwaystheanarchistswhoarethevictims,isatruththatisprovenbyExperience,byHistoryandbysimpleReason.Overthecourseoftheroadtakenalongsidetheauthoritarians,theloyaltyandthesincerityoftheanarchistsarealwaysentangledintheperfidyandclevernessoftheirprovisionalandcircumstantialallies
.
***
Evenmoreforcefulandprecise,however,aretheargumentssetforthbytheFrenchGeneralConfederationofLabor-
RevolutionarySyndicalists[CGT-SR],inanarticleentitled,TheDecisiveMoment,publishedinthenewspaper,LeCombatSindicaliste,anarticlethatproducedasensationamongtheinternationalcirclesofanarchistmilitantsandagreatdealofangeramongthegovernmentcollaboratorsoftheCNTandtheFAI.Thearticlecontainsthefollowingobservations:
WHERETHECNTISBEINGLEDBYITSLEADERS.
Theworkersoftheworldwanttoknow.TheemotionsarousedbythebombingoftheDeutschlandandbytheatrociousrepressioninflictedonthepopulationofAlmeríahavespenttheirfury.Aftersome
Platonicprotestswhosepurposewastosilencethecriesofhorrorthatarosefromallsides(keepinginmindthatweareonlytalkingaboutthecommonpeople)thecurtainslowlydescendsonthetragedy,smotheringthemoansoftheinnocentvictims.
Diplomacyhasremainedimpassive,andhasnowreturnedtoitstraditionalactivity.Everyoneknowswhatthatmeans.TheforeignofficesofLondonandParis,backedbyWashington,havenotlostallhopeofimposingtheirpeaceonSpain.Theirplanhasnotchangedanditisexpected,bothinLondonandinParis,thatthelastGermanresistancewillbeovercomeandthattheRussianplan,
whoseessentialpointisapreventivewar,willdefinitelybetorpedoed.
Afteraperiodofeclipse,mediationisonceagaintheorderoftheday.
ThisobligesourinternationalmovementtoexamineasmeticulouslyaspossibletheSpanishsituationasawhole,bothonthedomesticaswellastheinternationalarena,tostudythepositionandtacticsoftheCNT,theTradeUnionCentralrepresentingtheIWAinSpain,withregardtothewarandtheRevolution.
SuchanexaminationwasalreadyundertakeninNovember1936;itdemonstratedthatthereistotalandgeneraldisagreementbetweentheCNT
andalltheotheraffiliatedtradeunionsoftheIWAinregardtotheirpointsofview.For,whereastheCNTconsidersittobeitsdutytoacceptthemilitarizationofthemilitias,thesuppressionofthefreemunicipalities,thereplacementoftheTradeUnionEconomicCouncilbyaGovernmentalEconomicCouncil,participationintheBarcelonaandValenciaGovernments,italsoagreestograntprioritytothewar,andthussituatestheRevolutiononasecondarylevel,alltheotheraffiliatedTradeUnionCentralOrganizationsareofatotallydifferentopinion.
Nonetheless,inordertopreserveintacttheunityofourinternationalmovement
andhavingreceivedassurancesthattheCNTwillundertaketheindispensablerectificationofthissituationwhencircumstancesallow,thePlenumoftheIWAdeclaredthatitunderstood,withoutendorsing,thepositionadoptedbytheCNT.
Sixmonthshavepassedsincethattimeand,unfortunately,allthefearsexpressedbythePlenumoftheIWAhavebeenrealized.ThesuppressionofthemilitiashasplacedaregulararmyinthehandsoftheCentralGovernment,anarmythatposesaconstantdangertotheRevolution.Thedisappearanceofthefreemunicipalitiesreturnedallthecountrysadministrativemachinerytothehandsof
theCentralPower.TheliquidationoftheTradeUnionEconomicCouncilhasdeprivedtheworkersorganizationsoftheirdirectionandcontrolovertheeconomy.TheCNTsparticipationinPowerhasallowedtheValenciaandBarcelonagovernmentstosharetheirresponsibilitieswiththeCNTwithoutthelatterhavingpracticallyanyopportunitytoimposeitspointsofview.
ThefactthattheputschofMay6couldtakeplaceinBarcelona,aftersomanyothereventsofthesamekindhadalreadytakenplaceinCerdańaandCatalonia,demonstratesthenullityoftheCNTMinistersintheirgovernmentpositions.
Forwemustadmitthattheywere
completelyinthedark,thateverythingwaspreparedandexecutedwithoutthemknowinganything.Sowhatkindofantifascistgovernmentsarethese,inwhichsomeoftheirministersareunawareofwhattheotheronesareplotting,preparingandexecuting?Whatkindofgovernmentsaretheseinwhichahandfulofpeopleruneverythingandtheothersdonothing?Andwhatistheroleofthosewhoarekeptinthedark,exceptthatoffoolsandhostages,responsibleofficialsuponwhomtheconspiratorspassthebuck,whenthetimecomes,oftheweightoftheirfaultsandtheircrimesagainstthecountryandtheRevolution?
Suchapolicyisutterlyreprehensible.It
ispreciselywhatthePlenumoftheIWAdeclaredinNovember1936toberadicallyfalse.IthasendedupcausingtheCNTtoloseallthepositionsconqueredinmajorbattles,witharmsinhand.
IthaspermittedthepoliticianswhosepowerwasliquidatedonthedayafterJuly19,toreturntotakethehelmofthedestinyofthecountry.IthasdefinitivelycompromisedthetriumphoftheSocialRevolution,subordinatingittoawarthatcanonlybenefitinternationalcapitalismanditsrepresentatives.ThispolicyoftheCNThasallowedtheSpanishCommunistParty,whichwasnon-existentonlyrecently,toshowtheclawsofits
dictatorshipwhichwilldonothingbutfavortherestorationoftheDemocraticRepublic.
Inshort,thispolicyhasendedupfacilitatingthegreatestrevolutionarycollapseinHistory.
Anditisattheverymomentwhenallofthisisconfirmed,whenthecorpsesofthecomradesoftheCNTwhowereassassinatedbythecommunists,bytheValenciaandBarcelonapolice,arestillwarm,thatthousandsofanarchistshavebeenimprisoned,thatthepressoftheCNThasbeenmuzzled,thatnoonecangotoSpainorleaveitastheyplease,thattheCNT,onceagainofferstoparticipateintheGovernment,inthisGovernmentof
capitulationpresidedoverbyNegrín,thesameNegrínwhohuntedthemlikeanimals(SolidaridadObrera,June2,1937).ItisatthisverymomentthattheCNTbowsdownatthefeetofLargoCaballero,thatcraftyoldpolitician,whoselifeisnothingbutonelongbetrayal;atthefeetofthatLargoCaballerowhowas,successively,theright-handmanofPrimodeRivera,ofAzańaandofStalin;thatLargoCaballerowhoistheauthorofthelawsforthedefenseoftheRepublic,ofCasasViejasandVillaCisneros.
YoumightthinkthatyouweredreamingasyoureadsomanysuchthingsinthepressoftheCNT,butitisunfortunately
nothingbutthetruth.OneasksoneselfjusthowfartheaberrationoftheleadersoftheSpanishlaborfederationwillgo.
Itisnecessaryforthistocometoanend.ItisnecessaryfortheGeneralStaffoftheCNTtounderstanditsmistakeorfortheworkerstomakeitunderstand.
Onethingisforsure,inanyevent.SuchapositionhasgivenrisetotheindignationofallthesisteraffiliatesoftheCNT,thosethatwillnotallowthemselvestobedraggedintoacollapsesuchastheCNTisleadingtheSpanishRevolution.
Itisindispensableforthistobesaid,thatthewholeworldshouldknowit;thatjudgmentshouldbepassedandpositions
defined.
Howeversureofthemselvestheseleadersmightbewewillwaitforamoment,butjustforonemoment!theywillnotbeabletoupholdtheirpositiononthisterrain,inthefaceofalltheworkersoftheworld,whohavesupportedandassistedtheSpanishRevolution.TheymustbewarnedthatthisRevolutionwillbedefendedagainstthem,againsttheirerrorsandagainsttheirfaults.
Itisnecessaryforthemtounderstandthattherearecurrentstheycannotresist,howeverstrongtheythinktheyare.Agreatwavehasbroughtthemtowheretheyare,andanother,evenbiggerwave,candrownthemandsavetheRevolution.
Itislikely,afterall,thatthiswavewillbreakwiththesamepowerwithinasitdidfromwithout.
Inanycase,onecanbesurethatweshallnotallowthemtocrushit,withoutsayingordoinganythinginfavoroftheSpanishRevolution.Itistwiceours.Weshallknowhowtodefendit,andhowtodefenditagainstallthosewhowouldbetrayitorabandonit.
Morethanever:LonglivetheSpanishRevolution!
(CGT-SR)[GeneralConfederationofLaborRevolutionarySyndicalists]
Chapter10:The“antifascist”
bureaucracy
10
Theantifascistbureaucracy
TheparticipationoftherepresentativesoftheCNTandtheFAIintheCommitteeofMilitias,inBarcelona,first,andtheninthecentralgovernmentandothergovernmentposts,errors,deviationsbetrayalsofprinciple,wewouldcallthemwhichcometomindanddonotadmitofanyjustifications,entails,inevitably,besidestheresurgenceoftheauthorityprincipleinthosewhohadrejectedandcombatedit,thecontaminationofthemicrobeofthebureaucracy,inherentineverystate
system.
ThetradeunionbureaucracywasamongtheoperationalmodalitiesthattheCNTmilitantswerefamiliarwith,butwhichtheyscarcelypracticed.Unlikeourtradeunionfederations,whichfoughtagainstandneverallowedthedevelopmentofabureaucracy,inSpainthebureaucracymadeheadway,butnotwithoutacertainamountofresistance.
Thus,theyhadhardlyevenbeenestablishedintheirluxuriousofficesuiteswhentheministerialistswerebesiegedandsurroundedbymanyelementswhowerequitereadytocooperate,fromthevantagepointofpublicoffices,notforthetriumphofthesocialrevolution,since
thelatterhadalreadybeenstifled,butfortheprosecutionofthewarandwearesurethatwearenotmistakenwhenweclaimthatthesepeoplehadbeenthemostferventadvocatesofthenewtheoryofdirectaction,ofthecollaborationimposedbythesupremeandunavoidablenecessityofdefeatingfascism.Andlikeeveryhumanbeingthathasanyeducationandauthoritariansentiments,thebrandnewbureaucratswouldbehavejustlikebureaucrats,astheirpositionsrequired,leavingatthedoorofthegovernmentbuildingsthedisguisethattheyhadwornforsolong.
***
Concerningthequestionofhowthese
bureaucratsbehavedwecangetavagueideafromafewfragmentaryconceptsthatappearedinantifascistnewspapers.AswemayreadinRuta,theorganoftheLibertarianYouthinBarcelona,ofMay18,1937:
Therearesomeresponsiblecomradeswho,duetothefactthattheyhaveoccupiedofficialposts,forgettheiroriginsandpurpose.Weshallremindthemthatintheexerciseofatemporaryfunction,theyshouldnotrenegeontheprinciplesthataretheheartofourorganizations.Inordertoremindthemwearereadytoshowthembeforetheyimprudentlyrevalorizethestate.
Insupportoftheseconceptsweshall
recallthatSantillán,whenhewasservingasMinisteroftheEconomyintheGeneralitat,feltalarmedbythepassiondisplayedinthebattleformoreportfolios,formoreextensiveinterventioningovernmentaffairsandwhatseemedstrangetohimwasthespectacleofourcomradesfightingwithallthepassionsofthepoliticiansofthepasttoobtainhighpositions,tobeinvestedwithpower
aswellasthepassionwithwhichtheydebatedandminutelyanalyzedthelawsanddecrees,andevenengagedinthemostdetailedexegeses.
Theseparagraphswillgiveussomeideaofthegraveproblemposedbythenew
bureaucratswho,besidesrepresentingaheavydeadweightfortheSpanishpeoplethatwassheddingitsbloodinthestruggle,wasaperniciousoutcomeofthecircumstantialoperationalmethodsengagedinbythecenetistaandfaístastrategists,andofferedanopportunityforamultitudeofindividualswhodidnotpossessevenashredofrevolutionarycommitment,toassumepositionsaspettylittledeskjockeybosses,withalltheprerogativesinherenttosuchanelevatedhierarchy,who,oncetheywereentrenchedinthesepositions,couldgivefreereintotheirmostpathologicalimpulsesandcommitteddespicableandunscrupulousdeeds.
Andwhatisevenmorelamentable,manyoftheseelementswhocamefromsuchabackgroundwhowerequitewellknowninthespecificistcampanditsderivativesinordertoorienttheachievementsoftheSpanishpeople,foundasuitableenvironmenttoexhibittheiracrobaticqualities,theirtemperamentalinterpretationsandtranquillyfitrightintothemachineryofthebureaucracy.Andoncetheyreturnedfromtheirexperimentallaboratory,withnoothertrophyofwarthantheirtypewriters,theyhavetocontinue,withouteitherhardworkorglory,sowingconfusionismandjustifyingtheiractionstotheirhierarchicalsuperiors,sinceforthemthehustleandbustleandthecruelty
oflifeinthetrenchesandtheclamorofcombatwereonlyrumors,painfulandsad,whichreachedthembyindirectroutes.
Chapter11:Firstthewar…thentherevolution
11
Firstthewar
thentherevolution
IfweweretotakeaccountoftheabundantrhetoricemittedinthepropagandawrittenbytheCNTandtheFAI,inordertokeeptheforeigncountriesinastateofexpectant
nervousnessandimpressionism,itwouldbeveryhardforustodiscoverthetacticalreasonsthatledourSpanishcomradestoshapethisrhetoricinaccordancewiththerawreality,whichderangedtheireyesight.Becauseitisreasonabletoassumethattheauthorsofthispropagandaexpectedittobereadwitheagerness,andthatitwouldthenbeanalyzedandcomparedwiththefacts.
Itistrueenoughthattheyexercisedtheirrhetoricalskillsnotinordertoconcealtheirbetrayalsoftheirprinciples,eventhoughtheytaxedtheiringenuitytofindargumentstojustifytheiractions.Butitisinconceivablethattheycouldhavestriventodistorttheirphrasesandtheir
conceptstoavoidposingthefundamentalproblem:therejectionofanarchistprinciplesandtacticsofstrugglethattheyhadpropagatedandpracticedupuntilthen.
Wecouldhavegoneitalone,imposedourabsolutedictatorship,declaredtheGeneralitattobeabolishedandinstituted,initsplace,therealpowerofthepeople;butwedidnotbelieveindictatorshipwhenitwasexercisedagainstus,norcanwedesireitwhenwecanourselvesexerciseittothedetrimentofothers,saysSantilláninhisbook,TheRevolutionandtheWarinSpain.TheCNTandtheFAIdecidedinfavorofcollaborationanddemocracybyrenouncingthe
revolutionarytotalitarianismthatwouldhaveledtothestrangulationoftheRevolutionbyaconfederalandanarchistdictatorship,GarcíaOliversaysinoneofhisarticles.
Andifthisishowthesemenjustifiedtheiractions,withthesupportofmanyotherswecouldname,whydidtheyinsistonusing,insomanycommuniqués,newspaperarticlesandradicalspeeches,thephrase,socialrevolution?Thesocialrevolutionhadbeensuppressedbytheseverysamemen;indeed,ithadbeenterminatedafewdaysafterJuly19.
Thehonestandsensibleresponsewasreflectedintheslogan:Firstthewar;then
therevolution.Thelattershouldbecategorizedasbait.
If,intheheatofcombat;inthespiritedassaultsledbytheanarchists,togetherwiththepeople,againstthemilitaryrebels;ifinthesebattlesnooneconsideredorsoughttocompletelydestroytheveryfoundationsofcapitalistsocietytodoawaywiththeState;andthesesamechampionsofthesocialrevolutionacted,duringtheseevents,asthugs,upholdinganddefendingthehighgovernmentalauthoritiesCompanysandLargoCaballeroitwaslogically,thecivilwarthathadbeenunleashed.Andthustheyshouldhavedeclaredthistobeso,tacitly,burying,astheyhadburied
anarchistcommunism,allthetermsthatsignifiedadeceptionoftheworkers.
Becauseitmustbeacknowledged,nowthattheyarenotintheircabinetoffices,intheirgovernmentdepartments,inthehustleandbustleoftheirdeskjobs,thattheyhadlivedbydailycontradictingthemselves.
***
Itistrue,however,thatnotalltheresponsibleofficialsdemonstratedtheirreluctancetoengageinrationalargumentsandexplanations.
Inissueno.224oftheInformationBulletinoftheCNTandFAI,wereadthe
followingeditorialstatement:
Wehave,inourcollaboration,tornourideologicalconceptiontoshreds,wehaveperformedthehighestsacrifice,byleavingpartofourideologybehindusinourtradeunionoffices.Sowhydidtheybecomesoangryandrespondwithsomanyobfuscations,whenmanyofuscriticizedthemforhavingbetrayedtheirdoctrines?
Noteventhesecondpartoftheslogan,Firstthewar;thentherevolution,conformedwithreality.Becausethedocumentsthatrecountthehistoryoftheeventsprovethatwecanharbornoillusionsthatthecenetistasandfaístaswouldhavecarriedouttherevolution
aftertheendofthecivilwar.
TheyhadbeenimpartialwithregardtotheGeneralitat.TheyletthefightersdieattheAragonfrontandotherfrontswithoutweaponsbecausethesemilitiamenrejectedtheStatethecentralgovernmentofLargoCaballero.Thesesameconfederalleadershadallowedthereplacementofthemilitiasbyasingleunifiedmilitaryforce.Theconfederaldivisionsweremergedwithinternationalbrigades,composedalmostexclusivelyofMarxistelements.Thelatteradvocatedandsucceededinobtainingtheestablishmentofrigiddisciplineandunifiedmilitarycommand.TheanarchistswereexpelledfromtheCouncilof
DefenseofAragon.TheywereshotthroughoutloyalistSpainandinthestreetsofBarcelonathiscrimebecamethenorm.Thepeopleweredeprivedofarms;thecenetistasthemselvesrecommendedharshpenaltiesforthosewhoconcealedweapons.ThearmywasBolshevizedinallitsbranches.Theprisonswerefullofuncontrollableanarchists,whowereaccusedofbeingspiesorofbelongingtothefifthcolumn;butthisentirepanoramaofsetbacksanddenialswaspursuedwiththerefrain:Firstthewar;thentherevolution.
***
Itcannotbeassumedthatthesegeniusesofantifascistthoughtwerethevictimsof
theirowningenuousness.Ifwecannotmakethisassumption,itisbecausethereiscopiousproofoftheenormousattractionthatbureaucraticpostsandsomanyotherprerogativesofbourgeoissocietyexercisedoncertainminds,webelievethattheintoxicationwithcomfortablejobsinofficeswasthecauseofsomuchfoolishchatter,somanysophisms,somanycontradictionsandsuchgravebetrayalsthatwehadtoendureandattestto,thatwerecommittedbytheresponsibleleadersoftheCNTandtheFAI.
Armstothefront!Goldforthewar!Unityanddiscipline!UnifiedCommand!Winthewartobefree!And
whygoon?Theyshreddedthemselveswithslogans.
Andifthesesameindividualsthedirectauthorsofthepowerfulresurgenceoftheauthoritariansystemfromwithin,sincetheyhadproceededtoreinforcetheState,facedwiththeoverwhelmingnecessityofdirectlyinterveninginthedirectionofthewar,ofpoliticsandoftheeconomy,withtheobjectofpreventingthecontinuoussabotagewagedagainsttheCNT,thecollectivesandthemilitiacolumnsbythecentralgovernment
demonstratedthepredominanceandpoweroftheBolsheviksineveryfacetofmilitaryaffairsandpolitics;ifthecheka,organizedbythecommunists,
assassinatedandimprisonedmanyanarchists;if,dayafterday,theCNTlostpositionsandinfluence;whydidthemembersoftheCNTandtheFAIremainintheirpostsasministersandgovernmentbureaucrats,orcontinuetoseekappointmenttotheseposts?Hadtheybecomeaccustomedtothisenvironment?
Thedocumentsweinterspersedthroughoutthepreviouschaptersprove,profusely,thattheclaimsthattheministerialsofferedoncethecivilwarwasover,withthevictoryoftheantifascistsimpliedthattheywouldreinforcethestatewithveryprogressiveandwonderfulinitiativesandwiththe
creationofnewgovernmentdepartments,ledandcontrolledbythecenetistas,inordertotherebyprepare,fromabove,forthenextrevolution
.
Chapter12:Thecapersofafool
12
Thecapersofafool
PerhapsthefollowingbiographicalsketchofoneofthemostoutstandingrepresentativesoftheCNT,responsibleforandadvocateofallthemistakes,deviationsandbetrayalsrecountedinthissamebook,willbeinterpretedas
irreverent.WearereferringtoDiegoAbaddeSantillán.
Weshallnotdenythatheisanexcellentwriterandwemayalsosayinhisfavorthat,besideshisintellectualtraining,heisphysicallyquitephotogenic;butallhisbeautifulqualitiesdonotobviatethedisappointingimpressionthathislifeasananarchistmilitanthasmadeonus,alifethatissofullofcapriciousness,andhissociologicalproductionthatisplaguedwithdisturbingcontradictions.
Itwouldseemthathepossessesamindthatisverysusceptibletosuggestion;adaptabletotheinfluencesoftheenvironment,theclimateandthemenwithwhomheassociates;shapedbyan
exaggeratedimpressionismthatmakeshimlosecontroloverhisreflectivefaculties,tothepointwherehedeniestodaywhatheassertedyesterday,andtoonceagainsaytomorrowwhathedeniedyesterday.
Backin1925,Santillánco-wrotetogetherwithEmilioLópezArangothebook,AnarchismintheWorkersMovement,inwhich,relatingthehistoryofthesocialstrugglesthattookplaceinArgentina,hevaliantlyattackstheMarxistsectorsandtheopportunistelementsthatbrandishedthebannerofinnovationsandunitedfronts.EventhoughSantillánwasonlytheco-authorofthebook,thisdoesnotmaketheconceptssetforthinthebook
anylesshisresponsibility.Inthisbook,onpage179,Santillán,combatingneutralismandamorphoussyndicalismintheworkingclassorganizations,proclaims:
Areweanarchistsornot?Ifweare,wemustbeanarchistsallthetime,andeverywhere;ifwearenot,itwouldbewrongofustosimulate,oncertainfestivaldaysoramongcertaindrinkingcompanions,ideasandsentimentsthatwedonotreallyuphold.
Wearetoldthatthetradeunionisforthewageworkerswhowanttofightagainstcapitalism.Anothertriteexpression!ThereistheRussianexampleofthefirstorder,todemonstratetothosewhodonot
wanttobeblind,thatcapitalismislessfundamentalasanenemythanstatism,thantheprincipleofauthority.TheRussianRevolutiondestroyedtheoldcapitalistforms,itplungedprivatecapitalintoruin,butitleftthestatemachinestandingandthecapitalismthathadbeenthrownoutthewindowreturnedtwoyearslater,bythedoor,alongwiththehonorsandobeisanceofitsallegedenemiesofthepast,welcomedasthesaviorofthecountry.Itisnotenoughtobeanenemyofcapitalismtobearevolutionary,especiallyaftertheexperienceoftheRussianRevolution.Andthosewhoexertthemselvestosuggesttotheworkingclassmassesthattheirmainenemyiscapitalismare
simultaneouslystrivingtodiverttheproletariatformitsinstinctivewaragainsttheState.Furthermore,oureverydaystrugglesdonotjustcauseustoconfrontcapitalismonlyonce,asifwedidnothavetoreckonwiththehost:theinterventionoftheStateintheformofthepolice,thesoldier,thejudge,etc.TheinterestsoftheState,eveninthecountriesthatclaimtoberuledbyworkersgovernments,areidentifiedwiththoseofcapitalism.Everyoneknowsthis.Andallweneednowisforsomesophiststocomealong,andinthenameofsyndicalismseparatethetwothingsandorganizetheworkersforthestruggleagainstcapitalism,leavingthestate,itsinstitutionsandtheideasuponwhichitis
basedintact,inpraiseofanallegedclassunitythatisshatteredwhentheanarchists,enemiesoftheprincipleofauthority,attackthestateandstatism.
***
BecauseoftheoutrageousassassinationofcomradeLópezArango,whoduringhistimewasthemostfaithfulinterpreterofthefinalistconceptionofanarchistcommunismamongthetradeunionorganizationsandavaliantdefenderoftheFORA,SantillánwasabletotakecontroloftheanarchistdailynewspaperLaProtestaandimmediatelydemonstratedasuddenchangeinhisappreciationofsocialreality.Intheweeklysupplementthatheedited,this
newspaper,forthemostpart,publishedarticlesbywriterswhorejectedthepolemicalandpositiveworkdonebyArangointhecolumnsofthispublicationforsomanyyears.
InArgentina,Uriburustagedhismilitarycoup.Santillánbecameanenthusiasticpropagandistinfavorofanalliancebetweentheradicalsyndicalists,theMarxistpoliticalpartiesandthespecificistanarchistgroups,withtheFORA.
***
In1932Santillánpublishedthepamphlet,TheBankruptcyoftheEconomicandPoliticalSystemofCapitalism,from
whichwetranscribethefollowingparagraphs:
ParaphrasingProudhonandBakuninwesaythatanyauthorityprinciple,inanyform,isincompatiblewiththedignityandlibertyofmananditisnecessarytochoose:eitherthecontinuationofpoliticalauthority,ofnotionsandlawsthatareaboveman,andthustheslavery,indignityanddegradationoftheindividual,orelseliberty,dignity,humanaffirmationandconsequentlythesuppressioninthemindsofthepeopleofallpolitical,divine,economicormoralfantasiesthatareplacedaboveman.
Allpoliticalandeconomicclassregimes,alltyranniesarealwaysbasedonthe
annihilationofman.
wemustreplacethedominationofmanbytheadministrationofthings;wemustundertaketomakethegovernmentalStatedisappear,thesupremeexpressioninourtimeoftheauthorityofmanoverman,themostpowerfulinstrumentofslaveryofthepeoplesfortheirfleecingbyaprivilegedminority.Aslongasthegovernmentalstateexiststherewillberichandpoor,mastersandslaves,oppressorsandoppressed,andaslongasthisinequalityreignstherecanbenopeace,solidarityoragreementamongmen.
WithoutthesuppressionoftheStateandgenerallyofeveryprincipleofpoliticallyorganizedandimposedauthority,therewillbeprivilegedanddispossessed,becauseagovernmentcannotbeconceivedexceptastheexpressionofthedefenseoftheprivilegesofaparticularcategoryofmenagainstthedemandsoftheothers.
AsaresultofsomemeasurestakenbytheUriburistapolice,whichpromisedretributionagainstthosewhousedviolentlanguageinordertoappeartoberevolutionaries,SantillánhadtomakehisescapetoMontevideoandhereweseehiminthecafécirclesamongtheexiledpoliticians.
ThepresidentofUruguay,Terra,declaredhimselftobedictatoranddischargedtheBlancos,Battlistas,andColoradosfromtheirgovernmentposts.SantilláninsinuatedhimselfintothesocialcirclesofthosewhopassedthemselvesoffastheoppositionandinashamefulamalgamofBlancos,Battlistas,socialists,Bolsheviksandanarcho-dictatorialistscreatedtheCommitteeforAgitationAgainsttheDictatorships,attemptingtodragtheFORUontothisconfusedterrain,whichgaveitareasontoopenlydistanceitselffromtheanarchistsofUruguay.
AfterhisbrilliantactivityinMontevideoandafterhisdisplayofalliancistconceptscompletelyatoddswiththe
ideasheadvocatedinhiswritingshemadehisexit,happyandconfident,fromthisenvironment,inwhichitwasnolongerpossibleforhimtopropagandizesuccessfullyonbehalfofhisnovelcircumstantialtheory.
AshorttimelaterhemadehistriumphantappearanceontheIberianPeninsula.AndyoucanimaginehowamanofsuchintellectualprestigeandsuchabackgroundofexperienceinhisdealingswiththedemocraticpoliticianswouldhavebeengiventhewelcomehedeservedbytheSpanishworkers,givinghimthechancetotesthissociologicaldiscoveries.Theenvironmentshouldhavebeenpropitiousforhim.
HearrivedinSpainonJuly19,1936.ThemilitaryrevoltledbyFrancohadjustbrokenout.
SantillánmadehisdramaticentryarmedandwithanescortatthepalaceoftheGeneralitat,inordertohaveaninterviewwithPresidentCompanys,asinceredemocrat,andatthismomentheplacedtheofficialsealoftheCNTonthefirstbetrayal.
Ofhisactivities,ofhisflashyideasandhisconductwithregardtothechoicesposedbythecivilwar,wehavealreadyprovidedsomedetailsinthepassagestranscribedinthisbookfromthereportpresentedbycomradeBesnardtotheExtraordinaryCongressoftheIWA,and
inotherchapters.
AndinTiemposNuevos,amagazinepublishedinBarcelona,inJune1937,Santillán,inthearticleentitled,AnarchistsintheGovernmentorGovernmentalAnarchists?,heardentlybangsonthedrumofhisapostasyinordertoofferusthisdiscordantmusicalscore:
Regardlessofthecorrelationandthedependence;regardlessoftheharmonythatmustalwaysreignbetweenwhatonesaysandwhatonedoes,betweenonesideasandthefactsrecitedintheirsupport,betweendoctrinesandthepracticalconductofthosewhoupholdthosedoctrines,theydonotalwaysgo
handinhand,together,generalprinciples,whicharetheessence,withthetacticalmeans,whichdependoncircumstancesandareinfluencedbythem.
Principles,theideal,arelikethecompassthatguidesonesstepstowardsthegoal.Theyarethestraightlinetracedinourabstractions.Tacticsaretheapplicationoftheseprinciples,ofthatcourse,tothetwistingandchangingcontingenciesandobstaclesoftheroad.Ifoftenhappensthatitisnotthestraightlinethatleadsusasrapidlyaspossibleandmostsurelytoourgoal;sometimesonegetstherefirstbywayofzigzags.Sometimesitevenhappensthatonegetstherefasterbyretracingonessteps.
Inallofthiswhatisimportantisnottolosesight,evenwhentheattainmentofouridealbecomeslesslikelyforthetimebeing,ofthetruenorthindicatedbythecompassofourreasonforexistence.ButathousandroadsleadtoRomeandthechoiceofthebestonedependsonamultitudeofcircumstancesandfactorsoftheprecisemomentwhenthechoiceismade.
ThistheoryisafaithfulcopyoftheBolshevikslogan:Anymeansisgood,aslongasitleadstotheend.AndtheendthatisproposedbytheobsequiousservantsofStalinistheState.
ThemostfelicitousaspectofthisSantillanistinconsistencyisthefactthat,
inordertomakehispompouslitanyseemlessarrogant,heclaimsthattogettoRometotheMinistryoftheEconomyhehadtosetasidecertainscruples,asifhehadnotalreadyabandonedthesescruplesalongtimebefore,withhisadventuresamongthepoliticiansofourlittlepartoftheworld.
***
Butthatisnotall.Theworstisyettocome.
AlmostattheendofthetragedyexperiencedbytheSpanishpeople,Santillánpublishedhisretrospectivebook,TheRevolutionandtheWarinSpain,inwhich,whiledescribingthe
mostimportanteventsofthecivilwarandalotofquiteignominiousbackroomgoings-on,heaskshimselfwhetherallthebetrayalsofprinciplesthatheendorsedandimplementedwiththeotherleadersoftheCNTwerebeneficialordetrimental,andheconcludeseachchapterwithawhiningcommentaryabouttheinsinceritydemonstratedbythepoliticiansintheantifascistbloc!
AnditisthankstothisbookthatwehavebecomeacquaintedwiththelastdiscoveriesmadebySantillán.Heunderstandsthatthesocialrevolutionisadictatorshiptothedetrimentofothersandforthatreasonhepreferredtoacceptthedictatorshipofthepoliticians.Ofcourse,
ifheactedasananarchist,hewouldnothavehadthesatisfactionofsittinginasofteasychairattheMinistryoftheEconomy.
Hefurthermorediscoveredthatthepettybourgeoisiemustnotbedeprivedofthatminimumofcomfortandsecurityoflifetowhichtheyhavebecomeaccustomed
asanessentialconditionofanyvictory.
PoorSantillán!Hewastedsomanyyearsofhislifeasapropagandistformethodsofstruggleandideasofabettersocialwayoflifeforhumanityandsuddenlythescalesfellfromhiseyes,andhebeheldthecrudereality:thebeautifulawakening,theheroicdeedsofthe
Spanishpeople,theiroverwhelmingvictory,alltounderstandthatthesocialrevolutionthathewitnessedwasadictatorshiptothedetrimentofthebourgeoisieandtheauthoritarians.
Thisbringsusbacktotheacrobaticsofarevolutionarypoetwhowasactiveinourcirclesin1906:ÁngelFalco.HavingrevealedthathiscolleagueSantosChocanohadperformedasaclownfortheroyalpalacesofEurope,hededicatedthefamoussonnetFromFightertoCourtiertoChocano.Ashorttimelater,ÁngelFalcoacceptedapositioninthediplomaticcorpsanddidnotwriteanymorerevolutionaryverses.
Santillán,ontheotherhand,inhis
retrospectiveworkplaguedbysophistry,inconsistenciesanddenialsseemstoclenchhisfistand,strikinghimselfinhischest,likethecatechumens,recitingMeaculpa,meaculpa,meamaximaculpa.1
1.TherefrainoftheconfessionalprayeroftheRomanCatholicMass,Myfault,myfault,mymostgrievousfault,whichissupposedtoberecitedwhilestrikingoneschestwithonesfistthreetimes[TranslatorsNote].
Chapter13:ThetragiceventsofMayinBarcelona
13
ThetragiceventsofMayinBarcelona
Despitetheappealsforsanity,senseandrectificationoftheirconductthatweredirectedfromeverycorneroftheworldatthecenetistasandfaístas,thelatterremainedunperturbed,implementingtheirnewdoctrinesandoperationalmethodsandexercisinggreatcarenottohurtthefeelingsoftheirantifascistallies.ThetermsocialrevolutionwasexpungedfromtheSpanishvocabulary.Itwasreplacedbythephrasewemustwinthewar,aphrasethatwasveryflatteringtotheMarxistpoliticians,whiletheypubliclydeclaredthattheywerefightingforademocraticrepublic.
Inthemeantime,therewasahand,invisibleonlytothosewhosufferedfrom
anequallycircumstantialmyopia,thatpulledthestringsoftheplanthatwashatchedbythecentralgovernmentofLargoCaballeroinconnivancewiththediplomacyofthedemocraticnationswhosepurposewastocompletelyeliminatethenowgreatlydiminishedinfluenceoftheanarchistsinCataloniaandAragon.ThesameplanthatwaslatercarriedoutbyNegrín,Prieto,etc.
Onemonthbeforetheeventsthatweshalldescribebelow,theGeneralitathadundergoneagovernmentcrisis,whichwasresolvedbythedemocratCompanysinamostcapriciouswayaccordingtoSouchybecausehewasseekingtoreducethenumberofCNTministers.Sincethese
CNTministers,however,demonstratedtheircomplacencyandagreatcapacityforpatience,inordernottobreaktheantifascistfront,theyalsoswallowedthisbitterpill(Souchy).
AttheendofApril1937,AntonioMartín,ananarchistmilitantfromPuigcerdá,alongwithseveralofhiscomradesinthatlocality,wereassassinated.
TheCNT,however,madeoverturestowardstheUGTregardingajointcelebrationofMayDaybythetwotradeunioncentrals,butitsunionistproposalsdidnotmeetwithsuccess.
***
DuringthefirstfewdaysofMay,comradeCamilloBernerialongwithhiscomradeGiovanniBarbieriwasfounddead,who,alreadyinNovember1936,hadengagedinaviolentcritiqueofthedeviationswhoseexistencehehadconfirmed,andsaidthatitwasamatterforregret,thatacertainprocessofBolshevizationwasunderwaywithintheCNTandinthenewspaperGuerradiClasse,duringthesamemonth,hepublishedapropheticarticle,fromwhichweshallreproduceafewparagraphsfullofevidencethatisrelevantforourtimeandforallthosewhoobservethingswiththeeyesofrealityandnotwiththesmoke-tintedlensesofspecialcircumstances.Bernerisaid:
Therepublicans,thesocialistleadershipandthecommunistsarenowunitedontheconstitutionalistbasis.TheExecutiveCommitteeoftheSpanishCommunistPartydeclaredrecentlythatintodaysstruggle,itcalledforthedefenseofdemocracyandofprivateproperty.ThisisbeginningtosmelllikeNoske.WereMadridnotinflameswewouldbeforcedtothinkofKronstadt.ButthepolicyofMadridwillbevictorious.ItwillnotarmorfinancerevolutionaryCatalonia.
PerhapsthiswasdoneonlyasamessagetotheUSSRthatitshouldsendarmsandcadresforthepurposeofcontrollingtherevolutionarystruggleandstoppingthedevelopmentofthesocialrevolution,
forcingitintothechannelofthearmedstruggleagainstfascism?Theblackmail:MadridorFranco,thisiswhathasparalyzedSpanishanarchism.TodayBarcelonaisbetweenBurgos,Rome,Berlin,MadridandMoscow.Asiege.
Blackcloudsaregatheringonthehorizon;thehazeblindsus.
Weconcentrateourgazeandholdtherudderinagripofsteel.Weareonthehighseasandthereisastorm.Butweknowhowtoperformmiracles.BetweenthePrussiansandVersailles,theCommunesetalightabeaconthatilluminatedtheentireworld.
BetweenBurgosandMadrid,lies
Barcelona.
Keepthatinmind,GaudetsofMoscow.1
(C.Berneri)
Bernerihadsignedhisowndeathsentence,whichwastobecarriedoutbythemercenariesworkingundertheordersoftheantifascistfront,ormoreaccurately,theemissariesofStalin.
***
InordertofindoutwhattookplaceduringtheMayDaysandduringthesubsequentperiodinBarcelona,thereisnobetterplacetolookthanthearchivesoftheCNTandtheFAI.Weshallread
somefragmentsfromthelongreportpublishedintheInformationBulletinoftheCNTandFAI,whichweobtainedfromanissueofSolidaridadofMontevideopublishedduringthecivilwar,alongwithcommentarybytheeditorsofthelatternewspaper,inwhichtheeditorsaccuratelyoutlineanexplanationofthecausesthatledtotheeventsofMay:
WeshalltakefromtheInformationBulletinoftheCNTandFAI,ofBarcelona,thecommuniquédatedMay17,publishedbytheNationalCommitteeoftheCNT,relatinganaccountoftheeventsinCataloniaandtheircauses.Wethinkthisreportisinterestingbecauseit
istheofficialstatementoftheNationalCommitteeoftheCNT,whichprovidesthecomradeswithevidenceuponthebasisofwhichtheycaninterpretthemeaningoftheeventsandunderstandthemotivesthatguidedthosewhodideverythingintheirpowertoprovokethem.
Wemust,however,emphasizeonceagain,thattheyarethenaturalconsequenceofthatalliancisttendencythatsometimesarisesinourmovement,enticedbytheillusionofnumericalgrowth,withoutunderstandingthatfromthemomentthatwemakeanalliancewithanenemy,wenolongertreathimasanenemy,andconsequentlytheworkers
whoaremembersofaninstitutionthatwearefightingandwhohavebeguntofeeltheeffectofourpreaching,insteadofabandoningthatinstitutionbecausetheyfeelasenseofbrotherhoodwithourprinciples,onceagainfeelatpeacewiththeirconsciences,becauseouractionhasvalorizedtheenemyinstitutiontowhichtheybelong,andmuchworse,fromthemomentthat,inevitablyandbyvirtueofthisalliance,wenolongersaythatthatinstitutionisbad,theyaretheoneswhowillmakesurethatwearesilent,topreserveUNITY.
ThisismoreorlesswhathashappenedtoourSpanishcomrades,withtheirallianceinanantifascistfront,withtheworse,and
unjustifiableaggravatingfactoroftheirinterventionintheinstitutionsofthegovernment.
THEREPORTOFTHENATIONALCOMMITTEE:
Esteemedcomrades:theeventsthathavetakenplaceintheCatalonianregionobligeustoprovidetotheorganizationareportontheevents,andmostespecially,concerningthewaythosewhocomposethisNationalCommitteehaveintervenedintheseevents.
OnMondayweheardthenewsthatsomethingserioushadtakenplaceinBarcelona.Wedidnotdecidetointervene,becauseforseveraldays
abnormalconditionshadprevailedthere,andwewereconvincedthatitwouldnotbeeasytoactinsuchawaythatourinterventionwouldbringtheeventstoahalt.AwareofthefactthattheOrganizationinCataloniawasundergoingastageofexperimentation,whichconsistedinapplyingunderexistingcircumstancesthesamemethodsthatconferlifeandconsistencytotheCNT,withoutthecomradesrecallingthattoday,inaplanofgovernmentinterventionismandobligatorycollaboration,thesemethodsrequireachange,onethatcoincideswiththechangefromoppositiontointervention.Ontheotherhand,thepoliticaladversaryactedinaprovocativemanner,forthe
obstinatelypursuedpurposeofmakingtheConfederalOrganizationreturntoitsoldstreetfightingways.Theprocesswasalongone,andwecouldhaveintervenedbutwesawthatoureffortswereuseless,sincethediscussionsattheplenumsandmeetingsframedthequestioninanINOPPORTUNEMANNER.
OnTuesday,the4th,thecomradeswhoparticipatedintheValenciaGovernmentweresummonedbythePresidentoftheGovernment,whoinformedthemthatthesituationinBarcelonawasserious,thatdecisiveinterventionwasrequired,inordertobringahalttothecivilwarthathadbrokenoutwithsuchgreatviolence.LargoCaballeroexplainedthatthe
CouncilorofInternalSecurityofCataloniahadsentarequesttotheMinisterrepresentingtheCentralGovernmentfortheurgentdispatchof1,500assaultguards,aforcethatwasindispensabletosuppressthemovement.TheGovernmentcouldnotdothisbecausethiswouldmeansendingforcestooperateattheserviceofelementsthatmayhavehadsomethingtodowithprovokingtheconflict.Ratherthanagreeingtosendtheassaultguards,heproceededtoinstituteanemergencydraftoftheServicesofPublicOrder,asstipulatedintheConstitution.ItwasnecessaryfortheNationalCommitteesoftheCNTandtheUGTtoimmediatelyproceedtoBarcelonainordertoattempt
topersuadethefighterstodisarm,withassurancesthat,afterwards,thecausesoftheeventswouldbediscussedandsolutionswouldbesought.TheNationalCommitteemetanddecidedtogotoBarcelonainordertofulfillitsprimarymissionofbringingaboutacease-fire,inordertopreventtheemergencydraftoftheServicesofPublicOrderbytheCentralGovernmentandtocarryoutasmuchdamagecontrolaspossible,tomitigatethedisasterthecivilwarthathadbrokenoutimpliedwithregardtointernationalanddomesticaffairs.
WeappointedcomradesJuanGarcíaOliverandMarianoVázquez,directingthemtoproceedtoBarcelona.Onbehalf
oftheExecutiveCommitteeoftheUGT,comradesHernándezZancajoandMuńozwereappointed.Thejourneywasmadebyairplane.
TheconstantPROVOCATIONShadledtotheclashesinthestreets.ThelastprovocationwasthedispatchofpublicforcestotheTelephoneBuilding,inordertoseizeitandthusstrikeablowattheUGT-CNTControlCommittee.AtthemostrecentmeetingoftheCounciloftheGeneralitat,everyoneagreedinacknowledgingthatAyguadéhadexceededhisauthorityasthecommanderofthepublicforces.Butnoonewantedtoacceptresponsibilityforreplacingor
punishingtheresponsibleparties,AyguadéandRodriguezSalas.
AttheGeneralitatameetingwasconvenedthatwasattendedbyrepresentativesofallsectors.Oncethismeetinghadbegun,weimmediatelyproposed,asthefirstissueontheagenda,thebenefitsthatwouldcomefromtherepresentativesoftheorganizationsbroadcastingviaradioanaddresscallingforacease-fire.Itwasnecessarytogaintime,topreventmorevictims.Andforeseeingthatthediscussioncouldbealongone,wecutourpresentationshort,andalsomadeitcleartotheattendeesthatallofuswereunitedandreadytofindasolutiontotheveryserious
problemposedinthestreets.Ourproposalwasacceptedbytheotherrepresentatives.Themeetingwasadjourned.Wespokeovertheradio.Andwemetonceagain.Afteracomprehensivedebate,weproposedtheformulathataProvisionalCouncilshouldbeconstituted,withfourrepresentatives,towhichnoindividualwhohadparticipatedinpreviousCouncilswouldbeadmitted
.ThisCouncilwouldhaveaprovisionalcharacterandwouldbepresidedoverbyCompanys.Itsmissionwouldlast10to15days,duringwhichtimetheorganizationswouldengageindiscussionsoftheirpointsofviewand
elaborateactionprogramsthatwouldobligeeachorganization,inaresponsibleway,tofulfillthetermsoftheiractionprogramsandnottorepeatwhathadbeentheusualcaseuptothattime,i.e.,thefactthatpactsandagreementswereadeadletter.Thisproposalwasalsoaccepted,afterextensivedebate.WedefendedtheviewthatthisCouncilshouldbeconstitutedimmediatelyinordertomakepublicthefactthattheconflicthasbeenresolved,andtoimposetheconditionthateveryoneshouldgohome.TherepresentativesoftheUGTtheCommunistsinCataloniaexpressedtheiroppositiontothisproposal,claimingthatitwasfirstnecessarytoimmediatelyachieveacease-fireinthestreets;itwas
better,accordingtothem,toallowsometimeforthesituationtonormalize
.Weexhaustedalltheargumentsindefenseofourposition.Wethoughtitwasnecessarytogaintime,inordertopreventtheGovernmentfrombeingobligedtodrafttheServicesofPublicOrder.Buttherewasnowaytomakethemunderstand.TheEzquerraandtheRabassaires,althoughtheydidnotparticipateinthedebate,supportedtheCommuinistposition.Finally,attwointhemorning,themeetingconcludedwiththedecisiontomakeanotherspeechontheradio,emphasizingthefactthatwehadtomakeourselvesunderstoodandthatitwasnecessarytobringabouta
totalceasefire,andtonormalizethesituation.ThenextmorningCompanysannouncedtheconstitutionofthenewCounciloftheGeneralitat,aprovisionalCouncilforpacification.Attheendofthemeeting,wenotifiedtheGovernmentthatthingsweregoingwell.TheGovernmenthadbeenmeetinginpermanentsession,addressingtheproblemofCataloniaanddebatingwhetherornottoissueaDecreetodrafttheServicesofPublicOrder.ComradeFedericaMontsenyledtheoppositionforfourhoursagainsttheCommunistsandRepublicanswhoadvocatedthedraftingoftheServicesofPublicOrderandDefense.Thiswasaheateddebate;whenitcameupforavote,welost,thedraftwasorderedwith
thestipulationthattheGovernmentwouldwaituntilthelastpossiblemomenttodispatchthetroops.TheCouncilremainedinsessionuntiltwointhemorningwhenwewereinformedthatthesituationwasreturningtonormal.
InBarcelona,earlyinthemorning,weobservedthatthesituationhadgottenworse.Ourfirstradioaddresshadanimpact.Butinafewhoursthefightingresumed.AndatdawnonWednesday,thesituationinBarcelonapresentedaverygrimpanorama.
WecouldclearlyobservetheconcealedsatisfactionwithwhicheveryonehadwelcomedthedecisionoftheGovernment.ThenewssoonreachedtheGeneralitatthatseveralFrenchandEnglishwarshipshadanchoredintheportofBarcelona.Inspiteofeverythingwewerestilltryingtoputoutthefire.
OnWednesdaynight,inagreementwithallthecomradeswhowereattheGeneralitat,wedecidedtospeakovertheradiotogetherwithVidiellafromtheUGTinordertoissueonelastappealmakingitclearthattheCNTwasreadytoexpelfromitsranksanypersonswhocontinuedtobeararmsinthestreetsafter
thepassageofonemorehour.
TheFederationofTradeUnions,inagreementwiththeLocalFederationoftheUGT,draftedtheordertoreturntowork.WeagreedthatthedirectorsofthedailynewspapersoftheCNTandtheUGTwouldorderthattheThursdayeditionsoftheirpaperswouldissueanappealforconcord.Thursdaydawnedrelativelypeacefullyonthestreets;peoplebegantogoabouttheirdailybusiness.Thetransportunionissuedtheordertoreturntowork;butsincethetransitlineswerenotoperational,itwasnecessarytodispatchrepairteams.Theseteamsdepartedintraincarsfromtherepairshops,butasthemorning
progressedtheyhadtoreturntotheirshopsbecausesniperswereshootingatthem.Anytrolleycarthattriedtodepartfromthestationswasshotat.ThemetrohadtosuspendoperationsbecauseatsomeentrancestheCommunistpoliceandpolicefromtheEstatCataláassailedthepassengers.Atthecheckpointsandbarricadesmannedbytheothersectorsthatweremembersofthefrontarrayedagainstus,peopleweredetainedandsearched,andmembershipcardsoftheCNTweretornup.Atsomelocations,largequantitiesofdestroyedConfederalmembershipcardswerefound.Inotherplaces,ourcomradeswereattacked.Ourofficeswereattacked.Ourenemiesseizedstrongpoints,takingadvantageof
thetrucevoluntarilycompliedwithbyourcomrades,whowereanxioustoputanendtothefratricidalstruggle.Thissituationhadtheresultthatbymid-daythesituationhadgottenworseandthefightinghadonceagainbecomegeneralized.Thatevening,theSecretaryoftheNationalCommitteearrivedattheheadquartersoftheRegionalCommittee,whereameetingwasheld.Wewereimmediatelyinformedthatthesituationhadbecomeworsethanever.Thecomradeswerereadyforanything
.
Regardlessofhowmanyprovocationswereaimedatus,andnomatterwhatwedid,itwasnotpossibleforustocloseour
eyesanddecidetowagethefinalbattle
.Wecouldnotforgetthataglanceatthefactsprovedbeyondashadowofadoubtthatwewouldthusbeplayingtheenemysgame.Theywantedustosurgeintothestreets,theywantedresponsibilityforPublicOrdertopassintothehandsoftheGovernment,convincedthatthelatter,intheinterestofprosecutingthewar,andofdomesticandinternationalnecessities,wouldhavetocrushthemovement.Inthisway,theCentralGovernmentwouldfightagainstusandafterwardstheywouldappear,oncetheCNThadbeeneliminatedandifforeigninterventiondidnottakeplacefirst,washingtheirhandsandmastersofthesituationinCatalonia,
sincenoonewouldbeabletosaythattheywereresponsiblefortherepression
.Weunderstandperfectlywellthetragedyofthecomradeswhofelttheyhadbeendrivenintoacornerandprovoked.Thefactisthattheycontemplatedthedownfalloftheirfriendsandcomrades.ButABOVEALLELSEthereistheneedtopreventtheresoundingcollapseofeverythingthattheSpanishproletariathadachievedsinceJuly19,handingvictorytoFrancoonaplatter,ontheonehand,andplayingtheenemysgameontheother
.
TheNationalCommitteeimmediately
departed,togetherwithaCommission,fortheGeneralitat,inordertocontacttheGovernmentbytelephone.UponspeakingwiththeMinister,weexplainedasclearlyaspossiblejusthowseriousthesituationwas.WedenouncedtheattitudeofthecommandersoftheServiceofPublicOrder.WepointedoutthatRodriguezSalaswasstillthechiefoftheCommissariatofPublicOrder,whichjustifiedtheprovocationsofthepublicforces,sincetheywerestillunderhiscommand.WeclearlysuggestedthattheproblemofBarcelonawasnotaproblemtoberesolvedwithpublicforce,butwithtact.Inordertoputanendtothefighting,theestablishmentofatrucewasindispensable.Threehourswouldbe
enough.Itwasofurgentimportancethatduringthisperiodoftimethepublicforcesmustnotinterveneatall;thattheymustnotconductsearches;thattheymustnotarrestanyone;thattheymustdoabsolutelynothing.Thenthosewhoarearmedcanabandonthebarricades,thebuildingstheyseizedandanyotherplacestheyhaveoccupied.Galarzaacceptedoursuggestion.ItwasagreedthatfromsixtonineinthemorningonThursdaythepublicforceswouldnotinterferewithanyone.Andthatasofthatmomentfinalorderswouldbeissuedforacease-fire.Asforthecommanders,weweretoldthatthenextdaythenewofficerswouldarrivebyairplanewithwrittenordersthatwouldbeissued
sothatwewouldbeassuredthattheywereengaginginaplanofpacificationratherthanrepression.AsfortheCommissariatofPublicOrder,itwasorderedthatRodríguezSalasshouldbeIMMEDIATELYdischarged.Itwasnecessary,accordingtoGalarza,thatthepublicforcesthatwerecomingfromValenciamustbeallowedtopassunhinderedtoBarcelona.TheirpresenceinBarcelonawasessential,sincetheguardsthatwereondutywereapartisan,biasedforce,andrepresentedadangerforpacification.UndertheseconditionswecametoanagreementwiththeMinisteroftheGovernment.Butwespecified,becauseitwasofsuchimportance,thatthepublicforcesshouldnotenter
Barcelonauntilafternineinthemorning,inordertoavoidincidents.Galarzaacceptedthisideaandpromisedtoseetoitthatitwasobserved.
WeinformedtheCatalonianorganizationoftheconclusionswehadreached,orderingthecomradestobepreparedtowithdrawfromtheirpositionsatsixinthemorning.
TheLocalFederationofTradeUnions,togetherwiththeLocalCommitteeoftheUGT,draftedanothernoticeorderingareturntowork.Furthermore,wespokewithArrando,inordertoironoutthedetailsconcerningtheordersissuedbytheMinisteroftheGovernment.Atthesametimewesuggested,andArrando
concurred,thatthecontrolpatrols,apublicforcethathadbeenplacedundertheordersoftheDelegateofPublicOrder,andwhichhadnotbeeninvolvedintheevents,shouldleavetheirbarracksatsixinthemorninginordertopatrolthestreetsofBarcelona,inordertopreventanyincidents.
Thiswasahardblowtotheircalculations.Thewholeplancollapsed,attheverymomentwereachedanagreementwiththecentralgovernment.
Thatmorning,thecomrades,havingreadtheorders,immediatelywithdrewtotheirhomes.Longbeforetheexpirationofthethreehourtruce,noneofourcomradesremainedarmedatbarricades.However,
theothercontendingpartiestookadvantageofeveryopportunitytocarryoutprovocations.Insomecasesitwasdifficulttocontaintheoutrageofthecomradeswhowerethetargetsofmachinegunfire,despitetheordersthatwereissued.Thisconstitutedyetmoreevidencethatourenemiesdidnotwantatruce.Theysoughttocontinuethefightingatanyprice.Thatwastheirpremeditatedplan.Buttheyfailedbecausegoodsensewasinculcatedintoourcomradesandtheydidnotrespondtotheprovocations.InthiswayaseriousproblemwasliquidatedinBarcelona.
Intheoutlyingtowns,thecomradesallowedtheforcescomingfromValencia
tohavefreepassage;insomeplaces,however,ourenemies,alwaysactingaccordingtotheirplanofprovocationandrevenge,tookadvantageofthewithdrawalofourarmedcomradesassoonastheproblemofBarcelonawasresolved.Inotherplacestheyengagedinrepression.ThiswasduetothefactthatthecommandersofthepublicforcesactedinthetownsundertheordersofthePartythathadbroughtthewartoBarcelona,againsttheCNT.Noprovocationswereenoughtoovercomethesenseofresponsibilityandthegoodsensethatourmovementexhibited.
Thisisthesituation.Nowallthatis
necessaryisfortheOrganizationtoengageinprofoundreflectiononwhathastakenplace.Itisonemoreexperiencethatclearlyindicatesthatgoodwillisnotenough.Itspecifiestheneedforustoneversituateourselvesontheplaneofplayingourenemysgame.Thepoliticalsituationisincreasinglymorecomplex.Onlyacarefulanalysis,carriedoutbythoseofuswhoknowthecomplicationsandhiddencharacteristicsofthesesituations,canhelpguideusbytheroadthatisintheinterestofthemovement,toprogressandvictoryinthewar.Aboveall,sothatwemustneverproceedunconsciouslytotheplacethatwewanttoreach,aplacethatwehavetoreachandwhichistoourbenefit.
Werestrainedourimpulses.Andnowwecanattendtowhatreallymatters.
Andnowtheyareallactinglikeidiots;thepartieshavelosttheirsenseofdirection,especiallythecommunistparty,amidsttheoverwhelmingfailureoftheirmaneuver.Weshallorienttheoffensiveontheplaneofgoodsenseandanorderlyexplanationofthefacts,abandoninganaggressivetoneandlettingthemallshoutandcryasmuchastheywant.Givethemenoughrope.Andthelibertarianmovementwillclearthewaywithitsabilityandgreatsenseofobjectivereality.
***
Withcarefullychosenwordsandwithoutanykindofprecautions,thisreportoftheNationalCommitteeoftheCNTexpressesasclearlyaspossiblethemostabsolutenegationofitsanarchistrootsandthesuicidalproposalsofsurrenderthatthegovernmentalcenetistasandfaístascherishedandcontinuedtoimplementinacowardlyandincompetentmanner,goingsofarasnotonlytodisavowthearmedresistanceoftheanarchistcomrades,whichwassobravelydisplayedonthebarricadesbuiltonthestreetsofBarcelona,buteven,availingthemselvesoftheunjustifiedprestigeandinfluencetheyhadamongourcomrades,undertookbymeansofunderhandedmaneuvers,tocausethemto
desistfromtheirdignifiedattitudeandsurrenderthemselvestothemercyoftheauthoritarianblocthat,withitsoutrageshadprovokedtheindignationoftheanarchistsandthepeopleofBarcelona.
thecomradeswerereadyforanything
.Regardlessofhowmanyprovocationswereaimedatus,andnomatterwhatwedid,itwasnotpossibleforustocloseoureyesanddecidetowagethefinalbattle
.Werestrainedourimpulses.Andnowwecanattendtowhatreallymatters.Thisiswhattheministerialistshavethenervetosay.Thebarricadesmustbetorndown
.Onestoneforeachcitizen,anddownwiththebarricades,whicharememorialstoatragictime,memoriesthatmustdisappear,thatitisnecessaryforthemtodisappearasasacrificetotheunityandfraternitythatwehavetopreserve,arminarm
.ThatiswhattheybroadcastoverRadioCNT-FAI.
Andinthisway,withspeechesontheradioandleafletssaturatedwithwordsofthesamekind,onceagain,theredemptiveimpulsesandthejustindignationoftheanarchistsandasensiblepartoftheSpanishpeopleweresuppressed,who,reactingmostenergeticallyagainstthedeceptionby
whichtheyhadbeenvictimizedbythecenetistasandfaístas,andseekingtopreventtheirowncomradesfrombeingmurderedandwantingtoresisttheauthoritarianarroganceofallthepoliticians,hadpouredintothestreetstorisktheirlivesforfreedom.Andevenmoreimportantly:ifitwerepossibleforustodevotemorespacetorecountingotherunfortunateanddisagreeableepisodesthatoccurredduringthisshortperiod,wecouldfullyexposethetreasonouscancerthathadunderminedthemorale,thecourageandthegoodnessoftheSpanishpeople.Andifyouhavetheopportunitytoreadthepamphletbythefence-sitterA.Souchy,TheTragicWeekinMay:TheMayDays,Barcelona,
1937,2youwillbeabletoappreciatejusthowcowardlythebehavioroftheministerialistsreallywas;howshamelesslytheyconcludedtheiradventuresandflirtationswiththeantifascistpoliticiansandtowhatextenttheybetrayedthenoblecauseofhumanemancipation.
1.AnotherEnglishtranslationofthispassagemaybeconsultedatonlineattheWebsiteoftheKateSharpleyLibrary:http://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/camillo-berneri-war-and-revolution[TranslatorsNote].
2.AnEnglishtranslationofSouchy’spamphletmaybeconsultedonlineat:http://flag.blackened.net/revolt/spain/souchy_may.html
[TranslatorsNote].
Chapter14:Theopportunismoftheadmirers
14
Theopportunismoftheadmirers
Internationalopportunismwasneverofferedsuchidealopportunitiesamidstthethickundergrowthoflabelsanarcho-dictators,faquistas,syndicalists,aliancistas,antifascistsandotherismsthanthosethatwereafforded,bythehandful,tothemenwhoheldpositionsofresponsibilityintheCNTandtheFAI.
Andnotonlydidtheyprovideevidence
oftheirobsequiousnesswiththeexampleoftheiractivitiesduringtheentireperiodofthecivilwarinSpain,but,withstubbornnessworthyofabettercause,initiatedaradio,journalisticandtelegraphicoffensivewiththesuicidalgoalofspreadingthecontagionoftheircircumstantialoperationalstrategiesandconceptstothoseenvironmentsoftheinternationalworkersmovementthatwereyetuncontaminatedbytheconfusionistvirusandpromisingtheirsolidarityandassociationforthosewhoarealwaysreadytoimitatetheircapriciousnesswithwordsoragestures.
Letustakealookatsomeoftheconceptstheytransmitted,thefruitoftheir
circumstantialoffensive:
Wemustachieve,regardlessofthecost,unityofopinioninantifasciststruggles,andthecoordinationofallefforts.Wemustachievethesegoals,circumventing,ifnecessary,anynumberofblind,obstinate,unconsciousorcriminalelements,whoareopposedtothesegoalsandplaceobstaclesinourpath,wearetoldbyFedericaMontseny.
Theformerenemiesofthefatherlandhavenowbecomeitsdefenders
.Weacceptmilitarizationandwithitwesetaside,wedemotetoasecondarymatter,ourstruggleagainstmilitarydiscipline.Wehaverecognizedthe
authorityoftheState,temporarilysuspendingouroldstruggleagainstallstateinstitutions.Wehaveparticipatedinthegovernmentandwearecollaboratingwithit,inthetasksrelatedtowinningthewaragainstfascism,writesA.Souchy.
Wearegettingclosertoreality.Andwearemovingawayalittle,althoughonlyalittle,fromthevenerablebeards
.Theyhavealreadyfulfilledtheirmission.Wenowhavetofulfillours.Andiftheyweretoreturn,theywouldaccuseusofincompetence,sectarianism,stupidity,ifweweretohaveremainedrigidlystuckinthepast,regardlessofhowmuchcircumstanceshavechanged,proclaimed,inhiscapacityasSecretary
GeneraloftheCNT,MarianoR.Vázquez.
TheCNTdidnotwanttobecomeseparatedfromreality.Withoutrenouncingitsfinalgoals,itadapteditstacticstothedemandsofthetime,ManuelVillartellsus.
Forthefirsttimeinthehistoryofthesocialmovement,we,theanarchists,havejoinedagovernmentwithalltheresponsibilitiesinherenttothatfunction.Butthisisnotbecausewehaveforgottenourfundamentalpostulates,DiegoAbaddeSantillánexpostulated.
Therefore,welcometothecenetistaministers!,LuisHerediatoldthem,inthe
journalLaProtestaofChile.Ourfatherland,thefatherlandofalltheworkers,isthepatrimonythatweholdinourhandstoday.Thefatherlandisindanger,theMinisterofJustice,JuanGarcíaOliversaidinoneofhispublicaddresses.Fortunately,theactionoftheSpanishanarchistshashadaprofoundinfluenceonthepeopleofthiscountry
.ThefactthatLargoCaballerohasadoptedarevolutionarypositionbyacknowledgingthedesiresofthevastmultitudes,whoaretiredof,anddisappointedwith,parliamentarism,andwithbourgeoislegality,signifiesoneofthegreatestvictoriesforthepositionoftheCNTandtheFAI,asoneofthe
faquistasofArgentinaputitinAcciónLibertaria.
Theanarchistshavechangednothing,absolutelynothing;neitherwithregardtotheorynorwithregardtopractice
.TheCNTjoinedthegovernmentunderthecompulsionofaspecialsituationandcircumstancescreatedbyarevolutionthatwasnotentirelyinitshands
.,statedtheUruguayanopportunistsviatheirorgan,thejournalEsfuerzo.
Anarchismnottheoldmasters,butcontemporaryanarchismlacksahistoricalvisionandcultivatesanabstractideologythatmustalwaysbesterile.Thesolemn
declamationofeternalprincipleswhichcannotbealteredatall,doesnotmaketheworldchange
.Wehavetostudythepossibilityofescaping,inmanycountries,sectarianisolation
.,H.Rudigerblurtedout.
IhavebothfaithandhopeintheCNTandtheFAIandtheirmilitantswhenIsaythatoncethewarisover,Spain,despitethefactthattheconfederalorganizationintervenedintheofficialmanagementofthegovernment,inordertosavethecountryfromtheinvasionofworldfascism,willcontinuetobethecradleofanarchismand
anarchosyndicalism,saidMascarell.
We,theanarchists,stillhaveourrepresentativesinthisprovisionalgovernment,inordertodiplomaticallyrepresentoutsideofSpaintherightofself-defense,ofindependenceandfreedom
.,arguesCulturaProletariaofNewYork.
***
Manyothermessagesandproclamationsofthesameorsimilarkindwerescatteredtothefourwindsandtheopportunistsapplaudedloudly.Andthatwasnotall.
Theincompetentandtreasonousactivity
ofthecenetistasandfaístasinthevariousbureaucraticpositionsintheSpanishgovernmentcausedthemtogrowup;theirentireinnovative,capricious,confusionistandwhimsicalpastwasofficiallyvindicated.Theycangoonwiththeirhobnobbingandassociating,moreopenly,incorporatingvaluablerevolutionarytactics,evenwithoutthepresenceofthespecialcircumstance,withalltherightwingorleftwingpoliticians.InSpain,withrepublicans,socialists,communists.InArgentina,withtheradicals,conservatives,etc.Andhere,inUruguay,withbattlistas,blancos,frugonianosandBolsheviks.Withallthosewhowillspeakofdemocracy.Toextendtheantifascistfrontacrossevery
ocean.
Thisexplainstheunanimityoftheapplause,indefenseandjustification,thatarosefromtheopportunistranks,forthecenetistasandthefaístas.Thiswasthevoiceoftheirconsciousnessthatbrokeoutinjoyfulcelebrationuponconfirmingthatonemoreismcanbeaddedtolonglistofisms:anarcho-governmentalism.
Itwastherealizationoftheirpropheticideas.Thecrackingoftheoldprinciplisteggshell,whichopenedupnewhorizonsfortheoverwhelmingunionistunrest.
Withthereinforcementofsuchvariegatedandplentifulcircumstantialconceptions,opportunismwas
rejuvenatedinbodyandsoultoattempttocarryoutnewincursionsintothecampoftheworkingclass,inthemeantimehopingtoreincorporatethosewhohadgonetoSpainandtoprovethegoodnessandtheefficacyoftheirtacticsandtheirideologicalinterpretations.
Fortunately,aftersomeinitialoutbreaksofconfusion,theworkingclassandanarchistmilieushavewitnessedarapidandsalutaryreactionwhichhasmadeitverydifficultforthenewtacticsandnewoperationalmethodstransmittedfromtheIberianPeninsulatoprosper,afterthesetbacktheyexperienced.
Chapter15:CNTpressureontheIWA
15
CNTpressureontheIWA
ItisundeniablethattheSecretariatoftheInternationalWorkingmensAssociation,theinstitutiontowhichtheFORUandtheFORAbelong,underwentsomeanxiousanddifficultmomentsasitattemptedtodefendtheideologicalorientationandthepracticesofstruggleapprovedattheIWAsfoundingcongress.
Intheinterestsoffairness,wemustdeclarethatcomradePierreBesnard,whowastheSecretaryoftheIWAsincetheperiodbeforethewaruntilquiterecently,triedtomaintainalineofconductthataccordswiththeIWAsdeclarationof
principlesandtirelesslyfoughttopreventanydeviationsfromarisingandtoattempttoconvincethecenetistastorectifytheirtreasonousgovernmentalpolicies.
Thisstatement,whichactuallyrepresentsasincereeulogyfortheworkofcomradeBesnardinthatemergency,doesnotmeanthatweagreewithhiswayofthinkingwithrespecttotheworkersmovement,sinceweacceptneitherthetermanarchosyndicalismnorthefinalgoalthatheattributestothetradeunions.
ItwouldbeofinteresttotheworkerstobecomefullyacquaintedwiththeterriblydifficulttaskoftheSecretariatoftheIWA,butsincethiswouldmeanmaking
thistextevenlongerthanitalreadyis,weshalllimitourselvestodescribinginwhatmaybereferredtoasasummaryformsomeofhisinterventionswithregardtotheSpanishCNT.
***
MostofthequotationsinthissectionaretakenfromthereportpresentedbycomradeBesnardattheExtraordinaryCongressoftheIWAheldinParisinDecember1937.
InhisfirstvisittoSpainhewasabletoobservetheanimosityandthemaliciousintentionsexhibitedbythecentralgovernmentofLargoCaballerotowardsthecenetistamilitiacolumns,goingsofar
astodenythemweaponsforthedefenseoftheAragonfront,whichtheywereresponsiblefordefending.TheSecretariatinformedtheresponsibleofficialsoftheCNTandtheFAIofthisseriousanomalyandencouragedthemtoattempttoobtainthenecessaryarms.ThiswaswhytheCNTandtheFAIbegannegotiationswithanarmsdealer,butthedealfellthroughandBesnardsaid:
Therefore,Spaindidnotreceivethearmsitimmediatelyneeded,andRussiasuppliedtotheMadridgovernment,forcash,armsofadebatablequality,andonlyalittleatatime,withthepromisethattheywouldnotbedistributedtotheCNTcolumnsandthatthecommunist
partywouldbeabletocarryoutitsactivitiesandexpandinparticularlyfavorableconditions.InotedhowRussianinfluencewasgainingground.GarcíaOliverandSantillán,andespeciallytheformer,onlysaweverythingthroughtheeyesofAntonovOvseenko,theConsulGeneralofRussiainBarcelona
.FacedwithsuchsubmissiontoRussia,theSecretariatoftheIWAcoulddonothingbutreturnwithoutfurtherdiscussionstoParis.
***
Inthemeantime,theCNT,embarkingonthetortuouspathofbetrayals,conveneda
PlenumofRegionalFederationsonOctober23,1936,andpassedthefollowingresolutions:
1.TheappointmentofaPlenumCommittee,composedoftheLevant,theCenterandCatalonia,toconductaninterviewinBarcelonawiththePresidentoftheRepublic,Azańa,inordertoexplaintohimtheneedtoprecipitateagovernmentcrisissothattheCNTcanjointhegovernmentforthepurposesandundertheconditionsapprovedatthePlenumofRegionalFederationsheldonSeptember15.ThisCommitteemustrequireananswerfromAzańawithin48hours.
2.Shouldtheproposalberejected,we
shalltakemeasuresofamilitarykindtoensurecommunicationsbetweenMadrid,Levant,Aragon,AndalusiaandCataloniaandtocontrolthepassageofmenandsuppliesfromtheseregionstowardsMadrid.InordertoimplementthisresolutiontheNationalCommitteewillappointaNationalWarCommittee.BymeansofthisCommittee,thefrontsofCatalonia,Aragon,LevantandAndalusiawillbeunified.
3.TheCNTmustproceedtomobilize100,000menfromitsconfederalforces.ThismobilizationwillbecarriedoutinconjunctionwiththeRegionalCommitteesandtheNationalWarCommittee.
4.Organizejointactionwithallourregionalforcesinordertoachievecontrolovertheeconomyandtocoordinatereserves.
5.ExpeditethenegotiationsthatarecurrentlyunderwaywiththediplomaticrepresentativesofRussia,inordertoachievethemeasuresnecessaryfortheimplementationoftheresolutionsadoptedbyourPlenum.
6.ReviseanypriorresolutionsandintensifythepubliccampaigninfavoroftheresolutionsapprovedatthePlenumofSeptember15.
ThemostimportantresolutionofSeptember15,mentionedinthetext
quotedabove,readsasfollows:
TheconstitutioninMadridofaNationalDefenseCouncilcomposedofelementsfromallthepoliticalforcesthatarefightingfascism,inthefollowingproportions:fivedelegatesfromtheUGT,fivefromtheCNTandfourrepublicans.PresidencyoftheNationalCouncil:LargoCaballero.TheconstitutionofthisNationalDefenseCouncilproposesthatthecurrentpresidentshouldcontinuetoholdofficeandthatheshouldgoverntherepublicinthesamemannerashehasdoneupuntilthisdate.
Itmustbenotedthat,concerningtherequestmadetothecentralgovernment
fortheformationoftheNationalDefenseCouncilandtheresolutionsapprovedatthePlenumofOctober23,1936,thatitwasallnothingbutcheappyrotechnics,andthatnoneoftheresolutionswereimplemented,but,despitethefactthatthewonderfuleffectthatwasexpectedfromthesefearsomepositionsdidnotmaterialize,alittlelatertheyenteredthecentralgovernmentanyway,andtheCNTandtheFAIexplainedthisfactinthefollowingterms:
TheNationalPlenumofRegionalFederationsheldinMadridonSeptember28,1936,informedofthenegotiationscarriedoutbytheNationalCommitteeinordertoobtaintheformationofthe
NationalDefenseCouncil,inviewofthemanyobstaclesencounteredinthesenegotiations,andfacedwiththeimperiousnecessityofdirectlyinterveninginthedirectionofthewar,politicsandtheeconomy,forthepurposeofpreventingthecontinuoussabotagethathasbeendirectedagainstourOrganization,ourcollectivesandourmilitiacolumns,gaveanoverwhelmingvoteofconfidencetotheNationalCommitteesothat,facedwiththeimpossibilityofformingtheNationalDefenseCouncilasresolvedatthePlenumofthispastSeptember15,theparticipationoftheCNTinthegovernmentmaybeobtained.
ItmustbeemphasizedthatwithregardtothequestionofthemilitiasafewdaysafterJuly19,theCNTandtheFAIcommittedtheirfirstobviousblunder,byjoiningtheCommitteeofAntiFascistMilitias,whichsoondisappearedinordertobereorganizedastheCounciloftheGeneralitat,justifyingtheirparticipationinthefollowingmanner:
Itwasconsideredthat,inordertoavoidtheduplicationofpowersthatwouldbeimpliedbytheexistenceofboththeCommitteeofAntifascistMilitiasandtheGovernmentoftheGeneralitat,theformerwouldhavetodisappearandthattheCounciloftheGeneralitatofCataloniamustbeformed,carryingout
morepositiveactivities,withouttheimpedimentsofaclashofpowersandinordernullifythepretextofthedemocraciesthattheywillnothelpusbecausetheanarchistsareincontrol.
TheSecretariatcriticizedthisdoubletalkandsaidinhisreportthat:TheSpanishcomradesoftheCNTbecameveryangry,andwouldacceptneitheradvicenorcriticismfromanyone.
AlarmedbythedirectionthatthedreadfulconductoftheCNTwastaking,theSecretariatconvokedaPlenumofthememberorganizationsoftheIWA,whichwasheldfromSeptember15to17,1936.
Theresolutionadoptedatthismeeting,
withrespecttothedeviationsoftheCNT,wasquitefrivolousandconfused,indicating,atthisstageoftheevents,theinfluenceofthecenetistasintheIWA.
Laterinhisreport,comradeBesnardcontinuedasfollows:
DespitetheassurancedisplayedbytheCNTdelegationandtheconfidencemanifestedbythevoteoftheconciliatoryresolutionadoptedbythePlenum,theSpanishConfederationdidnotmodifyitslineofconductatall.Tothecontrary,itspolicyofconciliationandcollaborationwiththegovernmentbecamealittlemoreaccentuatedwitheachpassingday.Ihadanopportunitytobecomeacquaintedwiththefactthattheretreatfrom
revolutionarypositionshadbeenconsiderablyaccelerated.DuringthecourseofmyvisittoSpain,whichlasted26days,ItraveledthroughCatalonia,CerdańaandAragon.
EverywhereInotedthattheactionofthemassesontheeconomicandsocialterraintendedtomaintainanddeveloptherevolutionaryconquests,despitetheincreasinglymoredangerousconcessionsmadetothepoliticalpartiesinordertopreserveintactanantifascistfrontthatwasneveranythingbutaruse
whosevictimwastheCNT.ItwasclearthatdespitethefactthattheCNTwasrepresentedinthegovernmentsofValenciaandBarcelona,itwaslosing
influenceandthishadanimmediateimpactonthepoliticalplane.
Atthattime,theforeigncomradeswerealready,inDecember1936,beingpersecutedandarrested,andOvseenkowasimposinghiscensorship.
InJune1937,anotherPlenumofthememberorganizationsoftheIWAwasheld,whoseessentialresolutionwasthefollowing:
Thattheconductoftherevolutionarywar,aswellastheimplementationofsocialpolicies,aretendingtobecarriedoutwithoutanydirectparticipationoftheCNTaswellaswithoutanyindirectintelligenceinconjunctionwiththe
governmentsofValenciaandBarcelona,andthatitwillbenecessaryfortheCNTtoabandonallconcessionsofapolitical,economicordoctrinalkindmadetothesegovernmentsthatweremadeinordertopreserveintactanallegedantifascistfrontcomposedofsectorsthatareworkingfortheclassenemytoliquidatethewarandcrushtherevolution.ItisconsideredthattheofficialwithdrawaloftheCNTfromtheantifascistfrontisbecomingmoreandmoreimperative,butthatitshouldnonethelessreservetherighttoacceptorinitiatecircumstantialagreementswithtrulyantifascistelementsofthatfront,whichwantthewartobeendedbyanemancipatoryrevolutionoftheSpanishproletariat,arevolutiondirectedagainst
fascismandalsoagainsttheso-calledrepublicandemocracy.1
AnotherresolutionoffundamentalimportancewasapprovedatthisPlenum,whichcalledforthecontainmentoftherevolutionaryLeninists,thesameoneswhobroughtusKronstadtandtheUkraine,whobythistimewereflirtingwithelementsoftheCNT.Theresolutionreadsasfollows:
Thattheoppositionoftherevolutionaryproletariatofallcountries,unitedwithintheIWA,toMarxisminallitsforms,shouldbeasfirmasbefore,inviewofthefactthatsocialdemocracy,aswellasthedictatorialBolshevismoftheschoolofStalinorTrotsky,withalltheir
ramificationsandsubdivisions,whetherthePSUCorthePOUM,areequallyharmfulanddangerousfortherealizationoftherevolution.
***
TheseresolutionswouldexacerbateyetmorethedifferencesanddisputesbetweentheIWAandtheCNT,whichwerefurtheraggravatedwhentheCNTwasinformedoftheresolutionofthePlenumwithrespecttotheInternationalSolidarityFundoftheIWA,whichearmarked80%ofitsproceedsforsupportfortheSpanishRevolutionand20%toassistthecomradesinothercountries.
TheCNTdidnotacceptthisperspectiveand,nowinopenrebellionandbreakingwiththeorganicrulesandsolidarityagreementsoftheInternational,foundedanotherinstitutionwithgoalsthatappearedtobesimilartothoseoftheInternationalSolidarityFund,butonethatwasindependentoftheIWA,or,whichamountstothesamething,onethatwasnotundertheauthorityoftheinternationalinstitution
.Itwasheterogeneous,sinceitwasrunbyindividualpersonalitiesandspecificcommitteesandinstitutions,someofwhichactedtosabotagetheregionalworkersfederationsthatweremembersofourInternational.Butratherthan
attempttoexplainthisourselves,itisbettertoletthefollowingletterspeakforitself:
Valencia,July3,1937.
TotheSecretariatoftheIWA,Paris.
Esteemedcomrades:
InresponsetoyourlettersdatedJune15and17,Iamconveyingthefollowingaccordswhich,asyouwillbeabletosee,donotemanatefromthisCommittee,butfromourentireOrganization.DuringthecourseoftheNationalPlenumofRegionalFederationsheldonApril15andthefollowingdays,itwasresolvedthattherewasaneedtocreatean
institutiontocompetewithInternationalRedAid,whichisnothingbutavehiclenotonlyforfundssubsequentlyutilizedbythecommunistpartyforitsownpropaganda,butalsoamethodofrecruitment,ofproselytismandpropaganda.
Itwasstipulatedthatthisinstitutionshouldnothaveapartisanandclosednature,butthatitwouldhavetohaveasmuchroomformaneuveraspossible,thatitshouldcontainsomeprestigiousnationalandinternationalfigures,itbeingunderstoodthatitmustalwaysbeorientedbythelibertarianmovement.Inshort,thiswasthegenesisofInternationalAntifascistSolidarity(IAS).
YouwillthereforeunderstandthattheIAScannotbeapartoftheIWA,inordernottocutofftheimmensepossibilitiesforexpansionthatareopentoit.YouwillhavetoadmitthattheCNTisrecognizedinplaceswherenoonehaseverheardoftheIWA.AndthiswillbeevenmoretrueoftheIASsincethelatteris,oratleastwillappeartobe,aninstitutionoutsideofanyworkingclasspartyororganization,displayingthecharacterofanorganizationforantifascistsolidarity.
Asaresult,wemustinformyouthatwecannotaccepttheagreementofthePlenumoftheIWA.Weshallthereforepursue,withtheIASanditsGeneralCommitteebasedinSpain,thecreationof
sectionsineverycountry,andinordertodothiswewillrelyonindividualcomradesratherthanonorganizations,sincethisistheonlywaytocarryoutaseriousprojectofthiskindandtoachievethesought-afterobjective.NordowedoubtthatitwillalsobeafieldthatisopentoourpropagandaandameansforustocreatecertainfavorablepositionsamongcertainsectorsoftheproletariatthatcouldbeofbenefittotheIWAinitsfurtherdevelopment.
ItisveryimportanttopointoutthattheIASwillhavethedutyofassistingtherefugeecomradesandothers;thisisthepurposeoftheIASandsolidarityofthiskindrequiressubstantialfunds.Thisis
whyweconsiderthattheIWAshouldnotundermineourdecisionbutquitethecontrary:theIWAhastheobligationtorequestthatitsmemberfederationssupporttheprogressoftheIASontheonehandandalsoassistinitscreation.
Thisis,inourview,whatmustbedone.Beyondallofthis,whentheIWAneedsfunds,itwillhavetocometous,anddependingonitspossibilitiesweshallcontributethenecessaryfunds.
Tosummarize:itisessentialthatthefundsinthecontroloftheSecretariatoftheIWAthatareearmarkedfortheCNTandtheFAIshouldbesenttoourcomradeNemesioGalve,ourdelegateinParis.Thatisallfornow.
Withfraternalgreetings,OnbehalfoftheNationalCommitteeoftheCNT,
MARIANOVÁZQUEZ,secretary.
***
TheIAScentralcommitteewaslegallyregistered,anditsstatuteswereapprovedandsignedbythegovernorofValencia.AsforhowthisinstitutionoperatedinSpain,andstilldoesinothercountries,wecanofferfewcomments.WeshallonlysaythattheUruguayanSection,actingstrictlyinaccordancewithArticle2ofitsstatutesInthepursuitoftheaforementionedobjectives,theIASwillcarryoutitsactivityonthepurestterrain
ofhumansolidarity,renouncingallpoliticalandreligiousinterferencepossessed,inJune1938,aGeneralCouncilcomposedofconceitedintellectualswhowereactiveintheblancoandcoloradoparties,varioussocialistsandanassortmentofmanyotherelementsofvariableorcolorlessaffiliations.
Furthermore,afewmonthsagoafundraiserorganizedbytheIAS-UruguayanSectionwasheldinMontevideo,andwecouldobserve,asifitwastheresultofsomekindofoversight,thatinthevicinityofthebuildingwherethefundraiserwasheldthereweretwolonglinesofparked
automobiles.Theywerenotproletarianautomobiles.Wewillletthereadersdrawtheirownconclusionsfromthisobservation.
And,totopitalloff,andtodemonstratethearroganceandtherealintentionsoftheCNT,readthefollowingcommuniquéfromtheCNTthatsignalsitscompleteseparationfromtheIWAandexposesitsattempttodivertthefundsearmarkedfortheInternationalinordertoseizethemforitsownpurposes:
Weareadvisingalltheorganizations,committees,socialcenters,culturalsocietiesandindividualsinforeigncountrieswhowanttohelptheanarchosyndicalistmovementthatthey
mustnotsendanymorefundstotheaddressofA.G.inParis,astheyhavedoneupuntilnow.ThefundssenttothataddressarenotremittedtotheCNT.Werequestthat,untilfurthernotice,yousendfundstothefollowingaddress:N.Galve,30RueSt.Augustine,Paris.(FromtheInformationBulletinoftheCNT,datedAugust13.)
ThisincidentwasfollowedbyacampaignofslanderandintriguedirectedagainsttheSecretariat,andwhenthelatteraskedforanexplanationhewasansweredwithsilence.
WithregardtotheseriousandshamefuleventsofMay1937inBarcelona,Besnardsaid:
TheeventsinBarcelona,therisetopoweroftheNegríngovernment,theagentofAnglo-French,andconsequentlyRussian,will,entailedaradicalchangeintheattitudetowardstheconfederalmasses,themilitantsoftheCNT-FAIandtheforeigners.ThepredominanceofthecentralpowerinCataloniacausedonetonotetheextremedegreetowhichallsecuritywasabolishedforourcomrades,especiallythosewhohadcomefromothercountriestohelptheSpanishrevolution.ItcouldsoonbeobservedthattheNegríngovernmentwasactingcompletelyundertheordersofthecommunistsandtheirelementsweretakingcontrol,quietlybutsurely,ofall
theleadingpositionsoftheState:police,army,publicadministration.ThepoliceoftheChekacarriedoutitsinvestigationsofourcomrades,alongsidetheSpanishpolicewhowereonlythereinordertopreserveappearances.Inafewweeks,60militantsoftheCNTdisappeared,2,000werearrestedandhundredsofforeignerswereimprisonedorexpelledfromSpain.
TheexpulsionoftheItaliancomradesfromBarcelonawascarriedoutwiththecollaborationoftheArgentineconsul,whowasresponsibleforthedefenseoftheinterestsofthefascistgovernmentsofRomeandBerlin.ThisconsulhadtheaudacitytorecommendtoItalianandGermanantifasciststhattheyshould
presentthemselvestohiscolleagues,therepresentativesofHitlerandMussoliniinFrance,sothattheycouldberepatriatedtotheircountriesoforigin.
TomeitseemsimpossibletogoanylowerthantheNegríngovernment.
(Paris,July19,1937.)
ImmediatelyafterwardshesentanotetothememberorganizationsoftheIWA,informingthemoftheseeventsandattachingacopyofaletterfromvariousprisoners,advisingthattheorganizationsrequestthattheCNTshouldresolvethesituation.Theprisonerssaid:
Valencia,January21,1937[sic:this
shouldreadJune21,1937].
EsteemedH.
IamwritingtoyouinthenameofsevencomradeswhohavebeenillegallyimprisonedintheConventofSaintUrsula
.Here,inthedungeon,areH.K.,E.I.,F.H.,H.L.,M.andG.,allinthesamecell.L.andG.arecurrentlybeingheldintheprovincialhospitalofValencia.H.isveryill.Ihavepneumonia.Thejailisveryfilthyandunhealthy.Weneedsoap,towels,andclothingandtheywillnotgiveusourmoney.Theyhaverefusedtoallowustocontactourorganization(DAS)andourfamilies.Theyhave
interrogatedus.Somehavebeeninterrogatedtwice.
Theyhaveaccusedofbeingspies,ofhavingbeenincontactwiththeGestapoduringtheMayeventsinBarcelona.Thisisabsurdanditisnotsurprisingthattheyneededmonthsinordertofabricatethisabominableaccusation.
IntheConventofSaintUrsulathereare150prisoners,60%ofthemforeigners,mostlyGermans.Thisjailisarealconcentrationcamp.Ifwedonotgethelpfromoutside,wewillbeburiedaliveforaverylongtime.Doeverythingpossibletohelpus.Youhavetothinkofcomingtoseeus,orelsegettingaSpanishcomradetoworkenergeticallyforour
release.OnJuly29wearegoingtobeginahungerstrike.WeareinterrogatedbySpaniards,buttheCommissarsarealwaysRussiansandGermans
.
Dearcomrades,donotforgetus.Healthtoall.
X.X.
TheSecretariatinformedtheCNTofthecontentsoftheletterfromtheseprisonersandthetextofanurgenttelegramsentbytheRegionalCommitteeofCatalonia,inwhichitisrequestedthatnegotiationsbeundertakentopreventtheGermananarchistsfrombeingdeportedto
MarseillesbytheNegríngovernmentandhandedovertotheNaziconsuls,sincethelatterpossesseddocumentssuppliedtothembytheArgentineconsulwhowasresponsibleforGermanandItalianaffairsinSpain.
Keepingallthesefactsinmind,thefollowingtwonotesfromtheCNTwillbeofinterest:
NationalConfederationofLabor.
NationalCommittee.Valencia,September22,1937.
TotheSecretariatoftheIWA,Paris.
InresponsetoyournotedatedAugust23
withreferencetothenegotiationsinconnectionwiththetelegramsentbytheRegionalCommitteeofCataloniaregardingthedeportationsofforeignantifascistcomrades,wearequitesatisfiedwiththenegotiationscarriedoutwithL.J.andtheLeaguefortheRightsofMan.Asforthetwospecificdemandsyoumade,weshallalsoinformyouthattheCNThassinceJuly19,1936lookedaftertheinterestsoftheforeigncomradeswhohavecometoSpainandcontinuestodosowheneverpossible.ButyouwillunderstandthatthisisaproblemthatalsoinvolvesthepoliticalsituationandthatthiscompelsustoconcludethatanymoreorlessefficaciousactionthattheCNTmightbeabletoundertakeindefenseof
theforeigncomradesdependsonthegreaterorlessereffectivenessoftheCNTsparticipationintheSpanishgovernment.Itisofgreatimportancetorequesttherightofasylumfortheforeigncomrades,butitisalsomuchmoreimportantyouwillunderstandthistoworktoresolvethedomesticproblem,toputanendtotherepressionandtoundertakejoint,solidarity-basedactiontowinthewaranddefendtheconquestsofthepeople.
Theproblemoftheforeignersisveryimportant,butcomparedtothecontinuedprosecutionofthisbloodyandterriblewarthatwearewagingagainstfascismitisaVERYINSIGNIFICANTDETAIL.
WewillalsotellyouthattheproblemoftheforeignersisverycomplexbecausefascismhasbeenverydiligentandhasitsagentsinSpain.Weshalldraftspecificrequeststoobtainthereleaseoftheforeigncomradeswhoarereallyantifascists,andwhoareworthyoftheconfidenceofthelibertarianmovement,asaresultoftheirlonghistoryofactivityasmilitants.
Asforyoursecondquestion,ouransweristhatweacknowledgethegoodintentionsoftheIWAtohelpdefendusagainstcounterrevolutionaryattacks,butthetruthisthataslongastheIWAisnotproperlyorganized,anduntilitputsanendtoitsinternaldisagreementsand
resolvestoworkactivelytosupporttheantifascistandrevolutionarywarinSpain,itcanaccomplishlittledespiteitsgoodintentions.ThedecisivesupportthatwedesireandneedfornowtofightagainstthecounterrevolutioninSpain,isthesupportthattheworldproletariatcangiveusbyengagingineffectiveactionagainstthefascistinvader.Ifourwargoeswellthiswillchangeandoursituationwillimprove,andtheattacksandthepredominanceofthecounterrevolutionwillbediminished.Youhavetotakeallofthisintoaccount.
Withrevolutionarygreetings.
M.R.Vázquez,Sec.
***
NationalConfederationofLabor.
NationalCommittee.Valencia,September22,1937.
TotheSecretariatoftheIWA,Paris.
Respectedcomrade:
WereceiveyourcircularNo.8datedAugust23.WeregretthattheSecretariatoftheIWA,uponreceivingatelegramfromaRegionalFederationofourSectionandnotingitscontent,wouldbrandishitasaredflag,givingthememberSectionsoftheIWAtheimpressionthattheCNTisneglectfulof
theaffairoftheforeigncomrades.WethinkthattheSecretariatoftheIWA,inaccordancewithfederativenorms,isobligedtorecognizethathecannotattendtoanyreportfromSpainthatdoesnotproceedfromtheNationalCommitteeoftheCNT,asitisthemissionofthelattertomaintainrelationswiththeSecretariatoftheIWA.
Afterexpressingourpositiononthisconduct,weshallproceedtoformulateourprotestagainsttheheedlessdecisiontoorienttheSectionstowardstheformationofCommitteesofAidandAssistancefortheVictimsoftheCounterrevolutioninSpain.ThisgivesustheimpressionthattheSecretariatofthe
IWAisusinganincidenttounderminethecreationandoperationsofthegroupsofInternationalAntifascistSolidarity,whichwerecreatedbytheSpanishlibertarianmovement.
Wecannotacceptthelastparagraphofyourcircularwhichsays:And,finally,tointervenewiththeCNTinordertocombineyourprotestandyouractivitieswithours.ThisimpliesareproachdirectedagainstthisNationalCommitteethatweenergeticallyreject,becausewehavealwaysattendedtotheforeigncomradeswhohavebeenpersecutedinSpainandbecausewedonotneedtobepressuredtodoourduty.ButalsobecausetheNationalCommitteecannot
interveneagainsttheoutragesthathavebeeninflictedontheforeigncomradesIFITISNOTINFORMEDofthefacts.TheNationalCommitteehasalwaysdevoteddueattentiontoalltheaffairsofwhichithasbeeninformedandhasaddressedthemdirectly.
WedonotdoubtthatinthefuturetheSecretariatoftheIWAwillconformtothenormsofourmovementandthathewillonlypaydueattentiontotheofficialreportsfromourNationalCommittee.
OnceagainwemustprotestagainstyourcircularandtheinsinuationsthatitcontainsbecausetheyareinsultstotheREVOLUTIONARYVIEWSandsolidarityoftheCNTthatatalltimesis
vigilantandpaysproperattentiontotheforeigncomradeswhohavecometoSpaintofight.
Withanarchosyndicalistgreetings.
FortheNationalCommittee,
MarianoR.Vázquez,secretary.
WemustnotifythereaderthatwehavetranscribedsomephrasesfromthesenotesinALLCAPITALLETTERS,becausetheyrevealthepassionateconcernoftheCNTtoonceagainoccupytheministerialpoststhatitlostandtheminorimportanceitconcedestothemiserablesituationofthosewhoarepersecutedbythecommunistreaction,
presidedoverbythefigurehead,Negrín.
***
InviewoftheseriousproblemtheIWAfacedbecauseofitsintentiontohelptheanarchistswhofledfromthebloodyrepressionthatwasunleashedinBarcelonaaftertheMayevents,andthoseanarchistswhoweredeportedbytheNegríngovernment,viaPerpignan,toMarseilles,theSecretariattakingaccountofthefactthattherepresentativesoftheCNTinParishadrenegedontheircommitmenttohelpthewoundedmilitiamenandthefamiliesofthecombatants,despitehavingreceived1,400,000francsfromtheIWAtreasurerlogicallyappealedtothe
memberorganizationsoftheIWAtosendmoremoneyandatthesametimehealsosuggestedthattheyshouldorganizeCommitteesforAidandAssistancetotheVictimsoftheSpanishCounterrevolutionintheirrespectiveregions.
WeknowthattheIWAaffiliatesinArgentinaandUruguayformedsuchaCommittee.Here,inMontevideo,theFORUpublicizedtheformationofthisCommitteewithanoticeinSolidaridad,butdidnottakeitsguestintoconsideration.ThecenetistaplenipotentiaryinUruguaytheCNThadtheminmanycountriesattemptedtodiscredittheCommitteebyclaimingthatitwasnotauthorizedbytheCNT,and
alsoexpressedcontemptuousandoffensiveviewswithregardtotheanarchistswhowerepersecuted,imprisonedorshotbyNegrínsthugs.Wecannotstatewithcertaintywhetherornothehadreceivedofficialreportstothateffect,butitisalmostcertainthathismannerofspeakingaboutthisissuewasbasedonhispersonalimpressionsfromlifeintherearguard,sincehehadlivedforafewmonthsinSpain,asamemberofseveraldelegations.
Toconcludethischapter,wewillsaythatthecenetistas,notsatisfiedwiththeirclearlydemonstratedbetrayalsandbackroommachinations,dedicatedthemselvestopreparingtheinternational
workingclasstoobtainitssupportforaMotiontobeproposedattheOrdinaryCongressoftheIWAthatwouldmodifytheprinciplesandpracticesofthatinstitution,adaptingthemtothepracticalmodalitiesandconceptsadvocatedbytheministerialistsoftheCNTandtheFAI.
AtthisCongress,heldinNovember1938withoutthepresenceofthedelegationsoftheFORAandtheFORU,duetoinsurmountableobstaclesthecircumstantialtheoryofthecenetistas,whichhadalreadybeenelaboratedpriortotheCongress,wasoverwhelminglyapproved.
InthejournaloftheIWA,No.6,acenetistanowdeceasedsaid:
wehavetooperateineverycountry,inaccordancewiththecircumstances,psychology,possibilitiesandcharacteristics.Inthedeclarationofprinciples,wecannotcontinuetoupholdthethesisofrabidapoliticism.Wedonothavetoincludesupportforpoliticsinourdeclaration.Butwemustnotcloseandsealoffthedoor,andexcommunicateanySectionthatinparticularcircumstancesworkspolitically,withtheclearunderstandingthatpoliticsmeansforuscollaborationwithothersectorsinthepolitical-social-economicleadershipofacountry.
Unfortunately,inthemodificationsintroducedintheDeclarationofPrinciplesoftheIWA,wemustpointoutwedonothavethecompletetextatourdisposalthattheyleavethedooropentoworkinginaccordancetothecircumstances,eveninpolitics.Thus,thenewSecretariatoftheIWAsaid,inasomewhatvagueway,inhisreporttothememberorganizations,thatitwasestablishedthat,thegoalandtendencyofanarchosyndicalismremainsfaithfultofederalism,andthat,asaresult,theIWAconcedestoitsSectionsthegreatestpossiblefreedomofactioninthestruggleforthefinalgoal.
Theanxiousmomentsnowbeing
experiencedbytheworldproletariatdonotallowonetoexpectthattheIWAcancontinuetodevelopinanormalway.Itisthereforetobehopedthatwhencircumstancesallowtheexchangeofopinions,theFORAandtheFORUmustattackthesecollaborationistreformsandwillworktoseetoitthattheseinnovationsarenotincludedintheDeclarationofPrinciples,butratherthattheanarchistconceptthatisproudlyupheldbybothorganizationsisreaffirmed.
1.ThereadermaywishtoconsultasubstantiallydifferenttranslationofthisresolutionthatmaybefoundinJoséPeirats,TheCNTintheSpanish
Revolution,Volume2,editedandrevisedbyChrisEalham,translatedbyPaulSharkeyandChrisEalham,ChristieBooks,Hastings,2005,pp.196-197;thebookisalsoavailableonlineat:http://books.google.com/books?id=vcauoD75eBMC&pg=PA196&lpg=PA196&dq=June+1937+regional+plenum+cnt&source=bl&ots=VZwFVKrI7P&sig=BP9TfZomlTcIi6lcMmPjXPbK94A&hl=en&sa=X&ei=GLKZU8rtKIKKyATB8ICgAw&ved=0CCMQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=June%201937%20regional%20plenum%20cnt&f=false[TranslatorsNote].
Chapter16:Fascismandantifascism
16
Fascismandantifascism
Giventhejargonthathasinfectedsomepoliticalandworkingclasssectors,entirelycontrarytotheviewsoftheFORistmovementinArgentinaandUruguay,andinviewofthepersistentuseoftheword,antifascistbytheSpanishandinternationalministerialists,webelievethatitisnecessarytoofferafewreflectionsonwhatweunderstandbytheterm,fascism,andbyitsnegationby
itsseemingantithesis,antifascism.
Fascism,ormoreprecisely,itsessence,isnothingnewinthehistoryofthepeoples.Itisthemaximum,themostrefined,cruelandbrutalmanifestationoftheauthoritariansystem;oppressiveanddomineeringfromtoptobottom.AllthecoercivemeanshavebeenemployedinordertogivetheStatethepowerofdominationthatisnecessary;tofullycentralizebruteforceinthegovernmentalmechanism.Allthemeansofpersuasionhavebeenregimentedinordertosilencethepublicconscienceandslogansarerecitedwithanabsoluteunanimity,moldingthemostdiverseopinionsaccordingtothepoliticalneedsofthe
State.
ThesameproceduresusedtosilencethevoicesofthehereticsthatwereputintopracticebytheexecutionersattheordersoftheinquisitorsArbuésandTorquemada,adaptedtotheprogressofourcentury,havebeenutilizedbythetotalitarianregimesimposedinItaly,Russia,Germany,andnowinSpain.
ThesayingoftheUruguayanpoliticiantheycallRasputinCalmdownandlive,orrebelanddieisthenormofthewayoflifeimposedonthepeoplessothattheywillsilentlyendurethestatemonstrosity.IamtheState,Igivetheordersandyoumustobeyme,saythedictators,andthepeoplesobey,smiling,withapplauseand
tranquilityinordertoavoidtheconsequencesoftheangerorthesuspicionofthehenchmenofauthority.
Humanconsciousnessisbecomingmechanized.Speechhasbeenstandardized.Gestures,stereotyped.Peoplefallsilentwhentheyarenotmouthingwordsofconformityandservility.Theinhabitantsoftheworldhavebeenregimented,andtheyknowwhen,whereandhowtoworkorrefrainfromworking,whattothink,etc.;wheretheycangathertogetherandrelatetooneanother.TheStateknowseverythingduetoitslegionsofspiesorinformersandhasitssolutionforeverything.Shootings,thegibbet,decapitations,thedespicable
garrote,theguillotineandtheelectricchair,arethefinal,quiteconvincingargumentsthatitsdevoteesengageinandthatbecomemorefrequentwitheachpassingday
.
InGermany,theycutoffheads.InRussia,theypurgetheoppositionandthepeople.InItaly,theyprescribecastoroil;thenthegarroteorthefiringsquad.InSpain,atthepresenttime,theyaresettingaratherhighstandard;withoutanytrial,theyshootconvictsattherateofupto800murdered
atatime.
Andthisonlyreferstothetotalitarianregimes;regardingwhichonecouldsaythatfascismisbecominggeneralized.
***
Nowletustakealookatthedemocracies.InFrancetheyusetheguillotine.IntheUnitedStateshumanbeingsareeliminatedbymeansofelectrocutionorhanging.Intheothercountries,thesameorsimilarproceduresareutilizedforsettinganexample.Tortureisalsoemployedbymeansofrubbertruncheonsorcattleprods,withwhichwearefamiliarinourpartoftheworld.
Insomecountriestherehasbeenan
attenuationinthesuffering,anattractivelabel,adisguisewithplebiangilding,butalwaysbasedonviolence,audacity,inhumanityandcrime:theshellofthestate.
Fascism,Nazism,statecommunism,nationalism,democracy,socialism,arealldifferentnamesbutallarebasedononething:theauthorityprinciple;andonegoal:thestate.
Thegoaldoesnotchange,then,whetheryoucallitdictatorship,empire,kingdom,parliamentaryrepublic,orevenifyougiveitthepompoustitleof:republicoftheworkersorofthesovietsproletariandictatorshiporanyothertransitionalbridge,asisinsinuatedbytheantifascists
oftheCNT-FAI.
Nowthatwehaveexpressedtheseverysimpledeductionsconcerningwhatisoftencalledbecauseofsnobbismafascistregime,weshouldpointoutthatthewordantifascismhasanidenticalorigin,becausethepowersthat,callingthemselvesdemocratic,claimtofightthefascistregimecannotbedifferentiatedfromthelatter,norcanthepoliticalfractionsthatareitsopponents,usingdemagogy,denytheirauthoritarianessence.
***
Whopresentsthemselvestotheworkersasantifascists?
Thesocialists,whoadore,upholdandadvocatethestatiststructure!InFrance,thesocialistBriandwasinpower,andthearmyandthepoliceathisordersliquidatedtheFrenchrailroadworkersstrike,persecuting,imprisoningandmassacringthestrikingworkers.InGermany,asocialistcabinetpresidedoverbyNoskeorderedthemassacreofthepeopleofBavaria,murdering,inaddition,outstandinganarchistmilitants,amongotherpeople,comradeLandauer.InSpain,beforethemilitaryrevolt,thesocialistsdominatedrepublicancabinets,andCasasViejasisstillfreshinourmemories:Arnedo,theshackofSeisdedoswhereapeasantfamilyofeightwasburnedaliveandthemembers
oftheCNTandtheFAIandtheSpanishpeoplewerepersecutedandmurdered.
Thecommunists!InRussiawhosemysticalandstoicpeopleknowtherigorsandtheomnipotenceofthedictatorshipimposedbytherulingparty:Leninyesterday,andnowStalintheredarmyattheordersofthegeneralissimoTrotskytodayavoluntaryexilefromthecountryofhisgreatdeedsmercilesslymassacredthesailorsofKronstadt,whichhadbeen,duringtheperiodofCzarism,abeaconoffreedomandrebellion,andwhosegarrisonhadbeenthespearheadoftherevolutionduringthatdisastrousregime.ThebraveMaknovistguerrillaswereexterminated,whohadexpelledthe
mercenaryarmiesfromtheUkraine.Theanarchistsandopponentsofthedictatorshipwereshotorhiddenawayintheprisonsofinhospitableregions,andmorerecentlytherehavebeenrepeatedpurgesofthemembersoftherulingparty,shootingastraitorsandNazispiessomeoftheintellectualfigureswhowerecomradesofLenin.
TheradicalsofArgentina!WerecallthestrikeinthemetallurgicalplantofVasena,whereviolentclasheswiththeIrigoyenistapolicetookplace,inwhichmanycomradesdied,anepisodethatledtowhatwecalltheWeekofJanuaryandwhichthebourgeoisjournalistJuanJ.deSoizaReillywithoutgoingintothe
distinctlyproletarianaspect,whichwasanxiousandcrueldescribed,vaguelyreflectingsomescenes,intheseparagraphs:
Ijustcamebackfromansorrowfuljourney.IvisitedsomeofthehomesoftheIsraeliteswheretheyshedtearsofblood.Ihaveseeninnocentoldpeoplebeingdraggedbytheirbeards.Ihaveseenapaleandsmilinglittleoldmanwholifteduphisshirttoshowustwoofhisribs.Theystuckoutofhisskinlikesticks,bleeding
.Ihaveseenhard-workingandhumblelaborerslikealltheJewishworkerswithbothlegsbroken,incasts.Pileduplikefirewoodonthesidewalks.Ihaveseen
scientificlibrariesburned
.Ihaveseenaheroicwomanwhowasforcedtoeatherownexcrement.Ihaveseenhouseslootedandpocketsemptiedbyrobbers.Ihaveseenpoorlittlegirlsof14and15yearsofagecryingonthestreetcorners.Theycoveredtheirfaceswiththeirhands.Theywereashamed.Theyhadlosttheholytreasureoftheirinnocenceamongtheclawsofthebeasts
.Oneofthemshowedmeherrighthand,cutbyanaxe,becauseItriedtodefendmyselffromthebrute
.Ihaveseen,inaddition
.But,whyreproducethehorrorsthatI
haveseen,therevulsionthatIfelt?
IfIdipmypenintothisrevulsion,Iwouldwritethischroniclewithrage
.
AndthesorrowfulepisodesofPatagonia,wherethesoldiersunderthecommandofcolonelVarelamadethestrikersdigtheirowngravesbeforeshootingthem?AndthemassacresoftheChaco,thepersecutionsanddeportationsofFORistmilitants?
Thebattlistas,governmentcoloradosandtheblancos!ThestreetsofMontevideoandsomeofthetownsoftheinteriorhavebeendrenchedinthebloodofthe
workers;thosewhowentonstrikewerebeatenandthejailsswallowedmanyanarchists.
WhydothepoliticalfractionsthatformedthePopularFrontinSpaincallthemselvesantifascists,when,priortoJuly19andduringthecivilwar,theymurderedtheanarchistswhorefusedtoobeytheauthoritarians?
Allofthisisvillainy,arrogance,violenceandcriminality,eveniftheperpetratorscallthemselvessocialists,communists,radicals,blancos,coloradosorantifascists,andtheycannotbyanymeansbedistinguishedfromthewaysofthefascists.ItisalwaystheState.
Therefore,thealliancemadebytheresponsibleleadersoftheCNTandtheFAIwiththeauthoritarianelementsofSpainisentirelyillogical,andcannotbejustifiedbyanyvalid,convincingargument,anymorethansuchanalliancewiththeMarxistsofourpartoftheworldwouldhave.
***
Arecentpoliticalevent,whichcausedasensationincertainstatistspheresandamongsomesimple-mindedpeoplewillreinforceourargument:theembraceofHitlerandStalin.Theyhavebroughttogether,inonesolidbundle,rabidanti-communismandcynicalanti-nazism.
Thiseventwillnothavebeensurprisingtosensiblepeople,becausewhiletheyarepoliticalideologiesthatseeminglyrepeleachother,withregardtotheirmethods,theregimesandtheirinterestsareidenticalandcannotremainseparated.
TheembraceofStalinwithHitlermightimpressthosewho,concealingtheirauthoritarianinclinationsandways,hadtakenupasarallyingbannerameaningless,deceitfulandpuerilelabel,butthishasnoimportanceforthosewho,likeusanarchists,donotallowourselvestodifferentiatebetweentheregimesandconsidertheactions,themaneuversandthefalsehoodsofthosewhoruleoverthepeoplestobealogicalconsequenceof
thecorruptionthatengulfsthecapitalistsystem.Onethingiscertain:anti-nazismandanti-communismsignedamilitarypactandthengorgedthemselvesonthebloodyspoilsofthePolishpeople,sharingout,inaddition,theland,thewealthandtheinhabitantslivingintheframeworkofthebordersthatthemapassignedtoPoland,justaspreviouslythesameorotherStateshaddividedupthelandsofCzechoslovakia,Hungary,Ethiopia,TheTransvaal,India,Morocco,etc.,andarestillassailingthesepeoples.
Chapter17:UpheavalintheFAI
17
UpheavalintheFAI
ThisacronymstandsfortheIberianAnarchistFederation,aspecificallyanarchistinstitutionofSpain,whichplayedanoutstandingroleintheguerrillaactivitiesthattookplaceinSpain,butanegativeonewithregardtothevalorizationoftheideologicalpostulatesthatcorrespondwithitsname.
Itwasfirstactivein1927,withadefinite
programaccordingtodeclarationspublishedtojustifyitsexistenceasaspecificallyanarchistorganizationofworkingintheCNTinordertoreinforcetheanarchistorientationthatwasinstilledintheworkerswhoweremembersofthisworkingclasstradeunionconfederationandtowinsupportforthecauseofemancipation.
ItisundeniablethattheworkoftrainingandexpressionofourideasthatwasundertakenbytheFAIwasbeneficialandthatitsmembershadtoenduretheharshpersecutiondirectedatthembytherightandleftwinggovernmentsthatsucceededeachotherinSpain,overthelastfewyears.Butthisacknowledgementdoes
notpreventusfromexplaining,withallfrankness,ouropinionofoppositiontothecontagiouswayofoperatingthathasappearedoverthelastfewyearsamongtheanarchists,inthattheyorganizeaspecifically[separate]anarchistorganization,becausethisbringsinitswakeadualfocusofactivity,agroundlessprideinappearingtobeguidesandadangerousinnovativetendencyfortheworkersmovementwithananarchistgoal.
InSouthAmericaweareveryfamiliarwiththerestlessspiritsandtheactivitiesofsomesimilarinstitutions:theArgentineLibertarianAlliance,nowrebornastheFACA,inArgentina,and
theAnarchistFederationofUruguay,inthiscountrynowdefunctinstitutionsthathavebeenabreedinggroundfordeviationsandmorethanonesplitamonganarchistmilitants.InsteadofhelpingtodeveloptheFORistworkingclassfederations,theyhaveimpededtheirnormalfederalistdevelopmentandhavesowedconfusionwithinmanyworkingclassorganizations,facilitatingtheirabsorptionbyMarxistelements.
However,becauseitisnotourpurposetoconductanin-depthanalysisoftheproblemofSpecificism,weshallreturntoourexaminationofthevariousfacetspresentedbytheFAIinitsdisconcertingpilgrimagebetweentheoryandpractice.
ThecontradictionsaremanyandtheregressionsofsuchamagnitudethattheydeservetobehighlightedinordertoerasefromthefeverishmindsofthepanegyristsoftheFAIthefollowingdefinitionofwhatthesethreelettersmean:asunthatshinesonthosewhosufferpersecutionandaforcethatencouragesthosewhohungerforjustice;atorchforthepariahsandapromisefortheoppressed,astheBarcelonajournalTierrayLibertadproclaimed.
***
Whentheghastlybirdsofillomen,ofpillageanddestruction,nourishedbySpanishmilitarism,theclergyandcapitalism,begantocircleoverthesoilof
Spain,theFAIfeltspurredonforthelasttimebythespiritofitsideologicalpatrimonytohammeritsalert,filledwithredemptiveconcepts,intotheconsciousnessoftheSpanishpeople,urgingthemtofightindefenseoftheirrights,underassaultbystatistarrogance,andoftheirfreedomthatwasunderthreatfromthereactionaries.
HereistheresolutionapprovedattheFAIPlenumofRegionalFederations,heldonFebruary1,1936:
ConsideringtheextremegravityofthecurrentconjunctureinSpain,dueasmuchtoeconomicdifficultiesanddomesticpolicies,astotheinfluenceandimpactoftheinternationalsituation,and
havinglearnedfromtheexperienceofothercountriesandfromtheverylogicoftheeventsandissues;
Consideringthat,becauseofthesizeoftherevolutionaryproletariatinSpain,thelatterhasmoreresponsibilitythaninothercountrieswithregardtoconfrontinganyreactionaryattempts;
Thatthephenomenonoffascism,embodiedinthetotalitarianState,isasystemofreaction,ofwhichthestreetviolenceandthebestialattacksofthereactionariesconstitutemerelyoneaspectofavastcomplexofideasandliberticidalaspirations,whicharemanifestedintheabsolutesuppressionofallrightsofcriticismandallhumandignityand
whichtend,furthermore,topersistbyrecruitmentfromtheverybeginning.Thatthefascistreactionisthedirectresultofthebankruptcyoftheeconomicsystemofcapitalism,thatitcanberesistedonlyontheterrainofthesuppressionofcapitalismandintheestablishmentofaregimeoflifethatwillrenderimpossiblethemonstrouscontradictionsoftheeconomy,ofprivilegeandofmonopoly.
Thattheworldhistoricalexperienceshavedemonstratedtheimpotenceandthedeceptionofso-calleddemocracy,anallegedpoliticalequalitygraftedontothemostobnoxiouseconomicinequality,inordertomodifytheessenceofthe
establishedorder.
TheRegionalFederationsoftheIberianAnarchistFederationsetforththeirpositioninthefollowingmanner:
a)TheydeplorethefactthatworkingclassinstitutionswhichhadblazedafranklyrevolutionaryandproletarianpathinOctober1934,shouldalignthemselveswiththedemocratic-bourgeoispartiesinordertofindasolutionwherenosuchsolutionexists.
b)Theyadvocateatotalbreakbytheproletariatwithallthestatistdemocraticillusions,anditsconcentrationaroundtheworkingclassandpeasantsolution,whichimpliesthepossessionofthesocial
andnaturalwealthbytheproducersthemselves.
c)Theymaintainthatonlyintheworldoflabor,intheworkplaces,cananeffectiveanddefinitiveremedybefoundforallformsofreaction.
Theystatethattheagreementoftheproducersispossibleunderthefollowingconditions:
1.Theexclusionfromtheworkplaceofelementsaffiliatedwithfascistinstitutions,bywayofthejointactionoftheanti-capitalisttradeunionorganizations.
2.Employmentoftheinsurrectionary
methodfortheconquestofthesocialwealthusurpedbyprivilegedminorities,anditsadministrationbytheproducersthemselves.
3.Establishmentofaregimeoflife,oflaborandofconsumptionthatrespondstothecommonneedsofthepopulationanddoesnotallowexploitationandthedominationofmanovermantoexistinanyform.
4.Thedefenseofthisnewregimeoflifecannotbeentrustedtoprofessionalarmiesorpoliticalbodies,butmustbeinthehandsofalltheworkers,withoutthelatterlosingcontactwiththeirworkplaces.
5.Respectandtolerationforthediverseproletarianandrevolutionarysocialconceptionsandguaranteesfortheirfreeexercise.
6.Thestruggleagainstfascism,aninternationalphenomenon,mustbecarriedoutinternationally,bytheworkingclassandrevolutionaryinstitutions,totheexclusionofallnationalistideasandsentiments.
***
Asonecanseefromthedocumentpresentedabove,onemaynowobservewhatisessentiallyasurrendertoalliancismandtheuseofthetermantifascism;butthisbackslidingseems
quiteinsignificantwhenwecompareittothelatertreasonouspositions.
LetusseehowtheFAIpresenteditsviewsafterithadalreadyfallensomewaydownthefatalslope:
Allthepropagandaandalltheactionofanarchismarebasedonanti-capitalismandanti-statism.Thesetwoformsofeconomicandpoliticaldominationimplythenegationoftherightsoftheproducerandofthefreedomoftheindividual.
IntheState,capitalismfindsitsweaponofdefense.Theexploitationoftheworkers,ofthepeasants,ofthetechnicians,allowstheaccumulationofwealthandeconomicpowertheforce
majeuretowhichthedisinheritedaresubjectedinthehandsofanunproductiveminority.Bymeansofthelawsthatassurethebourgeoisietherightofpropertywithallitsrepressivesystem,withitsarmedforce,theStateconstitutesthemostsolidbastionofthecapitalistsystem.AsopposedtotheMarxistpositionthatattributestotheStatetransitionalfunctionsinthecreationofanewsociety,andwhichmaintainsthattheStatewillgraduallywitherawayuntilitdisappearswhenclassdifferenceswillhavedisappeared,anarchismproclaimstheuselessnessoftheStateandstatesthatitspresenceaftertherevolutionaryeventswouldsignifytheresurgenceofanewpower,ofanewdictatorship,withthe
consequentemergenceofaprivilegedbureaucracyandthelogicalestablishmentofapartygovernmentorpreferentiallyonebasedontheleadersoftherulingparty.
Economicorganizationuponsocialistfoundation,beingpracticable,causestheneweconomicordertorequireanewpoliticalform.Theanti-capitalistandanti-statistpositionofanarchismisconfirmedbyhistoricalexperienceandbythecertaintyofbeingabletoorganizecollectivelife,providingeveryonewiththepossibilitytosatisfytheirownneeds,inexchangefortheirlaborinaregimebasedonthesocializationofthemeansofproduction.
Federativeorganization,fromthebottomupfromthebasetothesummitwilltaketheplaceofthestatesystem.Thisreaffirmationofprinciplesisfullyjustifiedatthepresenttime.Constrainedbythecircumstancesthataccompanythewar,theFAIandtheCNThavehadtoparticipateinthegovernmentalmachinery.Thecollaborationimposedbythesupremeandunavoidablenecessityofdefeatingfascismandcoexistencealongsidetheantifascistsectorsledustoreluctantlyabandonourideologicalposition.Butthisdoesnotmeanthatwehaverenouncedtheanarchistidealandtactics.Theoccupationofpostsofresponsibilityinthedepartmentsofthecentralgovernmentandofthe
Generalitat,poststhatwehadtooccupy,beingcompelledbythecircumstancesofthewar,bynomeansimpliesachangeinourtheoreticalconceptions.No;weshallcontinuetobeanarchistsasbefore,andweshallalwayshavethesameopinionoftheStateandthedictatorialsolution(regardlessofwhatnameitisgiven).
Beforetheentireworld,beforeourcomradesintheanarchistmovement,beforethosewhohavedeliberatelydistortedtheinterpretationoftheeventsinSpainandourtemporaryparticipationinthegovernment,wecanstatewithoutanyexaggerationthatthisresolutionoftheFAIhasanincalculablehistoricalvalue.
***
TheconceptsexpoundedbytheFAI,apartfrommanyinconsistenciesandcontradictions,breakallrecordsforarrogance.
Wecouldreproduce,inordertosupportourview,asensiblecommentarywrittenbycomradeA.SchapiroinresponsetothepatheticappealissuedbytheFAItotheinternationalanarchistmovementcallinguponthelattertoimitatetheFAI,andtoenterintoallianceswiththepoliticalsectorsofthedifferentregions,butweshallrefrainfromdoingsobecausethetextisalreadysowellknown.
Weshall,however,transcribetheresolutionsapprovedbytheCongressoftheFrenchLanguageAnarchistFederationatitscongressheldonAugust14-15,1937,concerningthedelicateandridiculouspositionoftheFAIandtheCNT,togetherwiththecommentarybytheeditorsofSolidaridad(No.143,April1938),theofficialorganoftheFORU,ontheseresolutions,becausetheywillsaveusthetroubleofelucidatingfundamentalobjectionsandbecausethetextcontainingthemisalapidarycounterstroke:
WeshalltranscribesomeresolutionsoftheFrenchLanguageAnarchistFederation,approvedattheCongress
heldonAugust14-15,1937inthecityofClermont-Ferrand.Inviewofthechaosthatprevailsininternationalanarchism,causedbytheSpanishevents,whichbroughtconfusionismtoalargepartofourmovement,thefirmpositionoftheanarchistsoftheFrenchLanguageAnarchistFederationmeritsourattention,who,withgreatcourage,madeafirmstandagainstrevolutionarymystifications,sallyingforthindefenseofthepropagandaandofthepracticesofstrugglethatareconsistentwiththeprinciplesofanarchism.Evenwhenwedonottotallyagreewiththeinterpretationtheyofferregardingthepracticalapplicationofanarchismintheworkersmovementsincewhiletheyseek
toinstillthelatterwithananarchistcharacterfromtheoutside,fromthegroups,we,basedontheexperienceofalongrevolutionaryhistory,whichdemonstratesthesuperiorityoftheFORistinterpretation,optforthesystemthatrecommendsthattheanarchistsmustnotactinthetradeunionsectionsasmembersofothergroupsoutsideofthem,butasmembersofthesesametradeunions,andbythismeanssuccessfullyimpressupontheworkersmovementadefinitelyanarchistorientation,adoptinginadvancethepracticesofstruggleofdirectaction,afederalistsystemoforganizationbytradeandanarchistprinciplesandgoalsdespitethis,wesay,weconsiderittobeofgreatimportance
thattheFrenchanarchistshavereturnedtoactivitywithinthetradeunions,whichwillallowthemtogaintheinfluenceamongtheworkersthattheyhavelackeduntilnow,duetotheerroneouspracticeoforganizinginspecificgroupsoutsidetheworkingclassorganization.
Somethingelsethatdeservesemphasis,isthefacttheyhavebrokenwiththeprejudiceofallianceswithpoliticiansandthetradeunionmergersthatadvocatetheabsurdityofattemptingtoamalgamatealltheworkersinasinglebloc,outsideofallideology,whentheyopenlydeclarethattheyareworkingforthegrowthoftheCGT-SR(affiliatedwiththeIWA),providingitwithincreasinglygreater
materialandideologicalpower,whichcouldcounteracttheemasculatingworkofthereformistCGT,savingtheproletariatfromopportunisticambiguitiesandpoliticaldemagogyandliberatingitfromallobstaclesthatcouldhinderitinitsprogresstowardsitsemancipation.
Weattributethehighestimportancetotheseresolutions,bothwithregardtothepositionagainststatistanarchism,aswellaswithregardtomilitantactionintheworkingclassmovement,sinceitistobehopedthatthisattitudewillbeatleastimitated,ifnotsurpassed,bytheanarchistsoftheothercountries,whicharelosingtheirsenseofdirectionorvegetatingintheviciouscircleof
specificism,andthatthoserevolutionaryaberrationsshouldbeabandonedandthecomradesshouldresolvetocreatearealtradeunionmovement,inwhichtheactivityoftheanarchistswho,foronereasonoranotherdonotbelongtothetradeunions,willnotonlybeallowedbutencouraged,onthebasisofwhichonecanworkfreelytoforgeanarchistconsciousness,forthepurposeofbeingabletoexposetheentirepopulationtothedetailsofourideal,leadingittoconceivethepossibilityoftheexistenceofasocietywithoutaState,basedonfreeagreementandmutualaid,whichwillleadittofightconsciouslyforthedestructionoftheauthoritarianregimesandfortheestablishmentofAnarchist
Communism.
ResolutionsoftheCongressoftheFrenchLanguageAnarchistFederation:
Consideringthat,facedwiththesituationinwhichapartoftheCNT-FAIhascommitted,fromtheverybeginning,deplorableerrorswithrespecttotheirpositions,thisCongressdeemsthattheonlywaytorectifythesituationinSpain,bothfromtheanarchistpointofviewaswellasfromtheperspectiveofourfinalvictory,istoimmediatelyabandonallgovernmental,political,militaristanddiplomaticactivityandreturntorevolutionarymethodsofstruggle.Thatallthenon-conformistelementsofbothorganizationsaretheonlyoneswhocan
accomplishthis,butthattheinternationalanarchistmovementfindsitselfobligedtobreakwiththepoliticalandpoliticizingelementsoftheCNT-FAI,whostillspeakinthenameoftheorganizationandtherevolution.
TheCongressdeclaresthatitisprofoundlysaddenedandangrybecauseoftheofficiallackofconcernonthepartoftheCNT-FAIregardingthepersecutionoftheanarchistsinSpain,andcallsforacampaignofenergeticprotestineverycountry.
InfavoroftheanarchistprisonersandvictimsoftheStalinistrepressionTheodiousrepressionunderwayinSpainmustbedenouncedbeforethe
internationalworkersmovementandthedefamatorycampaignwagedbytheThirdInternationalagainstthosewhodevotethemselvestotallytothestruggleagainstfascismandwhohaveformorethanayearcarriedoutprodigiesofheroismtocrushthemercenarygangsofFranco,MussoliniandHitler,mustberepudiated.
WecallupontheorganizationsoftheCNT-FAItorespondwithfirmnessandtoprovidethematerialandmoralsolidaritythatisowedtotheforeigncomradesarrestedaftertheMayDaysof1937inBarcelona,toenergeticallydefendthemandtoattemptbyallmeanstopreventthemfrombeingexecuted,anddecidetoundertakeacampaigntobreakthecode
ofsilencearoundtheantifascistandpopularfronts,inordertodenouncetheorganizedmurderofthebestrevolutionariesbythelackeysundertheordersofMoscow.
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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].