,P>T #c1 ,*APT] #ad 
,! ,SPANI% ,GOLD ,ROAD TO ,RUSSIA 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,ABEL ,PAZ 

,TEXT 3 

,*,A,P,T,] ,X,I,V4 ,! SPANI% GOLD ROAD TO ,RUSSIA 

  

,BY LATE ,SEPTEMB] #a#i#c#f1 ! EUPHORIA ( ,JULY #ai SEEM$ LIKE A DI/ANT MEMORY4 ,! REVOLUTION HADN'T BE5 DEFEAT$ BUT IT WAS UND] SIEGE1 BETWE5 ,MOSC[ & ,MADRID4 ,MADRID CONTROLL$ ! NATIONAL TREASURY & ,MOSC[1 ?ANKS TO ! NON9T]V5TION POLICY1 BECAME ! CU/ODIAN ( ! ,SPANI% ,REPUBLIC4 ,& ! HORRORS ( W> W]E A REALITY4 ,EV]Y:]E ,FRANCO'S TROOPS W5T !Y US$ T]ROR AS A PSY*OLOGICAL WEAPON4 ,9 MANY PLACES1 PEOPLE F\<T ONLY TO SAVE !IR LIVES4 ,! TRAG$Y ( ,&ALUSIA & ,EXTREMADURA BR\<T ?AT HOME4 ,& :ILE ! W> SPREAD1 ASC5D+ FROM ! S\? T[>D ,MADRID & DESC5D+ 9 ! NOR?1 ! GOV]NM5T'S ONLY CONC]N SEEM$ TO BE CREAT+ A /RONG /ATE ?AT C\LD REV]SE ! WORK]S' CONQUE/S4 ,L>GO ,CABALL]O'S REC5TLY =M$ GOV]NM5T ACCOMPLI%$ ! LATE/ C\NT]REVOLUTION>Y ACT :5 IT AB&ON$ ,IRUN1 ?US ISOLAT+ ! NOR? BY L&4 .<#f#b#h.> 

,! MILITIAS 9 ,IRUN W]E READY TO SPILL !IR LA/ DROP ( BLOOD DEF5D+ ! T[N1 :I* WAS SO IMPORTANT = ! REVOLUTION1 BUT LACK$ ! >MS & AMMUNITION NECESS>Y TO DO SO4 ,IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO UND]/& :Y !Y DIDN'T RECEIVE !M FROM ,BILBAO1 GIV5 ?AT ,SPA9'S BE/ >MAM5T FACTORIES W]E !RE4 ,NONE!LESS1 A GR\P ( WORK]S FROM ,IRUN W5T TO ,MADRID TO DEM& HELP BUT LEFT ) EMPTY H&S & MANY PROMISES4 ,( C\RSE Y\ W9 W> ) /EEL & LEAD1 NOT PROMISES4 ,! SAME GR\P !N W5T TO ,B>CELONA & ! ,CATALAN W> 9DU/RY GAVE !M SEV]AL HUNDR$ RIFLES & MA*9E-GUNS1 :I* !Y %IPP$ TO ,IRUN ON A R\TE ?AT PASS$ ?R\< ,FRANCE4 ,FR5* AU?ORITIES1 SCRUPUL\SLY ATT5TIVE TO ! NON9T]V5TION POLICY1 SEIZ$ ! TRUCKS & /OPP$ ! >MAM5TS FROM 5T]+ ,IRUN4 ,9 RESPONSE1 FROM ITS DW9DL+ SUPPLY ( AMMUNITION1 ! ,C,C,A,M,C SET ASIDE ?IRTY ?\S& C>TRIDGES = ,IRUN1 :I* IT PREP>$ TO S5D BY AIR1 9 ORD] TO PREV5T ANO!R CONFISCATION ( W> MAT]IEL4 ,!Y URG5TLY REQUE/$ A PLANE FROM ! ,MADRID GOV]NM5T1 :I* PROMIS$ TO S5D !M A ,D\GLAS4 ,! PLANE NEV] >RIV$4 ,! BOXES ( AMMUNITION SAT 9 A PILE 9 ,B>CELONA1 :ILE ! RESID5TS ( ,IRUN FIR$ !IR LA/ R\ND1 BURN$ D[N ! T[N1 & FL$ TO ,H5DAYA4 .<#f#b#i.> ,SAN ,SEBA/IAN FELL ON ,SEPTEMB] #a#e4 ,G5]AL ,MOLA'S TROOPS N[ ?REAT5$ ! NOR? AS A :OLE4 ,ONE MI<T IMAG9E ?AT ! GOV]NM5T HAD SACRIFIC$ ! NOR? TO DEF5D ! CAPITAL &1 AL?\< ?AT W\LDN'T HAVE BE5 A GOOD /RATEGY1 IT W\LD HAVE AT LEA/ MITIGAT$ GOV]NM5T CULPABILITY = ! FAILURE4 ,BUT ?AT WASN'T ! CASE4 ,TALAV]A FELL 9TO ,YAGUE'S H&S & HIS ,REGUL>S F\ND AN OP5 PA? TO ,MADRID4 ,REPUBLICAN ,G5]AL ,AS5SIO ?\<T ! BATTLE WAS ALREADY OV] & ASSUM$ ?AT ! CAPITAL W\LD BE 9 REBEL H&S %ORTLY4 

,! MILITIAS W]E ALSO RETREAT+ ABOVE ,MADRID4 ,!Y BATTL$ C\RAGE\SLY1 BUT HAD TO GIVE GR\ND4 ,9 FACT1 ,FRANCO C\LD HAVE EASILY OCCUPI$ ! CITY1 BUT ?AT DIDN'T 9T]E/ HIM = POLITICAL REASONS AT ! TIME4 ,HE /ILL HADN'T =M$ ! ,BURGOS ,JUNTA1 :I* W\LD BE A VITAL /EP T[>D SEIZ+ NATIONAL P[]4 ,HE PREF]R$ TO OCCUPY ! ,TOL$O ,=TRESS1 :I* ! ,NATIONALI/ SOLDI] ,JOSE ,MOSC>DO W\LD DEF5D AGA9/ LOYALI/S ) ! SWORD ?AT ! REACTION>Y NEWSPAP] ,L',E*O DE ,P>IS HAD AW>D$ HIM = HIS 0BRAV]Y40 .<#f#c.> ,TAK+ ! ,TOL$O ,=TRESS WAS A MORE POLITICAL ?AN MILIT>Y ACTION1 BUT ,G5]AL ,FRANCO UND]/OOD ?AT 0W> ISN'T WON ON ! BATTLEFIELD1 BUT 9 ! *ANCELL]IES10 AS SOMEONE ONCE WROTE4 ,:ILE ! REBELS CONT9U$ *ANG+ ,SPA9'S GEOGRAPHY 9 !IR FAVOR1 ! ,REPUBLICAN GOV]NM5T'S ONLY GOAL WAS TO CRU% ! REVOLUTION BY ATTACK+ ,B>CELONA1 ITS HE>T4 ,! REVOLUTION WAS 9 DEEP CRISIS !RE1 & ! DIVIDE BETWE5 ! GRASSROOTS & ! LEAD]%IP HAD 9CREAS$ DRAMATICALLY4 ,! PA? ?AT ! ,C,N,T DECID$ TO FOLL[ ON ,JULY #b TOOK IT GIGANTIC LEAPS T[>D REVOLUTION>Y DEFEAT4 ,SOME?+ NEW APPE>$ 9 ! ,C,N,T1 AS IF BY SPONTANE\S G5]ATION3 BUREAUCRATISM 9 ! LEAD+ BODIES & ! SUBS]VI5CE ( ITS KEY M5 7= ! SAKE ( 0ORGANIZATIONAL RESPONSIBILITY407 .<#f#c#a.> 

,! ,C,N,T & ,F,A,I'S ,REVOLUTION>Y ,COMMITTEES HELD ON AS WELL AS !Y C\LD4 ,!Y REPRES5T$ ! MOVEM5T'S RANK & FILE1 AL?\< !Y W]E ALSO P>ALYZ$ BY ! PROBLEM ( ! W>4 ,FUR!RMORE1 LEAD+ MILITANTS SYMPA!TIC TO !SE ,COMMITTEES W]E N[ IMPLICAT$ 9 POSITIONS ( RESPONSIBILITY & SIMPLY HOP$ ?AT A COH]5T RESPONSE W\LD EM]GE FROM ONE ( ! ORGANIZATION'S REGUL> ASSEMBLIES4 ,O!RS1 FI<T+ 9 ,>AGON1 FOCUS$ EXCLUSIVELY ON TAK+ ,HUESCA & ,Z>AGOZA1 ?9K+ ?AT ONCE !Y HAD DONE SO !Y C\LD 0/OP ! CONCESSIONS1 CONFRONT ! C\NT]REVOLUTION>IES1 & PROCLAIM LIB]T>IAN COMMUNISM40 .<#f#c#b.> ,MEAN:ILE1 ,C,N,T & ,F,A,I ,COMMITTEES1 ACT+ ON BEHALF ( ! GRASSROOTS & MAK+ !MSELVES 9TO 0REALI/S10 ACCEPT$ ! POLITICAL GAME4 ,!Y DID ?IS NOT TO EXP& ! REVOLUTION1 BUT TO PRES]VE ! P[] ?AT !Y HAD CONC5TRAT$ 9 !IR H&S4 ,!Y COMMITT$ !IR FIR/ C\NT]REVOLUTION>Y ACT :5 !Y AGRE$ TO DISSOLVE ! ,C5TRAL ,COMMITTEE ( ,ANTI-,FASCI/ ,MILITIAS SO ?AT SOME ( !IR M5 C\LD BECOME M9I/]S 9 ! ,G5]ALITAT ON ,SEPTEMB] #b#f1 #a#i#c#f4 ,! RANK & FILE REACT$ AGA9/ ?IS \TRAGE1 BUT ! MO/ SIGNIFICANT MILITANTS1 9CLUD+ ,G>CIA ,OLIV]1 ,AURELIO ,F]N&EZ1 ,SEV]9O ,CAMPOS1 ,JOSE ,X5A1 & ,M>COS ,ALCON ACCEPT$ IT RELUCTANTLY1 :I* MADE !M COMPLICIT 9 ! BETRAYAL4 ,! GR\ND WAS GR[+ 9CREAS+LY %AKY UND] ! ,C,N,T'S FEET4 

,DURRUTI L$ SIX ?\S& M5 9 ,>AGON :O W\LD HAVE FOLL[$ HIM TO ,B>CELONA TO CRU% ! C\NT]REVOLUTION>IES4 ,BUT HE WASN'T FI<T+ = P[]4 ,:AT HE WANT$ WAS REVOLUTION>Y VICTORY2 A FULLY SELF-MANAG+ SOCIETY MADE UP ( FREE M54 ,HE TOOK ! MO/ DIFFICULT R\TE & HE KNEW IT4 ,BUT HE HAD BE5 AN AN>*I/ ALL HIS LIFE & WASN'T GO+ TO /OP BE+ ONE N[4 .<#f#c#c.> ,HE 9T5D$ TO PU% ! REVOLUTION AS F> AS POSSIBLE & OV]:ELM ! C\NT]REVOLUTION ) REVOLUTION>Y ADVANCES4 ,A REVOLUTION>Y BL[ W\LD FOLL[ EV]Y C\NT]REVOLUTION>Y ATTACK4 

,DURRUTI WAS REFLECT+ ON !SE ISSUES :5 ,G>CIA ,OLIV] CALL$ TO TELL HIM ! GOOD NEWS3 ,PI]RE ,BESN>D HAD MADE CONTACT ) >MS DEAL]S :O W]E READY TO SELL ,SPA9 ! WEAPONS IT NE$$4 ,DURRUTI HAD TO COME TO ,B>CELONA IMM$IATELY SO ?AT !Y C\LD F9ALIZE ! DEAL4 

,HE >RIV$ 9 ,B>CELONA SEV]AL H\RS LAT]1 ON ! NI<T ( ,SEPTEMB] #b#h4 ,G>CIA ,OLIV] & ,SANTILLAN W]E EUPHORIC3 !Y W]E F9ALLY GO+ TO HAVE 5\< >MS TO W9 ,Z>AGOZA & ,HUESCA = ! REVOLUTION4 

,!Y C\LDN'T AF=D TO MISS ?IS OPPORTUNITY4 ,?US F>1 ALL ( ,CATALONIA'S ATTEMPTS TO SECURE >MS ?R\< ! ,MADRID GOV]NM5T--:E!R L$ BY ,GIRAL OR ,L>GO ,CABALL]O--HAD 5D$ 9 FAILURE4 ,!IR EMISS>IES RETURN$ ) PROMISES1 BUT NEV] ACCESS TO ! REQUISITE CURR5CY1 :I* WAS SITT+ 9 ! ,BANK ( ,SPA94 .<#f#c#d.> ,B>CELONA'S W> 9DU/RY PRODUC$ MU* LESS ?AN IT C\LD1 BECAUSE ITS MA*9]Y WAS OLD & ! REGION LACK$ SUFFICI5T RAW MAT]IAL4 ,!Y TOLD ,MADRID ?AT ITS MA*9ES HAD TO BE UPDAT$1 BUT ! GOV]NM5T DID NO?+4 ,CLE>LY ,MADRID W\LD NEV] GIVE ! WORK]S ! MEANS ?AT !Y NE$$ TO ASSURE REVOLUTION>Y VICTORY2 ,CATALONIA W\LD ONLY RECEIVE RES\RCES IF IT DELAY$ ! REVOLUTION UNTIL AFT] ! W>4 ,?AT WAS ! TRAP4 ,! ,C,N,T COMMITTEES FELL 9TO IT :5 !Y DISSOLV$ ! ,C,C,A,M,C & JO9$ ! ,G5]ALITAT1 BUT ! WORK]S REFUS$ TO TAKE ?AT R\TE & W]E NOT WILL+ TO GIVE UP !IR CONTROL OV] ! WORKPLACES4 ,! PROBLEM WAS EXTREMELY COMPLICAT$1 AL?\< BO? ,SANTILLAN & ,G>CIA ,OLIV] BELIEV$ ?AT ,L>GO ,CABALL]O W\LD PUR*ASE ! WEAPONS BE+ (F]$1 ASSUM+ ?AT HE DIDN'T PREF] ,FRANCO'S VICTORY4 ,!Y KNEW ?AT ! GOV]NM5T W\LD DO EV]Y?+ IT C\LD TO /OP ! >MS FROM REA*+ ,B>CELONA1 BUT ?AT WAS ANO!R MATT] ?AT !Y C\LD ADDRESS LAT]4 ,! IMPORTANT ?+1 ,DURRUTI'S TWO FRI5DS 9SI/$1 WAS ?AT ! GOV]NM5T BUYS ! WEAPONS4 

0,& WE ?9K ?AT Y\1 AS A FI<T] & REPRES5TATIVE ( ! ,>AGON FRONT1 %\LD GO ) ,PI]RE ,BESN>D TO ,MADRID4 ,Y\R PRES5CE WILL BE DECISIVE40 .<#f#c#e.> 

,DURRUTI WAS NOT CONV9C$3 ,L>GO ,CABALL]O C\LD AGREE TO EV]Y?+ & !N LAT] GO BACK ON HIS WORD4 ,HE ?\<T ?AT ! TIME = 0HALF-MEASURES0 WAS OV]3 EI!R ,L>GO ,CABALL]O WAS = ! REVOLUTION OR AGA9/ IT4 ,9 ! =M] CASE1 ! GOV]NM5T W\LD HAVE TO CLE>LY EXPLA9 ITS POLICY TO ! WORK]S1 SO ?AT !Y C\LD MAKE UP !IR [N M9DS AB\T ITS ACTIONS4 

,OR1 9 ! LATT] CASE1 !RE WAS NO PO9T 9 TALK+1 BECAUSE ,DURRUTI WASN'T GO+ TO BETRAY ! REVOLUTION4 ,AS ALWAYS1 !Y AB&ON$ ! DEBATE :5 IT REA*$ ?AT PO9T1 :ILE WAIT+ = ! NEXT ,C,N,T MEET+ & !N444 ,DURRUTI WAS F$ UP ) SO MANY 0!NS0444 

,! IDEA ( ROBB+ ! ,BANK ( ,SPA9 >OSE 9 ?IS CONTEXT4 ,SANTILLAN WRITES3  
  

,W\LD \RS BE ! FIR/ W> LO/ BECAUSE ( A %ORTAGE ( >MS :5 !RE WAS 5\< MONEY 9 ! NATIONAL TREASURY TO BUY !M8 4444 

,! PLAN WAS TO TAKE :AT BELONG$ TO US FROM ! TREASURY 9 ! ,BANK ( ,SPA94 ,WE C\LDN'T LEAVE ! TREASURY TO A GOV]NM5T ?AT WAS GETT+ EV]Y?+ WRONG & LOS+ ! W>4 ,W\LD WE FAIL TO BUY >MS AFT] ! ROBB]Y8 ,AT LEA/ WE W\LD GET RAW MAT]IALS & MA*9ES = \R W> 9DU/RY4 ,WE C\LD MAKE ! WEAPONS \RSELVES4 ,) V]Y FEW ACCOMPLICES1 WE PLOTT$ TO MOVE AT LEA/ SOME ( ! ,BANK ( ,SPA9'S GOLD TO ,CATALONIA4 

,WE KNEW ?AT WE W\LD HAVE TO USE =CE4 ,!RE W]E >\ND ?REE ?\S& TRU/$ M5 9 ,MADRID & WE >RANG$ ALL ! DETAILS ( TRANSPORT+ ! GOLD 9 SPECIAL TRA9S4 ,WE HAD V]Y LITTLE TIME1 BUT IF ! PLAN WAS WELL EXECUT$1 P>T ( ! GOLD W\LD HAVE ALREADY LEFT = ,CATALONIA BE=E ! GOV]NM5T C\LD TAKE PREV5TATIVE MEASURES4 ,?IS W\LD BE ! BE/ GU>ANTEE ?AT ! W> C\LD />T ON A NEW PA?4.<#f#c#f.>  
  

,:O W]E !SE ?REE ?\S& M5 ?AT ,SANTILLAN M5TIONS8 ,!Y W]E MEMB]S ( ! ,TI]RA Y ,LIB]TAD AN>*I/ COLUMN1 :I* HAD BE5 PUT TOGE!R 9 A DIFF]5T WAY ?AN ! O!RS4 ,ITS MEMB]S HAD BE5 SPECIALLY SELECT$ & ALL BELONG$ TO ,CATALAN AN>*I/ GR\PS4 ,:5 ! COLUMN WAS ASSEMBL$1 ! SITUATION 9 ,MADRID DEM&$ !IR DEPLOYM5T !RE4 ,ITS PURPOSE WAS TO DEF5D ! REVOLUTION & !Y HAD TO BE PREP>$ TO RESPOND IMM$IATELY TO ANY GOV]NM5T ATTEMPT TO CRU% IT4 ,! COLUMN DISCUSS$ ! NATIONAL TREASURY & DEVELOP$ PLANS ?AT !Y C\LD PUT 9TO PRACTICE AT ONCE4 .<#f#c#g.> 

,WAIT+ = ,BESN>D WAS N[ LESS IMPORTANT ?AN C>RY+ \T ! 0,OP]ATION ,BANK ( ,SPA940 ,DURRUTI WAS ABLE TO FLY TO ,MADRID ?AT V]Y NI<T ?ANKS TO ,&RE ,MALRAUX1 :O HAPP5$ TO BE 9 ! ,PRAT DEL ,LLOBREGAT AIRFIELD4 ,DURRUTI WAS TRAVEL+ )\T AN (FICIAL PASS & ?US IT WAS DIFFICULT = HIM TO F9D SOMEONE TO TAKE HIM4 ,HE BUMP$ 9TO ,MALRAUX1 :O =TUNATELY AGRE$ TO DO SO4 ,?AT WAS ! FIR/ TIME ?AT ! TWO M5 MET4 .<#f#c#h.> 

,SANTILLAN ALSO FLEW TO ,MADRID1 BUT HE HAD (FICIAL DOCUM5TS & ?US NO PROBLEM F9D+ A PILOT TO TRANSPORT HIM4 ,9 ,B>CELONA1 ,G>CIA ,OLIV] HAD TO ATT5D TO ,PI]RE ,BESN>D'S >RIVAL & MAKE ! NECESS>Y PRES5TATIONS AT ! ,G5]ALITAT4 ,DID ,G>CIA ,OLIV] KN[ AB\T ,SANTILLAN & ,DURRUTI'S PLAN8 ,HE CLAIMS ?AT HE DID NOT 9 A PRIVATE LETT] TO US4 ,WE HAVE NO REASON TO D\BT HIM & !RE=E CORRECT ! ASS]TION ?AT WE MADE 9 ! ,FR5* $ITION ( ?IS BIOGRAPHY4 ,BESN>D DESCRIBES ! DEVELOPM5TS3  
  

,I >RIV$ 9 ,B>CELONA & ,G>CIA ,OLIV] 9TRODUC$ ME TO ! ,G5]ALITAT M9I/]S4 ,I TOLD !M AB\T ! OPPORTUNITY TO BUY >MS = ! ,SPANI% ,REPUBLIC4444 ,TWO REPRES5TATIVES FROM ! >MS CONSORTIUM CAME TO ,B>CELONA ! FOLL[+ DAY & CORROBORAT$ MY /ATEM5TS4444 ,LLUIS ,COMPANYS CALL$ ,L>GO ,CABALL]O TO 9=M HIM AB\T ! MATT]4 ,! LATT] 9DICAT$ ?AT HE NE$$ TO SEE US RI<T AWAY & /RESS$ ?AT ,G5]ALITAT M9I/]S & ,I %\LD ACCOMPANY ! REPRES5TATIVES4.<#f#c#i.>  
  

,REG>D+ ! ROBB]Y ( ! ,BANK ( ,SPA91 ,SANTILLAN EXPLA9S3  
  

,:5 IT WAS TIME TO ACT1 ! 9/IGATORS ( ! PLAN DID NOT WANT TO BE> RESPONSIBILITY = A DE$ ?AT W\LD HAVE SU* GREAT HI/ORICAL CONSEQU5CES4 ,! IDEA WAS COMMUNICAT$ TO ! ,C,N,T ,NATIONAL ,COMMITTEE & ALSO SOME ( ! BE/-KN[N COMRADES4 ,\R FRI5DS %IV]$ 9 HORROR2 ! PR9CIPLE >GUM5T ?AT !Y MADE AGA9/ ! PROJECT1 :I* WAS GO+ TO BE C>RI$ \T AT ONE MOM5T OR ANO!R1 WAS ?AT IT W\LD ONLY 9CREASE ! PREVAIL+ ANIMOSITY T[>D ,CATALONIA4 ,:AT C\LD WE DO8 ,IT W\LD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO WORK AGA9/ \R [N ORGANIZATIONS AS WELL & SO WE HAD TO GIVE UP ! IDEA4 ,! GOLD LEFT ,MADRID A FEW WEEKS LAT]1.<#f#d.> AL?\< IT DIDN'T GO TO ,CATALONIA BUT TO ,RUSSIA4 ,MORE ?AN FIVE HUNDR$ TONS FELL 9TO ,/AL9'S H&S1 & HELP$ LOSE \R W> & RE9=CE ! GLOBAL C\NT]REVOLUTION4 .<,! ITALICS >E \RS4.>.<#f#d#a.>  
  

,BESN>D CONT9UES3  
  

,L>GO ,CABALL]O RECEIV$ US AS SOON AS WE >RIV$ 9 ,MADRID4 ,AFT] A BRIEF CONV]SATION1 9 :I* ,DURRUTI REM9D$ ! ,PRIME ,M9I/] ( HIS OBLIGATIONS1 HE AGRE$ TO RAISE ! MATT] DUR+ ! ,CAB9ET MEET+4 

,! ,CAB9ET DECID$ ?AT AFT]NOON TO PUR*ASE #h MILLION PESETAS WOR? ( W> MAT]IEL4 ,!Y D\BL$ ! AM\NT ! NEXT DAY1 ) ! UND]/&+ ?AT A ?IRD ( ! PUR*ASE W\LD GO TO ,CATALONIA & ,>AGON4 

,CABALL]O'S ,*IEF ( ,/AFF GAVE ! ,SPANI% ,EMBASSY 9 ,P>IS ! 9/RUCTIONS NECESS>Y TO CONCLUDE ! PUR*ASE QUICKLY4 ,A LI/ ( MAT]IEL TO BUY WAS DRAWN UP ON ,OCTOB] #c 9 ! ,NAVY ,M9I/RY1 9 ! PRES5CE ( ,DURRUTI1 ! SELL]S1 & MYSELF4 

,! CONTRACT HAD IMM$IATE REP]CUSSIONS4444 ,! ,RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR 9 ,MADRID CALL$ ,DURRUTI & ME AT #c3 AM ON ,OCTOB] #d AT ! ,GRAN ,VIA ,HOTEL & SAID HE WANT$ TO SEE US IMM$IATELY4 ,WE DECL9$ ! 9VITATION1 S9CE WE HAD NO?+ TO DISCUSS ) HIM4 ,WE LEFT = ,B>CELONA ! NEXT MORN+4.<#f#d#b.>  
  

,! LOCAL PRESS REPORT$ ON ,DURRUTI'S VISIT TO ! ,SPANI% CAPITAL TWO DAYS LAT]4 ,C,N,T PUBLI%$ AN 9T]VIEW ) HIM1 :I* WE WILL REPRODUCE3  
  

,COMRADE ,DURRUTI ,SPEAKS 

,WE MAKE ! W> & ! REVOLUTION AT ! SAME TIME4 ,MILITIAM5 >E FI<T+ = ! CONQUE/ ( ! L&1 ! FACTORIES1 BREAD1 & CULTURE444 ! PICKAX & ! %OVEL >E AS IMPORTANT AS ! RIFLE4 ,COMRADES1 WE WILL W9 ! W>6 

,PICTURE ( A GU]RILLA 

,DURRUTI WAS 9 ,MADRID4 ,WE %OOK HIS SC>R$ & /RONG PROLET>IAN H&4 ,WE LI/5$ TO HIS S9C]E REM>KS1 9 :I* ONE CAN HE> ! BRAV]Y ( A LION1 ! P]SPICACITY ( A VET]AN MILITANT1 & ! *E]FUL SP>KS ( Y\?4 ,HE HAS ALWAYS BE5 A LEG5D>Y COMBATANT1 A /EELY FI<T]2 9DE$1 HIS NATURAL HABITAT IS ! R\< & DIFFICULT /RUGGLE4 ,HIS H\R IS R++ 9 ,SPA9 & HE HAD TO /EP =?1 ) ALL HE HAS & EV]Y?+ HE IS WOR?1 9 ! TRAGIC PANORAMA ( ! PRES5T W>4 

,HE WAS AMONG US = A DAY4 ,/RONG1 TALL1 & BURLY2 WEA!R-BEAT5 BY ! W9DS ON ! ,>AGON FRONT2 VICTORY ALREADY %9ES 9 HIS EYES4 ,HE IS HOPEFUL1 & HIS VISIT BR+S US TREM5D\S OPTIMISM4 ,) HIS LEA!R COAT & M\NTA9E]'S CAP1 HE IS ! P]FECT IMAGE ( A REVOLUTION>Y GU]RILLA4 

,BUT ,DURRUTI--WE %\LD NOTE--IS NO?+ LIKE ,PAN*O ,VILLA4 ,! ,MEXICAN ADV5TUR] F\<T = ! SAKE ( FI<T+1 MADE W> )\T KN[+ :Y OR = :AT1 & LACK$ A POLITICAL OR SOCIAL PROGRAM4 ,DURRUTI IS AN AN>*I/ 9 COMBAT1 ) A CLE> SOCIOLOGICAL VISION & A P[]FUL REVOLUTION>Y IMPULSE ?AT MAKES HIM F> SUP]IOR TO ,VILLA4 ,! =M] WAS A W>RIOR1 ) HIS OLD & BRUTAL S\L1 :]EAS \R COMRADE IS A REVOLUTION>Y1 ) HIS SPIRIT OP5 TO TOMORR[1 5LI<T5$ & EAG] = ! BE/ ?AT LIFE HAS TO (F]4 

,DEPORT$ YE/]DAY444 

,DURRUTI LEADS ?\S&S ( COMRADES 9 ,>AGON & ) !M HE HAS WON A LONG S]IES ( ANTI-FASCI/ VICTORIES4 ,HIS ,COLUMN IS ! MODEL ( ORGANIZATION & WE HAVE PUT ALL \R HOPES 9 IT4 ,TODAY \R COMRADE IS ONE ( ! />S ( ! W> AGA9/ FASCISM1 AL?\< WE CANNOT HELP BUT RECALL ?AT ?OSE :O HAVE DEMON/RAT$ !IR 9ABILITY TO DEF5D ! ,REPUBLIC DEPORT$ HIM TO ,VILLA ,CISN]OS F\R YE>S AGO4 ,WE >E LIV+ 9 A TIME ( ! RECTIFICATION ( ]RORS1 :5 ! FALSE CO9 ( EMPTY M5 DISAPPE>S FROM SOCIAL CIRCULATION4 ,:ILE ! MASSES DON'T ?9K ( ,CAS>ES ,QUIROGA W>MLY1 !Y DRAPE ,FRANCISCO ,ASCASO'S NAME ) H]OISM & ,DURRUTI'S 9CITES ! HOPE ( ! ,SPANI% PROLET>IAT--ESPECIALLY 9 ,Z>AGOZA :I*1 UND] ! HORROR ( FASCI/ EXECUTIONS1 IS AWAIT+ ! H\R ( POPUL> JU/ICE4 

,DURRUTI CAME TO ,MADRID TO ATT5D TO QUE/IONS ( EXTRAORD9>Y IMPORTANCE = ! W> & HE A*IEV$ HIS GOALS TO A GREAT EXT5T4 ,:5 WE HAVE DEFEAT$ FASCISM & CAN SPEAK )\T RES]VE1 ! PEOPLE WILL KN[ ! VALUE ( ?IS EXTREMELY RAPID & EFFECTIVE VISIT1 ?ANKS TO :I* \R OP]ATIONS ON MANY FRONTS WILL SOON IMPROVE DRAMATICALLY4 

,! (F5SIVE ON ,MADRID 

,WE TOOK ! OPPORTUNITY ( HIS VISIT TO ASK \R COMRADE AB\T V>I\S ASPECTS ( ! PRES5T /RUGGLE4 ,) RESPECT TO ! FRONTS ( ! ,C5T]1 HE TOLD US ! FOLL[+3 

0,IT DOESN'T TAKE MU* COMMON S5SE TO SEE :AT ! 5EMY IS DO+4 ,IT'S FOCUS+ ALL ITS ATT5TION ON ATTACK+ ,MADRID1 AL?\< ?AT DOESN'T MEAN ?AT ITS SITUATION ?R\<\T ! C\NTRY HAS IMPROV$4 ,! OPPOSITE IS TRUE4 ,CATALONIA & ,LEVANTE >E PUTT+ MORE PRESSURE ON ! ,>AGON FRONT DAILY1 & ! FASCI/S KN[ ?AT :ATEV] !Y DO1 NO MATT] H[ H>D !Y TRY1 ,HUESCA1 ,Z>AGOZA1 & ,T]UEL WILL SOON FALL 9TO \R H&S4 ,ONCE ?AT HAPP5S1 !Y'VE LO/ ! W>4 ,?OSE ?REE CITIES >E EXTREMELY IMPORTANT FROM A /RATEGIC PO9T ( VIEW4 ,:5 WE W9 !M1 & IT'S C]TA9 ?AT WE WILL1 ?AT WILL BE ! 5D ( ! 5EMY FRONT1 FROM ,CALATAYUD TO ,BURGOS1 & !Y'LL RUN FROM ! SIEGE ( ,SIGU5ZA1 JU/ LIKE !Y FL$ ! ,SI]RA (F5SIVE4 

0,= \R P>T1 WE CAN MOBILIZE AN >MY ( MORE ?AN #a1 M54 

,& !RE'S ! SITUATION 9 ,OVI$O4 ,WE'LL CLEAN ! FASCI/S \T ( ,A/URIAS )9 SEV]AL DAYS3 ! COMRADES !RE1 :O F\<T SO BRAVELY 9 ,OCTOB] '#c#d1 KN[ :AT TO DO ) ,GALICIA & ,CA/ILLA4 ,& ?9K ( ,GRANADA & ,CORDOBA1 :I* \R PEOPLE >E AB\T TO CAPTURE4 ,?AT'S H[ ! W> IS GO+4 ,SO1 GIV5 ALL ?AT1 ! 5EMY W\LD BE /UPID NOT TO ?9K ( SAV+ ITSELF BY TAK+ ,MADRID4 ,( C\RSE6 ,IT'S 9TOXICAT$ BY DREAMS ( SEIZ+ ! ,SPANI% CAPITAL1 BUT IT WILL BREAK AP>T ON ! FRONTS ( ! ,C5T]4 ,& IT NE$S TO )DRAW TROOPS FROM O!R FRONTS TO C>RY \T ?AT DESP]ATE ATTACK4 ,! RESI/ANCE 9 ,MADRID1 COMB9$ ) \R (F5SIVES ELSE:]E1 WILL RU9 IT4 ,IT'S ?AT SIMPLE40 

,=TIFICATIONS 

0,Y\ DON'T FI<T A W> ) WORDS1 BUT ) =TIFICATIONS4 ,! PICKAX & ! %OVEL >E AS IMPORTANT AS ! RIFLE4 ,I CAN'T SAY IT (T5 5\<4 ,AS USUAL !RE >E PL5TY ( RE>GU>D SLACK]S & FREELOAD]S 9 ,MADRID1 BUT WE HAVE TO MOBILIZE EV]YONE & MU/ CONS]VE EV]Y DROP ( GASOL9E4 ,\R PR9CIPLE /R5G? 9 ,>AGON LAY 9 ! FACT ?AT WE BUTTRESS ALL \R ADVANCES1 H[EV] SMALL1 BY IMM$IATELY CON/RUCT+ TR5*ES & P>APETS4 ,\R MILITIAM5 KN[ H[ TO SET UP !IR BATTLEFIELD & UND]/& ?AT NOT RETREAT+ IS ! BE/ RESPONSE TO ANY ASSAULT4 ,! SURVIVAL 9/9CT IS V]Y P[]FUL1 BUT IT'S NOT TRUE ?AT IT CAUSES Y\ TO LOSE BATTLES4 ,WE FI<T = LIFE & APPLY ! SURVIVAL 9/9CT TO ! FI<T+ ITSELF4 ,! COMRADES 9 MY ,COLUMN DON'T BUDGE :5 ! 5EMY ATTACKS1 ?ANKS TO ! SURVIVAL 9/9CT4 ,WE CAN ONLY A*IEVE ?AT ) =TIFICATIONS4 

0,SO1 9 RESPONSE TO Y\R QUE/IONS AB\T ! FRONTS ( ! ,C5T]1 ,I 9SI/ ?AT IT'S ABSOLUTELY NECESS>Y ?AT Y\ OP5 A WEB ( TR5*ES1 P>APETS1 & WIRE F5CES2 ?AT Y\ BUILD =TIFICATIONS2 ?AT EV]YONE 9 ,MADRID LIVES = ! W> & FI<TS TO DEF5D !MSELVES4 ,IF ?AT OCCURS1 WE CAN BE C]TA9 ?AT ! FASCI/'S MANEUV]S ?AT CONC]N Y\ WILL ALMO/ HELP US1 BECAUSE ! 5EMY WILL USELESSLY 9VE/ RES\RCES H]E ?AT IT NE$S TO RESI/ \R ATTACKS ELSE:]E40 

,WE >E REVOLUTION>IES 

0,:AT CAN Y\ TELL US AB\T Y\R ,COLUMN80 

0,I'M PLEAS$ ) IT4 ,MY PEOPLE HAVE EV]Y?+ !Y NE$ & :5 !Y FI<T1 !Y FUNCTION LIKE A P]FECT MA*9E4 ,I DON'T MEAN TO IMPLY ?AT !Y'RE DEHUMANIZ$4 ,NO?+ ( ! SORT4 ,\R COMRADES ON ! FRONT KN[ :Y & = :AT !Y'RE FI<T+4 ,!Y'RE REVOLUTION>IES & DON'T WAGE W> = HOLL[ SLOGANS1 OR SOME MORE OR LESS PROMIS+ LAWS1 BUT = ! CONQUE/ ( ! L&1 ! FACTORIES1 ! WORK%OPS1 ! MEANS ( TRANSPORT1 BREAD1 & CULTURE444 ,!Y KN[ ?AT !IR LIVES DEP5D ON VICTORY4 

0,FUR!RMORE1 & ,I ?9K CIRCUM/ANCES DEM& ?IS1 WE'RE MAK+ ! W> & ! REVOLUTION AT ! SAME TIME4 ,WE'RE NOT ONLY TAK+ REVOLUTION>Y /EPS 9 ! RE>GU>D1 9 ,B>CELONA1 BUT RI<T UP TO ! L9E ( FIRE4 ,EV]Y T[N WE CONQU] BEG9S TO TRANS=M ITSELF 9 A REVOLUTION>Y WAY4 ,?AT'S ! BE/ P>T ( ! CAMPAIGN4 ,IT'S EXCIT+6 ,SOMETIMES1 :5 ,I'M ALONE1 ,I REFLECT ON :AT WE'RE DO+ & ?AT'S :5 ,I FEEL MY RESPONSIBILITY MO/ DEEPLY4 ,! DEFEAT ( MY COLUMN W\LD BE HORRIFY+4 ,IT C\LDN'T JU/ RETREAT LIKE A TYPICAL >MY4 ,WE W\LD HAVE TO TAKE ) US ALL ! 9HABITANTS ( ALL ! PLACES ?AT WE'VE PASS$ ?R\<4 ,ABSOLUTELY EV]YONE6 ,FROM ! FRONTL9ES TO ,B>CELONA1 !RE >E ONLY FI<T]S ON ! PA? WE'VE FOLL[$4 ,EV]YONE WORKS = ! W> & ! REVOLUTION4 ,?AT'S \R /R5G?4 

,ON ,DISCIPL9E 

,WE COME TO ! QUE/ION ( ! MOM5T3 DISCIPL9E4 

0,MAN6 ,I'M V]Y HAPPY Y\ BR\<T ?IS UP4 ,PEOPLE TALK A LOT AB\T ! TOPIC BUT FEW HIT ! NAIL ON ! HEAD4 ,= ME1 DISCIPL9E IS NO?+ MORE ?AN RESPECT = Y\R [N RESPONSIBILITY & ?AT ( O!RS4 ,I'M AGA9/ ! DISCIPL9E ( ! B>RACKS1 :I* ONLY LEADS TO /ULTIFICATION1 HATE1 & AUTOMATISM4 ,BUT ,I ALSO CAN'T ACCEPT--9DE$ ! NECESSITIES ( W> MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE--! SO-CALL$ LIB]TY ?AT C[>DS TURN TO :5 !Y WANT TO DUCK \T ( SOME?+4 ,\R ORGANIZATION1 ! ,C,N,T1 HAS ! BE/ DISCIPL9E1 & ?AT'S :AT 5ABLES ! MILITANTS TO TRU/ ! COMRADES OCCUPY+ ! PO/S 9 ! ,COMMITTEES4 ,!Y OBEY & C>RY \T ! ORGANIZATION'S DECISIONS4 ,PEOPLE HAVE TO OBEY ! DELEGATES 9 TIMES ( W>2 O!RWISE IT W\LD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO UND]TAKE ANY OP]ATION4 ,IF PEOPLE DISAGREE ) !M1 !RE >E MEET+S :]E !Y CAN SUGGE/ !IR REPLACEM5T4 

0,I'VE SE5 ALL ! TRICKS ( ! ,GREAT ,W> 9 MY ,COLUMN3 ! DY+ MO!R1 ! PREGNANT COMPAN]A1 ! SICK *ILD1 ! SWOLL5 FACE1 ! BAD EYES444 ,I HAVE A MAGNIFIC5T HEAL? TEAM4 ,ANYONE CAU<T LY+3 A D\BLE %IFT ) ! PICK & MATTOCK6 ,DISC\RAG+ LETT]S FROM HOME8 ,TO ! G>BAGE6 ,:5 SOMEONE WANTS TO RETURN HOME1 CLAIM+ ?AT A VOLUNTE] CAN COME & GO1 HE MU/ FIR/ HE> MY ?\<TS ON ! MATT]4 ,AFT] ALL1 WE RELY ON HIS /R5G?4 ,AFT]W>DS1 WE'LL LET HIM LEAVE1 BUT ONLY AFT] WE'VE TAK5 HIS WEAPON--IT BELONGS TO ! COLUMN--& HE'LL HAVE TO GO ON FOOT TOO1 BECAUSE ! C>S ALSO S]VE ! W> EF=T4 ,IT ALMO/ NEV] COMES TO ?IS4 ,! MILITIAMAN'S SELF-E/EEM QUICKLY SURFACES &1 AS A RULE1 ) AN ATTITUDE ( 0,NO ONE WILL LOOK D[N ON ME1 NOT EV5 ! LEAD] ( ! ,COLUMN60 ,HE RETURNS TO ! BATTLEFIELD1 READY TO FI<T H]OICALLY4 

0,FRANKLY1 ,I'M HAPPY ) ! COMRADES ?AT FOLL[ ME4 ,I SUPPOSE ?AT !Y'RE HAPPY ) ME TOO4 ,NO?+ IS LACK+4 ,FEMALE COMRADES CAN SP5D TWO DAYS AT ! FRONT2 AFT] ?AT1 !Y GO TO ! RE>GU>D444 ,! NEWSPAP]S >RIVE DAILY1 ! FOOD IS EXCELL5T1 !RE >E ABUNDANT BOOKS1 & LECTURES >\SE ! COMRADES' REVOLUTION>Y SPIRIT DUR+ FREE TIME4 ,! LEISURE TIME ISN'T EASY4 ,Y\ HAVE TO OCCUPY Y\RSELF ) SOME?+3 PR9CIPALLY1 BE+ AT W>1 IT'S ) MAK+ =TIFICATIONS4 ,:AT TIME IS IT8 ,ONE 9 ! MORN+1 RI<T8 ,WELL1 N[1 BEH9D !IR S&BAGS1 MY LIONS ON ! ,>AGON FRONT >E DIGG+ NEW TR5*ES ) ! GREATE/ 5?USIASM4440 

,DURRUTI SMILES AS HE ?9KS ( HIS COMRADES 9 ! BATTLE4 ,EV5 9 ,MADRID HE FEELS ! EXCITEM5T ( HIS F>AWAY ,COLUMN4 

0,!Y DON'T KN[ ?AT ,I'M H]E10 HE SAYS1 AS IF SPEAK+ TO HIMSELF4 ,HE LOOKS UP & />ES 9TO ! D>K ,MADRID NI<T4 ,HE GA!RS HIMSELF QUICKLY & /&S UP1 FIRM & SMIL+2 UND] ! VISOR ( HIS LEA!R CAP1 ! P5ETRAT+ GAZE ( A REVOLUTION>Y GU]RILLA %9ES ) OPTIMISM4 ,HE PUTS HIS R\< PROLET>IAN H&S ON \R %\LD]S &1 :5 ! 9T]VIEW IS OV]1 SAYS3 

0,WE'RE GO+ TO W9 ?IS W>1 COMRADES60.<#f#d#c.>  

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,*RONOLOGY 3 
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,JANU>Y #a#g1 #bbb 3 ,P>T #c1 ,*APT] #ad -- ,UPDAT$4 

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