RED SPAIN

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19024, 26 May 1936, Page 5

RED SPAIN

LOCAL SOVIETS LABOUR’S BODY SCHEME COUP D’ETAT MOOTED LONDON, May 12. The Spanish National Confederation of Labour carried a resolution, at a meeting at Saragossa, in favour of the formation of local soviets throughout the country. There are Tumours that the Conservative parties will now attempt a coup d’etat, which would probably lead to civil war.

Trotsky’s prophecy that Europe would “go red at .both ends” is being recalled by foreign observers in Spain, who . believe that there will be a realisation of this in the form of Communism in Spain much sooner than was expected. ,- The latest moves clarify the mystery of Scnor Azana’s decision to resign the Premiership and stand for the Presidency, which it is considered, can only be due to a feeling of hopelessness concerning the achievement of his ■ political ideals. The Saragossa Anarcho-Syndicalist Congress adopted proposals for .an alliance which W'ould result in a united front between the two main wings of the, Spanish Labour movement. These proposals are being submitted to the General Workers’ Union, a great Labour organisation dominated by the Socialist Party. One proposal is that this union should recognise the failure of the past policy of political co-operation with the State, as distinguished from the non-political policy of the Syndicalists, and should cease r-u to support the Government,- recognising that the actual social and political regime must be destroyed. . .‘The Socialist leader, Senor Cabal- .. lero, is a frank advocate of revolution-

ary. union .with the Syndicalists. If v. the Socialists generally agree it will ;;jmean the breaking up of the pact of .collaboration with the Left Government;.' -.Some time will elapse before the. Socialists consider the scheme. In ■ • •• any case; there are differences about •• tho regime to be established when the • revolution is accomplished.

The Socialist union, led by Senor Caballero, wants a national soviet system, such as Russia’s, while the National Confederation of Labour insists on placing the main authority in the local soviets, and only sees the sup- • pression of the State as the central body. The Socialists, while weleoming the possibility of an alliance, regard the local-soviet scheme as Utopian.