Situation in Spain ; with attached report (Situation in the Spanish trade union movement)

              PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL.   FOR INFORMATION.
20.11.37
SITUATION IN SPAIN
The attached statement concerning the split in the Spanish Trade Union movement was submitted to the Executive Committee of the International Federation of Trade Unions, at their meeting held in Paris, 17th November, 1937.
The principal question debated was the possibility of the reconciliation of the two groups.    One recommendation was the appointment of a small committee to mediate or arbitrate, but the Committee came to the conclusion that this course would not have any satisfactory results. To hold a Congress, as had been proposed, was useless, because it was reported the Peña group would refuse to attend, being suspicious of intrigues on the part of the Caballero group, which still had in its possession the machinery of the UGT.       It   was also definitely stated that any enquiry must be made objectively if it was to be effective, and  above all account taken of the personal influence of the leadership of either side. The formation of an amalgamation or one single organisation was out of the question, but it was felt the I.F.T.U. Executive could use their influence to bring about a general understanding for common action against Franco.
It was, therefore, decided to call a special meeting of the Executive Committee for the 7th and 8th December, and to invite the two groups to send representatives to explain their case, so that the Executive might use their influence to bring about the necessary reconciliation or agreement.
WJB/KMS/20.11.37.