Letter ; Letter (copy) : Imprisonment of Frank Ryan

              Chichester Trades Council
(By Authority of the Trades Union Congress General Council)
President :
Councillor T. J. EASTLAND, J.P. National Union of Railwaymen).
Vice-President : C. L. BRIDLE (Typographical Association).
Treasurer : R. G. BECKINGHAM (National Union of Public Employees).
Affiliated to the SUSSEX FEDERATION of TRADES COUNCILS
Secretary : FRANK SCARDIFIELD,
2, COUNCIL COTTAGES, 
UPPER NORTON, 
SELSEY, SUSSEX.
Your Ref.
Our Ref. 2/R/3 .
15th April 1940.
The General Secretary, 
Trades Union Congress, 
Transport House, 
Smith Square, 
London, S.W.1.
Dear Sir and Brother,
I am requested to bring to your notice the following resolution, passed unanimously at the Meeting of this Trades Council held on April 10th:-
"This meeting of the Chichester Trades Council expresses its deep indignation at the continued imprisonment of Frank Ryan, leader of the Irish Unit of the International Brigade, in the Central Prison at Burgos, and calls upon the Spanish Government, through its Ambassador, the Duke of Alba, to release him without further delay. It is against all recognised rules of warfare to hold a prisoner of war for such a long period after the war in which he fought has ended, and to deprive him of the right of returning to his own country. The qualities of this staunch, courageous fighter for liberty, who proved his mettle in the struggle against fascism in Spain, must no longer be allowed to waste in prison. We call upon the British and Irish Governments and all public bodies and organisations, to make immediate efforts to secure his release."
It is our opinion that - if we assume that the contention of the Trade Union leadership that we are fighting a war against German Nazi-ism is correct - the organised workers' Movement should use every means in its power to secure the liberty of one who, with his comrades, took up arms in the struggle long before the British Government thought of doing so.
Yours fraternally,
Frank Scardifield
Seceretary.
P.T.O.