Letter (translation) ; Letter

              TRANSLATION OF LETTER FROM WENCESLAO CARRILLO.
16th March, 1940.
My dear Friend,
These few lines are to inform you that I have just received the report that Ricardo Zabalza and Jose Gomez Osorio have been shot in Spain. The former was the General Secretary of the Land-Workers' Federation, and the latter performed the duties of Secretary of Area No 1 of the National Union of Railwaymen, and at the close of the war, was Civil Governor of Madrid.
As you will observe, Franco has not fulfilled the promise which, according to you, he made at the end of last year. In Spain they are continuing to shoot men of political and Trade Union consequence, simply for their consequence. I fear that Rodriguez Vega (who I did not know was condemned to death untill you informed me) has met or may meet the same end. None of the three, as so very many others, has committed on offence worthy of any punishment, much less death. Nevertheless they have been shot.
I have the impression, dear Citrine, that action taken on the lines of letters or deputations to Ministers is not productive of results, even when the Governments shew their interest in it to Franco, taking all possible steps. I believe that it is necessary to deal with this subject in the press, that you should make a public statement so that it may have some effect. One letter is replied to by another, and as facts do not overcome opinion, the Falangists of Spain can assume that nobody is interested in the lives of so many good comrades who are falling into the hands of Fascism, although the war ended a year ago. Do you not believe that you should begin a public campaign to see if it would have greater effect? Of course, this would have to be with the consent of the Government. If you are of this opinion, I am at your disposal.
Yours sincerely,
(signed :) W. CARRILLO.