Spanish news. Vol. 1, no. 11

              SPANISH NEWS
The Organ of the Friends of the Spanish Republic
Vol I. No. II   MARCH 27th, 1937   Price Twopence
CONGRATULATIONS
Senor Caballero, the Premier, in a message of congratulation to Gen. Miaja and his troops, declared :
"The defeat of the army of Italian invaders covers with glory the army of the Spanish Republic and constitutes a blow at the imperialistic plans of international Fascism. Madrid is indeed the tomb of Fascism."
Interview with Spanish Foreign Minister
MADRID, March 16th, 1937. — Julio Alvarez del Vayo, the former journalist who is now Spain's Foreign Minister, works sixteen hours a day, but found time, nevertheless, to give me an interview, in the course of which he discussed freely the position in Spain. My first question was to ask him how long he thought the civil war would last.
"That depends entirely upon the amount of support that the rebels receive from abroad," was his reply. "The war was practically ended in December, when the failure to capture Madrid had completely demoralised the enemy, as was admitted by hundreds of deserters.
"It was only the arrival of thousands of German and Italian troops which gave the rebels new hope and encouragement, and led them to believe that they would obtain continued and interminable reinforcements of men and war material from the same quarters."
War Duration Rests With Outside Countries
"What do you think will be the effect of the international control which has been instituted?" I next asked the Foreign Minister.
"It depends on how it is carried out. There are several weak points in the scheme according to my information. The most important is that the German and Italian fleets, which for many months have committed acts of aggression against Spanish ships and have bombarded ships at night, have been given fixed zones to control in which they have the possibility of doing what they please.
"In my opinion the only way to enforce an absolutely correct control on the seas would be through the combined fleets of the Powers."
"What about the political situation? Are all the various parties united in their determination to fight Fascism to the death?" was my next question, and Del Vayo's reply was prompt and definite.
"Yes, since the fall of Malaga, the tendency of all parties to unite in winning the war has been accentuated. Even the extremist parties are now in favour of iron discipline and of giving all power to the Government.
"Not only all the forces represented in the Government, and these cover the entire political and trade union movement of Spain, are of this opinion, but the co-operation between the Catalonia, the Basque country and the rest of loyal Spain is every day becoming closer.
"A few days ago a delegation of the Catalonia Government came to Valencia and worked out a plan for joint action in every aspect. It is very significant that one of the anarchist Ministers, Juan Peiro, Minister of Industry, has written an article in a newspaper in which he declares himself in favour not for agitating for social reforms, but for winning the war first.
Republic Will Not Tolerate Military Caste
"All this talk abroad of a Soviet Spanish Republic is pure nonsense. This Government will never be a Soviet. It is, and will remain, a democratic republic, politically leaning heavily on the support of the organisations of the working people. 
"To call it a Soviet State or to predict a Soviet State in the future is a falsification of the facts and a malicious slander intended to aid the Fascist rebel cause.
"What is the use," continued the Minister, "of my pointing out that Azana is still the President of the Spanish Republic, that Azana is a member of the Republican Party, that he disapproves not only of Communism, but of Socialism also?
"The enemy press will always have an answer, they will say that he is a shield. What is the use of my quoting the figures out of their own newspapers of a year or a few months ago, showing that the Communist strength in the Parliament is little more than a dozen out of many hundreds?
"I can talk for ever, I can submit 
(continued on page 3.)
MUSSOLINI AND MARK ANTONY
Extract from Madame Fontange's Diary: — 
"Abyssinia no longer means anything to me: now I have only the sweet memories of this unforgettable hour of love!"
Extract from Antony and Cleopatra: —
Antony: " Let Rome in Tiber melt, and the wide arch
Of the ranged empire fall! Here is my space.
Kingdoms are clay: our dungy earth alike
Feeds beast as man: the nobleness of life
Is to do thus; (Embraces Cleopatra) when such a mutual pair
And such a twain can do't, in which I bind,
On pain of punishment, the world to weet
We stand up peerless."
Shortly after this incident, beautifully and movingly described by Shakespeare, Antony's "love nest" and world dominion were destroyed by a shattering defeat at Actium.
Moral for Dictators: History has a notorious way of repeating itself.
Missing an Issue
WE regret we did not appear last week. We tried to tell you this situation might arise, but somehow our message to you fell short.  Turn to page five and let us know, one way or the other, what your answer is.
MOBILISATION OF A "VOLUNTEER"
VALENCIA.— On one of the Italians taken prisoner recently, a mobilisation order has been found as below:
"This document is valid as railway ticket. 'VOLUNTARY MILITIA OF NATIONAL SECURITY.'
"On order of His Majesty the King, Renzo Besni, son of Giuseppe Besni, is called to the colours. He must present himself with this order and his licence to the command of the Legion 35 M.V.S.N, at Spezzia on the morning of November 25, 1936.
"According to law, he will be liable to trial by military tribunal if he fails to present himself, without valid reason, or at the specified time.
"Signed at Pisa, November 25, 1936, for Commander of Legion 90,
"CIANI, FERNANDINO."
(Spanish Press Agency).