Page Six THE PEREOPLE’S ADVOCATE April 14, - Continued The Betrayal Of A Nation #ranquistas had staged an insur- rection at the naval base at Cartha- gena. The government had hardly erushed that conmspiracy before Gasado attacked Madrid on that fateful Sunday night. Gasado and Mira had weak- ened the northern front in order to smash the rear. Their troops seized the army headquarters at daca en route to Guadalajara, the government buildings at Mad- Tid and the national headquarters of the Communist Party that Sunday night. They seized three government radio stations too, and all that night the air was filled with Cas- ado speeches trumpeting the false claims that they had full control of the situation. Monday morning I read Casado- ist speeches in full in the Anar- ehist paper, Castilla Libre, that treacherous publication being the only newspaper to appear on the streets. Gasado, Julian Besteiro, renegade Socialist member of the new “Na- fional Council of Defense” and others wildly attacked Negrin and the Communists, demagogically misleadins the people with phrases of “peace and independence and resistance.” General Miaja later joined the conspiracy with the nominal title of president but he merely played second fiddle to Casado. Se S iImtercontinent News corre- spondent, I was unable to file cables because of the censorship established by the Casado propa-— ganda headquarters. Wor would £ use the fake Communist atrocity stories dished out from there. So I could not re-enter the na- tional headquarters of the Com- munist Party. Enemy machine Sums bristled from the gate. I could mot even re-enter the rooming House where I had stayed for the inmates had all been arrested. So T walked the streets, talked with ¢he rank and file soldiers, and con- ¢acted four anti-fascist eorrespond- ents of the “Aima”’” agency. Together we eovered the street fighting that followed. Together we ate and slept where we could. And together we went to prison. Se PMASADO thought that he had Sealed the Negrin forces tight, especially the Gommunists. He was wrong. The United Front leader— ship functioned throughout the erisis. And the same Monday after- moon 2 vanguard of 200 soldiers from the rear guard of the United ew Ministry buildings and the Front deployed around the vast broad Castellan avenue. : Machine guns rattled, artillery roared, and from buildings guns responded. Then, during 2 lull in the fighting the People’s Com- missar stepped forward with an- other weapon—fraternization. Hie called on Casado’s troops to join hands with their brothers out- Side, to join weapons against the Eranguista traitors. : Some soldiers began running to- ward him from the vicinity of the ereat building- Others restrained Gasado’s officers from shooting down the People’s Commissar. Bfore soldiers joined, Casado bri- gades reinforced the government. e Y MONDAY night Gasado’s sun seemed setting when his Seven- ticth Brigade forces joined the government. Loyalists from the rearguard, swelled by many ex- Gasadoists, swept down the most important Castellano and Alcala streets, which cut a northern tri- angle in Madrid from the apex. The highways entering Madrid were in the hands of the govern— ment. The Casadoists were isolated within the city except for the PoOs- session of three radio stations which gave them the ear of Spain. The sovyernment seizure of the key Jaca barracks en route to Guadalajara seemed to be sound- ing the death knell to the revolt. The Central Committee of the Gommunist Party was keeping closely in contact with the situa- i 1] the time. Be ee ieeday, walking three kilo- metres down Castellano avenue, I found a radio station in the hands of the government but unfortunate- ly, mot the stations further away. PACIFIC NORTHWEST EMBARGO CONFERENCE . hear... HOWARD COSTIGAN April 22nd, at 3:30 p.m. 1001 Nelson Street (First Baptist Church) S RiiSS LGH TSEI (Ghina’s “Joan of Arc”) April 23rd, at 3 p.m. Lyric Theatre, 765 Granville S TICKETS at: Room 114 — 603 W. Hastings St. » These stations continued their poi- sonous propaganda. Returning to Independence Square on Tuesday, I saw 2 strange sight. General Miiaja, who had just deserted the Negrin government and joined the con- spirators as dummy “president,” whe was gloomily standing be- tween two machine gun suards while pedestrians passed, neither saluting nor speaking to him. He leoked miserable and fuiile. He fled Madrid that night. @ BANWHILE FEranco’s made a furious attack on the government trenches in the Sasa del Campo section of Madrid. The government forces repelled the as- Sault, captured 40 prisoners and even advanced their positions a Short distance into Franco terri- tory. But Franco accomplished his purpose none the less. The strong— est concentration of Communist soldiers was in this sector. The at- tack was designed to keep the patriots at the front, to prevent their sending reinforcements against Casado. e The prisoners frankly stated this purpose. One high regimental Franco commander whose iden- tification dare not be given, vol- tarily came to the government with written military plans show- ing that Casado and Franco were worlidune together. All this while the Popular Front had not taken troops from the front. They used only assault Suards, carbineros and other rear Suard forces, as well aS armed Civilians. While Casado and Colonel Mera, on the other hand, stripped every sector of the front they con- trolied of many thousands of troops regardiess of the danger of the fascists breaking through_ I saw spectacles of heroism in Street fighting. A lone Loyalist soldier holding deadly positions against traitors. And most heroic of all, girl couriers slipping through the enemy lines with manifestoes for the workers and soldiers, and food for the Popular Front forces in the beleaguered buildings. I saw girls carrying food to the Com- munist Party building past pointed machine guns. I saw these brave girls making bandages in buildings during the week’s fighting. They were sleep- ing on hard floors and chairs. Spanish women, Salud! The encouraging thing is that many of these bold, clever girls, as well as many key men and women leaders, escaped the mas- sacres at the end of the week and today are still working for free Spain, which will rise again. HILL traitors’ bullets splashed blood on Madrid pavements during the week of March 5-12, I Saw the distribution by girls and boys of a leaflet of the United Socialist Youth of Spain. The leaf let, signed by Gallego, national secretary, and Meson, provincial secretary, calling for unity against Franco and against the traitors within. Wow Gallego is a martyr to the youth of Spain. His bullet-ridden body has been thrown into an un- lkmown grave by Casado execution- ers. it was inspiring to see Mundo Obrero, the Communist organ and the only pro-government paper ap- pearing during the crisis, dis- tributed by armed workers. Armed newsboys’ trucks rode past fusil- lading Casadoists, handing out thousands of copies on the streets. T am bringing one precious torn copy back to America. The Communist Party was very active in the erisis, with its lead- ers shifting headquarters frequent-— ly. I am happy to say that some of the most indispensable escaped the massacre and are directing underground party work today. @ N WEDNESDAY of that week, the People’s Front forces were still gaining. Passing the enormous stone Bank of Spain building, IL Saw enemy snipers hiding in the windows while the street below was covered with masonry broken by government fire. But traitors within, with Fran- eco’s help, accomplished in Madrid what the Trotskyist POUM had been unable to do in Barcelona in 1937. While masses of the Com- munists and other pro-govern- ment troops were holding the trenches Thursday, I saw thou- sands of Casado’s troops enter- ing the city from Guadalajara, the army sector commanded by Wiera, the Anarchist colonel from Estramadura. Thursday's observation walks along the streets and boulevards were the most dangerous so far. T picked my way past bodies ly- ing in the Alcala, Castellano and side streets. Rifle, machine gun and artillery fire were crackling around as small groups fired at other sroups, while larger forces were battling in the major boule- vards in the vicinity. Gasado’s forces, meanwhile, were eradually cutting through Madrid. Eriday they split the MWLoyalist forces into two parts. The food situation was most serious and disorganized. Bread was hard to get and the traitor radio propagandists were blaming everything on the “Communists,” confusing everyone. e@ ONTRARY to the published re- ports from Madrid, the tem- troops MINERS CALL CONFERENCE TO PROMOTE JOBS Union Heads Seek Government Stand On Coal Policy NANAIMO, BC, April 13 — A general conference of Sub- District 9, INanaimo and Cum- berland locals of the United Mine Workers of America, has been called for May 20 and 21 in Nanaimo by Board Member W. S. Atkinson, it was an- nounced this weels. Most important question to be discussed by the meeting will be the staggering amount of unem- ployment among miners on the Island. The situation this year is much more serious than in previ- eus years with a greater number of union members unemployed, and UMW=A officials declare immediate steps are necessary to alleviate the situation. President Livett and Secretary Morrison of District 18 are at pres— ent in Ottawa with a delegation urging upon the government to 1 adopt a definite coal policy. A sim- ilar step has been urged by a dele— gation from District 26 (Nova Sco- tia). Meantime there is much that ean be done locally to assist in re— employing idle miners by private and government institutions until such time as a definite coal policy is drafted. 3 The scheduled conference here is expected to draw up plans along this line and will study the formation of a widely-representa- tive committee of all interested bodies which will inaugurate a drive to have more Coal used in place of imported fuel oil. -Mmers here are drawing parti-— cular attention to the fact that the island railway system, which runs through the heart of a coalfield, should be prevailed on to use local coal in preference to foreign fuel oil. In addition, there are government institutions deriving revenue from public funds—such as schools, has- ptals, railways—which should take the lead in using coal in order to reduce unemployment costs in this district, Union officials state that dissatis-— faction is growing at an alarmins rate and unless some acton to pro- vide work is taken, they claim they will not be responsible. Delegates to the conference from the Nanaimo local will include Pre- sident E. Webb, vzce-president T. Ostle, Secretary E. Boyd, P. Law- son, J. Wilson, J. White, D. Rad- ford, D. Armand, J. Forsythe and A. Mawhinney. Cumberland will be represented by President R. Coe, Vice-president D. Tweedhope, Secretary James Robertson, J. Bond and six others to be elected at the next loca meeting. > NEW DEALER ASKS SCRAP BAN WASHINGTON, DC—Hittine at the “blood-stained dollars of profit representing the business of sell- ing war materials to Japan,’ Con- gressman John M. Coffee, Demo- crat of Tacoma, introduced a strin- gent Japanese embargo bill in the House of Representatives this week. The proposed measure provides for prohibition of export of scrap iron, tin, petroleum and other war materials; gives the President au- thority to include by proclamation armaments of any kind to Japan; prohibits the transportation of such materials on ships under the jurisdiction of United States; and prohibits American citizens from travelling on Japanese vessels of any character. In commenting on the act, Coffee declared: “The American people do not want the bloodstained dollars of profit represented by the business of selling war material to Japan.” | | FRANCE PREPARES FOR FASCIST THREAT Sengalese sharpshooters of the French army disembarking from the troop ship that brought them te Ajaccio, Corsica, to reinforce France’s island possession following the armed seizure of Aibania and the latest Nazi fleet movement towards the Mediterranean. Embargo Conference To Feature Chinese Heroine Japan, the invasion which has sooner in favorof China,” declaress Miss Loh Tsei, who is scheduled to speak in Vancouver on Sunday, April 23, at 3 pm in the Lyric The— ater. Popularly referred to as China’s “Joan of Arc,’ Miss Ich’s visit here coincides with tne Pacific North- west Embargo Conference to be held in the TOOF Hall, Hamilton Street at Pender, on April 22. The conquest of Manchukuo by Japan first aroused Miss Loh to the need for action. When Japan intimated last December it would set up a puppet state in Worthern China, she was a student at Tsins— hua University in Peiping. She became one of the heads of the All China Student Union, which boasts half a million members, and as such led the student “revolt” wherein she won the sobriquet, Chinese “Joan of Arc.” Miss Loh, who is official spokes- man for the Student Union, is touring Canada for funds for the! new International Peace Hospital in the Wutaishan area in North China, founded by Lord Robert Cecil as a result of the Interne- tional Conference to Aid China held in London last year. Besides Miss Loh, the Pacific Worthwest Embargo Confference will present Howard Costigan, ex- “ecutive secretary of the Washing- ton Commonwealth Federation. We will address a gathering in First Baptist Church, 1001 Nelson Street, on Saturday night, April 22 at 8 pm. Mrs. Costigan, wife of the Wash- ington New Deal leader, will ad- dress a luncheon at the WE Orien- tal Gardens on Sunday, April 23, at 1 pm. Among tradeunion leaders com- ing to the conference is Bertel J. McCarty, secretary treasurer of the international Woodworkers of America, an organization of over 100,000 members. Miss Loh’s speaking engagement here is sponsored by the China Aid Council. Joseph Howe Hope of the Chinese National Salvation Bureau, Victoria, will also be a speaker at the Lyric Theatre. Tickets can be had at the Coun- eil’s offices, Room i114—603 West Hastings. VICTORIA, April 13 — The BC government is considering the trading of crown timber limits for private rights along the highway to Port Renfrew in order to pre- serve the scenic beauty from logs- ging crews according to A. Wells Gray, Mnister of Lands. porary dictator Cascado concealed the arrest of myself and four other anti-fascist journalists until I es- caped on Monday, March 13. If had been held incommunicado for 50 hours. The United States officials did not know of my arrest until I appeared at the gates of the US embassy. T was arrested after the siege of the Communist Party offices Pri- day. There was confusion at the press office of police headquarters where we were kept for the first 12 hours. Late Monday, almost tripping over a machine gun blocking the corridor, we were taken upstairs before a sub-dictator, who instruct ed me to escort two policemen to my rooms to get my baggage. Naturally, I would not betray my antifascist hosts, and I drove him wild refusing to understand his queries about my address. Meanwhile a plan was forming in my mind. TI indicated I half under- stood and might lead the police to my house. e ORTUNATELY, I knew the ad- address, I led the way to the em- bassy. “Here,” I said. The policeman instructed to get the baggage rang the bell. IT showed the porter my passport. He hastily summoned Francisco Ugarte, a cul- tivated Spaniard who was custo- dian of the building. Ugarte demanded the admittance of an American citizen. The police- man refused but when I said, “IL am cold and have not eaten today. Do you mind if I step inside ” Ugarte sharply rebuked the police- man, overbore them with demands for my admittance, and while the elder policeman nodded, I stepped into extra-territorial protection. Then the guards woke up. The elder one followed us, begging my return, said he would be punished. Ugarte cheerfully gave him a re- ceipt for my body. The anti-fascist journalists Mas- sen, Manchet, Reggiani and Gar- goff have not been heard from since. They have either been exe- euted with hundreds of others, or they are Franco’s prisoners facing death. But tens of ¢housands of Com- dress of the US embassy. Out- side, while the senior policeman kept begging me to give him the munists are carrying on party work “Tf Canada and the United States backed up their sympathy for China with practical aid in the form of an embargo against devastated Chinese cities and killed and wounded thousands of its population would end much MISS LOH TSEI Used Radio Wanted For Children’s Camp Anyone having a battery radio set for which they have no further use could put it to good advantage by donating it to the Jubilee Chil- dren’s Summer Camp. Phone the People’s Advocate, TRinity 2019, and it will be picked up. > Canada’s Greatest $90 999000990 99009-0000 > This Y ear A FINE, SPAIN VETS EN ROUTE HOME PARIS, FPrance—Clothed in filthy rags, 53 starving members of the International Brigade crossed into Brance at Hendaye this week from Spain. They had been prisoners in Franco’s jails at Ondaretta near Saint Sebas— tian. Among them were i10 Britons, 32 Canadians and 10 Syiss. The Canadians are aywaitine their papers at Le Havre, while the Swiss have been conducted to their homeland by their con- sul and the Britons have arrived home. Despite repeated assurances from Franco that all prisoners would be released when British recognition was granted, there is still no indication when the re mainder—several hundred—will be set free. Among those siill held are 80 Americans and Cana- dians., Fourteen British Columbians are listed among the Canadians released. They are: Prank Black- man, George Cunningham, Gerry Delaney, Arthur Hoffheinz, Percy Hilton, Willis Nunnemaker, Les-— lie Wilson, Nils Metson, George Hill, HB. Hesketh, Peter Moska- luk, J. Houghey, E. Muller, E. Martilla. Other Canadians released are: Cromyell Bowen, Harry Bozailo, Robert Dickey, Paul Dufour, WN. Elendek, Steve Harose, Urbian Hansbout, J. Jones, Joseph Kor- inski, Michael Malicki, G Mar- lkowski, Charles Medgyesi, A. N OTICE Mr. Fred Booth, Optometrist of Booth Optical Co. Ltd., 620 W. Georgia St., Vancouver will be at St. George’s Hospital, Alert Bay SUN., MON., TUES., APRIL 23, 24, 25, & WED. MORNING NATIONAL GYMNASTIC CHAMPIONSHIPS (Sanctioned by AAU) AUDITORIUM — SATURDAY, APRIL 22nd at 7:30 P.M. TICKETS 35¢ and 50c, on sale at 604 Hall Bldg, TRin. 3467 FORUM — April 20th, 7:30 p.m.—Pro-Rec Championships April 21st, 8:00 p.m.— Pro-Rec Mass Display FREE Admission ENJOY YOUR GARDEN Rennie’s Famous Seeds Have— TENDER FRESH VEGETABLES BEAUTIFUL FLOWER BEDS AND MASSES OF ROSES WM. RENNIE SEEDS LTD. Mangotic, E. Muller, Jules Paiva, Wick Prokopiuk, Paul Scott, FE. Wood and Sidney Harris. 19999999909 090000090004 Plant SMOOTH LAWN 9O9O999960090960000000 VANCGUVER underground in Suain today. Only Shoe Repair Store in Vancouver with a Signed Agreement with the Union NEW METHOD SHOE - - 337 Carrall St. roa oe hes ett ial ‘eines an Ve STi