Montana labor news., 1936-08-13
WHAT NEwsMEN SAW IN SPAIN

Extracts from the stories OF foreign
correspondents of American newspa-
pers on the Spanish rebellion follow:
Edgar Ansel Mowrer, Chicago Daily
News: Most of the factors seem to
be on the government side. Only a
miracle can save the rebels a high Of
ficer said yesterday.
Authorities in Madrid certainly
give the impression Of being sure OF
their position, and the morale of their
soldiers is good. They say that the
rebel side is demoralized and that the
soldiers are deserving in considerable
numbers. This correspondent believes
that this time the fight between Fas-
cism and democracy in Spain will be
fought to a bitter and perhaps bloody
end, with no quarter asked or given by
either side"
Henry Buckley, Chicago Tribune
Along the road between Madrid and
Toledo peasants in every village were
busy threshing - old style. Teams
of mules were driven round and round
on a pile of reaped grain amid clouds
of dust. But at every crossroad stood
a few peasants armed with shotguns
who asked for papers of identity"
(These peasants were on the lookout
for Fascists.)
William P. Carney, New York
Times: "Madrid's force is larger than
the rebel army, but the proletarian
militiamen are unframed in warfare
and not accustomed to military orders,
as are the opposing shock police and
assault guards. 1t is amazing Cap
tain Rissori added, how quickly the
civilians are learning Delegates
from the Socialist General Workers
Union are giving valuable service to
the government by confiscating con-
vents and religious schools which with
churches have become state property.
Most Of these buildings contain valu-
able paintings, tapestries and other art
treasure which are being carefully
listed in complete inventories being
made by proletarian militiamen to
avoid thefts or vandalism. In some
cases money is found on the premises
and the government has received a
careful accounting for every cent, The
keys Of all churches have been turned
over to the government to prevent use
of the buildings by Fascists for snip
ing or as places Of refuge, as religious
services have been temporarily sus-
pended"
Jay Allen, Chicago Tribune: "The
game is up for the generals. Close to
the thirteenth day of their bloody as
sault on the republic it is clear to this
correspondent at least that they have
lost. (Allen was the first important
correspondent to make such a predic-
tom The generals in command can
commit suicide or hop a plane. But
the ga%rrisons? But the Fascist militia,
boys of God-fearing families who have
been amuck in the streets these thir-
teen days? And classes hat contrib
uated to the movement? And the
church? Remember what happened
at Malaga where the assault failed.
What happened at San Rogue, up in
the hills from Gibraltar, two nights ago
when partisans Of the Peoples Front
government suddenly appeared and ex-
acted revenge in blood and flames.
Let the people of Ecija, a town of
many towers between Seville and Cor
doba answer. The rebels are in COM
mand there. Yet a rebel Fascist
plane had a forced landing on the out
skirts today and before the Fascists
could reach the scene the populace
had torn the two aviators TO pieces"