Montana labor news., 1937-04-08
Statement ON SPAIN

NEW YORK.-Dr. Harry F. Ward,
| national chairman of the American
League Against War and Fascism, in
a statement on Spain published in
the February number of The Fight,
monthly magazine of the American
League, expresses the view that the
neutrality resolution passed by Con-
gress has worked against the Span
ish Democracy and has aided the
Fascist rebels.
DR.. Ward points out in his state
ment that ut is time for the Ameri-
can nation to make its own policy,
based solely upon the joint necessity
of stopping Fascism and ending
war" Such a policy would mean aid
for democratic nations attacked by
Fascists in such a way as not to in
volve the United States in war, he
writes, and Withholding supplies
from the Fascist powers. The state
ment follows:
In the name Of neutrality the
President ard Congress have denied
the d~emocratically constituted gov
eminent of Spain the opportunity
to buy here the things it needs to
defend its life against Fascist attack.
What are the consequences?
The Spanish Democracy is weak
ened; the Fascist powers r encour-
aged. They continue their aid to the
Spanish rebels with more assurance
of success. This is not neutrality. In
effect it is intervention on the side
of the Fascists. The American peo-
pie have been rushed into the posi-
ton of helping the %destroyers Of the
basic democratic principle-the right
of the people to govern themselves
in ways of their own choosing. The
country gave the President and Con-
gress no mandate for this policy.
Congress literally knew not what
it did. 1t thought it was helping to
keep the country out of war. There
is not the remotest danger of Span
ish government purchases here, car
ried in Spanish vessels, involving us
in risk of war. The passing of a
billion dollar budget in preparation
for wan outside our borders is inf
nitely more dangerous.
The administration knew what il
was doing. And it dared not have
that discussed on the floor of Con-
gress. 1t wanted to cooperate with
Great Britain and France in pre-
venting the conflict in Spain from
spreading. In this policy France has
to follow Britain. But the British
government has another interest. II
prefers a Franco dictatorship in
Spain to a Peoples Front Govern
ment. So do all the reactionaries
here who are now working to shut
off all aid to the Spanish govern
ment from this country. Will
Francois victory, with German and
Italian aid, prevent the conflict from
spreading? Does anybody imagine
that the Fascist tactic of planning
and supporting revolt, then prevent
ing supplies to the Democratic gov
eminent attacked, will not be re-
peated elsewhere?
1t is time for the American nation
to make its own policy, based solely
upon the joint necessity of stopping
Fascism and ending war. That joint
objective requires the furnishing Of
supplies to democratic governments
attacked by Fascist powers, in such
ways as will not bring us into war
because that means Fascist control:
here; and the Withholding of sup
plies from the Fascist powers.
All Americans who are againsl
war and Fascism should now demand
of Congress that it rescind the join
resolution concerning Spain; that i
order that no purchases of the Span.
ish government here shall be carried
in American vessels; that no ma.
terials of war can be purchased here
by Germany or Italy.