,P>T #c1 ,*APT] #ae 
,! ,LIB]T>IAN ,CONF$]ATION ( ,>AGON 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,ABEL ,PAZ 

,TEXT 3 

,*,A,P,T,] ,X,V4 ,! ,LIB]T>IAN ,CONF$]ATION ( ,>AGON 

  

,PI]RE ,BESN>D REFLECT$ ON ! EF=TS ?AT HE & ,DURRUTI MADE TO ACQUIRE >MS 9 ,MADRID3  
  

,L>GO ,CABALL]O--:O REALLY DID NOT ?9K V]Y HI<LY ( \R 9T]V5TION--LET HIMSELF BE CONV9C$ 7OR ,ROSEMB]G KNEW H[ TO CONV9CE HIM7 ?AT IT WAS BETT] TO WAIT = ,RUSSIAN HELP4444 ,CLE>LY ,RUSSIA W\LD NEV] HAVE PLAY$ ANY ROLE1 EI!R !N OR LAT]1 IF ,SPA9 HAD US$ ITS GOLD TO BUY ITS [N >MS FROM ABROAD4444 ,ROSEMB]G WAS ABLE TO P]SUADE ! /UBBORN ,CABALL]O &1 FROM !N ON1 IT WAS OBVI\S ?AT ! GOV]NM5T W\LD NEV] PUR*ASE ! #a1#f MILLION WOR? ( W> MAT]IEL4 ,& IT DIDN'T3 9 P>T DUE TO ! SELL]S1 L>GELY DUE TO ! BUY]S1 & MO/LY DUE ! ,RUSSIANS1 :O PORTRAY$ ! SELL]S AS ,FRANCO'S AG5TS4444 ,?AT IS :Y FREE ,SPA9 DIDN'T GET ! WEAPONS IT NE$$ & H[ ,RUSSIA C\LD REPAY H>D CA% ) MAT]IEL ( DUBI\S VALUE1 :I* >RIV$ SP>+LY & ON ! CONDITION ?AT NONE W\LD GO TO ,C,N,T COLUMNS & ?AT ALL W\LD BE US$ TO /R5G!N ,COMMUNI/ ,P>TY'S POSITION4.<#f#d#d.>  
  

,! MO/ COMMITT$ AN>*I/S FOCUS$ ON ,>AGON4 ,! SPREAD ( ! AGRICULTURAL COLLECTIVES & ! PRES5CE ( ! >M$ MILITIAS1 NOT TO M5TION ! REVOLUTION'S RETREAT 9 ,B>CELONA1 MADE ,>AGON SEEM LIKE ! BEACON ( ! ,SPANI% REVOLUTION4 

,?AT WAS ,DURRUTI'S VIEW4 ,FROM ! BEG9N+1 HE BECAME NOT ONLY ! CORE ( ! ANTI-FASCI/ RESI/ANCE 9 ! REGION1 BUT ALSO ONE ( ! MO/ VIGOR\S SUPPORT]S ( ! COLLECTIVES4 ,& ,DURRUTI KNEW ?AT IF !Y DID NOT ORGANIZE !MSELVES1 !Y W\LD BE VULN]ABLE TO ATTACKS FROM ,M>XI/ MILITIAS4 ,EV5 ,P,\,M MILITIAS OPPOS$ !M4 

,PEASANTS FROM ALL OV] ,>AGON CAME TO ! LIB]T>IAN COLUMNS' ,W> ,COMMITTEES TO COMPLA9 AB\T ABUSES ?AT !Y SUFF]$ 9 >EAS CONTROLL$ BY ,CATALANI/ OR ,/AL9I/ TROOPS4 ,SOMETIMES !Y =CIBLY DISSOLV$ ! C\NCILS ?AT ! PEASANTS HAD ELECT$ 9 ASSEMBLIES4 ,O!R TIMES1 CLAIM+ ! NECESSITIES ( W>1 !Y ROBB$ /OR$ FOOD/UFFS OR F>M+ MA*9]Y PROCUR$ BY ,C,N,T UNITS4 ,DURRUTI ALWAYS TOLD !M ?AT !Y HAD TO BUILD !IR [N MEANS ( SELF-DEF5SE & NOT RELY ON ! LIB]T>IAN ,COLUMNS1 :I* W\LD LEAVE ,>AGON AS ! W> EVOLV$4 ,!Y NE$$ TO COORD9ATE !MSELVES1 AL?\< HE ALSO W>N$ !M AGA9/ =M+ AN ANTI-FASCI/ POLITICAL FRONT LIKE ! TYPE EXI/+ 9 O!R P>TS ( ,SPA94 ,!Y NE$N'T MAKE ! SAME ]ROR AS !IR COMPATRIOTS ELSE:]E4 ,!RE W]E NO POLITICAL P>TIES 9 ,>AGON NOR %\LD !Y BE CREAT$ JU/ TO PLEASE SOME ( ! ACTORS 9 ! /RUGGLE4 ,! POPUL> ASSEMBLY MU/ BE SOV]EIGN4 .<#f#d#e.> ,DURRUTI RETURN$ FROM ,MADRID ON ,OCTOB] #e1 #a#i#c#f1 A DAY BE=E ! ,C,N,T'S ,REGIONAL ,ASSEMBLY 9 ,BUJ>ALOZ4 ,MILITANTS W\LD =M ! ,>AGON ,DEF5SE ,C\NCIL & ! ,>AGON ,F$]ATION ( ,COLLECTIVES AT ! MEET+4 .<#f#d#f.> ,:5 ITS SESSIONS BEGAN1 !RE W]E #aci MILITANTS REPRES5T+ ALL ! VILLAGES 9 ,>AGON4 ,DELEGATES FROM ! FOLL[+ CONF$]AL ,COLUMNS W]E ALSO PRES5T3 ,CULTURA Y ,ACCION1 ,ROJA Y ,NEGRA1 ,F\R? ,GR\P ( ,GELSA1 ! ,MALATE/A ,C5TURIA 7! ,ITALIAN ,GR\P FROM ,HUESCA71 ,SUR-,EBRO ,COLUMN 7,ORTIZ71 ! ,CONF$]AL ,COLUMNS ( ,HUESCA & ,ALDABALDETRECU1 & ! ,DURRUTI ,COLUMN4 

,! SECRET>Y ( ! ,>AGON ,REGIONAL ,COMMITTEE BEGAN ! ASSEMBLY BY REPORT+ ON DECISIONS MADE AT ! NATIONAL MEET+ ( REGIONALS HELD 9 ,MADRID ON ,SEPTEMB] #a#e4 ,MILITANTS !RE HAD DECID$ TO PROPOSE ! =MATION ( A ,NATIONAL ,DEF5SE ,C\NCIL1 MADE UP PRIM>ILY BY ! ,U,G,T & ,C,N,T4 ,!IR PROPOSAL /AT$ ?AT ! BODY %\LD HAVE ! FOLL[+ /RUCTURE3 0,!RE WILL BE LOCAL1 PROV9CIAL1 REGIONAL1 & NATIONAL F$]ALISM 9 POLITICAL & ECONOMIC ADM9I/RATION4 ,DEF5SE ,C\NCILS WILL BE IMPLANT$1 ABOLI%+ ! CITY C\NCILS1 LOCAL1 & CIVIL GOV]NM5TS4 ,REGIONS WILL BE EMP[]$ TO E/ABLI% ! BALANCE ( ANTI-FASCI/ =CES )9 ! ,REGIONAL ,DEF5SE ,C\NCILS & MAKE ANY LOCAL MODIFICATIONS ?AT CIRCUM/ANCES & ! FACILITIES ( ! 5VIRONM5T REQUIRE40 

0,! ,U,G,T DID NOT RECEIVE !IR PROPOSAL FAVORABLY10 ! SECRET>Y SAID4 0,GIV5 ?AT1 ! MEET+ .<HE IS REF]R+ TO ANO!R NATIONAL MEET+ HELD ON ,SEPTEMB] #c.> DECID$ TO UND]M9E ! 9FLU5CE ( ! C5TRAL GOV]NM5T BY =M+ ! ,>AGON ,DEF5SE ,C\NCIL40 

,AFT] ! SECRET>Y'S REPORT1 ! ,B>BA/RO DELEGATION DECL>$ ?AT 0.<IT.> CONSID]S ! CREATION ( ?IS ORGANISM A PRESS+ NECESSITY1 S9CE IT WILL R$UCE ! 9FLU5CE ( P>TICUL> MILIT>Y =CES ?AT TAKE ADVANTAGE ( ! SITUATION TO TRY TO OPPOSE ! PEOPLE'S ADVANCE 9 ! SOCIAL ORD]0 ,ALL ! SUBSEQU5T SPEAK]S AGRE$ ?AT ! BODY %\LD BE CREAT$1 AL?\< SOME BELIEV$ ?AT IT %\LD ONLY OCCUPY ITSELF ) ! REGION'S ECONOMIC & ADM9I/RATIVE CONC]NS & NOT GET MIX$ UP 9 ! W>1 S9CE ! ,COLUMNS >E SUPPOS$ TO REPORT TO ,CATALONIA4 ,O!RS FELT ?AT ! ,C\NCIL %\LD 9T]C$E 9 MILIT>Y MATT]S1 S9CE ! ,COLUMNS OP]ATE 9 ,>AGON1 & IT W\LD BE EASY 5\< TO RESOLVE ! ,CATALONIA ISSUE BY S5D+ A REPRES5TATIVE !RE4 ,! GR\PS >GU+ ?AT ! ,C\NCIL %\LD TAKE CONTROL ( ! W> EF=TS W]E ?OSE ?AT HAD TO CONFRONT ,/AL9I/ MILITIAS OR ! ,W> ,COMMITTEE CREAT$ BY ,VILLALBA4 .<#f#d#g.> ,HALFWAY ?R\< ! ASSEMBLY1 ,DURRUTI SPOKE 9 ! NAME ( HIS ,COLUMN4  
  

,IT'S ESS5TIAL ?AT WE CREATE ! ,>AGON ,DEF5SE ,C\NCIL4 ,) IT1 WE WILL A*IEVE A UNITY ( WILLS1 F9ALLY CONFRONT ! S+LE COMM& .<M&O UNICO.> QUE/ION1 & ULTIMATELY W9 ! W>4444 ,Y\ HAVE TO REALIZE H[ ?+S >E GO+ 9 ,SPA94 ,I W5T TO ,MADRID & TOLD ! ,M9I/] ( ,W> AB\T \R CIRCUM/ANCES4 ,I DIDN'T BEAT >\ND ! BU%1 & HE HAD NO *OICE BUT TO SURR5D] TO ! EVID5CE4 ,BUT ?AT'S NOT 5\<4 ,= ?+S TO FOLL[ !IR PROP] C\RSE1 WE MU/ PUT ! DECISIONS ( ! ,C,N,T'S NATIONAL MEET+ 9TO PRACTICE4 ,WE RISK LOS+ EV]Y?+ IF WE DON'T =M ! ,NATIONAL ,DEF5SE ,C\NCIL4 ,?AT'S H[ WE'LL DEFEAT ! FASCI/S4 ,SO1 TO PRESSURE ,MADRID TO ACCEPT \R PROPOSAL1 WE MU/ CREATE ! ,>AGON ,DEF5SE ,C\NCIL4  
  

,DURRUTI'S SPEE* ALL[S US TO REFUTE ?OSE :O ASS]T ?AT HE BELIEV$ ?AT ! ,>AGON ,DEF5SE ,C\NCIL %\LD DIRECT ! W> EF=TS4 

,TO SUM UP ! G5]AL OP9ION1 ! MEET+ ISSU$ ! FOLL[+ /ATEM5T3  
  

,9 COMPLIANCE ) ! REVOLUTION>Y EV5TS TRIGG]$ 9 ?IS C\NTRY BY ! BATTLE AGA9/ FASCISM1 & TO FULFILL ! MO/ REC5T DECISIONS MADE AT ! ,C,N,T'S MEET+ ( REGIONALS1 WE HAVE DECID$ TO =M ! ,>AGON ,DEF5SE ,C\NCIL1 :I* WILL TAKE *>GE ( ALL POLITICAL1 ECONOMIC1 & SOCIAL DEVELOPM5T 9 ,>AGON4 ,! ,C\NCIL WILL BE COMPOS$ ( ! FOLL[+ DEP>TM5TS3 ,JU/ICE1 ,PUBLIC ,WORKS1 ,9DU/RY & ,COMM]CE1 ,AGRICULTURE1 ,9=MATION & ,PROPAG&A1 ,TRANSPORT & ,COMMUNICATIONS1 ,PUBLIC ,ORD]1 ,HEAL? & ,HYGI5E1 ,PUBLIC ,9/RUCTION1 & ,ECONOMY & ,SUPPLIES4 ,EA* ,DEP>TM5T WILL DEVELOP PLANS ?AT IT WILL SUBMIT TO ! REPRES5T$ BODIES = /UDY & APPROVAL4 ,ONCE APPROV$1 !SE PLANS WILL BE C>RI$ \T 9 ALL !IR ASPECTS4 ,LOCALITIES WILL C>RY \T ! G5]AL ECONOMIC & SOCIAL PLAN4 ,?IS PLAN WILL CONTA9 %ORT & LONG-T]M MEASURES LEAD+ T[>D ! NEW SOCIAL /RUCTURE4 ,?IS IS 9 CONTRA/ TO ! PRES5T /ATE ( AFFAIRS1 9 :I* !RE >E MANY1 (T5 CONTRADICTORY 9ITIATIVES & ACTIVITIES4 ,WE BELIEVE IT IS BETT] NOT TO CREATE A W> DEP>TM5T1 :I* C\LD PROVOKE CONFUSION1 GIV5 ! ALREADY EXI/+ BODIES4 ,9/EAD1 TO EX]T PRESSURE & WORK MORE EFFICI5TLY1 WE RESOLVE3  

,TO NAME TWO DELEGATES1 :O WILL REPRES5T ! ,>AGON ,REGIONAL AT ! ,W> ,DEP>TM5T 9 ,B>CELONA4  

,TO CREATE A ,W> ,COMMITTEE MADE UP BY =CES OP]AT+ 9 ,>AGON1 :I* WILL BE> SOLE RESPONSIBILITY = DIRECT+ ! MOVEM5T ( ! ,COLUMNS4  

,?AT REPRES5TATIVES FROM ! FOLL[+ =CES MAKE UP ! ,COMMITTEE3 ,ONE FROM ! ,DURRUTI ,COLUMN1 ONE FROM ! ,ORTIZ ,COLUMN1 ?REE FROM ! ,HUESCA SECTOR1 & TWO = ! ,>AGON ,DEF5SE ,C\NCIL4  
  

,?IS COMPOSITION WILL BE PROVISIONAL1 UNTIL ! ,COLUMNS OP]AT+ 9 ! ,T]UEL SECTOR NOM9ATE A DELEGATE1 :O WILL JO9 ! ,W> ,COMMITTEE4 ,?IS REPORT1 ONCE APPROV$ BY ! DELEGATES1 WILL BE SUBJECT TO CONSID]ATION BY ! ,CATALONIA & ,VAL5CIA ,REGIONALS4  
  

,! FOLL[+ PEOPLE SIGN$ ! DOCUM5T3 ,FRANCISCO ,PONZAN 7,C\NTY ( ,ANGUES73 ,GIL ,G>GALLO 7,UNION ( ,UTRILLAS71 ,MAC>IO ,ROYO 7,MAS DE LAS ,MATAS71 ,GREGORIO ,VILLACAMPA 7,HUESCA ,PROVISIONAL ,COMMITTEE72 ,FRANCISCO ,MUNOZ 7,REGIONAL ,COMMITTEE71 ,P4 ,ABRIL-,HONORATO ,VILLANUEVA 7,OCCUPI$ ,ZONE ( ,T]UEL ,COMMITTEE71 & ,FRANCISCO ,C>R5O & ,JOAQU9 ,ASCASO 7,>AGON ,FRONT ,COLUMNS74 

,! PROPOSAL WAS ACCEPT$ UNANIM\SLY & !Y E/ABLI%$ ! (FICE ( ! ,>AGON ,DEF5SE ,C\NCIL 9 ,ALCANIZ4 .<#f#d#h.> 

,DUR+ ! ,BUJ>ALOZ ASSEMBLY1 !RE WAS A DISCUSSION ( ,>AGON'S PROBLEMS AS BO? A W> ZONE & RE>GU>D4 ,!Y W]E SO 9TIMATELY CONNECT$ ?AT IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO KN[ :]E ONE 5D$ & ! O!R BEGAN4 ,! DIV]SITY ( POLITICAL =CES DIRECT+ ! ,COLUMNS AGGRAVAT$ ?OSE DIFFICULTIES1 BECAUSE EA* T5D5CY HOP$ TO /RUCTURE ! PEASANT'S ECONOMIC LIFE 9 ITS RESPECTIVE ZONE ACCORD+ TO ITS [N PRESUPPOSITIONS4 ,?AT WAS ! PRIM>Y S\RCE ( ! CONFUSION 9 ! >EA4 ,=M+ ! ,>AGON ,DEF5SE ,C\NCIL WAS AN IMPORTANT /EP T[>D RESOLV+ ?AT PROBLEM1 BUT ONLY IF ! FUNCTION ( ! ,COLUMNS1 ! P[]S ( ! ,DEF5SE ,C\NCIL ITSELF1 & ! ,G5]ALITAT'S ROLE 9 ! REGION W]E CLE>LY DEM>CAT$4 ,BUT ?AT W\LD NOT BE EASY1 GIV5 ! DEEP CONFLICTS ( 9T]E/4 

,! ,C,N,T WAS ! PR$OM9ANT =CE 9 ! >EA4 ,! ,U,G,T1 :]E IT EXI/$1 WAS SO M9USCULE ?AT IT H>DLY MATT]$4 ,! ,CONF$]ALS 9 ,>AGON DID NOT WANT TO MAKE ! SAME MI/AKE AS ! ,CATALAN ,C,N,T & ?US DID NOT GIVE ! ,U,G,T EQUAL WEI<T 9 ! ,>AGON ,DEF5SE ,C\NCIL4 ,! VILLAGE ASSEMBLY WAS SOV]EIGN & ELECT$ ! MEMB]S ( ! LOCAL C\NCILS4 

,RESID5TS SELECT$ ?OSE :O W]E WELL-KN[N AMONG !M & ) ! GREATE/ REVOLUTION>Y EXP]I5CE4 ,! LIB]T>IAN CONFIGURATION ( ,>AGON EM]G$ FROM ?OSE ASSEMBLIES4 

,!RE W]E FEW PROBLEMS 9 ! >EAS :]E ,C,N,T COLUMNS OP]AT$3 ! MILITIAM5 & PEASANTS 9T]P5ETRAT$ FULLY4 ,BUT ?AT WAS NOT ! CASE = LIB]T>IAN COLLECTIVES 9 >EAS UND] ,P,S,U,C OR ,P,\,M CONTROL2 ?OSE =CES1 AL?\< HO/ILE TO ONE ANO!R1 CONCURR$ 9 !IR HATR$ ( AN>*ISM & ! ,C,N,T4 ,! >EA MO/ AFFECT$ BY ?OSE CONFLICTS 9CLUD$ ,HUESCA & ,B>BA/RO4 ,COLONEL ,VILLALBA OP]AT$ LIKE A TYPICAL SOLDI] & ! ,DEL ,B>RIO ,COLUMN 7,P,S,U,C7 %[$ ITS COMMITM5T TO ! IDEA ?AT IT WAS 0TIME = W> NOT REVOLUTION0 BY PROTECT+ 9DIVIDUALS :O HAD REASON TO FE> ! REVOLUTION>Y EXPROPRIATIONS4 ,DEL ,B>RIO TRI$ TO DISSOLVE ! LIB]T>IAN COLLECTIVES1 BUT ,C,N,T PEASANTS DIDN'T SURR5D] PASSIVELY & >M$ CLA%ES OCCURR$4 ,!SE RE>GU>D CONFLICTS PREV5T$ LOYALI/ =CES FROM TAK+ ,HUESCA4 ,! SITUATION WAS UNT5ABLE4 ,?IS1 AS WELL AS ! EXI/5CE ( TWO ,W> ,COMMITTEES1 WAS :AT PROMPT$ ! ,BUJ>ALOZ ASSEMBLY'S CONC]N ) ! 0S+LE COMM&0 ISSUE4 

,A ,W> ,COMMITTEE WAS 9ITIALLY =M$ 9 ,S>95A2 ALL ! ,COLUMNS W]E REPRES5T$ !RE & A ,MILIT>Y ,C\NCIL ADVIS$ !M4 ,! ,C,N,T WAS ! PR$OM9ANT =CE 9 ?AT ,W> ,COMMITTEE1 :I* MAKES S5SE1 GIV5 ?AT IT HAD SOME FIFTE5 ?\S& M5 ON W> FOOT+ 9 ! REGION :]EAS ! ,P,S,U,C & ,P,\,M B>ELY HAD TWO ?\S& EA*4 ,BUT ( C\RSE ?AT WAS A PROBLEM = ! ,/AL9I/S & ,COLONEL ,VILLALBA1 :O DIVID$ ! ,W> ,COMMITTEE & SET UP ANO!R ONE 9 0,NOR? ,>AGON40 ,DEL ,B>RIO JO9$ HIS ,COMMITTEE & L$ IT 9 ,VILLALBA'S ABS5CES1 DESPITE ! SMALL] SIZE ( ! ,P,S,U,C =CES4 ,DEL ,B>RIO TOOK ADVANTAGE ( HIS ABS5CES TO ATTACK VILLAGES & =CIBLY DISSOLVE !IR COLLECTIVES4 ,SU* ?+S W]E OCCURR+ :5 ! ,BUJ>ALOZ ASSEMBLY TOOK PLACE4 ,! DECISION TO CREATE ! ,>AGON ,DEF5SE ,C\NCIL S\ND$ LIKE A GUN%OT 9 ,B>BA/RO & HAD IMM$IATE E*OES 9 ,B>CELONA4 ,! ,P,S,U,C PRESS DESCRIB$ IT AS 0CANTONALI/ & S$ITI\S40 ,! ,G5]ALITAT ALSO DISPROV$4 .<#f#d#i.> ,EV5 ! ,C,N,T ,NATIONAL ,COMMITTEE OPPOS$ IT3 S9CE ,L>GO ,CABALL]O HAD REFUS$ TO =M ! ,NATIONAL ,DEF5SE ,C\NCIL1 IT WAS WORK+ TO NEGOTIATE ! ,C,N,T'S 5TRANCE 9TO ! ,MADRID GOV]NM5T4 ,ALL !SE FACTORS UND]SCORE ! REVOLUTION>Y BOLDNESS EMBODI$ 9 ! =MATION ( ! ,>AGON ,DEF5SE ,C\NCIL1 :I* WAS ONLY UND]SCOR$ BY ! FACT ?AT ALL ! M5 :O COMPOS$ IT BELONG$ TO ! ,C,N,T4 ,N[1 = ! FIR/ TIME 9 HI/ORY1 A REGION EMB>K$ ON A REVOLUTION>Y V5TURE )\T POLITICAL P>TIES & TOOK ! ASSEMBLY AS ! P>AM\NT BODY4 ,?AT IS :Y ! REGIME EM]G+ 9 ,>AGON WAS SO CLOSE TO LIB]T>IAN COMMUNISM4 ,! AUDACITY WAS IMM5SE3 ! REVOLUTION WAS ON ! RETREAT ?R\<\T ,SPA9 & ,>AGON BECAME ITS MO/ ADVANC$ POLE4 ,WAS ! SAME ?+ GO+ TO HAPP5 9 ,>AGON ?AT HAD HAPP5$ 9 ! ,UKRA9E DUR+ ! ,RUSSIAN ,REVOLUTION8 ,DURRUTI 9EVITABLY 9VOK$ COMP>ISONS ) ,NE/OR ,MAKHNO4 ,REBELS LAUN*$ AN ATTACK ON ,OCTOB] #d :ILE ! ,BUJ>ALOZ ASSEMBLY WAS BE+ HELD & !IR ASSAULT PUT ! :OLE ,P]DIGU]A-,LEC95A FRONT 9 JEOP>DY4 ,!Y IMM$IATELY DEFEAT$ ! ,DURRUTI ,COLUMN'S ADVANCE P>TY !RE1 :I* OCCUPI$ AN >EA CONTIGU\S ) A ,P,\,M ZONE4 ,WE WILL DEAL ) ?AT ATTACK & H[ ! ,COLUMN RESPOND$ 9 ! FOLL[+ *APT]4 ,N[ WE WILL EXAM9E ! IMM$IATE CONSEQU5CES ( ! =MATION ( ! ,>AGON ,DEF5SE ,C\NCIL 9 ,B>CELONA4 

,COLONEL ,FELIPE ,DIAZ ,S&9O TOOK OV] ! ,G5]ALITAT'S ,DEP>TM5T ( ,DEF5SE ON ,SEPTEMB] #b#f4 ,G>CIA ,OLIV] WAS ITS ,SECRET>Y4 

,:5 ,DIAZ ,S&9O ASSUM$ HIS PO/1 HIS PRIM>Y CONC]N WAS 9/ITUT+ ,MADRID'S DECREES ON ! MILIT>IZATION ( ! MILITIAS4 ,HE KNEW ?AT HE C\LD NOT ACCOMPLI% ?AT 9 ,>AGON IMM$IATELY & HAD TO PROCE$ CAUTI\SLY 9 ORD] TO AVOID A CONFRONTATION ) ! ,C,N,T ,COLUMNS4 ,T5SIONS 9 ,>AGON BETWE5 ,CONF$]ATION MEMB]S & ,VILLALBA GAVE HIM ! OPPORTUNITY ?AT HE NE$$4 

,! PROBLEM 9 ,>AGON WAS NOT MILIT>Y BUT POLITICAL4 ,! ,C,N,T WANT$ TO C>RY ITS REVOLUTION>Y WORK =W>D & ! ,P,S,U,C WANT$ TO /OP IT4 ,! C\NT]REVOLUTION>Y PRESSURES W]E EXTREMELY CLE> !RE4 ,COLONEL ,VILLALBA1 PRES5T+ HIMSELF AS A ,REPUBLICAN SOLDI] :O 0DOESN'T DO POLITICS10 HELP$ ! ,P,S,U,C BY CREAT+ CONFLICTS ON ! FRONT & =M+ AN AUTONOM\S ,W> ,COMMITTEE4 ,! (F5SIVE AGA9/ ! COLLECTIVES DELAY$ ! ATTACK ON ,HUESCA4 ,! ,C,C,A,M,C HAD SET ASIDE ONE MILLION C>TRIDGES = ! ASSAULT ON ,HUESCA1 BUT IT WASN'T TAK5 & ! C>TRIDGES W]E US$ 9 RE>GU>D OP]ATIONS OR S5T TO ,B>CELONA4 ,GIV5 ! SITUATION1 ,DIAZ ,S&9O & ,G>CIA ,OLIV] CALL$ A MEET+ ( ,COLUMN LEAD]S 9 ,S>95A TO CONSID] =M+ A ,G5]AL ,/AFF 9 ,>AGON4 ,?IS MEET+ OCCURR$ ON ,OCTOB] #h1 AS ,COLONEL ,GU/AVO ,URRUTIA ?REW HIS #d1#e M51 ) AIR & >TILL]Y SUPPORT1 AGA9/ ! ,DURRUTI ,COLUMN4 

,! MEET+ WAS ATT5D$ BY ,DIAZ ,S&9O1 ,JOAN ,MOLES1 & ,G>CIA ,OLIV] = ! ,DEP>TM5T ( ,DEF5SE &1 = ! COLUMNS 9 ,>AGON1 ,COLONEL ,VILLALBA1 ,DEL ,B>RIO1 ,ANTONIO ,ORTIZ1 ,JOSE ,ROVIRA1 ,DURRUTI1 & ,P]EZ ,SALAS4 ,?IS LI/ ( NAMES MAKES IT CLE> ?AT !Y W\LD HAVE TO CONFRONT ! DISPUTE BETWE5 ,VILLALBA-,DEL ,B>RIO & ,DURRUTI-,ORTIZ4 

,COLONEL ,DIAZ ,S&9O BEGAN BY COMM5T+ ON ! GRAVE DANG]S ?REAT5+ ,MADRID AFT] ! LOSS ( ,SAN ,M>T9 DE ,VALDEIGLESIAS1 ,SIGU5ZA1 & ,NAVAS DEL ,M>QUES4 ,! REBEL ADVANCE ON ! ,SPANI% CAPITAL HAD COMPELL$ ! GOV]NM5T TO MOBILIZE ! #aicb & #aicc CONSCRIPTS & TO MILIT>IZE ! MILITIAS1 HE SAID4 ,S&9O FELT ?AT IT WAS NECESS>Y TO /R5G!N DISCIPL9E ON ! FRONT & UNIFY MILIT>Y LEAD]%IP BY CREAT+ A ,G5]AL ,/AFF4 ,AIR =CE ,COMM&] ,REYES W\LD LEAD ! BODY & ,COLUMNS LEAD]S W\LD JO9 IT AS WELL4 ,DEL ,B>RIO OBJECT$ TO ?IS PLAN & SAID ?AT 0A C]TA9 SECTOR ( ! MILITIAS IS FI<T+ ,COLONEL ,VILLALBA40 ,HE WASN'T 9T]E/$ 9 CREAT+ ! ,G5]AL ,/AFF1 BUT 9 CL>IFY+ :Y ,VILLALBA WAS UND] ATTACK4 ,COLONEL ,DIAZ ,S&9O SAID ?AT IT WASN'T TIME TO TALK AB\T OLD PROBLEMS BUT RA!R TO CREATE AN ORGANIZATION ) :I* ! MILITIAS C\LD RETAKE ! POSITIONS ?AT !Y HAD LO/4 ,DEL ,B>RIO P]SI/$1 CLAIM+ ?AT HE 0C\LDN'T =GET ! PA/40 

0,Y\R POLITICAL DIFF]5CES10 ,DIAZ ,S&9O SAID1 0WILL BE RESOLV$ AFT] WE W9 ! W>4 ,:AT WE HAVE TO DO N[ IS UNIFY ! COMM&S40 ,ROVIRA1 SPEAK+ = ! ,P,\,M =CES1 /AT$ ?AT !RE >E 0V>I\S WAYS TO 9T]PRET A UNIFI$ COMM&10 & SO HIS P>TY 0)HOLDS ITS OP9ION ON ! QUE/ION40 

,DEL ,B>RIO 9SI/$ ?AT :AT !Y HAD TO ADDRESS WAS 0NOT UNIFY+ ! MILIT>Y LEAD]%IP1 BUT O!R ?+S40 

,DIAZ ,S&9O REPLIES3 0,WE WON'T A*IEVE ANY?+ IF WE DON'T ALL GO >M 9 >M4 ,!Y'LL BEAT US ) ?+S AS !Y >E4 ,WE DON'T HAVE MAT]IEL & WE'RE BURD5$ BY A S]IES ( PROBLEMS4 ,!Y'RE ORGANIZ$ & HAVE MAT]IEL4 ,IF WE DON'T UNIFY \R =CES1 !N WE MI<T AS WELL AS GO HOME & LET ! FASCI/S 5T] ,B>CELONA40 

,DEL ,B>RIO EXCLAIM$3 0,WE WON'T >GUE ANY MORE4 ,WE'LL />T ?IS1 BUT WE'LL ALSO EXPRESS \R OP9ION1 BECAUSE WE'RE ! ONES :O'LL SUFF] ! CONSEQU5CES4 ,!RE HAS ALWAYS BE5 A SPLIT BETWE5 ,B>CELONA & ! FRONT40 

,G>CIA ,OLIV] /AT$3 0,WE TRI$ TO BE AS IMP>TIAL AS POSSIBLE 9 SELECT+ ! LEAD] ( ! ,G5]AL ,/AFF4 ,Y\ W\LD HAVE SAID ?AT WE W]E PLAY+ POLITICAL GAMES IF WE'D APPO9T$ ,DURRUTI & ! SAME ?+ IF WE'D PROPOS$ ,ORTIZ4 ,HE HAS TO BE A SOLDI] :O HAS DI/+UI%$ HIMSELF ON ! FRONT4 ,IT C\LD HAVE BE5 ,VILLALBA1 BUT ALL Y\R QU>REL+ DISQUALIFI$ HIM4 ,SO1 WE S\<T A MAN :O SEEMS TO HAVE ALL ! MORAL & PRACTICAL CAPACITIES4444 ,BUT IF HE'S ACCEPT$ ) RES]VATIONS1 !N ,I WON'T %\LD] ! RESPONSIBILITY & ,I'LL RESIGN40 

,DEL ,B>RIO RESPOND$3 0,!RE IS A HO/ILE 5VIRONM5T444 ,P>T ( ! FRONT IS FI<T+ AGA9/ ,COLONEL ,VILLALBA40 

,ORTIZ3 0,I'LL BE FRANK3 ,I'M AN AN>*I/ & ,I ?9K WE'LL TAKE ?+S AS F> AS WE CAN4 ,BUT1 UNTIL !N1 WE WON'T >GUE & WE'LL PROCE$ HONORABLY4 ,EV]Y?+ ?AT IS ORD]$ ( ME ,I WILL DO1 DO1 & HAVE DONE4 

,DURRUTI /AT$ ! FOLL[+3 0,I'VE COME TO A CONCLUSION4 ,B>BA/RO IS ! WOR/ ( ! ,>AGON FRONT1 :]E !RE >E 5DLESS CONFLICTS4 ,IT'S A NE/ ( 9TRIGUES4444 ,?9K AB\T ! SITUATION4 ,!Y'VE ALREADY MOV$ =CES T[>D US FROM ! NOR?1 JU/ LIKE !Y'RE MOV+ =CES FROM O!R SECTORS ON ! ,>AGON FRONT4 ,I CAN SEE !M ALMO/ ONE HUNDR$ MET]S 9 FRONT ( US4 ,!RE >E AN 5ORM\S NUMB] ( PEOPLE !RE & WE'RE WAIT+ = !M TO GIVE US A PU%4 ,IF Y\ W]E TO ASK ME H[ WE DEF5D$ ,F>LETE & ,MONEGRILLO ! O!R DAY1 ,I C\LD ONLY SAY ?AT WE DID SO AS WELL AS WE C\LD4 ,I CAN SEE ! MOM5T ?AT WE TOOK (F RUNN+ T[>D ,FRAGA & LO/ ?OSE TWO POSITIONS4 ,?IS HAS TO 5D4 ,IT'S NECESS>Y TO CL>IFY ! PROBLEMS 9 ,B>BA/RO SO ?AT CONFID5CE ON ! FRONT IS RE/OR$40 

,!N ,DEL ,B>RIO COMM5T$3 0,! O!R DAY1 9 ! ,COLONEL'S ABS5CE1 ,I TOOK ! P[] ?AT ,I BELIEVE ,I POSSESS AS A MEMB] ( ! ,W> ,COMMITTEE TO S5D TW5TY-FIVE C>AB9]OS TO ,GRAUS1 ) AN ORD] TO >RE/ ! :OLE VILLAGE C\NCIL4 ,& IF WE HADN'T1 ! ,C,N,T M5 W\LD HAVE %OT SEV5TE5 M5 ?AT W]E NOT ALL ,SOCIALI/S1 BUT ,REPUBLICANS 9 !IR MAJORITY4 ,UN=TUNATELY ! C>AB9]OS DIDN'T C>RY \T ! ORD]1 BUT ?AT WAS ! ORD]1 :I* ,I SIGN$4 ,I DIDN'T S5D ! ,CIVIL ,GU>D BECAUSE ,I DIDN'T WANT TO HE> TALK AB\T ! ,CIVIL ,GU>D FI<T+ ! PEOPLE AGA944440 

,COLONEL ,VILLALBA 9T]V5$3 0,SOME?+ REMA9S 9 ! AIR1 A *>GE44440 

,DURRUTI /AT$3 0,! SOLDI]S %\LD BE ADVIS]S1 REAL ADVIS]S1 & Y\ %\LDN'T MIX Y\RSELF UP ) $ICTS4 ,?AT %\LD BE ! RESPONSIBILITY ( ! ,COLUMN LEAD]S4444 0 

,DEL ,B>RIO3 0,! PEOPLE LOVE ! SOLDI]S & !Y'RE ) US4 ,!Y DEMON/RAT$ ?IS :5 ,I SPOKE AB\T ,COLONEL ,VILLALBA AT ! RALLY2 ! PEOPLE ROSE UP & *E]$ HIM40 

,DURRUTI3 0,AS F> AS DECREES & $ICTS >E CONC]N$1 ! PEOPLE NEV] PUT UP ) SOLDI]S4 ,:5 A SOLID] SIGNS A DECREE OR $ICT1 IT MAY BE EFFECTIVE BUT IT IMM$IATELY RAISES SUSPICIONS4 ,!Y'RE LOV$ BECAUSE !Y'RE FI<T+1 NO?+ MORE40 

,DEL ,B>RIO3 0,I'VE /AT$ MY RES]VATIONS ) RESPECT TO ! UNIFI$ COMM&4 ,I WILL /ATE !M TO MY P>TY & DO :AT IT ORD]S44440 

,ORTIZ3 0,AS F> AS ,I'M CONC]N$1 SU* RES]VATIONS >E DI%ONE/40 

,DURRUTI3 0,! RES]VATION IS 9ADMISSIBLE4 ,WE DIDN'T HAVE ANY RES]VATION4 ,A GOV]NM5T WAS =M$ 9 ,MADRID & WE W5T TO FI<T )\T WORRY+ IF IT WAS SOCIALI/4 ,& IF Y\ N[ COME & TELL US1 'H]E1 !RE'S A RES]VATION1' WE WON'T LET Y\ GET AWAY ) IT4 ,UND] !SE CONDITIONS1 SU* RES]VES >E A FALSEHOOD4440 

,G>CIA ,OLIV]1 SPEAK+ TO ,DEL ,B>RIO3 0,:AT DO ?9K AB\T UNIFY+ ! COMM&S80 

,DEL ,B>RIO3 0,I'VE ALWAYS SUPPORT$ A UNIFI$ COMM& BUT1 DUE AN E>LI] SITUATION1 ! UNIFI$ COMM& BE+ =M$ ISN'T NORMAL40 

,G>CIA ,OLIV]3 0,I'VE RESI/$ ! UNIFI$ COMM& ON ! FRONT MORE ?AN ANYONE & ,S&9O KN[S :Y4 ,!RE'S ALWAYS A PROBLEM ) ! UNIFI$ COMM&1 :I* IS ?AT SOMEONE HAS TO GIVE ! ORD]S4 ,SOME?+ IS HAPP5+ 9 ?IS W> & ?AT'S ?AT ! FASCI/S1 :5 !Y'RE ATTACK$ 9 ! CITIES1 PUT UP ) A LOT4 ,\R PEOPLE DON'T PUT UP ) ANY?+4 ,! REBELS SURR\ND A CITY & TAKE IT AFT] TWO DAYS2 WE SURR\ND IT & SP5D A LIFETIME !RE4 ,N[ A POSITION HAS BE5 AB&ON$1 ,LEC95A1 BUT ?AT CAN'T HAPP5 AGA94 ,NO ONE CAN AB&ON AN OCCUPI$ POSITION JU/ LIKE ?AT4 ,TO AB&ON A TR5* :5 IT'S ATTACK$444 0 

,ROVIRA3 0,WE AB&ON$ ! T[N BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE AMMUNITION4 ,WE W]E 9COMMUNICADO40 

,G>CIA ,OLIV]3 0,IT'S NOT JU/ A QUE/ION ( ,LEC95A4 ,?AT'S AN EXAMPLE4 ,( C\RSE A CITY OR T[N DEF5D !MSELVES1 BECAUSE O!RWISE ?IS W\LD BE LIKE ,MADRID1 & WE'D F9D !M 9 \R HOMES AFT] A S]IES ( PU%ES4 ,N[1 ) A UNIFI$ COMM&1 IF A CITY IS 5GAG$1 IT DOESN'T HAVE TO GIVE UP4 ,!Y CAN S5D 9 RE9=CEM5TS FROM :]EV]4 ,ALL ! COMM&]S HAVE TO DO IS CALL O!R =CES40.<#f#e.> 

,:AT /&S \T 9 ! SUMM>Y ( ?IS MEET+ IS ! CONFLICT BETWE5 ! ,P,S,U,C & ! ,C,N,T1 A RIVALRY ?AT WEAK5$ ! MILITIAS' CAPACITY TO FI<T ! W> & L>GELY EXPLA9S ! 9ACTIVITY ON ! ,>AGON FRONT4 ,VILLALBA & ! ,P,S,U,C =CES /OOD ALO( FROM ACTIONS >\ND ,HUESCA & ,DEL ,B>RIO'S TROOPS--AL?\< !Y W]E ONLY A FEW KILOMET]S AWAY--EV5 LET ! FASCI/S TAKE ,LEC95A1 BECAUSE IT WAS ! ,P,\,M'S RESPONSIBILITY4 ,DEL ,B>RIO'S OPPOSITION TO ! CREATION ( A UNIFI$ ,G5]AL ,/AFF ?AT W\LD TAKE CONTROL ( ! 5TIRE ,>AGON FRONT CONTRA/$ ) ! ,P,S,U,C PRESS'S VOCIF]\S ADVOCACY = ! >MY & A 0S+LE COMM&40 

,GIV5 !SE EV5TS1 ! WISDOM ( ! ,BUJ>ALOZ ASSEMBLY'S DECISION TO =M ! ,>AGON ,DEF5SE ,C\NCIL 9 ORD] TO 5D ! 0MEXICANIZATION0 ( ! W> BECOMES EV5 MORE PRON\NC$4 

,FROM 3 ,!,AN>*I/,LIBR>Y4ORG4 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
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,JANU>Y #a#g1 #bbb 3 ,P>T #c1 ,*APT] #ae -- ,UPDAT$4 

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