Text of a radio message from Durruti to fighters on the Aragon Front during the build up for a planned offensive on Zaragoza in the late summer of 1936.

‘Fascism Should Not Be Discussed, But Destroyed’ by Buenaventura Durruti from Spanish Revolution (United Libertarian Organizations New York). Vol. 1 No 4. October 19, 1936.

“Fascism should not be discussed but destroyed,” said Comrade Buenaventura Durruti in a speech addressed to the whole of Spain and broadcast from one of the transmitting stations installed in the Aragon front.

Workers of all Spain! From a distance of 28 kilometers from Zaragoza I send my greetings to the workingmen of Catalonia and of all Spain. We are very near our goal. If we do not attack now, it is because we are waiting to see the results of the efforts of other columns also commanded by comrades. When everything is in readiness, in accordance with our general plan, we will attack Zaragoza.

You should not conclude from the above, however, that we limit ourselves to waiting. Last night we crossed to the other side of the Ebro river and we captured the entire first squadron of the 9th Castillejos regiment of cavalry.

At 7 o’clock in the evening our artillery began an intense bombardment of a house in which the general headquarters of the Fuentes de Ebro sector was located. Simultaneously, our infantry militia forded the river and captured several machine guns. Then, our men continued the attack and forcing their way forward with hand grenades, they reached the house just at the moment when the officers were trying to flee. They succeeded in killing all of them. There were, among these officers, one captain, two lieutenants, and several sergeants.

The soldiers came to us shouting: “Brothers, please do not kill us!” and with smiling faces surrendered to our militiamen, to those who are struggling to create a free Spain, a generous Spain, a productive Spain. These soldiers told us that the Fascists claim that we are murderers. But no one is able or will ever be able to say specifically which are our crimes. No town has been shelled by us. On the other hand, when we shell a military objective, they retaliate by shelling towns which they know are inhabited by women, children and old men.

They also claim that all soldiers captured have to join our columns or else are immediately shot. But no one can say that the deserters are not well received. When they join our column they become one of ours, another militia man, just like myself.

Fascists of Zaragoza! The soldiers which you say we are shooting are now eating with us and sleeping in our beds. Why do you force the soldiers to fight by pointing your pistols at them? Why do you disarm them? Why do you tell them that we burn the feet of the deserters who come to us? You are fighting with lies; but you are wrong if you think that victory will be yours!

In Spain there are two responsible organizations which no one will be able to crush: The C.N.T. in Barcelona and the U.G.T. in Madrid, Bilboa, etc. They will fight for liberty and justice.

We are going to crush Fascism! We have promised it and we will keep our promise, as we have always done. The C.N.T. of today is superior to the C.N.T. which you used to know. We now represent the men in the factories and the men in the streets.

We are fighting to have a Spain that will not be the private property of a few dictatorial generals representing capitalism.

The workingmen have awakened and will crush Fascism with their arms. Then, the C.N.T., the U.G.T. and the Popular Front, if possible, will get together and will come to an understanding.

We are not fighting to win medals and stripes. We are not trying to win a seat in a Congress or in a Ministry. When we have won, we will return to the factories and to the shops from which we came. And in the factories, in the fields and in the mines will be the real army which will protect Spain.

Like the peasants, we are now beginning to sow. And like the peasants we are suffering terrific storms which may destroy our crops. But in spite of these storms the continuous shelling and bombing by guns and by Italian and German planes–we claim that our crops are safe and we will not fail to harvest them. The crops will belong to all of us, not to a Durruti, a Garcia Oliver, a Largo Caballero, a Companys or an Azaña. The crops will be harvested by everybody and everyone will have his share.

Workingmen of Spain, be brave! If there was ever a moment when it was necessary to risk our lives, this is it. Workingmen, be optimistic! We are led by an ideal!

Forward against Fascism!

Fascism should not be discussed. It should be destroyed!

Salute, comrades!

Spanish Revolution (not to be confused with the POUM supporters’ paper of the same name, time, and look) was the English-language twice monthly journal of the United Libertarian Organizations (ULO) from 1936 until 1938. The paper was initiated by Spanish C.N.T. delegates in New York City to support the anti-fascist revolutionary syndicalists of Spain. Editorship was collective, with the ULO including the Jewish Anarchist Federation (Freie Arbeiter Stimme), the Russian Federation (Dielo Trouda), the Vanguard group, several IWW locals, a Spanish language federation (Cultura Proletaria), and Carlo Tresca’s Il Martello.

PDF of full issue: https://www.marxists.org/history/spain/spanishrevolution/v1n04-oct-19-1936-span-rev-nyc.pdf