Mass Arrests M Spain

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The sharpening repression by the Arias regime completely failed to stop massive mobilisations of the working class against Francoism on May 1st. The regime had banned all demonstrations and arrested hundreds of potential leaders in their attempt to prevent them.

In Madrid two demonstrations were organised; one was a march through the streets led by the ORT and other groups to the left. of the Communist Party; the other was a 'peaceful' meeting in a park on the outskirts of Madrid led by the CP dominated Workers' Commissions, the Socialist UGT and the third union federation, the USO.

There was some danger that the CP and Socialist party leaders would be intimidated by the regime's determination to stop the demonstrations, as they had been two weeks earlier when they withdrew support at the last moment from the demonstrations in Pamplona to celebrate the Basque national day, Aberri Eguna. But this time they realised that tens of thousands of workers would not be stopped from showing their anger against the brutality and hypocrisy of the regime.

FEROCITY

In the event the regime made no distinction between street marches and "peaceful' demonstrations in parks. It attacked them both with equal ferocity, using baton charges by mounted police, rubber bullets and tear gas. In Madrid and - Barcelona where the demonstrations were largest they arrested hundreds of demonstrators.

These events follow a month during which the regimes only policy has been the arrest of political and trade union leaders throughout Spain. Among those reported arrested are about 200 alleged members of the Euskadi nationalist organisation ETA V; Marcelino Camacho of the Communist Party and Workers' Commissions who, along with leaders of the Labour Party (PTE) and the Communist Movement (MCE). faces charges liable to 30 year prison sentences; prominent CP member Ramon Tamames who with other alleged organisers of a demonstration on April 4th was fined and then imprisoned for non-payment.

During those demonstrations the regime indulged in mass arrests of demonstrators, as on May 1st, and in the Aberri Eguna demonstrations, where one militant on the way to Pamplona was shot dead at a police roadblock.

Even the reported arrests in the last month amount to more than 1,000.

The regime has now more or less abandoned all pretence at the long-promised 'reforms' . A speech by Arias on April 29th promised a referendum in October to approve the monarchy and to vote on a new "parliament' of two houses.

One would be appointed by the regime as a watchdog to maintain the line of Franco's national movement.

The other would be elected by 'universal suffrage' which Aria: did not define but probably means giving the vote to 'heads ol families' Even then the governmem would still be appointed by the head of state and not depend or parliamentary majorities. The speech was welcomed by ultr right leader General Inestia, the former head of the Civil Guard.

In addition, 'reformist' Interior Minister Fraga, directly, respon sible for most of the growing wave of repression, has been publicis supported by the right-wing ter rorist group, the Guerillas o Christ the King.

The wholesale repression ha extended even to the Socialis Party (POSE) and its trade union organisation the UGT, four o whose leaders have been senten Continued on back page, column:

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INTERMAN ONAL DELS