14 MAY 1937, Page 2

Revolt in Barcelona The fighting which broke out in Barcelona

last week between the Catalan Government and the Anarchists is reported to be largely due to the efforts of the Trotskyist P.O.U.M. (Partido Obrero de Unificacion Marxista) ; their object was to resist the disarming of the Anarchists by the Government, which would thus have effectively prevented any attempt to complete the social revolution in the middle of the Civil War. The Government's action provoked what it was meant to make impossible. Fortunately for it, though the fighting was fierce and the Anarchists at one moment appeared to have won control of Barcelona, order was restored by Sunday, but, in one respect at least the insurrection seems to have attained its objective, as the Anarchists are still in possession of their arms and are capable of renewing their suicidal policy at a favourable moment. It is possible, however, that the revolt may have one good result for the Govern- ment. Victory was finally ensured by the arrival of 6,000 troops despatched from Valencia under General Pozas. It is his intention to disarm the Anarchists ; and it is possible that, in return for such services, and for the greater security ensured to their Government, the Catalans may be induced to give more active support to the prosecution of the war.

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