Anarchism in Spain / Letter from Marie Le Compte [1885]

Anarchism in Spain 

Translation of a letter from Companion Séverin Fèraud of the Group ‘Le Paysan Révolté,’ of Martigues, delegate of several different groups to the Congress. 

Barcelona, July 24, 1885.

Companion Le Compte and companions of the group ‘Union of Peoples’ of Marseilles:–

I hasten to announce my arrival in Barcelona at four o’clock last evening. Since then I have been domiciled with our good and valiant companion Vanonci, who, by virtue of your letter, has received me like a brother, and who charges me to convey to you all his Anarchist affection. 

And now I must tell you that I am the first International delegate arrived. To-day and to-morrow others will arrive. As to the native delegations they have been here for several days past from all parts of Spain, for the Regional Congress is being held here. The delegates are numerous and Anarchists abound – one counts them by the thousand. The Spanish Federation is very numerous and powerful. It is admirably organized, a thousand times better than we are in France, and revolutionary solidarity exists in the very largest sense. 

As announced we will commence the Cosmopolitan Congress on Sunday the 26th inst. The Session will be stormy as the agitation is great. One can see beforehand that the Spanish companions will not fail in this effort to make themselves universally understood. 

For the rest, the Police is on our track. It is leading us a continual chase. The Spanish Companions who are publicly known are the most persistently hunted. All have quitted their domiciles and are disguised and concealed in the city. Their domiciles are invaded every moment by the Police. This shews that the Congress will be held in secret, and even with this precaution we do not expect to get through without imprisonment. Never has there been in Spain an equal governmental persecution of revolutionists. In case I am arrested, one or other of the Companions will notify you. If I am still at large on Monday or Tuesday next you will have a communication informing you of the opening of the Congress. 

Excuse me that I serve myself with the same letter to announce my arrival and make my report of the situation. In fact I am over-charged in visiting the Groups and giving them a general view of our Anarchist-Communist ideas. (I have been received everywhere with great good feeling : they are exceedingly good comrades these Spanish companions.) Besides, I am overpowered by the heat, and since I left you I have passed my nights writing to prepare myself to express more definitely our respective ideas at the congress. 

Receive the assurance of my devotion to the Anarchist cause. I clasp your revolutionary hands in signing myself all for Anarchy and for you, 

Severin Feraud.

This later letter from Miss Le Compte explains itself. 

Marseille, Aug. 4th. 

Companion Seymour, 

Yours received. Will answer other points later, now, as there is so little time before you go to press. I will speak only of the Congress. I went to see Companion Fèraud in quarantine off Marseille. At the distance we were allowed to communicate, with double rows of iron bars between us, and with a mixed company present the ‘interviewing’ didn’t amount to much. There were mouchards present of course, as he was signalled as an Anarchist on board the ‘Braila,’ on which he arrived from Spain. In Spain he was arrested and examined as to what he was there for. He mentioned that he was there on his own business. As he had no papers on his person showing the extended sense in which he regarded his ‘own business,’ he was released. That was before the opening of the Congress. During the Congress he sent us a full Report of the principal sittings in two instalments. THESE LETTERS NEVER REACHED US That is why Reports have not been sent before this to the ‘Anarchist.’ After the farce of quarantine is over, Companion Fèraud will give an account of his mandats before the group ‘Union of Peoples’ which I will faithfully report for you. The whole situation in Spain – as I caught vistas of it through the bars of the quarantine – is full of interest and the unexpected may be expected to take place there anyday. I will not anticipate his report by repeating here the judgment formed by Companion Fèraud of the Spanish Federation, nor of the Committee of the Congress. For my own part I think it is too severe. His own nature, energetic and full of individual initiative, is in antagonism with every kind of ‘institution’ from the moment of contact. ‘I might have known it would be so from principle’ he said ‘without waiting to realize it in fact, but the revolutionary solidarity of the Spanish Companions made this seem an exception. One can never state strongly enough or praise highly enough, the revolutionary solidarity of Spain – it is a lesson to the whole world.’ 

Yours, Le Compte.

From The Anarchist, Aug. 15, 1885.