Introduction

I HAVE been asked to write an introduction to this pamphlet

on the boys in Spain. It has been written on the basis of some of the boys’ letters and their diaries. But something must be told about the Mackenzie»Papineau Battalion and this pamphlet is serving that need. However, I find that an in» troduction has already been written. Perhaps not to this pamphlet but, in any event, to any story of our boys in Spain. It was written by Reverend Salem Bland in the Toronto Star. He wrote: I

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. . now Canada is called upon to honor men who have shown a devotion that goes beyond even the purest patriotism, a devotion that has known none of the comforting and strengthening incitements and encouragements that have so much to do with impelling men to war, a devotion which proves them comrades to that young colonel whose effigy be’

side the Boston common will for generations after war has been

forgotten in the warless page that is near, as a horrible night’

T mare becomes vague in the sunlight and gladness of the follow»

ing day, strengthen men for the hard tasks that in every: age will continue to summon them.

“On the whole, therefore, I cannot but feel that the noblest thing in Canadian history is that, as I am informed,

some five hundred Canadians have gone to Spain to help the:

Spanish patriots e in" their desperate struggle for liberty and dear mocracy.

“There was between, Canadians and the people of Spain‘ no ancient friendship. Canadians knew, perhaps, less about them than about any of the major peoples of Europe, and what they did know was mostly of savage hostilities in a far past.

“It was enough for these Canadians that here were people who were trying to shake off old tyrannies that were now, with the help of merciless fascist powers, trying to stamp them

.._..“X..._.