SPAIN has kept the greater part of her artistic treasures intact, notwith-
standing it having been repeatedly said that they had been destroyed by
the Revolution. Small information has been given with regard to what the
Government of the Republic and the Autonomic Governments of Catalonia
and the Basque Regions, as well as the people themselves, the very people of
The Revolutionary Sections have done to protect their National Monuments
and artistic treasures.
The Spanish Republic had warmly initiated a crusade in behalf of Culture
And in this reforming policy, the defense of her artistic patrimony and its
appraisement, her archaeological excavations, the restoration of her historical
monuments and the creating and conditioning of her Museums were placed
foremost.
It is true that during the first days of the military rebelion, as well as du-
ring the Civil War, some of the monuments have suffered or have been irre-
trievably destroyed. But Who is to blame? It was certainly not the Common
People, not even the most advanced parties who ordered the burning and des-
troying of them. Their Militants often prevented the fires from consuming the
artistic wealth at the risk of their lives. It is those who, on July 19th., took 
shelter in the churches and historical monuments, turning them into trenched
reducts against the people and who, with extraordinary tenacity, bombed the
National Picture Gallery, (El Prado) and other monuments in Madrid, are to
blame.
In the very midst of our terrible tragedy, during the most painful days of
a passion, all kinds of efforts have been made and have succeeded in saving our
Treasures of Art while the Governments and the people endeavour to maintain
an uninterrupted life of spirit.
It is to be hoped that one day, Spain, our country of innumerable heroic
and liberal people will be able to live a new era of peace and work, when she
will proudly prove to the whole world, that with all her misfortunes she has
not forgotten what constitutes a precious deposit of Civilisation and Humanity.
Rector of the Barcelona University, Director of the Excavation
and Archaeology Section in the Service of the Patrimony of
Art, History and Science of the Generalitat of Catalonia.