THE IN TERV IE W
DR. WARD: Since there are many misunderstandings in our coun- tries, we shall ask some questions which may seem to you self~evident, but which none the less are needed. . . . First, your new cabinet, established a few days ago, with Caballero at its head,—is it a "red government,” or a "people’s government”?
There were strong movements of dissent to the term “red government," a scornful shrug from La Passionaria, and finally an answer phrased by
DOMINGO: As president of the Left Republican Party I think very highly of Caballerds cabinet, which like all those preceding it since February 16, 1936. is a People's Front Government. Its significance is neither socialist nor communist, but democratic. It contains for the first time socialists and communists, as well as re- publicans, because it was necessary in the interests of strengthening our defense that all those parties which are contributing strength to fight for the Republic should take part in its deliberation. . . . The parties of the People's Front form an indivisible whole, with but one present aim: to save the Republic and our republican laws.
» ' Program of People's Front
DR. WARD: What is the program of the People’s Front and what have they done for the people?
VARIOUS MEMBERS: The agrarian reform, giving the peasants
a chance to secure land . . .
Many reforms in justice and legal procedure, making justice speedier and simpler for the people.
The school reform . . .
We re-established the social legislation of the first government of the Republic in 1931, which was sabotaged by the reaction- aries during the past four years . . .
Catalonia was given autonomy . . .
And the Basques . . . autonomy began to be drafted for them also . . .
Laws reduced the excessive land-rents . . .
The law of separation between church and state, which had been passed by the Republic, then corrupted and sabotaged by the rea-ctionaries in 1932-35, was again enforced; the schools were freed from church domination . . .
Small traders and proprietors were protected . . .
Above all, there was amnesty for political prisoners. They were freed, to the number of thousands . . .
MR. MacLEOD: What was this law of rents?
LA PASSIONARIA, with vehement gesture: the landlords made it very high, the government made it very low . . .