—3—

In Madrid I see people still living in districts bombed again and again. I
am impressed by the demonstration of comradeship and trust exhibited by every one.
As the Government troops advance they strengthen their supports and are better prepared to defend Madrid than before.

I have seen the making and preparing of armoured cars. I have seen and talked
with the Railway men who are operating the armoured trains. I have also seen the Educational work which is being carried on in the training schools of the various battalions. This last year hundreds of young men have learned to read and write
in the army and are preparing for a nobler citizenship when the war is over.

As I leave the Railway men in their armoured train they shout 'Salud Long Live
the Spanish Republic." This spirit can never be broken. I am confident they will
win.

THE FASCISTS CLOSE SCHOOLS WHILE THE REPUBLICANS OPEN NEW ONES

The so-called "Bulletin of State" published in Burgos, on September 5th
contained a decree by which the following national and elementary schools were to
be closed October 1st.——Astorga, La Toja, La Estrada etc., etc., 31 in all.
In the preamble of the decreee it is stated the war is costing a lot of money and
as expensed must be reduced it was thought advisable to enforce these cuts in the _ Department of Education.

Almost on the same day there appeared in the "Gaceta de la Republica" a
decree calling for the establishment in Barcelona, Valencia and Madrid of six-
monthly courses of intensive preparation in subjects of general education.

In the midst of a civil and international struggle, in a time when it is
defending its territory inch by inch against internal traitors and foreign invaders,
the Republic does not for a moment neglect educational problems. Schools are run
for the soldiers on all the fronts. The moment a new village is captured, teachers
are sent and school buildings are restored. Not one single educational establish-
ment has been closed. On the contrary many new ones have been opened. For the Republic knows that battles are won not only by forece of arms, but equally by
awakening ideas and sowing knowledge in the brains of the young and illiterate.

On the 12th of October last year, known as the "Festival of the Race"
General Millan Astray stood on the steps of the University of Salamanca and cried
"Down with intelligence!" Yes. The Fascists hate intellect. They hate books and
science: They hate the Universities and the kindergartens. They suppress schools,
but the number of gaming houses and taverns is greater than ever.

TOUR OF THE LORDS

Major and Mrs. Lord are new completing their tour of Canada. Coming East
from Vancouver, Edmonton and Calgary they held meetings at Fort William, Port
Arthur, Sault Ste Marie arriving in Toronto in time for the meeting in Western
Ontario. On Sunday November 21st they spoke in the City Hall in Kitchener ac-
companied by the Chairman Rev. B.H. Spence and Rev. W.B. Smith. On Monday they were
with Mr. J. M. Connor in Galt, on Tuesday in Guelph. On Wednesday they joined. Rev.
Mr. Smith in London and with him hold a meeting in the Technical & Commercial
Collegiate. The following day Mr. Smith took them to Stratford and on Friday to
Windsor, motoring home on Saturday for two meetings in Toronto November 28th. One
hold in the Davenport United Church and the other in Kingston Rd. United Church.

THE FILM

At the same time the film was being used to good advantage, being shown in
Brantford Sunday November 21st, Tillsonburg the 22nd, Delhi the 23rd, Simcoe the
24th, Ingersoll the 25th and Woodstock the 26th.

Mr. Smith reports a most enthusiastic meeting at Delhi. The Grotto Hall was
crowded to its utmost capacity and the people, especially our friends from Europe,
were most enthusiastic. Cash subscriptions amounted to over $60.00 which when
added to premises reached a total of nearly $100.00

In Windsor we have a most faithful and energetic Committee. Although the
meeting was not adequately advertised owing to some delay in receiving the bills,
the Patterson Collegiate was fairly well filled and over $100.00 contributed.

EXECUTIVE MEETINGS

Two meetings of the Executive have been held since the Conference. One on
November 10th and another November 25th. The minutes of the former have been sent
to the various organizations.