Canadian Trades and Labor Congress raised its voice. In a resolution 
passed unanimously it voted: 

“That this congress wishes to express to the workers of Spain our appreciation 
of their splendid fight in defense of their liberties and especially of their democratic 
institutions and government, constitutionally elected, and that this congress places 
itself further on record in the interests of international solidarity as expressing to 
the Spanish Workers our sincere interest in their struggle and extends to them our 
whole hearted support in the fight for justice, freedom and peace and our hopes for 
an early and victorious finish.” 

Later in September the Canadian unemployed in the city of Winni- 
peg, 1000 in number, asked Premier King to provide for their transport- 
ation to Spain. 

“Today we are idle men”, their petition read. “We do not want history to record 
that we remained idle men when International Fascism hammered humanity with 
blows that struck at the very roots of civilization.” 

From Toronto and Montreal, from Victoria, British Columbia, Nova 
Scotia, from every part of Canada, came employed and unemployed; 
lumberjacks and professionals; Catholics and those of other faiths. The 
first groups arrived in early February and joined the Lincoln Battalion. 
Later, their numbers were augmented until they reached full Battalion 
strength. In the Autumn of 1937, the Canadian Mac Kenzie-Papineau 
Battalion was incorporated in the XV Brigade. 

The Irish Unit 

Ireland, as was expected, contributed its share early. As far back 
as September Irishmen were fighting in a Centuria on the Aragon Front, 
and later in the Thaelmann and Dumont columns. In December a large 
contingent arrived and served on the Cordova and Madrid fronts. In 
January, the survivors of these formations and new arrivals were in- 
corporated in the XV Brigade. They were commanded by Frank Ryan. 
They came primarily to fight International Fascism. They had 
added incentive in that O’Duffy, traitor ex-General, had induced a body 
of Irishmen to help the Fascist Generals of Spain “in defence of Christ- 
ianity!” 
The First Irish Section led by “Kit” Conway, fought in the Sixteenth 
Battalion; the Second Section, led by Eddie Flaherty, composed mainly 
of Irish exiles, and Irish-Americans, reinforced the Lincoln Battalion. 

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