| 122, Regent’s Park Road. N. W.
19/4/71.

Dear Eccarius,

The following about the strike of the Barcelona people, which I set down in English for you, to save you trouble:

Messrs Batlló Brothers, Barcelona, own a large cotton spinning & weaving concern & employ about 900 workpeople. Not only do they pay, by far, worse wages than any other firm in the trade, but they have also continually attempted to reduce wages still more by superseding men by women & grown up people by children. Lately, they have without exception discharged all such hands as were suspected of belonging to the Trades’ union of the United Carders, Spinners & Weavers. On the 26th February a large meeting was held by the members of this Union to consider the state of things in Messrs Battló’s works. A new list of wages was unanimously adopted, which, although establishing a slight rise upon the prices hitherto paid, was still very much below the very lowest rates paid by others; and a deputation was appointed to demand the adoption of this list; while, and in case of this being refused, the people employed at the mill were to strike work. The deputation was not even received, Messrs B. refusing to receive any but a deputation from their own workmen. This being introduced, a fresh deputation submitted the new list of prices but met with a flat refusal. The whole of the workpeople at once struck, with the exception of about 25, most of whom have since joined the strike. This took place on the 27th February, & consequently, the hands have now been on strike for nearly nine weeks, and the funds at the disposal of the Union are beginning to run low. The remaining branches of the International in Spain are doing their best to collect money for them, but they have just now a good many strikes to support. Not to mention minor affairs, the Coopers of Santander and the Tanners of Valencia are on strike because their masters insist upon their giving up their Trade’s Unions as well as the International; and thus, there are altogether some 1500 men out at present in Spain whom the various branches of the International there have to support.

Barcelona and neighbourhood are the South Lancashire of Spain; there are large & numerous cotton spinning & weaving establishments there & the greater part of the population of this district lives upon the cotton trade. They have lately suffered much from the competition of English yarns & it would make a particularly good impression in Spain if the Lancashire cotton trade could do something in favour of the Cotton Spinners & Powerloom Weavers of Spain.

The active & intimate commercial relations between the different countries of the world have led to this, that every event taking place affecting society in one country necessarily produces its effects upon all other countries; and it would not at all be astonishing if a general reduction of wages in the Spanish cotton trade (such as appears inevitable if this strike be unsuccessful) should in the long run contribute to keep wages low in South Lancashire also.

(The form of contribution – donation or loan – is to be left to the people. The Council could act as intermediary for the sending, or they can send it direct, the address is at their disposal.)

Best greetings,
Your
F. E.