Miguel de Unamuno's Reply to Millán Astray

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Cemagu Blaufuchs
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Miguel de Unamuno's Reply to Millán Astray

#1

Post by Cemagu Blaufuchs » 11 May 2003, 18:05

Hi all,

On 12 October 1936, Spanish writer Miguel de Unamuno, then director of the University to Salamanca, gave a stinging reply to a brutal harangue by General Millán Astray, the crippled founder of the Spanish Foreign Legion.

What he said is translated into English like this:
Much has been said here about the international war in defence of Christian civilization; I have done the same myself on other occasions. But no, our war is only an uncivil war. To win is not to convince, and it is necessary to convince and that cannot be done by the hatred which has no place for compassion. There has been talk too of Catalans and Basques, calling them the anti-Spain. Well, with the same justification could they say the same of you. Here is the Bishop, himself a Catalan, who teaches you Christian doctrine which you don't want to learn. And I, who am a Basque, I have spent my life teaching you the Spanish language, which you do not know.
General Millan Astray is a war invalid. It is not necessary to say this in a whisper. Cervantes was too. But extremes cannot be taken as the norm. Unfortunately, today there are too many invalids. And soon there will be more if God does not help us. It pains me to think that General Millan Astray might dictate the norms of mass psychology. An invalid who lacks the spiritual grandeur of Cervantes, who was a man, not a superman, virile and complete despite his mutilations, an invalid, as I said, who lacks that superiority of spirit, is often made to feel better by seeing the number of cripples around him grow. General Millan Astray would like to create a new Spain in his own image, a negative creation without doubt. And so he would like to see a mutilated Spain
You will win but you will not convince. You will win because you have more than enough brute force; but you will not convince, because to convince means to persuade. And to persuade you need something that you lack: reason and right in the struggle. It seems to me useless to beg you to think of Spain.
From the site:
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/SPastray.htm

Could any of you please post the original Spanish text of the reply, or tell me where I can find it?

Thanks!

Cemagu

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Javier Acuña
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#2

Post by Javier Acuña » 12 May 2003, 05:31

Hi
I found a quite different version in spanish of the speech above, it can be seen here: http://es.geocities.com/dfsandin/Miguel.htm.In that website it's the ful story about the speech, I can translate it from spanish to english (as well as this version of Unamuno's speech) if you need it translated next week once I'm over some exams at my university.
I can't asure that that website is reliable, I'm kind of busy now but as soon as I find some spare time I'll check that out.

the text:
Estáis esperando mis palabras. Me conocéis bien, y sabéis que soy incapaz de permanecer en silencio. No aprendí hacerlo en los setenta y tres años de mi vida. Y ahora no quiero aprenderlo. A veces, quedarse callado equivale a mentir. Porque el silencio puede ser interpretado como aquiescencia. Quiero hacer algunos comentarios al discurso -por llamarlo de algún modo- del general Millán Astray que se encuentra entre nosotros. Dejaré de lado la ofensa personal que supone su repentina explosión contra vascos y catalanes. Yo mismo, como sabéis, nací en Bilbao. El obispo, lo quiera o no, es catalán, nacido en Barcelona

Pero ahora acabo de oír el necrófilo e insensato grito Viva la muerte y yo, que he pasado mi vida componiendo paradojas que excitaban la ira de algunos que no las comprendían, he de deciros, como experto en la materia, que esta ridícula paradoja me parece repelente. El general Millán Astray es un inválido. No es preciso que digamos esto con un tono más bajo. Es un inválido de guerra. También lo fue Cervantes. Pero desgraciadamente en España hay actualmente demasiados mutilados y, si Dios no nos ayuda, pronto habrá muchísimos más. Me atormenta el pensar que el general Millán Astray pudiera dictar las normas de la psicología de la masa. Un mutilado que carezca de la grandeza espiritual de Cervantes, es de esperar que encuentre un terrible alivio viendo cómo se multiplican los mutilados a su alrededor

Este es el templo de la inteligencia. Y yo soy su sumo sacerdote. Estáis profanando su sagrado recinto. Venceréis porque tenéis sobrada fuerza bruta. Pero no convenceréis. Para convencer hay que persuadir. Y para persuadir necesitaríais algo que os falta: razón y derecho en la lucha. Me parece inútil el pediros que penséis en España. He dicho.
Best Regards, Javier


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#3

Post by Cemagu Blaufuchs » 12 May 2003, 23:27

Muchas gracias, Javier!

Your text of Unamuno's reply tallies with the one I have in the Portuguese translation of "The Spanish Civil War", by Hugh Thomas. Unamuno's reply impressed me very much and made me want to read one of his books. That's why I wanted to have the original Spanish text.

About the translation, I don't need one but others may be interested. I'll take care of that.

Te deseo buena suerte en los exámenes.

Un cordial saludo,

Cemagu

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Javier Acuña
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#4

Post by Javier Acuña » 20 May 2003, 03:58

De nada.

If anyone is interested in the translation please ask.

If you want to read a book of Unamuno I strongly recommend "Niebla".

Best Regards
Javier

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"The Spanish Civil War" by Hugh Thomas

#5

Post by Joseph J. Cacciotti » 23 May 2003, 18:22

I have read many books on this subject, and in my opinion "The Spanish Civil War" by Hugh Thomas and mentioned herein by Cemagu Blaufuchs, is by far the most even-handed of all. It is a work of great merit, exceedingly well-researched, thoroughly documented, and fair to both parties to the conflict.

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Roberto
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#6

Post by Roberto » 03 Jun 2003, 21:55

I have taken the liberty to translate the pertinent passages from the link provided by Javier, and I hope my translation of Unamuno's impressive reply to Millán Astray will meet the approval of those among our readers who are familiar with the Spanish language.

Thanks a lot to Javier for the link, and to Cemagu for calling our attention to this important episode of the Spanish Civil War.
[...]On 12 October 1936, at the auditorium of Salamanca University, the Day of the Race, the anniversary of the discovery of America, was being celebrated. General Millán Astray had arrived escorted by his legionnaires. The bishop of Salamanca was present, as was Franco’s wife. The occasion was presided over by Unamuno, rector of the university. After the initial formalities, Millán Astray defines Catalonia and the Basque provinces as cancers in the body of the nation. Fascism, the remedy of Spain, has come to exterminate them, cutting the life and healthy flesh like a cold scalpel. The healthy flesh is the land, the sick one the people. Fascism and the army will tear out the people in order to restore the sacred national kingdom on the land. Every socialist, every republican and, needless to add, every communist is a rebel against the national government which will soon be recognized by the totalitarian states that assist us, in spite of France and perfidious England. And then, even before that, when Franco wants it and with the help of my valiant moors, who yesterday tore apart my body but today deserve the gratitude of my soul for fighting the bad Spaniards ... because they give their life for the sacred religion of Spain, escort the caudillo (leader) and pin medals and Sacred Hearts on their tunics. From the background of the auditorium, a voice shouts Millán Astray’s slogan: Viva la muerte (Long Live Death). Millán Astray shouts: "Spain". Automatically, a certain number of persons reply: "One". "Spain", Millan Astray shouts again: "Great", the audience replies. And to Astray’s final cry of: "Spain", they reply: "Free". All eyes were fixed on Unamuno, who slowly got up and said: "You are awaiting my words. You know me well, and you know I’m incapable of remaining silent. I haven’t learned it in the seventy-three years of my life. And now I don’t want to learn it. Sometimes, remaining silent is the equivalent of lying. Because silence can be interpreted as acquiescence. I want to make some comments about the speech – to call it something – by General Millán Astray, who is here among us. I will leave aside the personal offense contained in his sudden outburst against Basques and Catalans. I myself, as you know, was born in Bilbao. The bishop, whether he wants it or not, is a Catalan, born in Barcelona." He paused. A fearful silence had spread across the room. "But now", Unamuno continued, "I have heard the necrophilian and senseless cry ‘Long Live Death’, and I, who have spent my life composing paradoxes that aroused the rage of some who did not understand them, have to tell you, as an expert on the matter, that I consider this ridiculous paradox repugnant. General Millán Astray is a cripple. There’s no need to say this in a low voice. He is a war cripple. So was Cervantes. But unfortunately there are currently too many cripples in Spain, and if God doesn’t help us there soon will be many more. It torments me to think that General Millán Astray could be the one to dictate the norms of psychology of the masses. A mutilated man who lacks the spiritual greatness of Cervantes can be expected to find terrible relief in seeing how the number of mutilated increases around him." Millán Astray interrupts him shouting, "Death to Intelligence. Long Live Death." Pemán, also present there, replies: "Death to the intellectuals and the false intellectuals, traitors they are." Unamuno continues: "This is the temple of intelligence. And I am its high priest. You are profaning its holy enclosure. You will win because you have brute force in excess. But you will not convince. In order to convince one has to persuade. And to persuade you would need something you are lacking: reason and right in the fight. It seems useless to me to ask you that you think of Spain. I have spoken." Franco’s wife grabbed Unamuno by the arm, thus keeping the incident from turning into a tragedy.

The next day Unamuno is placed under house arrest. He dies in the chair of his home in Salamanca on 31 December 1936.

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Balrog
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#7

Post by Balrog » 06 Feb 2004, 14:00

i have found photos of millan astray in uniform, but none on the battlefield, during the civil war. does anyone have any of millan astray during the spanish civil war?

i have also read about franco's wife escorting the professor out of the auditorium, thus saving his life. does anyone know what franco thought of his wife's actions to save unamuno?

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Rodrigo
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#8

Post by Rodrigo » 06 Feb 2004, 22:15

Millan-Astray's official portrait. The photo was taken in 1935, just one year before the war.
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#9

Post by Balrog » 07 Feb 2004, 17:39

i've read a book on the spanish foreign legion(betrothed of death) 3 biographies of franco, and a few other books dealing with the spanish civil war. all these books had very detailed writings om millan astray.

from what i have read, he seemed to be insane. i mean, yes he was fearless in battle, but really crazy. what do spanish historians have to say about millan astry today? does anyone else think millan at some point went insane?

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Kiesel
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#10

Post by Kiesel » 07 Feb 2004, 19:47

El general José Millán-Astray (1879-1954) era un bohemio del patriotismo y del heroísmo, a quien le venían de familia su agudeza, su fantasía creadora y sus profundas dotes de psicólogo, favorecidas por la profesión del padre -jefe de prisiones de Madrid, poeta, articulista y autor de libretos de zarzuela- y la de su hermana Pilar, ilustre novelista y comediografa. Tenía 19 años en 1889 cuando ingresó en la Escuela de Guerra con brillante hoja de servicios, llegó a ser profesor de ocho asignaturas distintas en la Academia de Toledo y, ya oficial de Estado Mayor, fue agregado al Ejército francés. En 1922 publicó un manifiesto exaltando la disciplina contra la intervención del Ejército en la política nacional; más tarde un libro sobre el Tercio y varios folletos. Le entusiasmó El Bushido código espiritual de los samurais, escrito por el profesor tonkinés Inazo Nitobe y lo tradujo y publicó en 1941, cuando ya había apoyado gran parte de sus lecciones morales a los cadetes y el esquema de su Credo legionario, un idealismo lleno de fantasías románticas con la muerte como novia y reflexiones de corte modernista.

Fue Millán-Astray conferenciante pródigo y admirado en España, Francia, Italia y América, donde su palabra encendía los ánimos con figuras hirientes, llenas de crudeza, vida y poesía. Sobre una idea suya de 1897, al volver de Filipinas, había creado una legión llena de paradojas y contradicción en su misma esencia, como Unamuno; de descarnado realismo celtibérico, como Baroja; de sobriedad de frase, como Azorín; de desenfado y aventura, como Valle-Inclán; de poesía solanesca más que machadina; pero sobre todo, de altísima idealidad senequista, de amor a la Patria y a la muerte en perfecta superación espiritual, tan comprensible como aquel su ¡muera la Inteligencia!, siendo un ruidoso intelectual, pese a que intentará disimularlo con simplistas imágenes románticas, muy apropiadas para desertores del hampa que convertiría en "caballeros". Era uno de los seis militares intelectuales del 98, en cierto modo el lírico de esa generación, cuyas semblanzas tracé en otro lugar. Por algo le pintó Vázquez Diaz para su Galería de Intelectuales Españoles.

García Escudero recoge de Juan Aparicio y de Ricardo de la Cierva la idea de que convenía estudiar el paralelismo de Millán-Astray con Unamuno: "Su enfrentamiento fue consecuencia de la similitud de sus temperamentos egocéntricos y teatrales", "El mejor desarrollo del Credo legionario podría ser la obra de Unamuno, y el "¡viva la muerte!", la mejor síntesis de el sentimiento trágico de la vida; los dos hombres parecen confundidos en un irracionalismo común...

Y este el relato que Garate Córdoba hace de lo sucedido en el paraninfo de la Universidad de Salamanca, de la que Unamuno era su rector.

Su adhesión al Alzamiento [Unamuno] había comenzado refrendada con un donativo de cinco mil pesetas a la suscripción nacional, como él mismo explicó a La Prensa bonaerense el 15 de agosto. Desde entonces se sucedieron sus constantes testimonios. El 20 de ese mes, en nombre del claustro de la universidad de Salamanca, que como Rector presidía, dirigió un comunicado a todas las del mundo, denunciando "los hechos criminosos llevados a cabo por los marxistas". Opina García Escudero que fueron frecuentes sus relaciones con Franco, a partir del 1 de octubre en que éste fijó su residencia en Salamanca, con manifiesta simpatía del General hacia el rector. Pero se cansó pronto de su actitud uniforme. El día 12, en la Fiesta de la Hispanidad, hizo el desplante solemne de protestar por el abuso del término "anti España", lanzó el desafío de: "Venceréis pero no convenceréis", e insultó a Millán Astray, allí presente, al decir: "España sin contar las Vascongadas y Cataluña seria tan inútil como un cuerpo manco y tuerto", con lo que desataba las furias del general mutilado mal atadas desde los años de la reconquista del territorio de Melilla, cuando el escritor ofendía a sus caballeros legionarios llamándoles indefectiblemente "cortacabezas" y confundiéndoles en sus enumeraciones de la gente del hampa con "mafroditas", ladrones y busconas. Aquel enfrentamiento no era nuevo. Se habían producido otros antes, en días turbulentos del Ateneo madrileño, porque los dos era ateneístas. Lo explicó así a Gómez Mesías al cabo del tiempo:
Un día hace años, en el Ateneo dijo de mi que yo era un ladrón; que me había hecho rico con los sacrificios y la sangre de los soldados que peleaban en África. Eso no se perdona.
El insulto a su gloriosa mutilación provocó el "¡Muera la inteligencia!" de Millan Astray, escandaloso en un templo de ella, grito que Pemán, presente allí también, aclaró diciendo que fue: "¡Mueran los intelectuales!, ¡los falsos intelectuales, traidores!". Pero el general supo lo que decía, porque el término "inteligencia" había adquirido un carácter restrictivo y sectario desde que Unamuno lo hipotecaba para uso exclusivo suyo y los de su línea, rebelde a todo, los inteleztuales que rendían a la Inteligenzia un culto casi idolátrico.(...) a cada paso salían de sus artículos y discursos tales invocaciones a la supremacía de la Inteligencia con mayúscula, y tan reiterativa y empalagosa deificación de ella, que bastarían para hacernos pensar que Millán-Astray gritó realmente "¡muera la inteligencia!" y no "¡mueran los intelectuales!", como Pemán rectificaba. Así lo dije por intuición y más tarde leí que el general lo había confirmado en carta a Antonio Paso. El distingo no tenia más importancia que la de una impresión personal, reciente y directa. Lo importante fue que uno u otro ¡muera!, con toda la desgravación metafórica que llevan en si, lo lanzaba un evidente intelectual. Millán Astray dijo lo que quería decir, porque preparaba mucho sus "improvisaciones". Por su parte Unamuno tenia un alma, un talante, una mímica y una furia militares. Pues aunque disfrutase gritando ¡viva la vida! y ¡muera la muerte!, cubría con sus gritos la agonía cristiana y el sentimiento trágico que pedían una elevación de su sentida mística y que tenían en el teresiano "muero porque no muero" la emoción hermana del grito legionario. Unamuno, que zahería a Ortega escribiéndole cultura con k. empalagaba tanto por su endiosada Inteligencia, pensada con mayúscula, hipotecándola, incesándosela en cada página, que no es extraño que provocase ansias gástricas a Millán-Astray, intelectual de acción al modo de Maeztu, uno de "Los Tres" fundadores del noventayochismo literario.
Another point of view (from a right-wing biographer) of Unamuno's reply. Quote from "Los intelectuales y la milicia" of José María Garate Córdoba.

Pic: Auditorium with Unamuno (the old man with glasses) and Millán Astray .
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Kiesel
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#11

Post by Kiesel » 07 Feb 2004, 20:31

A full chapter of Paul Preston's "Las tres Españas del 36" is a bio of Millan Astray. I will post soon him.

Sorry, my bad english & I hope another member of the forum will translate the text.


Suerte, vista y al toro :lol:
Last edited by Kiesel on 07 Feb 2004, 22:52, edited 1 time in total.

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#12

Post by Balrog » 07 Feb 2004, 21:23

could you please translate those articles into english?

at least give a brief synopsis of each article?

thank you :)

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#13

Post by Patras » 07 Feb 2004, 23:31

Millan Astray born in Coruña, 1879, July 5. Son of Jose Millan Astray, his father was lawyer, and obliged to study laws to his son. When was a boy, Millan Astray loved to read the stories of adventures, when He had enough age to do it, decided to conserve the maternal last name of his father, Astray,with its stellar connotations, instead of the one of its mother, evocative of low and terrenal it.
August 30, 1894 He was admited in the Infantry school in Toledo, where studied a brief program He studied very mucha and he was graduated like Second Lieutenant ending February of 1896 when he was 16 y.o boy, He served six months in an outstanding infantry regiment in Madrid, where he had obsetion by the cleaning of his uniform: clasps, the belts and the bayonets absolutly shine. September 1, 1896 He was admited in High Miltary School in order to prepare himself for so appraised diplomate of the General Staff.
After two months He presented volunteer to fight against Nationalist Rebellion had just begun in Philippines Island. He arrived to Philippines, November 3, 1896.
Like is going to happen in all his military life, he won very fast lot of medals and condecorations by his courage in action. When he was only 17 y.o. defended village of San Rafael, he was in command of 30 soldiers against 2.000 philippines rebels (Tagalos).. from this momment He is a national heroe.. In Philippine He is going to win the next medals: "Cruz de Maria Cristina" and Red Croix to Military Merite.
It has been thought about which his obsetion by the cleaning
and his courage like an effort to erase the spot to the Family Honor of whic his father was the responsible.

It is a free translation of part of the upper text.

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#14

Post by Kiesel » 07 Feb 2004, 23:58

Thank you very much, Patras, for the translation.

I post the full text here:

http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?t=42733

Millan insane? Judge yourself

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#15

Post by Balrog » 08 Feb 2004, 01:28

kiesel, what do you think? was millan astray insane?

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