AMPAIGN MOUNTS IN CHILE FOR HUGO BLANCO
By José Valdés
Santiago, Chile
The April 24 issue of the daily Ultima Hora carried the following report:
"The Plenum of the Communist party sent a cabie to the president of Peru, asking him to spare Hugo Blanco's life. The cable was signed by Senator Iuis Corval&n and read:
"'tPlenary Session of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Chile demands your government spare the life of Hugo Blanco. To shoot this patriot would stain your government with blood and violate the conscience and human sentiments of the peoples of Chile, Peru and the entire world.'
"A campaign to save Hugo Blanco's life is being carried on throughout the world."
The University Brigades of the MIR [Movimiento de Izquierda Revolucionaria] in the schools of philosophy, history, sociology, journalism, law, medicine, etc., have appealed for marches and rallies on the campuses of Chile on April 25 to demand the release of Hugo Blanco.
The appeal is meeting with a favorable response among rank-and-file Socialists and Communists.
In Arauco, one of the southern provinces, thirty peasants and Indians signed an appeal in behalf of Hugo Blanco. Ten, who could not read or write, put their thumbprints on the document. It was
sent to the Peruvian authorities with a
copy to the daily newspapers in Chile.
A numerous group of leaders of
trade and peasant unions and municipal
councilmen in the province of Linares
sent an appeal to the president of Peru,
demanding the release of Hugo Blanco,
Pedro Candela, Héctor Béjar and Ricardo
Gadea. The list included the following:
Carlos Villalobos, general secre-
tary of the Construction Workers.
José Veloso, president of the Rail-
way Workers Union.
: Carlos Septilveda, president of the
Professional Teachers.
Eduardo Aravena, president of the
Sugar Workers Union (IANSA
Francisco Ibafez, workers council-
man in Linares.
Bernardo Diaz, president of the
Workers Association of Vialidad.
Emeterio Vazquez, a leader of the
Bakery Workers Union and the General Work-
ers Council in Linares. .
Ariel Mufioz, president of the
Health Workers Union.
Waldo Saavedra, a leader of the
Peasant Federation.
Iuis Hernandez, chairman of the
Municipal Workers Union.
Manuel Lara, peasant councilman.
Juan Mufioz, president of the Leather and Shoe Workers Union.
Rail Avalos, peasant councilman in
Longavi.
Armando Hern4ndez, provincial lead-
er of the Peasant Federation.
HUGO BLANCO