To commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Civil War, José Ángel Mañas recreates in Zenda, day by day in this section, what happened in 1936, perhaps the most pivotal year in all of modern Spain’s history.
Tuesday, August 18, 1936: The Rosales Confront the Commander Valdés
What you have done, Commander, is a scandal. My brothers and I take it as a personal offense. Federico García Lorca was a guest of the Rosales, a Falangist family! And Ruiz Alonso had the audacity to appear at our house, a Falange home, and was taken away without so much as a warning to us. Why?
—Look, Rosales. Neither your voices impress me nor do the friends who accompany you intimidate me. Whether you like it or not, I am the Commander of the Civil Government of Granada. And regarding Mr. García Lorca, his brother Luis already did what needed to be done the night before last: to testify before Lieutenant Colonel Velasco, of the Civil Guard. I have also heard that he exchanged a few words with Mr. Ruiz Alonso, whom he manhandled in front of witnesses. It’s a gesture that has not been taken into account. You should thank me for it. I also remind you that my men could investigate the reasons why your family has been sheltering a figure so openly republican.
—Federico lived under threat on the outskirts of Granada and sought our help. You know as well as I that he is a politically harmless person. Neither my brother Luis nor anyone in my family could deny help to someone unjustly pursued. That is explained in the statement that our local Falange chief has presented, of which I have sent a copy to the military governor, the mayor of Granada, and the provincial head of Falange. You will see what suits you best.
—Each person is responsible for their actions, gentlemen. I can only repeat the same thing I told you yesterday: Mr. García Lorca is no longer here.
—But, Mr. Valdés, it turns out I ran into your children’s nanny and she told me that she herself brought this morning coffee and a basket with a tortilla and tobacco to Mr. García Lorca…
—That girl is lying.
—… She says he is in a cell in this very building, in a room with a desk, an inkwell, a quill and paper, without even a bed.
—I mustn’t give further details. I can only reiterate that he is not here. I repeat: Mr. García Lorca is not in the Civil Government. And I remind you that your brother Luis, after the scene he staged yesterday, has already been expelled from Falange, and he was lucky I did not lose my temper. And now you, Rosales, may consider yourself fortunate for the time I have devoted to you, in deference to your involvement in the Uprising, but please believe me. You have my word that Federico García Lorca is no longer detained in the Civil Government.
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