Corneliu Codreanu: Leader's Manual (English Translation)

[Macrobius]

CORNELIU ZELEA CODREANU
LEADER'S MANUAL

English Translation by Macrobius, placed in the public domain.

PREFACE

After two years of fierce persecution, the Cell Leader Handbook is reappearing under the ensign of the Capitain's Victory.

This guide for legionary life, organisation and doctrine, by means of whose pages so many passionate legionaries have been born, fought, and died, has been persecuted and burned right next to the bodies of our martyrs.

LEGIONARIES: guard this book and never be separated from it.

It is the Thought and the Will the greatest guide of our Race (stirps --tr.) for actualising a New Man, a genuine elite, and a country like unto the sacred sun of the heavens.

It is a lit torch of the limitless love of the Capitain for us.

It is a law for the ages for the Romanian Race.

It remains immutably health, because we with to grow in His spirit.

Until such time as the Romanian heaven is no longer darkened over our spirits, the Capitain cannot die.

We have him among us, he is alive among us.

Long live the Legion and the Capitain!

HORIA SIMA
Bucharest
September 1940

The Legion is an organisation founded on order and discipline.

The Legion is animated by pure nationalism, emanating from limitless love for the Race and for the Country.

The Legion desires to revive in Struggle all the creative energies of the Race.

The Legion defends the altars of the Church that the enemy wishes to demolish.

The Legion bows its head before the crosses of the valiant and martyrs of the Race.

The Legion is found together with an indestructible shield, before the Throne, whose Powers and Principalities have been sacrificed for the defence and welfare of the Fatherland.

The Legion wishes to construct, with strong spirit and robust arms, a powerful Country, a new Romania.

Bucharest
May 1933

PART THE FIRST

(The session of the Cell. Its Laws. The Banner. Initiative. The Execution of Orders.)

Comrades:

To the call to reorganise all the Cells an excessive number have responded. Pamantul Stramosesc [*1*] will publish, in sequence, the names of the Cells, giving them the necessary approvals. You will come from the entire country, from every class. The majority of you are farmers and workers.

[*1*] 'Land of Our Ancestors'

POINT 1

Now you all know what a Cell is: a group of men under the command of one of them. A Cell is not a committee. It has only one leader who gives orders, a corresponding secretary who carries on the correspondence, a treasurer who collects dues, and a postman who makes contacts with the other cells and with the Head of Subscriptions. All of them, like true brothers, obey the comrade who assumes the function of the Cell Leader. (See Pentru Archangel [*2*], in the chapter entitled 'First Steps in Organising'.)

[*2*] 'For the Legionaries', written by the Captain himself. The Spanish edition is entitled Guardia de Hierro (The Iron Guard -tr.), published by Ediciones Huguin, Barcelona, 1983).

POINT 2

(The Duties of the Corresponding Secretary, the Postman, and the Treasurer of the Cell)

The corresponding secretary carries out the correspondence of the Cell under the orders of the Cell Leader. He writes and sends letters.

The Postman makes contacts between members of the Cell, or between two Cells, or between a Cell and divers hierarchical leaders. He carries packets with pamphlets, reviews, manifestos, periodicals, etc. the station or mail and distributes them to the members. This is at the orders of the Cell Leader.

The treasurer is concerned with realising a certain amount (at least one Lei [*3*] a month) from each member. Or goodwilll offerings of another kind. This is also at the orders of the Cell Leader.

[*3*] The Lei is the Romanian monetary unit.

POINT 3

(The six fundamental laws of the Cell)

These have been covered in the old Cell directives (directives abolished with the publication of the present work).

We will enumerate them here:

(1) The Law of Discipline: Be a disciplined legionary, because this is the only way you will come out victorious. Follow your Leader in good fortune and ill.

(2) The Law of Work: Work. Work every day. Work with love. Because the reward for work is not profit, but the satisfaction of having put out a branch for the glory of the Legion and the flowering of Romania.

(3) The Law of Silence: Speak seldom. Speak when it is necessary. Only as much as necessary. Your rhetoric is the rhetoric of action. You work. Let others be the talkers.

(4) The Law of Education: You should convert yourself into a hero. Do your schooling in the Cell. Study well the Legion.

(5) The Law of Reciprocal Help: help your bother who has fallen in disgrace. Don't abandon him.

(6) The Law of Honour: Walk only in the way of honour. Fight and you will never be Vile. Leave to others the way of infamy. Rather than conquering by means of infamy, it is better to die fighting for the way of honour.

POINT 4

(The Cell Banner)

Every Cell has a tricolour banner of silk.
Dimensions: 40 x 40 centimetres. Height of the pole, 1.10 metres. Above, a cross. Over the silk is inscribed:

Cell ...

Detachment ...

Division ...

This banner is never taken outside; it remains indoors, at the Seat of the Cell. Over the silk, stars or located -- one, two, three .... up to seven stars.

A banner with seven stars is a banner weighted down with glory. The stars are only granted by the Leader of the Legion, at the recommendation of the division heads or alternatively at his own initiative.

A star over a banner means a great struggle in which the Cell has taken part, a struggle in which the Cell has been distinguished, has carried itself with dignity.

To the end that the banners may be equal and made of the same material, it is good for the leaders to contact the head of enlistment and for him to request from Headquarters, in Bucharest.

When can a Cell have its banner? A banner will not be handed over to a Cell until six months of regular activity have been completed.

Nevertheless, a Cell cannot have a banner without the approval of the head of enlistment.

POINT 5

(Concerning Reports)

The Cell Leader should redact a weekly report after each Cell meeting. This report will be elaborated according to the example distributed by the division head. The report should include the following items:

1. Name of the Cell and date of the meeting.

2. Those present and absent at the meeting.

3. Contributions by the members.

4. Cell Initiative and Accomplishment in the course of the week, i.e.,

(A) Divers monetary contributions for provisioning the Legion.

(B) Free distribution of various legionary publications, especially Libertatea [*4*]. Sale of legionary periodicals, pamphlets, and books.

(C) Sales of the Legionary Press.

(D) Days of work at legionary businesses and field-work.

(E) Formation of new Cells.

(F) Marches, outdoor gatherings, visits with other Cells.

A. -- The Cell Leader edits the report and hands it over, within 24 hours, to the Detachment Head, together with the contributions produced.

In areas where the seat of the Division Organisation is located, the reports can be handed directly over to the Secretary of the Organisation.

B. -- The Detachment Heads turn the reports they have received during the previous month into the Sector Leader, between the 1st and 4th of each month, from the Cells of the Detachment, together with the contributions.

C. -- The Sector Leaders turn the reports from the Cell Leaders of their sector which they have received from the Detachment Heads, over to the Division Head, between the 4th and 7th of each month, together with the contributions.

D. -- The Division Head compiles, on the basis of the reports of Cell Leaders, a notebook concerning the general situation of the Division in that month. At the same time, a general classification of the Cells in the Division is produced, a classification of the Cells of the Sector, and of the Sectors. The Division Head edits a monthly report which he files in duplicate, between the 7th and 13th of the month, to the Regional Head.

The report of the Division Head should comprise:

1. Number of Cells.

2. Cells newly founded.

3. Number of members.

4. Growth over the preceding month.

5. Number of Cell meetings.

6. Number attending.

7. Number absent.

8. Contributions.

9. Miscellaneous Contributions.

10. Publications and Subscriptions:

(a) value of the entries.

(b) value of material dispensed for sale.

(c) value of material distributed at no charge.

(d) balance.

11. Business

(a) Days of work.

(b) Monetary valuation of work.

12. Outdoor Field-work:

(a) Days of work.

(b) Monetary valuation of work.

13. Marches: in man-kilometres (one multiplies the number of kilometres covered by the number of participating members).

14. Initiatives.

15. Delegations.

16. Hours of Guard.

17. Internal difficulties of the organisation: lawsuits, misunderstandings, various transgressions of the legionaries.

18. Measures taken to overcome the difficulties as they presented themselves.

19. Currents of sympathy, adversity, and indifference.

20. Weak points of the organisation, and measures taken to overcome them.

21. Position and comportment of the legionaries in society.

22. Enemy attacks -- calumnies, aggressions, abuses of authority - recorded. Number of those attacking us, and their addresses.

E. -- The Regional Head collects, on the basis of the Division Heads received, a classification of the region he is in charge of and a summary of the general situation of that region.

The Region Head presents to Headquarters, for the service of combatants, a report of the general situation, containing exactly the same points as the Division Report, between the 13th and 17th of each month.

At the same time, the Regional Head presents, one by one, the Division Head reports.

POINT 6

(When a Cell meets)

Every legionary Cell in the entire country meets Saturday night; because the next day is Sunday, one can stay up a little later. But if it is necessary, a Cell can meet on any day whatever, when convened by its Leader.

POINT 7

(The life of the Cell)

The Cell, while meeting, is a church. Upon entering the Cell set aside petty questions and consecrate for an hour your purest thought to your Fatherland. The hour of the Cell meeting is the hour of the Fatherland. A most complete harmony should be the result not only of the amity of reunited legionaries, but above all their communion of ideas. In the Cell, litanies will be sent forth to God for the victory of the Legion, the songs taught in the Legion will be sung, the dead will be spoken of, invoking their souls: martyrs, heroes fallen for the Legion, dead companions of the legionary faith, friends, fathers, grandfathers, and ancestors.

In general outline, in the Cell there is no place for violent or polemic discussions. Speak as little as possible, meditate as much as possible: nothing should muddy the majesty of silence and perfected comprehension.

The exercises will be done in complete silence.

POINT 8

(First concern: Punctuality)

If the Cell Leader fixes the meeting time for 9, everyone should arrange his schedule so that no one arrives too much in advance nor too late. No one shall have to wait for someone else. The legionary should be a man of his word. When he has given his word, he should keep it. The country is filled with people who speak lots of words, but deliver on nothing they say. When you promise something, think carefully about it. If you think you can't fulfill it, say so frankly: it's better that way!

POINT 9

(Second concern: A Pure Heart)

The legionary, when he arrives at the Cell, must have a pure heart. Nod arrive with plans for a lawsuit, with resentment, because in the Cell no one has permission to litigate. When the Legionary wants to engage in fighting, he goes and finds the enemy.

Great and good things are done with a pure heart, because when the heart is pure, there is God, whereas when the heart is evil, labor never produces good results: every road leads to misfortune.

POINT 10

(Beginning of the Meeting)

At the hour appointed, after the members of the Cell have come together, the Cell Leader looks up and shouts with a martial voice: Comrades!

At this signal, all rise. Turn towards the East and salute, with arm upraised: it is a salute to heaven, to the heights, to the sun, symbol of the victory of light and the Good.

The Cell Leader says, with slow voice, and the rest repeat:

1. We pray to God.

2. We think of our Captain.

3. We lift ourselves up with the thought of the spirits of the martyrs:

Motza,

Marin,

Steri Ciumeti

and all our comrades fallen for the Legion or dead in the legionary faith.

4. -- We believe in the resurrection of legionary Romania and in the destruction of the wall of hate and vileness that surrounds her.

5. I swear that I will never betray the Legion.

POINT 11

(With what questions does the Cell Leader begin the meeting?)

to be continued

[Macrobius]

POINT 11

(With what questions does the Cell Leader begin the meeting?)

1. With the informational part. News.

News received from Headquarters or from the Division. What has happened in the country. What has happened in the town (politics of the town), in the city, in the factory, in the Faculty.

Situations in which are found diverse enemy political forces. Growth, stationary equilibrium, decay.

What progress our Legion is making, in the country.

In the news, each member of the Cell should relate as well as possible the news he is most acquainted with.

2. Orders received.

What orders have been given? What are Legionaries throughout the country doing. How to pursue the Legionary struggle.

3. Reading of Parnantul Stramosesc and the rest of the Legionary magazines.

Parmantul Stramosesc should be read completely. In it is found the true Legionary spirit. In it are found all the orders given by Headquarters, the best intelligence in reference to the movement throughout the country. Similarly, local Legionary publications will be read.

4. Education of combatants.

The legionary should know that the Legion will conquer all factions, all the obstacles that lie in its path.

... That all legionaries are prepared to consummate whatever sacrifice, joyously.

... That the Legion has a precise programme that will be divulged at an opportune moment.

... That with the realisation of this program, the country will be regenerated.

... That the legionaries will make Romania a beautiful and rich land.

.. That the legionaries are called by God after centuries of darkness and abuse to sound the trumpet of the resurrection of the Romanian Race.

The Cell Leader will try to root a profound faith in God, in the Fatherland, and in the mission of our Race, in the spirit of all the combatants of the Cell.

POINT 12

(What matters can be discussed besides these in the Cells?)

In the Cells, when there is time, other problems are discussed.

Here are some topics for discussion of interest to farmers:

1. How might one obtain a better harvest (wheat, maize, viticulture, etc.)

2. What will happen if we abandon the land?

3. Is it a good idea to always plant the same kind of cereal grains?

4. How might the village acquire a threshing machine?

5. How can a better price be fetched for agricultural products?

6. How could we domesticate animals so our work companions don't suffer harm?

7. Would poultry raising be profitable for the farmer, also guaranteeing a better diet?

8. How to beautify the village, improve the streets and its intersections, take care of the church, the cemeteries, and the school?

Here are some topics for Cells of women and young girls (Cetatzui) [*5*]:

[*5*] 'Little Citizens'. The legionary woman was a 'little citizen', a bastion amidst the degeneracy of bourgeoise society.

1. The role of the legionary woman in the New Romania.

2. The rights and duties of the legionary woman.

3. The legionary sister as mother.

4. The legionary sister as spouse.

5. The legionary sister as fighter.

6. The legionary sister and discipline.

7. The legionary woman and the modern woman.

8. How one might improve the family's nutrition.

9. The necessity of propagating the notions of Gastronomy, so little known to the townsfolk.

10. Cleanliness of the home and the care of children.

11. How to create an entire wardrobe at home.

12. The education of children. In church: Confession and the Eucharist.

Love for our culture, the light, work, our land.

Here are the topics of the conferences sustained at the Axa Cell [*6*] in Bucharest:

[*6*] = Axis.

1. Anti-semitism in the Legion. The difference between legionaries and Cuzistas. (Ion I. Motza).

2. The problem of minorities in the Romanian State.

3. Teaching the Romanian State.

4. The the problem of morality in Romanian public life.

5. The moral education of the Legionary.

6. Character of the Legionary.

7. Agrarian politics. Financial Reform.

8. The problem of labour in the Legionary State.

9. Capital and the Romanian worker.

10. Industry and Agriculture.

11. The Church in the Legionary State. The Priest.

12. The foreign policy of Romania.

13. The Legion and Marxism.

14. The Army.

Student Cells and the Fratzii de Cruce [*7*]:

[*7*] Fraternities of the Cross

1. The difference between party politics and the politics of the Legion.

2. Difference in organisation between the party system and the system of the Legion.

3. Affinity between Fascism and the Legionary movement.

4. Point of contact between Hitlerism and the Legionary Movement.

5. Do the Jews constitute an irremediable danger?

6. Advantages of a spirit of discipline.

7. Why could the Legionary Movement save the country and why can't other movements save it?

8. Why can't Cuzism win? [*8*]

[*8*] FIXME: A note on Cuzism should go here.

9. The farmer in the Legionary State.

10. The worker in the Legionary State.

11. Who is Benito Mussolini?

12. Who is Adolf Hitler?

13. [*9*].

[*9*] [No point given in the text -ed.] The number 13 indicates the personage, concerning whom legionaries ought to inform themselves at Cell meetings, Corneliu Zelea Codreanu, the number 13 indicating as it does, the number of the Legion.

14. Who was Lenin?

15. Physical Education, principal factor in a legionary education.

16. Fascism before and after 1922.

17. What are the Balilla? [*10*] Their organisation.

[*10*] Balilla refers to the children enrolled in the Opera Nazionale Balilla, created by the Fascist State for the spiritual and physical invigorating of Italian youngsters.

18. Legionary singing.

19. French nationalism and French socialism.

20. How to combat Hungarian ambitions concerning Transylvania.

21. How to stop Russian attempts at influence over Bessarabia.

22. How to reinforce the Bulgarian frontier.

23. How to save the Maramures. [*11*]

[*11*] See The Iron Guard, Ediciones Huguin, Barcelona 1983, pp. 299-306 and 323-324.

24. Can a legionary art exist?

25. The Legionary State and the Romanian diaspora.

[Avalanche]

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Av

[Macrobius]

POINT 13
(Decisions)

At the end of the session decisions are made. Each session ought to end with precise resolutions -- that is to say, it is necessary to tell each legionary what he has to do before the next meeting. The cell operates (a) according to orders received from the commanders; (b) by its own initiative (a decision one makes by oneself). The head of the cell can take initiative in several areas:

1. Extending the Organisation, that is, the foundation of new cells.

2. Fundraising by means of parties, sale of written works, etc. (besides the collection of money that is permitted solely among the militants of our organisations).

3. Distribution of Legionary literature among the non-Legionary public (after elaborating a very precise plan).

Each Cell has, before it, a determinate number of known persons. It can deal with friends, persons who are indifferent, or enemies. The Cell prepares a list of their names and addresses, later it proposes to convince them gradually and educate them in the Legionary faith. Then it sends to each person spiritual nourishment: books, magazines, articles, newspapers, photographs, song lyrics, all of which is well studied, according to the spirit and mental disposition of whomever reads it. One person can be influenced by a certain book, by a particular article, by a certain newspaper or magazine. Others, by other different ones. For all that, the cell should be attentive so as not to waste anything.

Should one also give material to the enemy? Yes. Because after he reads it today, tomorrow or the day after he will begin to doubt. And an enemy that doubts is destroyed.

This spiritual food is not sent just once. The Cell [lit., 'The Nest' -ed.] concerns itself with the birds until they can fly by themselves. When your spirit has grown in the faith, then, recognizing you fully, they will come and ask you: 'What should I do now?' You will respond: 'Do what I have done. Feed others yourself also, in like manner as I have fed you.'

The material (pamphlets, books, etc.) can be sold sometimes, but most of the time people will encounter it on their doorstep for free, delivered by the Cell, since the people have limited economic means. And without knowing who has sent it. Because the Cell gives, observes the effect, and does not mention who sent it. Only in the end will it be known. A Cell will feel great satisfaction for each person who abandons the enemy and feels attracted themselves to the Legionary faith.

I mention Cell "Avanguardia 13, n. 13", which in a month and a half has distrubted 37 volumes of “Pentru Legionari" and 15 of "Cranii de lemn [*12*].
The Nests of the Legionaries, consisting of Legionary chicks, rich or poor -- each one according to its own efforts -- can complete this work provoking extraordinary results for the Legion.

4.- The Cell can take the initiative of construction. That is, it can repair some broken bridge, a drain, a street, a fence -- it can help a sick child, repair the house of some old man or a widow, or fix up abandoned tombs. So, in each meeting, the Leader of the Cell will ask himself: 'What can be done to aggrandize our organisation? How can we help the Legion?' Each militant of the Cell think for a while, and one says: 'Let's found other Cells in our town, or better' -- if he is a student -- 'in the faculty', etc. Another says: 'En the neighbouring town there is no Cell, let's go found one.' Another says, in addition, 'Let's help the Legion economically. With money, the Legionaries will equip the organisation with everything that is needed for the struggle: We ought to warn the Head of the Legion so he can know what is most needed (to sustain a newspaper, buy a truck, print pamphlets, etc.)'.

The work of each Cell is of great importance. It is not possible for a Cell to be founded and then later do nothing, not have any sign of life. The Cell that does not actualise in the here and now, that doesn't move about or give signs of life, passes on, in the Legion, to the Registry of Dead Cells.

POINT 14

(Initiative of the Head of the Cell)

Initiative is the most beautiful flow a commander can wear. The Leader who assumes responsibility for initiative should know what is able to determine the growth of the organisation, but he can also cause it great harm, according to whether the Leader uses it for good or ill. The Cell Leader does not have, in particular, permission to:

a) print anything in the name of the organisation without express approval of the Central Office of the Legionary Press.

b) write orders or papers of inconsiderate content, that can be misinterpreted by those to whom they are addressed or by the enemy.

c) to send his unit on disorderly actions, to participate in outright frauds or scandalous acts, etc.

d) he does not have permission to parley and far less to conclude any political accord with persons from other groups without the direct approval of the Head of the Legion.

e) In genera, a Leader, because he is also a Legionary, ought to be alert to any action that could put in danger, harm or dishonour the Legion.

When can one take initiative?

a) Initiative is taken when no precise order is given by the hierarchical leaders. If there is an order, may it be followed...

b) If in the meantime the situation has changed, the Cell Leader, like any commander, within the scope of his responsibility, will take measures by his own initiative -- reflecting, however, with lucidity, so that the organisation might have the greatest possible advantage.

c) If it happens that he encounters in the same locality a Legionary Leader of more authority than a Cell Leader, he [the Cell Leader] no longer has the initiative.

Command, Initiative and Responsibility will take the Legionary to a higher grade.

Outside the cases here foreseen, the Cell Leader has ample initiative. He will make decisions based on the power that has conferred to him, in harmony with all the militants of the Cell, for the purpose of serving the Legionary cause. Immediately after having taken them, he should go to the detachment commander. After executing them, he communicates as follows: 'I bring to your attention that the decision, taken by us, to execute ..., has been carried out, and I am pleased to report has been brought to a successful conclusion.'

The Head of the Legion values a Legionary Head according to his capacity for iniative. The best heads and best cells are those that assume the most initiatives and carries them all out.

POINT 15

(Execution of Orders)

When an Legionary or a Cell receives an order, it is a question of honour to execute it, walking on water or fire, if necessary. Here is how Legionary dignity is measured: when the Head of the Legion gives the signal for a Legionary Battle (which might be, for example, the acquisition of a truck, the publication of a newspaper, the acquisition of a typographic press), the Cells, competing among themselves like bees in laboriousness and rapidity, should respond by giving what each one can offer. In similar circumstances, all the Cells should compete among themselves in an enthusiastic race for Legionary victory. What can be considered efficient about a Cell that remains apart from the struggle, without having contributed the least aid, the minimum sacrifice? On the basis of these struggles it can be deduced who deserves to stand proud in the new Legionary world and who should remain where he is found.

POINT 16

(Adjournment of the Meeting)

The militants of the Cell stand up with their face turned towards the East. They salute with their arm extended heavenwards. They all repeat with the Head of the Cell: 'I swear to never betray the Legion'. Immediately, the Legionaries disperse, with joy in the heart and considering the decisions they should execute. At the next meeting it will be apparent how many of the decisions taken have been realised.

POINT 16 (con't)

(The Legionary March)

Sunday and every feast day the Cells of each category (Fratzii, Cetatzui, etc.) should get habituate themselves to marching. We do not know our Country. Some of us don't even know the next village over. On feast days, rain or shine, in winter or summer, you ought to go out into the midst of nature. The Romanian countryside should be converted into a anthill in which are found, on every roadway, on all the trails, thousands of Cells that march in all directions. At the time appointed for religious services, we will be found in the Church that is found in the Way. We will encounter comrades from neighbouring villages. To march is health. The march restores and invigourates the nerves and the spirit. But, above all, the march symbolises action, the exploration of Legionary conquest. The march is realised in an orderly fashion: with a military gait.

-------------------------
Footnotes for Part I [some were given in place above]:

(1) “Land of our ancestors”.

(2) "For the legionaries”, written by the Capitain himself. The Spanish edition is titled “Guardia de Hierro- (published by Ediciones Huguin, Barcelona 1983).

(3) "Lei" is the Romanian monetary unit.

(4) “Liberty”.

(5) "Citizenesses". The Legionary wife was the Citizeness, a bulwark in the middle of the decadence of bourgeois society.

(6) Axis.

(7) Fraternities of the Cross.

(8) Cuzism.

(9) The number 13 indicates the personage, concerning whom legionaries ought to inform themselves at Cell meetings, Corneliu Zelea Codreanu, the number 13 indicating as it does, the number of the Legion.

(10) “Balilla” refers to children enrolled in the “Opera Nazionale Balilla”, created by the Fascist State to reinvigorate Italian children spiritually and physically.

(11) See “Guardia de Hierro”, Ediciones Huguin, Barcelona 1983, pp. 299-306 and 323-324.

(12) It concerns a book by Ion Motza, consisting in a collection of writings about a struggle against the assassins of the young Legionaries.