m A JOURNAL OF ANARCHIST COMMUNISM.
Vot. XXVH.—No, 394, OCTOBER, 1913, - Monthly : One Penny,
all this nonsense is preached too late in the day ,to -he of any l!^OTE8. effect, .’It is the hard experience’of life that has taught the workers that the Labour Party has failed where direct action has The Good Ship, “Hare.” ^ succeeded. The division that has taken place as a result of this “In a few short weeks of’ind.ustrial warfare Dublin has'” cannot-be bridged. Nor will Macdbnald become a mass of misery in the midst of plenty. The barns in i’®,®*®^® Confidence in his party by telling the world that “ we are the country around are full to overflowing with one of the most reaping the whirlwind which Mr, Churchill called up when
ch fd,?™ ^ and hungry women, and whining , position ; and just as the'man who joins the police force must bo c nien, are wandeiing about with the look of hunted creatures prepared to-bludgeon, just as the man who enlists must be in their eyes, —Da% Ateics,, , . . ' prepared to shoot, so the man who believes in government The above, our readers will note, is not a description from a ' ^® prepared to, keep “order,” Such a-man is J, E. • war correspondent of the fratricidal struggledn the Balkans, .Churchill’s place he, would haye done as Horrible as that has been, it was at least mostlyn war' between ;^l^iaodonald. We remember- .armed forces. It is left to the Christian’and cMised capitalists' Briand m Prance, And ambitious,, men are very
to use the armed forces of “law and order ” against defenceless a-1 e, . ,,- workers. _ They,also have the
have been expected. If people would only think for them- Dr A R Wallace’s new bnnt “The Re-.mli- n-P TVo J> • S'dZ?, b“,C w.“S Si”‘‘““TmI”” «r.S7i.
- survive death That all the mentally aXtedShfw^ m the-kingdom, is, at the same time, the-greatest insane shall carry their terrible condition through eternity ? If ?®’?^,®^®’^°®® *®®-^®® ^®“S‘be expression that is so, then all who think with him can never feel that death ' ^ a®l®®® domination, its functions are ant■ ^soa^al. It is really has been a happy release to- those whl SirS mfdf our fi. ° **^® 1^*®®*
, Iron,VS.V, SLtil, 4SS“.;d“S™ pl.W, „„psh the priest a new lease of life mystical, and give what they may hope from in that quarter. The victories of the workers through direct action undermine the whole position of The Two Tfunns " ■ State Socialists. And how -things happen in this direction is
q.-. . 1 ’1 -.- ■ really remarkable. -The initiative of a boy of IG started the van Stiike developments break upon us so rapidly and with such hoy’s strike at "Carter Patersons. They won an increase of an increasing consciousness of the real economic struggle,, that it wages in 48 hours. The van men follow suit, and in three more s no wonder t^B Labour politicians feel the very ground days they "also win an increase of wages with shorter hours. The Ihey are almost as much alarmed - logical consequences of the spirit of initiative of one lad’is ■ ‘bis reason that J. R. obvious. ' What is the use, then, of calling for the meddling and f V desperately in the Daki/ News agamst the muddling of that cumbrous, old obstruction, the Parliamentary . machine-e-yen if the Cabinet contains John Burns at £5,000 a AsTcnTf^J''on-.^“ 7®*' "®'^® doUective action ! year, and the . Labour Party has its’Snowdens and Macdonalds, As a cute man of business, Mr. Macdonald .ought to realise that ready to follow in his steps ? Three cheers for ffifi lad of 16 ! i' October, 1913 78 FKBEDOM.
straight line without turning either to. the right or to the left. It is THE CURSE OF COMPROMISE. . the simplicity and directness of,.' the'-'Anarchist philosophy which gives it its strength and which &ust in the near future cause it' to be accepted ,To compromise is distasteful, except to those of the. most timid by all the active and^sincere sectio'n of the Labour movemei|.^ To„ t. .H.. wi.»...». or " "i-- therefore act without any real, power. Il| is the cobrse generally The line of human progress, irregular and tlldrawn, stretches from dopted to avoid disaster, and is usually ,the very line of action slavery towards liberty. It Ts the Anaffchist’s business to produce it ■ which 'vill inevitably cause it. The failure that compromise brings yp ti,e point ■ where liberty is completely attained, and since a generally come mors slowly than the troubles which beset the man straight line, is the, shortest distance between two points, we finiir-'' who directly pursues a definite end, but it is a failure complete and • ourselves back again at Victor Hugo’s words. The indefinite, chaotic, far-reaching, it means utter decay and rot in all parts. . and- often .foolish struggle of the workers will become a movement of I believe the present is the very moment when we should gigantic power when the confusion,ofthoughts which now govern it emphasise our hatred of .compromise, and when we should, be ex- ^le replaced' by the simple strength of the Anarchist philosophy, pounding clearly.lhe definite basis of our Anarchist philosophy. At with capitalism, and away also with its stronghold, the State, first it may seem quite otherwise. The present, it may be argued, is Liberty ! Tyranny is dead ! for we will destroy the home of tyranny, ihe time when we can join hands with the advanced ranks of the tjhe Government itself. Labour movement. Why ofiend our friends among the workers by .'. G. Bauke'CT. ■ trying to force them ' to ' accept a word against which they are prejudiced ? . Discretion is a valuable quality, not as the substitute for, J but as the companiop to, valour. Let us be' practical and build up a SCIENCE AND GHOSTS. great movement of true rebels, for such is the demand of the workers Such an argument may contain much truth, but it seems to me President of the British Associatmn, Sir Oliver Lodge s : that it.is the othfr side of the question which needs to be emphasised just pronouncement o h.s. belief m _ disoarnate mtell^ence.. (“tter'vme . ■ at present. It is doubtful if propaganda ever makes rebels. They are ghosts) has attracted much notice , but it is ^ Tn 1895 creLd by wider causes, and the great work of the propagandist is to mam of his position to stem ^de of sc ence^^ ^ t-how how the spirit of revolt, already existing, can express itself, can liudwig Buchner dealt with a siMilar theory p rfinnhli translate itself into action. Politiciansreoognfsethattheideaeof revo.lt, professors of the da4; and we think his remarks-worthy of republi- aud even revolution, have a firm hold upon the minds of the people ■ cation at this 'moment. , who suffer ; and these politicians, who depend, after all, so helplessly on the people, are reduced to the miserable subterfuge of" appealing to, The human mind, in its search for truth, must abandon empty , the people with the words of the rebel iii order that they may get them speculation on the metaphysical or on ultimate things,_ and'must be to follow along the most reactionary paths. The innocent' souls are . content to penetrate the inner causal relatiottsof environing nature ;.by found subscribing to conscription even while they are talking of anti- this means it will come to a knowledge of that uniformity which I ha-ve militarism and internationalism. They are cheering for Liberty, while indioated_as tbe end of, all true research. -Logic and science will _ at they vote for Government control. HoW' stealthy is the politician, and once convince it that whatever goes beyond the sphere of this uniformity how surprisingly simple is' the worker who is deceived by him ! rests on illusion or a false interpretation. The question of the source of If the Labour movement had been organised by way of an this unifo'rmity might be entirely neglected, even if the theory of experiment to illustrate the failure of compromise, it could not have evolution did notiineanwhile afford us a sufficient explanation of it. It demonstrated it more fully than it has, although at the . first glance is enough to know that it exists, and that, where gaps are -visible, quite the contrary might appear to be the case. Look, it may be said, these are not gaps in the'framework of things, but in our knowledge, at the old Social Democratic Bedefation, with its strict adherence to N’evOrtheless the opponents of a-natural view of‘the world appeal principle, and then"lament its downfall. Look again at the Independent frantically to these gaps for the purpose of saving their idea of a Labour Party, with its spirit of corn-promise and ■ its oonvehiently metaphysipal intervention, or—it is the same thing—a iniraele. But elastic principles, and then mark how it has risen to comparative they are driven from one position to another, for the light of advancing success. ■ - science gradually penetrates, the darkest corners, in which the belief m To compromise, it may be argued from this, is the only practical spirits, ghosts, or miracles, takes refuge—whether they be the phantoms method of attaining our end, the one way of avoiding death. Even ' of common spiritism or spiritualism, or those of science. Bor science, further the argument may be pursued. Turn now to the Ohurches and too, has its faith in miracles and its ghosts, which are sometimes able ask, where are the uncompromising Ohristadelphians and the narrow to delay its advance considerably, in spite of their unreality. Scotqh sects who denied the pleasure of the world and lived for the' ' Such a phantom is the old belief in a vital fcnve,-which seenas to love or fear of God alone ? They are almost dead, and that'^great be reappearing in a new form, though it was killed and buried long compromise with Mammon, the Church of England and its imitators, ago. “ JSfeovitalism,” or the new vital force doctrine, is the ™eory are highly successful. Truly the words of Saint Paul, have been brought forward by Professor Rindfleisch at Lubeck. ■ This, ihdee^ he revised, and it appears that the wages of righteousness is death. could only do by an ;appeal to metaphysical considerations that is to But all this is mere appearance, and is-the result of taking a ■ say, considerations that went far beyond the nature of things as it is narrow view, of our subject when a.-wide generalisation should be known to us. The unity of force and matter, which is the foundation considered. Instead of. comparing the S.D.P. with the I.L.P., or of philosophic monism,, does not need to be gathered from the nature or setting this creed of the-religious sects against the other, we may take each of those concepts—which Rindfleisch held to be impossible ; it is one sweeping look and ask, rWhat has become of the great revolutionary simply a factj which we must accept ^ sucht^and take into’.account spirit which the Labour movement should be'expressing ? In regard to Professor Rindfleisch finds' ,itl inconceivable that an atom, or, which the. Ohurches we may ask, whfit effect has organisaBou baaed on.cbm- comes to the same'thing, the wor!d_ (sines it is only a question or promise had on the. religion which they were originally intended to'..degree), should move itself. This is certainly inconceiyabje.for any ■ foster? ■ •' man who does not, with the materialist, regard movement as eternal The answers'ito these questions are obvious. The spirit of and as an inalienable attribute of matter. The distinction which revolution has been as effectually excluded from the Labour movement Rindfleisch draws between what ha calls living mi dead nature was 'Us the spirit of religion has" been slowly done to . death in the Churches, abandoned long ago. : There is no smh Thing as dead nature ; the Oompromiae may, and often does, mean success to organisations, ’ but it. differen'oe between organic and inorganic nature consists j?® invariably afeans death to great principles. .' kind, direction, and intensity of their motion. That a bird should y ---- The-truth is-that it is a mistake, too often'made, to confuse mere differently from a stone that has been thrown is natural enough. But petty narrowness of action with, a stern, unbendiDg, and uncompro- the,fact proves no more than the movements of protoplasm thM the mising attitude, just as foolish obstinacy is often mistaken for laws which rule in the living world-Tire differept. from those of what is determination, and foolhardihood .for bravery. It is due to this called dead nature. The matter which ,is found in both, the natural misunderstanding that the old S.D.P. was so often considered to be an forces which operate in both, are the same; and, however intricate the uncompromising body. But, in truth, it was mere narrowness and characters of life may be, they are neither more nor less than movements obstinacy and a profound deafness to,all new and progressive ideas of matter under peculiar and highly speoialised.conditions. What room that .were the real peculiarities of this organisation. Like all the other have we here for a special vital force ? _ The ciroumstanoe th.at we , o ' authoritarian Socialist parties, its constitution was based fundamentally not know yet, or cannot demonstrate, in what way non-vital motion on a glaring .compromise. We will have a, new society, but the passes into vital, ;does not in the least impair the fact that this con-, dominating forces of the presept society shall bring it into being, version is purely natural, proceeding in a natuM manner and oon- We will have liberty, but it shall be under the, control of govern* ditioned by the general natural laws. No one who is accustomed to ment. Progress is our watchword, but the majority, must be the scientific, and not metaphysical, thinking will dispute this. Any other rulers. 'We will establish social equality, but it must be from our kind of conversion could be nothing else than a miracle, or »pper- privileged position-as legislators. So one could goon endlessly with natural, metaphysical intrusion in the course of natural events., JNo these contradictions, for every progressive principle of Socialism is one would think of charging Professor Rindfleisch with a belief In negated by the reactionary policy of these hopeless politicians. - miracles; that would be unworthy of a physician and ■ scientist. u It is this attempt to oompromiae between'opposing principles that he cannot be cleared of the charge of having his scientific thought-over- has made the Labour -movement a success merely as an organisation, come by a secret leaning to metaphysics. The idea which he introduces and a failure as a fighting force. at the close of his speech, though in involved and rather obseure “ In a revolution, there is nothing so formidable as a straight phraseology, is. .the most metaphysical of all metaphysical not.ons. A , line,” says Victor Hugo. It is the Anarchist alone wbb can walk this minister might have said from the pulpit what this scientist said, on
V October, 1913. ■ , FREEDOM.*" 79
■ quoted. If both are needed to make themsolvea heard by rioting. The Government was “ ■ £tr4=;rrarjr/'s “.?• 'i?. .f. tn do with n« fh ^ ,y® *” patiently what ^ decides further adds that the bases of siich freedom as we have were laid ami to do with ms-that is the ultim ate conclusion of the wisdbm which, won in those d«.s. - “ like thafc of Professor Eindfleisch, seeks to throw off the “ tyranDv of De Gibbins in his “ TTrcfn^r «p n on?v T P Neovitalism itself “Although suppressed, the rising was practically successful it Xch has lo an unfortunate revival -of the old vitalism, had shown the power of the combination.Kbo^ iLtTo great strife riicisioiLi oVefflr®" ' “ its anment position in science by between Labour and Capital. 'The authorities, of course, blueteid and ■ greater suiesi criticism s. Its new supporter will have no swore tlmy would never give in. Equally, of course, they did give in ,
r _____ ' ______^ iUrther attempts were made „to es^apt labour dues or corvdesj and 'W ithin a generation or so villeiiage or serfage became practically extinct.. After this great insurrection came what has been termed ttm -- REVOLT OF THE ENGLISH PEASANTS IN 1381. golden a^e of the.^J<3nglish labourer, and it lasted all throi^ the fifteenth century.” A hundred years of a,golden age! .Isn’t th.it (Gonclusion.) something worth fighting for? Isn’t that'something to compensate However, the rebels, having gained the upper hand in London, did ? When not nesitate to besiege the Tower, whbre the King and some of his, ‘ary action bear such good fruit as that ? , Never I niinisters hacM iaken refuge ; and it was to call them off fifom this lat me-quote Thorold Rogerss estim ate of the revolt and threatening position fliat the young King Richard II. agreed to meet *“ n '“7 9°“® 9'® history of England, once, them, and to hear their demands, in tile meadows at M ile Bud. The on*y M the hi,story of the world, peasants and artimns demands of the rebels were bold and clear. “ We will ” they said to ^"‘®“P‘®f to effect a revolution by force. They nearly suoceeiled ; the King, “ that you free us for ever, us and our lands and that we fr l®“t they became, tor a short tim e, masters of the situation. That ■ be never named nor held for serfs.” ■ “ I grant it ” was the Kine’s - 'u advantages they gained at M ile End is • answer, and with that simple trust that is almost always a'fatal weak- they caused such terror by w.hat they aotuall/did, ness with the workers, they went quietly back to their homes. It is v‘*°y that, they claim ed,, and that speedily. The .. not to be wondered at that the honest and simnle-minded neksants Duglmh labouier, tor a century or more, become virtually fpee and unused to the guile and hypocrisy of Kings and Courts, should have P™ spsrous ’ This, is the sober o,stim ato of a matter of- been persuaded, by these fair words. We must remember that the ‘‘ is nothing more nor less than a guarded people, of tho.50 days loved a King almost as much as weak-minded 4s-“*id revolt succeeded. They did not, it is true, establish , workers of the present love a Lord or an M.P. And Richard had as w! r® *>ioiigh eyen m those days the idea was germinating, yet given them no cause for suspicion. He stood' before them' a mere ' might-have happened had Richdrd fallen at Sm ithfield it i«, of youth of fifteen, handsome, and with an air of courage that helped to •’f uf "®® “ wm their hearts. They could not conceive that anything of a ™ *'®'.‘’*®*,‘‘iii‘•i®'™ . ®®“e down to us,, and to fecognise treacherous nature might lurk beneath that fair exterior. Even -® ‘|i®i'® ™ iii“®ii plainly enough, for all’who will study, historians of a later day have mai-yolled at the duplicity that was. so .1 ' i * u lu • strongly developed in one so young', However, in trusting the King 'i ^ 4 sturdy peasants taught the ruling classes—a the peasants made the one fatal mistake that cost the lives of so many- -f®” that has been several times repeated in the course of the brave fellows, and helped, to lessen the moral effect of their attack. • “'t^TODing centuries—remains unknown and unheeded by the . As always happens in these cases, some of the rebels were more !ir7v. '“^®, . J!*® heroism abolished aiseernmg; and Wat Tyler, the leader of the army that had remained ?? ‘ s“hjection of the serf— is no longer a necessity for nncamped at Sm ithfield, was not so satisfied with mere promises, and “v ^^® round the to ded with him the King decided on. another interview. As we know, f, ^ ‘^^® inexorably in assassination was the'method here resorted to, and Tyler was stabbed ™®‘r P°wer the fetters of wap-slavery. But crushed, as he so often , in the back as he rode forward to meet the King Again the King’s “’® ®®°r‘“““® ®®r'''r‘o‘^6> he yet enjoys some advantages which the innocent air, added to a courage natural or assumed, saved himself and ‘'4® ® have_ won for him. As a matter of fact, we are not hi^ guard from death. For the followers of Tyler were preparing to mindful enough of what we owe to the, .rebels of the past, draw oh them.when the King rode uh to their ranks with the words ' i“ enough when disappointments follow the efforts we- make to ' t’lam your leader,” and again he was. trusted, as Jie led them away thp pople to a sense ■ of their wrongs, we experience that intp the meadows outside the city gates. teeiwg of helplessness and even despair that sometimes, makes us After this came the rek'etion, 'The King the nobles the bishons But at such times should we not-ask ourselves . the lawyers, were^^ttirsting for the blood of the rebels, and they toSr’, 'J®‘' * j -v-as these saintly rulers of ineu always do, a most cowardly and brutal and progress had held back because they would never see the revenge. . ' cvwaruiy ana oiuDai day of victory ? The truth is, the victory is in the work we accomplish. The ohroniclers of the times tell us that some 7,000 of the rebels “44'’ were hanged or done to death. But even then their spirit was not- • \“® psasants of 1381 meeds to be with US broken, for fresh risings still continued to break out, always with, the J, °°®® f®®‘‘y‘°S society makes life well-nigh old demand that the promised liberties should be granted. At last ‘“‘P*,®'®®*®- Once more the burdens are becoming heavier than men Parliament was oompelled to,pass an Aot of pardon to all rebels,- with a “®r'w r?.^® '‘“‘*''^4®'^ rapacity of the.^6xploiter, the few exceptions; and ak the country began gradually to settle down it ““PP®®‘*:®“‘® |‘y °f Government^, the sickening iusolerice and • beoafoe possible to estimate what would be the political ajid economic .®®“‘®“P‘„“ ‘^® I’ulmg closes for the-workers whose lives are given for results of the revolt. _ ' their profit. The great lesson of revolt is needed once more. . Little First of all, then, it g?7e'the deathblow to serfdom, for after‘the ' ?®/ councils, for our. upheaval the liberation of the serf went on with a-rapidity that nothing - Members who talk and talk and. how the knee to aU the forms . less than a revolution could have ensured. It-was the beginning, of a ceremonies of an outworn institution. What they dread, is that new era-for the labourer, and no one has yet been able to dispute the "® ‘®®™ for ourselves, that we may awaken to the • gains that were won by this great tide of popular revolutibn. .‘*'® strike, and to all the manifold advantages of At a time like the present, when politics dominate men’s minds a*6 action. In this lies our strength .and their danger; and if much more than the hardy spirit of revolt', it is as well to look back on p ® to-day could learn and .understand the lesaoii of the those days and learn the lesson they so clearly teach us. For ' the ,“'®'’°*‘’ “‘J, ®ould bring to bear the courage and endurance of peo(de then, ,as now, there was no hope of any help from their rulers. *®T® forefathers, the days of capitalism would be numbered, Only five years beforegjihe outbreak, the so-balled ‘‘ good Parliament’’ another golden age—the age of the free commune—would be was'called to power. So far as I am aware, it is the only Parliament ®PP^’®®®®'> that has been given that name through all our history, and it seems to hav6«-obtained it because it was not quite so wicked or so idiotic as most of the others. At any. rate, its attempt^ to deal with the evils that ‘THE SINGLE TAX. beset the nation never succeeded in bringing any relief to the labouring ' ■ '------1— classes. And, as we have seen, that led to the adoption of methods , (2'o t/ie/iVKio)'o/Fkeedom.) which are just as fieoessary to-day as then. They formed their Unions, ,Co.ueadEj—I cannot see how the Single Tax tlieavy cau they prepared for revolt, and’they formulated their demands, iNo take the great mass of the people back to the land. In the piSiitivo palliatives for fchein, no miserable Acts of Parliament that, take away communities, every member of a clan bad a right to'live out of the with one hand what they give with the other, but the full ■ measure of '^t the beginning, of last century the workers in all trades, freedom and well-being,_ such as their labour might obtain for them, skilled and unskilled, used to take their turn in the garden, which ThiS'they demanded, this they fought for, and this they obtained in a helped to feed their families; 'but now about 75 per cent, of our far greater measure than the majority of our blind loaders understand, people are massed in towns.. I think in, the same way as the famous In case, however, this may seem too optim istic a view, let me quote a John' Belters, who wanted to start co-operative societies on the land, few words from writers who take thC legal middle-olas§view of things. .each society to consist of 300 members] to be entirely self-supporting,' Trevelyan, in his book “ England in the Age of W iklif,” says :— and to produce its own food] clothing, and shelter.—Youra fraternal lyi .‘It was better that rebellion should show its head-in an age when M anchester. ' , "VV. Mutteu. so^much was wrong than that ^11 complaint should be stifled. Since ' , [Our comrade, however, does' hot give us any idea as to how liis parliament only vented the -grievances of the middle class, the labourers societies \vill get possession of the land En. P’reedom.] ...... October, 1913. 80 FREEDOM.
struggle for the liberties of their country, were, jibt political! So Blanqni and Garibaldi, John Brown and his sonSj would he non-political. . The'absurdity and immorality of the definition that political
A' JOURNAL OP ANARCHIST COMMUNISM. * “ action means Parliamentary • legalism is evident. Every
Anntal Siibscri^hon, post-free. Is. 6d.; U.S.A., 40o.; France, 2fr. . mailed fist in the service of capitalism against the Workers. Foreign Sutseriptio.is should be sent by International. Money Order,----- It would be a great moral and social calamity if the workers Wholesale price, la. 6d. per ^uire of 26 post-free in the United Kingdom. should listen to the voice of those leaders.who would persuade All communibation's, exchanges, &o., to be addressed to, them to cease their daily Struggle in all its various forms, and' confide their emancipation to Parliamentary representatives THE MANAGER, 127 Ossulston Street, N.W. who are submitting to the existing order of exploitation and The Editors are not neoessarily in agreement with signed articles ' State oppression. "When a most “ Liberal ” Government, on the friendliest of Notice to ^uhscribers.'—U there is a blue mark against this notice, your sub- seriptioii is due, and must be sent before next month to,ensure receipt of paper. terms with “Labour” in Parliament, is sending'armed police,, troops and gunboats to shoot down strikers, when^ exploiters M )ney and Postal Orders should be made payable to H. Keell. are combining and raising a fund of £60,000,000 in order to crush even the elementary right of organisation among their wage-slaves, it is surely not only futile but criminal to urge the What is Political Action ? . workers to put their faith in legal tactics and Parliamentary representation. ' ^ The struggle between Capital and Labour has become more Whilst the exploiters do not have the slightest hesitation in , in- tu 1 1 11. PrcTiPA acting in the most brutal way, whether legal or non-legal, are and more acute during the last three, years in England, Prance, to do nothing but, through their Parliamentary and the United States. Partial strikes, atnkes Jn a whole 'j.Qpj.ggentatives, implore the masters to respect the right of industry, and even general strikes have continually been taking combination and to strike, ■ won in hard struggle by their ' ■ place in those countries^ and often were accompanied by - forefathers ? ' ^ sanguinary conflicts with armed police and troops, as in the . - No, because it would be too degrading, too cowardly., We WestYirginW mine strike, that of Lawrence, the Liverpool hope the workers will realise that the time has come to brush dock strike, Za at present in Dublin. It is evident that the aside the web qf Parliamentary, futilities and iihpotence to take working classes' of our generation are determined, as in the their own affaiis into then own hands,.and, to ^ s ^ •Thirties” and “sixties” of last toenturv, to force the weapon feared by their enemies-revolutionary direct action- oS'st and governing classes to make , concessions of in order not .only to; preserve already conquered rights but to an^ economic and social Lture. By strikes and a widespread dear the way towards the • great aim; abolition of, wage- , populaTBgitation, the Trade Unionists and Socialists of re32f-45 slavery and State oppression. , obtained the Reform Act, a ten-hour day, and the regulation ■ ...... ^ _ . . of .childreAs and women’s work. Again, in tke “sixties,” . , ' • ■ by'strikes, demonstrations, and ' attacks on , property,' the INTERNATIONAL SYNDICALIST CONGRESS,., working cla.sses imposed on the governing and the capitalist ■ ______- . , i
' Sr s?”™. SS: ^wu.,. it was only by popular agitation and active struggle,' by waa held-in the Holboin Hall, Gray s im oa , ep e er direct revofutioua?y activity, that the political franchise and to October 2. The delegates came from Germany,'Holland. Prance. economic oonoessiontiwere obtained, . . —, Belgium, Spain, Italy. Argentine, Brazil, Cbba. Aorway, and Sweden, No Parliament in any country by its own initiative, besides the English members of the Congress. -Interesting-reports without popular pressure and agitation frorq outside, inaugu- were read, dealing -with the Syndicalist movement in the different rated reforms. That is why all sincere reformers in political countries. A declaration, of principle was worked out by an inter- as well as in economic life' were rebels,' revolutionists. But national .Commission of the Congress, and unanimously accepted. It for the last forty years Social Democrats in Germany and runs as follows :— their followers in other countries, o.ontrary to these lessons of “That this Congress, recognising that the working class of every history, began to preach that the only way to political and social ' ffers from capitalist sla:\^ry and State oppression, declares emancipation was legal Parliamentaiism;. that the Working' country su j , , class iTst. send their representatives to the existing capitalist for the class struggle and mternatipnal solidarity, and for the organisi- Parliament to obtain economic and social reforms. Thtese tion of the workers into autonomous industrial Unions on a basis Parliamentary tactics were balled “political action,”’and the of free association. ... . most ridiculous part of this terminology is that the tame Strives fot I;he immediate uplifting ok the material and intel- process of election and sitting in Parliament .is called revolu- leotual interests of the working class, and for the overthrow of the . » tionarj/ political action ! At the same time, the activity of the capitalist system and'the State. .French'Syndicalists, with their propaganda and demonstrations “Declares that the.class'struggle is a .necessary.result of private against capitalism, militarism, and State oppression is called.by property in the .means of production, and distribution, and therefore Parliamentarians “ nOn-political action, because it does not act ^gc]a.res for the socialisation of .such property by constructing and ■ ■ . through Parliament;,- w. ' ' * i developing our Trade Unions in such a way as to fit them for tl-e
: -Si a.;, iv.i. u.,™ ,;.. — avenging the people shot in the streets- of Milan and' the- when they cease to be divided by political and religious differences; tortured victims of Montjuioh, was not theirs heroic revolution- declares that their fight is an economic fight, meaning thereby that ary political action ? ' - they do not intend to reach their aim by trusting their Cause to ' The absurdity of the Social Demoo'rats in affirming that they governing bodies'or their members, but by using direct action, by only are employing political activity was especially demonstrated the workers themselves _ relying on the strength of their economic during the aniS-war campaign of last winter! 'When the Social organisations. , ' ■ Democrats and Parliamentarians held an anti-war meeting “ And in conseqftence of these recognitions and deolaratiofi's, the in,Zurich and issued an anti-war manifesto resembling that of Qon„ress appeals to the workers in all countries to organise in the peace societies, they pompously called that political action. industrial Unions, and to unite themselves on the basis The French Syndicalists ,and Anarchists holding anti-war international solidarity, in order finally to obtain their emanci-
and the war—^this was non-political action, according to the Social Democrats’ standard! . *. ■■ . . , ‘^ j In this wily it would appear as if all great, revolutionary Anaeohy.—A,social theory which regards, the union o± order fighters were non-politioal ! Mazzini and'his heroic friends, with the absence of all direct government of man by man as the never having been in Parliament in spite of their life-long poiitioal idesl.—Oentury Dictionary. October, 19-13. FREEDOM. 61
Jl But so far, so good. Everything, it is'said, must have » The Trades Union Congress. •beginning; and may be, though the first s.tep is made as a consequence ot unexpected circumstances, the road onward, so • T, ■ i i-i- i • -n -1 • obvious and yet so easily missed, will yet be taken.. It isa matter for regret that one is compel ed to speak m ^ the workers on the la'nd were a subdued tone when referring to tbe recent Trade Union though meagrely. Hotv* easily might a tithe of the f de egates, representing monlfand effort uselessly expended upon political action have ■ p50,000 organised workers, meeting_for the purpose of con-- profitably been devoted to the work of organisation of farm ferring in the common interests of their class, is an inspirmg thus .completing the great .-circle of organised Labour ' one. The possibilities are enormous m number and scope. let - /. ’ ^ o o , o while year after year the same imposing display of thp numerical " ^ proceedings str^ng hof organised Law IS made, he earnest spirits in the ^ Congress. The “hardy annuals,” of course, appharll cause turn from it with disappointment, and wonder whether, it s?ene,’^a-nd made onifeel how necessary a completely IS wrth the time and cost. ■ w ^ f i\r t new start really is. The ghost'of tbe legal eight-hour day was ■ Such a CongresB as that which assembled at Manchester on the second day, and the result of the ballot in the ' . September 1 should be capable of soundmg an inspiring note 33 Qg^ ^ Wh would reanimate the whole of the iorces pf Labour in has become. On its grave should he inscribed : their struggle against capitalistic greed and tyranny The task . before it is a gigantic one, if understood aright. The Congress deputations to Ministers of State upon possesses aU the necessary machinery for exact and full inquiry questions was admitted by, Mr. Walkden, who testified into the social and economic conditions in which.the toiling, he had been on deputations for one or two years, and-found masses epst. It has under itsnontrol a.magmficent organisation practically no results accrued from them. His Union, • which IS m_a position to attend to the pressinpeeds of workers strange to say, wants more. , " - ' of. every kind by direct and immediate action Its strength Association, was compeUed to increases annually; every period of social discontent and every j^^knowledge that nationalisation “will not bring the millenium,” Labour revolt adds to it. Oppressed workers throughout the could be accompanied, as in the, case of the Post Office, by country look for aid; hut, to speak frankly, this great orgamsa- cf speeding up, low wa,ges, and conditions,,.that tion, which might stretch out a giant s arm on their behalf as a. .poniphre for badness with any capitalistic concern in the rule seems content with emitting a few mouse-squeaks at the country.” His remedy was “democratic control” and more caphalist beast 01 prey. -u cr • 1 a i • t political action! The Congress then decided, nevi. con., in Eeally, organised Labour, both officials and members, is not nationalisation of rfilways. conscious of,the power of its own movement ■ Tor a long period judgment ” was'discussed.' , Trade Unionists have been looking so much to_an alien institu- actioniste do not appear to be conscious of tbeir tion for redress of the major portion of Thmr grievances... ^ ignominious position upon this question. After all these years consistently not being contented,with the futile results of many J expressed through the ballot-box, and by success at years’ “lobbying,” they have become ambitious of entering the .^j^g^pclls and in Parliament, and wifrh a. party sympathetic to House of Humbug as its recogn^ed members, and regard the been treated 4s of less consequence ' Confess as a means of giving them a help m that direction. ^ Chamber of Oommerce, and their membei-n'denied ^ if the work and sacrifice so unselfishly epended in the ^he right to expend their own money even in accordance with • , Lahour^ovement were given for sUCh purposes ! _ .objects of their societies ! That is a typical effect of' Probably one of- the, chief Masons for the uOT-progressive Thorne, M.P., chaUenged “ the Syndicalist character of the proceedings is ® ® ° . , crowd” to- discuss the question. Well, they were discussing - IS predominant.. The title should he the “Trade Union Officials ^ Congress. And when we .remember that many of them are . .that gentleman may, to his sorrow, learn before putting up-a stubborn fight apinst progress within their own « -^hile we resent the insolent interference of the Legis- societies and then meet each other m force on an occasion imbeciles on the judicial benches with.the rights which they regard in a fraternal , hght more than in any other, j^^p^ ^hlt, their action ,will assist the different conduct cannot reasonably be expected of them. The- the workers to help themselves. The greater thUt ' change in the method of .appointing the president of the^ ^he sooner will the Osborne judgment be reversed. Congress illustrotes - these facts _ve^ well. While -the local ^ to persuade' tbe workers to return to tbe - Trades Couneil had the selection in their hands, it was always ^he politicians not many , possible that a, man of forward tendencies might occupy the ^hen Syndicalism first aiirightk them. chair and give the Congress a moral and intellectual lead ...But concluding, we may turn with some satisfaction to now any;such hope must he , abandoned, because the Parha- reception 'given to the French rnTGerman delegates, and to mentory (ominous word!) Committee appoints the president. .resolution against-militarism. We applaud both, for inter- Thus Mr. W. J Davis s address as president this year was Labour has tbe power to prevent the ghastly-wars typical of minds still lagging be in e lines , oiuj ®. ® ™ which Governmentp indulge in chiefly for the benefit of financial bondage by thnideas current in the “seventies and ‘ eighties- gKouk and'other parasites „ . ' ' of last century.^ The address wou ma e one we^ 1 were . Taken as a whole, the Congress reflects to .some extent'the taken seriously.. His audxeuce must ha»e been destitute of a the'organised workers; but there is a sense of humour if th^ refrained from ironic smi es. great lack of reality ^bout tke proceedings. -‘-It does not express conclusion of -his address is a goo samp e, an nee s no the general passionate feeling of discontent with capitalist society ■ - comment. . . . which, happily, is so prevalent amongst the working class. It T, future or to suggest programmes is represent the intensity of the demand for the “mending -be preparX“urre“der toThe peop°e^h7ao^argTy conTribute to toe ending” of the present econoinio conditions. When it does, , natbu’s prosperity that which is overdue. In the interests of commerce it wfll concern itself more serious y with fundamental principles, this will be demanded. To co-ordinate the rights and responsibilities It will convert the ideas of radical change into practical projects of property may shock the holders of capital, but, if I mistake not the and methods, and it will be compelled to strike at the very basis indication of the times, the time is fast approaching when those who of the wage system. The perfecting of the strike weappn, the can best afford it will not be permitted to escape by contributing less boycott, mutual aid between the Unions, the provisioning of the than their proportion to the national burdens, b'lit will havd to meet workers ■ in their struggles with their economic and poHtical ■ taxation commensurate with their accidental or fortunate financial enemies^ new and improved methods of fighting—all will receive holdings.”—(Manchester Guardian.) , necessary consideration. Then may arise the supreme question , “The best thing of tlie week,” as the sporting papers say, of the cbntrol of land and industry, and the distribution of was without question the expression of feehng of the delegates _^ealth by the workers.' The expropriation of the capitalist class upon the Dublin atrocities. To the horrorpf the “ higher grade” must follow, officials, the proceedings were interrupted 'in order to attend to These are ideas which will not appeal to those persons ' that question. It is pleasant to record complete unanimity by generally responsible for the policy of the Trade Union Congress, the Congress, and its immediate and direct action in this matter but they are important and urgent in the minds of the most shows that tbe Congress would become an institution of some_, - earnest amongst the hosts of Labour. Let the workers remember real importance if it proceeded more' often upon those lines.'' the important fact that progress, even in the Labour movement, • Action was also taken in reference to the .wanton police brutality , must come from their own ranks, and cannot descend like ■ to the clayworkers on strike in Cornwall, though the standing manna-from' above. Freedom cannot he giyen, it must be orders did not permit sim,ilar prominence being given'to it. taken. ■ . «. G.
TZi:- October, 1913. 82 FREEDOM,
( the Governor..... Mt was Hatfield who issued the famous ultimatuiM SIDELIGHTS ON SOCIAL SUBJECTS. commanding the strikers to get back to work withip thirty-six hours or ' be deported from the State. It was the United Mine Workers officials
significant when we realise the number of Trade Unionists in 1868 was tion. the splendid men in ^e xank and file would make real lighting
worthy of criticism, notably the deputation 'sent , to the seat of the soon make this betrayal an impossibility. Labour war at Dublin. In this connection the speech made by James Sexton, J.P., is interesting. “Sexton, speaking very Idw and in a epidemic of strikes which is so palpably agitating Stock guarded manner, called upon the Irish Parliamentary Party to take, Exchange circles just now is a grave symptom of a disorder which will adtion, He did not applaud, violence ; as a ‘ holder of His Majesty’s ^jg easy to “ treat,” despite the remedy proposed by Mr. Asquith. Commission of the Peace,’he had no personal love for some of those -vye learn from the daily press that in reply to a question from Mr. involved.” ’Therein lies the whole point.. The most efleotual (igopei., the Conservative Member for W alsall, asking him whether he extinguisher of any militant Labour movement is always some leader discontented the wage earning classes are and whether it was bribed byan ofifiCe conferred uppn him or given over to the fetish of settled policy of the Government “ to postpone intervention until Parliamentary action, for, being of the same class as the rebels, he ^ struggle had broken but,” Mi-. Asquith said the matter never ceased makes the most efficient “ Guardian of the Peace.” ^ , to engage the attention of the Government, knd So we have the How much longer, will the workers tolerate their “leaders”? .announcement that a Royal Commission is to, consider “ Indu.stri^ Progress will never be made by a tame official-ridden body such as the ’Unrest.” But “Dr” Asquith with his political quack remedies is Trade Unioii Congress now is, with its respect for laws made against . bg„jnning to bS found out, and on the*day when- the awakening its own class, and its foolish endeavour to model itself on the lines of 'becomes universal the long-derived “ patients” will exact a heavy Parliament 'with its Parliamentary Committee corresponding to the reckoning for the fraud. The Black' Country,' Leith, Dublin, and British-Cabinet. How far will the workers ever get until they realise Oom^vall are still in our memory, and it is just possible it'will take that faw-makmg is the capitalists’method of hindering their growth rather a larger dose of quackery than, usual to heal the , afflicted To defy their laws will ever remain an impossibility so long as officials jbis time. ' and leaders dominate the movement and strangle initiative in the rank and file. - Under thb title “ Equal Suffrage in \the U.S.A.,” a passage recently appeared in the press to the effect that; “ This year Illinois, -- 'Obe pathetic statement was made by an American delegate to thd by a constitutional amendment, granted almost full suffrage to 1,600,000 -^Congress, 0. L.'Baine, declared the American Federation, of-Labour '^omen in tiiat important State, making the tenth Suffrage State in the stood for law and order. With such brilliant satellites, no wonder this Union. ' The effect of the operation of equal Suffrage in tan States can famous Eederatiou is wise in its generation. It now remains for our be readily guessed. It gives them a tremendous advantage over States A merioaii comrades to teach their 'leaders that they exist to break down where only the men can vote. The Presidential vote has been increased class law, not to obey it. But, alas ! on, the. day when: such an by three or four millions, which practically means that the Suffrage awakening comes the hour of the ,0. L. Baine typo of delegate will be states can swing the next Presidontiab election. This fact has over, and meanwhile their baneful,influence keeps back the hands of naturally excited large interest in the rest of the Republic, the- the clock. advantage being easily apparent.” . - . , ■ We are bound to remark that the advantage to the capitalist . , Those of us, who have studied the Labour movement, during^the . Sorbing’^tL’work "'orthe “SnalAsso”^^^^ of
past-few years contend that the growing conscigusness un the mass , of jj,3^„„f^„t^rers recently made by Mulhall and'-appearirig in the August workera is very near the revclutionary metrods InUnmlioivd Socialut Revkw under the title “The Invisible Govern- later the leaders and officia s, with them antiquated political i^thods, „ qi^e extracts speak tor themselves dootrinair6gospel,,and bankruptoy of ideas, will have to go-, ^or the ■■ The actual government of this country was not the President, great realisation of economic power among ,tbe rank and file must pro ve theUourts, not any body qr power created or recognised creative, and construction will be m proportion as. each one is with Constitution, but always a combination of important business an ideal worthy of expression. It is everywhere becoming apparent inrerests were in fact the real, if mvisible, government, that the Trade Unionist of y^terday, content with a mere bargaining ^ orders, and the puppets thai; filled, the ostensible for improved conditions has to-day been transformed into the power, obeyed. We have said that these interests never tionary, actuated with the ideal of freedom, seeing the necessity for the fbje^ to gft what they wanted ; that their hands were discernible in absolute abolition of wagedom. He, has become conscious of his j ® f j^portant legislation; that they selected the .Cabinets , invindible power as. a worker This is expressed in , the, rebellion ° laws as they pleased; that in this country the “ against industrial agreements drawn up by officials, which plays so jg little to s|y about their affairs...... A great power large a part m the frequent industrial Uke^the National Association-of Manufacturers, with unlimited money signs of the breaking^ away from the fatalistic belief m P^lrnme , t, ^ unscrupulous agents, can wield an almost irresistible which has for so-long been a pathetic feature of the Labour stiuggles. political dominion. As shown so repeatedly in the confessions of ’There is hope, for Britain in as far as general initiative and it can go into the district of a Member that is nbt obedient to , creative self-action’’is undertaken by her wage-slaves. The spirit of “ V him for renomination or at the polls. YoucanCariy ,
1 ebellion will in time break down the traditions at present surrounding ™ ^ glg^^g^ if h^^g „„-gy enough...... It ear a..,! halo-hke the heads of the l^ders. ,lhen Labour J.P.s and La our p^.^gg and every-day poisons the tninda of thousands M.P.s will cease to be political “pied pipers, and, despoiled of their « ^gj.fcg^g that never suspect the nature of the stuff they are iourgeois tinsel, will appear only average persons. As the mass itself , w“™era nnai nevei s p becomes educated, it will see through the political ohioanery of the, g^f ^g, fg emphasise the’great service Illinois is ItfhamdTt1erS'offioral'‘ without having ,g„ by L adoptiL of equal suffrage! ' ■
■ That history has a habit 6f repeating itself is shown in the first . Little by little the prestige formerly enjoyed by the Social act of the Trade Union Congress deputation to Dublin. The members. Democratic l^ders is falling awa^ ami f ® teUetor like good law-abiding citizens, we are told, went straight to interview and women the movement has made. - In August Bebel 8 last letter, Lord^berdeen on their arrival in that city. Since then the capitalist an absolute sacrifice of principle to expediency is shown. We are told, papers hate been saying complimentary thing? about the spirit of “ He held his tongue in order not to embarrass the German Empmor in Lmpromise displayed V them.^ The sequel might prove interesting, his attempt to enlarge and strengthen the German Army. ^ys-
pastto^quie^y^^ parallel, and“jarf although the pei-sons concerned are“ on• St"War that our army, has completely gone to S'lrely the other side of the Atlantic,'the mLl is obvious. During the fight reactionary policy adopt A revolutionary s ®®»^® between the West Virginia miners and the mine owners, an investiga- clear, for, unless the wotk of all ^ V ®. , tion committee of the American Socialist Party visited the scene of respective .Governments, ^ey had gf action Their first act was to visit Governor Hatfield, the tool of the more metaphysical means than that indicated by the way of the S .m,d mine owners ;' and this is what the Iniernatioml Socialist Review for Revolution Bub incidents such m these vindicate the position adopted . mine owu^ , auu urns by Anarchists, who, seeing the pitfalls lining the way ofpolitical neuoii, “ This conference (with the Governor) took place before Debs had avoid them by strenuously opposing all such methods. ' M. B, Hope. investigated among the strikers, and resulted in Debs’s endorsement of Wetober, 1913, 4 FREEPOM. 83
international notes. they will shai'e tli6 same fatej as the German Social Pemocratic leader Auer’s woida : “General Strike is general nonsense”; they will be Spalin. "■ emsmbered only with shame when the bitter experience of the daily Tho a •' I, 1. J■ ' '■ . tbe workers has convinced them that they, the workers •the wojkers of Spam have had the satisfaction of seeing their, themselves, must fight their own economic battle, and that the general, inilitant comrades, who were imprisoned since the beginning of August, . strike is an invaluable asset in that fight. liberated by the Government. When In July the textile workers of , ______B.ircelona formulated their claims for higher wages and less hours, Portugal. the owners refused to consider them. The workers of the same trade The'persecution of Syndicalists and Anarchists still continues, in the whole district enthusiastically made common cause with their* propagandists being anested’wholesale, and all advanced papers sup- Barcelona fellow workers, and on July.30th the' general strike was, ^.fonso Costa, the present distator, leaves no stone unturned declared. Over 100,000 persona took part .in this demonstration of break up the Syndicates. One-of thh strongest opponents of the, ' solidarity. When the employers still did not show any willingness to Oovernment s policy has been Machado Santos, the commanding, officer cede, the delegates of the Provincial Federation held a meeting to decide “ the Republican forcra when the Republic was established. But whether a general strike in all trades should be called. The ®™b bis paper, 0 hiU-an^gmte, has been seized'so often that it has authorities, alarmed by the firm attitude of the workers, came down ®n®P®nded publication, and Santos himself threatened with imprison- on this meeting of the,Federation and arrested twenty-three of the ®f pobtical Tsvolutions will find little encouragement best known Anarchists and Syndicalists of Barcelona. Since that night Foriugal just .now. these men have remained in prison. But if the authorities thought , they could crush the movement, they had misoaloulatsd. In the end the workers’ demands for higher pay and less hours were granted. The FERRER AND THE USE OF FORCE. Federation started an .en^getie protest campaign, appealing to ITteorchLlf ‘l'® Government . AnirbJhihts and Revolutionists are much indebted to Mr. Joseph W.,k.did .. „ b-„™. F„.,, .„d b. , which is the . storm centre of the whole country, has been much him may seem ungrateful; but in his Introduction to hastened by the continuous disastrous news from the field of war in ^errer's “Origin and Ideals of the ]\io4ern School”* he makes a Morocco. Though censorship a lying capitalist press' are trying statement which calls for comment, if Ferrer’s ideas are to be properly to keep the truth from the people/ the evil tidings of defeat, suffering, -understood. Mr. McOabe says:—“He [Ferrerl was also an AnaVchist TU be beUeved .that liberty was eee'ential to.tb; »fae millions on this “ littlewar in Morocco, a pendant to tfie cfstly, Jgorous“v at TiSf hrrelioT’/^^^^ government an evil. Bvit,- as brigandage in Tripoli by Italy ; the economic, crisis ■ labour unrest m r 1 ^ ‘ ’ v r®b®d on persuasion and abhorred violence.” in Catalonia; threats of strikes by the miners in Asturia and Huelva— ^ McCabe means, of course, that Ferrer was of the ,opinion that the ■ all have’ helped to create a state of fermentation and violent discontent by man and the consequent exploitation pf the that at any moment may break out and sweep away the Government ^ abolished vyithout the. use of physical force—by and Alfonso,' the murderer of Ferrer, to their well-deserved fate education and persuasion. -But h;s writings are a flat contradietion of , this view. ^ While Ferrer, like other Anarchists, believed that force ‘^oiith Afpipa ' ' without education was useless, he also knew fhat education without ouuui miiod. . . > , force would be of no avail. The rulers and exploiters of the world will fa Odtberat in the. Rand Mines has been temporarily never give up their privileges until they are'compelled-.to'do so, Ktified by the usual method of Governments and capitalists—viz., the howeverlienefioial it might be for the world in general. This is-a fact appointment of a Commission and inquiries, interviews of an unlimited that must be recognised by the workers, and that it was recognised by pumber and length,- wearing out the interests of the public and the Ferrer is shown by the following extracts from “La HuelgaGeneraG’ bppes of the strikers, who, had in the meantime gone back to slavery— CThe General Strike), a series of«‘artioles written by him in 1902-3, and the_ Randlords, _who hadi -been lying low when the bullets flew, now sul^equently published in pamphlet form. The quotations are taken ' again feffi them courage revive. One of them. Sir Lionel Phillips (the * from translations, by “ S. 0.” in the AnarcMst, WV2
■ t ^ T u“-®‘u “ t^® ®?°®®“ptive sanatorium who classes, the time they have wasted in political wa.lre, it is many long year! might have done some small jobs and didn fc, oufc of pure laziness. since that we would have battered down capitalistic society. The Anarchists That titled cad, after living in luxury on the proceeds of the miner’sl^ave the duty to make this truth known to those-who still believe in the labour, cannot even allow his workman to die in peace, but must still - of the vote and of the Parliaments.. The full emancipation of the. insult him. , If the miners could get this coward down in the mine and ^workers cannot come from the State no more than from the Church, but ' force him to share their hell for a few months, one’s sense of justice ^ these two institutions and destroy would feel relieved. . - them. Will there be bloodshed? Yes, much. Yes, although we do not Among the blessings of civilisation introduced by the white man’s popr/suffioienUy ’orgIuised‘Md^ twakef'wirg^ve* orders the government 13 the rule that coloured women in the Orange Free'State capitalists, Then there will happen a phenomenon greater than any yet ' when they go about must have a passport on them. This degrading mentioned iiiliistory.^ The owners of the world’s riches and their supporters measure has at last so revolted,the native women of Bloemfontein that instead of them reasonably, entering into agreement and intelligently^, they decided to take a leafrout of tjie white man’s book: they applied .““-.operating in the change of a system of robbery into one of fraternity and' passive resistance, and refused to provide themselves with'passes ^bdarity—will oppose resistance; inevitably that day will come the tragedy. This courageous action has ended in 34 coloured women being sent to SvolnHnTwi I hopeless curses! Serene strong, unfaltering, jail in Bloemfontein The public meeting at which,the wLen of “hfL":" Bloemfontein decided to destroy their passes, caused great enthiisiasin justice, that through the last baptism of blood will come ex^stenc^e for the ■ everywhere. - We hope .'these daring pioneers will find support and first time, setting up the satiety in which life really will be worth living.'! Here he does not advocate force as-a policy, but as a disagrssable ‘ ' Switzerland. , h' ®ays :- We all ^ow that the General Strike, with its Anarchist origin, is in we must^nTLct oommiasioiirfor 'preLSiT^journeytf uor'even Sak7pa°e1fe ■ reality an abomination m the eyes of Social Democrats, though they demonstrations.. If we are not strong enough to take -yhat really belongs have been obliged even in the German Congresses to admit its useful- ^ to us, we must go on propagating ohr ideas of freedom amdngst our fellow ness for “ political ” purposes. The Trade Unions of German Switzerland workers, until the day arrives when we can take i-t—by our own sole efforts — - have.demonstrated in their recent Congrese how orthodox are their views from our masters of tp-day.” - , regarding this heresy. The secretary of the Executive had proposed a These ■ extracts are suffihient .to Show that I’errer did not believe . resolution against the general strike; this was accepted by the ,, that the oppressors of mankind would peacefully agree to thetians- . Executive, but had-to be, ratified by the Congress held lasfi"week at formation of society. His zeal for education, however, proved that ho Zurich; ^ Thirty-three delegates were against any resolution binding realised the necessity for an enlightened people if the revolution was ' their Unions to an attitude in future circumstances. Nevertheless forty-, Jo have permanent results. four delegates adopted the anti-general strike resolu^n—“ That the However, in translating “TheUrigin and Ideals of the Modern Congress condemns every general strike, for purel^Wabour demands. School,” Mr. McCabe has made it possible for English readers to learn It can-only support a general strike for political motives, when some from Ferrer himself the real facts concerning tke School, which was a Govermental measures are threatening t(ie vital interests of the the cause of his tragic end. The'booK can be obtained from Febebom*^ . working elrases. But the Congress is of opinion that a general strike Office, for the upholding of Constitutional rights will not be necessary in ' Switzerland.” So the Gerrhan-Swiss workers are ordered to abstain from the **'” Owincj to •pressure on oiir sjpate, several interesting articles, general strike for the amelioration of tljeir economic conditions; but ' including Book Notes, are orow'ded out. the politicians, recognising the value of this powerful weapon, wish to . m, ■ ’ limit its use to their own purposes and aims. The Congresfi of Swiss A. % I ’’f School. By Francisco Ferrer. ___ ^ c “ ... , uwjoo Translate* by Joseph McCabe. Clotli, 9(1. net; paper, 6d. net. London; Trade Unions may accept scores, of such ridiculous resolutiors, but Watts and Co. - ■ ' > > t i >
1 , October, 1913. BRBEDOM. .64
PROPAGANDA NOTES. PAMPHLET AKD BOOK LIST.
’East Lohdon Guoup.—For the paat. eight montlia a thoroiighiyvigoroaa ANARCHIST-COMMUNISM : Its Basis ahd Pbinoipl is. By Pbtbb . open-air propaganda has been carried on in Hackney. Five meetings a Ehopoteiit. ' Id. week have been held tliroughout tlie summer, and the eouBequenoe is that ANARCHIST MORALITT.” By Peter Kropotkin. Idi , we have now a large and sympathetic following, and the comrades themselves THE.-"WAGE SYSTEM. By P,iKropotein. Id. ’ are nearly thirty in number. Now we' think the time has arrived when 4 TALK ABOUT ANARCHIST COMMUNISM BETWEEN TWO definite measures are necessary to confirm sympathisers in their sympathy WORKERS. 3r B. Malatbsta. ,.ld. . ' 'and make converts of them. To this-end a meeting was held, and the THE STATE : Its Historic Bole.. By Peter Kropotkin. 2d. following things were agreed upon :—That-membership cards be issued for EXPROPRIATION. By Peter Kropotkin. Id. the purpose of providing some bond between tlie’comrades, and that th; , pmEOT ACTION «. LEGISLATION. By J. Blair Smith. Id. subscriptions to be entered in same shall be voluntary; that the secretary, THE SOCIAL GENERAL STRIKE. By Arnold Roller. Id. who was appointed at this meeting, should arrange for a systematic qhangr ..-pjaj; PYRAMID OP TYRANNY. By P. Domela NieuwenhOIS. Id. of speakers; and that a library be formed. .Further, that it is absolutely LAW AND AUTHORITY. Bx Peter Kropotkin. 2d. fieoeasary that we have a club-room, which shall be a centre for our activities PLACE OF ANARCHISM IN SOCIALISTIC EVOLUTION, and a place to which newcomers in the movement can he invited. The By Peter Kropotkin. Id. strength of the'movement and the public support justify us, we think, in jgE COMMUNE OF PARIS.. By Peter Kropotkin. Id. saying that such a place can be maintained by us. The discussion then ANARCHISM AND OUTRAGE, id. turned on ways and means for raising money to initiate the scheme out- AN APPEAL TO THE- YOUNG. Br Peter Kropotkin. Id. ■ lined. It was. decided that colleotiona be taken at public meeting's, that 'WAR. By Peter Kropotkin. Id. sympathisers be written to, and that we appeal through Freedom for fun,ds, EVOLUTION AND REVOLUTION. By Elisbb Beglds. Id. to be sent to the address below. We are having weekly group meetings at mONQPOLY ; oR, How Labodr is Robbed. William Morris. Id. this address until our funds are large enough to take other prem'ises. USEFUL WORK v. USELESS TOIL. By Wm. Morris. Id. , C. Palmer, Secretary, .jig;E INTERNATIONAL ANARCHIST CONGRESS, 1907. Id. 8 Belmont M ansions, Goldsmith Bow, Hackney, E. , THE CONCENTRATION OF CAPITAL : A Marxian Fallacy. By .r W. Tcherkesope. Id. . Ferrer Sunday School.—It must not be forgotten that the-anniversary ANARCHISTS TAND ESPER.^TO. Id. _ . , j , of the brutal legal murder of Ferrer.by the Spanish Government takes place KROPOTKIN ;toE M.^ Ara HisMrasAaB. B-r T. Swanj _ Id.- on the 13th inst. We propose having an open school on the i2f/i jRsf., when THK^ JAPANBoB MARTYRS. W ith Portrait of Kotoku. -Id. the tragic incidents of Ferrer’s trial and-exeoution will be explained to the ANARCHY. By Andre OiRARm id. _ -vmmAfolk - ■ . NON-GOVERNMENTAL SOCIETY- By Edward Carpenter. 3d. ^ On the 30th of last montii the School concert took place. The childrefi STATE SOCIALISM AND ANARCHISM. By Ben. R. Tucker. 3d. acquitted themselves remarkably well in their singing, reciting, and dancing TRADE UNIONISM AND AN.^CHISM. By Jay Fox.. 2d. During the moiith we have had the pleasure of Bessie Ward talking to th. THE CHICAGO MARTYRS. W ith Portraits. Id. , yi ung folk about “The Story of the Ogre.” Now the winter session is upon
us, we are hoping for some pleasant ‘and profitable Sunday afternoon dis MEMOIRS OF A REVOLUTIONIST. By P.. Kropotkin. (American cussions. Thanks'are due to Comrade Lahr and other comradek for their- Edition). 8s. 6d. post-free. • ' ' gifts of books. These are much appreciated by the yopngsters. THE GREAT FRENCH REVOLUTION, 1789—1793. By Peter 146 Stepney Green, E. ■ ' Jimmy Dick. '.Kropotkin;' 6a. net. THE CONQUEST OF BREAD.- By P. Kropotkin. Clothls.net. . Liverpool (Communist Club, 20 lalington).—Comrades should rally MUTUAL AID, By Peter Kropotkin. 3s. fd. post-free round now the winter session begins. Lectures and reading class; French , modern SCIPNCE AND ANARCHISM. By Peter KeopotKIN. A , \ class will also be started, providing a sufficient number of students join. New Translation. Paper,' 6d., Cloth Is. 6d, ; postage lid. and 3d. fields, factories AND workshops. By Peter Kropotkin. New and Revised Edition. Cloth, Is. net. GOD AND THE STATE. By Michael Bakunin. Cloth Is. net, paper ANARCHIST, EDUCATION LEAGUE. 6d. net, postage Id. ■ A Social' and Dance has been arranged to take place at the , ANARCHISM AND OTHER ESSAYS." . By Emma Goldman. 4a; 6d.net. Central Labour College, 13 Penywern Road, S.W. (close to Earl’s PRISON MEMOIRS OF'AN ANARCHIST. By'A. Berkman. , 6s. 6d.
and sympathisers are urged to support the London Groups m then!-. 2a.; postage 2d. ' < efforts to ensure a successful evening. ' A DEEAM OF JOHN BALL. By William Morris. 2s., postfige 3d. 'FAMOUS SPEECHES OF THE EIGHT CHICAGO ANARCHISTS.
Subscription in Aid of a Comrade. ^ What IS ’&OPBBTY ? By P. J. Proudhon. 2 vols. 2a., poatage 4d. List No. 1 (J. W alsh) 3s. 6d., No. 2 (B. Plattin)'10s. 6d,, No. 3 -phe BOO AND HIS- OWN. By Max Stirner.' 2a. 6d. net. (Eritz)3s.,No.4(L.Kavanagh)13s.6d.,No.8(W illesdenCo mrades)5s., ENGLAND’S IDEAL. By Edward Carpenter. 2a. 6d. and la.,: post. 3d. No 9 '(F. Large) 3s. 6,d., No, 10 (J. Dick) £3, No. 11 (T. Keell) 7s., A VINDICATION OF NATURAL SOCIETY. By Edmund Burke. -No. llA (Corso) 4s. 6d,, No. 12 (A. Sugar) 13s. 6d., No. 15 (M. Rocker) la. and 6d., postage 2d. and Id. ■
M. Kavanagh, Jdon. iieasu e . Francisco Ferrer. Cloth 9d. net, paper 6d. net,, postage 2d. FRANCISCO FERRER : Hia Life, W ork, and Martyrdom. Is. net. Dublin Strikers’ Fund. ’ p6bE political institutions. By L. Spooner, ,1b. net. - --:W , Auuu. SYNDICALISM AND THE CO-OPERATIVE COMMONWEALTH. We have received the fobu'™ ! sums on behalf of the Dublin I Pataud and E. Pou,get. Cloth 3a, 6rt. ne't, paper 2«. 6d. net.,. . strikers and their families, and will be.pleased to receive and torward AND THE GREAT LIBERTARIANS. ' Compiled by
any further sums sent to us ;—Essex 2s. 6d., Oomp. Is. C. T, Sprading. 6a, 6i, net, postage 4d.
All orders, with cash, should be sent to MONTHLY AOKNOWLEDOMENTS. Freedom Press, 127 Ossdlston Street, London, N.W.’ ' ■ p...... K. - , “ FREED.0M ■■ MAY BE OBTAWp of ' : “^Fbbedom Subscripiidns.—A. lloberts Is 6d, T. Marmol \s 6d, A. Pjate-lle London.—Bbndbbsons, 66 ChariDg Cross Road, W.O. (W holesale). . Is 6d, G. Toltscli 2s, K.K.S. (Canton) Is 6d, S. G. ScolTham Is 6d, National Labour Peess, St. Bride’s House, Salisbury Square, Fleet 0. Hoggett Is 6cl, ' Street, E.C. (W holesale). Pamphlet Printing Fund,—Gateshead Group (per G. W. Tii^dale) 8s 6d, W. Reeves, 83,'Charing Cross Road, W. G. TSltsph 2a 2d, C. Hoggett Is, Essex Is. O. Mathias, 20, LittleiPulteney Street, W. ' B. Rulbbman, 71 Hanbury Street, Spitalfields, E, BAST LONDON ANARCHIST GROW. J, J. Jaquks, 191 6ld Street, City Road, E.C. QuiokfallS, 238 York Road, and 61 High Street, Battersea, S.W. Sunday Mornings—Victoria Park, 11,30; Ridley Road, palston, 12. ISENBDRQ, Cleveland Street, W. W ednesdays-—Outside Hackney Town Hall, Reading Lane, 8 p.ra. P. Bendy, 270 York Road, Bridge End, W andsworth, S.W. A. Toleman, 54 Battersea Rise, S.W. West London Socialist League (Direct Action). Stevens, 66 High Street, Islington. Golub, 10 Osborne Street, W hitechapel. W alham. Green Chdroh, North End Road, Fulham, every Tuesday ' SuGARMAN, 329a Mile End Road,. E. evening at 8.15; and 2nd and 4th FridffiyS'in the month, same J. Yates, 114 High Road, W illesden Green, N.W. • time and place. H. Elliot, 329 Lillie Road, Fulham, S.W, Liverpobl.—H. G. Sm?^, 126 Tunnel Road (W holesale). The Grove, Hammersmith, every Sunday evening at 8.15. ______Ohas. j. Grant and Son, 8 and 9 Lord Street Arcade. Birming'ham.—Comrades are requested to note that a Stall for the Bij^i^g^am^NATmi*jrLfXR' Press-100 Jolm'Bright Street.
sale of Anarchist literature is-open in Smithfield Market every Manchester.—S. Segals, 99a Great Lucie Street, Strangeways (W holesale). Saturday evening. - • Sanders, 16 Peter Street. ■ — j ■ '...... ' ' ...... Hkwkin, 14a Clannou Street. WE WANT TO PURCHASE ^2 Brook Street, Comer of Grosveaor Street.
street, London, N.W. ' , ‘ PriutedandpnbUahed.byT. H. Keell, 127 Ossulaton Street,London,N.W.