FEBRUARY 1940

FOR AN ANTI-IMPERIALIST PEOPLE'S FRONT FOR PEACE (Review of the Mo nth)

THE " FOREIGN A GENT" FR A UD AND THE BATILE FOR DEMOCRACY A. LAND'(

FORGING THE PEOPLE'S VICTORY IN CUBA BLAS ROCA

THE POWER OF ~TALINIST PREDICTION M. NIITI N

AWAKENING IN THE BRI1 ISH WEST INDIES CONRA l.l WARD

E q_ N Sf T H AELMA N N

WILHELM ~LORIN NEW PAMPHLETS OF MAJOR POLITICAL SIGNIFICANCE • 1:

EARL BROWDER TAKES HIS CASE TO THE PEOPLE . .02 Earl Browder's masterly summation to the jury in his ow n defense, ond ~1s inspiring speech ot the Lenin Memorilll Meeting ot Modison Squaoe G~~rden just a few hours later to an audiE)nce of 22 ,000.

THE WAR CRISIS: Questions and Answers, by Wm. Z. Foster .05 ·' A collection of questions ond llnswers on the most fundomentlll prob­ le ms of the SfSoviet Union, the under­ lying causes of war, the role of the Socio i-Democrats in various countries, etc.

THE BILL OF RIGHTS IN DANGER, by Robert W. Dunn .05 A popular study of the attacks bein g lllunched llgainst the civil rights and liberties of the people by the ruling circles of monopoly Cllpital in America. It also deals with the attacks on Earl Browder a nd the Communist Party, and presents a ro unded-out program for defending the Bill of Rights.

SOCIAL-DEMOCRACY AND THE WAR, by V. J. Jerome .05 A comprehensive study of the role llnd activitiel; of Sociai-Democrllcy during llnd since the lllst war, both internationally end in the Uni ted States. It brilliently exposes the treachery end opportunism of the Sociel· Democrllts, end their long series of betreyels of the working doss 'end the people's front movement in Vllrious countries.

A NEGRO LOOKS AT WAR, by John Henry Williams .03 A popularly written pemphlet o.n the Negro's stake in the present imperilllist w11r, told f rom the point of view of the lluthor's experience es e soldier in the lest Wllr. It vividly presents the exploitation llnd oppression of the Negro people under cepitlllism.

WORKERS LIBRARY PUBLISHERS P. 0. Box 148, Station D, New York, N.Y.

j VOL. XIX, No.2 FEBRUARY, 1940

THE COMMUNIST

A MAGAZINE OF THE THEORY AND PRACTICE OF MARXISM-LENINISM PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF THE U.S.A. EDITOR: EARL BROWDER

CONTENTS Review of the Month A. B. 101 "To the People Will Belong the Victory" Earl Browder 116 The "Foreign Agent" Fraud and the Battle for Democracy A. Landy 122 Forging the People's Victory in Cuba Blas Roca 133 The Power of Stalinist Prediction M. Mitin . 141 Ernst Thaelmann as Leader of the Com- munist Party of Germany Wilhelm Florin 149 Awakening in the British West Indies Conrad Ward 161 On Lenin's Classic Work, "Imperialism, The Highest Stage of Capitalism" . L. Mendelsohn 173 Joint Manifesto of the Communist Parties of France, Great Britain and Germany 180 Correspondence 186 Theory of the Agrarian Question, by V. I. Lenin: A review Anna Rochester 188

Entered as second class matter November 2, z927, at the Post Office at New York, N. Y., under the Act of March J, z879. Send checks, money orders and correspondence to THE CoMMUNIST, P. 0. Box z48, Sta. D (5o E. z;th St.), New York. Subscription mtes: $2.00 a year; $z.oo for six months; foreign and Canada $2.50 a year. Single copies 20 cents.

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figures. figures. and and facts facts these these of of many many form form brief brief

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move­ labor labor the the on on data data scattered scattered contain contain proceedings proceedings vention vention

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Battalion. Battalion. British British the the with with enlisted enlisted he he before before just just House, House,

Memorial Memorial Marx Marx the the at at London London in in gave gave he he which which classes classes spondence spondence

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International International the the with with fighting fighting 27, 27, of of age age the the at at 1938, 1938, in in killed killed was was

mathematician, mathematician, and and philosopher philosopher young young brilliant brilliant a a author, author, Its Its

J. J. volume. volume. this this of of says says Bernal Bernal D. D. Professor Professor English," English," in in peared peared

ap­ has has that that materialism materialism dialectical dialectical of of study study short short best best "The "The

Guest Guest David David

MATERIALISM MATERIALISM DIALECTICAL DIALECTICAL OF OF TEXTBOOK TEXTBOOK A A 01ew 01ew REVIEW OF THE MONTH

Anglo-American Imperialist Contradictions Are Growing. British-French Economic Collaboration and the Complaints of American Exporters. Fighiting for Markets in the Midst of War. Activized Imperialism and War Preparations. Roosevelt's Program. American Labor Presents a Platform. Partisan Struggle and Class Struggle. Nature of Roosevelt's Fight on Two Fronts. Who Can Do Best the Job of the Imperialist Camp? Covering Imperialism With "National Unity." Currents and Trends in Coming Elections. Third Party Tendencies Versus Dubi- ous Maneuvers. Masses Must Discuss Orientation for People's Peace Party. On Class Nature and Forms of Anti-Imperialist People's F1·ont. Secretary Ickes Exercises a Maneuver-For What? Capitalism, Imperialism and Class Struggle. Stalin on Political Unity of Soviet Society. The Road of Struggle to True National Unity

OMMENTING on the Chicago contribute to relieving Britain of the Cspeech of. the British Ambassa­ burden of Empire and to the pro­ dor, Lord Lothian, delivered on motion of democratic civilization as January 4, The New York Times the freedom and independence of makes this peculiar observation: India. So, why not stop the war and start the process of abdication "In the light of this speech, with the liberation of India? Britain is, in fact, ready to abdicate It is clear that The New York empire in the interests of world­ Times did not mean that at all. wide security for the democratic civilizations." (Jan. 5.) What it may have meant is to sug­ gest, ever so delicately, that India Britain, says the Times, is ready and the other British colonies could to give up the empire. Presumably perhaps be exploited and oppressed that is why she is waging war more advantageously if it were done against Germany. She would like to jointly by British and American im­ surrender the Empire, not to a perialisms. Above all, and more im­ rival imperialism like Germany, but mediately, the Times must have in­ to the "democratic civilizations." tended to intimate that American Very well. But if that is what imperialism is going to utilize the Britain wants, there would seem to present war in every way possible be a relatively simple way of doing to strengthen its own positions and it. Let her go ahead and free India. to acquire new ones in the markets, Surely, nothing would so materially colonies and strategic points of the 101 102 REVIEW OF THE MONTH world. President Roosevelt's mes­ trade." In other words, England sage to Congress expresses in sub­ stands in the way of American ex­ stance these same imperialist am­ porters securing trade and markets bitions of American finance capital. in Scandinavian and Latin Ameri­ Lord :Lothian was trying to assure can countries. the ruling class of the United States Exporters in the United States that it is already sharing world are concerned most particularly power with Britain. He said, "We with Latin America, the traditional control the Atlantic and you con­ imperialist preserve of Almerican trol the Pacific" and that "Britain finance capital. Yet it is precisely neither can nor ought to play by here that British imperialism seems herself the dominant role she played to be offering the greatest resist­ in the last- century." But that could ance to American expansion, even hardly satisfy American finance though Lord Lothian only the other capital. It certainly does not satisfy day reaffirmed England's approval the American exporters, who are of the Monroe Doctrine. Mr. Egan at this very moment engaged in the goes on to say that: bitterest struggle with British im­ perialism for trade, markets and "England is reported among ex­ other imperialist "opportunities." porters to be particularly set on ac­ This struggle is rarely featured quiring the $250,000,000 annual on the front pages of our news­ market Germany enjoyed in Latin papers, but it is real nevertheless. America and to be prepared to re­ sort to barter methods of trade to It is reported in the business and accomplish her aims." (Our empha­ financial sections of the press, from sis-A. B.) which it is seen that American im­ perialism is at present engaged in So, British imperialism is prepar­ a sharpening and widespread strug­ ing to confront its American rivals gle for markets and colonies and with the same "methods of trade" that this struggle is. directed pri­ -barter-as those used by German marily against British imperialism. imperialism. No wonder the WaU Reviewing foreign trade prospects Street Journal Washington Bureau for the coming period, Charles E. reports a "continuation of the strug­ Egan reports (The New York Times, gle between the United States and Jan. 2) that the outlook in the Great Britain for Latin American Scandinavian and Latin American markets," a report which the Jour­ markets is one of sharp conflict with nal headlines (Dec. 23, 1939) as ri­ England. He says, American export­ valry "With Britain in Latin ers "are convinced that the pur­ America." chase of foodstuffs and other sup­ But it is not only in Latin Amer­ plies [by the Allies] will be di­ ica that this rivalry takes place, al­ verted to English and French colo­ though here American imperialist nies and to the Scandinavian and reactions are bound to be sharpest. Latin American markets, where The economic and financial accord England seeks to capture German concluded by England and France in REVIEW OF THE MONTH 103

December of last year, while di­ ening of the world positions of rected mainly against Germany, is American finance capital. In brief, just as much a weapon of economic we are dealing here with a sharpen­ warfare against American imperial­ ing of the Anglo-American impe­ ism. The Wall Street J ourna~ speaks rialist contradictions, as well as plainly of "Britain's economic war" with a sharpening of the imperial­ (Dec. 26, 1939), and suggests that ist contradictions between the the American State Department United States and Japan. look into the matter to find the pos­ It is important to understand sible "impact on our reciprocal that Britain's economic war against treaties." the United States, as well as Japan's This is, of course, a cautious way in the Far East, is just the other of speaking. It is not only the recip­ side of the economic warfare waged rocal treaties that are involved here, by American imperialism against although these are in a veritable its rivals. The Washington Bureau crisis, which explains the Congres­ of the Wall Street Journa~ reports sional fight about the issue. Britain's that: economic war, which the Anglo­ "Despite the unpredictable nature French economic and financial ac­ of many factors that make analysis· cord is called upon to promote, is a difficult, scattered developments in weapon of struggle to preserve the recent days show clearly that the colonies, markets and positions of United States is engaged in a strug­ world power of these two imperial­ gle of major proportions to salvage ist powers, to preserve the British as much as possible of its pre-war and French empires. Being a weapon world trade and expand and re­ of this kind, it is naturally and in­ orient as much as possible in other evitably directed against all impe­ directions." (Dec. 23, 1939.) rialist rivals of these two powers American imperialism "is engaged and, primarily, of England, since she in a struggle of major proportions." is the leading partner. This means And not just for commercial oppor­ that England's economic war, and tunities and trade. For even in peace the Anglo-French economic accord, time, the struggle for "commercial" are directed also against the expan­ opportunities inevitably took the sionist ambitions and moves of form of imperialist rivalry for the American imperialism. possession of colonies and spheres And this is what American ex­ of domination, due to the rule of porters are "complaining" about. monopoly finance capital in the Which is merely another way of capitalist countries. This being so, saying that Britain's economic war is it to be expected that this same is the other side of the economic struggle for trade by American im­ war planned and carried on by perialism could be carried on peace­ American imperialism. It is Britain's fully and freely in the midst of an answer to the attempt of American• imperialist war, waged by three of imperialism to utilize the present the biggest capitalist powers in war for the expansion and strength- Europe and one in the Far East, in 104 REVIEW OF THE MONTH which war is involved an imperial­ to war. And this is the situation ist redivision of the world by force facing American labor, and its al­ of arms? No such expectations can lies among the toiling farmers and be entertained realistically and life poor middle classes, as the present itself is already proving it so. session of Congress gets into swing. Life is already proving that the "activization" of American finance * * * capital in foreign affairs; its far­ ECAUSE it incorporates most of flung plans and activities for mar­ B the essential needs and demands kets, spheres of influence and stra­ of the masses at the pr'esent time, tegic positions in various parts of the legislative program of the Con­ the world; that this "activization" gress of Industrial Organizations (carried on under the flag of "neu­ (C.I.O.) represents in fact a prac­ trality") is increasingly sharpening tical basis on which to build the the imperialist rivalries and con­ fighting unity of the working peo­ tradictions between America and ple of the United States. It does so England as well as between America because it fulfils two important re­ and Japan. With regard to Latin quirements. America, it must be added that First, the legislative program of there the expansionist activities of the C.I.O. embodies the progressive American finance capital are also demands, not only of the workers sharpening the contradictions be­ organized in the C.I.O. itself, but tween American imperialism and also of those that are organized in the peoples of those countries who the A. F. of L. Hence, this program oppose the strengthening of Wall represents an effective instrumen­ Street's power over them. And a tality for cementing the unity of similar trend of opposition is bound the working class. Second, this to spread among the people of program contains the main progres­ China as a result of American im­ sive demands of the toiling farmers, perialist machinations in the Far at least, the fundamentals of these East. demands. Hence, it offers just as ef­ Thus Wall Street imperialism, fective an instrumentality for ex­ and the Washington Administration tending and strengthening the alli­ which is carrying out its policies, ance of labor with the farming are invoLving America in ever masses. It also projects certain sharper imperialist conflicts and ri­ principles for bringing into this al­ valries. They brazenly exploit the liance the poor sections of the city resources, strength and influence of middle classes. the United States to enrich the In brief: it is a practical program monopolies and to increase their of immediate action that can unite power over other peoples and coun­ the overwhelming majority of the tries which, in the final analysis, American people against the impe­ increases their power over the rialist exploiters and warmongers, people of the United States. thus helping to preserve and extend They are leading the country the progressive gains of the people. REVIEW OF THE MONTH 105

In the struggle for the realization issues of the time, a certain amount of this program, labor and its allies of conflict and "partisanship" be­ will gain a clearer understanding of tween the two capitalist parties is their historic tasks and liberating inherent and inevitable in the very mission. They will gain such under­ set-up of this system. standing through the experiences of More than that. Due to the fact the struggle, deepened and illum­ that the working class of America inated by the political work of the has not as yet succeeded in build­ revolutionary vanguard of the ing up a powerful mass political working class-the Communist party of its own, with sufficient Party. power in Congress and the Senate Thus can and will be built the to influence directly the legislation unity of the American people, the of the Federal Government, mass only road in the present period to­ discontent and pressure for relief wards American national unity. have repeatedly been seeking ex­ Is there another road? No, not to pression through the capitalist par­ real national unity. The one pro­ ties, through those elements within posed in President Roosevelt's mes­ them that proved in practice more sage to Congress is not national responsive to mass pressure. This unity at all. It is, in plain words, a fact has tended in the past, and may program for uniting the imperial­ continue in the future, to intensify ists and the monopolists and for conflict within the capitalist parties subordinating the masses of the as well as "partisanship" between people-the nation-to the impe­ them. rialist camp. It is a program for And, lastly, there is the operation sacrificing the immediate as well as of various and conflicting sectional fundamental interests of the masses and group interests within the capi­ to the interests of their exploiters talist class. In times of relative and oppressors. How can this be peace, these sectional and group called national unity? conflicts among the capitalists used The fact that RooseveJ,.t's partisan to dominate practically the political opponents-the Republicans-are scene, splitting the working class not responding readily or sympa­ and its allies and drawing them into thetically to his appeal for "na­ the wake of inter-capitalist strug­ tional unity" should not deceive us gles. On the other hand, in times of as to the class character of this ap­ stress, that is, of sharpened class peal-its imperialist and capitalist struggle as well as imperialist con­ class character. Let us remember flict, the sectional and group con­ that the American .capitalist class flicts within the capitalist class has been and is ruling the country would tend to recede into the back­ through the instrumentality of two ground, becoming subordinated to parties, the so-called two-party sys­ the common class interests of the tem. This means that, regardless of bourgeoisie. But even then, the so­ how much unity there may exist called partisan struggles between in the capitalist class on the major the two capitalist parties would not 106 REVIEW OF THE MONTH disappear. altogether. No. They way" in which the two major par­ would assume a different form as ties carry on their partisanship. No well as a different content. one can miss the new elements in This is precisely what is happen­ the situation, so emphasized by ing today. The program of "na­ Roosevelt in his Jackson Day tional unity" formulated by Presi­ speech. And it is only natural that dent Roosevelt in his Congress mes­ the initiative in making the change sage seeks to corral the toiling should be taken by the Democratic masses, the majority of the Ameri­ Party, since it is the ruling party can people, behind the imperialist today. and war-making policies of the When we examine, therefore, bourgeoisie, and of the Government Roosevelt's Congress message and which is carrying out these policies. his Jackson Day speech from the It subordinates and sacrifices the point of view of party relationships, interests of the nation to the inter­ what do we find that is really sig­ ests of the monopolies. And this is nificant? First, an attempt to pre­ the class content of Roosevelt's na­ vent by all means the crystalliza­ tional unity. In this sense, it is tion of a third-party break of a true really "non-partisan" because it ex­ anti-imperialist and peace nature, presses the basic interests of all sec­ a break away of those toiling tions and parties of the imperialist masses who have been supporting bourgeoisie, standing •in irreconcil­ the Democratic Party on the basis able conflict to the interests of la­ of the New Deal. Second, an at­ bor and its ames. tempt to preserve before the peo­ If this is so, it is argued, then why ple a "middle-of-the-road" position is there still a struggle between the by projecting a struggle on "two Republican and Democratic Parties? fronts," against the Right and Why don't these parties of the bour­ against the Left. geoisie unite on the program formu­ The first needs at this point no lated by President Roosevelt? To further elaboration. It is the second which the answer has already been that is especially relevant to our indicated in the foregoing. The an­ discussion on the new partisanship swer lies in the nature of the so­ between the two capitalist parties. called two-party system as a result Now, then, Roosevelt says that he is of which the bourgeoisie achieves a going to fight against both-his op­ practical unity of its class on the ponents from the Right and his op­ major issues of the time, while its ponents from the Left. Is he really two parties continue their partisan going to do it? Yes, he is. And conflicts in a somewh!at new and wouldn't he 'be violating his own different way, different in form and appeal for "national unity"? No, he different in content. would not. Because his struggle Examine Roosevelt's message to against the Right he will be pur­ Congress, and the subsequent devel­ suing on the basis of being best opments in and around Congress, qualified to put across the class pro­ from the standpoint of the "new gram of the American bourgeoisie, REVIEW OF THE MONTH 107 while his fight against the Left he in the capitalist class; the way will seek to wage as a united fight of which seeks to cement maximum the capitalist class against the anti­ class unity in the imperialist camp imperialist, anti-war and anti­ against the masses of the American monopoly masses of the people. In people as welt as against the rivals other words, his fight against the of American imperialism on the Right will be (already is) a partisan world arena; to cement this impe­ fight against "factional" opponents rialist unity in a way thlat is condi­ in the bourgeoisie while his fight tioned by the historical antecedents against the Left will be (already is) and present-day requirements of a cLass struggle against ctass ad­ the traditional two-party system of versaries. the American bourgeoisie. What does Roosevelt's fight On the other hand, Roosevelt's against the Right consist of? In es­ fight against the Left, in which he sence, it consists of a process of will have the backing (in various taking over the policies of the forms) of the entire imperialist Right, making these policies his camp and its agents, will be of a own, and, on this basis, seeking to totally different class nature and show up his opponents from the also different in form and methods. Right (whether in the Democratic It will be the further and sharper Party or in the Republican Party) unfolding of the reactionary impe-, as being purely factional and par­ rialist offensive upon labor and the tisan without any serious political toiling farmers. An offensive which basis for opposition. The most dra­ in its present, initial phases is di­ matic demonstration of this ma­ rected mainly towards isoLating and, neuver is found in the manner in in part, suppressing the more ad­ which Roosevelt combats Dies. The vanced forces of the people-the President's argument is that we Communist Party, the progressive don't need a Dies Committee be­ labor unions, the militant youth­ cause the Department of Justice can and which is already affecting the do the "job" better. well being of wide masses of the This partisan struggle between population. Roosevelt's budget indi­ the parties of the bourgeoisie is real cates plainly the direction of this and will become very bitter. But attack upon the masses. what is the political content of this From which follows that progres­ struggle as far as the dominating sive labor, especially the Commu­ sections of the parties are con­ nists, have now the task: (a) to cerned? It is: who shall be given expose and demonstrate before the the power to enforce the imperialist masses of the people the imperial­ and war-making policies of the ist class nature of the capitalist bow·geoisie? Who can corral and "national unity" which sacrifices hold most mass support for these the needs of the masses to the war policies? Who can do the cla~s job schemes of the monopolies, prepar­ of the bourgeoisie better? And this ing to suppress by violence, if need is the "new way" of partisanship be, the resistance of the people to 108 REVIEW OF THE MONTH being sacrificed; (b) to expose and tion on developing such mass ten­ demonstrate before the masses the dencies into movements. continued abandonment of the pro­ It is reported, for example, that gressive features of the New Deal the Norman Thomas "Socialists" by the Administration, its move­ are toying with the proposition of a ment into the camp of imperialist "third party." But the meaning of reaction, its attempts to become the and prospects for this sort of thing leader of that camp against the ma­ ate perfectly clear. These are the jority of the people; (c) to organize dreams of a group of political bank­ the mass unfolding of activities and rupts, looking for a more "success­ struggles for the partial and imme­ ful" way of serving the American diate interests of the people, giving imperialist bourgeoisie. It must have these struggles a political lead and occurred to them that, with the help direction and paying major atten­ of the imperialists who need badly tion to the organization of the un­ "Socialist" inciters against the So­ organized into the unions; and (d) viet Union among the more ad­ to carry on systematically and in vanced masses, they might be able earnest the enlightenment of the to redeem their fortunes by riding masses on the need of separating into some sort of national farmer­ from the capitalist imperialist par­ labor party. In other words, with ties and of crystallizing an anti-im­ Finland's Mannerheim-to victory. perialist and anti-monopoly people's Perhaps in the dreaming of these party of peace. dreams, if not in their realization, For the unity of the people, headed the Norman Thomas-Mannerheim­ by labor, against all imperialists, Wallenius "Socialists" might also monopolists and warmongers! For have the assistance of the Lovestone an anti-imperialist, anti-monopoly detachment of the imperialists. Per­ people's party of peace! haps. And as to the Trotskyite agents of the enemy, who advocate the "defeat" of Mannerheim through * * * the "overthrow" of the Soviet Gov­ ernment, these would probably help S WE move closer to the presi­ the cause of Norman Thomas in a Adential elections of 1940, we general way but by their own spe­ shall not only witness a general in­ cial means. All in all, it makes up tensification of the political strug­ a "combination" which is destined gle in the country, but also various to disillusionment in whatever attempts to divert anti-imperialist dreams it may be dreaming. Espe­ third-party tendencies and move­ cially if we systematically expose ments into channels hostile to the their doings before the masses. masses; or dubious at best. To Of course, there still remains which the answer obviously is, not Waldman's Social-Democratic Fed­ hesitation to promote among the eration which is desperately trying masses third-party, anti-imperialist to subvert the New York Labor tendencies, but utmost· concentra- Party into an agency of Wall Street REVIEW OF THE MONTH 109

imperialism among the workers and serve as a powerful stimulus for especially into a vanguard inciter promoting and uniting the anti-im­ against the Soviet Union and the perialist tendencies among labor Communist Party. In addition, it is and its allies, exposing and isolat­ also necessary to note that the Nor­ ing the agents of imperialism in the man Thomas "Socialists" and the labor movement. Lovestoneites, while working joint­ We repeat: the masses must be ly with Waldman and Rose to help helped to a broad discussion of how the Finnish White Guards, do not to unite the anti-imperialist carrip, seem to share fully the views of how to bring about the crystalliza­ their partners on the outlook for tion of a people's party of peace, the coming national elections. The initiated and headed by labor. This Waldman-Rose-Dubinsky outfit is is dictated also by another set of giving all indications of wanting to considerations. go along with Roosevelt, wherever First, is it true, as President that may take them; whereas the Roosevelt insists, that there is no Thomasites and Lovestoneites have room for special peace parties in the turned their attention towards United States since all parties are "third-party" possibilities. But, for peace? To which the answer is: generally speaking, the situation it is false. Both parties of the bour­ he.re is still in flux and many things geoisie are imperialist parties and, may yet happen. consequently, war parties. The only It would seem, therefore, that a national political party in the coun­ certain practical problem confronts try that is fundamentally and thor­ the anti-imperialist camp, in this oughly an anti-imperialist peace connection. What is it? It is to bring party is the Communist Party. And out the whole matter before the that's why it is being persecuted. masses, in full daylight, for the But the Communist Party is, for­ broadest possible discussion. Noth- tunately, not the only force oppos­ . ing will serve better to expose and ing American imperialism and war. frustrate the machinations of Man­ On the anti-imperialist side are nerheim's agents in the labor move­ found-by force of their fundamen­ ment than a discussion by the tal interests-the working class, the masses and their progressive organ­ toiling farmers, the poor sections of izations of the immediate tasks fac­ the city middle class€!$. Moreover, ing them in connection with the ever larger numbers of them are coming national elections. increasingly taking attitudes of op­ The time for such discussions by position to the imperialist and war­ the masses is here. The very prox­ provoking policies of Wall Street imity of the elections makes it and of the Washington Administra­ necessary. But, above all, the pro­ tion. This is still done, in most in­ jection of the need of an anti-im­ stances, indirectly, cautiously, one perialist, anti-monopoly party of might almost say, "diplomatically." peace, for discussion among the But the spreading undercurrent of masses and their organizations, will distrust and opposition to Roose-

of of mass mass activities activities and and struggles struggles party party of of by by peace. peace. to to meet meet and and It It is is

possible possible with with the the further further tion tion unfolding unfolding towards towards an an anti-imperialist anti-imperialist

perialist perialist people's people's front front will will considerations considerations become become favoring favoring the the orienta­

the the form form or or forms forms of of the the anti-im­ But But there there is is also also a a second second set set of of

Negro, Negro, etc. etc. The The complete complete to to answer answer the the anti-imperialist anti-imperialist people's people's front. front.

of of the the unemployed, unemployed, youth, youth, women, women, help help build build and and unite unite the the forces forces of of

ganizations, ganizations, and and the the organizations organizations chariot chariot of of the the bourgeoisie. bourgeoisie. will will It It

toiling toiling masses-the masses-the unions, unions, farm farm or­ to to tie tie the the to to masses masses tne tne imperialist imperialist

progressive progressive organizations organizations of of the the their their agents agents in in the the labor labor movement movement

people's people's front front today today must must be be the the forts forts of of capitalist capitalist parties parties both both and and

tional tional basis basis of of the the anti-imperialist anti-imperialist to to challenge challenge most most effectively effectively the the ef­

though though it it is is clear clear that that the the organiza­ ments ments and and tendencies. tendencies. tend tend will will It It

yet yet be be answered answered fully fully today, today, al­ fier fier and and stimulator stimulator of of such such senti­ all all

be be answered answered at at once, once, nor nor can can it it as as swer swer will will act act powerfully powerfully as as a a uni­

alignment alignment will will take. take. This This couldn't couldn't and and political political enlightenment, enlightenment, an­ this this

the the forms forms anti-imperialist anti-imperialist class class organizations organizations for for broad broad discussion discussion

ever, ever, of of what what particular particular or or form form when when to to taken taken the the masses masses and and their their

The The question question still still remained, remained, how­ dencies dencies among among the the masses. masses. And And

very very eyes. eyes. also also growing growing sentiments sentiments ten­ and and

ments ments are are forming forming today today swer swer before before meets, meets, our our not not only only a a need, need, but but

this this is is precisely precisely the the way way class class is is align­ beyond beyond doubt doubt that that It It an­ this this

thing. thing. Life Life has has already already proved proved that that stands stands today. today.

ments, ments, and and is, is, therefore, therefore, the the main main peace. peace. And And how how the the this this is is thing thing

in in terms terms of of class class relations relations and and align­ imperialist, imperialist, anti-monopoly anti-monopoly party party of of

lies. lies. This This formulates formulates the the major major task task on on the the crystallization crystallization of of an an anti­

and and war war offensive offensive of of the the monopo­ imperialist imperialist people's people's to to front front orientate orientate

by by labor, labor, to to combat combat the the imperialist imperialist necessary necessary for for the the forces forces of of the the anti­

ers ers and and poor poor middle middle classes, classes, headed headed swer. swer. Namely: Namely: it it was was becoming becoming

front front of of the the workers, workers, toiling toiling farm­ proposed proposed to to give give the the following following an­

solidate solidate an an anti-imperialist anti-imperialist people's people's question, question, the the Communist Communist :f'arty :f'arty has has

task task in in the the present present period period is is to to con­ and and united united way. way. To To effective effective this this

swering swering the the question. question. It It said: said: the the could could to to come come expression expression in in a a

indicated indicated the the main main approach approach to to an­ the the anti-imperialist anti-imperialist peace peace front front

The The Communist Communist Party Party has has already already form form in in which which the the oorious oorious forces forces of of

masses masses and and discussed discussed with with them. them. question question of of the the political political or or electoral electoral

be be clearly clearly formulated formulated before before the the the the national national elections elections is is raising raising the the

Consequently, Consequently, this this question question has has to to coming coming clear clear that that the the proximity proximity of of

At At the the same same time, time, tional tional it it was was elections. elections. also also be­

will will itself itself express leaders leaders of of in in the the the the masses. masses. coming coming na­

progressive progressive ly ly beginning beginning and and to to anti-imperialist anti-imperialist wonder wonder how how this this

these these policies. policies. therefore therefore They They task task are are number number undoubted­ one one for for the the

such such practical practical activities activities forms forms and and of of struggles struggles struggle struggle is is against against

feeling feeling ize, ize, their their unite unite way way and and ly ly to to politically politically effective effective develop develop

perialist perialist The The unmistakable. unmistakable. masses masses camp. camp. To To are are promote, promote, clear­ organ­

the the various various . . velt's velt's imperialist imperialist forces forces the the interventions interventions anti-im­ of of is is

REVIEW REVIEW OF OF THE THE MONTH MONTH 110 110 REVIEW OF THE MONTH 111 combat the maneuvers by certain imperialist policies, with his steady elements in the Administration with swing to the reactionary camp, with third-party "threats" as a means of his attempt to take over the leader­ strengthening their position in the ship of that camp. But Secretary Democratic Party. Ickes and his political friends do For example: on various occa­ none of these things. Instead, they sions, Secretary Ickes and others prefer to dwell in the nebulous have made statements to the effect realm of "liberalism" .versus "con­ that, if both major parties nominate servatism," saying not a word about "conservatives" for the presidency, the real issues of today, promoting it will be necessary to launch a Roosevelt and supporting his poli­ third party, even though it could cies. not win. What is the meaning of But that is not all. If the third­ this? party "threat" were more than a An objective examination shows Roosevelt maneuver with them, that we are dealing here with an Ickes and his friends would not attempt to accomplish two things. merely insinuate (in the vaguest One is, to use the third-party issue possible way) the possibility of a as a threat, primarily against "national conference of liberals" but Roosevelt's opponents in the Demo­ would openly and publicly address cratic Party, for the purpose of pro­ themselves to organized labor, in the moting Roosevelt's own plans in the first place, and to labor;s allies to Democratic nominating convention; come together and jointly discuss and, two, to seize and hold the these questions. For it is clear that initiative in possible third-party de­ no one can talk seriously of progres­ velopments for the purpose of cor­ sive third-party movements at the ralling the progressive non-partisan present time without joining with voters to the support of the Demo­ labor and supporting labor's initia­ cratic Party, should that course be tive. And, in passing, why doesn't favored by Roosevelt, whether he is Secretary Ickes endorse the legisla­ a candidate or not. In other words, tive program of the C.I.O.? Secretary Ickes and his political The conclusion, therefore, is in­ friends would seem to be using the escapable that the Ickes third-party third-party issue as a maneuver "moves" are a subordinate part to subordinate to Roosevelt's tactics Roosevelt's imperialist plans both and plans. within the Democratic Party ail well If that were not so, Secretary as within the country as a whole. Ickes would certainly take a very In this sense, the Ickes maneuvers critical attitude, if not one of out­ tend in a direction that is hostile right opposition, to the present-day and contrary to the interests of a domestic and foreign policies of the genuine anti-imperialist and anti­ Roosevelt Administration. He would, monopoly party of peace. in fact, have to resign from the This too presents a problem to the Cabinet. That is, if he were in seri­ leaders of the anti-imperialist camp. ous disagreement with Roosevelt's How to combat these and similar 112 REVIEW OF THE MONTH maneuvers? How to counteract the mated Clothing Workers Union may attempts to hold and bind the still think that there is nothing in masses politically to the imperialists Roosevelt's "motives and objectives" and capitalists, to the Democratic that labor couldn't support. In fact, Party in the coming elections? How the workers are still waiting for to frustrate the efforts of certain President Hillman to repudiate pub­ "liberals" to prevent the crystalliza­ licly the attempt of Herbert Hoover tion of a united anti-imperialist and Matthew Woll to use the name people's front? of the president of the Amalga­ Again the answer is: bring the mated Clothing Workers in the "re­ masses into the sittiAltion. Organize lief" campaign for the Mannerheim­ and activize the forces of the anti­ Tanner White Guards. The workers imperialist camp from below along now know better than they did sev­ all fronts of struggle for the imme­ eral months ago that the "motives diate needs and demands of the and objectives," that is, the policies masses. Give these struggles a po­ of President Roosevelt are those of litical lead and direction. Unify the American imperialist bour­ them around the central orientation geoisie-the mortal enemy of the towards an anti-imperialist party of American working class. A fresh peace. This will inevitably frustrate demonstration of this truth we have all hostile maneuvers and moves. in the President's Congress message It will, incidentally, also rouse to and in his budgetary proposals. greater activity those elements in The essence of Roosevelt's pro­ the capitalist parties which are gram, as we have shown, is impe­ critical of the imperialist and reac­ rialism. It is to sacrifice the inter­ tionary trends and are capable of ests of the overwhelming majority fighting against them. of the American people to those of a group of monopoly capitalists. It * * * is a mobilization program of an of­ T IS worth noting in President fensive of the capitalist class against I Roosevelt's message to Congress the masses of the people, the work­ the attack on those who seek to ing class and its allies. It is further­ rouse class against class, race more a mobilization program for an against race, nation against nation. offensive by America against other It is worth doing so for many rea­ nations and peoples-an offensive sons, the main one being that the for predatory imperialist conquests. essence of his own policy today is It is a program of class against nothing but the mobilization of one class and nation against nation. It is grand offensive of class against the program of warfare of a small class, race against race, nation exploiting minority against the against nation. Because: this is the overwhelming exploited majority of essence of imperialism, and Roose­ the people at home and against its velt's policy is an imperialist pol­ imperialist rivals abroad. And this icy. is the program that undertakes to President Hillman of the Amalga- parade as "national unity"! REVIEW OF THE MONTH 113 One might elucidate the subject by man, class by class, and nation further by drawing attention to the by nation. In doing so, it lays the undisputable fact that, by its very basis for the disappearance of nature, capitalism means class di­ classes and class divisions alto­ vision, class exploitation and op­ gether. Society moves towards com­ pression and, inevitably, class strug­ munism. gle. That is why every attempt of This process is plainly demon­ the capitalist class and its govern­ strated in the Soviet Union. And ment "to abolish" class struggle, to here is how Comrade Stalin de­ establish "national unity," means scribes it: in fact an attempt to prevent the working class and its allies from "The feature that distinguishes effectively resisting the attacks and Soviet society today from any capi­ exploitation of the capitalist class. talist society is that it no longer contains antagonistic, hostile An attempt which begins with fine classes; that the exploiting classes speeches and persuasion and ends have been eliminated, while the with violence. workers, peasants and intellectuals, This doesn't, of course, abolish the who make up Soviet society, live class struggle. It makes it, on the and work in friendly collaboration. contrary, more intense and sharper. While capitalist society is torn by What it does succeed in doing for a irreconcilable contradictions be­ while is to place the exploited tween workers and capitalists and classes in a more difficult position between peasants and landlords­ resulting in its internal instability­ to resist the attacks of the exploit­ Soviet society, liberated from the ing classes. And that is perhaps all yoke of exploitation, knows no such that the more realistic imperialists contradictions, is free of class con­ expect through Roosevelt's program flicts, and presents a picture of of "national unity." Yet the attempt friendly collaboration between to put this program into effect, in workers, peasants and intellectuals. the face of rising opposition from It is this community of interest the masses, will undoubtedly deep­ which has formed the basis for the en the understanding of the work­ development of such motive forces ing class of its liberating mission, as the moral and political unity of Soviet society, the mutual friend­ thus undermining still further the ship of the nations of the U.S.S.R., capitalist system and capitalist and Soviet patriotism. It has also domination. been the basis for the Constitution For, in the last analysis, true and of the U.S.S.R. adopted in Novem­ lasting national unity is possible ber, _1936, and for the complete only under socialism. Only the so­ democratization of the elections to cialist reorganization of society, the supreme organs of the coun­ which establishes common owner­ try." (Joseph Stalin, From Social­ ism to Communism in the Soviet ship of the means of production and Union, pp. 35-36.) remov~s the class domination of the monopolies, lays the basis for the Where the exploiting classes have abolition of the exploitation of man been eliminated, there is no class 114 REVIEW OF THE MONTH struggle. Hence the way to the abol­ National Economic Committee," ition of the class struggle is the way dated April 29, 1938, the President of freeing society from the yoke of wrote: exploitation, the way of socialism. Where this system has been estab­ "Among us today a concentration of private power without equal in lished, and the workers, farmers history is growing. and intellectuals "live and work in "This concentration is seriously friendly collaboration," there so­ impairing the economic effectiveness ciety as .a whole is motivated in its of private enterprise as a way of life by a "community of interest" providing employment for labor and on the basis of which develops a capital and as a way of assuring a true "moral and political unity." more equitable distribution of in­ This is socialism on the way to come and earnings among the peo­ communism. ple of the nation as a whole." This moral and political unity of A concentration of "private Soviet society has once again been power" is growing, a concentration convincingly demonstrated in the "without equal in history." results of the recent elections to the And who is that "private power"? local and district Soviets. Accord­ Said President Roosevelt: "a hand­ ing to the report in The New York ful of huge corporations." Then he Times, the candidates of the bloc went on: of Communists and non-Party mem­ bers received from 96.73 per cent of "Today many Americans ask the the total vote to 99.69. And, inci- uneasy question: Is the vocifera­ . dentally, out of an electorate of . tion that our liberties are in danger justified by the facts? 93,500,000, the number of · voters "Today's answer on the part of taking part in the elections average men and women in every amounted to 92,800,000. Of the part of the country is far more ac­ 1,281,000 deputies elected, nearly 33 curate than it would have been in per cent are women. 1929 for the very simple reason that But what is the basis of all this? during the past nine years we have No exploiters and a community of been doing a lot of common-sense interest between the various groups thinking. Their answer is that if in society. Does this look like Amer­ there is that danger it comes from that concentrated economic power ican society today, or like any other which is struggling so hard to mas­ capitalist society? Merely to ask is ter our democratic government." to answer. Never before in the his­ tory of this country have the' mo­ Now, what community of interest nopolies dominated more· thorough­ is there between the mass of the ly the economic life and fortunes of American people and "that concen­ the people. And we cite as author­ trated economic power" of the mo­ ity for this statement the President nopolies? The economic power of the United States, Franklin "which is struggling so hard to Delano Roosevelt. master our democratic government" In his message to the "Temporary and which has mastered it? Again: REVIEW OF THE MONTH 115 merely to ask the question is to by the cry of "national unity" answer. which is merely a shield for an im­ The fact is that the American perialist and war-making offensive people are today infinitely more by the capitalist class. They-the uneasy than they were in April, masses-are learning daily that the 1938, when President Roosevelt was need of the hour is unity of the still finding it expedient to voice people against the exploiters, the somewhat the uneasy feeling of the imperialists, the war-makers. And masses with the growth of monopoly this means the alliance of labor with power. Now the masses are con­ the toiling farmers and poor middle fronted with the task of carrying classes into an anti-imperialist peo­ forward the fight against the mo­ ple's front of peace. nopolies without Roosevelt and in This and only this is the road of opposition to him. They cannot af­ struggle to eventual true national ford to let themselves be deceived unity. A. B. "TO THE PEOPLE WILL BELONG THE VICTORY"

BY EARL BROWDER

(Text of an address delivered by Earl Browder, General Secretary of the Communist Party, U.S.A., at the Lenin Memorial Meeting at Madison Square Garden, New York City, January 22, 1940.)

RIENDS! I am very happy to be world-that can produce such lead­ Fable to speak to you this eve­ ers and teachers can never be de­ ning and to take part in this com­ feated. memoration of the anniversary of One of the outstanding character­ the death of our great leader, Lenin. istics of Lenin and of Lenin's best Lenin taught us much. Very often co-worker is this--they never allow we forget how much of the under­ themselves to be carried away with standing that we have of the world the joys of victory, and in moments about us, of the struggles that are of sharp struggle or defeat, they taking place, we owe to the teach­ never get panicky, they never get ings of Lenin. How often we forget excited, they never whine. The that if we can look upon this turbu­ more difficult the moment, the more lent and chaotic scene of American steadfast and steel-like and cool social and political life and make they stand in the midst of the storm some meaning out of it and see until, with the great rising mass ahead what is coming, we must movement, they not only ride the thank the teachings of Lenin for storm but control the storm and that ability. And it is well that we bring the ship of the working class have these meetings every year to to port. remind ourselves of that great Today, I received on your behalf source of wisdom and to remind the sentence against our movement. ourselves that, although Lenin died, I consider it a great honor. Leninism lives, and that Lenin left At the same time, carrying our a worthy successor who is continu­ appeal from this court of the ing the work which he did with ruling class of America to the peo­ brilliant success, that great pupil and ple of America, we must warn the continuer of Lenin, our dear Com­ people that the verdict of this case rade Joseph Stalin. The interna­ is only one incident in the drive of tional working class movement­ the American ruling class toward the Communist movement of the war, and especially in converting 116 "TO THE PEOPLE WILL BELONG THE VICTORY" 117 the present imperialist war into war Administration. Since last August, against the Soviet Union. In this a great change has come about. The court today I was prohibited from drive is carried on through the Ad­ speaking, except within the limits ministration because the New Deal that were laid down by the judge. lamb has lain down with the reac­ I observed those limits which he tionary lion. Unity has been laid down, even though in the ob­ achieved. The lamb has been eaten servation of those limits, I was con­ and the lion stands now in the robes stantly coming into collision with of the Administration carrying out them. But what was it that the the policies of a generally united judge wanted above all to prevent American bourgeoisie-united on me from speaking about in that the program to scrap the progres­ court? The one thing above all that sive social legislation of the New was prohibited from even being Deal, to revise the budget in favor whispered there was the motive of of the economic royalists and the prosecution. A great deal was against the people, to cut down on said about the motive of the defend­ all social services and unemployed ant. But in order to discuss the benefits and all the money saved motive of the prosecution, we have thereby, by this economy at the ex­ to get outside the courtroom. And pense of the people, to dump into while we still have this privilege of a great program of war prepara­ discussing outside the courtroom, let - tions. us make the most of it. It is not That's what has happened-a enough to say in a general way that great shift of class forces and the the motive of this prosecution lies crystallization of a great drive in a in the general campaign of our ru1- particular direction against the liv­ ing class to prepare our country for ing standards of the people, against war. That is true. We have to con­ their civil rights and against their cretize it a little, a good deal more peace. than that. Up until the last months in which this change has taken place, the THE ROOSEVELT ADMINISTRATION DRIVES Communists were supporting the TOWARD WAR New Deal against the reactionary Since last summer, the powers camp of the Republicans and the that be have been preparing their anti-New Deal Democrats. So long drive against the Communist Party, as the camp of reaction found any and we have been warning that this obstacle in the New Deal camp, we was only the opening gun of the supported it. But when peace was drive against the whole labor move­ made with the economic royalists, ment and against American democ­ they cou1d not carry us along with racy. Up until last summer this them. The whole progressive demo­ drive was being carried on outside cratic bloc was broken up. We Com­ the Administration of the Federal munists were a part of that bloc. Government and was directed in the We never were officially recognized, first place against the New Deal of course. We were the poor rela- 118 "TO THE PEOPLE WILL BELONG THE VICTORY" tions, even though Governor Leh­ to win the election for him. And he man of New York occupies his posi­ was a hero only for one campaign. tion instead of Thomas E. Dewey After he was defeated, he saw a on account of the votes of the Com­ great light. He became convinced he munist Party. But we were a part had made a great mistake when he of the progressive bloc that pro­ had failed to heed the advice of some tected New Deal legislation against of our "best families." He dem­ the assaults of the reactionaries be­ onstrated he had learned his lesson fore it was broken up by the sur­ and would be a good boy thereafter. render of the New Deal leadership And there was opened up the pros­ and their passing into the camp of pect for him to retire to the most their former opponents. When these exclusive old men's club of Amer­ genUemen thought that they could ica. But before he could do that, use the support of the Communists, he had to present certain guaran­ we became almost respectable. tees. He had to present some "head Never quite respectable. Almost. on a charger" according to the an­ They knew us then. They knew al­ cient tradition. He had to seal his most everything about us. One thing bargain, metaphorically speaking, they did not know about us. They with the blood of the associates who did not know that they could not had tainted his past. That is one of handle us as servants when they the smaller angles to the sentence betrayed the cause of the people. in the Federal District Court today. When we were in agreement on Well, we never wasted any time protecting New Deal legislation and weeping about those who have de­ a peace policy, these gentlemen serted from the fight, and surren­ were very glad to receive our sup­ dered to the enemy and entered into port,, as long as we did not make too their service. As a matter of fact, much noise about it. we never had many illusions about these people. We had read our Marx A HERO FOil ONE CAMPAIGN and Lenin and had understood that When the Governor of Michigan while sections of the petty bour­ in 1938 was deserted by his own geoisie and some of the bourgeoisie political machine and faced a stiff may occupy progressive positions in fight with the Republicans without certain historic moments--and when a machine behind him, he was glad they do, we join forces with them to get the support of the Communist for that moment against the reac­ Party in conducting his campaign tionaries--we knew it is in the very for re-election. He will not deny it. nature of these class forces that they He is a God-fearing man. He would cannot follow a consistent position not lie about it. He would not deny from one year to another, for any he had long intimate conferences long period, and rarely can occupy with Communists as to how best to a consistent position from month to conduct his campaign for Governor. month except when they are solidi­ But he lost his election by 2 per fied and led by their most reaction­ cent of the vote. We were not able ary section. "TO THE PEOPLE WILL BELONG THE VICTORY" 119

THE THilEAT TO AMERICAN LABOR round up the people for these things, they even needed us often to help And that is what is taking place them draft their speeches. They today. The trial today is the open­ didn't know how to do it. They don't ing gun in a great campaign to curb need us for these things any more. and harness the labor movement. It They are not making that kind of belongs along with the campaign to speeches and they don't want to scrap and hamstring the National rouse the masses. In the days when Labor Relations Board, along with they did want to rouse the masses, the war-and-hunger budget in Con­ we had the peculiar experience with gress, and along with the campaign them that we had to restrain them. to "get" labor leaders, which is now They were ultra-Leftist and very broadening out. How rapidly this often we had to warn them that that campaign is developing in our coun­ kind of tactics is not good-you had try we can note if we remember better lay off of it. We were a sober­ that a few months ago the news­ ing and restraining influence upon papers never threatened any labor them. Just as now they need a leaders except the C.I.O. But read­ sobering and restraining influence ing the World-Telegram editorial from another direction. this afternoon-the leading editorial That instability arises out of the -we find it directed to William very class nature of these people; Green, and its says: William Green, constantly torn by contradictions, your name is on the list too. You they have interests here ;md inter­ come next. Well, that's only accord­ ests there, and they cannot be rec­ ing to the well-known laws of class onciled. The daughter-in-law may struggle. The only people who are be married to a munitions family surprised are the people to whom and there is a contradiction to it if Marxism-Leninism is a closed book. we have a peace policy. Another If we want to be able to understand member of the family may have en­ and to a certain degree to foresee tered the employ of their once events, we must study the science greatest political rival. These con­ and history of the workers, of the tradictions have to be reconciled great masters of the science of his­ some way, and the family and na­ tory, which is the science of Marx, tional unity have to be re-estab­ Engels, Lenin, Stalin. lished some way, and how can it Yes, these temporary associates of be done? ours in the democratic progressive Well, a very touching unanimity bloc had gathered rather tentative­ is being built up now. But it is a ly around progressive New Deal unity that's directed against the measures for a certain historical welfare and peace of the people of period. These former associates of America. And the more ra,pidly we ours don't need us any more. What shout this from the housetops of use are we to them now? When they the country, the less painful and were fighting for social betterment, difficult is going to be the road well, they not only needed us to which our . country will have to 120 "TO THE PEOPLE WILL BELONG THE VICTORY" travel in the stormy days ahead. to that great broad mass--the ma­ Yes, peace has been made be­ jority of the people who are not tween the economic royalists and with us as Communists yet, but are their former chief critics. No more absolutely at one with us to stop do we hear these glowing speeches the reactionary campaign in this which arouse the hope and enthu­ country, to bring back a social bud­ siasm of the masses of the people. get instead of a hunger budget and Today the new hero, the new in­ to keep us out of war. The majority spiration, the symbol of this unity is of the people are with us in that. the figure of Alexander Hamilton We can .and we must go to the who is edging out Thomas Jefferson. people of America. On this message Thomas Jefferson made the great we don't want the monopoly of the mistake of being carried away by effective struggle for peace. We will enthusiasm for the French Revo­ go to the people with this message lution. and will organize around it-with our Party-a great mass people's FOR A SOCIAL BUDGET INSTEAD OF peace party, a social party, a party A HUNGER BUDGET of a social budget instead of a hun­ ger budget, a party of peace aJ?.d These are the things that show prosperity for the people. That is the road that is being prepared for what is needed now. our country by the gentlemen who occupy positions of power. These TO VOTE FOR PEACE, VOTE COMMUNIST are the things that are threatening As a first little step towards that, disaster for our people. The people I venture to think it might be a good will be asked to pay; but that's idea to carry out this proposal to nothing compared with what they send me to Congress from the 14th will have to pay unless we begin to Congressional District. get the expression of an answer to Some people have said that it is these things. How can we let the not practical. "What is the use of gentlemen in the seats of power sending a Communist down there? know what the people are thinking He would only be a white crow, one and feeling? At this moment, un­ among four or five hundred men. fortunately, the only organized ex­ What could he do? It is not prac­ pression of this is the Communist tical. If you want something prac­ Party, and we are still quite small, tical, you must send a Democrat weak. We must build our Commu­ down there, or at least a Republi­ nist Party faster and stronger than can." ever, and build our Daily Worker That is a great mistake, speaking more and more, stronger than ever in purely practical terms. If you -because the Daily Worker is just send a Democrat, the Administra­ like air for us today; without it we tion will say: "That district is safe; cannot breathe. But we must not be we don't need to worry about that content with that. We must organ­ district." If you send a Republican, ize, find ways of giving expression they will say: "Oh, gee, now we "TO THE PEOPLE WILL BELONG THE VICTORY" 121 must buy this guy off and make came up here I didn't know what I him good." But if you send a Com­ would talk about. I have been so munist, they will get all excited, busily engaged otherwise, I didn't will rush down and give you all the have time to prepare my spech. But favors in the world in the 14th Con­ I think, after all, long speeches are gressional District. not necessary any more; events and The only way to get anything out issues are beginning to stand out so of this Administration is not to be that they can be seen by the masses; safe; they give only to those who you don't have to give long-winded fight them. Fight the Administra­ explanations any more; the people tion a little bit, and you will get see these events and issues. They something out of it. And quite aside understand that what they need is from this immediate practical prop­ a voice to express it for them, an osition, if you want to vote for organization to rally them. peace, the only possible way to do The people are going to march that is to vote Communist. forward-and to the people will be­ Well, it is getting late. When I long the victory. THE "FOREIGN AGENT" FRAUD AND THE BATTLE FOR DEMOCRACY

BY A. LANDY

I. to the point of hysteria. The Com­ munist Party not only shares the ORE than four months have peace sentiments of the American Melapsed since- the outbreak of people, but it is taking the lead in the war between Allied and Ger­ organizing the masses in the strug­ man imperialism. The overwhelm­ gle against involvement in the im­ ing majority of the American peo­ perialist war. The Dies Committee ple are opposed to United States in­ and the Department of Justice volvement in this imperalist war. joined forces to prevent this. The But the American capitalists have result has been an anti-Communist other plans. Subordinating previous crusade in which lies, slander and differences among themselves, they demagogy threaten to put all pre­ lost no time in uniting around a vious records in the shade. program to secure maximum profits Twenty years ago America was from the war and to enhance the disgraced by a similar witch hunt. world position of American impe­ Repressive legislation and whole­ rialism. The Administration has­ sale persecution of militant workers tened to disown all neutrality "in during the war were followed by thought," and proceeded to revise the notorious Palmer raids of 1919- the ''Neutrality" Act in favor of Al­ 20. But the Palmer raids were un­ lied imperialism. The Dies Commit­ leashed after the World War when tee found no difficulty in adjusting American capital, enriched by enor­ its witch hunt to the new war pro­ mous war profits, was preparing for gram. Overnight, a war party was an offensive against American la­ born. bor. Moreover, the newly organized From the behavior of the impe­ Communist Party was weak and rialist bourgeoisie, one would think without significant influence in the America is already at war. They country. Today, the persecution of have left no doubt of their deter­ the Party is being conducted at the mination to crush all opposition to beginning of the second imperialist their war plans. The peace program war, when world capitalism is in itil of the Communist Party, in particu­ greatest crisis and victorious social­ lar, has aroused monopoly capital ism in the Soviet Union is already 122 THE "FOREIGN AGENT" J'RAUD 123 in transition tO communism. More­ nority in Congress as apostles of over, the desire of American finance atheism and anarchy, bloodshed and capital to reap a golden harvest plunder." from the war, and involve the In fact, when the Federalists United States, has to contend with gained control of both Houses of the determination of the American Congress during John Adams' Ad­ people to stay out of the imperialist ministration, they took advantage of slaughter; while the Communist current diplomatic difficulties be­ Party, having become a mature po­ tween America and revolutionary litical force, is no longer a negligible France to pass the notorious Alien factor. and Sedition laws. The purpose of When French imperialism took these laws was to destroy the demo­ advantage of the war to outlaw the cratic mass movement headed by Communist Party of France, it at­ Thomas Jefferson. But no amount tempted to justify its action by of repressive measures and charges branding the Communist Party as a of "French agents" could prevent "foreign agent." American capital the development of this movement has been quick to take a leaf out or destroy the enthusiasm of the of Daladier's book. This device is American people for the Great not unfamiliar to American history. French Revolution. The only ditference is that when it John Adams himself informs us was first used, in the days when that in 1794 "ten thousand people the Great French Revolution in­ in the streets of Philadelphia, day spired the democratic masses of after day, threatened to drag Wash­ America, the revolutionary leaders ington out of his house and effect of the democratic people were called a revolution in the government, or "French agents," while today, when compel it to declare war in favor of the Great Russian Socialist Revolu­ the French Revolution and against tion inspires progressive humanity England." (Adams' Works, Vol. X, throughout the world, they are pp. 47-48.) The people would not called "Moscow agents." tolerate the yoke of the Alien and Thus, the Federalists tried to pre­ Sedition laws. And it may not be vent the birth of American democ­ uninteresting to note that the same racy under the leadership of Thomas history that tells us about these laws Jefferson by branding Jefferson's also reminds us that they doomed party as "French agents." John the Federalist Party! Adams did not even hesitate to call But the lessons of history have the Republican journalists defend­ seldom deterred the enemies of the ing Jefferson's cause ''a group of people. So the charge of "foreign foreign liars." While Chief Justice agent" is trotted out again. The Dies Ellsworth, in a charge to a Massa­ Committee set the tone, but it was chussetts grand jury, denounced apparently too crude and trans­ "the French system-mongers, from parent to deceive very many people. the quintumvirate at Paris to the With the help of the First Lady of vice-president [Jefferson] and mi- the Land, a more tactful version 124 THE "FOREIGN AGENT" FRAUD was introduced; the distinction was on the merits of its position. For in made between Americans who, view of the fact that this position is "with the love of our land in their confirmed daily by the whole ex­ hearts," agitate their convictions perience of the American people and the agents of a foreign power. and the inspiring achievements of This was also more in harmony with the Land of Socialism, it would be former Attorney-Genera] Murphy's impossible to assail the Communist formula of persecution by legal Party on its merits without exposing methods. At the same time it was the real issues involved. acceptable to such reactionary or­ Ordinarily, this little lesson in gans as the New York Herald Trib­ the anatomy of demagogy would be une. self-evident. But it seems that the In any event, the refined version artificial war hysteria of a coordi­ is even more demagogic than the nated press has left its mark on a original. For, while it appears to number of people who normally concede every American's right to pride themselves on possessing a ra­ his own convictions, actually it tional temper. Listening to these makes the test of these convictions "liberal" people, one would think it dependent upon what monopoly the height of political sophistication capital and its government consider to become a victim of deception and evidence of "the love of our land." fraud. The irony is that these peo­ And since this evidence is forthcom­ ple are not only taken in by the ing only in relation to living issues, demagogy of finance capital, but when the glittering generalities are even proclaim it as their own best stripped away, we find ourselves thought. face to face with the real alterna­ tive: Either prove that you have "the II. love of our land" in your heart by supporting the war program of AMERICA'S CONTRIBUTION TO COMMUNISM American finance capital and the Two distortions are generally Administration, or forever stand used to lend plausibility to the condemned as a foreign agent. charge of "foreign agents": (1) The Furthermore, if it is only a "for­ teachings of Marxism-Leninism are eign agent" that is the object of at­ of foreign origin and as such are tack, no question of civil liberties un-American; (2) Marxism-Lenin­ appears to be at stake; no domestic ism is opposed to democracy. issues appear to be involved. Under The first "argument" is palpably the guise of purely administrative dishonest and demagogic. In essence measures against what are by defi­ it declares that the validity of an nition only the representatives of idea is determined by the geography another country, you can proceed of its origin. The practice of asking with impunity to cut out the heart truth for a birth certificate was not of American democracy, the Bill of invented by the Nazis. The ignor­ Rights. In this way, also, you avoid ant and unscientific nonsense which dealing with the Communist Party insists that truth be measured by THE "FOREIGN AGENT" FRAUD 125 racial and geographic criteria is possible the victory of the Russian characteristic of decaying capital­ toilers in the great Socialist Revolu­ ism everywhere. In the days when tion. The inspiration and lessons of capitalism was still progressive, it that victory are an asset which no encouraged the scientific temper amount of demagogy by monopoly which knew no national boundaries. capital will be able to keep from The best thought and scientific re­ the toilers of America. sults, the inventions and accom­ As might have been suspected, plishments of one nation were taken however, the prattle about the for­ over and adapted by other nations. eign origin of Marxism conveniently Intellectual currents from every ignores America's own modest con­ part of the world went into the tribution to its development. Ac­ making of the great discoveries that tually, America contributed towards were recorded now in one country the crystallization of modern social­ and now in another. The validity ism long before Russia ever heard and value of such discoveries were of Karl Marx. Marx himself drew not limited to the country in which attention to this in 1847 when he they were made; if they were scien­ declared: "Socialism and Commu­ tifically true, they were true every­ nism did not originate in Germany, where. But in its epoch of decay, but in England, France and North reactionary monopoly capitalism is America." (Selected Essays, p. 140, anxious to have us forget all this. New York, 1926.) The fact is that Marxism-Leninism As a matter of fact, the United gives us the knowledge of the laws States was famous as the home of of world capitalism and of the numerous · utopian communistic forces that make for a new system. communities. Prominent English and Despite the concrete manifestations continental travelers visited them and historical modifications of these while in the United States, and in­ laws in each country, they hold true variably included a description of wherever the capitalist system pre­ them in their voluminous works. vails. Indeed, only a knowledge of The socialist and communist move­ these laws enables us to understand ments of Europe found them a and deal with the specific features source of practical inspiration in the of our own national development. early nineteenth century. Moreover, the materia1ist concep­ The United States witnessed two tion of history and dialectic mate­ main periods in the establshment rialism constitute the indispensable of communistic communities: One basis for any scientific study of. so­ in 1826, when Robert Owen, the ciety without which labor cannot great English utopian, founded his raise its struggle to the level of colony at New Harmony, Indiana; certainty or provide it with the the second in 1842-46 when Horace scientific guidance which i.s the guar­ Greeley, Alfred Brisbane, Charles A. antee of victory. It was the applica­ Dana and others introduced Fourier­ tion of these teachings of Marx, ism in the country. John Humphry Engels, Lenin and Stalin that made Noyes, in his History of American

at at this this time. time. This This explains explains why why he he mocracy. mocracy. Actually, Actually, the the "well "well born born

still still influenced influenced were were the the by by exclusive exclusive utopian utopian socialism socialism iUardians iUardians of of de­

Engels, Engels, of of course, course, Moral Moral was was World. World. them, them, one one would would imagine imagine that that they they

appeared appeared men men in in Robert Robert knows knows no no Owen's Owen's bounds. bounds. Listening Listening to to New New

upon upon a a series series of of articles articles that that had had of of monopoly monopoly capital capital and and its its spokes­

popular popular description description of of them them based based the the Bill Bill of of Rights; Rights; but but the the cynicism cynicism

In In November, November, 1844, 1844, he he wrote wrote a a who who have have nothing nothing but but contempt contempt for for

munistic munistic communities communities in in America. America. enough, enough, it it is is advanced advanced by by people people

the the successful successful establishment establishment of of com­ demagogic demagogic as as the the first. first. Oddly Oddly

in in his his home home city city of of Elberfeld Elberfeld on on Marxism Marxism and and democracy democracy is is just just as as

States. States. He He delivered delivered public public lectures lectures The The second second "argument" "argument" about about

communistic communistic colonies colonies in in the the United United

MARXISM MARXISM AND AND DEMOCllACY DEMOCllACY

he he planned planned to to write write a a pamphlet pamphlet on on

in in Germany. Germany. ysis ysis To To of of the the meet meet laws laws these these of of capitalism. capitalism. doubts, doubts,

into into the the warp warp and and woof woof nism nism of of which which his his anal­ he he met met on on every every hand hand

cerning cerning the the ment. ment. practicality practicality The The study study of of of of commu­ these these facts facts went went

undertook undertook to to refute refute the the doubts doubts con­ can can economic economic and and social social develop­

his his return return ulous ulous from from England England regard regard for for in in the the 1844, 1844, facts facts he he of of Ameri­

living living proof proof of of its its soundness. soundness. After After world. world. He He displayed displayed the the most most scrup­

was was to to America America that that he he looked looked for for generations generations of of Marxists Marxists all all over over the the

turned turned to to communism communism in in 1842-44, 1842-44, it it which which has has educated educated entire entire Capital, Capital,

foreign foreign origin! origin! When When Engels Engels first first knowledge knowledge in in the the preparation preparation of of

ican ican on on the the alleged alleged ground ground of of their their sources. sources. Marx Marx made made full full use use of of this this

gogues gogues today today condemn condemn as as un-Amer­ American American conditions conditions and and American American

teachings teachings that that reactionary reactionary dema­ thoroughly thoroughly grounded grounded knowledge knowledge of of

encourage encourage and and inspire inspire the the very very experience. experience. They They had had a a detailed detailed and and

communistic communistic communities communities helped helped to to they they drew drew extensively extensively on on American American

Thus, Thus, the the United United States States with with its its Engels Engels worked worked out out their their theories, theories,

p. p. contribution contribution 10ff, 10ff, New New York, York, to to make. make. 1886.) 1886.) America, America, As As Marx Marx and and

(Ely, (Ely, communistic communistic colonies colonies that that had had The The a a Labor Labor Movement Movement in in

twenty-five twenty-five or or thirty thirty millon millon dollars. dollars. But But it it was was not not only only America's America's

and and property property Marxism Marxism valued valued or or scientific scientific at at about about communism. communism.

ship ship of of from from six six to to seven seven thousand thousand contributed contributed to to the the emergence emergence of of

ence ence in in the the country, country, with with a a member­ fact fact that that communism communism in in America America

eighty eighty such such villages villages still still in in exist­ However, However, the the important important thing thing is is the the

wrote, wrote, he he estimated estimated seventy seventy to to reference reference to to utopian utopian communities. communities.

States. States. In In 1886, 1886, at at the the time time Ely Ely out, out, Engels Engels naturally naturally discarded discarded this this

had had been been founded founded in in the the United United theory theory of of communism communism was was worked worked

two two hundred hundred communistic communistic villages villages the the class class struggle. struggle. the the scientific scientific As As

Ely, Ely, over over one one hundred hundred and and possibly possibly a a result result of of the the historical historical process process and and

cording cording to to an an estimate estimate by by RichardT. RichardT. communism communism would would established established as as be be

period period of of 1842-46. 1842-46. Altogether, Altogether, ac­ even even though though he he understood understood that that

period period and and thirty-four thirty-four during during the the ability ability of of the the communist communist principle, principle,

munities munities founded founded in in the the 1826 1826 America America to to demonstrate demonstrate the the work­

mentions mentions eleven eleven com­ Socialisms, Socialisms, used used the the communistic communistic communities communities in in

126 126 THE THE "FOREIGN "FOREIGN AGENT" AGENT" FRAUD FRAUD THE "FOREIGN AGENT" FRAUD 127 and wealthy" were never fond of pierre who headed this party, the democracy; they were opposed to French bourgeoisie launched an at­ the Bill of Rights, and sought to re­ tack against French democracy. In strict the influence and power of England, the democratic party the people at every turn. If demo­ which arose with the Industrial cratic rights were established, it Revolution at the end of the eight­ was because the masses fought for eenth century found that only the them. That was true of the Great working classes lent a ready ear to French Revolution, and it was true their democratic principles. In of our own Revolution of 1776. France and England, the countries James Madison, for example, ar­ in which communism and socialism gued that the new government had their origin, the most consistent should by no means be classed with democrats in the bourgeois-demo­ the democratic republics of an­ cratic revolution were the heralds of tiquity. "Democracies," he said, the new communist movement. That "have ever been spectacles of turbu­ is why Marx said that "the first lence and contention, have ever appearance of a really active com­ been found incompatible with per­ munist party may be placed within sonal security or the rights of prop­ the period of the middle class revo­ erty, and have in general been as lution, the moment when constitu­ short in their lives as they have tional monarchy was abolished." been violent in their deaths." (The (Selected Essays, p. 140.) Federalist, No. 10.) For that reason, Marx and Engels themselves de­ he wanted means provided "to re­ veloped towards communism in the fine and enlarge the public views, course of their participation in the by passing them through the me­ democratic struggle in Germany. dium of a chosen body of citizens The Young Hegelians that supplied whose wisdom may best discern the the personnel of the German demo­ true interests of their country." cratic press in 1840-42, and especial­ The Federalist (No. 63) actually de­ ly of the Rheinische Zeitung, ac­ clared that "the true distinction be­ tually constituted a democratic tween these [ancient republics] and party which carried on republican the American governments lies in and democratic agitation and the the total exclusion of the people in Left wing of which rapidly devel­ their collective capacity from any oped into a German Communist share in the latter." Party under the leadership of Marx The history of modern democracy and Engels. French Communism shows that the exploited masses and English Chartism, both of which were always the driving force ·in antedated and inspired the scien- · the struggle for democratic rights. tific communism of Marx and En­ In France, the democratic constitu­ gels were also regarded by them as tion of 1793 was introduced by the the logical development of modern party that based itself on the prole­ democracy. It is no accident that tarian and petty-bourgeois toiling in the 1840's those who stood for masses. In overthrowing Robes- the abolition of private propt;rty

...... Democracy, Democracy, that that is is Communism Communism an an exploiting exploiting minority minority to to the the hands hands

man man theory theory what what the the hour hour demands demands political political control control from from the the hands hands of of

tatives tatives understand understand better better than than Ger­

welfare, welfare,

to to

transfer transfer

economic economic and and

that that the the masses masses and and their their represen­

remove remove all all restrictions restrictions upon upon their their

nism nism and and English English Chartism, Chartism, shows shows

enlarge enlarge the the rights rights of of the the masses, masses, to to

and and developed developed

in in

French French

Commu­

Thus, Thus, as as a a movement movement to to extend extend

and and

arose arose from from the the French French Revolution Revolution

form, form, will will gradually gradually disappear. disappear. flag flag of of which which modern modern democracy democracy

and and with with it it democracy democracy as as a a state state tions," tions," Engels Engels replied, replied, "under "under the the

adminstration adminstration of of things; things; the the state, state, "The "The fraternization fraternization of of the the na­

ment ment of of men men will will be be replaced replaced by by the the

ing ing classes classes the the in in French French society, society, republic. republic. the the govern­

abolition abolition any any of of interest interest exploited exploited in in and and internationalism internationalism exploit­ and and

the the wealthy wealthy cialists" cialists" minority. minority. in in Germany Germany With With who who the the disclaimed disclaimed

source source of of he he the the took took political political issue issue domination domination with with those those of of "True "True So­

capitalist capitalist Nations Nations private private in in London." London." property, property, In In the the this this article article

possible possible only only under under with with the the the the tile tile abolition abolition of of "The "The of of Festival Festival of of

rialism. rialism. Full Full democracy democracy becomes becomes end end of of November-December, November-December, 1845, 1845,

the the final final stage stage of of capitalism, capitalism, impe­ in in an an article article which which he he wrote wrote at at the the

sumes sumes over-riding over-riding proportions proportions in in Engels Engels described described this this celebration celebration

of of the the people, people, Scientific Scientific a a procedure procedure Communists. Communists. which which as­

fringe fringe upon upon the the democratic democratic rights rights tions tions was was announced, announced, including including the the

capital capital is is constantly constantly seeking seeking to to in­ an an alliance alliance of of democrats democrats of of all all na­

ploitation. ploitation. In In order order to to prevent prevent this, this, public public in in 1792. 1792. At At this this celebration celebration

better better world, world, a a world world free free from from ex­ of of the the founding founding of of the the French French re­

organizations organizations was was held held in in the the in in London London struggle struggle on on for for the the a a occasion occasion

velop velop their their 1845, 1845, economic economic an an international international and and political political celebration celebration

their their immediate immediate ance ance in in interests interests 1845. 1845. On On and and September September to to de­ 22, 22,

and and want want ist ist democracy democracy communism, communism, to to made made defend defend its its appear­

At At the the same same time time the the masses masses need need munism, munism, as as distinct distinct from from pre-Marx­

ploitation ploitation of of the the wage wage day day of of labor labor its its birth. birth. by by capital. capital. Scientific Scientific com­

instrument instrument tional tional perpetuating perpetuating democratic democratic the the movement movement ex­ from from

found found itself itself state state a a is is part part really really of of the the an an interna­ geois~democratic geois~democratic

the the wealthy wealthy with with minority. minority. the the new new The The theory, theory, bour­ therefore, therefore,

political political power, power, is is in in the the hands hands of of Party Party that that emerged emerged simultaneously simultaneously

cause cause economic economic power, power, and and with with it, it, Germany. Germany. The The new new Communist Communist

best best is is limited limited and and restricted, restricted, be­ of of leading leading the the democratic democratic party party in in

capitalism capitalism system, system, democracy democracy at at scientific scientific communism communism in in the the course course

as as its its logical logical extension. extension. Under Under the the and and Engels Engels forged forged their their theory theory of of

as as the the full full realization realization of of democracy, democracy, facts facts from from history history will will show. show. Marx Marx

trary, trary, communism communism considered considered itself itself racy racy right right from from the the start, start, as as a a few few

posed posed to to democracy. democracy. On On the the con­ most most consistent consistent fighters fighters for for democ­

regarded regarded itself itself That That as as is is why why something something Communists Communists op­ were were the the

of of communism communism show show that that it it never never cratic. cratic.

Both Both the the nism nism theory theory is is by by and and its its the the very very history history nature nature demo­

were were called called the the "pure "pure democrats." democrats." of of the the exploited exploited majority, majority, commu­

128 128 THE THE "FOREIGN "FOREIGN AGENT" AGENT" FRAUD FRAUD THE "FOREIGN AGENT" FRAUD 129 today. Any other democracy can the Marxists with the democratic only exist in the heads of theoreti­ forces of other countries, including cal visionaries who do not bother America, in view of the fact that about real events, who do not con­ the Fraternal Democrats maintained sider that men and circumstances ties with these forces from 1846 to develop principles, but that princi­ ples develop themselves. Democracy 1853. has become a proletarian principle, Two years after his article on the principle of the masses. The the "Festival of Nations in London," masses may be more or less clear in a polemic against Karl Heinzen, concerning this solely correct mean­ a bourgeois radical, Engels formu­ ing of democracy, but at least they lated the question in even plainer all have the vague feeling of equal terms. Heinzen, he said, did not un­ social rights in democracy. The derstand the relation of the people democratic masses may certainly be to democracy, he failed to analyze counted among the Communist fighting forces. And when the pro­ the composition of the people, the letarian parties of various nations position of the various classes and unite, they are quite right in in­ parties. Heinzen therefore appealed scribing the word 'democracy' on to the small peasants, the class least their banners, for, with the excep­ able to take the initiative. tion of those who do not count, all European democrats in the y:ear "E'or the past six hundred years," 1846 are more or less pure Commu­ Engels stated, "every progressive nists." (Marx-Engels, Gesamtaus­ movement had its origin in the gabe, Part 1, Vol. 4, pp. 457; 458-59.) cities, so much so that the indepen­ dent democratic movements of the The essence of Engels' meaning is farm population (Wat Tyler, Jack plain: It is the proletariat that is Cade, Jacquerie, Peasant War) not the main force in the struggle for only made a reactionary appear­ democracy today, and the proleta­ ance but also were suppressed. The rian parties are the only consistent­ industrial proletariat of the cities has become the kernel of all mod­ ly democratic parties. The struggle ern democracy; the petty bourgeois for the abolition of capitalism is a and more so the peasants depend struggle for the extension of de­ entirely upon its initiative. The mocracy, and the struggle for de­ French Revolution of 1789 and the mocracy, carried to its logical con­ most recent history of England, clusion, leads inevitably to the France and the Eastern states of struggle for communism. Hence all America demonstrate this." (Marx­ proletarian democrats are essen­ Engels, "The Communists and Karl tially Communists, and the Commu­ Heinzen," Gesamtausgabe, Part I, Vol. 6, pp. 285-86, October 3, 1847.) nists are all proletarian democrats. As a matter of fact, the most radi­ Earlier, in September, 1847, the cal wing of the English Chartists first issue of the Communist Jour­ organized into the Fraternal Demo­ nal, which was to be issued in Lon­ crats in 1846, established a link don, had occasion to take Heinzen between the Chartists and the Com­ to task for his distortion of the munists. This link also connected Communist position on democracy.

Earl Earl of of contributions contributions outstanding outstanding their their in in confidence confidence with with world world the the

the the of of one one that that know know They They spect. spect. of of toilers toilers the the inspiring inspiring mocracy," mocracy,"

re­ every every in in party party American American an an is is de­ for for battle battle "the "the won won has has Union Union

Party Party Communist Communist the the that that well well very very Soviet Soviet the the Because Because Union. Union. viet viet

know know people people the the of of enemies enemies The The So­ the the socialism, socialism, of of fortress fortress world world

Government. Government. the the than than more more fears fears capitalism capitalism

Soviet Soviet the the of of agents agents being being of of text text dying dying that that nothing nothing is is there there situation, situation,

pre­ demagogic demagogic the the under under attacked attacked a a such such In In socialism. socialism. or or annihilation annihilation

and and persecuted persecuted are are leads leads he he which which humanity: humanity: on on alternative alternative single single a a

Party Party Communist Communist the the and and he he that that imposing imposing is is war war imperialist imperialist second second

America America in in peace peace for for spokesman spokesman The The history. history. its its of of crisis crisis greatest greatest

powerful powerful the the most most in in the the is is is is capitalism capitalism Browder Browder Earl Earl World World world. world.

because because is is agent." agent." "Moscow "Moscow a a It It the the in in stage stage new new a a entered entered has has

as as war war imperialist imperialist the the in in volvement volvement democracy democracy for for battle battle the the Today, Today,

in­ States States United United opposes opposes and and peace peace

US US TEACH TEACH STALIN STALIN AND AND LENIN LENIN WHAT WHAT

advocates advocates who who anyone anyone discredit discredit to to

trying trying from from warmongers warmongers the the prevent prevent III. III.

not not does does this this But But people. people. American American

the the of of majority majority socialism. socialism. of of overwhelming overwhelming the the establishment establishment the the

of of desire desire by by the the with with democracy democracy accord accord for for in in battle battle oughly oughly the the in in tory tory

thor­ is is vic­ peace peace for for for for call call masses, masses, This This peace. peace. democratic democratic the the of of

for for called called has has leadership leadership Government Government proletarian proletarian Soviet Soviet the the for for racy, racy,

democ­ of of extension extension the the and and because because tenance tenance outraged" outraged" "morally "morally and and

main­ the the for for stand stand to to incensed incensed continues continues and and particularly particularly are are mongers mongers

stood stood has has Marxism Marxism war­ The The conceptions, conceptions, its its campaign. campaign. anti-Soviet anti-Soviet this this

in in and and relations relations in in political political its its place place in in first first ties, ties, for for competing competing is is but but

activi­ practical practical its its in in war, war, origin, origin, its its In In imperialist imperialist the the into into America America

themselves. themselves. for for speak speak draw draw to to facts facts The The everything everything doing doing only only not not

is is Administration, Administration, Roosevelt Roosevelt the the by by mocracy." mocracy."

class, class, de­ ruling ruling of of battle battle the the win win to to headed headed bourgeoisie, bourgeoisie, American American The The

of of everywhere. everywhere. position position exploited exploited the the and and to to pressed pressed proletariat proletariat the the

op­ the the to to raise raise to to is is class class inspiration inspiration of of working working the the source source by by tion tion

greatest greatest the the and and world world socialist socialist new new revolu­ the the in in step step first first The The ...... " "

the the of of example example sentence: sentence: a a living living in in the the stroying stroying Communists Communists the the

de­ by by system system dying dying their their of of ence ence of of position position the the summarized summarized Engels Engels

exist­ the the and and prolong prolong Marx Marx and and people people the the of of Party, Party, Communist Communist the the of of

wrath wrath the the from from themselves themselves save save to to official official the the in in 1848, 1848, In In Manifesto Manifesto

hope hope they they Vainly Vainly years. years. twenty-two twenty-two democracy." democracy." for for fighting fighting armies armies the the

in in of of incitement incitement ranks ranks front front anti-Soviet anti-Soviet the the in in gantic gantic stands stands which which

gi­ most most the the party party a a of of unleashed unleashed has has judgment judgment geoisie geoisie his his prejudice prejudice

to to Communists Communists certain certain bour­ to tagonism tagonism imperialist imperialist the the affairs, affairs, world world

an­ personal personal his his in in allowed allowed policy policy has has he he peace peace its its of of influence influence

powerful powerful "or "or the the of of deciared, deciared, because because and and the the people, people, munism," munism," Journal Journal

the the of of Com­ butchers butchers of of the the meaning meaning defeat defeat the the to to of of how how ignorant ignorant ly ly

complete­ is is Heinzen Heinzen them them Karl Karl teaching teaching "Either "Either and and victory victory final final own own

130 130 FRAUD FRAUD AGENT" AGENT" "FOREIGN "FOREIGN THE THE THE "FOREIGN AGENT" FRAUD 131

Browder to the Communist Party Communist and anti-Soviet press and to American political life, par­ one might believe that these teach­ ticularly during the past five years, ings imposed a lot of dogmas and has been his masterful work in purely Russian practices on people. teaching us to appreciate and work Actually, the very nature of Marx­ in the spirit of America's best tradi­ ism-Leninism makes such a thing tions. The teachings of Lenin and impossible. The distinguishing qual­ Stalin have done more than any­ ity of Lenin and Stalin and one of thing else to help American Com­ their most outstanding contributions munists understand and value the as Marxists is their insistence on history and traditions of their coun­ the principle of historical concrete­ try, and to employ America's past ness, which requires that accouut in solving the problems of the pres­ be taken of the specific features of ent. each country's development. This The History of the Communist makes it obligatory to avoid glitter­ Party of the Soviet Union is the best ing analogies and to base our judg­ answer to those who would distort ments and policies on the most the relation of the teachings of Le­ painstaking and precise study of the nin and Stalin to the United States. concrete situation in any given The six main lessons taught by the country, while taking full advan­ history of the Bolsheviks are in tage of the experience of the labor full harmony with our own expe­ movement and people's struggles rience and our own best revolu­ everywhere else. This approach is tionary, democratic traditions. inherent in the very nature of Take the democratic tradition, for Marxism as a science, making it a example. The common people are guide to action and not a dogma; the heart and soul of democracy. and it is the merit of Lenin and And what do Lenin and Stalin teach Stalin that they mastered and us with regard to the common peo­ taught this as no other Marxists ple? They teach us to have faith in since the days of Marx and Engels. the masses, to identify ourselves There is certainly nothing un­ with them, to learn from them and American about this. Indeed, if to fight for their interests with self­ American Communists have learned sacrificing devotion and unyielding to move freely and with ease determination. What other political through the complexities of our po­ theory, what other movement is so litical life, it is because they have warmly attached to the people, so begun to master the spirit and democratic and so completely a peo­ meaning of Lenin's and Stalin's ple's movement? Certainly such a teachings. relationship to the people is not Finally, take a quality that is so an un-American or un-democratic characteristic of Lenin and Stalin­ quality. their modesty. After centuries of Or take another feature of Lenin's striving for liberation from oppres­ and Stalin's teachings. Listening to sion and exploitation, the Russian the volcanic eruptions of the anti- working class, under the leadership

ceases ceases conceited, conceited, grow grow begins begins it it to to continue. continue. will will racy racy

success, success, by by away away carried carried if, if, class class ing ing democ­ for for battle battle The The warmongers. warmongers.

work­ the the of of

leader leader

as as

role role

its its

form form

the the of of side side the the from from them them threatens threatens

per­ cannot cannot party party a a that that us us teaches teaches

that that danger danger great great the the to to masses masses

further further Party Party the the of of history history "The "The

the the arouse arouse to to only only serve serve will will Party Party

Communist Communist the the

of of persecution persecution

The The

declares: declares: the the in in C.P.S.U. C.P.S.U. of of History History

truth. truth. the the conceal conceal not not will will world world

cited cited lessons lessons six six the the of of fifth fifth The The

the the in in slanders slanders and and lies lies the the All All

people. people.

toilers. toilers.

the the of of victory victory the the for for lever lever a a into into

American American the the of of interests interests or or spirit spirit

it it transformed transformed and and principle principle litical litical

the the to to alien alien not not is is calibre calibre a a such such of of

po­ a a of of level level the the to to modesty modesty raised raised

party party a a become become to to how how Stalin Stalin and and

Stalin Stalin and and Lenin Lenin teachings. teachings. and and

Lenin Lenin from from learn learn to to Certainly, Certainly,

principles principles Marxist Marxist their their in in herent herent

361.) 361.) p. p. in­ was was it it C.P.S.U., C.P.S.U., accident; accident; the the no no of of was was tory tory trait trait

(His­ laurels." laurels." its its on on rests rests it it if if and and this this And And achievements. achievements. cultural cultural

vainglory vainglory and and self-complacency self-complacency to to and and technical technical best best its its over over take take and and

way way gives gives it it if if self-criticism, self-criticism, and and

West West

the the

from from learn learn to to eager eager were were

criticism criticism of of intolerant intolerant is is it it if if well, well,

They They tsar. tsar. the the from from inherited inherited Russia Russia

is is all all that that pretending pretending by by comings comings

undeveloped undeveloped backward, backward, the the than than

short­ its its up up covers covers it it if if problems, problems,

better better

much much do do

would would capitalism, capitalism, sore sore over over glosses glosses it it if if mistakes, mistakes, its its

of of yoke yoke the the from from liberated liberated once once conceals conceals it it if if perishes perishes party party "A "A

countries, countries, Western Western the the that that insisted insisted time. time. in in mistakes mistakes its its correct correct to to how how

knows knows it it if if and and work, work, Party Party in in takes takes they they outset outset very very the the From From it. it. wards wards

mis­ the the from from lessons lessons the the drawing drawing to­ modesty modesty utmost utmost the the displayed displayed

by by cadres cadres its its educates educates and and teaches teaches Stalin Stalin and and Lenin Lenin Revolution, Revolution, sian sian

it it if if work, work, its its in in defects defects and and takes takes

Rus­ the the of of importance. importance. the the ciating ciating

mis­ the the over over gloss gloss not not does does it it if if

appre­ fully fully while while yet, yet, And And world. world.

self-criticism, self-criticism, and and criticism criticism fear fear not not

whole whole the the to to significance significance calculable calculable

does does it it if if invincible invincible is is party party "A "A

in­ of of achievement achievement colossal colossal a a was was time. time. good good in in them them correct correct

This This society. society. socialist socialist a a establish establish to to to to honestly honestly and and frankly frankly and and takes takes

first first the the succeed, succeed, to to first first the the were were mis­ its its acknowledge acknowledge to to fears fears and and

work, work, its its of of defects defects the the observe observe to to Stalin, Stalin, and and Lenin Lenin of of Party Party the the of of

FRAUD FRAUD 132 132 AGENT" AGENT" "FOREIGN "FOREIGN THE THE FORGING THE PEOPLE'S VICTORY IN CUBA

BY BLAS ROCA (General Secretary, Communist Party of Cuba .and Delegate to the Constituent Assembly)

HE POLITICAL situation in link in the chain of the people's TCuba is extremely complex and victories. changeable. To foreign observers, "The fact that elections were held and even to native Cubans ac­ is a great achievement; but their re­ quainted with its details, a correct sults, as stressed by Colonel Ba­ and comprehensive interpretation of tista, constitute a great popular this situation is difficult. victory. Honest elections were held in "Despite all the political confu­ Cuba on November 15 to form a sion of the moment and all the trick­ Constituent Assembly. The results ery employed by the reactionaries, were characterized by the Commu­ the majority of the people ex­ nist Party of Cuba as a great pressed themselves through the popular victory. Nevertheless, as ballot-box in favor of progress, se­ composed today, the Assembly is ob­ curity, and the defense of national structing the forward march of the interests. popular movement. "Behind the smokescreen of 'op­ To explain this contradiction, we position vs. government,' the fol­ must examine the analysis of the lowers of Menocal* and the A.B.C.** November elections, rendered by • Mario Garcia Menocal, President of Cuba from the National Committee of the 1913 to 1921, is the leader of tlie Democratic Republican P.arty (Partido Democrat a Republicano). Revolutionary Union-Communist This part~· developed quite recently out of the old, Party, the united party formed by traditional Conservative Party (Partido Conrer­ vador), organized about 1910. The Conservative the coalition of the Revolutionary Party changed its name to United National Demo­ cratic Party (Conjunto Nacional Democratico) in Union Party and the Communist 1934. At the end of 1938 Menocal and Santiago Party. The analysis is here given Verdeja split the party into two groups. Menocal and the conservative leadership withdrew with the in extenso: majority of the membership and organized the Democratic Republican Party. [All footnotes are by the Editors.] EVALUATION OF ELECTIONS FOR THE ** The A.B. C., stemming from the terrorist CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY organization called by that name, is a fascist party. Its principal leader is Joaquin Martinez Saenz, who was secretary of the Treasury when the A.B.C. "The recent elections for the participated in the ultra-reactionary Mendieta Gov­ ernment in 1934. The initials do not stand for Constituent Assembly are another any name. 133

against against Defenae. Defenae. t.,_e t.,_e revolutionary revolutionary government. government.

year year the the lated lated A.B.C. A.B.C. by by the the organized organized new, new, progressive progressive an an unsuccessful unsuccessful legal legal Code Code putsch putsch Social Social of of

came came to to have have power. power. been been On On superseded superseded by by November November regular regular 8 8 of of civil civil the the same same courts courts regu regu .. ..

the the Sergeants' Sergeants' whom whom Revolt Revolt there there 1933, 1933, of of was was no no apQeal. apQeal. in in which which Recently Recently Batista Batista these these courts courts

•• •• This This refers refers to to the the September September who who had had Revolution, Revolution, unlimited unlimited or or power power of of sentence sentence and and from from

defense defense counsel, counsel, or or witnesses, witnesses, before before a a single single judge, judge,

be be would would advantageous advantageous American American before before to to imperialism. imperialism. these these courts courts were were conducted conducted without without jury, jury,

ary ary dictator dictator Machad9 Machad9 and and tically tically his his opponents opponents with with a a wave wave that that of of successful successful strilc:es. strilc:es. Trials Trials

to to reach reach an an agreement agreement created created between between on on the the the the ultra-reaction• ultra-reaction• fascist fascist model model 1934 1934 in in to to deal deal dras· dras·

Stato Stato Department Department the the of of U.S.A., U.S.A., Mendieta Mendieta in in April, April, 1933, 1933, r~gime, r~gime, the the Courts Courts

of of Urgency Urgency were were

* * ally ally to to the the attempt attempt of of Mr. Mr. Sumner Sumner On On Welles Welles the the instigation instigation and and the the of of

the the A.B.C. A.B.C. during during the the

* * To To Cubans, Cubans, uMediation" uMediation" refers refers specific specific .. ..

the the A.B.C. A.B.C. to to be be aristocratic aristocratic and and

to to the the

land-sharks land-sharks

and and Falangis-

Urgency.* Urgency.* The The people people also also know know

the the

feudal feudal

land-robbers; land-robbers;

it it

is is linked linked

and and as as the the creator creator of of the the Courts Courts of of

Negro-hating, Negro-hating,

and and the the defender defender of of

fascist fascist party, party, with with its its green green shirts, shirts,

wingers, wingers, is is reactionary, reactionary, openly openly

"The "The A.B.C. A.B.C. was was known known as as a a pro­

tional tional chieftain chieftain of of the the native native Right­

voters voters of of the the whole whole nation. nation.

publican publican

Party Party

of of Menocal, Menocal, tradi­

earned earned the the cordial cordial disfavor disfavor of of the the

"The "The

so-called so-called

Democratic-Re­

reactionary reactionary and and anti-popular, anti-popular, have have

Assembly. Assembly.

ship, ship, are are identified identified with with everything everything

four four

delegates delegates

to to the the Constituent Constituent

parties parties which, which, in in their their joint joint leader­

system system these these votes votes allowed allowed them them

"The "The Menocal Menocal and and 'new' 'new' A.B.C. A.B.C.

called called proportional proportional representation representation

people. people.

tire tire country. country. Because Because of of the the so­

terests, terests, identified identified as as such such by by the the

ceived ceived only only 64,000 64,000 votes votes in in the the en­

representatives representatives of of anti-Cuban anti-Cuban in­

standing standing this, this, all all the the A.B.C. A.B.C. re­

of of the the people, people, by by the the reactionary reactionary

gandized gandized in in their their behalf. behalf. Notwith­

seem, seem, are are disliked disliked by by the the enemies enemies

Catholic Catholic priests priests personally personally propa­

"The "The election election results, results, it it would would

Even Even Catholic Catholic papers papers and and some some

ment ment and and progress. progress.

culars culars in in support support of of such such candidates.• candidates.•

the the principles principles of of social social improve­

ers' ers' institutions institutions ·distributed ·distributed cir­

new new Magna Magna Charta Charta should should embrace embrace

of of Commerce Commerce and and other other employ­

interpreting interpreting their their desire desire that that the the

their their candidates. candidates. Some Some Chambers. Chambers.

they they thought, thought, would would be be capable capable of of

the the workers workers in in order order to to get get votes votes for for

the the polls polls to to vote vote for for those those who, who, as as

ment ment of of the the sugar sugar millS millS intimidated intimidated

constitution constitution for for Cuba. Cuba. They They went went to to

and and from from bankers. bankers. The The manage­

promises promises of of this this or or that that type type of of

of of money money from from Spanish Spanish merchants merchants

dates dates who who held held out out democratic democratic

"The "The A.B.C. A.B.C. received received large large sums sums

went went to to the the polls polls to to vote vote for for candi­

for for or or against against the the Government; Government; were were there there they they to to support support it. it.

bly, bly, the the masses masses did did not not go go th~>Ugh th~>Ugh to to vote vote all all the the agencies agencies of of reaction reaction

elections elections for for the the Constituent Constituent minimum minimum Assem­ number number of of votes, votes, even even

"The "The real real truth truth is is tember.** tember.** that that in in the the This This party party received received a a

damental damental aspects aspects of of the the Revolutionary Revolutionary problem. problem. movement movement of of Sep­

ing ing to to darken darken and and conceal conceal the the fun­ ganized ganized the the conspiracy conspiracy against against the the

come come of of the the elections. elections. They They rialist rialist are are bankers bankers try­ with with whom whom they they or­

the the progressive progressive and and democratic democratic out­ Sumner Sumner Mr. Mr. Welles Welles and and the the impe­

eyes eyes of of the the people, people, by by camouflaging camouflaging agents* agents* and and provocateurs provocateurs for for

are are trying trying to to pull pull wool wool over over the the the the anti-Negro, anti-Negro, as as well well as as the the Mediation Mediation

134 134 FORGING FORGING THE THE PEOPLE'S PEOPLE'S VICTORY VICTORY IN IN CUBA CUBA FORGING THE PEOPLE'S VICTORY IN CUBA 135 tas. * Throughout his career Meno­ "These parties of the Center will cal has been very closely linked have twenty-eight delegates in the with American imperialist interests. Assembly, nine more than the par­ He was president of Cuba during ties of the extreme Right. the first imperialist World War and "The Revolutionary Union-Com­ was largely responsible for dragging munist Party and the parties of Cuba into assisting Wall Street's revolutionary origin or with a revo­ war. In spite of its economic lutionary past-Cuban Revolution­ strength this party could not get as ary Party (Autentico)* and Na­ many votes as, for instance, the tional Revolutionary Party (Real­ Liberal Party. ista),** parties which consider "Menocal's party received 170,687 themselves of the Left (though votes, while the other traditional some of them, such as the Auten­ Party, the Liberal Party, which is tico, are closer to the Right)-re­ more democratic in tendency, got ceived a total of 344,051. This vote 182,046 votes. represents a decisive majority of "In this way, reactionaries and 116,605 over the Right, and only stubborn Rightists polled, with con­ 31,628 less than the votes of the siderable luck, enough votes to ob­ Center. tain seats for nineteen delegates in "Thus we can clearly see the the Constitutional Assembly. voters' tendency to insure for "The parties that can be termed themselves, through the delegates Centrist, the Liberal, Nationalist, to the Constituent Assembly, a Con­ and United National Democratic stitution that will fulfil their demo­ Parties, were politically oriented to cratic and progressive aims toward the progressive policy of Colonel social improvement and other ad­ Batista. In spite of their weaknesses vances. and their support of reactionary "Notwithstanding the confusion elements who did not offer the of the moment, the votes of the masses any garantees of living up Autenticos-whether this party op­ to their election platform, and in poses or supports the government­ spite of certain sabotage of impor­ cannot be added either to the con­ tant measures demanded by public servative votes of Menocal or to the opinion and strongly favored by fascist votes of the A.B.C., because Colonel Batista, these parties re­ the followers of Grau San Martin ceived a total of 375,679 votes. cast their votes with the hope that These votes represent a majority of their party would live up to the slo­ 148,233 votes over the combined gan of 'Socialism, Anti-Imperialism Menocal and A.B.C. votes. and Nationalism.' '"Autentico is the name by which the Cuban * F alangistas are members of the Spanish Revolutionary Party (Partido Revolucionario Cu­ Falange (Falanga Espanola), Cuban branch of the bano) is known. The party is led by Ramon Grau Spanish fascist organization, one of the parties San Martin. supporting Franco and the fascist invaders of Spain. •• Realista is the name given to the National Most of its members in Cuba are · Spanish and Revolutionary Party (Partido Nacional ReYolu­ Cuban merchants and employees intimidated by cionario), which arose from a split in the them into joining. The party was ordered dis­ Autentico Party. Realista is led by Sergio Garbo, solved by the present Cuban government in 1939. a newspaperman and publisher. 136 FORGING THE PEOPLE'S VICTORY IN CUBA "If we consider the results of the or innocent excuses? Will they vote elections, and if the elected dele­ against the distribution of land to gates wish; loyally to interpret the the peasants? Will they vote, as will of those whom they represent, Menocal proposes, against the social the Constitution to be voted on must rights of the workers, against the be progressive and democratic, a right to organize, strike and boy­ Constitution that will guarantee na­ cott? tional liberation and improvements "Will they vote against their own in the conditions of the people. Constitutional Program and against "The delegates of the Center par­ their Program of 1934* and align ties are pledged to vote for a pro­ themselves with the reactionary gressive Constitution. They must be program of Menocal and the A.B. C.? faithful to their platform declara­ "It is not easy to believe that the tions: 'The State has the. power to Autentico delegates can do that! govern and regulate the econo­ "They may intend to do so, using my of the Republic.' 'The Republic the argument that alone they lack shall not recognize personal juris­ the votes to carry out their program, diction or privilege; neither shall it or the pretext that unity in the Con­ permit discrimination because of stituent Assembly is necessary to s.ex, race, religion, color, class or for 'defeat the government.' any other reason; it shall guarantee "Both of these arguments are absolute equality of opportunity in specious. The first is false, because, the private as well as in the public as we have shown above, there are school system, and in manual and enough progressive delegates in the intellectual work.' 'The state shall Assembly to approve a Constitution regulate the use, extension, and ex­ approximating the general lines of ploitation of the land on the basis the Autentico program of 1934. If that the agrarian economy of the the Autentico delegates mean to Republic of Cuba shall consist of defend the principles of that pro­ agrarian units that permit the ra­ gram, placing themselves in an open tionalization of production and that anti-imperialist, revolutionary, pop­ the land in rural areas be distrib­ ular, and soundly Nationalist posi­ uted in such a way that its produc­ tion, they will have the unreserved tivity shall be sufficient to guaran­ support of the delegates of the tee a decent life for the peasant Revolutionary Union - Communist family.' Party. Therefore, if the Autentico "What will the Autentico dele­ delegates want to fight for their gates do? Will they vote for the program, they do not need to de­ Constitution of 1901 * as the pro­ liver themselves into the hands of gram of Menocal slyly proposes? Will they vote to continue covering * The Program of 1934, under the slogan, nSociali.sm, Anti-Imperialism, and Nationalism," up racial discrimination with stupid set forth an eXtensive program of progressive legislation to be advocated by the Autentit:os un­ • The Constitution of 1901 was the first Con­ der Grau San Martin's leadership. He has re­ stitution of the Republic of Cuba. It contained the cently :soft-pedalled the Program because of his infamous Platt Amendment foisted upon the Cu· alliance with the reactionaries of the 1'Pact of the ban people by W.all Street imperialism. Four." FORGING THE PEOPLE'S VICTORY IN CUBA 137 the A.B.C. and Menocal, and swell that of opposition to the govern­ the votes of reaction and fascism ment; they are attempting to use in the Assembly. the Constituent Assembly as a step­ "The second argument is also ping stone in personal aspirations false, because the Constituent As­ for power. sembly is not going to draft laws in Thus, on December 15 they favor of or against the government. launched the slogan, "Constituent The Constituent Assembly has a Assembly first, general elections higher, more historic and patriotic later." function to perform. This slogan is demagogic and is "The Assembly has the function, destined to sidetrack the Constitu­ entrusted to it by the people, of ent Assembly, to utilize the Assem­ writing a Constitution that will bly for a coup d' etat, or to extend guarantee that all the ensuing gov­ the tenure of those members of ernments shall operate through just the Congress whose terms have administrations. nearly expired. "The Constitution of the Repub­ The Act that called for election lic cannot be written according to of the Constituent Assembly pro­ the momentary convenience of vides that general elections be held groups contending for power. The on February 28, 1940, to elect one­ Constitution must be written ac­ half of the Congress, the President cording to the needs and general of the Republic, as well as Mayors welfare of the people of the entire and Provincial Governors whose country." terms expire between the first days of April and May 20. * * These general elections are op­ THE "PACT OF THE FOUR" posed by the parties of the "Pact of Starting from this general resume the Four." They offer the excuse of the results of the November elec­ that such elections should be held tions, it will be easier to understand a-fter the Constituent Assembly the situation today. finished the work for which it was What the aforesaid report fore­ elected. shadowed, has taken place. The Au­ These parties are trying to do the tentico delegates have concluded a following: political alliance with Menocal, the First: To distract the attention of A.B.C., and Miguel Mariano the masses from the fundamental must Gomez,* known as the "Pact of the issues which the Assembly Four." The Autenticos are trying to consider. divert attention from the problem Second: To utilize the Assembly of the Constituent Assembly toward to disband the Congress and to pro­ ceed to a totalitarian election of a * Miguel Mariano Gomez was President of new government, including 36 Sen­ Cuba from May to December, 1936, when he ators and 162 Congressmen. This was impeached for an alleged interference with legislative action of Congress. He is the leader of might lead, perhaps, to a reaction­ the Republican Action Party (Partido Accion Re­ publicano). ary Provisional Government. 138 FORGING THE PEOPLE'S VICTORY IN CUBA To obtain their objective, the in the United States, and by the parties of the "Pact of the Four" role that the United States seeks to decided to abstain from participat­ play in European events. ing in the general elections, and THE POSITION OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY refused to nominate candidates ac­ cording to law. The Communist Party has ener­ This abstention fl(om the elections getically opposed all attempts to provoked a movement called "The dissolve the Congress, for the fol­ Round Table" or meetings of the lowing reasons: heads of all the political parties First: the very raising of the with the President of the Republic question hinders the Constituent and the retired Colonel Batista, Assembly from fulfilling its chief nominated for President by five po­ function of laying down with un­ litical parties, to arrive at some challengeable authority the rights formula for political conciliation. of the Cuban people, such as regu­ The stubbornness of the parties lation of the economy by the state; of the "Pact of the Four" brought distribution of land to the peasants; an end to "The Round Table" de­ unemployment insurance; equality liberations after several meetings, for Negroes and for women; the and all possibilities of conciliation right to strike, boycott, and other disappeared. working class and popular liberties. The action of "The Four" in ab­ Second: The demand for dissolu­ staining from participation in the tion cannot be carried out by the elections today leaves but two alter­ method of abstaining from elections. natives: First, to provoke a condi­ Even if dissolution were theoretical­ tion of violence and disorder that ly correct at one time, it is reac­ may facilitate the realization of a tionary in the present situation. putsch. Second, to promote Ameri­ Support of such an impossible de­ can imperialist intervention, mand disorganizes the popular through diplomatic or economic forces. It prevents the masses-as channels, which has thus far been happened in 1936 and 1938, when tried by the reactionary parties with the Autenticos boycotted the elec­ negative results. tions-from utilizing to the fullest Neither of these alternatives has extent the possibilities of the elec­ any possibility of success. tions to further the desired meas­ The people of Cuba are not dis­ ures. posed to support a campaign of Third: It tends to divide the pop­ violence, of bombings and attempts ular masses on secondary questions, on the lives of individuals. Such making them forget the important campaigns carry no weight with the and fundamental issues which they people today, nor will the masses E:hould expect the Constituent As­ tolerate another Mediation a la sembly to consider. Welles which is rendered difficult Fourth: It obscures the immediate by the entire international situation, problem of the struggle for a pro­ by the militant mood of the masses gressive platform. It tends to iso- FORGING THE PEOPLE'S VICTORY IN CUBA 139 late Colonel Batista and therefore tions, what are the perspectives of works against victory for the the Cuban political situation? people. In the event the "Pact of the At the same time, the Communist Four" keeps its parties united, Party favored the postponement of which is not probable, it may seek the general election for a reasonable to take advantage of its small ma­ period in order to give the provin­ jority in the Constituent Assembly cial and municipal conventions of to attempt a coup d'etat by declar­ all the parties that had intended to ing the Congress dissolved and sus­ abstain enough time to file their pending the general election. nominations. This was achieved The likelihood of this action de­ through an Act of Congress post­ pends on many factors. The chief poning the general election to one is the date for the opening of March 28 and gave additional facili­ the Assembly, which will be de­ ties for all parties to participate. ferred to give the courts time to examine the appeals against certain MOBILIZATION OF THE MASSES BY THE elected delegates. SOCIALIST-DEMOCRATIC COALITION In the second place, if the policy Meanwhile, the Socialist-Demo­ of abstention from elections is cratic coalition, formed by the Lib­ broken by municipal and provincial eral Party, Nationalist Union Party, conventions, not only will the policy United National Democratic Party, lose moral influence, but it will also Revolutionary Union-Communist lead to division on various issues Party, and National Revolutionary among the delegates of the "Pact Party (Realista) has already nom­ of the Four" in the Constituent As­ inated Colonel Batista as Presiden­ sembly. tial candidate. Among nineteen In the third place, united action Senatorial candidates of the coali­ of 35 of the 76 delegates composing tion, two are from the Revolution­ the Constituent Assembly, action ary Union-Communist Party. They basing itself on a large mobilization are Juan Marinello and Joaquin of masses in the streets, can thwart Ordoqui. the plans of "the Four." Colonel Batista made public the It is difficult to foresee in Cuba platform which serves as a basis for a situation in which the "Pact of the coalition, and which is made the Four" could stage a coup d'etat concrete in the following slogan: through the Constituent Assembly. "Democracy, Social Jusice and De­ On the contrary, the active mobil­ fense of the National Economy." ization of the masses behind the po­ Colonel Batista is also pledged to litical demands of the Socialist­ the maintenance of strict neutrality Democratic coalition; the ever in­ in the present war. creasing difficulties of Menocal and With the failure of the Round Grau San Martin in maintaining Table and efforts at conciliation, unity; the resistance of the masses, and with the reactionary leaders' especially those behind the Auten­ persistence in abstention from elec- ticos, to anything like abstention 140 FORGING THE PEOPLE'S VICTORY IN CUBA and reactionary violence; the for­ violence, conducted mainly against ward march of the trade union the popular interests, the masses in movement (as in the outstanding the streets will defeat the reaction­ victories of the street-car workers aries and win directly their own and the Cuban Electric Power Com­ rights, the rights of the people. pany workers) are favorable con­ This struggle will end, necessari­ ditions for the defeat of reaction ly, with the victory of democracy, and for a normal continuation of improvement of the conditions of the electoral process. This process the people, and the defense of the will surely lead to the election of national economy. Colonel Batista as President of the Cuba is struggling for these de­ Republic. mands. Cuba is struggling to keep If the delegates of reaction, how­ out of the present imperialist war, ever, are able to utilize those dele­ and she wiH keep out. gates elected by the Autenticos to The outlook is favorable for a. provoke a situation of reactionary complete victory. THE POWER OF STALINIST PREDICTION

BY M. MITIN

UNDAMENTAL to science is the this quality of Lenin manifested it­ Ftask of predicting the future on self particularly fully and sharply the basis of the study of the past at the turning points of the Revo­ and present. Such prediction is a lution. necessary condition for action that will change the world. In that sense "In the days of revolutionary Marxist-Leninist theory, with its turns, he literally blossomed out, all-powerful method of materialist became clairvoyant, predicted the dialectics, is a veritable peak in movements of classes and the prob­ the scientific achievements of hu­ able zigzags of the revolution, see­ ing them as on an outstretched manity. palm. . . . Hence the 'remarkable' "Miraculous prophecy is a myth; clarity of the tactical slogans and but scientific prophecy is a fact," the 'breath-taking' daring of the wrote Lenin in connection with a revolutionary plans of Lenin." concrete instance of scientific pre- diction made by Engels as early as Lenin's characteristics are fully 1887 in regard to the future world applicable to Comrade Stalin. war and its possible consequences. Comrade Stalin studies historical The theory of Marxism-Leninism events all-sidedly, taking into ac­ is invincible because it makes pos- count all inter-connections and sible the pe~etration into the very media, and penetrating into the depths of the historic process, and deepest reasons for these events. He the perception of the laws of its always examines a subject in terms development to the very end. of its development, knowing how to "The perspicacity of genius, the study any phenomenon in embryo, ability to grasp rapidly and reach seeing the direction and manner of into the inner meaning of approach- its growth. To Comrade Stalin be­ ing events is that very quality of longs the remarkable statement: Lenin which helped him to set forth that in order to guide, it is neces­ the correct strategy and clear-cut sary to foresee. The most compli­ line of action at the turns of the cated intertwining of historical revolutionary movement." (Stalin.) events, the most ramified net of so- Comrade Stalin emphasizes that cial phenomena unfold vividly un- 141 142 THE POWER OF STALINIST PREDICTION der the rays of the Stalinist and millions of workers look for analysis. and notice shortcomings in our In order to serve as the vanguard work and expose our mistakes, har­ of the working class, in order to nessing themselves in the common task of charting and building paths lead in the struggle of the prole­ for improving our work." (Stalin.) tariat, the Marxist-Leninist Party know how to look into the future, must know "how and where the II. classes are moving in the present ... how and where they will move Fifteen years ago, on November in the near future." (Stalin.) 7, 1924, Comrade Stalin wrote the Scientific leadership in the strug­ following lines in the Red Book of gle for communism is impossible the workers of the Dynamo without a clear prospective and factory: clear-cut goal, without knowledge of the conditions of the struggle "I wish for the workers of and conditions for victory. Comrade Dynamo, as well as the workers of Stalin is especially emphatic in con­ all Russia, that industry shall grow, demning hit-or-miss activity and that the number of proletarians in the tendency to swim with the cur­ Russia shall rise in the near future to twenty or thirty millions, that the rent. He shows the danger lurking collective shall develop and be sub­ in such aimless activity. It carries ordinate to individual farming, that with it the danger of being over­ highly developed industry and col­ come with inertia, of degenerating, lective farming shall finally merge of becoming a philistine, and in the the proletarians of. the factories and long run of becoming a puppet in the toilers of the soil into a single the hands of the enemy. socialist army.'' In order to predict scientifically, Comrade Stalin points out, one must To understand the full signifi­ know how to rely on the experience cance of this remarkable prediction, of the masses and to evaluate this one must visualize the historical experience scientifically. setting of the year 1924. The end of the reconstruction "To foresee, comrades, is not al­ period was approaching. Through ways easy. It is one thing when, the New Economic Policy our Party for instance, a dozen leading com­ had achieved considerable success rades look for and notice shortcom­ in all fields of the national economy. ings in our work, while the work­ Socialist industry was developing. ing masses either do not wish or are The working class had grown nu­ unable to seek out or notice the merically. Agriculture was on the shortcomings. Consequently there is up-grade though slowly. every chance that one will surely miss something, not notice every­ Our industry, though developing thing. It is a different matter, when along the socialist path, neverthe­ together with the dozen leading less had not, if we consider heavy comrades, hundreds of thousands industry, made much headway. At THE POWER OF STALINIST PREDICTION 143 that time the socialist sector of our vanced countries, technologically industry comprised only about 80 and economically. per cent of the total, while the capi­ The classes formerly dominant in talist sector comprised no less than Russia, the landlords and: capitalists, 20 per cent. not only proved themselves unable In regard to social composition, to lead our country out of its age­ agriculture then represented an old backwardness; they were not endless ocean of individual farm­ even able to face this task in earn­ ing, with an altogether backward, est. This problem could be dealt primitive technique. The collective with only by the workers and peas­ and state farmers were but isolated, ants after the victory of the social­ scarcely noticeable islands in this ist revolution. ocean. Socialist industrialization of the The class of landlords had already country is an event of . world-his­ been liquidated, but the class of toric significance also because it agricultural capitalists, the kulak shows what can be done-moreover, class, was still quite strong. Of the in a very short period-by a lib­ national turnover of goods, 50 to 60 erated people under the guidance of per cent was accounted for by the the Marxist-Leninist Party. Only a socialist sector, and the rest by pri­ party armed with the power of a vate merchants and speculators. clear goal and perspective, imbued This was the historic setting for with a profound understanding of Comrade Stalin's inspired words of the interconnection of historic greeting to the workers of Dynamo! events, could arouse such enthusi­ Each word of this remarkable asm for toil among the masses, and prediction is saturated with deep relentlessly crush all the enemies of meaning. Here is contained, in es­ socrnlism and of the Soviet People, sence, the Stalinist plan for indus­ as was done by our Party under the trialization of our country and the leadership of Comrade Stalin. Only plan for collectivization of agricul­ a party which puts into practice, ture. consistently and to the very end, This prediction, so remarkable the Leninist theory of socialist revo­ for its scientific power, is permeated lution, armed with Lenin's immortal with Leninist consistency and pur­ teaching of the possibility of the posefulness. This is indeed a thrust victory of socialism in our country, into the future based on an analysis could develop the perspective of our of the present. advance with such power and con­ The industrialization of our coun­ creteness in the few lines of greet­ try belongs among the greatest ing to the Dynamo workers. events in the history of humanity. Freedom is cognized necessity, Precisely on the path of socialist said Marx and Engels. _ The industrialization did our country words of Comrade Stalin ex­ throw off the vestments of age-old press in concrete terms the cogni­ backwardness and move forward tion of the necessity of the victory into the ranks of the most ad- of socialism in our country. 144 THE POWER OF STALINIST PREDICTION

In 1924 it could only be a wish and is still expressing itself, in a that in our fatherland the number determined drive of socialism of workers should reach twenty to against the capitalist elements in thirty million. But in 1939, at the town and country." ("A Year of Eighteenth Congress of the Commu­ Great Change," Leninism, Vol. II.) nist Party of the Soviet Union, The "great change" was not Comrade Stalin was able to state reached by aimless motion. It was that the number of workers and reached as a result of directing the employees of the U.S.S.R. had general line of the Party towards reached twenty-eight million! strengthening the dictatorship of the The most striking example of proletariat, towards the alliance of scientific prediction is furnished in the working class and the peasan­ the Stalinist Five-Year Plans-the try, and the industrialization of the profoundly conceived plans of great country and the collectivization of undertakings which radically transformed our fatherland. agriculture. The "great change" was a striking manifestation of the Len­ The stupendous growth of mighty inist-Stalinist line of victory for so­ socialist industry and the flourish­ cialism in our country. Victorious ing of collective farming in the vil­ socialism became possible because lage have now finally fused the the Party smashed the bourgeoisie workers and peasants into a single and exploded the traitorous monolithic family of the Soviet peo­ "theory" of the impossibility of ples, into a single socialist army of the victory of socialism in our toil. The moral and political unity country. of the Soviet people now constitutes Overcoming resistance by the a remarkable fortress of socialism. enemies of Bolshevism and proleta­ It took the historically brief period rian dictatorship, the despicable of fifteen years for Stalin's predic­ Trotskyites and Bukharinites, who tion to be realized in life. fought by every means against the building of socialism in our country, III. the Party achieved decisive success in 1929. Ten years ago, on November 7, Comrade Stalin singles out three 1929, the day of the twelfth anni­ basic points, in relation to which he versary of the great October Social­ characterizes the achievements of ist Revolution, Comrade Stalin pub­ this remarkable year: productivity lished his article, "A Year of of labor, industrial development, Great Change." This article was and development of agriculture. written at the turning point in the A decisive turn in the productiv­ life of the U.S.S.R. ity of labor was achieved with the unfolding of creative initiative and "The past year," said Comrade Stalin, "witnessed a great change enthusiasm among the countless on every front of socialist develop­ millions of the working class. ment. The change expressed itself, This gave evidence of the THE POWER OF STALINIST PREDICTION 145 strength of socialism. It proved that rade Stalin is the basic turn which in labor productivity-the basic, took place in the development of our most essential element for the vic­ agriculture. The Party of Lenin­ tory of the new social order-social­ Stalin succeeded in converting the ism had already demonstrated its basic mass of the peasantry from power as compared to capitalism. the path of capitalist development By the end of 1929 the problem to the new path of socialist de­ of accumulation for the expansion velopment. of heavy industry was in the main Comrade Stalin wrote: solved. The rate of development of industries producing means of pro­ "The new and decisive element in duction was accelerated and the the present kolkhoz movement is prerequisites created for developing the fact that peasants are joining our metal resources and metal in­ the collective farms, not in scattered dustries. groups, as was formerly the case, The problem of accumulation was but in entire villages, counties, dis­ one of the most difficult problems tricts and even provinces. What does this mean? It means that the with which our country was con­ middle peasantry is joining the fronted while marching forward collective farms. This is the essence under the unfurled banner of so­ of that basic turn in the develop­ cialist industrialization. All the ment of agriculture which consti­ ways and means of accumulation to tutes the most important achieve­ which capitalist countries had re­ ment of the Soviet power during sorted to achieve their industrial­ the past year." ization were closed to us. Vast sums, essential for the creation of In this article Comrade Stalin has large socialist industries in fuel, shown with singular force the ad­ metallurgy, machine manufacturing, vantages of large-scale socialist agri­ chemicals and power plants, had to culture under the dictatorship of the be found within the country, drawn proletariat as compared to the posi­ from the mighty creative forces of tion and development of agriculture workers and peasants, marching under capitalism. under the leadership of the Com­ munist Party. "There, under capitalism," he These sums were found. In fact, wrote, "one cannot organize a large the optimal version of the Five­ grain factory without purchasing Year Plan, which seemed "fantas­ several plots of land or without tic" and "utopian" to the "learned" paying absolute ground rent, which and other lackeys of capitalism, was cannot fail to burden production already exceeded during the first with enormous expenses, because of year of the Plan and became as the private property in land. In our country, on the contrary, there ex­ Comrade Stalin said, the minimal ists neither absolute ground rent version of the Five-Year Plan. nor the buying and selling of land, The next important phenomenon which cannot but create favorable singled out in the article of Com- conditions for the development of 146 THE POWER OF STALINIST PREDICTION large grain farming, because we in the world in grain production, if have no private property in land. not the richest." There, with the capitalists, large grain farms have as their objective This remarkable prediction of the obtaining of maximum profits, Comrade Stalin has also been vin­ or in any case the obtaining of dicated completely and fully. Our such profits as would correspond country is now the richest grain­ to the so-called average rate of profit, without which, gen­ producing country in the world. erally speaking, capital has no in­ We produce now 31 per cent of terest in becoming involved in the the world's wheat, 56 per cent of business of organizing a grain econ­ the rye, 24 per cent of the barley, omy. With us, on the contrary, large 31 per cent of the oats, 80 per cent grain economies are at the same of the ·peas and the lentils. In crop time state economies and do not yield the U.S.S.R. has already sur­ need for their development either passed the U.S.A. and Canada; in maximum profits or an average rate of profit, but can limit them­ addition, while in these countries selves to minimum profits, and oc­ there is apparent a tendency to­ casionally may get along without wards declining crop yields, with any profit, which also creates favor­ us the yield is steadily increas­ able conditions for the development ing. of large grain economies." Now the U.S.S.R. occupies first place in the world, not only in the At the same time Comrade Stalin absolute size of grain crops, but pointed out that "our young, large also in the per capita production of socialist agriculture (kolkhoz and such crops. sovkhoz*) has a great future" and that "it will exhibit miracles of growth." IV. The past decade has fully justi­ The decisions of the Eighteenth fied the correctness of such an ap­ Congress of the Communist Party praisal of the prospects of collec­ of the Soviet Union are a model of tive-farm and state-farm agricul­ Bolshevik leadership, of scientific ture. During this period we have prediction. With singular depth and seen veritable miracles in the foresight, Comrade Stalin, in his re­ growth of the collective farm port to the Congress in March, 1939, system. characterized the new period into Comrade Stalin further stated: which the U.S.S.R. is entering. Two tasks were set forth at the "If the development of the col­ lective farming and state farming Congress as decisive for the entire will proceed at an accelerated pace, historical period of transition from there is no reason to doubt that our socialism to communism: the task of country will in about three years economic competition with capital­ become one of the richest countries ism and the task of communist edu­ cation of the masses. • Collective farms and state farms--The Editor. The first of these emerges from THE POWER OF STALINIST PREDICTION 147 the contradictions still extant in trary, stupendous work will be re­ the U.S.S.R. between the level of quired, zeal and sacrifices 'will be development of productive forces needed for the new, mighty upswing attained and the task of transition in the efforts of the workers, peas­ to communism. In order to create ants and Soviet intellectuals in the necessary prerequisites for the order to fulfil the plan of trans­ realization of the communist prin­ formation essential for the con­ ciple of distribution, "from each ac­ struction of the communist society. cording to his abilities, to each ac­ In the fateful days of the great cording to his needs," it is necessary October Socialist Revolution, our to develop all-sidedly the produc­ Bolshevik Party aroused the multi­ tive forces of our fatherland, it is millioned masses of the people to necessary to solve definitively the struggle and victory, arming them basic economic problem of the with a precise and clear-cut per­ U.S.S.R., to overtake and surpass spective. the most developed capitalist coun­ In the war for the defense of tries economically, that is, in per the fatherland, the Civil War capita production. Thus there will against foreign interventionists, be created such an abundance of White Guards, landlords, and capi­ goods as will allow the application talists, our people fought under the in practice of the communist prin­ glorious banner of Bolshevism, and ciple of distribution. won. In struggle against the great­ The second task-the task of est odds, the Soviet people erected communist education of the masses in the course of the Stalinist Five­ -arises from the fact that the level Year Plans, giants of heavy indus­ of consciousness of many toilers try, demonstrative examples of the lags behind the ·social position they Communist attitude toward toil. occupy. We have entered into the era of The plan of transformation re: completion of the construction of quired for the achievement of com­ the classless socialist society ~nd of munism, as well as the indicated gradual transformation from ~ccial­ historical time limits-ten to fifteen ism to communism. Our future, our years--show the realistic soundness, road to communism is lighted by the scientific depth and remarkable migbty projector of Stalinist power of prediction with which thought. With self-confidence and these tasks are outlined in the de­ vigor beats the pulse of the mighty cisions of the Congress. One cannot socialist power. The liberated peo­ doubt that our development will ples of the Western Ukraine and progress exactly as outlined by the Western Byelo-Russia are living Eighteenth Congress of the through great days of entering into Communist Party of the Soviet the family of nations of the U.S.S.R. Union. The stars of the Kremlin shine as a This does not in any way mean beacon for all humanity. that the development will proceed In the lead of the mighty and on its own momentum. On the con- unconquerable army of Bolsheviks, 148 THE POWER OF STALINIST PREDICTION at the head of the multi-millioned is symbolic of liberated toil, of the mass of the peoples of the U.S.S.R. brotherhood of peoples, of joy and there stands a man so close and hope for all oppressed humanity. familiar, so boundlessly loved, who by his power of foresight opens up His name is Stalin. the path to communism. His name (From Pravda, November 6, 1939.) ERNST THAELMANN AS LEADER OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF GERMANY

BY WILHELM FLORIN (Member of the CentraL Committee of the Communist Party of Germany)

T WAS Ernst Thaelmann's devo­ Ernst Thaelmann was fully con­ I tion to the cause of the working scious of the responsibility this en­ people; his unswerving loyalty to tailed, and in every action he jus­ the teachings of the great masters tified the great confidence reposed in of socialism, to the cause of the him by the Party members and the world proletariat and of interna­ working people. He thus very soon tional solidarity; his relentless fight managed to bring about a real con­ against opportunism in every shape centration of the best revolutionary and form; his firm ties with the So­ elements in the Communist Party, viet Union; his exemplary struggle the result of a policy which fur­ against the reactionary landlords thered the cause of the working and monopolist capitalists on behalf class movement and of the Party. of the progress and culture of the Thaelmann was approaching his German people, on behalf of peace, fortieth year when he took over the bread and freedom; and his talent helm of the Party. But he clearly for leading the masses in the right realized that notwithstanding all the direction that had raised him to the experience he had gained in the leadership of the Communist Party. struggles prior to, during, and since The workers in the Communist the war, he would have to work Party rejoiced when the Central hard to fit himself for the tasks that Committee appointed Thaelmann now confronted him. Hii constant leader of the Party. Time and time efforts to master the problems that again he had shown them the right faced him served as a model of gen­ road to take. He was always ready uine proletarian self-discipline to all to help, and success attended his workers. every action. The members of the While his progress from a simple Party had a warm trust in him be­ longshoreman to the leader of the cause he held aloft the banner of workers' party had demanded, in Marx - Engels - Lenin - Stalin and addition to his day-to-day political maintained the closest ties with the activities and an untiring study of Communist International. the teachings of Marxism-Leninism, 149 150 ERNST THAELMANN a knowledge also of the history of him was his keen awareness of the his own people and of the peoples importance of what were regarded and labor movements of other coun­ by many as "minor questions"; he tries, now that he had become the always strove to have these ques­ leader of the Party, he had, in addi­ tions properly appreciated as rally­ tion to bearing the tremendous daily ing points for popular movements. burden of labor this entailed, to Indifference to the minor de­ work all the harder to extend and mands of the working people indi­ enrich his knowledge. This he never cated, in his opinion, a lack of ceased to do. And the works of contact with the masses and a secta­ Marx, Engels, Lenin and Stalin rian attitude toward them. served him as an unfailing guide He was always impatient of through the thorny wastes of unsettled or unclarified questions, pseudo-science. His talent for co­ and would work incessantly until operating with other Party leaders they were elucidated, urging his col­ stood him in good stead here too. leagues to study them thoroughly Thaelmann possessed a profound and to make bold decisions. He de­ knowledge of the history of the manded a strict and sober estimate bourgeois-democratic and working of a situation as a prime requisite class movements in Germany, for a correct policy of action. And France, England and America. He he himself set an example in cool later learned to know every phase deliberation, bold decision, com­ in the development of the socialist radely criticism and fearless self­ revolution and of socialist construc­ criticism. That is one more reason tion in the Soviet Union. Party ex­ for the high personal prestige he perts in one or another special de­ enjoyed in the Party. partment were often astonished at The picture of Thaelmann as a the unerring way in which Thael­ political leader will not be com­ mann detected the weak points in plete unless we mention his gift for their work, and at the knowledge learning from the masses. Any he displayed in their special fields. leader of the workers who at criti­ Yet it was always with the great­ cal moments fails to listen to the est modesty that he outlined in­ voice of the masses is bound to structions for the study of any par­ come to grief. Thaelmann main­ ticular problem. tained the closest contacts with his Thaelmann was very skillful in fellow-workers; he had grown up handling rash "theoreticians" whose among the masses, and he had seen sterile discussions hampered work many a labor leader come to grief among the masses, or who wanted through turning a deaf ear to the to sidetrack the Party by erroneous voice of the masses and through theories. He knew. how to dissuade tackling the tasks confronting him them from their false views or to like a bureaucrat. crush them by superior weight of We know from pre-war days that political knowledge. Thaelmann enjoyed the trust of his What particularly distinguished fellow-workers, trade union mem- ERNST THAELMANN 151 bers and Party comrades because of and fared. He was acquainted with his sincerity, spirit of solidarity and the working class quarters of most courage. It was only because he en­ of the large cities of Germany. And joyed this trust that he was able to he, in his turn, was known best of become a prominent trade union all to the workers of the big fac­ functionary, leader of the revolu­ tories and works. He would often tionary opposition in the Social­ make excursions to remote villages Democratic Party, chairman of the to question and converse with the Hamburg organization of the Com­ small farmers, always preferring munist Party, and finally the leader in such cases to remain incognito. of the whole Communist Party. He The information personally gained always endeavored to maintain close in this way he utilized when formu­ contact with his former workmates. lating the demands of the masses Whenever he visited Hamburg he or when it was necessary to con­ would look up old acquaintances vince comrades in his own party. for a friendly chat and exchange In later years, as his popularity of opinions. grew and his portrait was to be Thaelmann relentlessly exposed found in many working class homes, all breaches of the confidence of the he would often be recognized as he masses on the part of their elected sat quietly in the corner of some leaders-of which the history of the bar listening to the talk of the German labor movement can offer workers, or even when visiting some all too many examples-especially country village. On such occasions that breach which was most visibly he would at first be visibly embar­ expressed in the Social-Democratic rassed by the pleasure expressed leaders' policy of coalition with the by the workers and peasants, who enemies of the working people. would naturally flock round their Thaelmann-and this was a fea­ guest with enthusiasm or from curi­ ture he had borrowed from Lenin's osity. Many working people who style of work-was highly skilled had been led astray by the enemy in the art of conversing with peo­ would on such occasions quickly ple he chanced to meet on trains, learn to know him for the man of in waiting rooms, in restaurants or the people and class-comrade he in trade union centers, and, by was. shrewd and pointed questions, in As a Party leader, Thaelmann learning their true opinions and the always sought for living contact social background behind them. He with the non-Party workers. "I will would then follow this up with ad­ speak to the comrades or to the vice, teaching his interlocutors and peasants myself," he would often at the same time learning from say to Party officials who were re­ them. If the time at his disposal per­ porting to him on some workers' or mitted, he was fond of wandering peasants' struggle. He would often through working class quarters, converse with members of the So­ alone or with a companion, in or­ cial-Democratic Party without re­ der to learn how the people lived vealing his identity. He would seek

exclaiming: exclaiming: time, time, first first the the for for mann mann Central Central the the of of sittings sittings the the at at mann mann

Thael­ meeting meeting Thael­ on on by by members, members, proffered proffered Party Party correction correction and and

young young hear hear to to thing thing rare rare no no was was remark remark critical critical a a It It many many of of origin origin

rescue. rescue. of of work work the the were were workers workers cial-Democratic cial-Democratic

the the for for instructions instructions his his on on fered fered So­ with with discussions discussions Such Such ments. ments.

of­ were were League League Combatant Combatant Front Front argu­ Communists' Communists' the the of of points points

Red Red the the of of units units all all of of services services the the strong strong and and weak weak the the for for look look to to

Germany, Germany, Central Central devastated devastated flood flood where where learn learn to to able able thus thus was was and and

big big a a spirit, spirit, example, example, for for comradely comradely When, When, a a in in people. people. raised raised tion tion

working working the the threatened threatened disaster disaster or or ques­ every every discuss discuss and and patiently patiently

danger danger them them when when to to help help listen listen practical practical would would He He direct direct Party. Party. nist nist

for for Party Party the the mobilize mobilize also also would would Commu­ the the of of measures measures individual individual

He He directions. directions. Thaelmann's Thaelmann's under under of of and and policy policy the the of of opinions opinions their their

written written Party Party the the of of platform platform and and express express frankly frankly would would they they sions sions

appeal appeal policy, policy, discus­ of of these these of of statement statement course course every every the the in in In In burg. burg.

reflected reflected is is Ham­ of of wants, wants, city city and and native native needs needs his his their their in in workers workers

for for fate, fate, their their for for Social-Democratic Social-Democratic Concern Concern with with angle. angle. discussions discussions

every every from from for for people people opportunity opportunity working working most most the the had had of of He He tions. tions.

interests interests the the defended defended Thaelmann Thaelmann ques­ such such to to reply reply public public a a give give

Germany!" Germany!" would would he he it, it, warranted warranted occasion occasion the the

socialist socialist a a in in energies energies their their of of if if infrequently, infrequently, Not Not right. right. were were ary ary

development development the the for for offered offered be be function­ another another or or one one by by pressed pressed

would would field field free free a a "What "What say. say. to to ex­ views views the the whether whether ask ask and and

used used he he power!" power!" in in were were peasants peasants him him to to come come often often would would workers workers

and and workers workers the the Non-party Non-party if if people people the the functionaries. functionaries. bring bring its its and and

could could men men such such benefits benefits "What "What Party Party Communist Communist the the of of policy policy and and

esteem. esteem. greatest greatest activities activities the the the the with with discuss discuss spoke spoke to to workers workers

always always he he spirit, spirit, progressive progressive a a is is stimulate stimulate to to tried tried always always He He

hallmarks hallmarks whose whose of of one one interests. interests. artists, artists, and and workers' workers' the the of of

scientists scientists real real of of But But masses. masses. the the betrayers betrayers as as all all them them regarding regarding and and

on on superciliously superciliously down down looked looked who who leaders leaders reactionary reactionary the the with with gory gory

highbrows highbrows cate­ one one detested detested in in he he Party Party that that true true ·is ·is cial-Democratic cial-Democratic

true. true. is is So­ the the opposite opposite of of very very The The It It functionaries functionaries tuals. tuals. minor minor the the

intellec­ the the classing classing of of despised despised he he members members that that say say Party Party to to certain certain

used used him him of of know know habit habit not not did did false false who who the the Many Many combated combated ously ously

him. him. for for vigor­ guidance guidance and and Thaelmann Thaelmann ones?" ones?" formation formation old old than than

in­ of of source source decisions decisions indispensable indispensable an an important important come come effect effect to to able able

be­ to to gradually gradually was was and and character character less less workers workers young young "Are "Are retorted: retorted:

whole whole his his to to conformed conformed that that one one Thaelmann Thaelmann Whereupon Whereupon workers." workers."

leadership, leadership, of of method method his his of of part part inexperienced inexperienced and and young young only only

essential essential an an was was trend trend political political ent ent are are they they "Why, "Why, exclaimed: exclaimed: comrade comrade

differ­ a a a a of of occasion occasion 'people 'people or or such such people people one one party party workers. workers. On On

non­ by by made made Party Party Communist Communist Social-Democratic Social-Democratic the the of of life life of of

the the of of policy policy the the manner manner of of and and views views criticisms criticisms the the of of from from idea idea hand hand

benefiting benefiting of of habit habit This This Committee. Committee. first.,. first.,. a a get get to to as as so so encounters encounters such such

152 152 THAELMANN THAELMANN ERNST ERNST ERNST THAELMANN 153

"That man's heart is in the right questions," he was in the habit of place!" saying. The reactionary press might Thaelmann it was who, in the persuade the petty bourgeois that midst of the Party's struggle against Thaelmann was a brutal, ruthless reaction, constantly reminded the and violent man. Communists who German proletariat of the great are hounded, persecuted and mal­ duty of active international solidar­ treated for their opinions, who are ity. Accompanied by Chinese com­ continually flung into prison, and rades, he would liurry from meet­ who live now legally, now illegally, ing to meeting, organizing aid for certainly do in time become men the Chinese people in their strug­ of steel, whose hardness towards the gle for emancipation. He appealed class enemy springs from their deep for support for the English work­ love of the people and their pro­ ers during the General Strike of found humanitarianism. But who­ 1926; he rallied the masses to save ever has seen Thaelmann in the the lives of Sacco and Vanzetti; he midst of workers knows him for took an energetic part in the cam­ the true man he is; whoever has paign for the release of the inno­ seen him in the midst of Young cent Scottsboro boys; he fought pas­ Pioneers, surrounded by the bright sionately against the fascist terror faces of children, has learned to in Italy and vigorously supported know another side of this battle­ the Matteotti protest campaign with hardened Communist. He would its outcry against the savage bar­ talk with enthusiasm to the young barities of Mussolini. folk of the happy life that awaited Thaelmann's fight against the im­ them in a liberated Germany, and perialist warmongers and his sym­ of the great Land of Soviets where pathy for menaced and oppressed a new and happy generation was peoples form a cardinal feature of growing up. his policy and character. As a Party leader, Ernst Thael­ Thaelmann has always been dis­ mann was always stern with his tinguished for his personal courage, .friends when an extreme effort was as displayed in the most varied situ­ required to achieve a given aim; ations. His personal bravery springs but he was equally stern with him­ from his political leadership. His is self. Confidence in tried and tested not a blind recklessness, but the comrades did not blind him to their courage that springs from a sense of shortcomings. He held industrious­ responsibility for the fate of his ness and ability in high esteem. class-comrades and fellow-fighters. "We must train ourselves day in, After the October revolt in Ham­ day out," he used to say, "otherwise burg, when the Communist Party we cannot train others." He de­ was suppressed for several months, tested nothing more than bureau­ from November, 1923 to February, cracy. "There can be no place in 1924, the police made desperate ef­ our Party for a formal, indifferent forts to discover and arrest Thael­ and stereotyped approach to vital _ mann. But he kept carefully con- 154 ERNST THAELMANN cealed and acted with all due man the police had been hunting for caution, although he energetically so long, appeared at the memorial continued to carry on his revolution­ and began to speak. The crowd drew ary work. He got together the most in closer to listen, their faces light­ reliable and courageous function­ ing up with pleasure at the sight of aries of the Wasserkante District their persecuted leader. They drew and through them arranged meas­ tightly around him, as though to ures of protection from the brutal protect him from the clutches of the terror that was raging, and for the police. The police at once got busy: continued prosecution of revolution­ they barred all the entrances and ary work among the masses. He al­ exits to the cemetery in order to lowed himself no rest. Whether in cut off the meeting. They did not broad daylight or in the dead of intend to let the fugitive escape night, whenever necessary he would this time. Meanwhile, Thaelmann come together with comrades in de­ had finished his courageous speech. fiance of the police sleuths. On the Workers pressed round to squeeze instructions of the Central Commit­ him by the hand. A solid ring of tee, he traveled all over the coun­ workers surrounded him. Suddenly try, holding illegal meetings; and a wall of comrades formed, opening many a time he found himself in a a lane to safety, and the police were tight corner, hemmed in by the once again balked of their prey. bloodhounds of the reaction. At the beginning of 1925 a private One cold winter's Sunday in Jan­ conference of South German Com­ uary, 1924, the revolutionary masses munist members of parliament was of Hamburg, at the call of the Com­ held in Cannstadt, near Stuttgart. munist Party, marched in proces­ Ernst Thaelmann was to speak. Al­ sion to the cemetery. This had been though the Party had already been an annual event all over Germany legal for some time, the conference when the Party was legal; it was was suddenly invaded by a strong dedicated to the memory of Rosa force of police and all present were Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht, arrested. Thaelmann energetically the founders of the Party, who had protested, and astonished the Wuer­ been foully murdered by the hand tenburg police officials not a little of counter-revolution. In the Ham­ by the warmth of his Hamburg burg cemetery a revolutionary temperament. The arrival of the memorial had been erected by the police had attracted a number of workers in honor of the heroes of workers to the conference hall. As the revolutionary struggles of 1918. the arrested men, despite all pro­ Around this, several thousand tests, were being led away, Thael­ workers gathered. The police were mann, under the very nose of the apparently in doubt whether this astonished gendarmes, suddenly was an organized or spontaneous flung his portfolio containing the assembly, but took no risks and notes of his speech far into the sounded the alarm. crowd of workers, where it was Suddenly, Ernst Thaelmann, the snatched up and disappeared in a ERNST THAELMANN 155 trice. In this way it was possible was organized by the Red Front after all to acquaint the workers Combatant League and the Com­ and peasants with the proposals munist Party in Berlin-Charlotten­ Thaelmann had prepared for the burg to protest against the fascist guidance of the Communist mem­ terror. The disciplined and militant bers of parliament in defending the columns of the Red Front League democratic rights of the people marched in a long procession which were being threatened by the­ through the streets. Red banners reactionaries. and streamers waved above the On May 1, 1925, Comrade Ernst marching men, and the ears of the Thaelmann marched with the con­ bourgeoisie were assailed by rhyth­ tingent from his district of Eims­ mic choruses of "Down with fas­ buettel to the central May Day cism!" A body of mounted police meeting on the Moorweide in Ham­ suddenly appeared and began to burg. While the children's column belabor the unarmed workers with was marching past, the police tried drawn sabres and rubber batons. to break up the procession, and One worker staggered, his face rode their horses into the ranks of covered with blood. The policeman the children. A fearful tumult en­ raised his sabre to strike again, sued, which became all the graver when a man sprang forward, seized when two horses began to shy. Sev­ his tottering comrade and inter­ eral children were already sprawl­ posed his body to the falling sabre. ing under the horses' hoofs, but the The blow struck him full in the police captain refused to call off his brow. It was Ernst Thaelmann. Red men; on the contrary, he ordered Front ambulance men rushed to his them to draw their rubber batons aid. The police attack encountered against the children who were try­ a firm wall of workers and was ing to protect themselves with driven back. But the news spread flagstaffs and streamers, from the like wildfire through the ranks: shying horses. This incensed the "Thaelmann is wounded!" The workers beyond all bounds, and . workers were seized with rage and there was danger of a serious col­ indignation; but Thaelmann pulled lision. The police captain had himself together and calmed his already provocatively drawn his re­ comrades. Had he not done so, volver, when Thaelmann seized his bloodshed would have been inevi­ horse by the bridle and in tones of table. thunder ordered him to put up his On May 1, 1929, acting at the firearm and call off his men. The orders of the reactionaries, Zoer­ officer and police were intimidated giebel, the Social-Democratic Police by the threatening look of the in­ Commissioner of Berlin, ventured censed workers who crowded up to forbid the traditional May Day behind Thaelmann; they thought it demonstration. Workers all over the wiser to stop their provocation and world regarded this as a monstrous withdraw. piece of provocation. So great was On May 22, 1927, a demonstration the determination of the Berlin 156 ERNST THAELMANN workers to resist this attempt to rob Wedding was plunged in dark­ them of a long unchallenged right ness; every light in the streets and that they came out into the streets in the houses had been extin­ in spite of the ban. But the police guished. Now and again the silence under Zoergiebel's command fired was broken by the bark of shots and on the workers, and thirty-three the rattling of armored cars, and the men and women were struck down. darkness pierced by searchlight The workers of Berlin were out­ beams. Any incautious movement in raged by this crime. Many of them the deserted streets might attract took to arms in defense of their the fire of the police. The leaders rights. Barricades were erected in crept back through alleys and Neukoelln and Wedding to protect sidestreets to their comrades at the these working class districts from barricades and proceeded to carry police attack. The situation was a out the task assigned to them. The difficult one for the Communist fight was called off. The mighty Party. If anybody realized the grav­ demonstration which a few weeks ity of the responsibility, Ernst later, on the occasion of the Com­ Thaelmann did. As the political sit­ munist Party Congress held in Wed­ uation stood, none of the conditions ding, marched through the streets existed for a successful uprising, of this district and enthusiastically but, on the other hand, it was the greeted Ernst Thaelmann proved Party's duty not to abandon the that the workers had properly un­ men at the barricades and to con­ derstood his proposal to transform tinue their resistance by political the barricade fight into a political means. mass movement. Thaelmann decided to go to Wed­ In August, 1930, a National Youth ding himself to discuss matters Conference was held in Leipzig. personally with the leaders and get Some hundred thousand young a true picture of the situation. This workers marched in procession and was the night of May 1. The fighting greeted Ernst Thaelmann, the lead­ zone was cut off by a heavy cordon er of the German working class, of police. Under cover of darkness, with enthusiastic calls of "Rot he managed to slip through the po­ Front!" Column followed column. lice lines. Gathering the lead­ The police became nervous and ers together, he described the gen­ started to shoot. The young workers eral situation to them and made it resisted this act of provocai;ion and plain that the armed resistance two policemen were killed. Excite­ must be terminated and converted ment rose to fever heat; it looked as into a political mass movement. Of if the streets would/ be turned into the members of the Communist a shambles. But Thaelmann did not Party he demanded that they, as lose his head for a moment. He Communists, must convince the calmly set himself at the head of a non-Communist workers of the ex­ Berlin section and started the col­ pediency of the Party's recommen­ umns marching, skilfully leading dations. the procession out of the area where ERNST THAELMANN 157 the police had been stationed for strike or general unrest. All went provocative purposes, thus prevent­ well until the outskirts of the city ing the massacre the reactionaries were reached, when suspicious signs had been itching for. led Thaelmann to suspect an am­ July 20, 1932. We now know what bush. He gave a signal to the hesi­ a fatal day this was for the political tant driver, and the car, whizzing development of Germany. The coup past at sixty miles an hour, scat­ d'etat carried out by the reaction­ tered the guards before they could aries in Prussia under the Jeader­ take to their rifles. The attempt to ship of Hindenburg, Papen and intercept the car by telephoning the Schleicher and the shameful capitu­ inner cordon of guards failed. lation of the Social-Democratic Thaelmann had slipped into a side­ Ministers Braun and Severing be­ road, and was soon sitting at a fore the notorious "lieutenant and meeting of leading comrades called ten men" was a big step towards the to discuss the new turn of events. establishment of a fascist dictator­ That the enemy of the working ship in Germany. The leaders of the class entertained a profound hatred Social-Democratic Party and of the for this proletarian leader, perse­ General Confederation of Trade cuted him and attempted to have Unions rejected the proposal of the him put out of the way was only Communist Party for a united front, natural. As far back as 1923 the although millions of Social-Demo­ fascists in Hamburg had thrown a cratic workers were awaiting the hand-grenade into the house where call for a joint struggle. he lived on the Siemensstrasse. But On the day of the coup d'etat, the revolutionary vigilance of the Ernst Thaelmann was in Leipzig, workers had foiled the attempt and where he had addressed a mass brought the culprit..c; to light. It is meeting. On learning the news of significant of bourgeois-democratic the events in Berlin, he at once Germany that for years no judge got into touch on the telephone could be found to bring these fas­ with the Central Committee of the cists to book. The light fines finally Communist Party and gave direc­ imposed upon them were very soon tions for the drawing up of an ap­ annulled. But the attempt made it peal for a united fighting front with clear to the German workers that the Social-Democratic workers, the courageous champion of their trade unionists and Reichsbanner interests had earned the savage comrades and for the organization hatred of their enemies, which to of mass demonstrations and strikes. the revolutionary proletariat was Then he promptly set out to drive one more reason for rallying close­ from Leipzig to Berlin by automo­ ly round him and strengthening bile. It was already known that all their confidence in him. the approaches to Berlin had been Thaelmann clearly saw how dan­ occupied by the Reichswehr with gerous the fascist gangs were to the the object of hermetically sealing German working class and the Ger­ off the capital in the event of a man people. He therefore persis-

sume sume its its ties ties with with the the great great cultural cultural spect spect and and love love for for Stalin, Stalin, his his firm firm

a a socialist socialist Germany, Germany, which which will will re­ Marxism-Leninism. Marxism-Leninism. Hence Hence his his re­

cist cist reaction reaction and and cultural cultural barbarity, barbarity, saw saw the the creative creative development development of of

freed freed by by the the working working class class from from fas­ In In Stalin's Stalin's works works and and teachings teachings he he

Germany Germany to to come, come, of of a a Germany Germany the the world world proletariat proletariat in in our our day. day.

of of the the glowing glowing patriotism patriotism of of the the Stalin, Stalin, the the leader leader and and teacher teacher of of

is is inevitable. inevitable. He He is is the the embodiment embodiment great great continuer continuer of of Lenin's Lenin's works, works,

whose whose ultimate ultimate and and firm firm victory victory is is his his over over devotion devotion tyranny tyranny for for the the

under under the the yoke yoke of of fascism, fascism, but but and and Leninism. Leninism. Equally Equally convinced convinced

peasants, peasants, fessed fessed who who are are himself himself now now languishing languishing a a disciple disciple of of Lenin Lenin

ing ing people, people, love love for for and and the the conviction conviction workers workers that that and and he he pro­

burning burning love love for for the the German German work­ Stalin, Stalin, and and it it was was with with passionate passionate

Thaelmann Thaelmann est est geniuses geniuses is is inspired inspired of of our our with with era, era, Lenin Lenin a a and and

mann mann took took as as his his models models Democratic Democratic the the great­ leaders. leaders.

In In his his political political activities, activities, Thael­ sistent sistent rejection rejection by by the the Social­

all all countries, countries, unite!"? unite!"? came came to to nothing nothing owing owing to to its its per­

had had issued issued the the cry: cry: guarantee guarantee "Workingmen "Workingmen of, of, victory victory of of over over fascism, fascism,

in in 1847, 1847, The The Communist Communist cial-Democratic cial-Democratic Manifesto, Manifesto, Party, Party, as as the the only only

working working class class movement, movement, tablish tablish a a who who united united in in front front with with the the So­

ders ders of of the the international international pecially pecially socialist socialist of of Ernst Ernst Thaelmann, Thaelmann, to to es­

attempts attempts of of the the Commtinists, Commtinists, and and es­ ings ings Marx Marx and and c-I c-I Engels, Engels, the the foun­

The The repeated repeated Germany Germany and and had had uninterrupted uninterrupted produced, produced, the the teach­

the the teachings teachings of of the the ment ment greatest greatest of of these these minds minds masses masses themselves." themselves."

movement. movement. For For had had he he not not absorbed absorbed working working people people and and is is the the move­

the the international international working working class class cause cause it it works works in in the the service service of of the the

up up with with his his loyalty loyalty and and not not devotion devotion live live by by maneuvers; maneuvers; to to it it lives lives be­

working working people people is is intimately intimately munist munist movement movement bound bound does does not not and and can­

Thaelmann's Thaelmann's love love of of the the German German about about the the united united front? front? The The Com­

the the Communists Communists and and honor honor not not in in the the be be world. world. sincere sincere

other other nations, nations, and and thus thus women. women. to to true true In In fame fame view view of of this, this, how how can can

lions lions o:f o:f revolutionary revolutionary men men and and people people to to brotherly brotherly communion communion with with

want want to to hang, hang, draw draw and and quarter quarter mil­ ple ple to to freedom, freedom, to to lead lead the the German German

movement, movement, forward, forward, which which means means to to lead lead that that the the they they working working peo­

want want to to exterminate exterminate culturally. culturally. the the He He Communist Communist was was eager eager to to press press

princes princes have have proclaimed proclaimed that that they they back, back, materially, materially, spiritually spiritually and and

"Hitler's "Hitler's pack pack of of officers officers and and would would throw throw the the German German people people far far

reply reply was: was: that that fascism, fascism, war war and and privation privation

united united front front sincerely. sincerely. Thaelmann's Thaelmann's told told sufferings. sufferings. lie lie clearly clearly perceived perceived

the the Communist Communist Party Party meant meant the the German German people people the the menace menace of of un­

Social-Democrats Social-Democrats asked asked whether whether by by the the anxiety anxiety to to ward ward off off from from the the

Democratic Democratic Party. Party. In In July, July, 1932, 1932, organizers organizers of of war, war, was was motivated motivated

izations, izations, with with the the whole whole Social­ perialism, perialism, against against the the fomenters fomenters and and

Democratic Democratic masses masses and and their their organ­ struggle struggle against against chauvinism chauvinism and and im­

of of a a united united front front with with the the Social­ tage tage of of progress. progress. His His ceaseless ceaseless

tently tently strove strove :for :for the the establishment establishment traditions traditions of of the the past, past, with with the the heri­

158 158 ERNST ERNST THAELMANN THAELMANN ERNST THAELMANN 159 confidence in the success of Stalin's laundry where they both worked, leadership of the world proletariat. she as a young ironer. When she Thaelmann has always remained married him he was already an ac-· a man of simple bearing, the son of tive Party functionary whose spare the working class he always was time was largely taken up with and always wished to be. This sim­ trade union and Party affairs. But it plicity stamped his whole manner was this perhaps that made their of life. He was most at home when relations so cordial and lasting, for speaking his own Hamburg dialect. they were based on common work Even at public meetings he would for a common cause. Rosa's unas­ sometimes lapse into this dialect, suming cooperation at her hus­ which might be called the language band's side at the same time reflects of the Hamburg workers, the ve­ to his own credit. hicle of their inmost thoughts. He In August Bebel, the German detested the ambition and arrogance working class movement of pre-war of the petty bourgeois; but he loved days had a leader of extraordinary all who did big things in a spirit of prestige and popularity; His devi­ modesty. ations towards reformism were not Having lost his mother at an early generally known to the masses and age, Thaelmann clung with love served to diminish his prestige only and solicitude to his old father. He among the small circle of Lefts. was proud of the fact that Jan Since his death, the German Social­ Thaelmann remained a zealous Democratic Party had not produced worker in the labor movement in such another personality. In Karl spite of his advanced years. The old Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg, man was a treasurer and senior the courage, inflexibility and deter­ newspaper distributor. His zeal mination of the revolutionary pro­ and honesty had played a big part letariat were personified. They lit in Ernst's upbringing. The son was the torch of revolution in the very a prisoner in a Hitler jail when the midst of the World War. But the old man died, but the fascist brutes German working class had been would not even allow him to pay split by the reactionary Social­ his last respects at his father's Democratic leaders, who had grave. formed common cause with the Thaelmann has a wife and child. German imperialists, and a difficult It must be said to the honor of Rosa and severe fight had to be fought Thaelmann that for her the inter­ against a cohort of traitors to Marx­ ests of the working people have al­ ism, so that Karl Liebknecht and ways come before everything else. Rosa Luxemburg could only make A true comrade of Thaelmann's, she their way step by stey. And when has always had the deepest sym­ at last their valiant deeds had made pathy and understanding for the them the heroes of the working struggle in the cause of the work­ class movement and the acknowl­ ing class. She had become ac­ edged leaders of its advanced sec­ quainted with Thaelmann in the tion, and when the class-conscious 160 ERNST THAELMANN workers had come to love them with then beyond the Party, among the a warmer and deeper love than they working masses and a section of the had ever had for Bebel, they were poor peasantry and the urban petty struck down by the counter-revolu­ bourgeoisie, won recognition, prestige tion. and authority, and when later the For years after this the German class-conscious workers and many proletariat had no outstanding and others looked to Thaelmann with ackno;wledged leader. The Social­ growing affection and love, the Democratic movement, which has leader of the German Communist become thoroughly opportunist, and which, like capitalism, is doomed, Party became the most popular and naturally could not produce such a acknowledged leader of the German personality; only the Party of working class movement of post­ Marxism-Leninism could do so. As war days, the successor of August in the course of years Ernst Thael­ Bebel, Karl Liebknecht aqd Rosa mann, first within the Party and Luxemburg. A WAKENING IN THE BRITISH WEST INDIES

BY CONRAD WARD

HE present imperialist war ,has war chariot have failed to evoke Trenewed attention to the British any enthusiasm among the broad imperialist policy of colonial sub­ masses, especially among the ad­ jection. While professing to be vanced sections of the working fighting for the rights of small na­ class, who today are energetically tions and for democracy, the British posing their demands for better ruling class denies to its colonies the working conditions to meet the in­ most elementary democratic rights. creasing burdens caused by the war. Every attempt of the people to raise The bitter lessons learned from themselves above the status of co- the last war and from the recent lonial slaves has been met with the strike struggles, in which the rulers mailed fist. For three centuries this did not hesitate to employ their has been the policy pursued in the naval and military forces to subdue West Indies. the strikers, have helped to shape The present war is hailed by the the present attitude of the working planter and merchant classes in the class, despite the high pressure of West Indies; for it comes at a time war propaganda and the abrogation when the people, growing restive, of peace-time civil rights. were beginning to challenge their These struggles were marked by rule. waves of rapidly succeeding strikes Under the "Defense of the Realm and demonstrations, which swept Act" and through various "emer- the British West Indies from the gency" measures, the colonial die- middle of 1937 to the end of 1938, tators have set to work to muzzle and in the form of sporadic and the voices of protest and to silence intermittent struggles until recently. every manifestation of discontent. The strikes have brought into bold They consider this war as a heaven- relief the acute problems of the sent opportunity to stem the swell- peoples of this outpost of the British ing tide of resistance against their Empire. unbridled exploitation. This strike wave which was to The attempts of the colonial rul- engulf practically all of the West ers to infuse in the people a "Die Indies started on June 19, 1937, for the Empire'' spirit and to tie the when oil field workers in Trinidad West Indian workers to the British commenced a sit-down strike to en- 161 162 A WAKENING IN THE BRITISH WEST INDIES force their demand of a wage in­ ginning in the unification and fed­ crease from 7 to 12 cents an hour to eration of the trade unions has been meet the rising cost of living. The made in the formation of the British refusal of the oil companies to ne­ Guiana Trade Union Assembly and gotiate precipitated the strike, in the short-lived Jamaica Trades which developed into a two-week Union Council; and the first step in general strike, embracing nearly all the direction of establishing an in­ categories of workers and paralyz­ ter-colonial federation of trade ing the whole industrial life of the unions was taken at the conference island. held in British Guiana in June, The Trinidad strike ended in a 1938. This conference, however, fell victory for the workers. It resulted short of its objectives, because in wage increases of from 60 to 72 unions from only a few colonies cents per day, reduction of the were represented, due to the fact working week from 54 to 45 hours that at that time trade unions had with a one-week paid vacation for a not yet been organized in many of considerable section of the working the Islands. class, and in the development of the The seething discontent of the first genuine trade unions organized West Indian masses, which found its on an industrial basis. Moreover, it expression in the wave of militant gave the impetus to a whole series strikes, has its basic cause in the of strikes and upheavals in Bar­ landlessness, low wages, perennial bados, British Guiana, St. Kitts, St. unemployment and the sub-human Vincent, and in Jamaica. standard of life of the majority of In Jamaica, a series of local the people. Sugar-cane cultivation, strikes culminated in the general based formerly on plantation slave strike of May, 1938, which gave labor, has for centuries been the birth to the trade union movement basic crop and main industry of the with an estimated membership then West Indies. For over three cen­ of about 70,000. turies, these Islands, where the In these strikes, the British bour­ scramble for colonial territory by geoisie showed to the fulr its ter­ the European nations had its begin­ roristic dictatorship. Forty-six work­ nings, supplied vast wealth to the ers were killed, 429 injured and absentee landowners and planter thousands arrested and prosecuted. class. Today, it is still the most im­ Never before in the history of the portant industry in most of the West Indies had working class colonies. struggles assumed such proportions However, West Indian economy is and working class unity reached changing in certain respects. The such heights. Today, trade unions old sugar plantation system, the or some form of workers' organiza­ economic foundation of slavery, tions exist in practically every with its individual factory, is large­ colony, with the highest degree of ly being supplanted by the modern development obtaining in Trinidad, centralized sugar factory controlled Jamaica and British Guiana. A be- by banks and commercial interests AWAKENING IN THE BRITISH WEST INDIES 163 which monopolize the supply of marily agrarian countries. West In­ cane from the planters and peasants dian life consists in the main of pro­ in q given area. Besides, every ducing agricultural products for ex­ available inch of land is being port.. The question of land distribu­ turned into sugar cultivation. Thus, tion is, therefore, of paramount im­ there has developed a class of land­ portance for the majority of the less, iow-paid plantation workers. people. The present set-up of land In Trinidad, thanks to the develop­ ownership reveals the basic cause ment of the oil and asphalt indus­ of the poverty of the mass of the tries, there has come into being an people. Land monopoly enables the industrial proletariat. It is this class planter class to dominate the life which has given the lead to the of the peoples of entire communi­ mass struggles that have swept ties. It is the source of low wages, through the colonies; and it is in unsanitary living conditions, the Trinidad where trade unionism is high rate of illiteracy, and of po­ most advanced, more stable, and a litical power in the hands of the greater force to be reckoned with. landowners who determine and con­ The land monopolies, taking ad­ trol the political life of the colonies. vantage of the low prices in the An example of the control by the sugar market and the weak state of small landowning class over the organization among the agricultural land in the West Indies is furnished workers, have scaled wages down to by the following table showing the the lowest possible minimum, pay­ sizes of agricultural units in Trini­ ing the workers 40 to 60 cents per dad: day according to skill. At the same time, the subsidized sugar com­ Size of Agricultural Units panies are reaping a golden harvest. in Trinidad The West Indies Sugar Company, ] controlled by Tate and Lyle, has l:'o .,, recorded profits of about $37,000,000 l:'o f.., ~ ~ ":il ~ ""<: in the last five years. :x:" .. ~'0 ~ ...... "<: tt~ In Trinidad, the source of over :!:X: _ .. ~ .. o-.~ t-~ "~.,"<: ~] ~~ :;::.!: 60 per cent of the British Empire's ~ 0 "" c;.s (-....! ~u oil production, oil workers' wages ~~ ~E-o "" "" have been 62 cents per day and only Under 10 10,038 62.5 62,744 16 11 to 50 .... 5,009 31.0 99,229 26 recently were increased by two 51 to 100 ... 456 2.8 32,162 9 cents an hour by an Arbitration 101 to 1000 .. 574 3.6 161,496 43 Tribunal, while one of the 22 oil Over 1000 .. 11 .1 23,437 6 companies, the Apex Oil Fields, Ld., Total .... 16,088 379,068 with a capital value of $2,750,000 declared a profit of $1,145,460 in This table indicates that in Trini­ 1936. dad, where in 1931 there were 47,- 000 persons actively engaged in THE LAND QUESTION agriculture, either as planters, peas­ The West Indian colonies are pri- ants or laborers, slighter over 1 per 164 AWAKENING IN THE BRITISH WEST INDIES

cent of this number, that is, 585 British West Indies was $36,925,000. holdings of units of more than 100 Of this amount, $14,805,000 or 40 acres, owned 184,933 acres, which is per cent was derived from import half the area under cultivation. duties and only $1,985,000, or 5 per This uneven distribution of the cent, from income tax. Comparable land, a survival of the days of figures in Great Britain reveal that slavery, permits a small planter import duties yielded 24 per cent class to exercise its domination over and income tax 35 per cent. These the economic life of the West In­ figures speak volumes on the man­ dian people and to perpetuate the ner in which the poor in the West undemocratic system of crown col­ Indies are made to pay the bulk of ony government. taxation, while the wealthy con­ In Jamaica, according to the col­ tribute little. lector general's report, 80,315 hold­ The figures bear out the funda­ ings in 1938 are under a half-acre mental truth of Professor Macmil­ in size, while on the other hand lan's statement in his Warning from there were 146 holdings with over the West Indies: "A social and eco­ 2,000 acres. These figures are illum­ nomic study of the West Indies is inating, for Jamaica is the one West necessarily a study of poverty." Indian colony where peasant pro­ Industry in the West Indies com­ prietorship has developed on the prises mainly small-scale manufac­ largest scale. turing, except for Trinidad with its In Barbados, the planters' para­ oil and asphalt, employing approxi­ dise, of the 65,835 acres of arable mately 9,000 workers, and British land, 51,886 are cultivated by plan­ Guiana, with its gold, diamond and tations. Of the land occupied by bauxite mining, employing about 18,039 peasants, 13,898 of the hold­ 5,000 workers, and forestry employ­ ings are of less than one acre. ing 4,000. Of the remainder of the Poverty in the West Indies is ex­ workers, some are artisans and pressed, not only in' the landless­ others are engaged in agriculture, ness of the people, but also in the while slightly less than 40 per cent onerous burdens of taxation. The are engaged in commerce, mining high indirect taxation consisting and transport. The position of the largely of import duties on food­ urban toilers is only little better stuffs, clothing and o,ther manufac­ than that of the land workers. Wage tured goods, falls heavily upon the rates vary according to colony, but poor people with a low wage stand­ the average daily wage for agricul­ ard, who are forced to pay high tural laborers is about 40 cents, prices for imported commodities while urban unskilled workers through tariffs and quota restric­ average about 60 cents per .day. A tions in favor of British products; recent survey revealed that with while direct taxation contributes one hour's wage a factory worker only a small percentage to the in Great Britain will buy 5.2 lbs. revenue. of bread, while the Jamaican fac­ In 1936, the total revenue of the tory worker earning $5 to $5.25 a AWAKENING IN THE BRITISH WEST INDIES 165 week will buy with one hour's wage ment of genuine trade unions in the about 1.25 lbs. of bread. West Indies, especially in Trinidad Hardly any phase of life of both and British Guiana. Unions embrac­ the urban and rural workers is ing workers in all the basic fields more shocking than the housing and of employment have been organ­ sanitary conditions. Barrack dwell­ ized, and corresponding to the new ings, a relic of the days of inden­ situation and development of the tured labor, are still the prevailing working class, the old type of gen­ housing system for the workers. eral union without any specific pol­ Even a Royal Commission which re­ icy or program has been supplanted cently visited Trinidad was forced by the 'industrial union based on a to state that these barrack dwell­ specific industry. This new develop­ ings "are indescribable in their lack ment has been definitely influenced of elementary needs of decency." by the C.I.O. in the U.S.A. This is the background of the Industrial unionism has brought terrible plight of the West Indian unity and organizational strength to workers which led to the outburst the young trade union movement in of strikes and revolts and to the rise parts of the West Indies, where em­ of the trade union movement. ployer-employee relationship is go­ ing through rapid and fundamental THE LABOR MOVEMENT changes. Trade union recognition, the right of collective bargaining, Trade union organization in the labor contracts, the · closed shop West Indies is but of recent devel­ principle, legalized picketing, the opment, although there have existed establishment of labor relations ma­ in some of the colonies small and chinery-these are among the basic weak groups of organized workers changes that have taken place two for a long period of time. In British years after the breaking out of the Guiana and Trinidad, however, la­ first serious organized strikes. bor organizations are of relatively These changes are the first steps long standing. that will serve to sweep away the The British Guiana Labor Union, last remaining vestiges of the semi­ now fifteen years old and with a feudal conditions under. which the long record of militant struggles, West Indian toilers live. was among the first to win the In contrast to this is the condi­ eight-hour day and other important tion of the trade union movement demands for certain categories of in Jamaica. After the May, 1938, the working population. The Trini­ general strike, trade unionism had a dad Workingmen's Association and phenomenal growth in Jamaica. Labor Party, led by reformist poli­ Over 70,000 members were enrolled, ticians and at one time claiming but the movement came under the over 30,000 members, is today a control of a former money lenc;ier, mere skeleton organization. A Bustamente, who, through his The recent strikes have given one,-man dictatorial and unprinci­ great momentum to the develop- pled rule, has succeeded in smash- 166 AWAKENING IN THE BRITISH WEST INDIES ing the movement for trade union strongest backing. The first step to­ unity and for the establishment of a wards this goal was taken in June, trade union federation. 1938. A second attempt recently The Bustamente Industrial Union, made was frustrated by the out­ named after the leader, who is break of the war in Europe. president for life, has today a mem­ bership of less than 30,000. Internal POLn'ICAL ALIGNMENTS IN THE WEST INDIES dissension, due in the main to a complete lack of democracy within Scattered throughout the Carib­ the union, the lack of any intelli­ bean Sea, the British West Indies gent trade union policy and prin­ comprise eighteen colonies, sixteen ciples, corruption, and to Busta­ insular and two continental: British mente's overtures to the employers Honduras and British Guiana. The and the ruling clique, threaten the population of the British West In­ union with disintegration. In fact, dies is approximately 3,000,000, of the union is taking on more and which 82 per cent are people of more the characteristics of a na­ African descent, 12.5 per cent East tionalist semi-Garveyite movement. Indian, 3.5 per cent white. In Barbados, trade unions are British occupation of the Islands, springing up and are being organ­ acquired either through conquest ized by the Barbados Progressive or settlement, dates from about League. It is essential to recognize 1600. The three centuries of British that the major factors which have rule have not been devoted to the determined the rate of growth and economic and social progress of the the course of the development of Islands, but rather to the acquisi­ the trade unions in the different tion of wealth for the dominant colonies are the composition, devel­ planter class and to maintain their opment and relative maturity of the political overlordship. working class in these colonies, con­ The form of government estab­ ditioned by the prevailing nature of lished in the West Indies by the production. early British settlers was patterned Trinidad differs from the other after the prevailing system in Eng­ colonies in that it has a large-scale land. This was a House of Assem­ mineral industry, giving rise to an bly, election to which was based on industrial working class, in contrast a property qualification. This insti­ with the other colonies where the tution was for two centuries com­ working class is composed mainly pletely dominated by the planter of agricultural workers, artisans, class. transport workers, and workers in The abolition of slavery in 1833 small and secondary industry. It is gave rise to a new relationship be­ precisely in Trinidad and British tween the master class and the Guiana, where trade union unity is former slaves. After emancipation, most advanced, that the question of the overwhelming part of the free an inter-colonial federation of trade population was black. Fearing elec­ unions was initiated and has the tion to the legislature of representa- AWAKENING IN THE BRITISH WEST INDIES 167 tives of the black people, which of elected members for the larger would make it a truly representa­ colonies: tive body, the self-governing con­ ..,· E stitutions of nearly all the colonies 't)j E were abolished. ,_ s~~~ < .... ;:c b"< The new constitutions established ~-2r-.. ::- ~- -~~~ ~~"' ~c "' ""~ ...... " the Crown Colony system of gov­ ~ E-i~ ;.::~E "c ·i§ " "~ c \..) -~%~ "c ~~ ernment, whereby the Governor klCI,- e::::.. .,_ QI~..S"" ~ and an Executive Council of his Barbados 190,939 6,424 3.4 $1,000 own creation, representing the British Guiana. 337,039 9,513 2.9 2,500 vested interests, frame the laws and Jamaica .... 1,152,528 62,867 5.5 1,000 Trinidad .... 456,006 30,911 2,000 pass them on to a "Legislative 6.5 Council" on which they have a ma­ The annual income required of a jority, for approval. voter is $250 in Barbados and Ja­ Except for one change, this is in maica, $312.50 in British Guiana the main the form of government and Trinidad. Ownership of real that still prevails today. This property, and rents or taxes paid change, introduced first in Jamaica on real property also qualify one to in 1884, permits the elections of a vote. minority of the members of the The small number of eligible Legislative Council on a very re­ voters, as shown in these figures, stricted franchise. is indicative of the dlre poverty of Under this archaic and arbitrary the population in these colonies. form of government, the Legislature The figures are eloquent testimony cannot initiate or introduce legisla­ to the application of democracy to tion, and the government, assured the colonies by British imperialism. of the support of a majority of ap­ Britain's age-old method of "di­ pointed official members, can al­ vide and rule" has been' applied to ways outvote the elected members. perfection in the West Indies from Furthermore, the franchise being the days of slavery until the pres­ based on property or income quali­ ent. The upper strata are English­ fications, the number of voters and men and native whites who control candidates for the legislature is the wealth and the governments of drastically limited to property own­ the colonies, and for whom the ers or high-salaried professionals highest paid administrative and and employees. civil service positions are reserved. That the majority of the inhabi­ The middle class generally com­ tants in the colonies are deprived prises persons of mixed blood, who of any share in legislative power is are the civil service employees in seen in the figures given in publica­ the lower brackets, professionals, tions recently issued by the Colonial clerks, managers, plantation over­ Office. seers, etc. The skilled and unskilled The following table gives the fig­ workers are, in the main, blacks. ures relevant to the exercise of the Only in recent years have the vote and the financial qualifications blacks been successful in entering 168 A WAKENING IN THE BRITISH WEST INDIES the legal and medical professions. council. This represents the first Pursuing a deliberate policy of step in independent working class favoring mulattoes in white-collar political action in the West Indies. jobs, in order to divide them from This growing maturity of the the mass of black toilers and to use workers is gaining the recognition them against the blacks, the ruling of sections of the middle class lead­ clique has been generally success­ ers who, moving along the path of ful in fostering and maintaining independent political action, recog­ intra-racial prejudices among the nize the decisive force and strength non-white majority of the popula­ of the working class and hence are tion. seeking to draw in the workers and The recent upheavals have dem­ their organizations as allies in the onstrated that the toiling population struggle to change their Crown is no longer in the mood to put up Colony status into one of self-gov­ with intolerable conditions of pov­ ernment. They are even beginning erty. This direct action has served, to lend their support to the build­ not only to challenge the unbridled ing of the trade union movement. rule of the plantation and oil barons The maturity of the working class in the economic sphere of life, but it is also reflected in the development also has given impetus to the de­ of revolutioJJ.ary groups in some of velopment or revival of political the colonies. Though still small, movements fighting for universal loosely organized, and working suffrage and self-government. under severe handicaps, they have These movements are, for the influenced to some extent the work­ present, under the leadership of the ers' movement, and are now play­ middle class; but the advanced role ing an increasingly important part played by the workers in the strug­ in guiding the labor movement and gle for a new life, their growing in aiding the political development consciousness of their organized of the masses. strength, and their independent The most important organizations struggles indicate that they will be­ striving for political democracy in come the determining factor in the the West Indies are the People's future political struggles in the National Party in Jamaica, the colonies. One indication of this is Progressive League in Barbados, the sweeping victory of Adrian C. the Manpower and Citizens' Asso­ Rienzi, labor leader and workers' ciation in British Guiana, the candidate, who decisively defeated Workingmen's Association in St. his conservative opponent in the Vincent, and the progressive section 1938 election for i.he Legislative of the Trinidad Labor Party. Council in Trinidad. The election Of these, the People's National was fought on a clear labor vs. anti­ Party, the first political party in labor issue. Also, in the November, Jamaica, with a membership of 1939, municipal election in Trini­ 5,000, and the Barbados Progressive dad, a number of trade union can­ League, claiming a membership of didates were elected to the city 32,000, are the two most advanced AWAKENING IN THE BRITISH WEST INDIES 169 and progressive political organiza­ vators is a vital necessity to the life tions. of the broadest section of the in­ Some of the basic points con­ habitants of the colonies. tained in the program of the Peo­ To meet the political aspirations ple's National Party call for public and demands of the people, the ownership of the monopolies and whole diabolical system of crown utilitie~, land settlement and peas­ colony government, through which ants' cooperatives for production, the British ruling class disfran­ aid in the development of trade chises the workers and subjugates unions, responsible government and them in the interest of the sugar pledges of political allegiance to the kings, must be swept aside by a cause of labor and the peasantry. government wholly elected by all The immediate problems facing the people and responsible to them. the toiling population of the West In such a democratic government, Indies is the building oi a strong representing all sections of the pop­ and united trade union movement ulation, the working class, the most in each colony and the establish­ conscious element fighting for prog­ ment of an inter-colonial federation ress against the shackles of impe­ of trade unions. This will provide rialism, will play a decisive role in the basis for united and common alliance with the poor peasants and action to achieve the economic de­ the progressive lower middle mands of the people, and will give classes. backbone to the movement to attain With control of the government in their political aspirations. their hands, the people will have The economic, social and political the instrument with which to re­ problems of the West Indies and the move the basic causes of their pov­ transformation of these slave out­ erity-monopoly of land and indus­ posts of British imperialism into try and heavy taxation, and will be lands of prosperity and progress in able to shape their destiny. the interest of the native population call for immediate solution. This is THE WEST INDIES AND THE IMPERIALIST WAR the task of the West Indian toilers. It is precisely to prevent the at­ No material and cultural progress tainment of this that the Chamber­ can be made by the people so long lain Government has clamped down as economic and political power is on the civil rights of the people, in­ not wrested from the hands of the stituted a most rigorous censorship, colonial oligarchy. and curtailed the right -of press and The two basic needs and demands assembly. Already one newspaper, of the masses of the people which the Evening N,ews of Jamaica, has call for immediate settlement are been banned because of its fearless the land question and political de­ interpretation of the war situation mocracy. The distribution of the and its honest presentation of the large estates and crown lands, held policy of the Soviet Union in con­ by the absentee landlords, to the nection with the war. Furthermore, landless peasants and small culti- in fear of the election of an opposi- 170 AWAKENING IN THE BRITISH WEST INDIES tion Legislative Council in Jamaica, pledged its "support in the defense the elections scheduled for 1940 of this colony from the attack of have been postponed until after the foreign invasion," because of its war, and in the Island of Grenada "desire to assist in the protection of it is planned to call off elections for the liberty and freedom of the colo­ three years. In Trinidad, the Gov­ nial peoples." ernor, using his dictatorial powers The attitude of the progressive under the Emergency Powers (De­ forces in the West Indies towards fense) Act, 1939, has prohibited this imperialist war was clearly and processions other than religious, and forcefully stated in an editorial in meetings or assemblages of ten or the liberal Barbados Observer, in more persons without special per­ opposition to conscription: mission, for the duration of the war. This is British imperialist "de­ "In the West Indies the elemen­ mocracy" in action in the West tary principles of democracy are Indies, where the people are ex­ denied the native masses. Therefore, horted to sacrifice for the Empire, we are opposed to conscription.... It is sheer impudence on the part and huge sums of money are con­ of the British ruling class to appeal tributed to the British war chest to colonial workers to help them de­ without the people's consent by the fend their ill-gotten gains. We colo­ planter-dominated legislatures. nial workers have not forgotten the But the advanced sections of last World War, when all kinds of the working class have not fallen promises were made to us.... But prey to British war propaganda nor our masters have not fulfilled one of have they been intimidated by the their promises. Instead, our reward harsh emergency regulations; for, has been more repressive laws, un­ instead of supporting the pro­ employment and starvation.... We have no faith in imperialist govern­ claimed British war aims and ac­ ments, regardless of whether they tions, they are pressing forward call themselves democratic or fas­ their demands. The attitude of or­ cist. They are all imperialists, and, ganized labor toward the war is as such, the exploiters and oppres­ best demonstrated by their actions. sors of colonial peoples. Therefore, In defense of his proposal to deny we are determined never again to a union a permit for a street meet­ allow ourselves to be used as cannon ing the Mayor of Port-of-Spain, fodder by either camp in the war. Trinidad, stated that the agitators The imperialists' difficulties must be our opportunity to strike a blow for are "telling the blacks that they freedom." have no right to go and fight." Two conferences of important trade This unequivocal statement re­ unions held recently in Trinidad, flects the sentiment of wide sections condemned Nazism and fascism, but of the population of the West Indies omitted any pledge of support to who want no part in this war be­ Great Britain. The resolution tween the two imperialist groups adopted by the Public Works and for world denomination, and who Public Service Workers Union are striving to rid themselves of the A WAKENING IN THE BRITISH WEST INDIES 171 deadly hand of imperialist control West Indian people. They should and to gain national liberation. give unqualified support to the de­ These strivings and aspirations of mands of the masses for greater the peoples of the West Indies for democratic rights and for the right democratic rights should receive the to govern themselves. It is their wholehearted sympathy and sup­ duty to oppose consistently and port from the labor and progressive fight against every policy of their forces in the United States, all the own imperialist rulers to oppress more so because of the present cam­ and exploit the West Indian people paign launched by certain sections and to aid them in their efforts at of the American imperialists for the national liberation. transfer of the colonies to the Every advance of the black United States without considering masses in the colonies towards their the people's sentiments and wishes. freedom means a weakening of im­ In the name of "hemispherical perialism and hence a correspond­ defense" and under the slogan of ing advancement in the aim of the "the Caribbean is an American white toilers to defeat capitalist rule lake," the advocates of the policy of and domination. transfer of the colonies, callously Close cooperation between the disregard the right of self-determin­ West Indian peoples and the white ation of small and weak nations. toilers in Great Britain, Canada and Inspired by the campaign of Sen­ the United States for the common ator Lundeen of Minnesota, who struggle against imperialism can be - openly advocates the forcible seiz­ attained only if the labor move­ ure of the colonies, the Havenner ment recognizes the rights and Bill and the McNary and Lodge gives activesupport to the demands resolutions have been introduced in of the West Indian people, which Congress calling for the transfer of include: universal suffrage and self­ these colonies to the U.S.A. in set­ government,freedom of speech, press, tlement of the war debts. and organization; full trade union The labor and progressive move­ rights; enactment and enforcement ments in this country are duty of labor and social legislation; bound to fight against any imperial­ enforcement of the compulsory ist policy or plan to redivide the elementary education regulations; colonial world and transfer peoples creation of institutions of higher and their land from one power to education; public ownership of another as mere chattels and with­ the monopolies and utilities; the out their explicit consent. The peo­ distribution of the land held by ab­ ples of the West Indies, like all sentee landowners, the large estates other peoples, are entitled to the and Crown lands among the land­ right to control their own affairs less and poor peasants. and determine their own destiny. Such support can be given by as­ The labor movement and the pro­ sisting the young trade union and gressive forces in Britain have a political movements to develop fully special responsibility toward the into real mass fighting organizations

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INDIES INDIES WEST WEST BRITISH BRITISH THE THE IN IN 172 172 AWAKENING AWAKENING ON LENIN'S CLASSIC WORK, "IMPERIALISM, THE HIGHEST STAGE OF CAPITALISM"

BY L. MENDELSOHN

ENIN'S Imperialism, The High­ tional reformism continued to be a L est Stage of Capitalism is one of supreme obstacle to the unfolding those brilliant works that are land­ of the oncoming revolution. The op­ marks in the history of science and portunists strove to confuse the make a permanent contribution to masses with chauvinistic poison, knowledge. spreading lies regarding the alleged­ The book was written in the first ly defensive character of the war. half of the year 1916, on the eve They tried to restrain the masses of the second anniversary of the from struggle against the war. A first imperialist World War. The most despicable policy was con­ burdens and sufferings inflicted on ducted by the Centrists, headed by the peoples by the war were becom­ Kautsky, who spread illusions re­ ing increasingly unbearable. A revo­ garding the possibility of doing lutionary situation was rapidly ma­ away with wars under capitalism. turing in Russia and in Western Judas-Trotsky, who supported the Europe. The Second International treacherous tactics of Kautsky, was in a condition of profound crisis came out against Lenin's theory of and disintegration. The social-chau­ the possibility of the victory of so­ vinists of the belligerent countries cialism in a single country at first. were· openly serving their imperial­ A fierce polemic also developed be­ ist governments. tween the Bolsheviks and the op­ The influence of opportunism was portunists on the national question, waning, and among the masses the which assumed particularly great Bolshevik slogan of transforming importance in view of the oncoming the imperialist war into civil war revolution. was increasing in popularity. The All these fundamental issues of split in the international working the revolutionary struggle were class movement was an accom­ based on the general and focal ques­ plished fact, rendering the forma­ tion of the economic and political tion of the Third International an peculiarities of the latest stage of urgent task. The epoch of socialist capitalism. revolutions opened. But interna- Lenin's Imperialism, The Highest 173 174 ON LENIN'S CLASSIC WORK, "IMPERIALISM"

Stage of Capitalism gives a detailed social production had reached unpa­ and comprehensive answer to this ralleled dimensions. Associations of question. the biggest ·capitalists-monopol.ies -had arisen and become dominant; BASIC CHARACTERISTICS OF IMPERIALISM the role of the banks had under­ The book is a model in dealing gone a fundamental change, and with highly complex theoretical finance capital, which governs the problems in a popular form under­ activity of both the banks and in­ standable to millions. At the same dustry, had become the decisive time it is a most profound work of force in economic life; tremendous research that raises anew, and international super-monopolies had solves, the most difficult theoretical arisen, which were carrying through problems. the economic partition of the earth; Imperialism, The Highest Stage of a new role was now acquired Capitalism is a clear demonstration by the export of capital, which had of the further development of become an instrument of the ex­ Marxist theory by Lenin. The start­ ploitation and the economic and po­ ing point of Lenin's analysis is litical enslavement of the backward Marx's doctrine of the essence of countries by a handful of the rich­ capitalism and its ·main tendencies. est powers; the development of Lenin shows that "imperialism capitalism had become exceptional­ emerged as the development and di­ ly uneven, was developing in leaps rect continuation of the fundamen­ and assuming a catastrophic char­ tal attributes of capitalism in gen­ acter; capitalism had entered the eral." But he stresses that as a re­ stage of decay, of moribundity. sult of this development, "certain Lenin showed that it is precisely fundamental attributes of capitalism these economic peculiarities of im­ began to be transformed into their perialism that give the key to a opposites." He further analyzes really scientific solution of the basic "how the transformation of quantity political problems of the present into quality, of developed capital­ day. The brilliant conclusions, far ism into imperialism, has expressed from a complete enumeration of itself." (Lenin, Selected Works, Vol. them, drawn by Lenin from an anal­ v, pp. 80, 82.) ysis of the economic essence of Lenin shows that by the begin­ imperialism, are as follows: The ning of the twentieth century there World War of 1914-18 was imperial­ had taken place in capitalist econo­ ist, i.e., predatory, on both ·sides. my most profound changes denot­ Similar wars 'under present-day ing the advent of a new and higher capitalism are inevitable. There is a stage of capitalism-imperialism­ tremendous sharpening of the con­ which differs qualitatively from the tradictions between the bourgeoisie stage of the supremacy of free com­ and the proletariat as a result of petition. The productive forces of oppression by the monopolies, of capitalism had undeq~one a gigan­ the burdens of militarism and wars, tic growth. The concentration of which lead the working class to the ON LENIN'S CLASSIC WORK, "IMPERIALISM" 175 socialist revolution. There is an ex­ LENIN'S METHOD OF WORK traordinary aggravation of the con­ tradictions between the few "ad­ Lenin's Imperialism generalizes vanced" imperialist countries and from a mass of concrete material the overwhelming majority of the that characterizes the economic and peoples of the earth who have fallen political tendencies of the latest into colonial and semi-colonial epoch. Although, like all of Lenin's bondage, an aggravation of contra­ brilliant works, Imperialism is not dictions leading to a powerful up­ voluminous, it is the result of a tre­ surge of the liberation movement mendous amount of preparatory and to the transformation of the na­ work. Twenty notebooks have been tional-colonial question into a com­ preserved containing summaries ponent part of the general question and notes in which Lenin elabo­ of the international socialist revolu­ rated the ideas of his work. These tion. The labor aristocracy of the summaries comprise four volumes imperialist countries is bribed with of the Lenin Miscellany (Vols. crumbs from the super-profits of the XXII, XXVII, XXVIII, and XXIX) monopolies. There is a growth of and cover almost 1,800 pages. One's opportunism as one of the manifes­ attention is drawn in particular to tations of the decay of capitalism. ·a "Plan of an article on syndicates" There is need for the establishment (Lenin Miscellany, Vol. XXIX, p. of the party of a new type as the 446), a work belonging apparently most important condition for the to the year 1912-13, and showing victory of the socialist revolution. that Lenin had formulated by that The simultaneous victory of social­ time a number of the most impor­ ism in all countries has become im­ tant propositions of his theory of possible, with the possibility, first, imperialism. of the victory of socialism in one Over six hundred books and country. nearly a hundred different news­ These principles constitute the papers, journals and annuals were great programmatic significance of used and mentioned by Lenin, in Lenin's Imperialism, The Highest his preparatory notebooks for Im­ Stage of Capitalism. This book sums perialism. Lenin's Notebooks amaze up the results of the numerous one with the exceptional minuteness works of Lenin in which he raised with which Lenin ~tudied all his and solved specific economic and literature, copying dozens of pages political problems of the epoch of with his own hand out of many imperialism; it gives a complete, or­ books. One is also amazed by the dered and definitive exposition of encyclopedic variety of the themes the theory of imperialism developed dealt with in the books and articles by him. This brilliant work of Lenin used by Lenin; here one can find must be placed in the same rank as works devoted to a general descrip­ Marx's Capital, of which it is the tion of the economics of modern direct continuation ·and further de­ capitalism, weighty historical re­ velopment. search works, books regarding 176 ON LENIN'S CLASSIC WORK, "IMPERIALISM"

China and Persia, numerous statis­ POWERFUL SEARCHLIGHT ON tical handbooks, articles and letters IMPERIALIST WAR of leading politicians, and tracts on public utilities. It was with particular minuteness A brilliant master of the dialecti­ that Lenin analyzed the data re­ cal method, Lenin studied the garding the struggle between the concrete reality in all its varied imperialist powers for colonies and manifestations, analyzing each phe­ spheres of influence. nomenon in indissoluble connection Exceptionally interesting is Len­ with the sum total of events. Lenin in's resume entitled "The most im­ did a tremendous amount of pains­ portant crisis in the international taking statistical work, drawing up policy of the Great Powers after the compound tables, checking and criti­ years 1870-71," in which he traced cally analyzing each figure quoted the consecutive stages of prepara­ in bourgeois statistics, contrasting tion for the World War of 1914-18. the data of different authors and dif­ Lenin showed here that the war ferent handbooks. Each table quoted was prepared by decades of strug­ in Imperialism is the result of such gle for the partition and repartition analysis and of the scientific treat­ of the earth. He exposed the cyni­ ment of dozens of tables of tenden­ cism of the imperialist vultures who tious official statistics. A clear ex­ cover up the predatory character of ample can be provided by the tables their policy with phrases about the showing the partition of the earth liberation of nations. (Selected Works, Vol V, pp. 70-73) Lenin employs a number of tables and the development of railroads to demonstrate the very profound (Ibid., pp. 87-90), which Lenin unevenness in the distribution of compiled by summing up figures colonies among the Great Powers, contained in numerous statistical the disparity between the economic handbooks. strength of the states and their On the basis of this gigantic share in the colonial booty, and amount of statistical work Lenin draws the very important conclu­ drew the most important economic sion that imperialist wars for the and political conclusions. repartition of the already divided world are inevitable. In 1914 Eng­ "The uneven distribution of the land was very much behind railways," wrote Lenin, "their un­ Germany in size of population, even development-sums up, as it dimensions and technical level of were, modern world monopolist industry, scale of monopolies, and capitalism. And this summing up strength of the army. But England proves that imperialist wars are ab­ possessed colonies with a popula­ solutely inevitable under such an tion of 394 millions as against the economic system, as long as private 12 millions in population of the property in the means of production German colonies. Here lay hidden exists." (Lenin, Selected Works, the main cause of the war, which Vol. V, p. 8.) the bourgeoisie and the Socialists ON LENIN'S CLASSIC WORK, "IMPERIALISM" 177. endeavored to hide from the masses following in 1908 about the methods with slogans about war for the al­ of wringing out these incomes: leged liberation of Belgium, Serbia, etc. In exposing the falsity of these "There is no end to the violence slogans Lenin wrote: and plunder which is called British Rule in India." (Lenin, Selected Works, Vol. IV, p. 299.) "The Anglo-French bourgeoisie is deceiving the people when it says that it wages war for the freedom The rea! aims of the Anglo­ of peoples, including Belgium; in French bourgeoisie in the present reality, it wages war for the sake war are to maintain their colonial of holding on to the colonies which monopoly and colonial super-profits it has stolen on a large scale. The and to weaken Germany, which is German imperialists would free laying claim to a share in the colo­ Belgium, etc., forthwith, were the nial booty. Anti-Hitler slogans are English and the French willing to being used by the Anglo-French share with them the colonies on the basis of 'justice.' It is a peculiarity bourgeoisie and their obliging lack­ of the present situation that the eys of the Socialist Parties as in­ fate of the colonies is being decided struments to deceive the masses, to by war on the continent." (Lenin, drive millions to slaughter for in­ Collected Works, Vol. XVIII, p. terests alien to them. 223.) Lenin's Imperialism provides us with a priceless theoretical weapon These words of Lenin are precise­ for analyzing the most important ly applicable to the present ruling problems of today. The position of circles in England and France, who Social-Democracy in the present assert that the war against Ger­ war can only be correctly estimated many is being waged to restore Po­ if we base ourselves on Lenin's doc­ land and destroy Hitlerism. These trine regarding the connection be­ assertions are being circulated with tween opportunism and imperial­ a view to hiding from the masses ism, regarding the bribery-at the the really imperialist, predatory expense of colonial super-profits­ character of this war which is being of the top layers of the labor aris­ waged for a repartition of the earth, tocracy and their transformation for a repartition of the colonies. into real agents of the bourgeoisie England now exploits 450 million in the working class movement. Ex­ colonial slaves, and France nearly ceptionally real today also is Lenin's 66 millions. This is more than three­ thesis that "political reaction along quarters of the population of all the whole line--is an attribute of im­ colonial countries. England's for­ perialism" (Lenin, CoUected Works, eign revenue, derived in the main Vol. XIX, p. 302, Russ. ed.), regard­ from the exploitation of its bound­ less of the specific forms of bour­ less colonial empire, amounted in geois domination. For the policy of the year 1929 alone to 378 million the colonial enslavement of other pounds sterling. Lenin wrote the peoples, the policy of wars of plun~ 178 ON LENIN'S CLASSIC WORK, "IMPERIALISM" der is incompatible with real de­ od in analyzing the most complex mocracy. problems. Lenin showed how mo­ nopoly, which negates free competi­ * • • tion, leads to the appearance of Running through the whole of new, particularly acute forms of Lenin's book and the preparatory competition, to the intensification of work for it is a ruthless, uncom­ the .chaotic character of social pro­ promising struggle against all apol­ duction, and to the sharpening crisis. ogetics of capitalism and every kind Lenin disclosed the combination, of opportunism, particularly Kaut­ characteristic of imperialism, of two skyism, and the treacherous concep­ outwardly opposed, but internally tions of Trotsky, Bukharin and connected, tendencies of the eco­ Pyatakov. Lenin's book breathes nomic development of imperialism; profound revolutionary ardor. It the tendency towards accelerating gives a theoretical analysis of im­ technical progress and the general perialism which is an exceedingly growth of capitalism, and the ten­ keen instrument in the revolution­ dency to decay, to check, to hold ary struggle. It graphically demon­ up the progress of technique and the strates the inestimable significance growth of productive forces. The of theory in solving the tasks of result is that the unevenness of eco­ revolutionary practice. nomic development is accentuated In connection with an article of to an enormous degree. the Austrian Social-Democrat Ren­ Lenin laid bare the dual role of ner, Lenin gave the following the export of capital, which, on the devastating characterization of op­ one hand, hastens the development portunism and of the unbridgeable of capitalism in the colonies and gulf that separates it from Bolshe­ semi-colonies, but, on the other vism: hand, economically enslaves them and in the last analysis operates as "We and they: a factor dooming them to back­ "1. Renner ... and Co.-lackeys wardness. of the imperialist bourgeoisie. Exceptional significance also at­ "2. Kautsky, Hilferding and Co. taches to the dialectics of the influ­ (plus closest friend-Trotsky), per­ ence of imperialism on the working suaders for the imperialist bour­ class movement, as disclosed by geoisie. Lenin. On the one hand, imperial­ "Improvers for the imperialist ism extends the basis of opportu­ bourgeoisie. nism, by creating in all the foremost "Reformers of it. "3. Lefts-revolutionary fighters countries (prior to imperialism this «gainst it." (Lenin Miscellany, Vol. was typical of England alone) the XXIX, p. 131.) conditions for bribing part of the la­ bor aristocracy. At the same time, Imperialism, The Highest Stage however, imperialism inflicts qn the of Capitalism shows how splendidly working people such burdens and Lenin applied the dialectical meth- privations a.s intensify the process ON LENIN'S CLASSIC WORK, "IMPERIALISM" 179

of revolutionizing wide masses, ren­ est Stage of Capitalism has been der the influence of opportunism marked by the splendid triumph of unstable and create favorable con­ Lenin's ideas as developed in his ditions for the development of the work. History has wholly and com­ new type of party capable of lead­ pletely confirmed Lenin's brilliant ing the masses to storm the strong­ teaching on imperialism and his hold of capitalism. basic thesis that "imperialism is the The period of more than twenty­ eve of the socialist revolution." three years that have passed since (Lenin, Selected Works, Vol V, Lenin wrote Imperialism, The High- p. 5.)

180 180

German German capitalists capitalists and and their their respec- them them immense immense gains gains of of all all kinds, kinds, it it

that that it it was was the the British, British, French French and and terness terness that that if if the the war war had had brought brought

themselves themselves proclaimed proclaimed to to the the world world ous ous imperialists imperialists remarked remarked with with bit­

nounced nounced this this shameless shameless lie lie and and Furthermore, Furthermore, the the gang gang of of victorl­

France, France, Britain Britain and and Germany Germany de- guns. guns.

imperialist imperialist war, war, the the workers workers of of him him with with thousands thousands of of machine machine

sible sible for for the the outbreak outbreak of of the the first first German German revolution revolution by by supplying supplying

Kaiser's Kaiser's Germany Germany was was alone alone respon- cialist cialist traitor traitor Noske Noske to to crush crush the the

proclaimed proclaimed at at Versailles Versailles that that the the Marshal Marshal Foch Foch who who helped helped the the So­

the the victorious victorious imperialists imperialists solemnly solemnly sailles sailles army, army, so so in in 1919 1919 it it was was

When, When, after after the the war war of of 1914-18, 1914-18, war war who who were were to to form form the the Ver­

* * leasing leasing to to him him French French * * prisoners prisoners of of * *

the the glorious glorious Paris Paris Commune Commune by by re­

whole whole world. world. helped helped Thiers Thiers 1871 1871 to to overwhelm overwhelm in in

to to crush crush the the working working masses masses of of the the that that while while it it was was Bismarck Bismarck who who

they they wish wish to to secure secure vast vast profits profits and and Workers Workers of of France, France, never never forget forget

present present war, war, by by means means of of which which don don and and Paris. Paris.

them them lies lies the the responsibility responsibility of of the the sorry sorry task task by by the the moneybags moneybags of of Lon­

their their own own interests, interests, and and upon upon all all of of war-and war-and who who were were helped helped in in this this

out out a a new new division division of of the the world world in in ary ary struggle struggle against against the the imperialist imperialist

imperialist imperialist powers powers want want to to carry carry knecht, knecht, the the hero hero of of the the revolution­

fatherland." fatherland." Just Just as as in in 1914, 1914, the the Karl Karl Liebknecht Liebknecht murdered-Lieb­

hind hind the the cloak cloak of of "defense "defense of of the the leaders leaders like like Gustav Gustav Noske, Noske, who who had had

war war of of gangsterism gangsterism and and greed greed be­ German German capitalists capitalists found found Socialist Socialist

and and once once again again they they shelter shelter their their defend defend their their place place and and privilege, privilege, the the

markets, markets, raw raw materials, materials, colonies; colonies; and and set set up up a a Soviet Soviet republic. republic. But But to to

to to preserve preserve their their domination domination over over sought sought to to follow follow Moscow's Moscow's example example

hurled hurled the the peoples peoples into into war war in in order order move move in in Berlin, Berlin, where where the the workers workers

1914-18 1914-18 the the possessing possessing classes classes have have the the Spartacist Spartacist revolution revolution was was on on the the

Just Just as as in in the the imperialist imperialist war war of of path path of of liberation. liberation. In In January, January, 1919, 1919,

profit profit of of the the magnates magnates of of capital. capital. wished wished to to proceed proceed further further along along the the

against against the the other other for for the the greater greater themselves themselves of of Wilhelm Wilhelm II, II, they they

' ' now now imperialist imperialist war war has has set set you you one one After After the the German German people people had had rid rid

and and Germany: Germany: For For four four months months joint joint and and indivisible indivisible responsibility. responsibility.

P

EOPLE EOPLE tive tive o.f o.f governments governments France, France, Great Great who who Britain Britain bore bore the the

AND AND GERMANY GERMANY

PARTIES PARTIES OF OF FRANCE, FRANCE, GREAT GREAT BRITAIN BRITAIN

JOINT JOINT MANIFESTO MANIFESTO OF OF THE THE COMMUNIST COMMUNIST MANIFESTO OF THREE COMMUNIST PARTIES 181

had also led to the establishment of "balance of power," supporting and Soviet power in the former tsarist opposing France and Germany in empire. So, the imperialist war was turn, in order to prevent either of hardly over when the British and these two capitalist powers from French, the Americans and the gammg too much strength as Japanese, flung themselves on the against British imperialism. Russian Revolution, aiming at the destruction of the Soviets. * * * Yet these efforts of international By continuing, despite the action counter-revolution were in vain, of the international working class, and the French people are proud to subject the German people to the that in those days it was the sailors servitude of the Versailles Treaty, of the Black Sea fleet with the the rulers of London and Paris gave heroic Andre Marty at their head, sustenance to fascist propaganda in who by their mutiny in defense of Germany, and in accord with the Soviet Russia, expressed the deep German Socialist leaders, ready for affection and great expectations that anything in order to prevent the the lasting victory of the great so­ workers' victory over capitalism, cialist revolution of November, 1917, they prepared the way for Hitler. had aroused among the workers of The governing classes of .Britain all countries. This hatred enter­ and France were by no means tained by the imperialists for the averse to the establishment in Ger­ land of socialism victorious throws many of a regime of violence light on the activities of those re­ against the working class and to sponsible for the present war. anti-Soviet provocation; from the From the beginning the workers start they conceived that they of Britain and France fought side could make use of this regime to by side with their German brothers prosecute at home their policy of against the hateful Versailles treaty, social retrogression, and abroad to · which condemned the German peo­ further their plans for the destruc­ ple to the most shocking privation, tion of the land of socialism. set crushing burdens upon them, This explains why the British and made them endure double ex­ and French imperialists allowed ploitation, adding foreign capital­ Hitler to act against the Versailles ism to German. Under the Commu­ Treaty in a way that they would nist banner, workers of the three never have tolerated before. It was countries fought together for years because they hoped that Nazi Ger­ against the crying injustices of the many might be embroiled in a war Versailles Treaty, against the na­ with the Soviet Union which would tional humiliation imposed on the have enabled The City bankers and German people, against the serfdom the French financiers to achieve enforced by the British and French their imperialist and counter-revo­ imperialists. Moreover, the British lutionary plans over the war-ex­ imperialists, after Versailles as be­ hausted systems of Germany and fore, continued their policy of the the U.S.S.R. 182 MANIFESTO OF THREE COMMUNIST PARTIES

This criminal design of the im­ of peace since it removed the danger perialists of Britain and France of a conflagration in the East of makes understandable the so-called Europe. policy of "non-intervention" oper­ This however, by no means served ated by Blum, which secured the the purpose of the British and defeat of the Spanish Republic by French imperialists who had put fascism and struck a blow at the their industries on a footing ready entire international working class. for war, who had arranged their This design alone makes under­ capitalist investments similarly, and standable the acceptance of the who had no intention of allowing Munich agreement by the British their plans to be checked. Poland, and French Governments who free­ which had been part of the scheme ly sacrificed the existence of the to touch off the Soviet-German con­ Czechoslovak state to the achieve­ flict, and which Britain had ad­ ment of a Four-Power Pact directed vised to refuse all Soviet assistance against the Soviet Union. All was in the event of aggression, was the ready for the dispatch of Germany pretext for the outbreak of the im­ into war with the U.S.S.R.; and to perialist war. On August 25, Britain prepare for this the rulers of signed a pact of mutual assistance France, and Britain deceived their with Poland and encouraged that own public opinion by starting ne­ country to resist in the matter of gotiations with the Soviet Union settling the ownership of Danzig which they had decided from the and of the celebrated Corridor, outset to make abortive. which was nevertheless one of the But Hitler, whom his imperialist chief monstrosities of the Versailles rivals, adversaries and accomplices Treaty. in London and Paris wished to em­ The most sordid imperialist oper­ bark on an anti-Soviet war, thought ations are naturally always shroud­ anxiously of the consequences that ed by high-sounding principles. might ensue for him from an ad­ Thus, reactionary and fascist Po­ venture in the East against the land, oppressing thirteen millions great country of socialism, strong of Byelo-Russians and Ukrainians, in its fully functioning socialist and subjecting the working masses economy, strong in its Red Army to the most brutal exploitation, be­ inspired with splendid morale, and comes for Chamberlain and Dala­ equipped in the most modern fash­ dier the symbol of the independence ion, and strong also in the bound­ of the peoples. Just as the revolver less sympathy of millions of workers shots at Sarajevo were the pretext and oppressed peoples throughout and not the cause of the first im­ the world. That is why, just as he perialist war, so the self-styled de­ was about to make his leap in the fense of Poland by Britain and dark, Hitler drew back and signed France has been but the pretext for the Non-Aggression Pact with the the second imperialist war, of which Soviet Union, which should indeed the peoples are at this moment en­ have been hailed as an instrument during the most cruel consequences. MANIFESTO OF THREE COMMUNIST PARTIES 183 The workers of Britain, France against Hitler. Yet it is apparent and Germany are not deceived by to everyone that the war clamps the imperialist lies about the liberty onto all three warring countries a of peoples. Those who oppress 300,- similar regime of violence and dic­ 000,000 Indians, those who have tatorship, clearly showing that if shed the blood of the Irish fighting imperialist war aims are the pursuit for freedom, those who brought abroad of a policy of conquest and desolation and death to South Africa domination, at home it enables so­ to subjugate the Boers, those who cial conquests to be overturned, let thousands of Indo-Chinese who liberties to be destroyed, and the fought for the independence of their people made to suffer unlimited op­ country perish in jail, those who pression. There are concentration refuse even to enfranchise the Arabs camps in France and British India, of North Africa-all those who sub­ as well as in Germany. Parliament ject to their imperialist dominion has been degraded into a rubber more than five hundred millions of stamp for the government as much human beings have no more right to in France as in Germany. Men who speak of the liberty of people than think for themselves and speak up have the present masters of Ger­ for peace are persecuted in France many. as they are in Germany. In France It is not the imperialists who will the Communist Party has been give the peoples their liberty. This driven into illegality, like the Party will be done by the workers whose of Thaelmann in Germany. That is victory will be the victory of the why it is the duty of the British liberty and brotherhood of all peo­ and French workers to expose the ples. Neither Chamberlain nor humbug of the rulers of London and Daladier nor Hitler can proclaim Paris, who indulge in anti-Hitler themselves the defenders of the peo­ chatter to deceive public opinion, ple's liberty. The workers of Brit­ while at the same time they employ ain, France and Germany denounce the worst Hitlerite methods of vio­ the hypocrisy of all these oppressors lence and oppression against their of the people, and in the freeing of own people. the populations of Byelo-Russia and the Western Ukraine they greet • • • a striking victory for the liberty of During the first imperialist war, peoples achieved under the banner when the Socialist Parties of all of the Soviet Union. countries had been engulfed in their While in 1914 the British and betrayal, and were linked in unholy French capitalists claimed to be de­ alliance with the warmongers, when fending civilization against German the Party of Lenin and Stalin was barbarism, and ·the German capi­ alone in holding aloft the banner of talists claimed to be defending Ger­ struggle against the imperialist war, manic culture against tsarist Russia, Karl Liebknecht said bluntly in the so today Chamberlain and Daladier teeth of the German imperialists: claim to be defending democracy "The enemy is in our own country." 184 MANIFESTO OF THREE COMMUNIST PARTIES

Yes, the enemy is in our own the appeal of the People's Govern­ country and there it is that we must ment of the Democratic Republic of fight him. From 1914-1918 the Finland for help to re-establish the French Socialists fought German independence of its country, turned capitalism, but supported French into a base for anti-Soviet provo­ capitalism, and vice versa. Today, cation and ultimately action at the the Socialist leaders support reac­ behest of those who, twenty years tion in France and Britain under the ago, attacked the Russian Revolu­ pretext of fighting it abroad. tion in the Arctic as well as in the Standing forth against this Black Sea and the Far East, land­ treacherous and two-faced policy, ing troops at Archangel and Mur­ which shackles the workers to the mansk. At this moment when the chariot wheels of their own capital­ capitalist system, ravaged by its in­ ists- ternal contradictions, offers a spec­ The French Communists declare tacle of entire confusion and disor­ that the duty of the French work­ der, at this moment when the ruling ers is to fight Daladier with all their class unhesitatingly jettisons its might. own legality-as Lenin stressed dur­ The British Communists declare ing the first imperialist war-and that the duty of the British workers burdens the toiling population with is to fight Chamberlain with all the most crushing dictatorship and their might. the most grinding poverty, the So­ The German Communists declare viet Union points to every people that the duty of the German work­ the path of struggle and liberation. ers is to fight Hitler with all their That is why a surging wave of hope might. and confidence in the U.S.S.R. rises And further in the face of the from the hearts of the people. capitalists of the three countries, the Communists of Britain, France * * * and Germany proclaim their deep People of Britain, France and attachment to the Soviet Union Germany: The war that has been which, guided by the Party of Le­ thrust upon you involves you in nin and Stalin, has secured the vic­ heavy sacrifices, shocking hardships tory of socialism over one-sixth of and grave dangers, but it has not the earth's surface, and fills with plunged the people into the black­ the brightest hope the hearts of the ness of despair, as did the war of world's workers. 1914. The Socialist leaders, lieu­ The workers of Britain, France tenants of British finance, have and Germany joyfully greet the turned traitor once again, but this recent successes of the land of so­ time the Communists raise aloft the cialism, which has raised the Red flag of struggle against the impe­ flag of liberty over Western Byelo­ rialist war, while the Soviet Union Russia and Western Ukraine, mu­ affords the workers of all countries tual assistance with the Baltic the certainty of final victory. States, and which has responded to The Communists are proud to be MANIFESTO OF THREE COMMUNIST PARTIES 185 assailed by all thewarmongers,starv­ can finish the war after its own ers of the people and their Socialist fashion and its own interest, the in­ agents. Despite all the persecutions terest of the whole of toiling hu­ of Daladier, Chamberlain and Hit­ manity, thus uprooting forever the ler, they will continue their untiring fundamental causes of imperialist battle for bread, for liberty, for wars." peace. We Communists, French, Down with the imperialist war! British and German, call you to the Down with the governments of fight against the imperialist war, to the imperialist warmongers! the fight for peace and the brother­ Long live the united action of the hood of peoples. peoples of France, Britain and Ger­ Let us fight unitedly and with all many against the imperialist enemy our might to prevent the imperialist in their own country, to bring vic­ governments from uniting tomor­ tory for peace and the brotherhood row against the land of socialism of peoples. and sending you all there to fight it. Long live the Communist Inter­ Let us fight unitedly and with all national! our might, Socialist and Communist Long live the Soviet Union, workers alike, against the traitorous fatherland of the world's workers! Socialist leaders who have gone Forward against capitalism and over to the imperialist warmongers. for the final victory of socialism! Let us fight unitedly and with all our might, in town, village and fac­ The Communist Party of France tory so that (as George Dimitroff, The Communist Party of Great hero of the Leipzig trial and Sec­ Britain retary of the Communist Interna­ The Communist Party of Germany tional, has said) "the working class January, 1940 CORRESPONDENCE

Editor, The Communist: ing the party of 'New Deal social reforms.'" In my article "Roosevelt, The Obviously the omission of that War, and the New Deal," published section of the sentence italicized in the January issue of The Com­ and placed in parentheses above is munist, an important clause was no small matter. For as emphasized inadvertently omitted, on page 35, throughout the article and con­ thus distorting the meaning of an firmed by developments subsequent essential political point and possibly to writing it in December, the war leading to certain false assumptions plans and activities of American im­ in complete contradiction to the perialism and the government, par­ main political line and conclusions ticularly its bellicose anti-Soviet of the article. orientation, its provocative diplo­ In one sentence on page 35, refer­ matic and financial interventions in ring to the 1940 elections, the Scandinavia and Finland in collabo­ printed text reads: "The Democratic ration with Anglo-French imperial­ Party will undoubtedly come for­ ism for the purpose of widening the ward as the defender of 'American imperialist war and creating a new neutrality' and for 'aid to the de­ counter-revolutionary front against mocracies by measures short of the U.S.S.R., its anti-Soviet in­ war,' as well as lay claim to being trigues with Mussolini and the Vati­ the party of 'New Deal social re­ can-all are daily entangling the forms.' . . .'' This sentence should United States deeper in the impe­ be corrected in accordance with the rialist war .and anti-Soviet machin­ original copy to read: "The Demo­ ations. And if the war policies and cratic Party will undoubtedly come moves of the imperialist bourgeoisie forward as the defender of 'Ameri­ and the government are not reso­ can neutrality,' and for 'aid to the lutely combatted by the American democracies by measures short of working class and toilers, these may war' (if by then the increasingly yet result in plunging our country aggressive imperialist war policy into war during 1940. In this con­ and preparations of the Roosevelt nection it is important to take into Government and Wall Street have account that influential Wall Street not resulted in dragging the United circles, including the House of States into the predatory w.ar as a Morgan, aided and abetted by the military combatant, especially in a Roosevelt Administration, are en­ 'holy war' against the Soviet deavoring, as indicated in the Union), as well as lay claim to be- United States News and other bour- 186 CORRESPONDENCE 187 geois journals, to involve the U.S.A. "national unity," and "aiding the in the imperialist war as an Allied democracies by measures short of belligerent and in a new "anti-Com­ war"; but likewise it is essential to intern" alliance and war front signalize that the danger of Amer­ against the Soviet Union by the ica's involvement in the predatory summer of 1940. Concerning this war as a military belligerent is not possibility, one also must not over­ a hazard of the distant future but look the war-making imperialist is becoming more imminent daily; "peace moves" of the President and therefore that the task of un­ which, according to the press, are masking and combatting the war scheduled to be initiated around plans and actions of our own im­ Easter in connivance with the Pope perialist bourgeoisie and govern­ with the so-called objective of "pro­ ment becomes more pressing than moting peace and preventing the ever and requires the utmost vigi­ spread of Communism." lance and the most stubborn and In view of this, it is not only im­ concerted mass action of the work­ perative to expose just how the ing class and its allies if this threat­ United States is being edged and ening catastrophe is to be averted. propelled step by step into the im­ Comradely, perialist war by the Roosevelt Gov­ Gene Dennis ernment and the American monopo­ lists under the guise of "neutrality," January 15, 1940 BOOK REVIEWS

LENIN ON THE AGRARIAN bered rural population, he consid­ QUESTION ered it vitally important for the revolutionary movement to inter­ THEORY OF THE AGRARIAN pret correctly the problems burden­ QUESTION. By V. I. Lenin, Se­ ing those who live on the land. For lected Works. Volume XII. Inter­ the process of class differentiation national Publishers, New York, among them, which is inseparable $2.00. from capitalist development, pro­ duces a mass of oppressed, landless, ERY early in his career Lenin and poverty-stricken farmers who V felt a concern for refuting the cannot hope for a basic solution of petty bourgeois socialism of the their difficulties under capitalism Narodniki and Socialist Revolution­ and are the natural and indispensa­ aries. These looked to the village ble allies of the wage-workers. mir (commune) as the base of This newest volume, XII, of socialist development instead of to Lenin's Selected Works brings to the revolutionary movement led by American readers Lenin's study of the working class. During his prison Capitalism and Agriculture in the term and exile (beginning in 1897) United States of America. A prelim­ Lenin wrote his monumental work inary translation has had limited The Development of Capitalism in circulation here in mimeographed Russia. This includes extremely form, but now for the first time we valuable chapters (not yet made have a definitive translation of this available in English) on the class pioneer work. The fact that the lines among peasants and the latest available data were the sta­ growth of a rural proletariat. tistics from the census of 1900 and Lenin's persistent emphasis on the census of 1910 does not dim the the economic basis of peasant life in freshness of Lenin's analysis. Like Russia was not due merely to the much of his theoretical writing, this obvious fact that peasants out­ study was a polemic. A now forgot­ numbered workers and that the ten German economist whose writ­ workers could not hope to emanci­ ings had a certain vogue in Russia pate themselves if the masses of was misusing American statistics to peasants did not ally themselves "prove" that small farms were in­ with them in struggle. Even in creasingly important and that, in countries where industry over­ general, agriculture is not subject shadowed agriculture and where to the laws of capitalist develop­ urban population greatly outnum- ment. Since most of the experts 188 BOOK REVIEWS 189

who write on American agriculture opens with Lenin's review of are still wandering in a fog of simi­ Kautsky's Die Agrarfrage (the lar delusions (although later census Agrarian Question) which had ap­ data have fully confirmed Lenin's peared in 1899 and was recognized analysis), this study, now available by Lenin as a valuable analytical in permanent form, is an indispen­ work, although weak in its political sable weapon in the hands of Marx­ conclusions. This volume ends with ist students. a chapter on "The Theoretical Prin­ The volume also includes a longer ciples of Nationalization and Mu­ (and earlier) work entitled The nicipalization" .from Lenin's pamph­ Agrarian Question and the Critics let The Agraria~ Program of of Marx. This also, as its title indi­ Social-Democracy in the First Rus­ cates, was a polemic, replying both sian Revolution, 1905-1907. (Other to certain Russians and to others, chapters of this pamphlet appear in chiefly German. Here, as always the third volume of the Selected with Lenin, the theoretical argu­ Works.) ment is grounded in a thorough Of special interest to American knowledge of Marx (whom the readers is a little-known article by critics misrepresented); of the con­ Marx on the land question in temporary writers (from whom the America in the 1840's. Lenin re­ critics sometimes misquoted); and prints part of it and draws political of basic statistical material. When lessons for the Russian Social­ Lenin stated general principles of Democrats in 1905. These few pages agricultural development in the make an important contribution to capitalist world, he was drawing the underlying principles by which conclusions buttressed with data to judge the usefulness of imme­ from countries as diverse as Russia, diate measures. Hermann Kriege, a Germany, and Denmark. young associate of the youthful Some of our reformers who are Marx, was putting forth in his lured by the "middle way" of Scan­ newly-established Volkstribun (one dinavian cooperatives might well of the earliest working class papers ponder Lenin's analysis of the data in the United States) a demand for on Danish farmers. Most of the out­ free distribution of land to all who put came from large farms employ­ might apply. Marx endorsed the de­ ing wage labor. These farmers mand but sharply criticized the ar­ dominated the cooperatives which, guments by which Kriege supported as Lenin pointed out, were a form it. Marx said,· among other things: of capitalist organization. But large farms were a minority of all, and "Had Kriege regarded the move­ most farmers were so poor that they ment for freeing the land as an had to seek employment as wage initial form of the proletarian movement, necessary under workers. certain conditions; had he regarded it as a Two other important pieces are movement which, by reason of the included in this volume on the position in life of the class from theory of the agrarian question. It which it proceeds, must necessarily

prob- political political deep-going deep-going the the the the on on of of focused focused standing standing was was eye eye his his

under­ the the to to essential essential are are selections selections period, period, these these In In feudalism. feudalism. viving viving

different different a a from from dating dating still-sur­ Lenin, Lenin, of of midst midst the the in in veloping veloping

of of writings writings These These changed. changed. not not de­ was was capitalism capitalism where where Russia, Russia,

have have problem problem farm farm the the of of chiefly chiefly underlying underlying writing writing was was Lenin Lenin

.laws .laws economic economic the the but but War; War; World World

classes." classes." into into society society vision of of vision first first the the

before before

peasant peasant

Russian Russian

di­ the the of of end end very very the the to to marching marching

the the of of world world the the from from different different

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very very world world a a in in are are today today ers ers

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beyond beyond far far marching marching are are

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se­ more more and and frequent frequent more more been been hand hand march march forward, forward, it it push push ment, ment,

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the the by by and and War, War, World World the the politically politically with with a a it it make make it, it, develop develop

might, might, our our all all with with it it support support must must began began which which capitalism, capitalism, of of crisis crisis

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na­

democratic democratic and and revolutionary revolutionary been been has has

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agri­ American American of of nature nature capitalist capitalist

pedantry. pedantry. and and philistinism philistinism hopeless hopeless

essentially essentially the the reflects reflects crisis crisis The The

be be

would would

ground ground on on this this movement movement

production. production. of of

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cover cover

peasant peasant the the on on backs backs our our turn turn

to to low low prices prices and and tqo tqo markets, markets, to to But But moment. moment. a a for for of of sight sight lost lost

of of decline decline debt, debt, of of burdens burdens sible sible be be not not must must which which aim, aim, constant constant

impos­ our our be be ownership, ownership, must must land land of of loss loss ing ing revolution, revolution, socialist socialist

complete complete a a for for strive strive will will changes, changes, includ­ phases, phases, many many has has concerned concerned

democratic democratic all all through through which, which, are are we we which which with with crisis crisis farm farm The The

proletariat proletariat

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REVIEWS REVIEWS BOOK BOOK 190 190 BOOK REVIEWS 191 lems confronting the American cannot be solved separately. Only· a farmers, on which can be based movement which makes its own a correct political action today. Marxist-Leninist analysis of the In every country and at every farm crisis can draw the correct po­ stage of capitalist development, the litical conclusions and prove itself problems of the working class and a competent leader of the oppressed the problems of the poorer farmers and exploited masses. are so closely interrelated that they ANNA ROCHESTER LATEST BOOKS AND PAMPHLETS RECEIVED

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STALIN'S EARLY WRITINGS AND ACTIVITIES ON THE HISTORY OF THE. BO LSHEVIK ORGANIZATIONS ;iN TRANSCAUCASIA By L BERIA This volume cont11 ins m11 ny f11 cts reg11rding the e11rly Bolshevik activities of J oseph Stalin, as organizer and la 11 der of socialist groups in Transcaucaaia from the oge of seventeen (in 1896). 0 ne of the moat valuable aspects of the present volume is the extensive series of quotations which it gives fro 111 eerly theoretical articles by Stalin. , Cloth, 75c • TWO SYSTEMS-CAPITA LIST ECONOMY AND SOCIALIST ECONOMY By EUGENE VARGA This is a comparative survey of soci11 list 11nd' capitalist economy during the post two decades. Professor Varga shows the difference between the economic development t~f the leading capitalist countries and the construction of socialism in the Soviet Union. The volume is thoroug hly documented with umerous stetistic11l tabiM and other illustrative material. $2.00 . • CULTURE AND THE PEOPLE By MAXIM GORKY This collection contains f·he last essays of Gorky, 11 nd is a representative ..l ection from the voluminous publicist efforts in which the a uthor was enqogod during the last ten yeors of his life. The prasent volume reveals o side of Gorky's writings os necessary to en understanding of his work as his novels, stories, autobiographical volumes e nd playa. $1.50

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