I . - > 20c FEBRUARY 1944 ' ..

NATIONAL COMMITTE~ I PLENARY MEETING ISSUE ,. - • I ' ' '

AND

PROBLEMS OF NATIONAL UNIT~ ' ·- ' . IN THE WAR AND THE POST-~AR

I' • Earl Browder f I Eugene Dennis • Robert Minor John Willia-mson • Roy · Hudson • Gil G r,een Resolutions and.· Documents I • I r /

I '

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~· .. • , f T'f'E RED ARMY By .Prof. I. Mi111. , The history and orgon lfqtion of the ~ed Army ·.and a iJt\fO redord1of its ~<;hievem e nfs fr9 m its foundation fhe epic V1cfory ,tal Stalingrad. Pl'i ce $1.25 I SOVIET ECONOMY AND !HE WAR By Dobb ,. ' Maur fc~ • ---1· •' A fadyal record of economic developm~nts during the last .few years with sp6""cial re?erence ..to itheir bearing '/' / on th~ war potentiaJ··and· the needs of the w~r. Price ~.25 ,- ' . r . . ~ / .}·1 ' SOVIET PLANNING A~ D LABOR IN PEACE AND WAR By Maurice Oobb ' ' 1 - I A sh~y of economic pl~nning, the fln~ncia l . system, ' ' ' . work , wages, the econorpic effects 6f the war, end other ' '~>pecial aspects of the So'liet economic system prior to .( and during the w ~ r , · Price ·$.35 - I ' '-' I I • .. TH E WAR OF NATIONAL Llij.E R ATIO~ (in two· parts) , By Joseph ·stalin '· A collecfion of the wa~fime addr~sses of the Soviet - ; Premier and M<~rshal of the ·Rep Army, covering two I years 'o.f -the war ~gains+ the 'Axis. Pdce, each, $.15

/ I. ;:> I W 0 R K E R S - ll B·R A R Y/ P U IH:-1 S H E,.R S >- ' P. O.: Box 148, Station( D 832 Broadway}, New York 3, N.Y. VOL XXIII, NO. 2 . FEBRUARY, 1944 THE COMMUNIST A MAGAZINE OF THE THEORY AND PRACTICE OF MARXISM-LENINISM EDITOR: EARL BROWDER

CONTENTS

Statement to the Press by the National Com­ mittee of the Communist Party 99 Marxism Arms Communists to Meet and Solve Issues Today Earl Browder 102 Decisions of the National Committee of the Communist Party . 107 The Outlook for a Durable Peace Eugene Dennis . 109 Not "In Spite of" But Because Robert Minor 122 New Problems of Communist Organization John Williamson 131 Teheran and the Wage Policy Issue Roy Hudson 140 American Capitalism and Teheran Gilbert Green . 148 George Washington-Patriot and Statesman . Carl Ross 153 Lenin and the Soviet People's Patriotic War . Zinaida Smirnova . 163 Poland and the Coming Stage of the War Eugene Tarle 167 The Most Important Stage in the Development of Friendship Between the, U.S.S.R. and Czechoslovakia . 170 Forging Negro-White Unity John Pittman 174 Historic Documents 182

Entered as second class matter November 2, 1927, at the Post Office at New York, N. Y., under the Act of March 3, 1879. THE COMMUNIST is published Monthly by Workers Library Publishers, Inc., at 832 Broadway, New York 3, N. Y. (mail address, P. 0. Box 148, Station D), to whom subscriptions, payments and correspondence should be sent. Subscription rate: $2.00 a year; $1.00 for six months; foreiun and Canada $2.50 a vear. Single copies 20 cents.

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Moscow, Cairo, Teheran, by Earl Browder ...... $.03 Jewish Unity For Victory, by Alexander Bittelman ...... 10 A Talk About the Communist Party, by Earl Browder ...... 03 The Path Dimitroff Charted, by V. J. Jerome ...... 05 Soviet Democracy and the War, by William Z. Foster...... 05 George Dimitroff, with introduction by Earl Browder...... 10 The Soviet Union-A Family of Nations ------.I 0 Organized Labor in the Soviet Union, by Edwin S. Smith...... 10 Drama in Wartime Russia, by H. W. L. Dana...... 15 Soviet Trade Unions and Allied Labor Unity by Wi'lliam Z. Foster ...... :...... 05

Teheran and America

By EARL BROWDER

Report to the Plenary Meeting of the National Committee, Communist Party January 7, 1944. Price Five Cents

WORKERS LIBRARY PUBLISHERS P. 0. Box 148, Station D (832 Broadway), New York 3, N.Y. [This issue of The Communist is York. This report reviews, in the in its major part devoted to the pro­ light of the Moscow-Cairo-Teheran ceedings of the plenary meeting of Agreements, the role and obligation the National Committee, Commu­ of our nation and its working class, nist Party U.S.A., held in New York in the win.. ing of the war and in on January 7, 8 and 9, 1944. Included the establishment of an orderly and are the National Committee State­ peaceful post-war world. Close ment is"ued to the press; the sum,. study, full understanding and wide mation speech of the General Secre­ popularization of the report, and the tary, Earl Browder; excerpts from National Committee Plenum discus­ the speeches of Comrades Dennis, sion and decisions, based thereon, Minor, Williamson, Hudson, and are essential for the strengthening Green; and the unanimously of national unity, for a win-the-war adopted decisions of the National victory in the 1944 elections, and in Committee. The report given by meeting the many complex war­ Comrade Browder, in behalf of the time and post-war problems of the Political Committee, was published U.S.A. The March issue will con­ in full in the Worker of January tain further speeches by Communist 16, 1944, and is now also available leaders at the National Committee in pamphlet form, under the title meeting, including the addresses of Teheran and America, published by Comrades James W. Ford and Rose Workers Library Publishers, New Wortis.-The Editors.]

STATEMENT TO THE PRESS BY THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY*

N UNPRECEDENTED situation war and the outlook for a long pe­ A in the world and within our riod of world peace and orderly country has been created by. the post-war reconstruction. favorable course of the military ac­ The defeat of the Axis, the tion and by the international agree­ smashing of the Hitler and Quisling ments of the United Nations coali­ regimes and their replacement by tion which assure victory in the democracies in continental Europe will fundamentally and favorably • Adopted unanimously by the National Com· mittee on January 9, 1944, at the concludin11 alter the prospect for the future, IHSion of its Plenary Meeting, on the R'!J>ort while the destruction of the im­ of Earl Browder, General Secretary of tho c.m. munito Party. perialist regime of Japan will still 99 100 STATEMENT OF NATIONAL COMMITTEE further release the forces of na;. • • • tiona! liberation and democracy of the peoples of Asia. It is beyond question that the The Moscow, Teheran and Cairo post-war reconstruction, like pro­ agreements give a program to ban­ duction for the war at present, will ish the specter of civil wars and be carried out under the system war between nations for several of free enterprise. generations. The Communist Party commits it­ Not only a prolonged world peace self in full good faith to work with without precedent in history, but the overwhelming majority of our also a flourishing of economic rela­ nation for the most successful real­ tionships of cooperation and a de­ ization of our enormous national velopment of economic well-being task of war and post-war construc­ and social reforms, is the prospect tion on this basis. open for the world. It is equally evide:p.t that the po­ Within our country the extension litical issues of this time will be of the United Nations coalition into decided within the form of the two­ the post-war period of reconstruc­ party system traditional in our tion provides the basis for the suc­ country. In this framework can be cessful reconversion of our indus­ fought out and won the necessary t:dal plant, enormously expanded in struggle of the American people to war production, to normal opera­ safeguard our country's victory and tion-to the benefit of labor, the the preservation of its institutions . farmers and capital. For labor the through such measures as the res­ program calls for full employment toration of universal suffrage to the and orderly social progress through Southern people, the elimination of the instruments of collective bar­ anti-Negro and all other undemo­ gaining and the reform and full use cratic restrictions in the primary of the democratic political machin­ elections, and a total removal of all ery uhder our Constitution. anti-labor laws and racial discrimi­ The Moscow and Teheran agree­ nation. ments enable our government to The Communist Party's contribu­ carry out a policy of international tion in the election will be to aid accord in respect to world agricul­ the struggle for the unity of the tural prices and marketing and people in support of the nation's therefore an effective national re­ war policies, without partisan or sponsibility for sound economy in class advantages. agriculture. A farm economy of The win-the~war policies of the abundance, with capacity produc­ nation are under challenge in this tion for the post-war rehabilitation election. A rejection by the people under arrangements made by our of all defeatist attacks on the Presi­ government, banishes the specter of dent's and the nation's war policy a return to an enforced scarcity, is an inseparable part of the suc­ unprotected income, foreclosures cessful and speedy victorious con­ and a~icultural ruin, clusion of tile war. 'l;'he national STATEMENT OF NATIONAL COMMITTEE 101 election of 1944 is as much a test of National Convention of the Commu­ the people's support of the war as nist Party to meet in May, the day was the election of 1864. and place to be fixed by the Politi­ The war is not yet won. The cal Committee by February 1. Be­ really decisive fighting lies ahead. fore this Convention the National The Communist Party places ahead ·Committee will place a number of of all other considerations the con­ proposals, among which will be that solidation of our national unity to the Communist organization cease guarantee the speediest victorious to carry the word "Party" in its conclusion of the war in Europe and name, and, instead, adopt a name Asia, uninterrupted and full war more exactly representing its role as production, and the consolidation of a part of a larger unity in the na­ the peace and collaboration between tion, not seeking any partisan ad­ nations which the agreements have vancement-a name, for example, made possible. like "American Communist Politi­ The National Committee calls a cal Association."

102 102

Communist Communist Party, Party, January January 9, 9, 1944. 1944. w.as w.as Marx Marx and and It It Engelil Engelil

who who

meeting meeting of of

the the National National

Committee Committee the the o£ o£

of of the the transition transition to to socialism. socialism. • • Concluding Concluding remarks remarks at at the the cloot cloot of of the. the.

approach. approach. Marxism Marxism is is the the science science

ourselves ourselves nants nants to to meet meet of of the the and and dogmatic dogmatic solve solve and and the the schematic schematic

the the classics classics freeing freeing of of Marxism Marxism ourselves ourselves in in from from arming arming the the last last rem­

than than ever ever tradition tradition the the tremendous tremendous of of Marxism, Marxism, value value of of completely completely

I I think think we we must must emphasize emphasize to to refresh refresh more more ourselves ourselves in in the the great great

We We formulas. formulas. have have more more than than ever ever the the task task

formulas formulas and and the the searching searching for for a a very very basic basic sense. sense.

new new period, period, without without falling falling largest largest into into problems problems today today are are new new in in

the the classics classics of of Marxism Marxism for for the the present present and and the the future. future. And And the the

example example of of how how to to make make use use of of unprecedented unprecedented problems problems of of the the

discussion discussion because because it it was was a a basis basis a a living living for for meeting meeting the the new new and and

Bob Bob Minor's Minor's contribution contribution to to the the scientific scientific knowledge knowledge of of the the past past as as

I I was was especially especially pleased pleased with with point. point. has has always always regarded regarded It It the the

party party has has ever ever reached. reached. takes takes living living realities realities as as its its starting starting

highest highest stage stage of of maturity maturity that that our our scientific scientific outlook outlook and and method, method, it it

Plenum Plenum we we have have demonstrated demonstrated the the socal socal power power precisely precisely because, because, as as a a

them. them. seems seems to to me me that that It It at at this this creative creative force, force, and and it it is is such such a a great great

lems lems and and beginning beginning to to control control is is therefore therefore a a positive, positive, dynamic, dynamic,

getting getting our our fingers fingers into into these these prob­ of of deeds, deeds, not not of of don'ts. don'ts. Marxism Marxism

we we are are confident confident that that we we are are really really sable sable tasks. tasks. Marxism Marxism is is a a theory theory

vinced vinced is is the the right right direction; direction; and and posed posed as as necessary necessary and and indispen­

in in what, what, I I think, think, we we are are all all con­ be be done, done, the the things things that that history history has has

ing ing the the answers answers to to this this new new period period to to how how do do the the things things that that have have to to

for for the the first first time. time. We We are are seek­ things things cannot cannot be be done; done; it it tells tells us us

ty ty is is fully fully standing standing on on its its own own feet feet uations; uations; it it does does not not tell tell us us that that

Perhaps Perhaps we we could could say say that that our our par­ of of new new developments developments and and new new sit­

classics classics which which give give us us the the answer. answer. things things we we must must not not do do irrespective irrespective

history history and and no no formulas formulas from from the the catalogue catalogue of of prohibitions prohibitions listing listing the the

which which there there are are no no precedents precedents in in mas mas and and formulas; formulas; it it never never was was a a

ing ing and and

solving solving problems problems for for Marxism Marxism neverwas neverwas a a series series of of dog­ F

OR OR the the first first time time we we new new are are meet­ and and unprecedented unprecedented problems. problems.

BY BY EARL EARL BROWDER BROWDER

SOLVE SOLVE ISSUES ISSUES TODAY* TODAY*

MARXISM MARXISM ARMS ARMS COMMUNISTS COMMUNISTS TO TO MEET MEET AND AND MARXISM ARMS COMMUNISTS 103 transformed socialism from a this historical moment through in­ utopia into a science, from an in­ tellectual arrogance. We must be spiring dream-ground4ed only in prepared to refresh ourselves ac­ the desire for a better life-into a cording to the necessities of the pe­ mighty movement powered by the riod into which history has brought material and objective necessities us, and, above all, we must under­ of social development. That trans­ stand that history never yet has formation from utopianism has a been known to follow anyone's pri­ lesson we have to relearn today in vate blueprint. The great turning the light of the new world situa­ points of history are in this sense tion. Basically, that lesson is that always unexpected; there is always socialism arises out of the develop­ something new, something fresh in ment of existing society which them that has to be fundamentally creates certain necessities that evaluated. We are in such a period ultimately press the great masses today. of people to take the path of so­ This requires from everyone who cialism. These necessities exist in­ aspires to leading functions a deep dependently of our thinking, but feeling of responsibility, personal when we understand how the responsibility for .the successful process works we can greatly facili­ conduct of the smallest tasks of the tate and speed it up. In fact, our daily work such as the successful understanding , and our thinking conclusion of our recruiting drive, become a great and decisive factor for example, but above all, it re­ in turning what history has made quires intellectual responsibility, objectively possible into actual real­ the responsibility for each one of us i~y, but our thinking is never an individually to think through and independent factor; and by thinking master these problems. alone we cannot change the course Fortunately even these new of history. We can guide the course things in history do .not present of history only if we understand themselves unannounced; almost al­ the basic forces of history that exist ways they knock on the door before outside of our own minds. they come in. That is why we were We have to be humble and learn not entirely unprepared in this from history; we have to learn from Plenum for the decisions that we facts and never try to impose our are making, unprecedented as these preconceptions upon history. That decisions are. True, according to all is one of the first lessons of Marx­ of the text books of the past, we are ism, which we have to relearn departing from orthodoxy, because afresh if we are to make. the fullest none of our text books foresaw or possible use of this tremendous in­ predicted a long period of peaceful tellectual arsenal that has been giv­ relations in the world before the .en to us by the great thinkers and general advent of socialism. But leaders of the Socialist-Communist now we are setting our course to movement. We c~ot rise to the realize the possibilities inherent in heights that are necessary to master the present situation of what would 104 MARXISM ARMS COMMUNISTS have been described in the past as complete monopoly of military an evolutionary development of the power in the world and an over­ transition Period-provided, of whelming preponderance of eco­ course, that we can successfully nomic power. The power behind meet our responsibilities. that combination comes from its This is poisible because the price permanence, because if it would not in blood and struggle has been paid be permanent it would not be pow­ in advance in this terrific war, and erful. The power of that combina­ because we already have a :firm tion can only be fully realized when bastion and fortress of socialism we begin to study what are the al­ established in the Soviet Union ternatives to it. Many estimable during twenty-six years of the most gentlemen today are lightheartedly heroic and intelligent construction taking potshots at the Teheran which the history of humanity has agreement. But I venture to predict ever recorded. that they will be changing their We are not prepared to give any tune, because· they will begin to broad theoretical generalizations for face the alternative to Teheran; and this period. But we know, as we go if they don't face it, history will into it boldly, without the slightest begin to rub their noses into the hesitation, that we are :firmly guided problem and make them face it. by the theoretical heritage of Marx­ Imagine the problems facing the ism and that the Teheran Declara­ United States without the Teheran tion which was signed by Churchill, agreement. American economy has Roosevelt and the great Marxist been expanded to a scale beyond Stalin represents the only program the wildest dreams of any American in the interest of the toiling masses capitalist. The American bourgeoisie of the whole world in the next today is in possession of the effec­ period. We could not do more than tive control and direction of such give general intimations of the pos­ enormous productive powers that stbilities of such a period. We could their imaginations cannot encom­ not unconditionally throw our pass it. Some of them have had forces into this new period while their minds turned as a result of this . it was still merely a possibility, but power and the product is the fan­ now that 'this possibility has been tasies of the "Luce-thinking" confirmed by the agreement of school. But what are all the fan­ Teheran, we know we can feel ab­ tasies of this "Luce-thinking" school solutely certain that we have worth unless they are brought down crossed the border-line from the to earth and harnessed to the Te­ past and have definitely entered the heran agreement? They will all present. explode from their own internal When we spe!lk of thl! Teheran contradictions unless they are har­ agreement we must understand that nessed to serve the cause of world it was an agreement among the rul­ progress, harnessed in the combina­ ing classes of three great powerful tion of Teheran. And without Te­ countries who today hold an almost heran the catastrophe that would MARXISM ARMS COMMUNISTS lOS come upon us and the rest of the against issues without regard to world would be all the more cer­ party labels. ';l'his was one of the tain and complete. These hard facts biggest arguments I developed in are the material guarantee behind my book Vtcto111-And After. the Teheran pact. When I say that we are :Q.Ot enter­ Our confidence in this Agreement ing parties or not endorsing par­ is buttressed not only in our high ties, I don't mean we have any ob­ opinion of each of the three great jections to our individual members men who brought this pact into be­ registering in one or the other · of ing, but first of all in an under­ the parties when their local com­ standing and knowledge, that there munity life calls for it and their is no other way for the world and associates and fellows are following that there is still intelligence that course. But I mean that the enough left in America, despite our Communist movement and our or­ newspapers, to guarantee that our ganization is not committed to any eountry will not rush headlong and party label or any party organiza­ blindly over the precipice of disas­ tion. ter that is the only alternative to We are independent, in the same Teheran. With that confidence, we way as the great bulk of America's can be completely sure of our independent voters who make up course. fully one-third of the total voting Our course is not easy and it will strength of the country and who require political struggles for which are not committed to 'either of the we will have to find ever new major parties, though most of them means and forms; but these must be are registered with one or the other. struggles for unity in the nation, As a part of this independent not struggles which will break that voters' group, we may find our unity; struggles against the enemies members registering wherever they of unity and for uniting everyone think will best advance the progres­ who recognizes even indistinctly, sive cause. That is one of the rights but enough to take the first steps, of citizenship and our organization the need of going along the road of would not think of denying to any the Teheran Conference. American the full exercise of all his rights as an American citizen. But We are not in our new course en­ our organization is not and! will not tering any other party. The Com­ be an organization committed to munists are not joining the Demo­ any party; and that is necessarily cratic Party; the Communists are the case because of the nature of not joining the Republican Party. the two major parties. These two We are not endorsing either of the parties are essentially institutional­ major parties, and we are not con­ ized channels, semi-governmental demning either of the major par- · in their nature, through which the ties. We are taking the line of is­ citizenry groups and regroups itself sues and Qot of parties and of from election to election according choosing men as they stand for or to the leadership that is thrown up

class. class. working working the the to to and and we we structures. structures. party party old old the the of of If If

nation nation the the to to responsibilities responsibilities our our of of any any with with identification identification an an way way any any

meeting meeting full full a a with with and and ganization ganization in in not not is is course course new new this this that that ing ing

or­ our our to to movemellt, movemellt, great great our our to to understand­ general general and and complete complete

honor honor with with us us facing facing problems problems the the same same the the not not perhaps perhaps is is there there ing, ing,

solve solve and and meet meet will will we we that that before before go­ are are we we which which on on course course the the of of

ever ever than than confidence confidence greater greater a a with with acceptance acceptance general general is is there there while while

Committee Committee that that me me National National the the of of seems seems it it meeting meeting because because to to sion, sion,

this this from from go go can can discus­ we we the the of of strength-that strength-that continuation continuation of of sort sort

great great our our is is which which capacity capacity lective lective a a as as remarks, remarks, summary summary these these in in

col­ understand-a understand-a to to capacity capacity our our forward forward bring bring to to necessary necessary thought thought

in in and and outside, outside, world world the the of of reality reality I I that that point point major major the the is is This This

objective objective the the in in experience, experience, own own label. label.

our our in in grounded grounded firmly firmly so so opinion opinion party party to to regard regard without without merits merits their their

of of body body common common a a such such together together on on them them among among freely freely choose choose and and

welded welded have have we we days days three three these these structures, structures, party party various various the the within within

in in that that feeling feeling issues issues general general the the represent represent have have who who I I men men on on and and

issues, issues, on on exclusively exclusively else. else. attention attention our our

nothing nothing and_ and_ stand, stand, they they which which for for concentrate concentrate to to have have we we Therefore Therefore

issues issues the the of of and and men men of of character character sense. sense. political political the the in in particular particular

the the of of judgment judgment their their of of basis basis in in nothing nothing for for stands stands which which ture ture

the the on on support support they they whom whom choose choose struc­ institutionalized institutionalized an an to to selves selves

will will struggle struggle electoral electoral the the in in who who our­ commit commit to to be be would would that that cause cause . .

America America of of voters voters independent independent of of be­ party party to to commitment commitment no no be be can can

body body great great the the with with is is it it sense, sense, toral toral there there us us for for country, country, the the in in forces forces

elec­ narrower narrower the the in in country, country, the the of of relationship relationship general general the the In In

in in grouping grouping veloped. veloped. political political big big general, general,

any any with with ourselves ourselves identifying identifying are are de­ thereby thereby are are that that issues issues the the and and

106 106 COMMUNISTS COMMUNISTS ARMS ARMS MARXISM MARXISM DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY

UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTED ON JANUARY 9, 1944, AT THE FINAL SESSION OF ITS PLENARY MEETING

THE National Committee It proposes that Comrade Browder's I • endorses the report of its Gen- report to this meeting of the Na­ eral Secretary, Earl Browder. It tional Committee shall be the basis fully approves the estimate of the for the pre-Convention discussion. report on the historic Teheran Con- It further decides to form now a ference, the perspectives outlined Committee on Constitution, to sub­ for the next period ahead, and the mit recommendations on possible policies set forth, especially the key changes in the Preamble, name, task of strengthening national unity Articles and Sections of our Consti­ to speed victory in the war and in tution, to the National Convention. 'the crucial 1944 elections, and for This committee shall be composed creating the most favorable situation of: Roy Hudson, Chairman; John within the country to help realize Williamson, Secretary; Gilbert the.aims and accords of the Teheran Green, Eugene Dennis, Ann Burlak, · Conference in the post-war period. Pat Toohey, Sam Darcy, Benjamin It likewise concurs in the recom- J. Davis, Jr., Ben Gold, Peter mendation to submit to the next Cac:chione. National Convention of the party 3. The National Committee elects the proposal to change the name and a Communist National Election and electoral status of the Communist Political Action Committee. This Party, to something like that of committee shall be: Earl Browder, "American Communist Political As- Chairman; Eugene Dennis, Secre­ sociation." tary; William Z. Foster, Robert Mi- 2. The National Committee de- nor, James W. Ford, Roy Hudson, cides to convene a National Conven- Elizabeth Gurley Flynn, Gilbert tion during May, 1944. It directs Green, John Williamson, Morris the Political Committee to set the Childs, William Schneiderman, Ben­ date and place of the Convention jamin J. Davis, Jr., Peter Cacchione, and to issue the Convention Call Arnold Johnson and Alice Burke. by February 1, and to establish (a) The Executive Committee of such commissions as may be neces- the National Election and Political sary to prepare for the Convention. Action Committee shall be: Earl 107 108 DECISIONS OF NATIONAL COMMITTEE Browder, ·Eugene Dennis, Gilbert warm fraternal greetings to the Green, Morris Childs, William Daily WorkeT on the occasion of its Schneiderman. The National Elec­ Twentieth Anniversary. It directs tioJ,l and Political Action Committee the Political Committee and the is empowered to enlarge the com­ State Committees to work out ways mittee with additional members. and means immediately to help ex­ 4. The National Committee ap­ tend the circulation and influence points the following committee to of the Daily Worker and Sunday help develop special activities and Worker-these invaluable instru­ a publishing program, and generally ments of Marxist working class ed­ to guide the preparations for the ucation and organization which Twenty-fifth Anniversary of the consistently champion the vital in­ -founding of the American Commu­ terests of labor, the people and the nist Party: William Z. Foster, nation. Chairman; Robert Minor, Secretary; 6. The National Committee ap­ James W. Ford, Elizabeth Gurley proves the recommendations of the Flynn, Israel Amter, Rose Wortis, Political Committee and the State Ray Hansbrough, Steve Nelson, Committees to organize a national Max Weiss, Louis Todd, Sam Don, recruiting drive from February 12 A. Trachtenberg, A. Landy, John to May 1, and calls upon the party Williamson, Mother Bloor, Anita membership and organizations to Whitney, Charles Krumbein, Rob resolutely support and cariy through Hall, Pettis Perry, A. Wagenknecht, the objectives of this campaign V. J. Jerome. which can help strengthen our na­ 5. The National Committee sends tional unity and war effort. THE OUTLOOK FOR A DURABLE PEACE

BY EUGENE DENNIS

ORECISELY now as the prospects secure a prolonged peace, as well as C for defeating Hitler Germany win the war. The Declaration of draw nearer, the American people Roosevelt, Stalin and Churchill ex­ seriously and ever more frequently pressed the confidence of the three ask: What steps must be taken to- leading anti-Hitler powers that it day to insure that after victory is possible to banish the scourge of over Hitler and the Axis there shall war for many generations to come. be created a firm and lasting peace? And the Teheran Conference but- This is no academic, not even a tressed this determination with post-war question. It is inseparably united action and accord on the car­ connected with the major problems dina! issues of war and peace. of winning the war and the 1944 In what respects did the Teh­ elections. Here it should be noted eran Conference, together with its that most of the defeatist and ap- predecessor in Moscow, lay the ba­ peasement forces who are cautious sis for securing a just and durable in directly opposing the military peace? decisions of Teheran are boldly and First and of decisive importance demagogically trying to distort, be- is the crucial decision made at Te­ little and discredit the agreements heran by the U.S.A., the U.S.S.R. reached by the American-Soviet- and Great Britain to achieve a com­ British coalition for organizing pletely unified military strategy and post-war peace and security. They concerted military action, to coor­ are doing this in order to create dinate the great offensives of the dissension, so as to hinder the in- Red Army from the east with a vasion of Europe, to prolong the powerful Anglo-American attack war, to obstruct national unity in from the west and the south. This the elections and to create division is embodied in the "complete agree­ among the United Nations. ment" reached "as to the scope and One of the great historic achieve- timing of military operations to be ments of the Teheran Conference, undertake!.\ from the east, west and as Comrade Browder has stressed south." This central decision solved in his masterly report, is that the most difficult question in any it gave an affirmative answer to coalition war, and the most difficult the vital question as to whether question affecting the relations of the United Nations and peoples can the Allies, namely, the organization 109 110 THE OUTLOOK FOR A DURABLE PEACE of joint military blows against the Third: The Teheran Conference common enemy. It blasted the last further establishes the basis for hope of the Hitlerites, the hope of realizing a lasting peace because, prolonging the war and thereby unlike the agreements reached by sowing disunity within the anti­ the major victorious powers after Hitler coalition. This decision en­ the First World War, the Three sures that the military destruction Powers declaration proposes to of the Hitlerites and the Axis is bring about the collaboration of all guaranteed and hastened. countries, large and small, 'whose Second: Upon the basis of the people are dedicated to the common combined military efforts to accel­ task of eliminating tyranny, slav­ erate victory over Hitler-Germany, ery, oppression and intolerance. the Teheran Conference .opened the And this pledge of the "Big Three" way for a new period of friendly already has been reinforced by the and peaceful cooperation of Amer­ consummation of the Soviet-Czech ica, the Soviet Union and Great Mutual Assistance Pact and by the Britain in the post-war period. It accords reached on Yugoslavia and established agreement and concord Italy. Instead of a "dictatorship of for developing common action and the great powers'' as the Hitlerites close collaboration of the Three and their agents charge, and in­ Powers, not only during the war, stead of an Anglo-American alli­ but also for creating an alliance ance for world hegemony as pro­ and an international organization jected by Messrs. Hoover and Luce, for maintaining world peace and se­ the concord of the anti-Hitler coali­ curity, for checking and preventing tion is directed toward achieving the recurrence of aggression on the a family of democratic states. The part of Germany and its accom­ leading positions of the United plices, for promoting the freedom States, the Soviet Union, Great and independence of all peoples, and Britain and China in international for cooperating in solving the prob­ affairs will now be joined to prevent lems of economic reconstruction. It the world domination of any power drew one of the main lessons aris­ or powers and 'to promote world ing from the past post-war period peace and the independence and se­ of 1918 to 1939, including the fate curity of the nations. of the League of Nations. It rec­ Fourth: The prospects for a last­ ognized that no system of interna­ ing peace are also real because the tional security is possible without decisions of the Teheran and Mos­ guaranteeing the closest unity of cow Conferences make possible that the leading peace-loving powers, in Europe will arise independent and the first place of the Soviet Union, democratic frl)m the barbaric en­ the United States and Great Britain. slavement to which it has been re­ It recognized that the preservation duced by Hitlerism and Hitler's of this unity and collective secur­ "New Order." The victory of the ity is indispensable for attaining a anti-Hitler coalition over Nazism­ firm and lasting peace. fascism will simultaneously expe- THE OUTLOOK FOR A DURABLE PEACE 111 dite the destruction of the reaction­ Marxism-Leninism, it is true that ary factors of pre-war European in modern society, with all its con­ policy, of those factors which in­ tradictions, there neither are nor evitably led to the bloodiest and can be any absolute guarantee most devastating of all wars: World against the outbreak of wars. War II. Europe will be revived on But from this correct theoretical soil purged of fascism. In the new conclusion we Communists )never Europe the decisive word will not adopted a fatalistic or a passive po­ belong to the pro-fascist and anti­ sition. Even in a different period, national regimes which serve as and with an entirely different rela­ the accomplices of fascism, reac­ tionship of world forces, we always tion and aggression. It will be­ waged a resolute struggle to check long to the peoples, as evidenced and prevent aggression. And if our by the course of developments in policy to achieve collective security Yugoslavia, France and Italy. This, of the democratic powers, particu­ too, is another factor ·heralding the larly of the United States and the conditions for realizing a durable U.S.S.R., and a united working class peace. and people's front against fascism These then are some of the basic and war, had prevailed in the pre­ factors and considerations flowing war period, especially in the years out of the decisions and concords from 1933 to 1939, this war, the of the Teheran and Moscow Con­ Second World War, could have been ferences, and the military-political averted. Or at least, the fascist ag­ developments which have taken gressors would have long since place in the course of the war, and been smashed and the world spared which justify the conclusion that the devastating experience of Hit­ conditions have now been created ler's bloodbath and "New Order." to bring about a just and lasting Today, and within the frame­ peace. work of the social conditions and But some people may raise the international relations that are question: how is it possible, from emerging from this people's war a Marxist viewpoint, to speak of of national liberation, the condi­ an enduring peace under conditions tions are being forged as in no pre­ in which capitalism holds sway in vious period of history to realize five-sixths of the world? And they a prolonged, a lasting peace. For ask, what about the well-known on the basis of the fighting alliance Leninist thesis that wars cannot be and consolidation of the American­ abolished under capitalism? What Soviet-British coalition, on the ba­ about the proposition that in its sis of winning victory over the Hit­ monopoly phase, in the epoch of lerite regime and Axis-a new his­ imperialism, the contradictions of torical situ!Jtion is being created. capitalism inevitably lead to and re­ Now and after victory it will be sult in crises and wars? possible to secure an effective alli­ From the point of view of the ance and measures to avert or re­ science of the working class, of strict the danger of war, to estab- 112 THE OUTLOOK FOR A DURABLE PEACE !ish collective security so as to< hin­ cratic and progressive forces in the der the hands of all possible ag­ United States and everywhere. gressors, and to make difficult, if not Furthermore, it is not only pos­ stop, aggression and military con­ sible, it· is also absolutely neces­ flicts. In other words, it is possible sary, to establish an enduring peace to achieve this on the basis of sup­ fo~; many generations. The fate of porting and implementing the deci­ world "civilization requires a pro­ sions and accords of the Teheran tracted period of peaceful relations and Moscow Conferences, on the and international cooperation of the basis of continuing and strengthen­ anti-Hitler coalition and all other ing the friendship and the closest freedom-loving nations. For one cooperation of the U.S.A., the thing, the healing of the devasta­ U.S.S.R. and Britain in the war .ahd tion and wounds of the present glo­ the peace. bal war, which are unprecedented Moreover, the achievement of a in scope and destruction, requires lasting peace is also possible be­ a stable period of world relations cause in the new international sit­ in which there will be peace, se­ uation which is taking shape, the curity and order. most consistent :fighter for world This is true for all nations, in­ peace, the U.S.S.R., emerges as the cluding the great democratic powers greatest land power arid as a more heading the United Nations. For in­ influential world factor. It is pos­ stance, the powerful socialist state, sible because the new Europe, while the Soviet Union, which is emerg­ emerging largely non-Socialist, will ing from the war with the strong­ be democratic imd anti-fascist and est social system, and which has a more effective force for establish­ strengthened its friendly ties with ing and maintaining collective se­ its allies, needs and seeks, now as curity. It is possible because of the before, peaceful world relations to growing solidarity of the interna­ carry through the reconstruction of tional labor movement. It is pos­ its devastated areas and the unin­ sible because the collaboration of terrupted building of socialism our government, and the friendship within the country. between the American .and Soviet Great Britain, after the strains peaples, as between the British and of :five years of war, with its far­ Soviet peoples, has been reinforced flung empire and economic interests, especially requires a post-war pe­ during the war. It is possible be­ riod in which there will be a dur­ cause the alignment of· class forces able peace and stable world rela­ wiltun the U.S.A., favoring the con­ tions. The United States, the strong­ solidation and continuation of the est capitalist country, with great American-Soviet-British coalition, economic power, requires a durable among both labor and bourgeois peace no less than its allies. Among circles, has been strengthened. It other things, America-including is possible because the smashing of the dominant sections of the bour­ Hitlerism will strengthen the demo- geoisie-is vitally interested in THE OUTLOOK FOR A DURABLE PEACE 113 creating peaceful international rela­ cists, an!l plotters of a "negotiated tionships, since this will be decisive peace." for enabling our country to over­ It is precisely from this viewpoint come serious infernal problems and that the outcome of the coming 'to develop most favorably and ex­ Presidential and Congressional elec­ tensively foreign trade, commerce tions assumes such great and far­ and capital investments, and on a reaching importance. "For unques­ scale far surpassing the pre-war tionably the results of the 1944 elec­ period. Thus, the vital interests of tions will markedly influence the the leading anti-Hitler states, in­ relationship of forces within the cluding the profound peace-loving country, which in turn will greatly aspirations of the peoples, makes it determine the extent and tempo both necessary and possible to se­ with which the United States will cure a democratic coalition of all carry through the agreements and class 'forces within the country and concords made at Moscow and Te­ international collaboration for the heran. organization of post-war peace and security. • • • These, in brief, are some of the What is essentiaL now to guaran­ reasons and factors that enable us, tee victory in the elections, to en­ as Communists, to raise as a realis­ sure that the President continues tic probability the prospects for es­ at the helm of the government, and tablishing a durable peace after the to bring about the election of a Con­ war. gress composed of a coalition of Obviously, a lasting peace will win the-war representatives who not come of itself. The consoli­ w'ill loyally and energetically back dation of the anti-Hiller coali­ up and implement the policies for­ tion and the decision to open the mulated and adopted by the Gov­ Second Front required a most seri­ ernment at the Teheran and Mos­ ous and stubborn political strug­ cow Conferences-is to reinforce na­ gle, a struggle in which our party tional unity for the most rapid con­ played an honorable .and iDfluential clusion of the war and for creating role. Great and persistent efforts the most favorable internal rela­ tionships for organizing post-war will have to be made by an pa­ triotic and anti-fascist forces with­ peace and security. in· the United States, especially Clearly, the problem of strength­ ening national unity in the heat of by organized labor, to insure the the election campaign and during most rapid fulfillment of the deci­ the final stage of the war, is a most sions and objectives of the Teheran formidable task. Vested partisan Conference. A more resolute and interests and the operations of the relentless struggle will have to be two-party system would complicate waged by the government and the the situation under the best of cir­ entire democratic camp against all cumstances. But added to the "nor­ reactionary obstructionists, pro-fas- mal" difijculties of inter- and intra-

war war issues, issues, it it is is clear clear that that a a gigan- fourth fourth term term has has become become almost almost uni-

fight fight for for the the central central war war and and post­ ernmental ernmental party-the party-the support support :for :for a a

many many politica1 politica1 leaders leaders face face and and Democratic Democratic Party-the Party-the leading leading gov­

tancy tancy and and inconsistency inconsistency with with which which tions tions of of the the population. population. Within Within the the

of of the the population, population, and and the the hesi­ siderably siderably increased increased among among all all sec­

unions unions and and tue tue non-labor non-labor sections sections ment's ment's policies policies has has now now been been con­

the the weak weak ties ties between between the the trade trade country country supporting supporting the the Govern­

vision vision within within the the labor labor movement, movement, molded, molded, and and the the majority majority within within the the

of of wage wage policy, policy, the the continuing continuing di­ foreign foreign policy policy has has been been clarified clarified and and

and and the the Administration Administration on on the the issue issue ly ly overcome. overcome. The The Government's Government's

the the current current strains strains between between labor labor in in many many respects respects have have been been large­

When When to to this this situation situation are are added added the the Government's Government's anti-Axis anti-Axis policies policies

groups groups like like the the America America First First Party. Party. tions, tions, distortions distortions and and confusions confusions in in

their their special special extra-parliamentary extra-parliamentary Conferences, Conferences, the the former former contradic­

Farm Farm Bloc. Bloc. Moreover, Moreover, they they have have As As a a result result of of the the epic epic Tri-Power Tri-Power

Hutcheson, Hutcheson, and and the the hierarchy hierarchy in in the the increasing increasing desperateness. desperateness.

movements, movements, like like Lewis, Lewis, Woll Woll and and ever, ever, they they will will seek seek to to retain retain with with

placed placed agents agents in in the the labor labor and and farm farm position position and and influence, influence, which, which, how­

defeatist defeatist press. press. They They have have high­ ing ing and and internal internal weakening weakening their their

Congress. Congress. They They control control a a powerful powerful the the verge verge of of defeat, defeat, are are undermin­

ary ary anti-Administration anti-Administration bloc bloc in in brought brought Hitler Hitler and and the the Axis Axis to to

driving driving force force behind behind the the reaction­ can-Soviet-British can-Soviet-British coalition coalition and and

Democratic Democratic Party. Party. They They are are the the which which have have strengthened strengthened the the Ameri­

Wheeler-Chandler Wheeler-Chandler wing wing of of the the changed changed international international relationships relationships

of of the the Republican Republican Party Party and and the the developments developments in in the the war, war, the the

the the Hoover-Taft-Vandenberg Hoover-Taft-Vandenberg wing wing the the destiny destiny of of the the nation. nation. And And the the

circles circles of of finance finance capital capital dominate dominate control control the the government government nor nor guide guide

strength strength and and cunning. cunning. For For these these strength strength in in Congress Congress they they do do not not

And And no no one one should should minimize minimize their their capital. capital. Although Although they they have have great great

a a pro-fascist pro-fascist government. government. dominant dominant political political se.ction se.ction of of finance finance

the the Roosevelt Roosevelt Administration Administration with with cles cles of of Big Big Business Business are are not not the the

Teheran Teheran decisions decisions and and to to supplant supplant First First of of all, all, the the appeasement appeasement cir­

national national war war effort, effort, to to reverse reverse the the . . of of the the elections. elections.

tics. tics. They They are are out out to to disrupt disrupt the the tional tional war war effort effort and and the the outcome outcome

engaging engaging overcoming overcoming merely merely in in these these partisan partisan threats threats poli­ to to the the na­

Cormicks Cormicks and and Pattersons, Pattersons, are are not not fectively fectively altering altering the the situation, situation, for for

Pews Pews and and Fords, Fords, the the Hearsts, Hearsts, Mc­ the the conditions conditions are are favorable favorable for for ef­

olists, olists, represented represented by by the the du du Fonts, Fonts, factors, factors, it it must must also also be be realized realized that that

appeasement appeasement sections sections of of the the monop­ Notwithstanding Notwithstanding these these negative negative

elections, elections, the the most most reactionary reactionary and and win-the-war win-the-war forces forces in in the the elections. elections.

For For in in these these decisive decisive wartime wartime and and for for guaranteeing guaranteeing success success for for the the

of of the the nation. nation. d,er-in-Chief d,er-in-Chief :for :for speeding speeding victory victory

which which threaten threaten ·the ·the unity unity and and future future national national unity unity around around the the Comman­

these, these, are are must must mgre mgre still still serious serious waged waged :factors :factors to to consolidate consolidate be be

partisan partisan tic tic strife, strife, and and and and stubborn stubborn accentuating accentuating political political struggle struggle

THE THE 114 114 OUTLOOK OUTLOOK FOR FOR A A DURABLE DURABLE PEACE PEACE THE OUTLOOK FOR A DURABLE PEACE 115 versal. And the action of the Presi­ delays in developing labor's political dent in balding raising the banner action, it is a fact that the mass or­ of Win-the-War in place of the ob­ ganizations and political influence of solete New Deal label as the slogan labor and the people have been of action of the national adminis­ strengthened during the war. The tration, is not merely a de jure rec­ main trend in the labor movement, ognition of a de facto situation. It especially on the part of the C.I.O., helps to clarify the vital issues in is toward greater independent po­ the elections and indicates that the litical action in collaboration with Roosevelt Administration will en­ other patriotic groups and forces, deavor to broaden the national vic­ especially with the Negro people tory coalition within and around the and various nationality groups. Government. As for the Republican But to guarantee victory in the Party, there is a promising political elections, reliance upon these and development in the fact that the other positive factors and trends is Hoover-Landon combination is be­ not enough. National unity must be ing seriousiy ·challenged by the in­ organized, and organized around the fluential win-the-war forces repre­ key issues of winning the war and sented by Lamont and the New the peace. And this requires, among York Herald Tribune. other things, that it is necessary to Further, the popular support for work out flex,dble tac~s and to the Commander-in-Chief remains single out those vital issues around at a high level, as revealed in the which it will be possible to develop latest Gallup and Fortune polls. the broadest and most active sup­ And now with the direct interven­ port for the Commander-in-Chief tion of the President in helping to and the win-the-war measures of solve the w;age problem and in the Government, for defeating and pressing anew for subsidies and combating the pro-fascists, for ad­ other measures to prevent inflation vancing the unity of action of labor and a further rise in living costs, and all progressive forces, for influ­ it will be possible to reinforce the encing and ltnplementing govern­ alliance between labor and the Gov­ mental policy, and for consolidating ernment. Certainly, the existing the alliance between the Govern­ dissatisfaction in labor's ranks over ment, labor and other sections of certain domestic policies of the Ad­ the democratic, win-the-war camp. ministration has not resulted in any This means, for instance, that it rifts that cannot and will not be is essential to popularize and ex­ overcome on the basis of supporting "plain, and to organize the widest and constructively influencing the non-partisan mass support to realize Administration, by firmly applying the all-decisive decisions and aims the general policies of the C.I.O., of the Teheran and Moscow Con­ and by extending the political influ­ ferences. In this connection, it is ence and mass work of our own imperative to explain the impor­ party. Moreover, and of the utmost tance of Teheran, concretely, in importance, despite all slowness and terms of what this means for Amer-

ernment ernment for for organizing, organizing, jointly jointly with with collar collar employees. employees. This This is is imperative imperative

honor honor the the commitments commitments of of our our Gov­ Government, Government, professional professional and and white white

ing ing launched, launched, and and faithfully faithfully to to ducers, ducers, especially especially in in behalf behalf of of the the

can can military military offensives offensives now now be­ all all consumers consumers and and independent independent pro­

through through the the crucial crucial Anglo-Ameri­ forward forward in in defense defense of of the the needs needs of of

tion tion for for successfully successfully carrying carrying all, all, it it is is essential essential that that labor labor come come

program, program, into into total total war war mobiliza­ nomic nomic stabilization stabilization program. program. Above Above

support support of of the the Government's Government's war war for for sabotaging sabotaging the the President's President's eco­

into into effective effective action, action, into into resolute resolute bility bility of of the the majority majority in in Congress Congress

within within the the that that country-to country-to labor labor make make organize organize clear clear this this the the responsi­

embraces embraces the the majority majority of of all all classes classes conversion conversion period, period, it it is is necessary necessary

wartime wartime and and during during Teheran-a Teheran-a the the whole whole support support re­ which which already already

support support for for country country the the policies policies and and national national adopted adopted unity, unity, at at both both for for

gram, gram, labor's labor's which which and and is is the the vital vital nation's nation's for for the the crystalLize crystalLize entire entire

Above Above all, all, fight fight what what for for is is a a essential essential sound sound stabilization stabilization is is to to pro­

by by a a Mr. Mr. Willkie. Willkie. cost cost of of living. living. Moreover, Moreover, in in the the

tolerated, tolerated, commensurate commensurate not not even even when when with with employed employed each each rise rise in in the the

agreements agreements riodically riodically of of Teheran, Teheran, raising raising will will wages wages not not and and be be salaries salaries

right right defeatist defeatist system system opposition opposition for for automatically automatically to to the the and and pe­

cism cism and and to to sniping, sniping, bring bring about about as as well well some some as as out­ formula formula and and

tive tive price price controls-it controls-it sary sary is is also also to to urgent urgent show show that that partisan partisan criti­

adequate adequate food food subsidies subsidies ment's ment's and and war war effec­ program. program. is is neces­ It It

person person who who opposes opposes the the Govern­ immediate immediate wage wage adjustments, adjustments, for for

a a Wheeler, Wheeler, is is a a necessary necessary Nye Nye or or by by to to any any press press other other not not only only for for

larly larly the the acute acute vote vote problems problems is is cast cast by by of of a a wage wage Taft, Taft, policy, policy, if if it it

is is not not decisive decisive In In in in this this itself, itself, connection, connection, particu­ on on the the fare. fare.

the the post-war post-war organization organization tire tire war war economy economy of of peace peace and and national national wel­

vote vote for for a a Connolly Connolly but but from from resolution resolution the the viewpoint viewpoint on on of of the the en­

isolated isolated problems problems and and is is grievances, grievances, necessary necessary to to show show that that a a mere mere It It

stabilization, stabilization, not not from from with with the the that that angle angle of of tlie tlie of of Democratic Democratic Party. Party.

ing ing wartime wartime problems problems identical identical of of economic economic plank plank on on foreigri foreigri policy policy

Republican Republican proach proach Party Party and and were were finally finally to to adopt adopt solve solve an an the the press­

sufficient, sufficient, means means even, even, that that for for instance, instance, it it is is necessary necessary if if the the to to ap­

To To strengthen strengthen national national and and unity unity Teheran Teheran also also Conferences Conferences is is not not

of of the the nation. nation. formal formal endorsement endorsement of of the the Moscow Moscow

Roosevelt's Roosevelt's leadership leadership at at is is the the also also head head necessary necessary to to show show It It that that

basis, basis, how how vital vital it it industry, industry, is is to to continue continue agriculture agriculture and and labor. labor.

istration, istration, and and to to make make economic economic clear, clear, on on prosperity prosperity this this for for American American

orientation orientation of of the the Roosevelt Roosevelt trade trade and and Admin­ commerce, commerce, for for facilitating facilitating

the the , , foreign foreign policy policy America's America's and and anti-Hitler anti-Hitler youth; youth; in in terms terms of of foreign foreign

were were facilitated facilitated and and thereby thereby influenced influenced the the by by next next generations generations of of

how how the the historic historic results results of of Teheran Teheran ing ing America's America's and and world world peace peace and and

Likewise, Likewise, it it is is necessary necessary can can lives; lives; to to show show in in terms terms of of safeguard­

ain, ain, post-war post-war P\'!ace P\'!ace speeding speeding and and security. security. victory victory and and saving saving Ameri­

the the Soviet Soviet Union Union ica; ica; and and in in Great Great terms terms Brit­ of of guaranteeing guaranteeing and and

THE THE OUTLOOK OUTLOOK FOR FOR A A DURABLE DURABLE PEACE PEACE 116 116 THE OUTLOOK FOR A DURABLE PEACE 117 for helping to solve the urgent eco­ and maximum war produc.tion, of nomic problems aftecting the masses protecting the rights of labor and as well as war production, and for collective bargaining, of securing the strengthening the bonds between fullest utilization of the private en­ labor and the middle classes, and terprise system to solve the prob­ thereby the entire national win-the­ lems of post-war production and war coalition. employment, and to limit govern­ Another question around which it ment regulation and intervention in will be possible to forge broad unity the economy to cope mainly with of action and cut across partisan anti-national monopolistic restraints lines is those problems and issues and with those problems of unem­ directly aftecting the men in the ployment which industry is unable armed forces and their dependents, to solve. i.e., the issues of the soldiers' vote, It is around these and similar mustering-.out pay, rehabilitation issues that it will be possible to and educational aid, social security fortify national unity in these fate­ and re-employment. Here, great ful wartime elections, especially the attention should be given to reach­ common action of labor. It will be ing and organizing the women-the possible to do this if a more sys­ mothers, wives and sweethearts­ tematic effort is made to organize as well as to bring about common the win-the-war coalition; to organ­ action around these issues by the ize conferences, discussions, meet­ trade unions, the farm groups and ings, and broader mass movements women's and the veterans' organi­ around specific events and policies, zations. such as the Teheran Conference Likewise, increasing attention and the President's message to Con­ now has to be devoted to the com­ gress, as well as around such legis­ plex and mounting problems of re­ lative issues as the soldiers' vote conversion and renegotiation of war and subsidies, the anti-poll tax and contracts, particularly as these af­ the Wagner-Dingell social security fect post-war production and em­ bills. It will be. possible to do this ployment. For these questions are if labor organizes to participate en­ bound to multiply in importance ergetically in· the current primary and will play quite a role in the elections, both for ·the purposes of elections and on all post-war align­ influencing and cooperating in the ments ~thin the nation. selection and election of win-the­ As outlined by Comrade Brow­ war candidates, as well as for secur­ der, our approach to these ques­ ing the election of precinct, county tions must be governed in the first and state committeemen of a com­ place by the basic considerations of parable character. This will make stren~hening national unity now electoral organizations more repre­ and in the post-war period. This sentative of the win-the-war coali­ means to work out ways and means tion and more responsive to the to solve these problems along the will of the labor and popular forces. line of guaranteeing uninterrupted It will be possible to do this if Ia-

ference, ference, of of common common agreement agreement to to conclusions conclusions at at which which we we have have ar-

and and accords accords of of the the Teheran Teheran Con­ symbolize symbolize one one of of the the main main political political

sis sis of of common common support support for for the the aims aims very very formulation, formulation, will will markedly markedly

possible possible is is to to do do this this on on the the ba­ It It nist nist Political Political Association," Association," by by its its

bourgeoisie. bourgeoisie. ty" ty" to to that that of of "American "American Commu­

with with the the non-fascist non-fascist sections sections of of the the A A change change from from "Communist "Communist Par­

forces, forces, working working in in collaboration collaboration organization. organization.

labor labor and and all all other other progressive progressive of of the the distinctive distinctive features features of of our our

war war based based on on the the united united action action of of the the period period ahead, ahead, · · as as well well as as some some

to to organize organize national national unity unity after after the the try try a a number number of of our our objectives objectives in in

desirable, desirable, is is necessary necessary possible possible and and can can help help dramatize dramatize before before the the coun­

close close forces forces in in the the United United States, States, it it one one thing, thing, this this change, change, if if adopted, adopted,

tions, tions, with with sociation" sociation" the the given given for for that that relation relation of of "Party." "Party." of of For For

ent ent international international visable visable to to and and substitute substitute social social condi­ the the term term "As­

well well as as during during Browder Browder the the war. war. that that Under Under it it is is timely timely pres­ and and ad­

unity unity in in fully fully the the post-war post-war with with the the period, period, view view of of as as Comrade Comrade

pursue pursue a a Communist Communist policy policy to to develop develop organization. organization. national national I I agree agree

for for American American labor labor to to extend extend and and posed posed change change in in the the name name of of our our

Comrade Comrade Browder Browder Now, Now, a a has has few few emphasized, emphasized, words words on on the the pro­

peace, peace, * * is is likewise likewise it it necessary, necessary, as as * * * *

conditions conditions for for securing securing a a durable durable

create create the the most most favorable favorable internal internal of of democracy democracy and and peace. peace.

in in the the elections elections and and the the war, war, and and to to strengthen strengthen and and advance advance the the cause cause

Furthermore, Furthermore, to to facilitate facilitate victory victory of of monopoly monopoly capital, capital, and and to to

ganizations. ganizations. and and aggressive aggressive imperialist imperialist sections sections

and and the the veterans' veterans' and and women's women's or­ bat bat and and defeat defeat the the most most reactionary reactionary

churches churches and and nationality nationality groups, groups, the the most most favorable favorable position position to to com­

and and leaders leaders among among the the farmers, farmers, the the all all other other patriotic patriotic forces, forces, will will be be in in

triotic triotic and and most most progressive progressive groups groups ing ing class class and and people, people, in in unison unison with with

with with the the Negro Negro people people and and the the pa­ circumstances circumstances the the American American work­

many-sided many-sided cooperative cooperative relations relations desirable desirable to to do do this this because because in in these these

if if labor labor decisive decisive establishes establishes for for America's America's closer closer and and future. future. is is It It

cincts. cincts. Teheran Teheran will will be be possible possible Conferences, Conferences, to to do do this this which which It It is is so so

ing ing class class the the communities communities agreements agreements and and of of the the pre­ Moscow Moscow and and

most most decisive decisive industrial industrial and and work­ best best internal internal situation situation for for fulfilling fulfilling

cal cal machinery machinery unity unity and and because because activity activity this this in in can can the the provide provide the the

ing ing on on desirable desirable it it organizing organizing is is labor's labor's to to forge forge · · politi­ such such national national

political political action, action, the the private private and and in in enterprise enterprise concentrat­ system. system. And And

C.I.O.-A. C.I.O.-A. F. F. . . of of L.-Brotherhood L.-Brotherhood production production and and employment employment within within

ous ous forms forms tions tions of of joint joint and and liberties, liberties, and and parallel parallel and and to to expand expand

tion tion Committee, Committee, prove prove in in America's America's promoting promoting democratic democratic vari­ institu­

program program of of the the C.I.O. C.I.O. Political Political Ac­ reconstruction, reconstruction, to to preserve preserve and and im­

initiative initiative in in advancing advancing the the work work and and cooperation cooperation and and trade trade for for post-war post-war

tions, tions, displays displays and and security, security, greater greater to to efforts efforts promote promote and and economic economic

bor, bor, particularly particularly organize organize its its progressive progressive and and maintain maintain sec­ world world peace peace

THE THE OUTLOOK OUTLOOK FOR FOR 118 118 A A DURABLE DURABLE PEACE PEACE THE OUTLOOK FOR A DURABLE PEACE llD rived for the present and next pe­ Philadelphia, or the Washington riod of political developments with­ Commonwealth Federation. And, in the country. It will help show most important, we would be able that our organization is not orien­ more effectively to strengthen our tated upon a course of seeking gov­ collaboration with broader sections ernmental power now or in the post­ of the labor movement which are war years immediately following. developing greater political under­ This change would, to some extent, standing and activity, but which in serve to emphasize in broader electoral campaigns operate through, circles that we are bending every or vote for, progressive candidates effort to organize a national co­ of one or another of the major par­ alition of all patriotic, anti-fas­ ties or existing state Farmer-Labor cist forces now and on the mor­ parties. row, so as to speed the destruction As for the 1944 Presidential and of Hitler and the Axis, and to en­ Congressional elections, there can sure and maintain a just and dur­ be no doubt that we will support able peace. It should serve to focus the win-the-war candidates put for­ attention on the fact that after the ward from the camp of national war, within the country, we are unity, irrespective of party label: pursuing a course of unity of action Certainly, the change which we to protect and improve our nation's propose from Party to Association democratic institutions and liberties should facilitate the practical appli­ and to promote maximum produc­ cation of our unity policy in these tion, employment and social secur­ fateful wartime elections. It should ity within the framework of capi­ facilitate our collaboration with the talism. other political groups and labor Obviously, there is another reas­ forces during and after the elec­ on which points to the advisability tions, especially if we work cor­ of changing from Party to Associa­ rectly and convincingly explain our tion. In making such a change we move. It should !l"emove certain would not merely change our artificial barriers which now hinder name, but also our•elector81 status. a large percentage of party mem­ It is true that in so doing we would bers, including thousands of Com­ lose the privilege of an electoral munist trade unionists, from work­ party, including the right to nomi­ ing mo+e closely together, and in a nate and run a party ticket (a right normal fashion, with other labor which today is considerably cur­ and progressive forces in one or tailed). Yet by so doing we might another of the established party pri­ obtain the right and opportunity to mary and election campaigns. participate in one or another of the Furthermore, it seems to me that major election campaigns in con­ the proposal to change from Party junction with, and along lines to Association is necessary and de­ similar to, that employed by the sirable from a longer-range view­ Farmer-Labor Association of Min­ point. For the outlook is that after nesota, the United Labor League of the 1944 elections, the political re- 120 THE OUTLOOK FOR A DURABLE PEACE alignments which are now taking sirable to choose a new name for place and will continue to unfold, the organization. , Or, again, factors most probably will crystallize in at!ecting the legality of the party, one of two ways; either by a basic or the status of Communists in the regrouP,ing within one of the major trade unions could arise that might parties, in which labor and the pop­ warrant changing ·the name "Com­ u1ar forces would secure a leading munist." political influence and position in But neither of these or other sim­ many existing state, city and pre­ ilar factors exist today. There are cinct organizations; or, if this fails no compelling political reasons for to materialize, it is likely that there making such a move at this time. may emerge- a third party, nation­ In fact, there is every reason today ally, as a leading and decisive mass to maintain the name "Communist," party, based on unifying the labor as well as the Marxist-Leninist and people's organizations in collab­ character of our organization which oration with the progressive forces will continue now and in the future. from both existing major parties. For the name "Communist" has In either event, or whatever the the greatest prestige and helps sig­ specific form the crystallization of nify the specific and distinctive progressive, anti-fascist political characteristics of our organization alignments may take following the as the most advanced and progres­ 1944 elections and in the immediate sive political organization of the post-war period, the change of our American working class, as an own organization's name and elec­ American Marxist political organi­ toral status can help advance the zation. The name "Communist" de­ unity of the democratic camp, the notes better than any other our ul­ unity of.Communists and non-Com­ timate goal and programmatic ob­ munists within the organization of jective. The name "Communist" a broad labor and progressive po­ is bound up with rich and lasting litical alignment or party coali­ American and international work­ tion, irrespective of its form. ing class traditions and with our In considering a change in the own significant contributions to the name of the party, the question cause of liberty, freedom and social arises as to whether we might not progress. also select some other name than Moreover, it is important not "Communist." It is clear that con­ only that we make our solid contri­ ditions might arise in which such a bution as Communists to the nation, change could or should be made. but also that we work openly Such conditions might include con­ and publicly as Communists, as siderations regarding a merger or Communists in name as well as unification of the Communist Par­ in fact. This is important especially ty together with other groups of at present precisely in order to ac­ advanced anti-fascist labor forces to celerate the growing collaboration form a broader Marxist working of Communists and non-Commu­ class party, in which it might be de- nists, of that united action which is THE OUTLOOK FOR A DURABLE PEACE 121 indispensable for the anti-fascist tion of the Communists in: labor's unity and future of our nation. political organizations and cam­ These, then, are some of the reas­ paigns, it will also necessitate a ons which, in: my opinion, should great strengt)lenin:g and expansion influence us to retain the word and of our independent, Communist po­ symbol "Communist" in: any new litical activity. It will especially re­ name which we may adopt at this quire that we vastly improve and time. multiply our mass agitation and Whatever final decision we may propaganda, our Communist politi­ reach on what name to substitute cal-education mass work, nationally for the word "Party," whether and on a local scale. It will further "Association," "League" or "So­ require that we bring about a radi­ ciety," we shall of necessity like­ cal improvement in the Marxist­ wise have to change certain forms Leninist training and development of our organization and methods of of all party personnel and mem­ work. For instance, as already in­ bers, particularly of our trade union dicated, such a change will alter the cadres, so that we will be better forms of our electoral activity iD. equipped, theoretically and practi­ the sense that we shall no longer cally, to meet our great respon~i­ function during election campaigns bilities, to solve the complex stra­ as an electoral party with an offi­ tegic and tactical problems of the cial party ticket. Those Commu­ new historical periqd we are enter­ nists who run for public office will ing. run on one or another party ticket, Finally, it is clear that whatever as candidates supported by a coali­ changes we may make in our par­ tion of labor, progressive and other ty's name and electoral status, patriotic forces; or, in: certain cases the :llundamental objectives and as independents. characteristics of our party will re­ But whether or not Communists main. For, irrespective of name, run as candidates--and in the 1944 we are and shall continue to be an elections this will be on a relatively American working class political limited scale-we Communists will organization, guided by the science be called upon to multiply our mass of Marxism-Leninism. And be­ work, including during the elec­ cause of this, now· and on the mor­ tions, in collaboration with the other row, we shall be in the vanguard, sectors of national unity, with all defending and promoting, at all win-the-war forces, especially with times, the vital interests and wel­ the trade unions. This will not only fare of the working class and of our require the most active participa- nation and people. NOT "IN SPITE OF" BUT BECAUSE

AN ANSWER TO THE QUESTION WHETHER THE UNITED NATIONS COALITION CAN ENDURE IN SPITE OF THE DIFFERENCE OF SOCIAL STRUCTURE BETWEEN THE CAPITALIST AND SOCIALIST STATES.

BY ROBERT MINOR

HE high level of the discussion that Lenin once fixed upon 18•3 as T shows that the proposal put for- the year when "Marx was only be­ ward before the Plenum. does not coming Marx." But Lenin also has violate, but fits into the experience pointed out many times that the of the assembled party leadership. first published work of the young '.Phe most responsible and mature Marx-the work which expounded of our party leaders from all States for the first time the world out­ had already had from their own ex- look of Marxism-was published in perience the full preparation for the 1844; it was his criticism of Hegel's proposals voiced by Comrade Brow- Philosophy of Law. When we get der. together for our twenty-fifth anni- From Comrade Browder we re- versary convention this year, we ceived again what we have learned will, I think, also note that along in a quarter of a century of living with the party anniversary and the and working with him that we can twentieth anniversary of the begin­ always expect from him-a bold, ning of our American Marxist pub­ fearless leadership, facing real sit- lication, both our bringing of classic uations and responding to them as books of Marxism to the people in a Marxist, a Leninist, a fighter. English in unadulterated form and The problems that we face now also the publication of the first is­ are unprecedented. The colossal sue of the Daily Worker twenty nature of the change of today can years ago--we will also mark the be compared, although not con- centenary of the beginning of that trasted, even with that tremendous science which enabled the peoples change that occurred in June, 1941, of Russia to find freedom and to that was faced by our National build the great fortress of world de­ Committee meeting in that month. mocracy whose armies are rolling It is interesting that just one hun- across the prairies of Europe today dred years ago the first Marxist with such "miraculous" success. We, work was given to the world, a the Communist Party of America, thing that we must not forget in will mark this year the 100th an­ speaking of anniversaries. It is true niversary of Marxism. 122 NOT urN SPITE OF" BUT BECAUSE 123 • • • newness of the situation. "Oh, it Just now, because of the enor­ is too big a story." "It can't be so." mous newness of our problems, we "It is the same old imperialist stuff are expected to muff the ball. We of the past." "There's nothing new are expected to be overawed by the under the sun." newness of the problems with which But skepticism is not a part of history has faced us-to be bewild­ shrewdness, it. is not wisdom. One ered by their unprecedented char­ time Lenin made a little note on the acter and to fall back upon old hab­ margin of a page of Hegel's History its of thought. There are those of Philosophy where Hegel deals who think we must-by the very with the ancient Greek Skeptics. newness of the problems-be influ­ The words that Lenin wrote were enced a little by the cynicism, the just three or four: "N.B. Skepticism skepticism, of "smart" journalists. is not doubt." Here is a small sample of the ap­ I would remark here that doubt peal to skepticism by one of the is an essential part of the scienti­ sloppiest. of the propagandists em­ fic method. It is a spur to action. ployed by Roy Howard, William Doubt drives us forward toward its Philip Simms. Discussing the coali­ own negation, until the doubt is re­ tion of our country with its allies solved and gives place to scientific as consolidated at Teheran, he prac­ presumption or proof. tically paraphrases the words of But skepticism is something else. Hitler's recent New Year's greet­ Skepticism is a part of the general ing, saying: "But no new-born babe school of the philosophy of ideal­ ever faced a more colicky or uncer­ ism. Skepticism is an attribute of tain future than the world does to­ inaction, of agnosticism, of helpless­ day in this war." What do we think ness. We are faced now with every of this for a pro-Nazi version of possible appeal to a sort of a "smart our country's agreement at Teher­ incredulity," which is really no an? When Hitler's NeW\ Year greet­ more than the old, dull-witted cyn­ ing came out, I remarked to Com­ icism of men who are skeptical to­ rade Browder that it was the only ward all democracy, all human prog­ interesting speech Hitler ever made. ress. They make use of all our Comrade Browder replied: "Yes, worst and laziest thinking habits and it may be the last he ever that we unconsciously get out of the makes." But that speech is an ex­ cynicism of the petty-bourgeois ample to us, as it has been taken as press. an example by the Hearsts, the But we must be bold in our think­ Howards, the McCormicks and Pat­ ing, now, in this absolutely unprece­ tersons, of just exactly the only pos­ dented situation-as bold as Stalin sibility for the Hitler cause now. was when he said in July, 1941, that That one last hope of the Hitler the results of this war would be cause is to disrupt the coalition by what all now know they will be. every device, including especially We must be as bold in our under­ appeals to cynicism, to skepticism, standing and in our acceptance of our unwillingness to understand the the scientific presumption of the 124 NOT "IN SPITE OF" BUT BECAUSE present situation as Stalin was when the front which would be injurious he said that Hitler would fail to to our thinking. There is an old bring about that which he sought­ liberal, pacifist belief that military an alliance of all capitalist states victories don't count for much. against the socialist state; when he "After all," the pacifists think, thought that the division upon "battles are meaningless, bloody which the war must. necessarily be slaughters-and in the end every­ fought would be that division which, thing just returns to where it was." within a nation, is a division be­ But for our understanding of the tween classes, and in the interna­ present situation we cannot indulge tional arena would be projected as in that foolishness. We must un­ a division between the socialist derstand when a military victory of state and all capitalist states. Stalin decisive and large scale is fought saw that division in this coming and won by that side whic'fr; rep­ war, the alignment of states in the resents progress in social evolution, war which, now being fought, would movement foTWard, that such a mil­ be the result of the decisive forces itary action sticks and lasts and of history of this time. The align­ changes the very foundations of the ment would be· determined by the world. We are witnessing now the enlightened national interest of the biggest· military deeds that men peoples, by their common interest in have ever perfo:t:med and the most civilization and national freedom colossal victories ever won are be­ and economic welfare. The initia­ ing won by that cause which will tive which the patriotic forces, of perpetuate the effects of the victory, all classes, of all countries would put because it represents what Lenin .into it would determine the line of called the general democratic world division. It would be the division movement. From this point of view between the Hitler reversion to the you must understand the enormous, Middle Ages and conquest on the decisive military victories before one hand, and democracy on the you can approach with a clear mind other hand, which must necessarily the question of stability of the co­ include the democracy of the most alition. forward-mov,ing of all the societies A word about the stability of the of the modern world, the socialist coalition that has been formed now, state. It has been proven on battle not only for the war, but also for fields where millions have died, a long extension after the war. Its that the concept of democracy that extension into the post-war period corresponds to reality now is that gives occasion for many to raise which includes the democracy of the still · more sharply the question of socialist state and that of the capi­ whether we are justified in confi­ talist states. dence as to that stability. People • • • say, "Oh, well, the difference be­ Is this coalition stable? . tween the social structure of the so- We are tempted to fall into con­ cialist state and the. capitalist states cepts in regard to the military ac­ of America and England is bound ti

BY JOHN WILLIAMSON

OMRADE BROWDER'S Report recommendation for the change of C to the Plenary Meeting of the name, we must avoid two initial re­ National Committee emphasized that actions, one the extreme of the · the Teheran Conference was the other: either, that the change would turning point in the solution of the mean little and that we would func­ many complex problems both of the tion as before, or, that our role as war and of the post-war reconstruc­ a Marxist organization baSed on the tion period. While the Moscow Con­ working class would be liquidated ference already had indicated that or replaced; that the "Communist the inner crisis which threatened Association" would be less impor­ the Anglo-Soviet-American Coali­ tant than the Communist Party, and tion had been overcome, Teheran that, consequently, increasing its cemented the coalition on the basis. membership and extending its in­ of principles that are known to all. fluence would no longer be on the As a consequence of Teheran and order of the day. Both these ap­ the perspectives agreed upon for the proaches would be. wrong and period of post-war reconstruction, should be rejected. one of the conclusions recommended The reason for the recommenda­ in Earl Browder's report is the tion has been dealt with in great change of the term "Party" in the detail by Comrade Browder. title of our organization to "Asso­ ciation!' This conclusion is very im­ "' "' "' portant to our relations with all In the light of the perspectives other forces of the win-the-war and the political condition Comrade coalition in our country. Unques­ Browder outlined, what will be the tionably, this will be a subject of political function of such a Com­ tremendous public· discussion, ·in munist organization? Indeed, where­ which we want our party members fore such an organization? to participate not only within the Such an organization is indispen­ party confines, but beyond, to help sable and its political influence and bring clarity to workers and the organizational strength must be people generally. This will help ce­ multiplied many times over, be­ ment our relations, politically and cause: organizationally, with new tens of First, as history has so amply at­ thousands pf Americans. tested, our Marxist-Leninist theor,­ The better to understand this and program enable us, in distinction 131 132 NEW PROBLEMS OF COMMUNIST ORGANIZATION from all other forces even within patriotic Americans, can well be de­ the coalition, to understand events, cisive in ensuring victory this year. foresee their course, evaluate the re­ Communists can be particularly lationship of forces ana groups helpful in facilitating this joint· la­ within the country, and help influ­ bor political' activity and organiza­ ence and determine the direction of tion because ever-growing numbers events. of workers and leaders of all labor Secondly, a Marxist political or­ and people's organizations are learn­ ganization of the type envisaged is ing to respect the understanding, the indispensable because of the urgent organizing ability, the self-sacrific­ need to facilitate and speed up the ing work and the consistent honesty unity and greater organization of and principled devotion of Com­ the labor movement and to raise the munists everywhere in struggling political understanding of the work­ for correct policy and actions, in · ers to new levels, commensurate the interest of our class and nation. with their responsibilities. In other * * * countries, because of the absence of How will the "Communist Associa­ a two-party system such as we have, tion" -conduct its day-to-day mass th~ direction of accomplishing this work? .Just as now, Communists is through the affiliation or integra­ will continue to help build, activate, tion of the Marxist forces with the and participate in leading trade mass political parties of the work­ unions and all people's organiza­ ers; in the U.S.A., as yet, there is tions. Within these organizations no mass political party of labor. It they will contribute their best in is definite, however, that the work­ ideas and activity and will sub­ ing class in our country is maturing ordinate themselves to majority de­ politically and is finding organiza- cision. We will, as an organization, , tiona! forms other than a Labor react to all vital issues in the com­ Party of national scope, even as it munities, cities or nation that con­ moves in the direction of independ­ cern the people. We will strive, ent working class political action. wherever possible, to stimulate the As a Marxist political organization organizing of the broadest mass we have an especially great respon­ movement around such issues on an sibility during this year of the fate­ effective program, and, as a Com­ ful 1944 elections. We must facili­ munist organization, become an in­ tate this political development of tegral part of this mass movement. labor and help achieve the maxi­ In the field of electoral activities, mum political unity of all labor as as part of the labor movement or a part of the great coalition behind of other people's organizations, the Commander-in-Chief in the among Negroes, national groups, 1944 elections. The understanding, women, church people, or ·youth unity, and, above all, the political groups, Communists will participate organization of labor in the Wards in those political parties or support and Congressional Districts, as an such candidates as represent the integral and vital part of the win­ best interests of our n·ation, in ac­ the-war coalition of all classes and cordance with the principles of NEW PROBLEMS OF COMMUNIST ORGANIZATION 133 strengthening the win-the-war co­ Let us examine further the con­ alition for victory and an enduring tent of the work of the members peace. Wherever Communists are of such a "Communist Association." active in such people's organizations The increased emphasis on educa­ or coalitions, they have had and tion will be directed first of all to have no reason to aim at "capturing" our own members, and to those sec­ them. On the contrary, our aim is tions of the labor and people's to collaborate with all other people's movement with whom we are col­ forces. Our only desire is to contrib­ laborating. But in addition by utili­ ute to the common goal, to assume zation of all educational weapons­ responsibility and activity with all the Daily Worker, the Worker, The of our ability, and to participate in Communist, the New Masses, the leadership to the extent that the Marxist-Leninist classics, as well as majority desires. popular literature, schools, forums, In our own activity as an organi­ and debates--we shall increase our zation, we shall be able less and efforts 'to make our thought and less to get along with old formulas principles available to the people and practices. Our activities as an in all communities. It is clear that organization will have to be ex­ regular reading by every Commu­ amined in the light of new events nist of the Daily Worker and The and experiences. It is already clear Communist becomes a hundred that increased emphasis must be times more urgent than ever now. placed on education and mass prop­ While the average thinking work­ aganda. The press, literature, er learns through struggle and ex­ schools, etc., must occupy a hundred perience, that is not enough for us. times more of. our time and effort We must study. We must understand than today. Does this mean we are Marxist-Leninist principles in order reducing ourselves to a mere prop­ to help influence the course and out­ aganda organization? Nothing of the come of struggles-whether it be a kind. At this moment, when leader­ single struggle or the developments ship by ~xample in all fields of mass in the nation and the world. We also work--especially in the labor move­ learn from our participation in the ment, among the Negro people and struggles how better to apply the the national groups, among the strategy and tactics of our policies women and professionals--is so ur­ and how to enrich Marxist-Leninist gent for victory in the 1944 elec­ theory itself. The first piece of lit­ tions, political clarity and under­ erature for the current Recruiting standing are a decisive contribution Campaign-Earl Browder's A Talk toward, and an organized part of, About the Communist Party-is as effective mass political action and indispensable for the party member organization. The "Communist As­ as for the prospective recruit. That sociation" as a workers' political­ pamphlet says: educational organization will be ful-' "The first responsibility of party • filling its Marxist vanguard role to membership is that each one of us the American people and nation. has to systematically improve his * * * own mind.... The more the mem-

ment ment of of Branch Branch all all previous previous meeting meeting undertakings undertakings and and much much to to unorgan-

This This will will ganized ganized necessitate necessitate discussion discussion the the and and fulfill­ clarity clarity in in the the

advancing advancing the the all all outcome outcome progressive progressive is is a a causes. causes. minimum minimum of of or­

and and we we will will the the join join opposite opposite with with all all effect effect others others is is attained attained in in and and

an an industry industry or or in in the the nation nation itself, itself, thus thus guarantee guarantee clarity. clarity. Too Too often often

whether whether in in late late a a neighborhood, neighborhood, and and provoke provoke a a discussion discussion shop, shop, and and

workers workers and and must must the the be be people people changed changed as as in in a a whole, whole, order order to to stimu­

around around all all vital vital issues issues affecting affecting the the the the method method of of presenting presenting ideas ideas

act act to to and and issues issues develop develop of of the the moment. moment. mass mass activity activity Furthermore, Furthermore,

ter ter political political cussions cussions equipment-we equipment-we do do not not relate relate will will to to re­ the the salient salient

Even Even more more Branches. Branches. than than now-but now-but As As yet, yet, with with too too bet­ often often the the dis­

educational educational discussions discussions merely merely educating educating in in the the or or propagandizing. propagandizing.

it it will will not not the the stand stand need need on on of of the the changing changing sidelines sidelines the the kind kind of of

educational educational tion tion organization. organization. wherever wherever it it Therefore, Therefore, is is raised. raised. I I refer refer to to

conceived conceived that that as as has has a a received received Marxist Marxist enthusiastic enthusiastic political­ atten­

The The "Communist "Communist ticular ticular importance importance Association" Association" is is one one is is problem problem

* * * * * *

taken taken hold hold of of energetically. energetically. Of Of par­

branch branch activity. activity. ganization, ganization, this this question question must must be be

involving involving With With them them the the anticipated anticipated in in community community change change in in or­

to to community community those those branches branches elementary elementary and and steps steps actively actively we we outlined. outlined.

the the transfer transfer ing ing of of out out trade trade and and union union carrying carrying comrades comrades through through even even

real real effort effort has has been been essential essential put put into into today today think­ in in finally finally completing completing

This This understanding understanding everywhere everywhere is is this this particularly particularly month, month, not not enough enough

thinking thinking Branch Branch and and actions actions elections elections of of the the are are party. party. taking taking place place

greatly greatly strengthen strengthen democracy democracy the the in in our our collective collective ranks. ranks. Although Although

changes changes concerning concerning the the the the accomplishment accomplishment extension extension of of of of this this aim aim will will

Last Last June June we we decided decided lems lems to to make make that that arise. arise. real real points points out out that that It It

part part of of election election coalitions. coalitions. his his own own ability ability to to answer answer all all prob­

working working freely freely as as member member Communists Communists and and as as the the strengthening strengthening of of

only only be be necessary necessary standing standing to to facilitate facilitate of of the the our our individual individual party party

Changes Changes in in structure structure need need of of continue. continue. raising raising would would the the level level of of under­

is is such such misconceptions. misconceptions. or or should should Branch Branch stresses stresses the the best best the the and and It It

the the present present community community Browder's Browder's form form of of Club Club pamphlet pamphlet is is to to root root out out

us us as as clear clear that that for for an an The The organization organization whole whole emphasis emphasis in in Comrade Comrade

worked worked out. out. is is But But even even now now it~ it~

and and carry carry them them out." out." vention, vention, tliese tliese will will have have to to be be

to to do do is is to to be be

a a

disciplined disciplined

member member

of of preparing preparing for for the the National National Con­

down down the the decisions decisions and and all all you you have have

form form

of of organization. organization.

In In

the the course course

does does the the thinking thinking for for you you and and hands hands

answers answers to to all all questions questions as as to to tM tM

thinking thinking for for yourself; yourself; that that the the party party

We We are are not not yet yet prepared prepared to to give give

you you join join the the

party party you you can can stop stop

a a whole. whole.

conceptions conceptions of of the the party party is is that that once once

of of our our meetings meetings and and organization organization as as leaders. leaders...... One One of of the the shallow shallow mis­

and and extend extend the the democratic democratic character character emerge emerge as as party party members members and and party party

to to deepen deepen the the democratic democratic processes processes own own self-education self-education the the stronger stronger they they

more more consciously consciously Party Party Club Club they they organize organize meetings meetings their their and and especially especially

bers bers educate educate themselves themselves and and the the improve improve the the political political character character of of

134: 134: NEW NEW PROBLEMS PROBLEMS OF OF COMMUNIST COMMUNIST ORGANIZATION ORGANIZATION NEW PROBLEMS OF COMMUNIST ORGANIZATION 131 ized discussion without adequate The new developments and the clarity outside_ the Branch meetings. changes recommended at thia We must correct any isolated distor­ Plenum make it possible to win tion of our correct emphasis on many thousands of new recruits to deepening and extending democra­ a Marxist organization at a tempo cy. This shall not be allowed to de­ that has not been possible previ- - generate into a sloppy liberal ap­ ously. Why? Because: · ·.. _- proach of a Section or County 1. The methods of fun~tioning CoJ:!Uilittee deciding for itself that we shall adopt will make whether it will carry out a decision clearer and emphasize to the ·pros­ or policy of a State or National pective recruit the possibility of Committee. While each lower or­ supporting Marxist policies through ganization should strive to find more membership in the "Communist As­ effective methods of achieving the sociation" without leaving hi!l or comi:non goal agreed upon, supposed her own mass organization. While differences with methods of work this is true even today, it has not recommended, that are not replaced always been fully understood, and with still better metl].ods, and the some of our Branches have contrib­ resultant accomplishment of tasks, uted to this misunderstanding. might indicate that consciously or 2. To those trade unionists who unconsciously, the differences are always say that their union is tak­ political and not organizational. ing on political forms of activity " • " and therefore they are waging the Now, what are the perspectives of same fight as we are, we should gro~h of the "Communist Associa­ be able to point out more convinc­ tion"? We have a right to expect ingly that ,struggle alone is not that, in this period of intense politi­ enough. Membership in a Commu­ cal thinking and activity of the nist Organization, which is in no American people, increasing num­ sense a "competing" . organization, bers of workers will want to learn will help them, through the acqui­ the answers to the complex problems sition of Marxist understanding on­ before them. There is a tremendous current issues of the day, to be desire among them to see the road more effective workers and leaders· that lies ahead to social progress. in their unions and mass organiza­ They will want to come together tions. in political association with one an­ 3. These changes should also other and will be ready to join an stimulate widespread recruiting by organization that represents their enabling us to come to grips still views. Sinc~_Jl]l... ..l:aww---that the more boldly and effectively with the "Communist Association" will facili­ slanderous misconception that Com­ tate--and' help promote unity-, under- munists are not part of American . s~·if¢"fiylt.i;_ S:'[;cf ~t join­ life but are "agents" of somebody ing wiT! not limit the mass activities or other. We will force people to of its members, we feel that the at­ discuss our ideas and proposals on tractive power of this organization their merits-not under conscious is great and that it will grow. or unconscious misconceptions. 136 NEW PROBLEMS OF COMMUNIST ORGANIZATION Our present and future members York. The T.W.U. was subjected to should everywhere take their place a hundred times greater provocation as Marxists, defending their rights and difficulty than the steel workers; and ideas pubUcly and winning sup­ yet not only did they refuse to strike, porters. In the course of such de­ but they substantially won their de­ tense of Marxist policies, recruiting mands. Furthermore, with the sup­ should be a normal activity. port of the labor and progressive movement, tney carried their .vic­ • • • tory over into the Councilmanic Even prior to out Convention, at elections. Another, smaller, example which the question of name will is that of a U.S. Aluminum Co. be settled, it is appropriate that we plant in the Midwest which was a demonstrate now our ability to re­ center of anti-unionism and a hot­ cruit thousands of new members bed of. local strikes provoked by into our party ranks as we involve anti-union forces. As a result of or­ all ·our friends, sympathizers and ganizing a party of several s·core prospective recruits into an intem;e members and the collaboration of enlightenment campaign around the Communists and non-Communists content of Earl Browder's report. in the union membership and lead­ To those who may think it is not ership, the shop is now well organ­ decisive whether we carry through ized, the stool pigeons have been to success the present Recruiting expelled from the local union lead­ Campaign, I would emphasize: ership, and· on Labor Day the union 1. The fact that a stoppage in. the and the company agreed to install steel industry can still take place loud speakers in all departments for on the very day that General Eisen­ the workers to listen to the radio hower is anpounced as the Com­ Labor Day messages of President mander of the Second Front, Roosevelt and Philip Murray. demonstrates the crying need for The nation has no guarantee that a larger party and a more politically what happened in the steel industry equipped party membership among may not occur in the aircraft or the steel workers. There are similar rubber industries. In fact, in the conditions and provocations in other latter, it has occurred. Therefore, industries-the electrical-radio in­ the emphasis on 100 per cent ful­ dustry, for example-and yet the fillment of the present Recruiting workers and their leaders have not Campaign will help guarantee unin­ committed the blunder as in the terrupted production and defeat of steel industry That shows great

BY ROY HUDSON

HE wage policy question is one was the main factor making it pas­ T of the most crucial and urgent sible to stabilize wages-the .only problems before the nation at this point in the President's seven-point time. The solution of this issue will program that was effectively ap­ have important bearing on the fur- plied. gut this achievement alone ther prosecution of the war and the did not and will not result in wage realization of the Teheran Confer- stabilization. ence decisions. The interests of the nation and Why at this critical moment in the prosecution of the war are the war has the wage question be- served only if the stabilization pro­ come an issue that threatens the gram provides for the need of the nation's unity, and endangers the workers to maintain or secure prosecution of the war? Until recent- wages that will enable labor to ly it has been possible to solve wage maintain a maximum of production disputes without interruption of and fulfill other wartime duties. production, on the basis of the Ad- When wages are controlled and the ministration's war-time wage pol- other phases of the economy are icy which has been supported, al- not, this objective of wage stabili­ though with some criticism, by la- zation is defeated, with harmful bor, most employers and the general consequences to the war effort and public. The question of a national the nation's unity. Prices rise, wage policy was not an issue that black"'-marketing emerges, profiteer­ seriously divided the win-the-war ing goes uncurbed, and the financ­ forces, although the prevailing pol- ing of the war becomes more and icy! was always the center of attack more impaired. Because this is by the· defeatists and obstruction- what happened, the wage level, ists. agreed to as a matter of national The necessity for wage adjust- policy as a mmtmum wartime ments does not arise out of a desire necessity, was not maintained, but on the part of labor to follow the was lowered. To fail to bring example of others and embark on wages into line with increased a course of war profiteering. If la- prices and the inequitable tax pro­ bar's policies had been dictated by gram would mean surrender to the selfish interest, wage stabilization enemies of the war effort and the would never have been realized. complete victory of their campaign The loyal cooperation of labor to disorganize the home front. That 140 TEHERAN AND THE WAGE POLICY ISSUE 141 is why labor, through the C.I.O, is war policy questions, can be solved correct in demanding that the bal­ only on the basis of the collabora­ ance between wages and prices, tion of the major win-the-war which the Little Steel formula forces. It requires that a firm lead sought to achieve, be restored. be given by the President in coping The treasonable campaign against with this problem. The tactics and . the seven-point program, which has policies pursued by labor will be hampered the organization of the decisive .in determining whether or home front on a war basis, has not the collaboration of all required been brought to the stage where forces is achieved. The fact that the labor is compelled to call for wage miners did not repudiate Lewis' adjustments. The defeatists now treasonable strike policy, that the hope to achieve the main objective· railroad leaders conducted a strike of their sinister plot against the vote, that a brief stoppage took seven-point program. place in the steel industry, all raise Labor's support for, and collab­ the question as to whether labor oration with, the Roosevelt Ad­ has fully grasped the answer to this ministration has been the solid question. The seriousness of this rock upon which all the attacks on situation is further emphasized the nation's unity have been shat­ when one considers that wage prob­ tered during the war. By inciting lems are pending in nearly all non-labor sections of the people major war industries; against the workers' demands, by Notwithstanding these disturbing blocking every effort of the ad­ signs, labor has it within its means ministration to meet and solve the to achieve the understanding and problems posed, by provoking labor leadership needed to meet the situ­ into strike actions, the obstruction­ ation. This is proven by the degree ists hope that President Roose­ of responsibility, patriotism and dis­ velt will be unable to command that cipline with which the question of united support necessary for the whether or not the issue of general prosecution of the war and to wage adjustments should be raised guarantee victory in the 1944 elec­ was approached. Notwithstanding tions. The current wage question the sabotage of the rest of the seven­ is one of the key issues around point program, labor loyally re­ which the enemies of the Teheran sponded last April to the President's agreement hope to hamper the "hold the line order." As long as prosecution of the war, disrupt Na­ there was any hope of achieving the tional Unity, and come into power promised roll-back it did not raise in the 1944 elections. Thus, what the question of wage adjustments. is involved is not only the question When it became clear that these of wages, but the all-decisive ques­ steps were necessary, individual tion of National Unity for speedy unions did not attempt isolated ac­ victory in the war and· a people's tions, because it was recognized that victory in the. elections. the decision was one that could The wage issue, like · all other be made only by the authorita- H2 TEHERAN AND THE WAGE POLICY ISSUE tive bodies of the labor movement. gram of action that offers hope of It is to "the credit of the C.I.O. a solution to their problems, a ten­ and the leadership of Philip Murray, dency developS to drift into strike that this situation was faced and actions. This is why no one is justi­ correctly acted upon at the Philadel­ fied in drawing the conclusion that phia Convention. Labor is therefore the stoppage in the steel industry, armed with a correct policy. But or the stand of most of the railroad while this is true, labor, even the workers, reglistered the fact that C.I.O., has not fully undertaken to labor's support for the war is weak­ organize the struggle for this pro­ ening, that National Unity is dis­ gram on the basis of a common integrating, that labor is making a program of action that will have be­ decision to break with Roosevelt hind it the combined strength of and as a matter of policy is repudi­ labor and the support of non-labor ating its no-strike pledge. forces. These grave events do not reflect Basing themselves upon the con­ a change in orientation and a basic vention decisions, many C.I.O. and change in policy on the part of the A. F. of L. unions have formulated forces involved. They express weak­ demands and served notice to their nesses that arise out of a lack of respective employers-all of which understanding. They are weaknesses is to the good. But in the main, each that can be overcome in time if union is waging an isolated fight. those forces who understand what There does not exist on a large scale should be done take the initiative an active, organized campaign cap­ in organizing mass support for the able of registering the united sup­ demands of the workers and to back port of the C.I.O. as well as the up the President and the Govern­ A. F. of L. behind the demands of ment in takin~ those measures re­ the unions, especially of the steel quired. While this is true, the fact workers, and aimed at counteract­ must be faced that, unless this is ing and defeating those forces in done, the danger exists that. in the Washington that seek to prevent absence of a mobilization of the President Roosevelt and other Gov­ forces required, more and more ernment bodies from carrying unions will drift into strikes. And through the necessary adjustments strikes, whether labor drifts into in policy. In such a situation, sooner them or embarks upon them as a or later, the individual unions in­ matter of policy, will be disastrous. volved reach what seems to be the ' If the wage adjustments labqr is limit of their resources and a crisis demanding are to be realized, labor develops. In the absence of program must first of all Iully understand and policy aimed at actively in­ that the answer to the solution of volving all of labor and other sec­ its wage demands cannot be found tions of the population, the unions on the basis of its past experiences concerned feel they have exhausted alone. Never in its history has labor possibilities and can see no per­ undertaken a wage movement under spective. In the absence of a pro- conditions similar to the present. TEHERAN AND THE WAGE POLICY ISSUE 143 The settlement of general wage such a policy was arrived at in the demands in most organized indus­ process of settling the specific prob­ tries today is dependent upon de­ lems of the steel workers. termining national policy. Speciflcal­ Today, however, a policy does ex­ ly, the issue to be decided is--will ist, and until the question of how there be a consistent application of this policy is applied is settled, no the war-time wage policy, or will solution to the wage problems is the Uttle Steel Formula be applied possible. without regard to the realities of Adjustment of wages under these the situation and thereby defeat the conditions is something that can be objective of wage stabilization and undertaken and solved, not by any the seven-point program? individual union, no matter how Until this issue is decided in some strong, but by the united action and · form or other there can be no set­ strength of the entire labor move­ tlement of the major cases in most ment. The organized strength of la­ industries. A:n.y attempt to dispose bor alone will not effectively solve af specific industry problems with­ the wage problem unless the work­ out a settlement of the question of ers also have the sympathy and ac­ policy but creates further uncer­ tive support of other sections of the tainties, chaos and dangers. What is people. Thus, the settlement of finally decided in Washington, not wages today involves not only nego­ in regard to the demands of one tiations with the employers con­ or another union alone, but in re­ cerned but is determined by action gard to national policy, will be the in Washington. Labor, in effect, is basis for working out a solution to undertaking to bring about an ad­ the problems as they exist in various justment in wages for the workers industries. in every industry. In peacetime, the settlement of a This task, never before under­ wage dispute in a decisive industry taken on a similar scale, can be such as steel always was the signal solved, not through strike action, for a wage movement everywhere, but only on the basis of exercising and usually became the basis for the political initiative, strength and establishing wage standards in other in.ftuence of organized labor backed industries. But the question of a by the people. government wage policy was not a A:n.yone who accepts the proposi­ factor that then entered into the tion that wages and other problems settlement of the wage the workers of the workers must be settled in a received. manner that guarantees uninter­ During the war, and only follow­ rupted production must draw these ing the settlement of the first Little . conclusions or state that the trade Steel negotiations, did there develop unions are unable during the war an accepted national war-time wage to protect and defend the economic policy. Until then, no clearly defined interests of the workers. policy existed as tl}e basis for settle­ • • • ment of wages during the war, and Labor must not be confused by 144 TEHERAN AND THE WAGE POLICY ISSUE the false arguments that "victory pledge is necessary to guarantee that is certain-strikes won't hurt. the United Nations win the war, Roosevelt is going . to the right-la­ win the peace, and that the 194~ bor must get its share now-because elections are a victory for the after the war it will be harder to get people. ~ concessions from Roosevelt. Strikes, As to the question of "strike or the threat of strikes are necessary threats." When you get caught bluff­ to prod the Government into action." ing, you lose. The cards are stacked The certainty of victory has been against labor and every strike bluff created, but the war ·is not won. will be called by labor-hating em­ Neither should anyone get the illu­ ployers with the result that the. la­ sion that the battle of production bor movement will be discredited has been won. Outside of the Soviet and the justified demands of the Union, the armed forces of the workers prejudiced. United Nations have not been fully The proposition that strikes are using the material that has been necessary to force action on the part produced. When for the first time of the Government or to "help" the our striking power is thrown into Government, is either a thoughtless those actions that are planned, the or a Hitlerite disregard of the truth production capacity of America will and a desperate effort to prevent continue to be taxed in order to labor from seeing where its true in­ sustain the actions that will be terests lie. launched. Interruption of produc­ The coal strike, the steel stoppage, tion, for any reason, therefore, is and the railroad situation did not still as great a danger as ever to the "prod" the Government into actio}l capacity of our armed forces to so much as it endangered the wage the battles that the nation chances of the workers to secure the expects of them. Th!at is why ltibor best possible solution to their de­ must continue to back up the armed mands. President Roosevelt's efforts forces by unqualified support to its to influence the situation and bring no-strike pledge. about a solution on the basis of the Hitler's defeat is certain-but the nation's policies were handicapped cost of victory is still to be settled. because even his ability to act is By upholding its no-strike pledge, determined by the relationship of labor will help insure a speedy forces. Was not the passage of the · victory, thereby saving the lives of Smith-Connally Bill over the Presi­ many American and Allied soldiers. dent's veto sufficient to make this Strikes can only help guarantee clear even to the blind? Strikes the victory of the pro-fascist anti­ bring about an unfavorable relation­ Terehan forces in the 1944 elections. ship of forces that hinders the ef­ Such a victory, even if Germany fective collaboration of labor and and Japan are defeated, would the Administration, which alone can · threaten to rob the people of the enable labor to protect the interests fruits of the 'military victory over of the workers a~d guarantee vic­ fascism. Upholding the no-strike tory in the war. TEHERAN AND THE WAGE POLICY ISSUE 145 Support for and collaboration with ministration toward labor problems the Roosevelt Administration is not does not arise out of the fact that just a question of leaving every­ it is a "special friend of labor," but thing to President Roosevelt. It out of the need to carry through means the active collaboration of those measures necessary to prose­ labor with President Roosevelt and cute the war and to maintain the those other forces supporting him in unity and collaboration of those working out and securing the execu­ forces necessary to achieve victory. tion of those policies required for It is based upon the proposition that the prosecution of the war and if labor has the duty to render un­ in coping with the period of post­ qualified support for the war effort, war reconstruction. The very nature the Government has the obligation of the coalition of forces united to see that the rights of labor are around President Roosevelt is such respected and the means provided that the Roosevelt Administration for settlement of disputes, otherwise cannot but reflect the position of the the war effort will suifer. It is this majority of forces that represents policy and these facts that explain it. ·Where labor's policy is inade­ why the miners, and the railroad quate, or ineffectively applied, la­ workers, finally secured at least bor's influence is felt only to a minor some degree of settlement of their degree and the position of the Ad­ demands-even though their case ministration will always suffer from had been prejudiced by the treason­ limitations and vacillations in its ap­ able policy of Lewis and the tenden­ plication. But when labor has the cy of most of the railroad leaders initiative, stands united behind a to fall for the trap set by Lewis and correct policy, and actively rallies his sponsors. It was not the pressure the support of other sections of the or threat of strikes that led to these population, it exerts a major in­ settlements, because this "pressure" fluence in determining .the position could have been easily counter­ of the . Administration. When this acted if President Roosevelt had de­ fundamental fact is understood, sired to base himself upon thee there can be no question that active forces in Congre~s, among the em­ collaboration with the Roosevelt ployers, and certain sections of the Administration is the key that will middle class and farmers who were enable labor, not only to secure an demanding that the miners and rail­ effective solution to its current wage road workers be dealt with in an questions, but to sobre all -other arbitrary and uncompromising man­ questions concerning victory in the ner. war, the role of America in the post-war world, and the opportunity * * * for labor, with other democratic forces, most effectively to advance Groundless fears and uncertainties the welfare of the workers and all regarding the post-war period create. other toilers. doubts as to the correctness and ef­ The attitude of the Roosevelt Ad- fectiveness of the policies of today 146 TEHERAN AND THE WAGE POLICY ISSUE and undermine labor's ability to ef­ meet the post-war period, provides fectively apply them. Some labor the basis for working out a solution forces are disturbed by this ques- · of the problems of the futiu-e. Labor tion: what policies are required to coUld meet the problems posed by prevent another war following the the war, and America's involvement defeat of Germany and Japan? That in it, only by working out a change great question is answered by the in its program, policies and tactics decisions of the Teheran Conference. that was revolutionary in character. Those forces that are agreed upon It lacked experience in applying these historic decisions are capable, such polici~s. Labor will enter the if they remain united, of guarantee­ post-war period in much more favor­ ing peace in the world war genera­ able circumstances because during tions to come. the war it has grown in strength, it What must be done to prevent has acquired understanding and ex­ economic ruin after the war and the perience upon the basis of which it wholesale impoverishment of labor will be prepared to tackle the prob­ and the people? The Teheran Con­ lems it will face in the future. ference gives the answer to this Are the war-time allies of labor question, showing that what hap­ temporary allies? Will these allies pened after the last war need not be on the other side of the fence happen after this war. On the con­ after the war? Labor can have abso­ trary, the effective realizing of the lute confidence in the light of the decisions of the Teheran Conference Teheran Conference that its present opens up the possibility of solving allies can continue to be partners in the reconstruction problems in a the period of post-war reconstruc­ manner that will advance the living tion. Above everything the contribu­ standards of workers and the com­ tion of President Roosevelt in mak­ mon people. ing possible the decisions of the Will the policies of labor required Teheran Conference makes it clear to win the war resUlt in its being in that the force which led the nation a weakened position after the war? to Teheran is that force around Are these policies temporary or will whom the nation can best unite to they be applicable after the war? guarantee the realization of . this In the light of the Teheran Confer­ program. Therefore all the more ence ft is clear that those factors reason why, without further hesita­ that create the basis for a policy of tion, labor must undertake now to national unity now will continue to guarantee the re-election of Presi­ operate after the war. The same dent Roosevelt. Therefore, .the deci­ common interests that compel the sive importance of applying the collaboration of the forces waging political action program of the C.I.O. the war will continue to dictate the to achieve this all-important aim. same collaboration in the period of Thus, the estimate of the Teheran post-war reconstruction. Therefore, Conference given by this plenum the policy labor has hammered out helps remove such doubts and fears in the war, further developed to which are now groundless, and by TEHERAN AND THE WAGE POLICY ISSUE 147 doing so enables labor to secure a such as the United Electrical, Radio. solution to the current wage ques­ and Machine Workers, and Long­ tions as an essential part of the fight shore Union, to give serious attention for realizing the decisions of the to this questian. The necessity to face Teheran Conference. the problem is recognized in a num­ ber of unions, and if a more sys­ • • • tematic attention is given to answer­ ing the practical questions, it is pos­ Serious headway has been made sible to achieve results that will in tackling the Special problems of quickly bring about a decisive the Negroes and women; but labor change in the approach of the main must recognize that the question as sections of labor to the special prob- · to whether these gains are to be lems of the women. maintained and extended is up for The point that particularly needs decision in the coming period. It is to be stressed is that, as the pros­ necessary to note two or three key pects of the war ending arise, the questions in this respect. following question is coming to the The coming period is one in which fore among Negroes and women: the fight for the rights of the "Yes, labor helped us to win the Negroes in the unions and in in­ right to work-but will labor fight dustry will broaden. In those places to help us maintain these jobs after where this problem has been ne­ the war?" There is concern about this glected it will come to the fore. question and the people concerned Problems that have not been solved are not going to wait until after will be tackled more aggressively the war to get an answer. Answering and persistently. In those· industries this problem involves many things, where large numbers of the workers including, in my opinion, the need have entered the unions, the ques­ for labor to recognize the need to tion of their full rights in the unions work out the means of applying the and .representation in leadership seniority system in such a manner will come to the fore as key issues. as will take into account the changes The auto workers' convention signal­ in the war and guarantee the right ized this fact. The greatest initiative of the Negroes to employment in must be displayed in advancing the those industries where they were es­ fight on such questions, which were tablished during the war. If this. not always the point of emphasis up is not done and a dogmatic applica­ to now. tion of seniority takes place, the re­ The special problems of the sult can only be that in many cases women continue to be the most ne­ the Negroes will be eliminated en­ glected problem in the work of the tirely from industry again. Perhaps unions and therefore create an ex­ a partial answer to this question is plosive situation in many places. some system that will guarantee that While this is true, it is necessary to the proportion of Negroes employed note that at least the first beginning under all circumstances will be at has be~n made in national unions, least maintained. AMERICAN CAPITALISM AND TEHERAN

BY GILBERT GREEN

TT WAS Stalin who said that there duty-bound to keep our feet more .I are two schools of Marxism--the firmly planted on the soil of solid school of dogmatic Marxism, and facts than ever before. the school of creative Marxism. Capitalism remains capitalism. Comrade Browder has given us a Imperialism remains imperialism. brilliant example of creative Marx- Socialism remains socialism. But ism in action. His penetrating an- one would indeed be blind not to alysis of the profound changes that see that each of these must operate have occurred brings to mind the today under new and more complex prophetic thought of Lenin that his- conditions and in an ·ever chang­ tory is always richer in content, ing world-must therefore operate more varied, and more subtle, than in new ways. the best parties can possibly imag- I want to discuss a few of the ine, because the best vanguards ex- new conditions under which AIDer­ press the consciousness, the will and ican imperialism must operate and the imagination of tens of thou- their relation to the basic perspec­ sands; but history- is made by the tives outlined by Comrade Brow­ consciousness, the will and the- im- der. agination of tens of millions. The war has brought about a When has this be'en · more true tremendous acceleration of the con­ than today-when tens of millions centration of production and capi­ are making history on the field of tal; has thereby greatly strength­ battle alone? ened the relative weight and domi- It seems to me that in our ap- nant role of monopoly capital in proach to the period ahead we must American economic life. This fact avoid two dangers. First, the fail- is hardly disputable. But it is a ure to comprehend the deep-going mistake to draw the conclusion character of the changes that have from this that monopoly capital is occurred; the· tendency to stick to emerging from the war with a old shibboleths; the fear of drawing greater freedom of movement than new practical and theoretical con- in the past. elusions from th~ new phenomena Let me give an example. We of our time. On the other hand, we know that monopoly capital tends must avoid the tendency that may to restrict economic development, arise to improvise answers based and that this tendency toward eco­ upon wishful thinking. We are nomic stagnation becomes most pro- 148 AMERICAN CAPITALISM AND TEHERAN 149 nounced in the epoch of the gen­ has taken place and that this has a eral decline of capitalism.* Yet, most direct bearing on the prob­ what has actually happened? The lems and perspectives for the post­ powerful impact of the war, the war world. development of a war economy, has In the pre-war period both gov­ not only ra,dically arrested this de­ ernment and big business spokes­ velopment, it has for the time being men developed the pet theory that reversed it. Total production leaped American industry had been over­ from the Federal Reserve Board developed,* that the year 1929 index figure of 108 in 1939 to that with its national income of $82 bil­ of 245 for November, 1943. This lion represented a high peak hardly represents the most rapid indus­ to be reached again and never to trial expansion in any period of be surpassed. American history! Today, however, nearly every• We have literally witnessed an spokesman for government and upsurge in production; brand new business underlines the point that industries have been built; . new America's ·normal post-war income technological changes introduced; and production must be consider­ and many new scientific inventions ably higher than 1929, in fact, that long suppressed by monopoly capi­ America. dare not go below a na­ tal successfully employed.** tional yearly income of $100 bil­ Of course, we know that this was lion.** brought about by the exigencies of There are two basic reasons for the war, by the incentives of an this change of tune. The first is a unlimited market and because this hard economic law: the tendency of expansion was not dependent upon the declining rate of profit. Mod­ the investments of private risk ern large-scale industry with its capital, but accomplished through tremendous investments in fixed outright large-scale government in­ capital, with its enormous overhead, vestments in industrial plants.*** must utilize more than 50 per cent But the fact nonetheless remains of capacity in order to operate that this great industrial expansion profitably, and the greater the de-

• From 1860 to 1880, American production • This view was shared by Franklin D. increased by 113 per cent; and from 1890 to 1913, Roosevelt, who, speaking in San Francisco during by 156 per cent. However, from 1913 to 1929, his 1932 Presidential campaign, stated: "Our in· the rate of increase declined sharply to but 70 dustry is already built up. It is a question whether per cent and from 1929 to 1932 there was no in· it bas not been built up too much. WhoeYer crease but an absolute decline in production of 46 wants to build new factories and trew streets, and per cent! For an entire decade after 1929 there to organize new trusts, would be more of a bin.. was no general rise in production as compared drance than a help to us. The days of the great with the period immediately prior to it. (From initiators, . of the finance titans are gone. Our uNew Data on Lenin's ImPerialism" by Varga task is not to find and exploit new material and Mendelsohn.) wealth, and not to produce a still greater quan.. ** A case in point is the jet~propulsion plane tity of commodities, but to learn how to carry on which while invented in 1930 was not given a ... with the existing resources and the existing fac-­ fair trial until the war and now is being proven tories.'' so successfuL as may revolutionize the entire avia­ •• The economic staff of the Unitetl States Nnot tion industry in the next decade. in the issue of December 17, 1943, believes that ••• In a speech delivered on July 21, 1943, uthe national income in the post.. war period is Jesse Jones estimated that the gov«nment bad likely to hover around $112,000,000,000." But it spent "probably 25 billion dollars in building points out that this is not good enough as it plants and facilities of one kind or another. The would represent a udepressioa comrred with war title to most of these properties is in the bauds standards, but prosperity compare with pre·war of the government." standards." 150 AMERICAN CAPITALISM AND TEHERAN gree of capacity in use, the higher What are the material possibili­ the rate of profit.* The wartime ties for the realization of the post­ industrial expansion, therefore, war goal of higher production lev­ makes more difficult a return to els? There will, of course, be a con­ pre-war production levels, for these siderable backlog of purchasing ·would no longer be high enough power in the form of war bonds and to insure large profits. savings estimated to total from $100 The second reason is a political to $130 billion by the end of the one. Even the most optimistic ob­ war. Furthermore, there will be a servers admit that there has taken period of reconversion, reconstruc­ place such a revolution in produc­ tion and repair, lasting a few years tion technique and labor produc­ and requiring considerable outl~ys tivity, that merely to return to the of capital. But while both of these 1929 production level is to guaran­ factors will undoubtedly give a tee a permanent army of at least stimulus to production in the first 18,000,000 unemployed.** These ob­ period after the war, they are not servers also admit that the American in themselves potent enough to people will not accept that kind of provide a large enough market over post-war America. The people will a number Of years. insist that what could be done for Whether higher production levels war can also be done for peace.*** are possible for any length of time • With a fall in the national income from after the war depends greatly upon $82,000,000,000 in 1929 to $69,000,000,000 in the creation of a larger foreign mar­ 1930, there was a fall in the rate of profit from 7.5 J>er cent in 1929 to 1.7 per cent in 1930. ket for American goods than at any With a further fall in national income and pro­ duction for the yean 1931, 1932, and 1933, there previous period in our history. And wu a min111 rate of profit for these three years, this foreign market is available. The i.e., ind111try OPerated at a loss. (From Statistical Abttract of the Department of Coaunerce, and reconstruction of first Europe and Louis Corey's Dtcliru: of American Capitalism.) then the Far East will create a ** The output per man hour increased II per cent from 1939 to 19"12. In the aircraft indus­ ready market for American indus­ try there was an estimated increase in labor pro­ ductiYity of 50 per cent, in the 18-month period trial and agricultural commodities ending April, 19"13. (From Economic Notes, La­ for many years and alongside of bor Research Association, October, 19"13.) Dr. Alvin H. Hansen, of the Federal Reserve this America will be in a most ad­ Board, believes that this country can maintain a 1929 production level with from 18 to 19 vantageous position to meet the in­ million permaneDtly unemployed.· creased needs of the Latin-Ameri­ ••• Another factor to be considered is the fear of certain business circles that the failure to .bring can market. about full employment in the post·war period may in turn bring about a great public clamor But this in tum poses another for direct government OPeration of the some 1500 new industrial plants owned outright by the gov· very difficult problem. War-tom ernment. They prefer to own and operate these plants themselves. . Europe and Asia will be in no fi­ Of interest also is the fear ezpressed that un· lesa Am~rican capitalism ensures full employment nancial position to buy large quan­ the people may make invidious comparisons tities of American goods unless between the American and Soviet economic sys .. tems. The Unitreign investment." loans, a much larger foreign mar-

consistently. consistently. policy policy tbis tbis apply apply to to 1943.) 1943.) 8, 8, October October

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TEHERAN TEHERAN AND AND CAPITALISM CAPITALISM AMERICAN AMERICAN 152 152 GEORGE WASHINGTON-PATRIOT AND STATESMAN

BY CARL ROSS

MERICA this year commemo­ name of Washington and the ab­ A rates the anniversary of George stract slogan of "no entangling al­ Washington's birth at a moment liances" to conceal their reactionary when our nation is engaged in and defeatist policies under the working out its destiny along the mask of patriotism. path charted by the Moscow-Cairo­ It is time, in the interest of a Teheran Conferences. Our nation sound policy of national unity and must choose the path of collabora­ a sound foreign policy, to unmask tion with all democratic peace-lov­ once and for all these false concep­ ing peoples as projected at Teheran, tions of George Washmgton and to a policy upon which we can also put in their place the real Washing­ construct enduring national unity, ton who symbolized, above every­ or we shall face the alternative of thing else, the national unity of national catastrophe. This is for us early revolutionary democratic the single, dominant issue determin­ America and who helped to con­ ing everything else. struct the foundations of our Ameri- In commemorating Washington's can foreign policy. birthday, by drawing inspiration and guidance from the leadership of * * * Washington during the founding George Washington was an archi­ years of our nation, we can help teet of the foreign policy best repre­ today to unite the overwhelming sented by such figures as Jefferson, majority of the American people Paine and Franklin. He was not around the , only policy that can only a military .leader chosen to truly serve our national interest- head the Colonial armies . because the policy of Teheran. The enemies of his proven ability as a soldier, of Teheran include among their but was a patriotic statesman of the number those who have helped to first order. Declaring for the un­ weave a reactionary legend about conditional independence of the the great figure of the Father of our United States from Great Britain a Country, presenting him to the full year before the signing of the American people as the symbol of Declaration of Independence, Wash­ "isolationism" and his Farewell Ad- ington also predicted the necessity dress as its bible. Our modern re- for, and the consummation of, the actionaries and Tories invoke the alliance with France long before its 153 154 WASHINGTON-PATRIOT AND STATESMAN realization. To Washington, the al­ defeat of Burgoyne at Saratoga, liance with France was not merely achieved through the military strat­ an expedient to win military allies egy of Washington, was the :final for the Continental armies, but was clinching argument that persuaded firmly grounded in mutual inteTest. the ·French king that an alliance Recognizing this, .Washington, espe­ with America was a practical and cially through corespondence with necessary means of protecting the friends in France, actively worked mutual interest of each. to bring about this alliance. Writing Washington well appreciated the to a correspondent in France during importance of this alliance with the Revolutionary War, Washington France, and of French aid, even pointed out that: prior to the formal alliance, declar­ ing that: "An immediate declaration of war against Britain [by France], in all "France, by her supplies, has probability could not fail to extri­ saved us from the yoke thus far; cate us from all our difficulty's, and and a wise and virtuous persever­ to cement the Bond of Friendship so ance would, and I trust will, free firmly between France and America, us eniliely." (George Washington, as to produce the most permanent Sears, p. 235.) advantage to both-certainly noth­ When Washington, therefore, ing can be more the true Interest of hailed the realization of the agree­ France than to have a weight of ment between the United States and such magnitude as America taken France to join arms and not to lay out of the Scale of British Power them down separately until Ameri­ and opulence and thrown into her can independence was achieved, he own.... " (June 19, 1777; Writings was, in fact, celebrating an event of Washington, Vol. V, p. 439, Ford which to no small degree was Edition.) realized through his own efforts. In This alliance with France, just as the American-French alliance, is the anti-Hitler coalition today, Washington recognized the decisive was the fruit both of military and factor for establishing "our liberty diplomatic action. As Teheran was and ·independency upon a lasting :first of all made possible by the foundation." splendid :fighting action of the But the path from a formal alli­ United Nations military forces, and ance to victory was indeed a difficult particularly of the Red Army on one for struggling young America. the decisive Eastern Front; the al­ Full coalition strategy and war had liance with France, negotiated by still to be realized; internal enemies Benjamin Franklin in Paris, was, in of national unity had to be defeated; the :first place, the product and the and negotiated peace maneuvers of military strategy outlined and car­ the enemy had to be frustrated. The ried through by General Washing­ Tory British King's ministers quick­ ton, Commander in Chief of the ly answered the challenge of a Continental troops. The sharp blow united France and America with a to Britain's power in ~erica in the two-pronged diplomatic and :fifth- WASHINGTON-PATRIOT AND STATESMAN 151 column offensive. It can hardly be commission make offers of terms to considered a historical accident Washington and to Congress· but it that the treason of Benedict Arnold, circularized members of Congress long in the making, was revealed and other American individual& to tne nation shortly following the whom it suspected of proneness to establishment of the French alliance. connive against America through In fact, Arnold completed arrange­ promoting peace maneuvers a 1a ments with Andre to surrender Vichy of a · later epoch. Benedict West Point precisely at the same Arnold, from the safety of the moment that Washington was mak­ British lines, in the meantime wrote ing arrangements with French ad­ appeals to Colonists to give up the mirals as to the best means of joint fight for freedom in the guise of an military action. The treason of effort to "save" them the alliance · Arnold was soon followed by the with Catholic France. How reminis­ treachery of Charles Lee, Continental cent of modem efforts to destroy our General who at the Battle of Mon­ alliance with the Soviet Union­ mouth nearly brought disaster to the under the pretext of "saving" WI American forces by a treasonous from Bolshevism! The peace com­ planned withdrawal in the face of missioners failed in their mission the enemy, where, in fact, disaster -because of . the resolute stand of was only averted by the courageous Congress and of such leaders as · rallying of the retreating army by Washington who refused to deal Washington himself. with the commissioners and for­ Washington knew how to meet warded their correspondence to the operation of this fifth column Congress. Realizing that there was in his armed forces and within the an active fifth column of Tories nation. Andre was peremptorily operating even within Congress, executed; Charles Lee was immedi­ Washington urged upon the Presi­ . ately seized and held for court- dent of Congress to be vigilant, and martial, and extended efforts were if necessal'y, to open the mail of made, with Washington's knowledge, members of Congress to see whether to bring the deserter and traitor they were in correspondence with Benedict Arnold back from behind the enemy. The "doubting Thomas­ the. British lines for proper punish­ es" who close their eyes and refuse ment. to see that the enemy is attempting The other prong of the Tory of­ to break down our present-day anti­ fensive against the Colonies took the Hitler coalition through similar form of an elaborate "negotiated peace maneuvers and fifth-column peace" maneuver through the send­ operations from within might well ing of a peace commission to Ameri­ learn from the Father· of our ca with instructions to· offer any­ Country. thing short of independence for From the defeat of Burgoyne b;y peace as a mearis of restoring some the Continental troops to the sur­ measure of British tyranny over the render of the British at Yorktown, Colonies. Not only did this peace Washington's main endeavors were 156 WASHINGTON-PATRIOT AND STATESMAN directed toward achieving the maxi:.. tiona! unity and the war effort mum mobilization of American re­ through economic instability and in­ sources and effective military co­ flation. When profound dissatisfac­ operation between America and tion with growing inflation and with France. On Washington's part, there the slowness with which America was no inclination to let the French was moving to victory beg·an to be do the fighting for the United States, manifested on the very eve of vic­ as among some of our contempo­ tory even in the form of mutinies raries who would just as soon let the among Washington's troops, Wash­ Red Army fight all of our battles ington was quick to point out that for us. In fact, Washington's first the discontent of the people and the reaction to the French alliance was soldiers was not with the war itself, that America must rise to new but with the manner in which the heights of military effort. Washing­ war was being conducted. He de­ ton wrote at the time that the clared: French alliance had become a cer­ "The people are discontented; but tainty: it is with the feeble and oppressive "This is a decisive moment; one mode of conducting the war, not of the most, (I will go further and with the war itself. They are not say, the most) important America unwilling to contribute to its sup­ has seen. The ·Court of France has port, but they are unwilling to do made a glorious effort for our de­ it in a way that renders private liverance, and if we disappoint its propetty precarious; a necessary intentions by our supineness, we consequence of the fluctuation of the must become contemptible in the national currency; and of the in­ eyes of all mankind. . . . If we do ability of government to perform our duty, we may even hope to make · its engagements oftentimes coer­ the campaign decisive on this con­ cively made. A large majority are tinent. But we must do our duty in still firmly attached to the inde­ earnest or disgrace and ruin will pendence of these States, abhor a attend us." (George Washing·ton, reunion with Great Britain, and are Sears, p. 291.) affectionate to the alliance with France; but this disposition cannot Washington's conception of full supply the place of means custom­ mobilization of the American nation ary and essential in war, nor can we for the joint war effort with France rely on its duration amidst the per­ was based upon achieving complete plexities, oppressions, and misfor­ unity of all the forces :fighting for tunes, that attend the want of them." independence. It was based upon (p. 305, ibid.) smashing the treasonous :fifth col­ The situation within the Ameri­ umn, organizing a more effective can Colonies before Yorktown was military force than the Colonial in some respects not unlike that in militia through building a ·regular America today, when the defeatists, army by conscription and upon "peace now" advocates and fifth eliminating the profiteering and columnists attempt to interpret the speculation which threatened na- dissatisfaction of labor ·and the WASHINGTON-PATRICYI' AND STATESMAN 157 people with economic difficulties Washington, for instance, wrote in and other problems as being · op­ July, 1784: posed to the war itself. Yet, today, "My first desire is to see this as in Washington's time, it is pre­ plague [constantly recurring war] cisely the individuals responsible for to mankind banished off the earth. the economic problems that are . . . Rather than quarrel about ter­ themselves taking advantage of ritory, let the poor, the needy, and them to promote treason. Washing­ oppressed of the earth, and those ton's labors, and those of his collab­ who want land, resort to the fertile orators, were crowned with victory plains of our western country, the at Yorktown, a victory which in second land of promise.... " (Sears, Washington, p. 352.) every respect was the fruit of the American-French alliance and the But how could peace for America product of joint strategy finally real­ be assured? What were the specific ized between American and French conditions and considerations that land forces and the French fleet guided the adoption of a policy to which bottled up Cornwallis . at protect the national interest? These Yorktown and forced his capitula­ questions must be answered to have tion. any intelligent understanding of the * * * whole concept of American foreign With victory won and independ­ policy that has dominated our polit­ ence achieved, the dominant aim of ical life until this very day. American patriots in the years im­ Our forefathers adopted a policy mediately following the Revolution at this time of "no entangling alli­ became· the assurance of peace and ances," of neutrality with regard security for the young and strug­ to the contending reactionary inter­ gling nation which had not yet, in ests dominating Europe. America the midst of a hostile world, realized alone of all nations represented in its own complete national unifica­ these few years following the Revo­ tion. American national interest re­ lution the vanguard of progress for quired, above all, peace to assure mankind. Immediately following the the opportunity to consolidate the conclusion of the Revolutionary gains of the Revolution. Both War, the French and Spanish allies . •Washington and Jefferson looked to of America in the war, G~:eat Britain the vast frontier as the path to ex­ and the other monarchies of Europe pansion and progress for the nation. reshuffled and redivided spheres Washington, aristocrat though· he of influence and colonial possessions was, was in many respects a product on the basis of a new European re­ of the frontier, .an owner of exten­ lation of forces that had been sive western lands. It was under­ brought about through the defeat of standable, therefore, that both Britain by a coalition which in­ Washington and Jefferson strove to cluded the "great powers" of Spain establish enduring peace with the and France. America had little or no objective of settling and developing interest in .this settlement of rela­ the frontier territories of America. tions between the monarchies of 158 WASHINGTON-PATRIOT AND STATESMAN Europe; as a new-born Republic in who insist that America at aU a world of reactionary monarc~ies it timei, and under all conditions, needed to cherish its independence, follow a policy along the lines pur­ to steer clear of becoming entangled sued in this period refuse to ac­ in the rivalries of European powers. knowledge ~hat foreign policy is not For decades the American colonies determined by a blueprint or sketch had been unwillingly drawn into but must always be tested by the European wars as colonial sattelites criterion: does a particular policy of the European powers; the French serve the national interest at that and Indian War being a case in particular time. point. Colonial experience had al­ American neutrality toward Euro­ ready led Thomas Paine to proclaim pean quarrels iri this period follow­ in Common Sense, during the Revo­ ing the Revolution, Jefferson's em­ lution, as one of the arguments for bargo on both Britain and France independence that: in the Napoleonic War: these are instances of a neutrality necessary ". . . any submission to, or de­ to the national interest and .the pendence on Great Britain, tends larger interest of world progress. directly to involve this continent in European wars and quarrels; and to But even at that time the policy set us at variance with nations, who of an America compelled to seek would otherwise seek our friend­ neutrality in order to advance its ah.ip, and against those against own national interest was not "iso­ whom we have neither anger nor lationism." Washington sought complaint." peace for all nations, and held to the ideal of mankind bourid in "one These were ample reasons, well great family." He saw in the piracy grounded in experience and national of the .Barbary States a factor interest, for the policy of neutrality threatening the rights of all nations affirmed by Congress in a motion and disturbing the tranquility and to withdraw the American repre­ progress of world order. Foreseeing sentative in Russia, on June 12, already the need for the energetic 1783, on the grounds that "the true action of President Thomas Jeffer­ . interest of these states requires that son in later years, when America they should be as little as possible had the power to curb piracy and entangled in the politics and con­ the moral courage to wield that troversies of European nations." power, he wrote to his old friend This policy, however, of neutrality Lafayette: and "no entangling alliances" was not in contradiction to the policy of "On these ·occasions, I consider active alliance with France followed how mankind may be connected like one great family in fraternal in the Revolutionary War. It was ties. I indulge a fond, perhaps an the other side of the same coin. Both enthusiastic idea . . . that the pe­ represent a policy of which the riod is not very remote, when the common denominator was the na­ benefits of a liberal and free com­ tional interest of America. Those merce will pretty generally succeed WASHINGTON-PATRIOT AND STATESMAN 159 to the devastation and horrors of French nation. •.. Indeed the whole war.••• business is so extraordinary in its "But let me ask you, my dear commencement, so wonderful in its Marquis, in such an enlightened progress, and may be so stupendous age, how is it possible the great in its consequences, that I am lost maritime powers of Europe should in contemplation. Of one thing, submit to pay an annual tribute to however, you may rest perfectly the· little piratical states of . Bar­ assured, that nobody can wish more bary. Would to heaven we had a sincerely for the prosperity of the nav;y able to reform those enemies French nation than I do." (Writings, to mankind, or crush them into non­ Vol. XI, p. 477.) existence." (Writings, Volume XI, page 59, Ford edition.) Washington was well aware of the influence of America on these Here is no selfish "isolationist" developments in Europe, writing speaking. This was the voice of an that, "I rejoice to see, that the American that sought the welfare of American revolution has been pro­ mankind and sought to advance the ductive of happy consequences on aims of peace and security for all both sides of the Atlantic." (Wash­ nations. It should be recalled that ington, Sears, p. 391.) these were the days when J effer­ The situation had fundamentally son, the American representative in changed for the United States. Not France, was aiding in promoting the America alone, but the United movement for advancement of de­ States and France together, now mocracy in France. And soon the represented the vanguard of de­ hopes of America for peaceful prog­ mocracy and progress in the world. ress were again intertwined with Not neutrality, but active friendship the interests of France, this time of and alliance, between these two a France following in the demo­ powers was the key to the national cratic footsteps of America. The security and progress of each. Both French Revolution of 1789 paid its Washington and Jefferson, then ·tribute to Washington, now Presi­ Secretary of State in Washington's dent of the United States, through Cabinet, held that for its security Lafayette, who forwarded to him the United States should seize this the key to the fallEm Bastile. opportunity to cultivate reliable Washington was quick to declare friends abroad. Therefore, when that nothing concerning the welfare France was beset by a concentration of France could be a matter of in­ of reactionary enemies, they sought difference to him and warmly wel­ a closer alliance between the two comed the upsurge of democracy on nations. Jefferson states this policy the continent represented by the in recording a conversation with French revolution. He wrote to the Washington; dated December 27, Marquis de la Luzerne ·in April, 1792: 1790: " ... he [Washington] observed "You are right in concerning that to me that he thought it was time nothing can be indifferent to me, to endeavor to effect a stricter con­ which regards the welfare of the nection with France. He went into

emerging emerging as as leader leader of of the the Federalist Federalist forces forces of of democracy democracy and and progress progress

With With both both Hamilton, Hamilton, who who was was icy icy of of active active solidarity solidarity with with the the

a a few few short short years years later. later. of of the the United United States; States; it it was was a a pol­

treason treason of of the the Hartford Hartford Convention Convention terests terests coincided coincided with with the the interest interest

that that was was to to lead lead to to the the outright outright who who recognized recognized that that their their own own in­

pery pery road road of of treachery treachery to to the the nation nation ship ship and and alliance alliance with with other other nations nations

Federalists Federalists were were treading treading the the slip­ a a policy policy based based upon upon mutual mutual friend­

the the British British Tories. Tories. Already Already the the terest terest of of the the United United States; States; it it was was

war war against against guard guard France France and and in in preserve preserve alliance alliance the the with with national national in­

friendship friendship but but schemed schemed to to promote promote policy policy was was one one designed designed to to safe­

aimed aimed at at breaking breaking French-American French-American That That established established American American foreign foreign

party party of of Federalism Federalism foundation foundation which which had had already already not not only only been been laid. laid.

Hamilton Hamilton was was soon soon heading heading the the war war away away from from the the policy policy whose whose firm firm

Europe Europe to to crush crush democratic democratic France. France. United United States-dragging States-dragging the the nation nation

schemes schemes of of against against the the crowned crowned their their own own heads heads country, country, of of the the

that that they they might might aid aid and and abet abet the the enemies enemies of of France, France, and and finally finally

to to isolate isolate ists ists America America of of that that from from day day conspired conspired its its ally ally so so with with the the

in in the the world, world, however, however, the the Federalists Federalists the the Tory-hearted Tory-hearted sought sought defeat­

stituted stituted the the Behind Behind vanguard vanguard the the cloak cloak of of progress progress of of "neutrality," "neutrality,"

America America and and France France together together con­ vention vention against against France. France.

can can democracy. democracy. Recognizing Recognizing that that mand mand of of the the war war party party for for inter­

restrict restrict the the development development of of Ameri­ mation mation in in an an effort effort to to stem stem the the de­

own own partisan partisan purpose, purpose, to to curb curb and and side side of of France, France, utilized utilized the the Procla­

led led by by Jefferson, Jefferson, sought, sought, for for their their throw throw American American influence influence on on the the

increasing increasing degree degree being being inspired inspired and and The The Jeffersonians, Jeffersonians, who who fought fought to to

of of colonial colonial people people who who were were to to an an son son supported supported Washington's Washington's policy. policy.

democratic democratic upsurge upsurge among among the the mass mass Britain Britain at at war war with with France), France), Jeffer­

Hamilton, Hamilton, fearful fearful of of the the growing growing sia, sia, Sardinia, Sardinia, the the Netherlands Netherlands and and

ander ander Hamilton. Hamilton. The The followers followers of of belligerent belligerent powers" powers" (Austria, (Austria, Prus­

and and its its principal principal spokesman, spokesman, Alex­ friendly friendly and and impartial impartial toward toward the the

action action represented represented by by Federalism Federalism faith faith adopt adopt and and pursue pursue a a conduct conduct

the the Tory Tory camp camp of of privilege privilege and and re­ "should "should with with sincerity sincerity and and good good

peace peace found found ,virulent ,virulent enemies enemies in in declar-ed declar-ed that that the the United United States States

alliance alliance for for mutual mutual security security and and Neutrality Neutrality of of April April 18, 18, 1793, 1793, which which

This This policy policy of of American-French American-French suing suing the the Proclamation Proclamation of of American American

cabinet cabinet members members with with regard regard is­ to to

der, der, p. p. 297.) 297.) The The People's People's Front, Front, When When Washington Washington consulted consulted his his

star star ...... ]" ]" (Quoted (Quoted by by Earl Earl Brow­ the the republican-democratic republican-democratic forces. forces.

trine trine which which had had been been my my polar polar struggle struggle between between Federalists Federalists and and

observation. observation. was was the the very very doc­ It It

restraint restraint

this this ever ever - sharpening sharpening

pleased pleased with with the the tone tone of of this this

Washington Washington to to some some degree degree held held in in

all all times, times, but but France. France. [I [I was was much much

alliance, alliance, as as members members of of his his cabinet, cabinet,

nation nation on on whom whom we we could could rely, rely, at at

France France and and the the American-Frellch American-Frellch and and us, us, and and observed observed there there was was no no

the the popular popular masses masses sympathetic sympathetic to to between between Spain Spain and and Great Great Britain Britain

war war party, party, and and Jefferson, Jefferson, who who led led the the circumstances circumstances of of dissatisfaction dissatisfaction

WASHINGTON-PATRIOT WASHINGTON-PATRIOT AND AND STATESMAN STATESMAN 160 160 WASHINGTON--J>ATRIOT AND STATESMAN 161 in other lands. In short, it was sought to carry out a policy\ of vio­ the kind of policy so resolutely be­ lent partisanship toward Tory Brit­ ing pursued by America today as ain and ·against democratic France. represented best in the decisions of The Address expressed neutrality Moscow, Cairo and Teheran. in words only; in practice it helped Jefferson could not long remain to conceal an effort toward inter­ in Washington's cabinet as Hamil­ vention in Europe against democ­ ton.rapidly became the decisive in­ racy. Similarly in our modern day fluence, more and more winning the "isolationists" or "America dominance over Washington. Jeffer­ Firsters" throw the same halo son finally resigned from the cabi­ around themselves to cloak a policy net to be freer to organize the directed toward active imperialist struggle against Hamilton that was intervention by the United States finally to be crowned with victory against world democracy and for in Jefferson's election a few short American imperialist hegemony years later to the Presidency and over the world. Washington's pres­ with the restoration of American tige that served the followers of foreign policy to the firm basis con­ Hamilton as a mask in their con­ structed in earlier years. spiracy against the nation is in: like It was a Washington whose cabi­ manner exploited by the modern net was firmly in the grip of Hamil­ prototypes of Hamilton. ton, a Washington increasingly Our modern defeatists and reac­ identified with the Federalists, who tionaries will find some consolation pronounced the words of the "Fare­ in the Federalist policy to which well Address" which had been Washington's Administration suc­ drafted by Alexander Hamilton: cumbed under Hamilton's dominat­ ing influence. They can even re­ "Why, by interweaving our des­ joice in the fact that the aging tiny with that of any part of Eu­ rope, entangle our peace and pros­ Washington was prepared to accept perity in the toils of European am­ the position of Commander-in-Chief bition, rivalship, interest, humor or of an American army for war caprice? ..." against France and could be drawn " 'Tis our policy to steer clear of into denunciations of the_ democratic permanent alliances, with any por­ movement and into support of the tion of the foreign world; so far I Alien and Sedition Acts. mean, as we are now at liberty to But they dare not balance the do it-for let me not be understood lifetime of patriotic service to as capable of patronizing infidelity to existing engagements." America of George Washington, in­ domitable military leader and un­ Those words have become the by­ swerving patriot, against the Wash­ word of reaction today. But let the ington who permitted his position nation remember that under cover and prestige to be used by the Fed­ of this reaffirmation of the neutral­ eralist cabal against democracy. ·The ity declaration of April, 1793, a re­ balance weighs too heavily in the actionary conspiracy with its lead­ direction of the former, which ership in Washington's own cabinet earned Washington every right to 162 WASHINGTON-PATRIOT AND STATESMAN the title of a great American states­ Washington here fails to see that "a man and "Father of His Country." people situated and circumstanced as While the "America Firsters" will we are" could at that .time preserve quote liberally from the "Farewell ~ts peace and independence only Address" to misconstrue the basic through alliance and friendship with policy and philosophy of Washing­ France, as proposed by the J effer­ ton, they will find scant satisfac­ sonians, against the reaction that tion in an expression of Washing­ sought to crush democracy every­ ton's attitude as outlined in a letter where, he does boldly insist upon sent to James Monroe on August 25, the right of every people to deter­ 1796, a few weeks before the "Fare­ mine its own destiny and to choose well Address," in which he refers its own form of government. Let to a letter of his that had fallen into the Herbert Hoovers, the Tafts, French hands. Therein Washington Nyes and Wheelers find any com­ denies that: fort in that thought if they can, for the resistance of these arch-defeat­ " ... it will show in the remotest ists to the policy of Teheran is fun­ degree any disposition on my part damentally based upon their insist­ . to favor the British interests in their dispute with France. . . . ence that the right of the people of "My conduct ... may be summed the Soviet Union and of the other up in a few words; that I have al­ nations of the world "to form and ways wished well to the French adopt whatever government they Revolution; that I have always liked best" be set aside whatever given it as my decided opinion, that the cost to humanity may be. no nation had a right to intermeddle in the internal concern of another; Patriotic Americans cannot but that every one had a right to form feel more proud of the history and and adopt whatever government tradition of•their own nation as we they liked best to live under them­ today rediscover the best in that selves; and that if this country democratic tradition and wield it as ·could, consistently with its engage­ a weapon for forging the natioruy ments, maintain a strict neutrality unity within America and the unity and thereby, preserve peace, it was with all freedom-loving peoples that bound to do· so by motives of pol­ alone can assure victory and peace­ icy, interest, and every other con­ sideration, that ought to actuate a ful, orderly progress in the post­ people situated and circumstanced war world. as we are, already deeply in debt, Washington belongs to democratic and in a convalescent state from the America, to the America that is de­ struggle we have been engaged in termined to follow the path of Te­ ourselves." (Writings, Volume XIII, heran. Let us draw strength and in­ p. 263.) spiration from these great forebears Here again is affirmed the thought of our nation; and, above all, let us of rejecting "entangling alliances," cherish deeply their heritage that it but the outlook of an earlier Wash­ may not be misused and misrepre­ ington speaks more clearlY than in sented by the enemies of our nation • the "Farewell Address." While and mankind. LENIN AND THE SOVIET PEOPLE'S PATRIOTIC WAR

BY ZINAIDA SMIRNOVA

LADIMIR LENIN, the great The successful struggle of the So­ Vteacher, leader of the Soviet viet people and its Red Army hai people and founder of the Bolshe­ shown to the world the great signifi­ vik Party and the Soviet State, died cance of Lenin's work, as founder twenty years ago. Two decades and inspirer of the Soviet power. have elapsed since Lenin's death The greatest successes which haVe and the historic significance of Len­ been achieved by the Soviet Union in's works and the powerful, crea­ in the present war, the severest of tive role of Lenin's teachings have all wars in history, afford striking been revealed to the peoples over evidence of the correctness of the the whole world. path pointed out by Lenin to the In two decades of progress along peoples of the Soviet country, testi­ the road which is pointed out by mony of the strength and the vital­ Lenin and under the leadership of ity of Lenin's historic beginnings. Stalin, Lenin's friend, comrade-in­ Lenin founded the Soviet State arms and continuer of his cause, the and this state became a great pro­ Soviet people have transformed gressive power and a mighty bul­ their country into a great power. wark of the happiness and Ule glory During the historic struggle of the of the peoples of the Soviet Union. freedom-loving peoples against the The Soviet State's structure has bitterest enemy of mankind, Ger­ been · built on the principles of a man fascism, it has fallen to the broad and a consistent policy of Soviet Union to stand the hardest democracy, which has ensured the trials with which history has ever unprecedente4 development of the confronted any · peoples or states. creative forces of the Soviet peo­ In the course of the grim war, ples. the Soviet State, which was brought Carrying Lenin's teachings into into being by the genius of Lenin practice, the peoples of the Soviet and Stalin, has revealed its invin­ country, led by Stalin, radically cible power. Withstanding the most changed the appearance of their trying ordeals, overcoming tremen­ country, built ·up a powerful in­ dous d.iftlculties, the Soviet State dustry and collective agriculture, has been further strengthened in equipped with the most modern ma­ the eourse of the war. chinery. 163 16~ LENIN AND THE PAT~IOTIC WAR The Soviet system revealed itself dence of the people as does the Bol­ not only as the best form of organ­ shevik Party. From history and ex­ ization for the economic and cul­ perience, millions of Soviet people tural development of the country have learned that the Bolshevik during the period of peaceful con­ Party represents the people's mind struction, but also as the best form and will. of mobilization of the national The war has witnessed still fur­ forces for the struggle against for­ ther strengthening of the contact eign, invaders. between the party and the people, Soviet power enjoys the greatest further strengthening the people's support of all Soviet peoples, for it love and confidence in the party of is truly a people's power, express­ Lenin and Stalin. Lenin laid the ing the will of the people and real­ foundat~ons for the greatest friend­ izing its desires and aspirations. ship of the peoples of the Soviet The Soviet system has withstood country, and this friendship has be­ with honor all the tests of war and· come the might and source of the has revealed itself as a most stable s~ength of the Soviet Union. It is state system. one of the cornerstones of the sup­ Lenin founded the Bolshevik porting might of the lands of the Party and this party became . the Soviets. leading and guiding force of the So­ For the first time in the world, viet people, the powerful organizer the great principles of freedom and of all of its forces and inspired all the equality of all nationalities its varied endeavors. The party comprising a state can be found . of Lenin and Stalin gave leader:ship embodied in the Union of Soviet to the colossal effort of the Soviet Republics. The strength of the fra­ people for the transformation of ternity of the peoples has facilitated their country during the years of the progress of the Soviet State peaceful construction. It roused the during the years of peaceful con­ peoples of the Soviet Union to the struction, transforming the Soviet just, patriotic ·war, mobilized the Union into an invincible fortress in energy of millions of Soviet people, war-time. The friendship of the directing their efforts toward one peoples of the Soviet Union has aim, the winning of victory over withstood all the hardships and · the enemy. trials of war and has been still Under its leadership, the Soviet further strengthened in the common people are successfully coping with struggle of the Soviet people against the difficulties of the war. Soviet the fascist invaders. patriots, reared by the Bolshevik Lenin founded a strong alliance Party, have revealed in the war between the working class and the examples of mass heroism and leg­ peasantry, which has now been fur­ endary exploits, unknown to his­ ther strengthened on the fronts of tory. this patriotic war against the Ger­ Not a single party in the world man invaders and in the selfless la­ enjoys the prestige and the conft- bor in the rear. LENIN AND THE PATRIOTIC WAR 165 The Soviet State represents the Relying on the strong Soviet rear friendly cooperation between the and backed by the affection and the working class, the peasantry and solicitude of the entire Soviet peo­ the intelligentsia. ple, the Red Army became tempered Lenin organized the Red Army, and strengthened in the greatest which became a loyal defender of battles of this patriotic war and has the Soviet Union, the beloved child acquired fighting experience. of the Soviet people in the struggle In the person of Stalin, the Red against foreign invaders during the Army has a great army .leader who early years of the existence of So­ has brilliantly developed Soviet viet power. The Red Army de­ military science, educated a galaxy fended the honor, freedom and the of talented Soviet generals who independence of its native land and have successfully realized the cor­ the right of the peoples of the So­ rectness of the strategic plans of the viet country to mold their life as Supreme High Command. was taught by the great Lenin. Understanding the noble aims for The mighty army of the free So­ which the Red Army is waging war, viet people became a force against mass heroism and readiness to go to which the raging avalanche of the death for the freedom of their fascist armies has smashed itself. country were born in the ranks of The peoples the world over will the Red Army. Strengthened and never forget the historic battle at hardened in battle, armed with first­ Moscow, when the Red Army de­ rate equipment and having learned bunked the myth about the invinci­ to hit the enemy without missing, bility of German troops. thanks to its high morale, its sol­ The great battle of Stalingrad diers and officers are supremely de­ marked the end of the German fas­ voted to its people and the Red cist army and will go down .as a Army is now the most powerful, symbol of the shining glory of So­ seasoned modern army. viet arms. During the past year, the Red The year 1943 for the Red Army Army has brought about a radical was like an irresistible wave, which change in the course of the war. was washing away the foreign scum Great victories have been won by from its native land and swept hun­ the Red Army which have drasti­ dreds of kilometers westward, cally worsened the economic, po­ trampling the prestige of German litical and military situation of fas­ arms and forever burying German cist Germany, confronting her with hopes for defeating the Soviets, it catastrophe. will go -down in history as the year The Soviet Union is shouldering of great victories for the Soviet peo­ the main brunt of the struggle ple. against the Hitlerite fascist hordes, The Red Army founded by Lenin which menace all the great achieve­ and led by Marshal Stalin has ments of mankind and the very ex­ emerged with honor ,rom these istence of free peoples. By its he­ grim trials. roic struggle against the fascist en-

Hitlerite Hitlerite cause cause is is irrevocably irrevocably lost. lost. victory. victory.

has has been been brought brought nearer, nearer, while while the the the the people people are are marching marching toward toward

countries countries over over the the common common enemy enemy the the banner banner of of Lenin, Lenin, led led by by Stalin, Stalin,

forces. forces. The The victory victory of of the the Allied Allied forces forces of of the the Soviet Soviet country. country. Under Under

struction struction of of the the German German armed armed and and the the wise wise captain captain of of the the armed armed

erations erations which which are are aimed aimed at at the the de­ of of the the peoples peoples of of the the Soviet Soviet Union Union

plans plans and and dates dates of of the the decisive decisive op­ borne borne by by the the great great Stalin, Stalin, the the leader leader

The The conference conference has has approved approved of of the the Soviets. Soviets. This This banner banner has has been been

the the enemy. enemy. proudly proudly streaming streaming over over the the land land of of

lied lied powers powers to to strike strike joint joint blows blows at at gleams gleams Lenin's Lenin's immortal immortal banner, banner,

unbending unbending determination determination of of the the Al­ Through Through the the thunder thunder of of war war

of of this this conference conference testify testify to to the the happiness happiness of of his his people. people.

great great powers. powers. The The historic historic decisions decisions the the cause cause of of the the freedom freedom and and the the

ening ening the the collaboration collaboration of of the the three three who who gave gave all all of of his his noble noble life life to to

alliance, alliance, which which is is constantly constantly broad­ liant liant teacher teacher of of the the Soviet Soviet people, people,

the the Anglo-Soviet-American Anglo-Soviet-American fighting fighting spirit spirit of of the the great great Lenin, Lenin, the the bril­

the the steadily steadily growing growing stability stability of of Army Army have have been been inspired inspired by by the the

Teheran Teheran gave gave striking striking evidence evidence of of ers, ers, the the Soviet Soviet people people and and the the Red Red

ers ers of of the the three three Allied Allied powers powers in in struggle struggle against against the the Hitlerite Hitlerite invad­

The The recent recent In In conference conference the the Soviet Soviet of of the the Union's Union's lead­ heroic heroic

war. war. patriotic patriotic war. war.

strengthened strengthened cided cided in in the the in in the the course course great great of of battles battles the the of of this this

United United States, States, has has been been formed formed and and destiny destiny of of generations generations is is being being de­

Great Great Britain, Britain, the the Soviet Soviet the the U.S.S.R. U.S.S.R. country country and and know know the the that that the the

tion, tion, led led by by German German the the great great invaders. invaders. world world powers, powers, The The peoples peoples of of

The The powerful powerful to to win win anti-Hitlerite anti-Hitlerite complete complete victory victory coali­ over over the the

ples ples and and countries. countries. tion tion and and are are mobilizing mobilizing their their forces forces

respect respect of of frence frence all all the the with with democratic democratic the the greatest greatest peo­ satisfac­

international international the the prestige prestige decisions decisions and and of of the the the the deep deep Teheran Teheran con­

slavers, slavers, the the Soviet Soviet Union Union has has The The Soviet Soviet people people have have received received w~m w~m

LENIN LENIN AND AND THE THE PATRIOTIC PATRIOTIC 166 166 WAR WAR POLAND AND THE COMING STAGE OF THE WAR

BY EUGENE TARLE

HE moment for which the Polish Cabinet members, as well as the Po­ Tpeople have been waiting impa­ lish papers supporting this cabinet. tiently, liberation from the Hitlerite The Soviet people are fighting yoke, is approaching. It turns out, against the Hitlerite invaders-the however, that there are still Poles executioners of Poland. The Soviet who have not yet made the choice. public expects the creation of a new, with whom to go: Hitler or the So­ strong, democratic Poland to be one viet Union. At any rate this is still of the results of the victory over a. "problem" for the emigre Polish Hitler Germany. However, neither Government and the reactionary the calculations of Hitlerite propa­ circles supporting it. Their position ganda nor the· program of reaction­ is most clearly expressed by the ary elements among the Polish emi­ newspaper Wiadomosci Codzienny, gres are by any means inclined ·to which, on November 7, declared that permit the unhindered normal de­ if the Red Army enters Poland velopment of the friendly, allied re­ without previously renouncing its lations natural to peoples conduct­ claims to the "Eastern Districts," ing a common struggle. A campaiin' that is, the districts of Vilno, West­ of slander of the most monstrous em Ukraine and Western .Byelo­ and absurdly incredible,,accusations russia, "the Polish underground has been launched against the So­ movement will fight against the Red viet Union. The Polish emigre presli Army just as ruthlessly as against did not trouble to conceal its disap­ the German aggressor." pointment when it stated that Brit­ Under the high-sounding title, ish public opinion maintains a dead "the Polish Underground Move­ silence with regard to· the most ment," the paper, of course, had in "pathetic" Polish reports and the mind not the movement of Polish most sensational accusations. guerrilla patriots, but a handful of organizations backing the emigre • • • government and carrying out its di­ rectives. Such is the quite logical The Mikolajczyk Government conclusion to be drawn from all the has been formed. The appointment constant statements of Mikolajczyk's of the arrant fascist, General Sosn- 187 168 POLAND AND THE WAR kowski, as commander-in-chief of Apart from their "moral" quali­ the Polish Army opened an entirely ties the maneuvers of some Lon­ new era, hailed by the whole Hitler­ don emigres are above all absurd. ite press, an era of systematic mur­ Is it possible for a person in full der of Polish guerrillas by a Polish possession of his senses and memory hand, with the direct, open, official even to raise the question, With encouragement and incitement on whom should Poland go: with Hitler the part of Sosnkowski and his or the Soviet Union? Is it possible agents. for a Pole not suffering from a com­ These incredible events taking pletely phenomenal lack of under­ place in Poland have given full standing (or without direct instruc­ right, not only to the British, but tions from Berlin) energetically to also to -the American press, to ask agitate against the Second Front and General Sosnkowski point blank: frankly voice fear of the Red Army's What orders will he issue through victories? . These men, ten minutes his broadcasting station Swit, to his short of Quislings, even lie like gangs at the inevitable moment. genuine Quislings and Lavals in offi­ when the Soviet Army, pursuing the cial positions. retreating Germans, enters Poland? Laval calls the Hitlerite invasion It must be admitted that the ques­ of Russia "Europe's rising against tion-With the Germans or with the Bolshevism," while Ignatz Matus­ Soviet Union?-is now facing every zewski and his ilk also speak of the Pole in all its sharpness. We have "struggle against Bolshevism" as th~ no doubt, of course, that the Poland central political task on the agenda. whose representatives are heroically And since "Bolshevism" has already fighting on our front, overjoyed at thrown the Germans beyond the having set foot on the Warsaw Dnieper and in a day or two will Highway, has irrevocably made its fling them farther west, the con­ choice. clusion for the Messrs. Matuszewskis When we speak of present-day is quite clear. Poland we also know that ·now the When Joseph Beck, having safely Messrs. Sosnkowskis are murder­ deposited Poland in Hitler's hands, ing Polish guerrillas fighting against modestly betook himself to Rumania Hitler-precisely the guerrillas who for rest from his labors, maintain­ are the heralds of a better future ing the strictest incognito en route, and of all the hopes of their people. few recalled the fervor with which We understand that for every Lu­ Beck, some time ago, joined the kasiewicz or Matuszewski and their "Anticomintern Pact" the moment ilk, lounging in cozy London and Berlin beckoned. New York cafes, spilling their vile But to repeat Beck's phraseology absurd intrigues, there are· dozens with such exact precision today in like Lieutenant Czarkowski and London is possible only in the hope other heroes of the Kosciuszko Di­ that Englishmen will not understand vision, giving their life for Poland's Polish. cause. However, to write articles in emi- POLAND AND THE WAR, 169 gration far from war is one thing Poland has no choice and that there and to practice Beck's policy in Po­ is only one possible solution of the land proper in 1943 or even 1944 is question. far more difficult, and doomed to To go with Hitler is to share the failure. For the Polish people, hav­ fate of Hitler Germany. To remain ing spent four years and still lan­ "neutral" means also to go with Hit­ guishing in the Hitlerite prison, dif­ ler. The only way open is the one fers in mentality from its "govern­ taken by the Czarkowskis and now ~ent" and others of its "well-wish­ followed b~ their comrades: Follow­ ers," who are watching Poland from ing this way they have already en­ their beautiful far-away. tered upon the Warsaw Highway The frantic German beast, who moving toward their land, and they humiliated Poland as no other coun­ will go farther, spreading and try, hoped that he would succeed broadening the old (and even the with the aid of reactionary Polish oldest) western frontiers of their emigres in driving a wedge between motherland, overtaking their crimi­ the Soviet Union and the Anglo­ nal enemies in their brigand lair. Saxon powers. He failed; but he This they can do only in close succeeded, in something else: he comradely unity with the Red Army proved with the utmost clarity to and they have already sanctified this all Poles with common sense that unity with their noble blood. THE MOST IMPORTANT STAGE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN THE U.S.S.R. AND CZECHOSLOVAKIA•

HE treaty signed between the mutual assistance pact with Czecho­ T U.S.S.R. and Czechoslovakia is slovakia, in the event of their being the natural continuation of the the "object of threats or in danger friendly cooperation of the two of attack by any European state." countries, both prior to the war as It is known that the policy of well as during the war against Ger­ curbing German aggression, as ex­ many. pressed in this pact (as in a num­ This cooperation has now been ber of others), was not at the time extended to the post-war period. given the necessary support by the The policy of friendship between governments of the other European the U.S.S.R. and Czechoslovakia has states. always been in keeping with the Despite the U.S.S.R.'s readiness to striving and fundamental interests "take part in collective operations of the Soviet and Czechoslovak peo­ which would be resolved upon to­ ples who are motivated by deep and gether with it, and which would aim mutual sympathy. at checking the further Q.evelopment , The statesmen of Czechoslovakia of aggression and eliminate the and above all its President Benes growing danger of a new world have repeatedly proclaimed the slaughter" the European "appeasers" Czechoslovak peoples' vital interest and the Germans surrendered in the friendship and support of the Czechoslovakia in Munich to be de­ great Soviet State. voured by Hitler. The Soviet Union, for its part, has The Soviet Union was the only invariably displayed sympathy for state which did not recognize the the aspirations of the Czechoslovak Munich agreement, which now in peoples. The clear, firm and con­ the course of the war has been an­ sistent policy of the U.S.S.R. towards nulled by the other countries. its state of indepei;J.dence and se­ curity has been expressed in many * • • diplomatic acts. As far back as 1935, when the The national tragedy of Czecho­ danger of German aggression loomed slovakia has evoked the warm sym­ in Europe, the U.S.S.R. concluded a pathy of the Soviet people. The world war, unleashed by the * An editorial ia ]tyellitt, Moscow, Decem- ber 14, 1943. German imperialist invaders has 170 U.S.S.R.-CZECHOSLOVAKIAN FRIENDSHIP 171 still further united our peoples and Allied troops and finally the historic is making them participants in a decisions at the recent conference of common struggle. the leaders of the three Allied pow­ The treaty between the govern­ ers in Teheran, has brought closer ments of the U.S.S.R. and Czecho­ the day of victory over Germany slovakia on the point of operations and the successful completion of the in the war against the Germans was war and triumph for the United Na­ signed in London on July 18, 1941. tions cause. The Soviet Government agreed to the formation of national Czechoslo­ * * * vak army units on the territory of The war is reaching its culmina­ the Soviet Union and these units are tion point, the tragedy of the Czech­ fighting with honor under the So­ oslovak people is coming to an end. viet command and shoulder to The Soviet Union and Czecho­ shoulder with the Red Army. slovakia have considered it neces­ · The first foreigner to receive the sary at the present stage of the war high title of Hero of the Soviet to confirm and to supplement the Union was the Czech Senior Lieu­ existing relations between them tenant, otakar Jaros. with a new treaty which expresses The Soviet people, many of whose their desire to "help support the towns and villages have been de­ peace after the war and to prevent stroyed by the German invaders, are further aggression by Germany and able to understand better than any­ to ensure a lasting friep.dship and body else the tragedy of the Czecho­ post-war peaceful cooperation be­ slovak village of Lidice. tween the two nations." The Soviet people, who have' sent The treaty has been signed over into the rear of the German inva­ a period of twenty years and is one ders hundreds of thousands of peo­ of those political documents which ple's avengers-the partisans- are will have a great significance also able to appreciate better than any­ in post-war Europe. body else what the shot fired by The significance of the treaty lies Czech partiots at the Hitlerite Gau­ also in the fact that it determines leiter Heydrich meant. the nature ·of the relations of the Fifty thousand Czechoslovak citi­ U.S.S.R. with the smaller countries zens have been executed by the which are taking a part in the com­ German butchers, 200,000 Czechs mon struggle against German im­ are languishing in concentration perialism. · camps-this tragic list of victims of . The principles of mutual respect the Hitlerite terror in Czechoslo­ for the independence and the sov­ vakia shows that the Czechoslovak ereignty of the contracting parties people will not submit to the in­ and the non-interference in the in­ vaders. ternal affairs of the other state are The great victories of the Red expressed in an article of our treat1 Army over the German armed forc­ and forms the basis for these rela­ es· as well as the successes of the' tions. 172 U.S.S.R.-CZECHOSLOVAKIAN FRIENDSHIP It is also the basis for more ex­ measures they will forestall the pos­ tensive development of economic sible rebirth of German aggression, relations and every possible eco­ in this case, in the east. nomic ·assistance to each other after Germany must be deprived of the the war. chance to encroach on foreign soils The treaty confirms the first and and countries, no matter where they foremost obligation, "to· render to are situated-in the west, or in the each other military, and every other east, in the south or in the north. kind of assistance and give every The new Soviet - Czechoslovak form of support in the present war treaty takes into account the special against Germany and all those states hankering of the German imperial­ that are linked with her in acts of ists for the "eastern area," for aggression in Europe." Secondly, the lands of the Slav peoples. extension of the principle of mutual Hence, the Soviet-Czechoslovak assistance in the post-war period treaty is aimed at preventing the for the purpose of preventing new very possibility and the repetition of aggression by Germany. s.uch attempts on the part of Ger­ In his November report, Stalin man imperialism, whose enmity for pointed out that among the tasks the Slav people is expressed most which the Soviet Union will have to viciously in this war. carry out together with her Allies, A similar obligation of mutual as­ one of the prime tasks will be that sistance and support in the event of establishing such an order in Eu­ of a new war of German aggression rope as will completely preclude the is· contained in the Anglo-Soviet possibility of new aggression by treaty. Germany. Consequently, the present treaty The victory over Germany would with Czechoslovakia constitutes an be incomplete and the achieved important link in the collective sys­ peace unstable without such an or­ tem of the future security of Euro­ der in Europe. pean countries. History has shown that the brok­ The community interests of the en claws of the German beast are peoples of the Soviet Union and able to grow back. German imperi­ Czechoslovakia are the foundation , alism has already caused two world for their durable and cordial friend­ wars and all the champions of peace ship. are agreed that Germany must be The development of these friendly aeprived of the possibility for caus­ relations between the U.S.S.R. and ing a third such war. Czechoslovakia who have a common Article Three of the treaty answers border, together with strengthen­ this task. The states w'hich have ing the relations between all the tasted the disasters of the German freedom-loving peoples in Europe, "Orang nach Osten" agree in ad­ and not the fantastic plans of an vance to act jointly in the event of artificial "federation of small states a post-war Germany renewing such in Europe," can give the people a a policy. By collective security just and lasting peace. U.S.S.R.-CZECHOSLOVAKIAN FRIENDSHIP 173 The Soviet-Czechoslovak treaty is of German aggression in this war, a concrete expressio.n of the will of joining this treaty if it so desires. the peoples to live in continual The treaty is important in. this friendship and cooperation in the historical stage and in the develop­ common struggle agafust the rob­ ment of the traditional friendship ber, German fascism, and also after between the U.S.S.R. and Czecho­ the war in helping each other in a slovqkia. peaceful prosperity, which no fear The strengthening of this friend­ for their existence or threat of a ship and the fighting cooperation new attack by Germany could upset. between the U.S.S.R. and Czecho­ slovakia is in the interest of all * * * freedom - loving people who are The protocol attached to. the striving to hasten the debacle of treaty provides for any other third Hitlerite Germany and to establish country, bordering with the U.S.S.R. a dura.ble peace in the post-war and Czechoslovakia and the object Europe.

• FORGING NEGRO-WHITE UNITY

BY JOHN PITTMAN

(Continued from the January U!sue) whom were members of the Na­ tional Workers League - Mrs. III. Theresa Beherens and Dr. Fred W. OW does it happen that, despite Thomas, affiliated with Parker Sage, H the growth of unity among the Garland Alderman, and Virgil people, despite their mobilization to Chandler, all of the National Work­ prosecute successfully the war for ers League and already under in­ the destruction of Hitlerism, such dictment for their instigation of the fifth-column activities are able to bloody Sojourner Truth attack on continue? How does it happen, after Negroes, February 28, 1942. Despite auch nationwide demonstrations of this direct link with fifth column unity among the masses of the peo- elements, Biddle clings to his con­ pie, that Hitler's agents are still able tention that the Detroit outbreak to incite ·riots and attacks against was the result of "tension" caused Negroes, Jews, Mexican-Americans? by "objective conditions" of "de- One reason is the failure of local teriorating relations" between Ne­ and state authorities and Federal groes and whites. law enforcement agencies to root How this policy has encouraged out and punish the fifth column the fifth column to continue its ac­ provocateurs and hoodlums, or to tivities may be seen in the recent attempt to educate the people re- Klan support of the re-election of garding the danger of these forces. Mayor Jeffries of Detroit. The The chief offender in this respect Mayor himself conducted a cam­ is the Attorney General of the paign based on Negro-baiting, which United States, Francis Biddle, who is not surprising in view of his com­ has not only turned a deaf ear to plicity with the Republican Gov­ the din of demands for action ernor of Michigan, Prosecutor Dow­ against the riot instigators, but has ling, Police Commissioner Wither-· actually given these forces encour- spoon and other public officials in agement to continue their activities whitewashing the role of the fifth in other cities. Conspicuous among column in the riot, rejecting the these acts of encouragement to the popular demand for a grand jury fifth column has been Biddle's re- investigation, and turning the lusal to prosecute the Klan, Black blame for the outbreak upon the Legion, National Workers League, Negro people themselves. Backed by and National Rifle Club elements the Klan, and with his chief rival behind the attacks on Detroit's Ne- tending to capitulate before the Ne­ g,:o population. Six Nazi spies were gro-baiters, Jeffries won re-election recently arrested in Detroit, two of with the support of the Ford Motor 174 FORGING NEGRO-WHITE UNITY 175 Company and all the fascist organi­ resolution offered by Communist zations in Detroit. Councilman Peter V. Cacchione call­ Nor did Attorney General Biddle ing for an investigation of groups take action in response to demands and individuals inciting to racial . from the Los Angeles citizens' com­ and religious antagonism. The mittees for investigation of the Mayor of San Francisco, urged by Axis-inspired attacks on the Mexi­ citizens' committees to make war­ can-American youth. He was silent, housing available fm:: incoming Ne­ along with Republican Governor gro workers, demanded that the Thomas Dewey, on the Hillburn, federal government "stop the Negro N. Y. school outrage, although one invasion" of the city! The Mayor of the leaders of the anti-Negro of Los Angeles, urged to take action incitement admitted publicly that against the Klan and other fifth­ subsidies from private and wealthy column elements, proclaimed that sources (the name of the wealthy these activities were magnified, and fifth-columnist, John B. Snow, was that "objective conditions" were implicated) were being paid for the alone to blame for the "deteriorating tuition of poor white children relations" between Negroes and whose parents, influenced by the whites. Apparently it is~nothing to anti-Negro incitement, removed these public officials that behind them from the public school and these outbreaks are all the identify­ sent them to expensive private in­ ing signs of the Axis fifth· column­ stitutions. Biddle has also refused anti-Negroism, anti-Semitism, Red­ to inVestigate the Boston pogrom, baiting- in short, the unmistak­ instigated by the Christian Front able brand of agents of the "anti­ hoodlums, and denounced by Gov­ Komintern," under cover of which ernor Saltonstall and the Bishop the Axis powers launched their ag­ of Boston as fascist activity. Biddle gressions and depredations against has done nothing to rectify the out­ all peace-loving peoples. rageous situation in which repeated What, then, is the role of the attacks are being carried out on so-called "objective conditions," by Negro I!Oldiers by hoodlums around which public officials and many army camps throughout the coun­ well-meaning people unwittingly try. His example sets the pattern of exonerate the fifth column, presum­ behavior for state and local law ably blaming the attacks on racial enforcement officers, while giving a prejudice, segregation, and other green light to the fifth column to minorities? Do these conditions play continue its work of undermining a contributing role in the Axis­ the country's war effort. incited riots? Alarming, therefore, is the re­ Undoubtedly so. The very exist­ missness of local legislatures and ence of these conditions is incom­ public officials in various parts of patible with the successful prose­ the country with regard to this vital cution of the war against Hitlerism. issue. They are obstacles to the fullest For example, the New York City mobilization of the people, utiliza­ Council, on October 5, rejected a tion of ·the country's resources and 176 FORGING NEGRO-WHITE UNITY development of national morale and imposing indignities upon a section unity. Hence, the fifth column is of the American people. Conse­ able to enlist them in its treacherous quently, the eradication of anti-N~ activity. It organizes activity to per­ gro practices is a prime immediate petuate and extend these conditions. necessity of the American people's It plays upon the residuum of racial struggle for victory in the war. prejudice in American life to mobi­ Every organization of the masses lize and direct forces to halt the of the Negro people has stressed the changes in these conditions which necessity for this step. The National the country•s war effort impera­ Association for the Advancement of tively requires. Colored People, the National Negro The processes of war mobilization Congress, the Urban League, th~ and of war production exert a pow­ National Council of Negro Women, erful pressure upon these conditions the Negro press, the Negro church, of segregation and discrimination, the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car forcing their alteration and diminu­ Porters, and thousands of local Ne­ tion. But the fifth column organizes gro fraternal, trade union, and civic a counter-pressure to maintain them organizations throughout America in accordance with the Axis aim of -all have insisted on the necessity preventing the country from fully of removing tliese obstacles to the entering into the military operations war effort. And increasing numbers of the Allied coalition. When the of the white population of America needs of military mobilization im­ are joining in these demands, espe­ peratively demand the termination cially the trade unions, with the of segregation in the armed forces C.I.O. in the forefront, who recog­ and war plants, the fifth column nize more clearly than any other organizes resistance to this change. section of the people the danger of When the same needs cry for ade­ fascism and the country's stake in quate housing, recreation and edu- . victory in the war. Unfortunately cation for Negroes, the fifth column in its plot to maintain these ob­ organizes violent attacks and "race stacles and to exacerbate their in­ riots" to block this housing and fluence for disunity, the fifth col­ recreation. umn is able to make use of some Thus it is that these conditions honestly patriotic people, who are of segregation and discrimination misled or infected with the virus of against Negroes and other minorities racial prejudice. strike a blow at the American peo­ Though the War and Navy De-· ple and the nation's victory drive. partments have found their initial They hinder the war effort by their policy of segregation in the armed very existence. They impair the forces completely incompatible with confidence requisite for national the needs of an army and navy unity. They supply the fifth column capable of inflicting powerful blows with dynamite for creating explo­ on the enemy, elements within both sions in the centers of war produc­ departments resist these necessary tion. They violate the very nature changes. The directive to Negro and purpose of this people's war by troops stationed at Camp Stewart,· FORGING NEGRO-WHITE UNITY 177 Georgia, issued by Brigadier-Gen­ litical barriers to the full participa­ eral E. A. Stockton, is a case in tion of the Negroes and other point. This directive ordered Negro minorities in the war effort. The soldiers to remember their slave Sojourner Truth outrage in Detroit ancestry and to behave as they had is a case in point. Though the ef­ been taught by the Dixie Bourbon ficient contribution of Negro war slave-masters! Though the case was workers required their accommoda­ brought to the attention of Secre­ tion in decent housing, the fifth tary of War Stimson, the War De­ column played upon existing preju­ partment has not yet censured or dices to organize violence against criticized the General, or repudi­ Negroes. In a recent legislative sup­ ated his orders. Such an attitude plement to its monthly bulletin, the by the War Department has en­ N.A.A.C.P. called attention to the couraged local and state govern­ role of "northern Republicans and ment agencies, transportation com­ southern Democrats" in scrapping panies, and places of public ac­ legislation necessary to integrate commodation to stand pat in their Negroes in the war mobilization. It policies of segregation and discrim­ branded the inadequate funds ap­ ination. More serious, it has given propriated to the Farm Security Axis agents the opportunity of in­ Administration, the 'emasculation of citing hoodlum attacks on Negro the National Resources Planning soldiers. Board, the .scrapping of the Na­ The cumulative effect of this re­ tional Youth Administration, the sistance to the changes demanded proposed dismissal of William by the requirements of- war mo­ Pickens on charges proferred by bilization has been a profound blow the Dies Committee, and the sabO­ to the morale 'of the Negro people, tage of President Roosevelt's price which has also affected all other roll-back .and subsidy program as sections of the population and the acts adversely affecting the Negro armed forces. It was in recognition people and the country's war pro­ of this injury to the country's unity gram. And the N.A.A.C.P. organ and preparations for the offensive stressed the harmful effects of the that the National Negro Congress poll tax in keeping in office .the ob­ established a lobby in Washington structionists of integrating the and formulated a program to end Negro people in the national unity discrimination in the armed forces. and of promoting the nation's war Needless to say, such a program is effort as a whole. in the interest of all the American The current clamor about a short­ people. It is as necessary for total age of manpower emphasizes a victory over Hitlerism as a defeat fourth major condition which hin­ inflicted on the enemy on the bat­ ders full war production and pro­ tlefield. vides the Axis fifth column with A similar pattern is evident in opportunities to incite riots. This relation to .the opposition to the condition is employer resistance to improvement of living conditions war production demands that the and discriminatory civil _and po- country's available manpower re- 178 FORGING NEGRO-WHITE UNITY sources be fully utilized. This re­ practices involving Negroes in the sistance manifests itself in the op­ North and in the South. In Texas, position to the employment of of 17,435 defense jobs, 9,117 were ·women, and especially in the re­ prohibited to Negroes; in Michi­ fusal, generally, to employ Negroes gan, 22,042 of 26,904; in Indiana, 9,331 of 9,979; in Ohio, 29,242 of in any but the lowest-paid menial 34,861. Not only were Negroes dis­ jobs or to promote them on the criminated against in skilled jobs basis of skill and efficiency. Despite but also in unskilled ones. For of President Roosevelt's ' issuance of 83,000 unskilled jobs, 35,000 were Executive Orders 8802 and 9346 closed to Negroes." establishing the Fair Employment Nor could management claim as Practice Committee, despite the an excuse for this policy the old slur Committee's valuable work, despite acute labor shortages in key indus­ against the industry and efficiency trial and agricultural areas, despite of Negroes. The Brown-Leighton these favorable factors and condi­ pamphlet continues: tions, a far too considerable sec­ "Late in 1941, the National In­ tion today still opposes the full in­ dustrial Conference Board pub­ tegration of Negroes, Jews, Mexi­ lished the results of an investiga­ can-Americans, Chinese-Americans tion of such experiences. Asked to and other minority people into war rank white and colored workers on comparable skilled and semi-skilled industry. The Public Affairs Com­ work, 102 prms which hired both mittee pamphlet, The Negro and colored and white workers, re­ the War, by Earl Brown and ported as follows: as to ability and George R. Leighton, contains some skill, seventy firms rated Negro statistics on this matter: workers equal to .white workers; thirty-one, poorer; one, better. As "In reply to a query sent out ~ to production, eighty-five firms January, 1942, by the United States found Negroes equal to; twelve, Employment Service to hundreds of poorer than; and five, better than industrialists with large war con­ white workers. Concerning regular­ tracts as to whether they would ity of attendance, sixty:..four firms employ Negroes, 51 per cent of reported Negroes to be equal to; them stated that they did not and thirty-two, poorer; and five, better would not, and only half of the than white workers." remainder stated that they would hire them without any ifs, ands, and In the year or more since the buts. This was six months after survey was made, some integration President Roosevelt had issued an of Negroes into war industry has executive order prohibiting discrim­ occurred. About a million were em­ ination in war industries. ployed in war plants last summer, "The survey, concentrated on most of whom entered during the regions with considerable Negro labor, revealed that, of 282,245 last half of 1942 and the first quar­ openings, 144,538 (51 per cent) ter of 1943. Yet, management re­ were barred to Negroes as a matter fuses to upgrade and promote these of policy. It also showed only a workers to positions commensurate minor difference between hiring with their skill and etliciency. FORGING NEGRO-WHITE U:'{ITY 179 While a survey undertaken by the In addition to its opposition to magazine Fortune in February, the employment of Negroes, indus­ 1943, showed that fewer than 30 trial management sometimes resorts per cent of 5,000 leading industrial­ to the incitement of violence ists even at the time employed as against efforts of Negro and white much as 10 per cent Negro labor, workers to obtain better wages and while more than a third believed working conditions for the Negro no Negroes could be used in their workers. Thus, the company union plants. Needless to say, this attitude fighting the United Auto Workers has been partly responsible for the at the Glenn L. Martin aircraft dislocations in war industry result­ plant in Baltimore passed out in­ ing from such created labor short­ flammatory anti-Negro leaflets, ages. It has contributed to delays which, however, failed to prevent in the mobilization of the country's an overwhelming vote in the resources for victory. N.L.R.B., election for the U.A.W. Yet, efforts of the Administration Such continued obstruction of to change this condition have met this urgent need for fair employ­ with furious opposition and out­ ment practices toward all American right sabotage by the same reac­ workers finds comfort in the policies tionary forces who utilize this con­ of certain state and local govern­ dition as a political weapon against ments. Thus, the shortage of farm the Administration, or as a pretext labor in some parts of the United for anti-Negro incitement. When States, although resulting partly the F.E.P.C. went into the Birming­ from the failure to utilize labor ef­ ham area to 'hold hearings on anti­ ficiently in certain farm areas, might Negro discrimination, Alabama's have been relieved by the use of Governor Dixon-a kinsman of the Negro farm workers had not some man who wrote The Klansman, Southern towns and counties passed that incendiary and scurrilous laws prohibiting the departure of defamation of Negroes-and a poli­ Negroes from their localities. The tician named Horace A. Wilkinson difficulty in obtaining Mexican organized a "White Supremacy workers is partly attributable to League." A delegation of six poll­ such practices as those of San • tax Senators gave President Roose­ Bernardino, Calif., whose authorities velt an ultimatum threatening to admittedly passed a law in violation reject all Administration legislation of the U. S. Constitution, barring unless the hearings were aban­ Mexican people from parks, play­ doned. Recently, however, the Pres­ grounds and swimming pools. ident's F.E.P.C. condemned 23 rail­ The injury to the war effort re­ roads for discriminatory practices in sulting from these practices of regard to employment of Negro many big employers, with the sup­ workers. Following the adamant re­ port of reactionary representatives jection of the F.E.P.C. ruling by 19 in Congress and in state and local southern railroads, the case now is governments, has aroused the in the hands of the President for anxiety of the labor movement. action. One of the most encouraging de- . .180 FORGING NEGRO-WHITE UNITY velopments of the recent period has membership or segregate them in been labor's growing initiative in auxiliaries. Tokio and· Berlin could the fight to destroy racial barriers not but applaud when the thirteen in industry. Yet labor's fight is seri­ old men of the A. F. of L. Execu­ ously weakened, and labor's influ­ tive Board, in the national conven­ ence in bringing about the neces­ tion at Boston in October, attacked sary changes is unquestionably les­ the bill to repeal the insulting and sened, by the persistence of anti­ chauvinistic Chinese Exclusion Act, Negro, anti-Semitic, anti-Chinese and, after denouncing the Brother­ and anti-Mexican attitudes on the hood of Sleeping Car Porters' dele­ part of a section of the labor move­ gates for pleading for practical ment's leadership. The continued action to lift anti-Negro bans and Jim-Crow practices of a number of abolish Jim-Crow branches, again A. F. of L. affiliates and of the Rail­ passed the threadbare resolution re­ road Brotherhoods militate against affirming the A. F. of L.'s stand for labor's efforts to achieve increased "equality.'' Only through the most production and strengthened unity ruthless struggle against this in­ of all Americans. By rejecting fection within its own ranks can the applications of Negro work­ the labor movement overcome the ers, or by segregating them in defeatist-inspired hindrances to full auxiliaries where they receive no manpower utilization. union benefits while having to pay IV. the same dues as white unionists, these international and local unions Several favorable conditions exist stand in the way of the full eco­ at the present time for accomplish­ nomic and social integration of the ing these tasks. The opportunity for Negro people in the national imity decisively defeating the fifth col­ and give aid to the bitterest ene­ umn has been greatly extended by mies of both labor and the Negro the new world situation resulting people. These enemies seize upon from the extraordinary success of such policies to launch company the Red Army and th~ Moscow and unions, pass restrictive labor laws, Teheran conferences. In addition, foment strikes and incite violence in the recent periOd, President againts the victims of the discrim- , Roosevelt has issued several decla­ inatory practices, on the pretexl rations which can become valuable • that they are threatening trade weapons in the fight on the fifth unionism. For instance, it was the column's incitement of attacks on accomplices of John L. Lewis who Negroes, Jews, Mexican-Americans issued virulent anti-Semitic leaflets and all other minorities. These in­ in the name of the "Remington­ clude his statement pledging the Rand Organizing Committee of independence of the Philippines as District 50." The Klan and Gerald soon as those islands have been K. Smith have enthusiastically en­ liberated from Japanese rule; his dorsed the policies of the Ma­ appeal to Congress to accord to the chinists' and Boilermakers' interna­ people of Puerto Rico the right to tionals, which bar Negroes from elect their own, native Governor; FORGING NEGRO-WHITE UNITY 181 his appeal to Congress for the re­ that the Negro people voted' prepon- peal of the Chinese Exclusion Act; derantly on the same current with and his statement for transmission labor in the recent November elec­ to the Argentine Government de­ tions. This election stand of Negroes nouncing as "obviously anti-Semitic was also a reflection of the fact that in nature" its act of suspending they realize the Roosevelt war pro­ Jewish newspapers. gram, despite vacillations and out­ Further, the definite measures in right retreat by some Administra­ the direction of improving the eco­ tion officials on the issue of Negro nomic, social and political position rights, is committed to a policy of of the Negro people will undoubt­ integrating the Negro people into edly strengthen their possibilities of the country's wartime activity as a fuller participation in the nation's necessary requirement for victory. drive for victory. In connection But the most decisive condition .with this, a noticeable development favoring the continued growth of of unity among the Negro and Negro-white unity, and of national minority peoples has occurred. unity, is the driving power which Negro and white unity is grow­ the new international and national ing among all sections of the Amer­ situation has given the spur of mili­ ican people, and to an extent among tary necessity. In order to take ad­ the armed forces, especially those vantage of 'the opportunities af­ that are experiencing close contact forded by the setbacks which the with the peoples of many lands. Moscow and Teheran Conferences Despite a considerable residuum of and the Allied armies have inflicted racial prejudice and the persistence on the Axis, all efforts to speed and of segregation in the armed forces, complete the total mobilization of white troops, thrown into combat the people are urgently necessary. alongside Negro soldiers by exigen­ The call to victory is imperative cies of military operations, begin to and powerful, and the American aquire new attitudes toward their people cannot longer tolerate the comrades-in-arms. Axis-inspired insurrectionary ac­ Important is the growing initia­ tivities, the intolerable social and tive of labor unions in demanding economic conditions imposed on the full integration of the Negro minorities, the conspiratorial racist people and other minorities in the activities of divisive forces in the war effort and in calling for the ranks of the people. crushing of the fifth columnists. With such favorable conditions, This development is the result of a labor, the Negro people, other min­ growth of sentiment for more de­ orities and all national unity forces mocracy within the labor movement. of all classes have the task of forg­ It has most notably been reflected ing unity and supporting President in such developments as the national Roosevelt's program for an early C.I.O.'s program for victory. An­ victory over both Hitler and Hiro­ other indication of labor's growing hito, and of our country's full parti­ initiative in behalf of the Negroes cipation in efforts to achieve a dur­ and other minorities was the fact able, collective peace.

182 182

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1943 1943 11, 11, JANUARY JANUARY

CONGRESS, CONGRESS, TO TO MESSAGE MESSAGE ROOSEVELT'S ROOSEVELT'S PRESIDENT PRESIDENT

DOCUMENTS DOCUMENTS HISTORIC HISTORIC HISTORIC DOCUMENTS 183 Constitution. And so is Mr. :{!ull. China and Russia are truly united And so am I. with Britain and America in recog­ Of course, we made some com­ nition of this essential fact: mitments. We most certainly com­ The best interests of each na­ mitted ourselves to very large and tion, large and small, demand that very specific military plans which all freedom-loving nations shall require the use of all Allied forces join together in a just and durable to bring about the defeat of our system of peace. In the present enemies at the , earliest possible world situation, evidenced by the time. actions of Germany, Italy and But there were no secret treaties Japan, unquestioned military con­ or political or financial commit­ trol over disturbers of the peace is ments. as necessary among nations as it is The one supreme objective for the among citizens in a community. And future, which we discussed for each an equally basic essential to peace nation individually, and for all the is a decent standard of living for United Nations, can be summed up all individual men and women and in one word: Security. children in all nations. Freedom And that means not only physical from fear · is eternally linked ·with security which provides safety from freedom from want. attacks by aggressors. It means also There are people who burrow economic security, social security, through our nation like unseeing moral security-in a family of na­ moles, and attempt to spread the tions. suspicion t~at if other nations are In the plain down-to-earth talks encouraged ·to raise their stand­ that I had with the Generalissimo ards of living, our own American and Marshal Stalin and Prime standard of living must of neces­ Minister Churchill it was abund­ sity be depressed. antly clear that they are all most The fact is the very contrary.' It deeply interested in the resumption has been shown time and again of peaceful progress by their own that if the standard of living of peoples-progress toward a better any country goes up, so does its life. All our allies want freedom to purchasing power-and that such a develop their lands and resources, rise encourages a better standard to build up industry, to increase of living in neighboring countries education and individual oppor­ with whom it trades. That is just tunity and to raise standards of liv­ plain common sense-and it is the ing. kind of plain common sense that All our allies have learned by provided the basis for our discus­ bitter experience that real devel­ sions at Moscow, Cairo and Teheran. opment will not be possible if they Returning from my journeyings, are to be diverted from their pur­ I must confess to a sense of "let­ poses by repeated wars-or even down" when I found many evi­ threats of war. dences of faulty perspective here 184 HISTORIC DOCUMENTS in Washington. The faulty perspec­ always forgotten individual and tive consists in overemphasizing selfish and partisan interests in lesser problems and thereby under­ time of war-we have not always emphasizing the first and greatest been united in purpose and direc­ problem. tion. We cannot overlook the seri­ The overwhelming majority of ous dissensions and the lack of our people have met the demands unity in our War of the Revolu­ of this war with magnificent cour­ tion, in our War Qf 1812, in our age and understanding. They have War Between the States, when the accepted inconveniences; they have survival of the Union itself was at accepted hardships; they have ac­ stake. cepted tragic sacrifices. And they In the First World War we came are ready and eager to make what­ closer to national unity than in any ever further contributions are previous war. But that war lasted needed to win the war as quickly only a year and a half, and increas­ as possible-if only they are given ing signs of unity began to appear the chance to know what is required during the final months of the con­ of them. flict. However, while the majority In this war we have been com­ goes on about its great work with­ pelled to learn how dependent upon out compaint, a noisy minority each other are all groups and sec­ maintains an uproar of demands for tions of the population of America. special favors for special groups. Increased food costs, for exam­ There are pests who swarm through ple, will bring new demands for the lobbies of the Congress and the wage increases from all war work­ ,cocktail bars of Washington, repre­ ers, which will in turn raise all senting these special groups as op­ prices of all things, including those posed to the basic interests of the things which the farmers themselves nation as a whole. They have come have to buy. Increased wages or to look upon the war primarily as a prices will each in turn produce the chance to make profits for them­ same results. They all have a par­ selves at the expense of their ticularly disastrous result on all neighbors-profits in money or in fixed income groups. terms of political or social prefer­ And I hope you will remember ment. that all of us in this Government Such selfish agitation can be represent the fixed income group , highly dangerous in wartime. It just as much as we represent busi­ creates confusion. It damages mor­ ness owners, workers and farmers. ale. It hampers our national effort. This group of fixed-income people It muddies the waters, and there­ include: teachers, clergy, policemen, fore prolongs the war. firemen, widows and minors on If we analyze American history pxed incomes, wives and dependents impartially, we cannot escape the of our soldiers and sailors, and old fact ,that in our past we have not age pensioners. They and their fami- HISTORIC DOCUMENTS 185 lies add up to one-quarter of our war's in the ·bag-so let's relax!" 13'0,000,000 people. They have few That attitude on the part of any­ or no high pressure representatives one--Government or management at the Capitol. In a period of gross or labor--can lengthen this war. It inflation they would be the worst can kill American boys. sufferers. Let us remember the lessons of If ever there was a time to sub­ 1918. In the summer of that year ordinate individual or group selfish­ the tide turned in favor of the Al­ ness to the national good, that time lies. But this Government did not is now. Disunity at home-bicker­ relax. In fact, our national effort ings, self-seeking partisanship, was stepped up. In August, 1918, stoppages of work, inflation, busi­ the draft age limits were broad­ ness as usual, politics as usual, lux­ ened from 21-31 to 18-45. The ury as usual-these are the influ­ President called for "force to the ences which can undermine the utmost," and his call was heeded. morale of the brave men ready to And in November, only three die at the front for us here. months later, Germany surrendered. Those who are doing most of the That is the way to fight and win complaining are not deliberately a war-all out-and not with half­ striving to sabotage the national war an-eye on the battlefronts abroad effort. They are laboring under the and the other eye-and-a-half on delusion that the time is past when personal, selfish, or political inter­ we must make prodigious sacrifices ests here at home. -that the war is already won and Therefore, in order to concen­ we can begin to slacken off. But the trate all our energies and resources dangerous folly of that point of view on winning the war, and to main­ can be measured by the distance tain a fair and stable economy at that separates our troops from their home, l recommend that the Con­ ultimate objectives in Berlin and gress adopt: TokYo-and by the sum of all the 1. A realistic tax law-which will perils that lie along the way. tax all unreasonable profits, both Overconfidence and complacency individual and corporate, and re­ are among our deadliest enemies. duce the ultimate cost of the war Last spring-after notable victories to our sons and daughters. The at Stalingrad and in Tunisia and tax bill now under consideration against U-boats on the high seas­ by the Congress does not begin to overconfidence became so .pro­ meet this test. nounced that war production fell 2. A continuation of the law for off. In two months, June and July, the renegotiation of war con­ 1943, more than a thousand air­ tracts-which will prevent exorbi­ planes that could have been made tant profits and assure fair prices and should have been made were to the Government. For two long not made. . Those who failed to years I have pleaded with the make them were not on strike. Congress to take undue profits out They were merely saying, "The of the war.

national national service service act. act. Today, Today, how- does does not not mean mean reduction reduction It It in in

years years hesitated hesitated to to recommend recommend a a ified. ified.

As As you you know, know, I I have have for for three three to to his his utmost utmost where where he he is is best best qual­

compensation. compensation. of of each each citizen citizen to to serve serve his his nation nation

war war purposes purposes on on a a basis basis of of just just forces, forces, it it rests rests on on the the obligation obligation

tal tal and and property property of of all all kinds kinds ·for ·for Like Like selective selective service service for for the the armed armed

has has the the basic basic power power to to draft draft capi­ democratic democratic way way to to wage wage a a war. war.

The The Federal Federal Government Government already already National National service service is is the the most most

line, line, and and to to prevent prevent undue undue profits. profits. emn emn truth. truth.

of of taxation, taxation, to to hold hold the the stabilization stabilization that that those those statements statements are are the the sol­

ing, ing, to to share share equitably equitably the the burdens burdens I I believe believe the the country country will will agree agree

passed passed to to keep keep down down the the cost cost of of liv­ bility." bility."

law law unless unless the the other other laws laws were were also also the the universality universality of of this this responsi­

not not recommend recommend a a national national service service would would be be merely merely an an expression expression of of

enactment enactment of of a a national national service service law law a a just just and and equitable equitable whole. whole. I I would would

ful ful military military operations. operations. A A prompt prompt These These five five measures measures togther togther form form

tal tal

materials materials

essential essential to to success­ able-bodied able-bodied adult adult in in the the nation. nation.

women women assigned assigned to to produce produce the the vi­

any any other other essential essential services services every every

the the battle battle front front and and the the men men and and

available available for for war war production production or or for for

by by the the

Government Government

to to its its defense defense

at at

appropriate appropriate

exceptions, exceptions,

will will

make make

men men and and women women who who are are assigned assigned

prevent prevent strikes, strikes, and, and, with with certain certain be be no no discrimination discrimination between between the the

for for the the duration duration of of the the war, war, will will women. women. In In such such a a time time there there can can

service service is is common common to to 5. 5. all all A A men men national national and and service service law-which, law-which,

is is in in peril peril the the responsibiilty responsibiilty for for tegrity tegrity of of the the American American dollar. dollar.

"When "When the the very very life life of of the the nation nation positive positive action action to to maintain maintain the the in­

wishful wishful thinking. thinking. We We must must take take field. field. They They say: say:

We We cannot cannot have have stabilization stabilization by by ful ful prosecution prosecution of of the the war war in in the the

well well expect expect price price chaos chaos by by summer. summer. and and equipment, equipment, and and for for the the success­

advance advance the the country country might might just just as as procurement procurement of of the the necessary necessary arms arms

and and it it is is not not extended extended if if well well in in men men who who bear bear responsibility responsibility for for the the

1942. 1942. This This expires expires June June 30, 30, 1944, 1944, time time Commission. Commission. These These are are the the

bilization bilization statute statute of of October, October, Navy Navy Department, Department, and and the the Mari­

41. 41. Early Early enactment enactment of of the the sta­ heads heads of of the the War War Department, Department, the the

ent ent annual annual cost cost of of the the war. war. mendation mendation for for this this law law from from the the

tions tions about about 1 1 per per cent cent of of the the pres­ I I have have received received a a joint joint recom­

carry carry out. out. blood. blood. will will cost cost in in appropria­ It It

and and will will to to require require public public funds funds the the toll toll of of suffering suffering and and sorrow sorrow and and

should should apply apply to to necessities necessities only; only; tee tee an an earlier earlier victory, victory, and and reduce reduce

to to pay pay for for the the food food he he buys. buys. This This manpower manpower and and capital capital will will guaran­

on on the the prices prices a a consumer consumer will will have have bilization bilization of of all all our our resources resources of of

duction, duction, and and (b) (b) to to place place a a ceiling ceiling tain tain that that nothing nothing less less than than total total mo­

the the farmer farmer without without may may expect: expect: such such for for a a measure, measure, his his pro­ I I am am cer­

a a reasonable reasonable floor floor under under the the prices prices and and our our allies allies can can win win the the war war

enable enable the the Government Government (a) (a) to to place place sity. sity. Although Although I I believe believe that that we we

3; 3; A A cost cost ever, ever, of of food food I I am am law-which law-which convinced convinced of of its its will will neces­

186 186 HISTORIC HISTORIC DOCUMENTS DOCUMENTS HISTORIC DOCUMENTS 18'1 wages. It does not mean loss of on a long, rough road-and, in all retirement and seniority rights and journeys, the last miles are the benefits. It does not mean that any hardest. And it is for that final substantial numbers of war workers effort-for the total defeat of our will be disturbed in their present enemies--that we must mobilize our jobs. Let these facts be wholly total resources. The national war clear. program calls for the employment of Experience in other democratic more people in 1944 than in 1943. nations at war-Britain, Canada, It is my conviction that the Australia and New Zealand-has American people will welcome this shown that the very existence of win-the-war measure which is national service makes unnecessary based on the eternally just principle the widespread use of compulsory of "Fair for one, fair .for all." power. National service has proved It will give our people at home to be a unifying moral forc&-based the assurance that they are stand­ oli an equal and comprehensive le­ ing four-square behind our soldiers gal obligation of all people in a na­ and sailors. And it will give our tion at war. enemies demoralizing assurance that There are millions of American we mean business--that we, 130,- men and women who are not in this 000,000 Americans, are on the war at all. It is not because they march to Rome, Berlin and Tokyo. do not want to be ,in it. But they I hope that the Congress will rec­ want to know where they can best ognize that, although this is a po­ do their share. National service litical year, national service is an provides that direction. It will be issue which transcends politics. a means by which every man and Great power must be used for great woman can find t:P.at inner satisfac­ purposes. tion which comes from making the As to the machinery for this fullest contribution to victory. measure, the Congress itself should I know that all civilian workers determine its nature-but it should will be glad to be able to say many be wholly non-partisan in its make­ years hence to their grandchildren: up. "Yes, I, too, was in service in the Our armed forces are valiantlY great. war. I was on duty in an fulfilling their responsibilities to our airplane factory, and I helped make country and our people. Now the . hundreds of fighting planes. The Congress faces the responsibility for Government told me that in doing taking those measures which are es­ that I was performing my most use­ sential to national security in this ful work in the service of my coun­ the most decisive phase of the na­ try!' tion's greatest war. It is argued that we have passed Several alleged reasons have pre­ the stage in the war where na­ vented the enactment of legislation tional service is necessary. But our which would preserve for our sol­ soldiers and sailors know that this diers and sailors and marines the is not true. We are going forward fundame~tal prerogative of citizen- 188 . HISTORIC DOCUMENTS ship-the right to vote. No amount press, free worship, trial by jury, of legalistic argument can becloud freedom from unreasonable searches this issue in the eyes of these 10,- and seizures. They were our rights 000,000 American citizens. Surely to life and liberty. the signers of the Constitution did As our nation has grown in size not intend a document which, even and stature, however--as our indus­ in wartime, would be construed to trial economy expanded-these po­ take away the franchise of any of litical rights proved inadequate to those who are fighting to preserve assure us equality in the pursuit of the Constitution itself. happiness. Our soldiers and sailors and ma­ We have come·to a clear realiza­ rines know that the overwhelming tion of the fact that true individual majority of them will be deprived freedom cannot exist without eco­ of the opportunity to vote if the nomic security and independence. voting machinery is left exclusively "Necessitous men are not free to the states under existing state men." People who are hungry and lawS-and that there is no likeli­ out of a job are the stuff of which hood of these laws being changed dictatorships are made. in time to enable· them to vote at In our day these economic truths the next election. The Army and have become accepted as self-evi­ Navy have reported that it will be dent. We have accepted, so to speak, impossible effectively to administer a second Bill of Rights under which forty-eight different soldier voting a new basis of security and pros­ laws. It is the duty of the Congress perity can be established for all, re­ to remove this unjustifiable dis­ gardless of station, race or creed. crimination against the men and wo­ Among these are: men of our armed forces--and to do The right to a useful and remun­ it as quickly as possible. erative job in the industries or the It is our duty now to begin to shops or farms or mines of the na­ lay plans and determine the strat­ tion; egy for the winning . of a lasting The right to earn enough to pro­ peace and the establishment of an vide adequate food and clothing American standard of living higher and recreation; than ever before known. We can­ The right of every farmer to raise not be content, no matter how high and sell his products at a return ~he general standard of living may which will give him and his family be, if some fraction of! our people­ a decent living; whether it be one-third or one-fifth The right of every business man, or one-tenth-is ill-fed, ill-clothed, large and small, to trade in an at­ ill-housed, and· insecure. mosphere of freedom from unfair This Republic had its beginning, competition and domination by · and grew to its present strength, monopolies at home or abroad; under the protection of certain in­ The right of every family to a de­ alienable political rights-among cent home; then the right of free speech, free The right to adequate medical HISTORIC DOCUMENTS 189 care and the opportunity to achieve to time communicate with the Con­ and enjoy good health; gress with respect to these and The right to adequate protection furth~r proposals. In the event that from the economic fears of old age, no adequate program of progress is sickness, accident and unemploy­ evolved, I am certain that the na­ ment; tion will be conscious of the fact. The right to a good educati,on. Our fighting men abroad, and All of these rights spell security. their families at home, expect such And after this war is Won we must a program and have the right to be prepared to move forward, in the insist upon it. It is to their demands implementation of these rights, to that this Government should · pay new goals of, human happiness and heed, rather than to the whining well-being. demands of selfish pressure groups, America's own rightful place in who seek to feather their nests the world depends in large part while young Americans are dying. rights have been carried into prac­ The foreign policy that we have upon how fully these and similar been following-a policy that guided tice for our citizens. For unless us to Moscow, Cairo and Teheran­ there is security here at home there is based on the common sense prin­ cannot be lasting peace in the world. ciple which was best expressed by One of the great American indus­ Benjamin Franklin on July 4, 1776: trialists of our day-a man who has "We must all hang together, or as­ rendered yeoman service to his suredly we shall all hang separ­ country in this crisis,-recently em­ ately." phasized the grave dangers of "right­ I have often said that there are ist reaction" in this nation. All no two fronts for America in this clear-thinking business men share war. There is only one front. There his concern. Indeed, if such reac:­ is one line of duty, which extends tion should develop-if history from the hearts ·of the people at were to repeat itself and we were home to the men of our attacking to return to the so-called "normal­ fon~es in our farthest outposts. When cy" of the 1929's-then it is certain we speak of our total effort we that even though we shall have speak of the factory and the field conquered our enemies on the battle­ and the mine as well as the battle­ fields abroad, we shall have yielded field-we speak of the soldier and to the spirit of fascism here at the civilian, the citizen and his Gov­ home. ernment. I ask the Congress to explore the Each and every one of us has a means for implementing this eco­ solemn obligation under God to nomic Bill of Rights, for it is def­ serve this nation in its most critical initely the responsibility of Con­ hour, to keep this nation great, to gress so to do. Many of these prob­ make this nation greater in a better lems are already before committees world. of the C9ngress in the form of pro­ FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT. posed legislation. I shall from time The White House, Jan. 11, 1944. 190 HISTORIC DOCUMENTS DECLARATION OF SOVIET GOVERNMENT ON SOVIET-POLISH RELATIONS

N JANUARY 5 in London was peatedly stated that it stands for the O published a declaration of the re-establishment of a strong and in­ emigre Polish government on So­ dependent Poland and for friend­ viet-Polish, relations which contains ship between the Soviet Union and a number of incorrect assertions, Poland. The Soviet Government de­ including a:n incorrect assertion clares again that it seeks to estab­ about the Soviet-Polish frontier. lish friendship between the U.S.S.R. As is well known, the Soviet Con­ and Poland on the basis of stable, stitution established the Soviet-Po­ good-neighborly relations and mu­ lish frontier in conformity with the tual respect and, if the Polish peo­ will of the population of Western ple will so desire--on the basis of Ukraine and Western Byelorussia, an alliance for mutual assistance as' expressed through a plebiscite against the Germans as the chief conducted on a broad democratic enemies of the Soviet Union and basis in 1939. Then the territories Poland. of the Western Ukraine in which Poland's joining of the Soviet­ Ukrainian.s form the overwhelming Czechoslovak treaty of friendship, majority of the population were in­ mutual assistance and post-war col­ corporated with the Soviet Ukraine, laboration could contribute to the and the territories of Western accomplishment of this task. Byelorussia in which Byelorussians The successes scored by Soviet form an overwhelming majority of troops on the Soviet-German front the population were incorporated daily accelerate the liberation of the with Soviet Byelorus,sia. The injus­ occupied territories of the Soviet tice committed by the Riga Treaty Union from the German invaders. of 1921, which was imposed upon The self-sacrificing struggle of the the Soviet Union, in regard to the Red Army and the developing war Ukrainians inhabiting the Western operations of our Allies bring near­ Ukraine· and the Byelorussians in­ er the utter defeat of the Hitlerite habiting Western Byelorussia, was war machine and are bringing to thus rectified. Poland and other nations liberation The incorporation of Western from the yoke of the German occu­ Ukraine and Western Byelorussia pationists. with the Soviet Union not only did The Union of Polish Patriots in not violate the interests of Poland, the U.S.S.R. and the Polish Axmy but on the contrary created a re­ Corps formed by it, which acts on liable foundation for stable and the front against the Germans hand­ permanent friendship between the in-hand with the Red Army, are al­ Polish people and its neighbors­ ready fulfilling their glorious tasks the Ukrainian and Byelorussian and in this struggle for liberation. Russian peoples. At present the possibility is open­ The Soviet Government has re- ing for the rebirth of Poland as a HISTORIC DOCUMENTS 191

strong and independent state. How­ ation with Poland of ancien~ Polish ever, Poland must be reborn not lands previously wrested by Ger­ through ·the seizure of Ukrainian many, without which .it is impos­ and Byelorussian lands, but through sible to unite the whole Polish peo­ the restoration to Poland of lands ple in its state, which thereby will which belonged to Poland from time receive a needed outlet to the Bal­ immemorial and were wrested by tic Sea.· the Germans from her. Only in The just aspiration of the Polish this way trust and friendship could people for its full reunion in a be established between the Polish, strong and independent state must Ukrainian, Byelorussian and Rus­ receive recogriiti_on and support. sian peoples .. The emigre Polish government, The eastern frontiers of Poland isolated from its people, proved in­ can be established by agreement · capable of establishment of friendly with the Soviet Union. The Soviet relations with the Soviet Union. It Government does not regard the also proved incapable of organizing frontiers of 1939 as unalterable. active struggle against the German These frontiers can be modified in invaders . within Poland herself. Poland's favor so that the areas in Furthermore, by its incorrect policy which the Polish population forms a it not infrequently plays into the majority .be turned over to Poland. hands of the German occupation­ In this case the Soviet-Polish fron­ ists. tier could pass approximately along the so-called Curzon line, which However, the interests of Poland was adopted in 1919 by .the Su­ and the Soviet Union consist in that preme Council of the Allied Pow­ stable, friendly relations be estab­ ers, and which provides for inclu­ lished between our countries and sion of the Western Ukraine and that the people of Poland and_ the Western Byelorussia into the Soviet SOviet Union unite in struggle Union. against the common external enemy, The western frontiers of Poland as -demanded by the common cause must be extended through incorpor- of all the Allies.

SOVIET STATEMENT ON POLAND

TN REPLY to a declaration made nored, which can only be inter­ .1. by the Polish government in Lon­ preted as a rejection of the Curzon don, January 15, Tass is authorized Line. to state: . Secondly, as regards the Polish First, in the Polish declaration government's proposal for the the question of the recognition of opening of official negotiations be­ the Curzon Line as a Soviet-Polish tween it and the Soviet govern­ frontier is entirely evaded and ig- ment, the Soviet government is of 192 HISTORIC DOCUMENTS the opm10n this proposal aims at its active participation in the hos­ misleading public opinion, for· it is tile anti-Soviet slanderous campaign easy to understand that the Soviet of the German invaders in connec­ government is not in a position to tion. with the alleged mu:rders in enter into official negotiations with Katyn. a government with which diplo­ In the opinion of the Soviet cir­ matic relations have been broken. cles, the above-mentioned circum­ Soviet circles wish that it should stances once again demonstrate that be borne in mind that diplomatic the present Polish government does relations with the Polish govern­ not desire to establish good-neigh­ ment were broken off through the borly relations with the Soviet fault of that government because of Union. RECENT PUBLICATIO~S

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