Vol. I l l , No. 9, Telephone: DRYdock 1656 NEW YORK, N. Y. Saturday, March"T" 1930 i— p r ic e 5 CENTS

The Murder of Blumkinis An Act Build A Broad Movement Against the Russian Revolution To Aid The Unemployed The coll-b'ooded and cynically cal­ tion has been proved correct on every ma­ culates murder of the Bolshevik, Blumkin, jor issue before the C. P. S. U. and the Tlirough out the United States millions demand- for compensation, for wages must by Stalin for his adherence to the ideals of Communist International. What cynicism, of unemployed workers, their ranks in­ be made upon Industry and the government, the Left Opposition is bringing in its wake what brutality and coarseness, vhat creased by tens of thousands in recent local, state and national. swift revulsion against these latest meth­ disregard of the interests of the proletar­ weeks, face a future of increased misery, ods of the Stalinist bureaucracy toward iat of the Russian October, mark this Organise Unemployed on Elementary Issues degradation, poverty and starvation. U. S. Under the conditions it is possible to the Leninist Bosheviks in the U. S. R. Stalin and his conscienceless cliinovnlks, capitalism offers fine words to the unem­ The worker-Communists and the proletar­ the Molotovs, Thaelmanns, Fosters, Minors, develop a broad movement on behalf of the ployed but no work or compensation. In unemployed masses, as has been previously ian forces throughout the world are put­ Cac-hiLs! With one hand they wave the November 1929, immediately after the Wall shown by the Militant. This can be done If ting the question: Why the imprisonment, red flag of the revolutionary proletariat Street crash, President Hoover called a the class concious workers, the revolution­ exile and now shooting of the Left Oppo­ and with the other they persecute and conference of millionaire bankers, industri­ aries and particularly the Communists, use sitionists? What is behind it all? Stalin even shoot the best fighters of October and alists and manufacturers at Washington to correct tactics; that the broadest conceiv­ and his. bureaucrats, in firm unltv for the international revolution. The prolet­ map out a vast industrial and building pro­ able movement is sought and worked for; ariat, the CommunU. workers demand an years with the Bucharin-Rylcov Right wing, gram that would “ normalize'’ business again that simple elementary demands, such as, answer! carried out a program that was swiftly and provide employment for the mass of un­ Work or Compensation from industry and giving renewed life and strength to the .Stalinists Politically and Morally Bankrupt employed workers. That conference has re­ the government of the bosses, are put in the The acts of Stalin against the Oppos- Nepmen and Kulaks in the Soviet Union. sulted for the workers in exactly—nothing. forefront. Mere noise and bombast and They were thereby earning the gratitude sition, now culminating in the murder of Leading capitalist and governmental demonstrations (here today and gone tomor­ of the bourgeoisie throughout the' world. the noble fighter for the Revolution, Blum­ officials are now less sanguine about the row) w ill not serve the purpose. Sectarian, The expulsions and persecutions in the kin, are acts against the fundamental in ­ prospects for a swift and huge economic narrow movements, in which the main object most vicious forms of the Opposition led terests of the Revolution. Stalin performs revival. Lieutenant-Governor Lehmann of of the leaders Is only to express their par­ by L. D. Trotsky went on simultaneously. the work of an anti-Bolshevik when he the State of New York, in which unemploy­ ticular views, and who regard the workars decimates the ranks of the Communist But the Opposition, firm ly rooted in the ment Is greater than in any other section of involved, but as objects of agitation, w ill working masses of the Communist Party movement. In far-off China, the Stalinist the country, states: “ We are not going to also not get anybody very far, and least of and the country continued to stand by followers shot at a leader r'f the Chinese return to normalacy overnight. There never all the-unemployed worker who is looking their platform; for an industrialization Opposition. In the United States the Fos- was chance of that, in spite of over- for a job, food, clothing and shelter. optimistic predictions.” The participation of workers in such The gravity of the situation, the misery movements of struggle, however, serves as rampant throughout the country, rise every­ an excellent preparatory school in the class TROTSKY ON STALIN where to confound with stark facts the war. Such movements teach the workers Hooverian sooth-sayers. The capitalists and the nature of class society, the role of the their hired scribblers and mind-befogging governing classes, and certainly aid the de­ AND BLUMKIN professors find themselves unable to put velopment of the workers towards a class "Blumkin did visit me at Constantinople... forward any capitalist remedies that can conscious ideology and action. This is the “I told him among other things, that my exile as well as the imprison­ relieve the acute conditions of existence and objective to be sought. But such confer­ ment of other comrades did not change our fundamental line; that in the starvation that affect the lives of millions ences of the unemployed as the one called moment of danger the Oppositionists would be In the most advanced posts; of working people. On an international and held by the Trade Union Unity League that in the difficult hours Stalin would be forced to call upon them, even as scale, in fact, the deadly pall of unem­ of New York City, on Wednesday February Tseretelli appealed to the Bolsheviks for aid against Kornilov...... ployment hangs over tens of millions of 19th, at the Manhattan Lyceum w ill end “ ...... The Stalinist repression against us does not yet signify a change workers and their families. Their need is, only in a swamp, and bring about no bona- in the class character of the State, but only prepares and makes more easy in short, bread. They are ready to work fide organization of the unemployed workers that change; our course remains, as in the past, that of reform and not that to get it. I f they cannot get work, the to make effective their demands upon the of revolution; the Implacable struggle for our ideas must be based on the bosses and the state. perspective of a long delay.” New York T. U. U. L. Conference a Talkfest —Excerpt from a letter of comrade Leon Trotsky of January 5tli, 1930 40 Percent Jobless The T. U. U. L. nationally, as the trade at Prinkipo, Turkey. union instrument of the Communist Party In Bay State in the United States, has set a task to or­ program for the Soviet Union, presenting ter-uovestone cliques adopted the methods ganize the unemployed of this country, their projects in 1927 in the form of a of the underworld, of gangsterism, against BOSTON—During Janaury but 60% of which is to culminate in an international 6 Year Plan; for the policy of collective the Communist Opposition. Why? WTe ask the 260,000 workers who would be em­ demonstration on March 6th agaist the and Soviet Farms and against the en­ and w ill continue to demand adequate re­ ployed normally in 1,106 Massachusetts fac­ scourge of unemployment In all capitalist croachments of the Kulak; against the plies o f the Stalinist regime for their de­ tories and mills were at work on fu ll time countries, The New York Conference of growing bureaucracy in the Party, the So­ fenseless acts against the Opposition, schedule. Jobs, part time and fu ll time, the T. V. U. Li therefore serves as a pic­ ture of what is undoubtedly being dupli­ viet Union and the trade unions; and many against the Revolution. could be found for only 213,000 of the other principle and tactical issues. These brutal acts only show more con­ quarter m illion or more, states the Massa- cated in other cities where it has or is calling similar conferences. Opposition Pressure Forces Stalin to the clusively the political and moral bankrupt­ chusettts labor department. cy of Stalinist Centrism. I t is the replace­ Employment declined 1% between De­ A t the New York Conference, 300 people le ft representing, according to the chairman, Under the pressure of the Opposition, ment of a political line with the bureau­ cember and January and average earnings Sadie Van Veen, 12 unemployed councils, cratic power of a corrupt apparatus. The sank from $24.16 a week to $24.08. An up­ the Stalin Centrists have been compelled left wing unions, T. U. U. L. groups, work­ murder of Blumkin w ill but serve to con­ turn in the shoe industry of 17% kept the to swing back from a Right course toward men s circles, working class housewives, the Left, and piece-meal to adopt the Plat­ solidate more firmly than ever before the average from sinking far lower. In 31 In­ growing ranks of the Opposition. A t the dustries employment dropped below the etc. were present. The chairman. Van Veen, form of the Opposition. The M ilitant has was not elected, she just served and opened same time the murder will call forth the December level. During the month seven made and w ill make further evaluations the meeting with a speech of some 30 min­ protest of the Communist and class-con­ factories went out of business. Including of this latest Stalinist zig-zag, the so-called utes length. In the course of her remarks, scious workers throughout the world. Come three woolen mills and two shoe factories. Left turn. But we put here the question: she stated: “ There is no trade union move­ what may, the Opposition knows its path The state labor department has created How does one carry out a Left course ment outside the T. U. U. L.” Such pro­ and duty. The Opposition remain at their a new index of employment, based on a genuinely and at one and same time ex­ found notions may or may not be the main post and continue to serve the cause of figure of 100 for 1925-27. Employment in pel, imprison, exile and murder the Left problem to discuss at conferences called Opposition? Why this fury? The Opposi- Communism. January was 82.9, according o this revised index, contrasted with 89.2 in January, 1929. to organize and aid the unemployed; or Cotton goods showed 68.3, or a decline of they may also help to make clear why the SNOYV FAILS TO B1UNG JOBS TO JOBLESS EQUAL OPPORTUNITY MOCKED BY one third in the number of jobs in four Trade Union Unity League is virtually non­ MINNEAPOLIS— (F P )— The hungry and INCOME REPORT years. Other depressed industries are: existent. jobless used to look to the skies for help. WASHINGTON—Equality of human op­ Called upon to speak, all C. P. or portunity in the United States In these days Woolen, 67.5; textile machinery, 81.2; rub­ When snowflakes began falling, they re­ ber goods, 72.2; hosiery, 76.2. Industries Y. C. L. members, were a Negro comrade, ported to the snow removal bureaus and of big-scalo industry is mocked by the Alexander; a Pioneer speaker, a youth or­ Internal Revenue Bureau’s preliminary ^re­ which have gained in employment are: bak­ lined up for jobs. ery, 107; women’s clothing, 102; printing ganizer of the T. U. U. L.; a speaker of the port of taxable income for 1928, which This year snow means little to the un­ and publishing, 109. Communist Party, Darcy; a Needle Trades employed. Tractors are being used with shows that 24 persons had private Incomes Industrial Union speaker. No remarks from scrapers to collect the snow, and automatic amounting to $242,000,000. As these were MASS. EMPLOYMENT CONTINUES DOWN the delegates were invited. None of the hoists to lift it into the trucks. the taxpayers in the class “ above $5,000, BOSTON—Employment fell off 4% in speeches advanced concrete tasks for im ­ Eighty per cent was the estimate of 000“ , It is to be assumed that some of them, Massachusetts public utilities between De­ mediate solution and action. A ll truth­ unemployment given by one building trades such as the Rockefellers and Fords and cember and January, reports the state la­ fully assailed capitalism as the cause of council representative. The Citizens A lli­ Mellons, must have had Incomes of $30,000, bor department. Steam railroads, with a unemployement; all called for the over ance admits that thousands have been laid 000 to $50,000,000 each. In the year 1927 cut of 6.5%, accounted for 2,040 jobless throw of capitalism and for the establish­ off in the last two months, and that the only 11 persons admitted incomes above men. Payrolls fell 3.4% and on the ra il­ ment of workers' rule. *»n 1 i-- on1 vet. tn slel'* $5,000,000. roads alone, 5.7% Page 2 THE MILITANT Saturday, March I, 1930

T O O M A N Y The New Bedford Textile Workers Unite to A id Jobless LABOR OFFICIALS (Continued from Page 1) As a preliminary and immediate step, George Siskind, chairman of the New and also an effective one, towards the re­ and Stalinist «Politics» York T. U. U. L., was next called upon and duction in the number of trade union bur­ read a lengthy resolution which demanded The unemployment condition in New in one country and national Communism, eaucrats, we should consider and spread from the employers and government either Bedford is becoming more acute daily the future of the union is one of defeat. It the idea of reducing the number of useless Work or W?ges, and then went on, in elab­ While half of the 30,000 textile workers must abandon its clique control and aim offices and officials in our local unions, oration, with a long list of additional de­ were jobless several weeks ago, at present to develop a movement for a united strug­ lodges and divisions. mands, among them, Defense of the Soviet about 20,000 are unemployed. It is diffi­ gle of the New Bedford workers with a lead­ To use the Brotherhood of Locomotive Union, Against another Im perialist War, ership that can lead the workers success­ Engineers as an example: The local unions cult to state accurately the exact amount Down with the Hoover government and pri­ of workers who are without work . Half of fully. Instead of devoting all their time to are called “Divisions” and have the follow­ vate property, Down with Child Labor, Join the m ills are closed while many of the preparing for a strike against the mill ow­ ing offices and officials which, in my opin­ the Unemployed Councils, Free meals for others are running only several days a ners, the party leadership in New Bedford ion, are not only useless and unnecessary, children in the schools, Demonstrate on week. Those that are closed Include the is busy fighting Lovestone and Trotsky— but decidedly detrimental, namely: Chief March 6th, Down with the A F. of L., the Acushent m ill and the City M ill. The Dart­ and not the m ill owners or A. F. of L. Such Engineer, Second Engineer, Guide and Musteites, etc., etc.—all in the name of mouth m ill is running two days a week. a policy is disastrous and must be opposed the Unemployed workers and their im­ Chaplain. According to old time textile workers the vigorously by the union members as well as These officials render the Divisions no mediate problem of existence. unemployment situation is worse than it all conscious Left wing and Communist special service. Their part played in the After Siskind’s resolution there were has been in 15 years. useless ritualistic ceremony at the opening forces. more speeches. Finally he summarized the A united struggle of the New Bedford and closing of meetings has a most stulti­ Taking advantage of the scarcity of speeches and completed the report. workers against the m ill owners and their fying effect on the membership. work, the mill owners are reducing wages wage cuts and speed up, and against their How Not to Aid the Unemployed Breeding Bureaucracy and installing methods to further speed U. T. W. officialdom allies is on the order There was no report of any credentials However, the most serious objection to up the workers. The workers resent these actions on the part of the employers and of the day. committee. (The delegates from the New having an organization honeycombed with An appeal must also be made to the York Branch of the Communist L * igue useless officials is that it breeds bureauc­ are talking of another general strike. U. T. W. rank and file to join in the strug­ (Opposition), James Russell and Charles racy and corruption in the union. The In fact, several weeks ago, when the gle. shoulder to shoulder w ith the Curtiss had handed in credentials at the B. of L. E. furnishes a glaring example of m ills in the South End cut wages of the outset.) There were no elections of any kind weavers and added more looms they went N. T. W. U. members in the common fight this. In this case the local officials often against wage cuts, speed up and unemploy­ of committees. No executive was elected to become the tools of the Grand Officers in on strike. The strike lasted for a few days carry out further work; and considering tM® but the weavers went back to work with ment. The future is bright for the New misleading and defrauding the membership. Bedford workers provided the Stalinites do conduct of the disorganized mass meeting This was especially the case in my local the cut in pay and speed-up conditions. not wreck the union to satisfy their petty (which is the best that can be said for this Division 369 where the local officials became The National Textile Workers Union which T. U. U. L- "Unemployed Conference” ), per­ was conducting the strike apparently was factional alms. FRANK BROMLEY the active agents of the Grand Office in sel­ haps it was just as well. The majority of ling worthless stock, real estate and fake not prepared to lead the workers in a suc­ those present left long before the meeting cessful struggle. “ Loyalty” Bonds to the members and to Conditions of M etal Scrappers adjourned at 12:30. frame-up and to expel any member who The tasks that face the N. T. W. U. at With such conferences little success can objected to this wholesale robbery of the present are of great importance to the fu­ CHICAGO—On Lake between 120C and 1900 be expected, despite favorable objective B. of L. E. ture development of the union. The workers West and on State Street from 1600 to factors at present, for the demonstration W ith the aid and support of the salar­ are in a mood for struggle and with proper 2400 South, there are whole strings of con­ scheduled for March 6th. The bombast must ied General Officials, these local office hol­ leadership can be lead successfully in a cerns making a specialty of gathering from be done away with if there is to be a ser­ ders form a combination or political ma­ strike that will organize the great bulk of everywhere old scraps of iron, machinery, ious movement. The slogan of unity of chine to get themselves reelected year after the 30,000 textile workers . On the one autos, brass, copper, etc. of every descrip­ working class forces to work for a minimum- year. This office-holding develops a craving hand, if the union does not live up to the tion. Working conditions of those who lo- program on behalf of the unemployed is an fo r personal benefit at the expense of the exxpeetations of the masses, the base that bor for those concerns are indescribably effective one. Other organizations, trade rank and file, a desire to get on the pay­ the N. T. W, U. has built w ill be smashed bad. The hours are usually ten. Wages unions, fraternal organizations, etc. can s till roll. and the United Textile Workers Union average 35 cents an hour. Most of the be appealed to. The United Front and its A ll the elected officials that are needed headed by the notorious betrayer, William workers are Poles, Slavs and Negroes, that effectiveness as a rallying call for the rank in a Division .of the B. of L. E. are a Sec­ Batty, w ill again sell out the workers as it is of those who stay for any length of time and file workers of all shades of opinion retary -Treasurer, a Grievance man and a did in the 1928 strike. at these places. Horses enjoy a lot better are not out of date. The Communist Party; delegate to the National Convention. The When the strike was ended two years treatment than most of these workers. and the T. U. U. L. by themselves are in­ Chairman (called the Chief Engineer) ago by the collaboration of the U. T. W. Steady Work sufficient to rally the unemployed and to should be elected for each meeting. This and the m ill owners, the N. T. W. U. found lead them effectively. When other forces, would promote democracy and intelligence themselves in a surprisingly strong posi­ The work is very hard. Much heavy wrought iron must be broken up with even Communist elements with dissenting among the members. In Division 369 of the tion Almost as many workers were organ­ sledge hammers. We work up a heavy views, are rejected out of hand, the unem­ B. of L. E. the local bureaucrats headed ized in the left wing N. T. W. U. as in the ployed movement is doomed either to be cut by J, F. Collins, are running and control- U. T. W. organization. In fact, after the sweat on a tough job on bitter winter mornings. When we are done, then we to pieces or to be led into channels that UBg the Division as if it was their personal strike the N. T W. U. continued to gain, have to keep on working outside, maybe make them easy victims of capitalist propa­ property. Through machine control and members at a pace even faster than the on a lighter, job, to cool off, and so fa ll an ganda and of the labor fakers and reform­ bull-dozing tactics, the Chief Engineer and U. T. W. easy prey to colds and the "flu”. Often we ists. The rank and file of the A.F.ofL. who Secretary-Treasurer have had themselves Factionalism Hurts Development have to lift extremely heavy weights while number hundred of thousands of the unem­ reelected to office for the last quarter of In recent months, when a strong and the boss stands by and hollers "to give ’er ployed can be gotten into an unemployment a century. A lot of useless officials breed united organization is more needed than in the beef” . movement if proper appeal for united action such conditions. any time in the past, Communist Party dis­ The bosses are nearly always the worst is made. Their officials are subject to pres­ Prepare for Convention putes have stepped in to the disadvantage kind of slave drivers and seem to regard sure: their unwillingness to act even then The thing to do is for the local union of the union. Within a period of several the workers as scarcely human. For any­ can be the best means for the militants and (lodges or divisions) to introduce amend­ months the New Bedford Union has had one who makes the slightest protest against left wingers to expose them in their real ments at the forthcoming convention to el­ four district organizers and on? can never the intolerable conditions, means to be at role of capitalist lackeys. But their “ ex­ iminate all useless officials, big and small. tell when the next change w ill be made. once fired or laid off. The work in many pose” merely by denunciation is not con­ The labor constitutions should also be The same policy of manipulation that has places is not steady—maybe work for a vincing to a rank and filer. Failure to pro­ amended to provide for salaried officials to become the vogue in the Communist Party few days, get laid off, and be told to re­ pose a united front to the organizations of be automatically drafted back on the job and the Communist movement generally, is the A. F. of L., Socialist Party, after a certain number of terms in office. turn In a few days. There are so many what the New Bedford workers are facing unemployed here at all times, anxious for I. W. W. etc., on the burning question of Trade unionists should discuss this and let in the “third period”. some kind of a job, that these concerns unemployment only results, particularly themselves be heard also through the col­ When E li Keller, who was the union are never short of help. under present conditions, in the isolation of umns of the M ilita n t organizer for more than two years, was the Communists from the masses and ren­ C. R. HEDLUND made national secretary of the union, sev­ Meed Union The workers need a union badly to ders them ineffective in the existing and en­ eral months ago, Ellen Dawson was sent suing struggles. to New Bedford to replace him. When the speak fo r their interests and to fight Long Hours in Steel Mills Stalinist leadership discovered that she against the merciless exploitation that ex­ Develop a United Front Movement supported the Right wing Lovestone group, ists now. I worked for the Monroe Iron The Communist Party must change its Long hours are still the curse of the Dawson was quickly replaced by John Na- and Machinery Company ut 1322 W. Lake course and adopt methods that have brought dteel industry The popular assumption horsky, unknown to the textile workers of St., and know whereof I speak. This is one successes in the past to the Communist that Pres. Harding induced the late Judge New Bedford. However, Nahorsky did not Of the worst concerns, but they are all movement and given it influence over grow­ Gary, out of the goodness of his heart, to last long, for Martin Russak, a poet from pretty much alike—rotten. ing numbers of workers. abolish the 12-hour day, and that therefore Paterson, N. J., is now at the helm. CHICAGO WORKER I t is not yet too late, even for the im­ steel mills are now .operating on the 8-hour This kind of irresponsible faction < I > mediate future of the movement to organ­ shift, is knocked into a cocked hat hy figures polities is not the way to organize the work­ RANK AND FILE FOR LABOR PARTY ize the unemployed into Unemployed Coun­ just released by the Federal Council of ers and lead a successful strike in New CINCINATTI—“In our opinion there is cils. Genuine proposals for a united front Churches, through its research department. Bedford. A ll forces who accept the Left no issue before the labor movement today movement, in an endeavor to draw all work­ More than Half Work over 48 Honrs wing program of the N.T.W.U. should be of greater importance than of strength­ ers together, should be made. March 6th Actually hut 46.6% of 250,000 steel utilized to prepare the New Bedford workers ening its political power,” declares the can only be a fleeting and passing demon­ workers covered hy the report are working for-struggle. With the elimination of me­ leading editorial in the Railway Clerk for station of the unemployed if the move­ the 8-hour day. Nearly as high a percentage chanical, strangulating control and the February. “ I t is hard to escape the con­ ment remains in narrow channels. This are working 10 hours while 6.7% are on proper preparations, a strike larger and viction that the nonpartisan policy Toes must not be so. The conditions for a broad the 12-hour schedule. More than a quar­ more important than that of 1928 can be not appeal to the rank and file.” movement remain. Such a broad movement, ter of the steel workers studied are work­ started in New Bedford. The situation is basing itself on simple and elementary ing 7 days a week, a half are on the 6-day ripe, but how w ill the Stalinites react to it? needs of the unemployed, is needed to give basis and only 20% work five to five and The mass of the militant textile workers If the number on your wrapper is an impetus to the organization of Unem­ arrne half days. who are now members of the N, T, W. U. ployed Councils that can act in concert and This hy no means tells the story how­ must demand that the political opinion of make strong demands for work or compen­ ever, The figures for the 11 and 12-hour any worker shall not bar him or bor from 14 sation, for shorter hours, against the speed­ shifts and the 7-day week are minimum an active or leading role in the union. The then your subscription to the Militant has up system, upon the capitalists and the gov­ figures, the investigators reported, because N. T. W. U. is not the Communist Party and expired. Renew immediately in order to ernment. The militants and revolutionary plant managers often "color” their fig­ if it attempts to base its leadership upon the avoid missing any issues. workers must lend themselves to the task. ures fo r the benefit of public opinion. acceptance of Stalin’s program of socialism —M, A. THE MILITANT, Yol. Ill, No. 9, March 1, 1930 Published weekly by the Com munist League of America (Opposition) at 25 Third Avenue, New York, N. Y. Sub- eription rate: 32.00 per year; foreign $2.50. Five cents per copy. Bundle rates, 3 centsper copy. Editorial Board: Martin Abem, James P. Cannon, Max Shachtman, Mau- Ice Spector, Arne Swabeck. Entered as second class mail matter November 28, 1928, at the Post Office at New York, N. Y. under the act of March 3, 1879. (Total No Saturday, March 1, 1930 THE MILITANT Page t

The Mining Situation and the Tasks of the Left Wing Statement of the National Committee of the Communist League of America (Opposition)

Three recent events have made it nec­ the distrust and antagonism among the mentarism, it is also one of the ways la bureaucracy and class collaboration, essary to consider the situation in the miners. Instead of consolidating and ex­ which workers frequently repay the work­ is a refutation of the schematic (not Marx* mining industry and the tasks of the Left tending the front of the N. M. U., in pre­ ers’ political party for mismanagement and ist) conception held by the Party (partio* wing. They are: the heavy defeat suf­ paration for the strike, the Party leader­ for dominating the trade union with the ularly by Foster) of the fatalistic “de­ fered by the Left wing National Miners ship created a situation which narrowed rigidity, bureaucratic arbitrariness, me­ cline of the A F. of L."—the “theoretical” Union in the Illinois strike the call for the union basis down to the smallest min­ chanical and formalistic transference of foundation upon which have been erected an international anti-Lewis United Mine imum. The whole campaign of the N.M.U. the party into the union which is typical the ruinous policies in the trade union Workers convention, a call signed by the in Illinois at that time was conducted of Stalinism. We warned about such an movement now pursued by the official heads of the Illinois district together with under the banner of the slogan that the eventuality months ago in our comments Party machine. John Brophy, Alexander Howat, August principal enemies of the miners against on the Belleville Conference. The sudden There is power behind the new move­ Dorcby, Dougherty, eto., etc.; and the whom the strike was to be directed were spread of erroneous syndicalist concep­ ment. Fishwick-Farrington have a base call for a national convention of the Na­ not the coal operators but...the “Trotsky­ tions among the Illinois miners may he in control of the Illinois district of the tional Miners Union itself. ists, the I. W. W., the Socialist Farty put entirely at the door of the Party U. M. W. A., which is one of the two re­ None of the large trade unions in the and the S. L. P." bureaucrats. To re-consolidate the pres­ maining districts of the old union s till country has been so heavily hit in the Irresponsibility, bombast and claims tige and strength of the Left wing and containing a hold on the workers In the past five years as the United Mine Work­ based solely on wishes, predominance of Communist movements that have been dis­ Industry. More than that, it has associ­ ers. The once powerful proletarion or­ narrow factional interest, playing with the credited by the methods of the official ated with it men like Brophy and Howat ganization has been rent from stem to interests of the class—these were the out­ Party leaders, it w ill be neeessary to who have been associated with the pro­ Stern. One district after another has been standing characteristics of the Party lead­ approach these syndicalist workers as gressive and Left wing movement tot mercilessly crushed by the Lewis ma­ ership of the strike. The sub-district fighters with whom the closest collabora­ years, and have a great prestige among chine controlling the union. Every pro­ conferences held a week before the strike tion must be established. The Party me­ the miners throughout the country. Th« gressive and Left wing member of the call was issued by the District Board, did thod of calumniation and name - calling, notion prevalent in the minds of the Party union has been subjected to the most'bru­ not have the strike on the agenda. The instead of seeking to unite with them and leaders that their denunciation .of these tal regime of expulsion and persecution, N. M. U. leaders did not even take the discuss the problems and tasks of the men for departing from the Left wing so that the backbone of the m ilitant re­ trouble of circulating a strike vote among movement with the aim of establishing movement has “ discredited them among sistance to the ruinous course of the labor the miners which would have helped to clarity, must be repudiated as entirely the masses of the miners” is entirely false bureaucrats was broken. The vigorous draw broad masses into the struggle. The false. and a replacement of reality by desire. offensive of the coal operators was coun­ essential basis of the strike forces was The progressive and Left wing senti­ tered by retreats all along the line, led among the unemployed miners and not 2. The Fishwick-Howat-Brophy ment remaining in the V. M. W. of A. by Lewis and Co. The extension of the among those at work. No serious attempt Convention will therefore incline strongly towards industry into the non-union South—en­ was made to agitate among the members supporting and pushing forward this move­ tire ly unorganized to this day—was not of the United Mine Workers to join the The call for an international conven­ ment as a “ legal expression” of the fight followed at all by organizational action struggle, and everything was done to make tion of the U. M. W. A., directed against against reaction in the union. More than by the U. M. W. A. The union standards collaboration w ith the members of the Lewis and Co., and signed by the Fish- that, the miners who have dropped out o f the workers have been beaten down I. W. W. in the coal fields Impossible. In wick machine men plus Brophy, Howat, of the union, without joining the N, M. U., steadily by the operators who have had fact, every element in the situation that and others, yesterday’s allies of the Left or became passive and indifferent, w ill the scarcely concealed collaboration of the did not declare in advance its entire agree­ wing and the Party, creates a new set of tend to see in this movement the hope for union officialdom; and aggravating this ment with the political line of the Com­ circumstances in the mining industry reconstituting the organization to its for­ decline in living standards has been the munist Party was deliberately repulsed. which can have far-reaching consequences mer strength and to a new progressivlsm. festering sore of unemployment The Party (i. e„ the National Miners for the Left wing if it proves capable of The movement, therefore, w ill tend to be­ The coal operators have been gaining Union) organizers, and their press (the viewing the situation objectively and act­ come a rallying ground for the dispersed all along the line. They have not been met Daily Worker, etc.,) devoted more time ing accordingly. This has also not yet and discouragec progressive and Left wing with any effective resistance. Working and energy to “ combatting Trotskyism” been done by the Party or by the official workers in the old union, the former mem­ hand in hand with his capitalist employers, than to organizing the combat against the Left wing which it controls. On the con­ bers in the disrupted districts, and even using the vilest methods of corruptiony coal operators and their trade union trary, it has limited itself to substituting in the ranks of the National Miners Union autocracy, black-jack rule, ih s s expul­ agents. mere denunciation for analysis. In place itself. sions and the like, Lewis and his machine In the face of such a course, it is of separating and distinguishing between It is entirely true that any hopes or have bled the organization white. The natural that the strike should have had so the various factors in the situation, the faith whatsoever placed in men like Fish­ U. M. W. of A. today has been stripped calamitous and pitiful a conclusion. The Party has resorted to the vulgar method wick, Farrington, John H. Walker, etc., is to the point where it exists—as a sub­ wretched and cowardly attempts of the of identifying all groups outside itself and quite groundless and must end in bitter stantial organization — in only two dis­ Party leadership now to unload the re­ throwing them into one common pot of disappointment. These people have a re­ tricts: Illinois and the anthracite field. sponsibility for their own criminal mis­ indistinguishable reaction. Such interp­ cord which is not one whit different from Under its present leadership it does not management on to the shoulders of the retations of events, which make any seri that of Lewis.Like him, they ruled by the even make a pretense at fighting for the local leaders of the N. M. U., whom they ous analysis “ unnecessary”, is guaranteed blackjack, gunmen and terror. Like him, miners’ interests. It keeps what is left in directed at every step with the lash of in advance to make the Left wing a nar­ they have expelled militants and broken the union divided hy sectional agreements; ruthless discipline, is both revolting and row, ingrown, self-satisfied and uninflu- up progressive local unions. Like him, throttles all in itia tiv e ; drives members characteristic of Stalinist “self-criticism”. ential sect. they worked hand in hand with the oper­ out of the union with the poison gas of The warning of the Communist Opposition, The oi struggle between the Fish- ators against the elementary interests oi corruption and terrorism. Indeed, there the indications that preparations were wick-Farrington and the Lewis machines the miners. Their arch-type is Farrington, is hardly another trade union in the lacking, the demand made upon the Party has been going on for years, interrupted the paid employee of the Peabody Coal country in which the complete bankrupt­ to organize the campaign against the op­ at periods only by the necessity of making Company during his incumbency in the cy and crim inality of the leadership and erators instead of against Watt, Angelo common cause against the Left wing. office of Illinois district union president. collaborationist policies has been so con­ and others—all these were unheeded. In That struggle was undoubtedly a fight for That is precisely why the Left wing must clusively demonstrated. the same way, the need for a considered loot and position, and failed to move any exercise its influence upon the workers in, In the face of this utter bankruptcy analysis of the strike results is entirely substantial mass of the miners; it inter­ this movement, drive a wedge between the of Lewisism and the repeatedly expressed neglected—even prohibited by the Party. ested prim arily the big and petty union union misleaders operators’ agents, and opposition of the bulk of the miners to It What is outstanding is the fact that officialdom and the operators. What is self-seekers on the one hand and the gen­ (at conventions, in union elections) the N. M. U. has been practically elimin­ new in the situation is the fact that men uinely progressive elements in the ranks etc.), and the excellent opportunities for ated from the Illinois field as a decisive (and the groups they represent) like Bro­ and the leadership on the other. progress thereby afforded the left wing factor at the present time. Its opportunity phy, Howat and Dorchy have Joined with To deal with this movement by fron­ movement, the latter liae succeeded In for expansion—particularly in face of the Fishwick in an anti-Lewis fight; that the tal attack and simple denunciation alone, making but little appreciable headway in scandalous Fishwick-Lewis fight for the socialist party has given virtual endorse­ as is the Party method today, to neglect the industry as a decisive organized force. spoils—was shamefully bungled. For this ment, and the C. P. L. A. (Muste group) to influence it from within, means only On the contrary. The course it has pur­ the responsibility rests exclusively and outright endorsement to the new combin­ one thing: The Left wing, w illy-nilly, w ill sued under the difection of the present four-SQuare on the Shoulders of the Com­ ation. The Lewis faction has no progres­ be aiding Fishwick and Co. to establish Communist Party leadership has dealt it munist Party leaders. The present at­ sives in its ranks and does not make the virtually unhindered domination over tens severe blows which, combined with the tempt to retrieve the heavy losses in­ faintest pretense at a progressive pro­ of thousands of progressive-minded work­ new developments in r> - f ’.tuation, can curred in bungling a big situation by the gram. What distinguishes the Fishwick ers who w ill lean to the new movement. prove fatal for its immediate future. To organization of sporadic small local strikes faction now is precisely the fact that the The Left wing must bear in mind that th« prevent such a development, the Left wing in camps here and there is only adven­ progressives have joined with it and given present C. P, policy is only the other sid« must soberly and objectively observe the turist desperation that must be condemned it a different coloring, which will vitally of a counterfeit coin: Yesterday, the Sta-> newest events, absorb their significance lest the N. M. U. is completely wiped out affect the attitude of the progressive linists united In a most intimate bloc with and draw the proper conclusions. This and the Left wing is retarded for a long miners. the most reactionary reformist leaders bas not yet been done. period. The new combination and its conven­ (Purcell, Chiang Kai-Shek, etc.) without any regard for the masses; voday, they 1. The N . M . U. Strike in Illinois The Communist League reaffirms its tion call is at bottom a sign of vitality in position—contrary to that of the I. W. W. the U. M. W. of A. I t w ill in the first again see only the leaders—this time con­ The National Miners Union strike in —of urging the Ullinois miners to join in place, have a strong tendency to recon­ demning them out of hand — and again Illinois bore most of the characteristic the strike. Whatever the errors of the stitute the old union. In other words, forget that there is such a thing as work­ features of the present ruinous and ad­ leadership, however false the policies they it is as much the reflection of the desire ers in the ranks who follow them. Neither venturist course of the Party leadership pursue, it is the duty of the m ilitant and In the ranks of the miners for the estab­ policy has any particular virtue. The which has been fastened to the new unions class conscious workers and workers’ or­ lishment of a strong union on a progres­ second is only a despairing effort to cover with a strangling grip. The strike was ganizations to give wholehearted support sive basis as it is the expression of the up the traces of yesterday’s disappoint­ called with virtually no preparations made to every struggle of the workers, to seek Fishwick machine’s intention to capitalize ments. to carry it through successfully. The to broaden and deepen its ranks, to clar­ this desire fo r its own purpose. The Left wing cannot regard the for­ Belleville D istrict conference, four weeks ify it in action and purpose. The development of this progressive mation of the N. M. U. as the end of the before the strike call wan issued, was As a final consequence 0f the Illinois and semi-progressive movement among the problem of the old union which still has devoted mainly to a thoroughly framed-up strike is the foothold gained there for the miners in the old union is, furthermore, the bulk of the organized miners, or as polemic against the then national presi­ first time in years by the I. W. W. Even of significance for the labor movement as having solved the problems of the Left dent of the union, John J. Watt, who dis­ as a passing phenomenon, it has an om­ a whole, particularly for the A. F. of I* wing once and for all. It is rather a stage agreed w ith the Party policy of rigid, inous and instructive significance. I f syn­ It belies again the “theory” of the "com­ In a long struggle to reconstitute the mi­ mechanical control. The strike was not dicalism (that is, anti-political party; anti- plete bankruptcy” of the A. F. of L. and is ners’ organization on a national scale on mentioned there. The post conference political action; belief in the labor union proof positive that there are still at hand a m ilitant basis. In this struggle the attempts to discredit Watt among the min­ as the allsutticing instrument of the work­ powerful forces—already in movement and Left wing organized in the National Miners ers, w ith the Party utilizing a ll (he con­ ing class) is the punishment meted out to potential—in the ranks of the old unions Union must retain its ability to maneuver. temptible methods so common to the re- the revolutionary movement for the sins that offer a strong basis for the Left wing With only a few thousand members in its ac: Lionary labor bureaucracy, only deepened of party opportunism and vulgar parlia­ and for a struggle against the labor union (Continued on Page 8) tage ♦ THE MILITANT awerdey, March 1, 1930

W hat is the «Permanent Revolution »? By L. D. Trotsky

These these constitute a brief statement of contents of a large pamphlet that consistently and to the very end op­ olution (to “nine-tenths” , according to Sta­ ■which is being prepared by me for publication under th3 same title. The poses the theory of the Permanent Revolu­ lin's formula) and the opening of the epoch questions to which the pamphlet is dedicated, are inseparably bound up with the tion. of national reform. The theory of the Ku­ foundations of the program of the Comintern and consequently with the future The attempt of the epigones under the lak growing into socialism and the theory platform of the International Opposition. I make these theses public as material blows of our criticism to confine the appli­ of the “neutralization” of the world bour­ for the elaboration of the theoretical sec tion of the platform. The pamphlet, I cation of the theory of Socialism in one geoisie are consequently inseparable from hope, w ill shortly appear In numerous languages. —L. T, Country to Russia alone, because of its spe­ the theory of socialism in one country. cial qualities (its extensiveness and its na­ They stand and fa ll together. 1. The theory of the permanent revo­ Dictatorship of the Proletariat there can tural resources) does not improve but only Through the theory of national social­ lution now demands the greatest attention lie nothing and there lies nothing, that is, worsens the matter. The splitting off from ism, the Communist International is de­ of every Marxist, for the course of the no democratic dictatorship of the workers the international position always leads to graded to a weapon of assistance which is ideological and class struggle has finally and peasants. a national doctrine of salvation, that is, to necessary for the struggle against a m ili­ drawn this question out of the field of rem­ 7. The endeavor of the Comintern to the recognition of the special prerogatives tary Intervention. The present policy of iniscences over the old differences of opin­ foist upon the Eastern countries the slogan and peculiarities for one’s own country, the Comintern, its regime, and the selection ion among Russian Marxists and converted of the Democratic Dictatorship of the Pro- which would permit it to play a role that of its leading personalities, correspond en­ it into a question of the character, the in­ leariat and Peasantry, finally and long ago other countries cannot attain. tirely to the debasement of the Communist ternal connections and the methods of the exhausted by history, can have only a re­ The world division of labor, the depen­ International to an assisting troop which international revolution as a whole. actionary significance In so far as this dence of Soviet industry on foreign tech­ is not designed to solve independent tasks. 2. With regard to the countries with slogan is counterposed to the slogan of the nique, the dependence of the -productive 14. The program of the Comintern a backward bourgeois development, especi­ Dictatorship of the Proletariat, it contrib­ forces of the advanced countries of Europe created by Bucharin is thoroughly eclectic. ally the colonial and semi-colonial countries, utes to the dissolution of the Proletariat on Asiatic raw materials, etc., etc. make It makes the hopeless attempt to reconcile the theory of the permanent revolution sig­ into the petty-bourgeois masses and in this the construction of a socialist society in the theory of Socialism in one Country nifies that the complete and genuine solu­ manner creates better conditions for the any single country impossible. with Marxist Internationalism, which is tion of their democratic and national hegemony of the national bourgeoisie and 13. The theory of Stalin-Bucharin not liberative tasks is only conceivable through consequently for the collapse of the demo­ however, inseparable from the permanent only sets up the democratic revolution quite character of the world revolution. The the dictatorship of the proletariat, the lea­ cratic revolution. The introduction of this mechanically against the socialist revolu­ der of the subjugated nations, primarily of slogan into the program of the Comintern struggle of the Left Communist Opposition tion, contrary to the experiences of the for a correct policy and a healthy regime in their peasant masses. is a direct betrayal of Marxism and of the Russian revolution, but also tears the na­ October traditions of Bolshevism. the Communist International is inseparably 3. Not only the agrarian, but also the tional revolution from the international combined with a struggle for a Marxist national question, assigned to the peasantry, 8. The dictatorship of the Proletariat path. program. The question oltbe program the overwhelming majority of the popula­ which rises to power as the leader of the This theory sets the revolution in the i n turn is inseparable from the question tion of the backward countries, an Impor­ democratic revolution is inevitably and very backward countries the task of establishing of the two mutually exclusive theories: the tant place in the democratic revolution. quickly placed before tasks that are bound an unrealizable regime of the democratic theory of permanent revolution and the Without an alliance of the proletariat with up with a deep incision into the right of dictatorship; this regime it sets up against theory of socialism in one country. The the peasantry, the tasks of the democratic bourgeois property. Thedemocratic revolu­ against the dictatorship of the proletariat revolution cannot be solved, yes, not even problem of the permanent revolution has tion rises over immediately into the Social­ way it introduces illusions and fictions into long ago rooted out the episodic differences seriously posed. But the alliance of .hese ist, and thereby becomes a permanent politics, paralyzes thfe struggle for power of two classes can be realized in no other between Lenin and Trotsky, which were revolution. the proletariat in the East, and hampers quite exhausted by history. The struggle is way than through an intransigeant struggle 9. The conquest of power of the prolet­ the victory of the colonial revolution. against the influence of the national liberal for the basic ideas of Marx and Lenin on ariat does not end the revolution, hut only The very seizure of power by the pro­ the one side and the eclectics of the bourgeoisie. opens It. Socialist construction is only letariat signifies, from the standpoint of the Centrists on the other. conceivable on the foundation of the class 4. No matter how the first episodic epigones theory, the completion of the rev- Constantinople, November 30, 1929 stages of the revolution may be in the struggle, on a national and international individual countries, the realization of the scale. This struggle, under the conditions revolutionary alliance between the proletar­ of an overwhelming predominance of cap­ iat and the peasantry is conceivable only italist relationships on the world arena, Opposition Serves the Bolshevik Revolution under the political direction of the prolet­ w ill inevitably lead to outbreaks, internal, arian vanguard, organized in the Communist that is, civil wars, and external, that is, “ Up to the very last moment Blumkin sheviks for aid against Kornilov. In that Party. This in turn means that the victory revolutionary wars. Therein lies the per­ carried through work of the utmost impor­ connection I added: " If only it is not too of the democratic revolution is only con­ manent character of the Socialist revolu­ tance for the Soviet Union. How could he late.” Apparently, Blumkin, after his ar­ ceivable through the dictatorship of the tion as such, independent of whether it is do this while adhering to the Opposition? rest disclosed the nature of his interview proletariat which bases itself upon the al­ a question of a backward country which This is explainable from the nature of his in order to show the attitude and state liance with the peasantry and solves the only yesterday had its democratic over­ work, which was of an entirely individual of mind of the Opposition: it must not be tasks of the democratic revolution. throw, or an old capitalist country, which character. Blumkin had little ,if anything, forgotten that I had been exiled because 5. The old slogan of Bolshevism—“ The already has behind it a long epoch of to do with the Communist nuclei, and no of the accusation that I was preparing Democratic Dictatorship of the Proletariat democracy and parliamentarism. possibility of participating in Party dis­ an armed conflict against the Soviet and Peasantry” expresses precisely the 30. The completion of the Socialist cussions. But this does not mean that he power! above characterized relation of the prolet­ revolution within national limits is unthink­ hid his thoughts. On the contrary, Blumkin Through Blumkin i had sent an in­ ariat, the peasantry ana the liberal bour­ able. One of the main reasons for the had told Menjinsky and Trilisser, the for­ formative letter to Moscow for our friends, geoisie This is demonstrated by the ex­ crisis in bourgeois society is the fact that mer chiefs of the foreign department of the based upon the same ideas that I had perience of October. But the old formula the productive forces created by it overflow G. P. U., that his sympathies were with the set forth in a series of published articles: of Lenin does not solve in advance the the boundaries of the national state. Prom Opposition, but that naturally, like any the Stalin repression against us does not problem of what the mutual relations be­ this follow, on the one hand, imperialist other Oppositionist he was absolutely pre­ yet signify a change in the class character tween the proletariat and the peasantry wars,, and on the other hand, the utopia of pared to carry out his important tasks for of the State, but only prepares and makes inside of the revolutionary bloc will be. the bouregois United States of Europe. the October revolution. Menjinsky and T ri­ more easy that change; our course re­ In other words, the formula has unknown The Socialist revolution commences on the lisser considered Blumkin to be irreplac- mains, as in the past, that of reform and algebraic quantities which have to make national arena. Is developed further on the able, which was true. They left him to his not that of revolution; the implacable strug­ way for precise arithmetical quantities in inter-state and finally on the world arena. tasks which he always carried out. gle for our ideas must be based on the the process of historical experience. This Thus the Socialist revolution becomes a Blumkin did visit me at Constantinople. perspecive of a long delay.” latter showed, and under circumstance that permanent revolution in the new and broad­ I have already mentioned the fact that —L. TROTSKY exclude every other interpetration, that no er sense of this word; it attains completion Blumkin had slight connections with my (Excerpts from letter of January 5tb, matter how big the revolutionary role of only in the final victory of the new society secretarial work. In particular, he had 1930 at Prinkipo, Turkey). the peasantry may be, it cad severtheless on our entire planet. prepared one of my m ilitary works (I men­ not be an independent role and even less 11. By the above outlined schema of tion this in the preface of that work). Blum­ a leading one. The peasant follows either the development of the world revolution, kin came to me in Constantinople in order QUARTER MILLION JOBLESS IN N. C. (he worker or the bourgeois. This means the question of the countries that are to ascertain my analysis of the situation RALEIGH, N. C.—(FP)—250,000 are that the '‘Democratic Dictatorship of the "mature” or "Immature” for Socialism in and in order to assure himself that he jobless in North Carolina, leading industrial Proletariat and Peasantry” is only conceiv­ the spirit of that pedantic, lifeless, classific­ ought to remain in the service of the gov­ state of the south, according to Comm. F. D. able as a Dictatorship of the Proletariat that ation by the present program of the Comin­ ernment which was deporting, banishing Grist of the state department of labor and leads the peasant masses behind it. tern, is eliminated. Insofar as capitalism and imprisoning those comrades who were industry. Unemployment in Raleigh is 6. A Democratic Dictatorship of the has created the world market, the division of the same mind as himself. I replied, double last year’s. of labor and productive forces throughout Proeltariat and Peasantry, as a regime that naturally, that he was doing his revolution­ Hunger, prevalent in the broken farm the world, it has also prepared world ec­ is distinguished from the Dictatorship of ary duty—not towards the Stalin regime, districts of eastern North Carolina, is onomy for socialist reconstruction. the Proletariat by its class content, would which had usurped the rights of the Party, creeping into the farms and small cities that The various countries w ill go through be realized only in case an Independent rev­ but towards the October Revolution. dot the region. Tennants and farm labor­ olutionary Party could be constituted which this process in varying tempos. Backward ers, driven from the land, congregate in expresses the interests of the peasants and countries can, under certain conditions, There has, perhaps, been quoted to you, these communities, while the crop failure in general of petty-bourgeois democracy— arrive at the dictatorship of the proletariat from one of Yaroslavsky’s articles, an al­ causes curtailment of employment in the a Party that is capable of conquering power sooner, tout they come later than the latter legation concerning my conversation with urban establishments, and the slowing up with this or that aid of the proletariat and to Socialism. a visitor last summer and to whom I had of determining its revolutionary program. A backward colonial or seml-colonia! predicted the inevitable and imminent col­ of new construction As modern history teaches and especially country whose proletariat is insufficiently lapse of the Soviet government. The mis­ In Goldsboro scores of Negroes are be­ the history of Russia in the last 25 years— prepared to unite the peasantry and con­ erable sycophant lies, that goes without ing fed in Jlmcrow soup kitchens In Golds­ an insurmountable obstacle on the road to quer power is thereby incapable of carry­ saying. But on comparing certain facts and boro two thirds of the destitute are Neg­ the creation of a peasants party is the ec­ ing its democratic overthrow to its conclu­ dates, I am certain that this referred to roes. in some places schools are feeding onomic and political dependence of the sion. On the contrary, in a country where my conversation with Blumkin. A8 tar his children at least once a day petty-bourgeoisie and its deep internal dif­ the proletariat has power in its hands as question concerning the possibility of recon­ ferentiation, thanks to which the upper sec­ the result of the democratic revolution, the ciling his work and his adherence to the tions of the petty-bourgeoisie (peasantry) further fate of the dictatorship and social­ Opposition, I told him among other things, Edward C Llndgren, former member go w ith the big. bourgeoisie in all decisive ism is not only a~nd not so much dependent in that my exile as well as the imprisonment of the Central Executive Committee of the cases, especially in war and in revolution, the final analysis upon the national produc­ of other comrades did not change our fun­ Jommunist Party, w ill speak before the and the lower sections—-with the proletariat, tive forces, as it is upon the development damental line: that in the moment of danger New York Branch of the Communist League while the intermediary section has the of the international socialist revolution. the Oppositionists would be in the most (Opposition) on Tuesday, March 4th, 1930 choice between the two extreme poles. 12. The theory of Socialism in one advanced posts, that in the difficult hours at 8 p. m. at the Militant Hall, 25 Third Ave. Between tne Kerenskiade and the Bolshevik Country which rose on the yeast of the Stalin would he forced to call upon them Room 4. His subject is: What is Wrong cower, between the Kuo-Min-Tang and the reaction <* i even as Tsereteli! appealed to the Bet* with the Communist Party? Saturday, March 1, 1930 T H JB Ml LIT AN T I

Throughout the W orld of Labor

all the government parties. Those could and Hamburg in defiance of the severe Why Was the Defeat Inevitable! V* The Fall O f Primo D e Rivera no longer offer the least resistance, being anti-demonstration laws recently passed by The C. P. G. is a mass party which rep* discredited In the eyes of the people. the government. These laws aim to cripple resents 3 million workers, and this despite and it's Consequences But Primo set up nothing in their the growing Commmunist movement. the political adventurism of its leadership, place. The Patriotic Union was an arti­ Police frequently shoot into crowds of despite the unfitness of Thaehnann, Neu­ The fa ll of Prlmo de Rivera surprised ficially created party, an empty shell in the marching out-of-works. Many of the un­ mann. Remmele, etc. almost no one. It surprised only Primo de eyes of the public owing its existence solely fortunates have been k ill or wounded. But the masses, although voting for the Rivera him self...and the leading Spanish to official support. This group, together But the protests continue despite the party, whether in the general elections or Communists. The former stated, two weeks with the Advisory Assembly and everything oppressive laws. “We have only our lives in the elections of the factory councils, do before his collapse, that he would relin­ created by the dictatorship of Primo, were to lose,” commented one of the Jobless. not at. all thereby show that they have de­ quish power of his own aooord in six doomed to perish. The proof of this lies "And under the present regime our lives cided to carry through the proletarian rev­ months; the latter, like r.n echo, were in the fact that the king appealed and con­ are worthless anyhow.” olution. They simply show that they are dis­ writing that Primo would be with us for tinued to appeal to the former leaders of associating themselves from the counter­ a long time. the traditional parties, through Berenguer, revolutionary policy of the Social-Democra­ Primo did not yield up power of his that they reorganize their parties and tic Party—the enemy of their class. Un­ own accord. Neither was he driven out by prepare for distorted elections, following the fortunately this is not how the Rote Fahne a revolutionary movement His downfall vicious methods of former years. A ll this puts it: was due to one of those secret revolts as though nothing had happened! German Unemployed and which threaten to, break out not “ In the factories, among the unem­ Of course the Spanish proletariat did ployed on the streets, in the country and only against a government, but also against not look at things in the same light. For the First of February the class which maintains it. The class— on the farms, everywhere, the willingness them the former parties were permanently For weeks and weeks the German party to abolish the system which brings no­ the bourgeoisie, the monarchy the army— discredited. They did not await, they did wish to ward off the immediate danger, has proclaimed through its 35 publications thing but hunger and misery for the not desire their return—a return to the that on the first of- February millions of masses, is growing among the workers, the discontent and the growing revolution, status of 1923. Not a praetorian guard, by driving Primo out of power and prom­ unemployed would parade throughout Ger­ the willingness to put an end to a system but neither the former regime, and above many. The factory workers would give which has proven its inability to guar­ ising a return to the constitutional form all not a monarchy. Primo had engineered proof of their solidarity. Braving the ban antee to the working people an existence of government. In fact, a large-scale con­ his conp-d’Etat in 1923 in order to save of Zoergiebel and of Severing, the working at least worthy of a human being!” spiracy was organized, which, in breaking the monarchy. class would capture ihe streets. The masses who vote for the party, forth could have overthrown not only the The Growing Republican Movement dictatorship, but even the monarchy, and The first of February was to have even those who follow it actions, are not It is also in order to save it that his which, under the existing circumstances, marked the beginning of great mass battles. yet that far advanced. The Party's appeal rule has just been liquidated and that the In the Leningrad Pravda appeared: for the first of February was forcibly ex­ could have exceeded the desires and in­ former politicians are preparing to govern tention of the organizers themselves. ‘‘In no country are the rise of the tinguished without achieving its aim, be­ anew. W ill they succeed in saving the It can be said with certainty that the revolutionary wave and the collapse of cause it did not appeal to the masses with crown? We think not. A wider and wider discontent against Primo was widespread. capitalist stabilization as evident as in In immediate concrete demands affecting every republican movement is taking form in The proletariat showed their discontent Germany The Communist Party of Ger­ unemployed worker, hut all it could do was Spain. The very first acts of Berenguer through the powerful strikes of 1927-28-29 many is, next in orden after that of the to get itself drunk with vague political have been to arrest several of the republican in Austria, Catalogne, Seville, etc., strikes Soviet Union, the most bolshevik party, phrases which could not represent to non- leaders in Valencia, Barcelona, etc. The of an almost spontaneous character, let that is why It is not to be wondered at party workers the goal to be sought after demonstrations of the students and workers loose through economic causes, and which that It is in Germany that one can see today, and tomorrow. against the dictatorship revolved not only rapidly assumed a political character, not the advance of the approaching Euro­ Berlin, February 2, 1530. around the slogan of "Down with Primo”, through the almost non-existent efforts Gf pean revolution. —KURT LANDAU but “Down with the Monarchy”. The re­ the official communist movement, but “ The barricade fights In Hamburg, publican movement cannot but grow’. The through the intervention of the dictatorship, the defiance of the ban against demonstra­ important problems left over by Primo and 4> on the side of the bosses, against the pro­ tions In German cities, the parades of the which cannot be solved by his successors letariat and through the rapid develop­ armies of the unemployed are, under the ment o£ the latter. w ill serve to aggravate the crisis of the existing circumstances, the expression of La Verite and the Militant (The leading Spanish Communists have monarchist regime. We are at the thresh­ the growing revolutionary tendencies of old of political struggles of the greatest deceived the International in pretending the masses. The events of the last few “ There was no dearth of prophets who interest. that these strikes were instigated and di­ days prove that a revolutionary situation predicted the doom of La Verlte even be­ rected by themselves. Unfortunately this But we Communists, in this situation, npproaches at fa ll speed in Germany.’’ . . fore it appeared. Several profound sages which, by the action of material forces was not so.) In proportion as the leadership of the explained their desertion by saying that assume an increasingly revolutionary char­ Bourgeoisie Desert I’rimo Party becomes intoxicated with its own conditions were not suitable for the forma­ acter, must act with energy and facility. The discontent of the petty-bourgeoisie, prophecies and bombast, the social democ­ tion of a Communist Party in general. The anti-monarchist movement w ill be led racy becomes increasingly arrogant. The Nevertheless La Verlte not only grows and of the intellectuals, and of a section of the in its first stages by the petty-bourgeoisie, army manifested itself in the form of con­ social democratic press, energetically sup­ gathers strength, but now has acquired a by the republican party and by the ported by the democratic press, agitates fighting ally as precious as La Lntte de spiracies, (six, up to the one which was socialists. being recently prepared) and in the stu­ against the C. P. G. and spreads the most Classes. La Verlte itself assumes a clearer The Spanish proletariat? whose living fantastic lies. The closer did the 1st of Feb­ and more distinct form. One cannot but dent movements. Primo was already left conditions are extremely wretched, and ruary approach, the clearer did it become agree with our Chinese comrade N. who with the support of only a section of the whose hatred of the entire system has ma­ that the social democracy hoped, through recently wrote from Shanghai that La Verlte big financial and industrial bourgeoisie tured during the last few years of dictator­ a sweeping provocation, to definitely strike of Paris and The M ilitant of New York are whom he had succeeded in reassuring ial oppression are getting ready for down the Party and drive it into illegality. the best publications of the International through the establishment of national mon­ participation in the struggle. The agitation of the social-democracy was Opposition” opolies at the expense of foreign finance Tlie Need ef a Communist Party complemented by the slander of the Brand- Excerpt from "A New Step Forward” capital, and through extereme political pro­ But in face of the socialists who are ler press, which branded the would-be plans by L. D. Trotsky, Constantinople, January tection. But he ended up by losing the preparing to maneuvre, and’ of the anarcho- of the Party leadership as putchist. 22, 1930. support of the big bourgeoisie as well be­ syndicalists who w ill attempt to reassume cause of the fa ll in the value of the Peseta. the leadership of the revolutionary trade Wherein Lies the Defeat of the 1st of The pressure of international finance unions, what is needed now is a strong Com­ February

Imperialist Development and its Inevitable Doom

Marx has given to the movement bis By Arne Swabeck there. brilliant terse definition of the true nature It follows incontestably that any such of the capitalist system of production. In Jugglings for position at the I^>ndon naval “Some bourgeois writers were of the further expansion on the home market as his description of the transformation of conference in the race for armaments. opinion that international cartels, being on* well leads to further contradictions, further the individual means into social means of American Expansion w ill Bring Revolution­ of the most striking expressions of the in­ sharpening of the class struggle, further production with the social product approp­ ary Disturbances ternationalization of capital, give hope that competition between the monopolies them­ riated by the individual capitalist, he de­ "The inevitable further development of peace among nations w ill be possible under selves and with the smaller capitalist en­ monstrated the basic contradictions whence American expansion, the contraction of the capitalism. Theoretically, such an idea is terprises. This is inherent in capitalism arise all the contradictions in which our markets of European capitalism, including an absurdity, and in practice it is a soph­ and substantiated by all historical experi­ present day society moves. the European market itself, entails the ism and a means of dishonest defense of the ence. The present Industrialization of the The specific features of the development greatest m ilitary, economic and revolution­ worst kind of opportunism. The interna­ south is the most vivid example. So far of monopoly capitalism are, alongside the ary disturbances, such as w ill leave all dis­ tional cartels show the point to which cap­ only in the first stage, it is already devel­ higher stage of socialization of production, turbances of the past in the shade.” ita list monopolies have now grown and what oping acute class conflicts. also an intensification of contradictions and (Trotsky—Criticism of Comintern Program.) the struggle among groups of capitalists is The Petty Capitalists are Ground Under sharpening of the class struggle, as indi­ As for any beliefs of the ability of the about. The latter point is the most impor­ There are throughout the country plenty cated most vividly in this present depres­ often appearing world trusts or syndicates tant: it . alone explains to us the historical- of advocates for extension of super-power sion. Its extent and depth cannot yet be actually to divide the world spheres be­ economic meaning of what is going on at developments; for damming of mighty estimated, but whatever the degree, the de­ tween them and eliminate competition, his­ present, as the FORM of the struggle may rivers and irrigation and fertilization of ex­ pression itself w ill accentuate these con­ torical experiences should teach a good les­ change and does change constantly, being tensive tracts of land or for a waterway flicts. Any steps taken toward “social son. Lenin cites some examples in his dependent on various comparatively trifling from the Great Lakes to the Atlantic. Un­ control of business”—to use the phrase of book “Imperialism” : and temporary causes, but the ESSENCE questionably the resources are available the capitalist economic writers—by mon­ The petroleum m arket already in 1905 of the struggle! its CLASS CHARACTER but within lie also sharpened competition opoly capitalism and its government, w ill was divided between two groups: The Stan­ CANNOT CHANGE as long as classes exist.” and conflicts. We witness the uneven devel­ naturally mean not merely attempts at new dard Oil Co. and the Rotchlld-Nobel com­ (emphasis in original.) opment not merely between the capitalist divisions, but first of all a further expan­ bine. Both of these groups were closely con Finance Capitalists Direct Government countries but also of capitalism within the country itself—not In the least softened sion of productive capacity with Increased nected, but their monopoly became threa­ It would be foolish, however, to close in its monopolist stage. There are constant exploitation of the workers. Evidence of tened by newly developing oil fields mainly one's eyes to the possibilities for further competition and encroachments upon the this has already been given in the Hoover backed by German banks. A struggle en­ expansion of American monopoly capitalism lighter or finishing industries by the hea­ conferences. Discounting all the window sued between the Standard Oil and the even on the home market. The tendencies vier industries in control of raw materials, dressing from the “promises” for building German banks, involving the German gov­ manifested in the Hoover conferences to­ sometimes represented by horizontal versus And expansion of activities by the big cor­ ernment, with the result that the former ward "social control of business” (state vertical trusts. There Is constant devel­ porations and retaining that part which became victorious. We can add, that now capitalism) is keeping that well in mind oping competition for new raw materials w ill actually find a place in their “normal” this struggle is continued between the Stan­ and is based upon such possibilities. They made possible by inventions of new me­ development, what have we left? Just such dard Oil and the Royal Dutch Shell. Lenin envisage the prospects of bringing the gov­ thods. The new Edison process of making building and expansion which makes each further cites the field of mercantile naviga­ ernment into more direct participation, sup­ rubber from goldenrod c: other weeds, fo r corporation a more effective competitor and tion where the gigantic growth of concen­ port and responsibility, that is:—to estab­ example, is likely to make great changes bring results in Increased production of tration led to division of all routes between lish a more perfect synthesis of control by In the world struggle for rubber. Even surplus values, at reduced cost by further the two German groups, Hamburg-American the dynastic oligarchy both in the econ­ the mere advocacy of the expansions men­ rationalization, labor saving machinery and and North German Lloyd on the one hand omic and political spheres. In this country tioned above has struck opposition and con­ speed-up. and the Morgan trust of Anglo-American the personal union, or fusion, of banks, in­ flicts between the various capitalist groups Lenin distinctly emphasized that cap­ companies on the other. An agreement for dustrial establishments and the government and monopolies. Conflicts between the cap­ italism in its imperialistic phase leads to division was concluded in 1903 to rim for has not been lagging. The banks are no italist groups is reflected in the dispute the most extensive socialization of produc­ 20 years. It became void by the world war. mere intermidiaries in business but power­ around the proposed high tariff legislation. tion, that the fundamental contradictions of Similarly in 1901 the steel rail cartel was ful monopoly holders; finances are com­ capitalism are not eliminated but become organized with a definite basis of division pletely interwoven with direction of indus­ The Increase of Bankruptcies intensified, that the general structure of of the market between England, Germany tria l activities, industrial magnates are on The present depression as with fros competition remains and the oppres­ and Belgium. Later France and the United board of directors of the banks and ever others, is taking its toll in bankruptcies. sion by a few monopolists becomes much States Steel Corporation, followed by Aus more openly this whole gentry fills the According to the R. C. Dun review there harder, more painful and unbearable. tria and Spain, joined. The war scattered seats of government. Mellon, whose family were 2,759 bankruptcies d u rin g the m onth Tfro Im perialist Struggle for Market Control i t again. cleaned up nearly 300 million dollars dur­ of January, the greatest number of any Capitalism Can't Harmonize Contradictious Concretely, the further developments ing the month oi May last year in the rich January for years. This offers the usual w ill manifest themselves today first of all in Recently rumors were current of Amer­ stock market harvest, has long been the “splendid opportunities” for finance monop­ efforts by American monopoly capitalism ican steel trusts entering the new European most outstanding directing force in the cab­ oly capitalism to proceed to organize these to overcome its economic difficulties oy fur­ steel syndicate. Here again the prospects inet Recently, as part of the general concerns or buy them for a song. The smaller ther pressure upon the workers. The theo­ of the coming imperialist war indicates its Hoover program, he v <'s able to hand capitalists and the middle clasa elements, ries of the capitalist economists of the high short lease of life, if the conflicting inter­ down a small subsidy in the form of a ISO who are thus being hit and who suffer in tpage standard, labor stock ownership in ests of the national capitalist groups can million dollars tax cut on all incomes be­ general from the oppression of the few enterprises and capital and labor partner­ be harmonized even that long. However, tween 1 and 10 millions. Now Grundy has monopolists have always looked for sav­ ship, also valiantly championed by the A. P. the decisive conclusion from such develop­ been put in the Senate and Morrow, Mor­ iours to free them from the monopoly dom­ of L. “leadership”, are due for some rude ments was drawn by Lenin: gan’s partner, w ill soon also take a seat ination. They thus looked to and followed shakings: for the indispensable and fun­ Roosevelt and LaFollette and they are now damental condition of the capitalist method cherishing hopes that the present “pro­ of production is a starvation standard, with, gressives” in Congress w ill take up the however, continued imperialist bribings of World Textile Situation Bodes Workers Ill cudgels against Grundy and Morrow and lead another “trust busting” campaign. It certain sections of the more skilled. This By ROBERT W. DUtfiV Pacific mills, that "the reawakening of Eur­ Is. already on the order of the day. The presages disturbances and splits within the Anarchy of production under the pre­ opean m ills and the intense Japanese com­ important props of finance monopoly—the working class as a whole is suffering both petition have together produced a condi­ sent economic order is freshly Illustrated capital it parties, mainly along economic by outright wage cuts, by the fact of a In textile industry figures recently re­ tion where American mills have had to lines. Many of the middle class elements, standing army of unemployed hitting most exert themselves to the utmost in order to leased. While m ill owners complain of however, w ill be reduced to the ranks of families, as well as increased speedup. The over-production and depressed prices, the maintain their position in the world’s mar­ the proletariat and become disillusioned. working class w ill find itself compelled to annual review of the Textile World reports kets.” He also finds that the competition ever more resistance, thus sharpening the the total amount of m ill construction in of the Italian and Czecho-Slovakian m ills The Growth of Communism class struggle. 1929 is la rg e r than fo r 1928. Of the 550 is getting stronger every day, not to men­ These are the dialectics of the capit­ American imperialism w ill further seek separate concerns fn the Industry that tion “the declining but still extremely alist system of production standing out to overcome its economic difficulties on the erected, enlarged or improved plants dur­ large export business of Great Britain” more clearly in its greater maturity in the international arena by conquests of new in g the year, 162 were cotton m ills , 194 where m il] owners are forming huge com­ Imperialist epoch. Every expansion of pro­ markets. But the division of the world knitting mills, 74 woolen mills, 52 silk bines and pushing through rationalization ductive capacity; every step for more among the groups of capitalists, as far as m ills, 18 rayon m ills in addition to 50 dye- measures in attempts to halt the drop in perfect stabilization of production, produces colonial territory is concerned, was already houses and finishing plants. their export business. and intensifies its exact opposite — greater completed at the end of the 19 th and be­ While new construction was being British trade figures show that cotton competition although in changed forms, and ginning of the 20th century. Now only re­ rushed in this highly competitive and "de­ ya rn exports dropped fro m 210,099,000 sharpened class antagonisms. These de­ divisions are possible which usually find pressed” industry, other plants were work­ pounds in 1913 to 166,637,000 in 1929; w h ile velop opportunities to advance the Com­ this “solution" in war The American ex­ ing two shifts. S till others, chiefly in the exports of cotton piece goods declined from munist movement. They should not be ports to foreign markets are increasing, in the north, were going out of business 7,075,252,000 yards in 1913 to 3,671,686,000 wasted in academic debates over primacy of and already presage an immediately shar­ altogether. But on the whole the capacity In 1929. external or internal contradictions; not to pening trade war, because the European of the industry to turn out goods was being British cotton capitalists, strongly sup­ proclaim, as the Stalinites do, that the imperialist powers w ill do their beet to re­ steadily increased, ported by the MacDonald government, w ill Right wing view of the disappearance of taliate. In answer to the new V. S. tariff In one of the "sickest” years for the hang on desperately in every field. But internal contradictions and the growth of policy, for example, similar steps are indi­ cotton industry new m ill construction was Japan, China, and India w ill continue to anarchy in the international arena means cated in Europe. The French parliament booming in the south. North Carolina led push them, out of the oriental markets. that they hence “lead a purely metaphys­ Is laboring over a b ill providing for an ex­ with 40 new plants, units and basic im­ United States exporters hope to pick up ical existence in the cosmic space”. This is ceptionally high duty on import of automo­ provements to m ills. South Carolina was some shares of Lancashire’s declining busi­ not the way to combat wrong theories. biles. The recent League of Nations Report a close second w ith 32. The south added ness. To American workers this sharp com­ Crises in the specific country may focus shows Germany increasing her foreign 420,000 new spindles and 9 215 locfins in petition means still lower wages and more particularly its internal contradictions; trade much faster than the United States. 1929, according to figures complied by the speeding of machines. To British workers wars may focus particularly the external One of the special tasks of the McDonald Southern Textile Bulletin which reports it means faster work, automatic looms and contradictions. Nevertheless these contra­ government is to carry through a complete that the average increase in southern spin­ possibly double-shift operations. To Jap­ dictions interrelate and are in the imperia­ reorganization of B ritish industry to become dles since 1912 has been 468,000 a year. anese workers it means the same. To lis t epoch inseparably bound together. The a better competitor with the United States, Eight brand new cotton mills were built in all of them it means irregularity of em­ fact that American imperialism rests upon and, if possible, to make the British workers the south in 1929, the largest being the ployment-slack months alternating with a foundation of world economy with its in­ «Hke” the speed-up system. A trade war Goodyear Rubber Co.’s m ill at Rockmart, rush periods of over time. ternational conflicts hastens and sharpens Ga., for the manufacture of tire fabrics. of imperialist cut-throats w ill be based pri­ The American Wool and Cotton Report­ the conflicts within. marily upon, their ability to cut wages and With new m ills and additional spindles e r ca lls on the m ill men to raise $600,090 Increase the pace of the workers. This running day and night, the owners turn a year to be spent in promoting American struggle for the world market, or for redi- 1' :'f eyes overseas to find markets for textiles abroad. It hints of more speedup DENVER—In January 24% of union vlsloa of the world, is but the prelude to r 3&3. About 6% of cotton manufactures when it adds: “We ean never compete with members in Denver were unemployed, an the Imperialist war, in other words—e con­ £■'•?. raw' exported. The cotton men want other countries on per diem wages, but increase over December of 1%. The r-c’; tinuation of the trade war with different, t - ■ -< this to 15, 20 o r more. And ye t can’t we beat the life out of them on per centsge of unorganized workers iwem plc:' vj mean*—wlil„t> now finds its reflection in the th-.. . -HUe with the export manager of the. unit costs?" in , « f course, much higher. Saturday, March 1 1930 THE MILITANT page. 7

against the young social-reformists. In a Some ventured that while that was truo period when the young workers are begin- enough as a condition of the Leagues, tha YOUNG VANGUARD nig to show signs of active struggle, the cause must be sought in the political policy absence of alert and active Communist and tactics of the Y. C. I. This “doctrinaire" - A Section Devoted to Problems of the W orking Class Youth youth Leagues, give the social democratic conception was readily dismissed by Sta­ youth an exceptional broad base for growth. lin ’s representatives, and the Plenum found With these facts before it, the Plenum, Itself once again in complete “agreement". recently held, had as its main task a thor­ The Opposition Youth is Taking Bold The Decline of the Y. C. I. ough review of the policies and tactics of The young workers in the Opposition, the Leagues and the Y, C. I. including the who fought the false policies and leader* The present crisis in the Young Com­ c/ca uj tuts iiisstuijs uj uit; wuciiu twiu ou- line of its Fifth Congress, and the position ship of the existing Leagues and supported munist International is a direct reflection of clalist betrayals Nevertheless, the Y. C. 1., of the Sixth Congress and Tenth Plenum the International Opposition led by comrade the situation in the Comintern. The latter, in calling into existence the above confer­ of the Comintern. To prevent this, was the Trotsky, have the important task of edu­ under the leadership of Stalinist Centrism, ence, once again mechanically and with as function of the Comintern representatives cating the working youth, inside and out­ with its policy of national “socialism’s and much reason, followed the policy of the to the Plenuc, Manuilsky and Remmele. side the official Leagues in the principles o( the conversion of the Communist parties Comintern in its organization of the World Manuilsky Passes the Buck Communism. In France our young com­ into automaton to carry out its bureau­ League Against Imperialism — which has A t this meeting, self criticism reigned— rades are actively participating in trade cratic orders, finds itself in a state of dis­ contained such celebrated and consistent the Comintern representatives criticised the union activity; in Mexico they are taking integration. anti-imperialists as, Lansbury, Cook, San- work o fthe Y. C. I! For example, Manuil­ the initiative in forming a strong Opposi­ The Young Communist International as dino, the elder Nehru. The first two were sky said; "In words you stand for the tion group; in Canada and the United a section of the Comintern, has the same official spokesmen of the organization for third period, but in deed you are s till in States, they are taking an active part in the political and tactical line as the latter. some time, while the latter were colonial the second period." What criticism could work of the Communist League of America Therefore the mistakes of the Comintern “heroes.” be worse than this! The political resolu­ (Opposition); and lastly, and of utmost im­ become the mistakes of the Y. C. I. The The proceedings of the conference were tion (which was eventually carried) was portance, in the Soviet Union, our comrades bureaucracy in the Comintern and its sec­ very simple. Representatives of petty bour­ said to indicate “ fear of the masses” . The are winning over more and more young tions has more than its equal in the Leagues geois colonial groups and representatives slogan, "To the masses” is insufficient, said wrokers to our position; a recent report in and the Y. C. I. Mechanical calling of of Communist Yonth Leagues present Manuilsky, unless we carry on a struggle Izvestia states the disbanding of two Kom­ conferences, bureaucratic appointments reported on their activities. W illiam Rust, against the Left danger, that is, the sec­ somol nuclei for being “ nests of Trotsky- with complete disregard for the mass of the who helped ruin the British League, and tarian tendency which leads to isolation. ites” . This work must be increased. The membership, mechanical use of Party slo­ served Stalin in lining up the American In spite of this, the resolutions and deci­ publications of the Opposition must devote gans and policies fo r youth work, bureau­ League at its last convention, gave the sions of the Tenth Plenum were reiterated. more space to youth questions, where feas­ cratic carrying out of decisions, (as “ pro­ report for the Executive Committee of the Some of the comrades could not completely ible, special youth organizations should be letarianization” and “ nativization” ) etc. are Y. C. I. He urged the necessity of anti- swallow the statement that the reason (!) formed, all efforts should be made to win prevalent in every League in the Y. C. I. imperialist work and the formation for the present condition of the Y. C. I. is the young workers and especially, the Com­ of youth sections of the Anti-Imper­ the “ sectarian isolation and separation from munist youth for the principles of Marxism, revolutionary theory has its fitting supple­ ialist League. Two days were spent the basic mass of the working youth which for the Opposition. ment in the almost complete absence oi in discussion. Not a single new youth dominates in the organizations of the Y.C.I." JOSEPH FRIEDMAN. educational work in the Leagues. The fun­ section has been formed since then—anti­ damentals of Marxism, the teaching of Len­ m ilitarist activity in the League is less now in, the history of the Comintern and than ever before—the E. C. Y. C. I. which the Y. C. I., the history of the Russian Oc­ convened the Conference did not even con­ Lovestone's Whining Baby tober, are unknown to tbe average League sider it important enough to discuss its The long awaited Revolutionary Youth/ exists in the League (which cannot be anC functionary, not to speak of the average resolutions and procedeings, organ of the youth members of the Love- is not separate and apart from the general member. The above, when taught, is fal­ T l i o V t j v T) a v nm l Ano*nef ITiHef Viaa/tAac grout has finally graced us with its maiden conditions prevalent in the Party, and for sified—officially called “ popularized” . (See The sections of the Y. C. I. took part debut. Expressing intentions of becoming that matter in the Comintern and Y. C, I.) Stalin’s “Leninism” as a model.) in the May Day affairs of the Parties and the fighting organ of the American youth that the problems of building rv mass youth Simultaneous w ith the declining influ­ shared in the latter’s failure to arouse the movement, the beacon light for the training movement are fa r greater and deeper than ence and numerical strength of the Comin­ masses; it participated in the August 1st of young Communists, and the herald of the personalities in the leadership. Revolts* tern since 1924, the Y, C. I. was transformed demonstrations. In reference to this, Man- all that is "revolutionary" "Leninist,” etc. tionary Youth clarifies nothing. It actually from an organization of over a million (ex­ uilsky tells us: “ On the eve of August 1st— it actually typifies in the main the charac­ brings on greater confusion. clusive of the Soviet Union) to, according we said to you, comrades of the Y. C. L.s— teristics of the whole composition of the Needs of the League to the feport of Furenberg at the recent organize a number of demonstrations in the Lovestone group. It goes without saying Plenum of the E. C. Y. C. I., a little over street before August l3t, dissipate the that Revolutionary Youth embodies none of What is necessary at this juncture la eighty thousand (83,067 to be exact). (This strength of the enemy, dent let him have a these forms; on the contrary, it exhibits a revaluation of the principles that accom­ is less than one half the number of mem­ breathing-space. Did you pay heed to this the worse features that have become at­ panied the organization of the Y. C. I. Clar­ bers it had in November, 1919, the time of call, did you respond to it? you who de­ tached to the body of the Communist move­ ification is sorely needed on the following the First Congress.) In every country, with claim about being rendered unpolitical? ment. questions : What is and what should ba the the exception of the Soviet Union, the Lea­ Did you, with the exception of timid efforts The problems of the American League character of the Communist youth leagues? gues are small sects with little influence in Germany organize many such demonstra­ have not grown up today. The decline, What shall be the attitude towards the over the working youth, mere shadows of tions in other countries?” Following this both organizationally and politically of the question of “ vanguardism” ? What shall be the Communist parties (although theoret­ failure, the Y. C. I. called for the annual Y. C. L., its cynicism, high politics, lack of the attitude on the question of “ indepen­ ically the former is supposed to be more International Youth Day, September 1st, as vital activity, and all the retarding condi­ dence” ? What are the main problems and of a mass organization than the party.) a continuation of August 1st—and it was! tions of the Communist Youth League, are the immediate tasks of the Youth? What is The F ifth Congress of the Y. C. I. set­ Due to false political policy, an incorrect not the product alone of the present leader­ the attitude of the youth movement on the tled the entire question in a very simple approach to the youth, lack of preparation, ship. While it is true that the present re­ burning questions o f principle between the manner. It reiterated the decisions of the absence of the united front tactic, Inter­ gime of Harvey, Green, Rijack, has only Centrist leadership and the Leninist Oppo­ Sixth Congress of the Comintern on the national Youth Day went the way of Aug­ accentuated these conditions, basically they sition? necessity of a new line, the third period, the ust 1st—no large sections of the working have been part of the League from the A discussion of these questions and the Right danger as the main one, and issued youth were mobilized. period of the Lovestone-Zam leadership. arrival at their proper decisions w ill fun­ the slogan of : To the masses. These de­ Present Disintegration of the League damentally alter the course of disintegra­ Big loss in Membership tion of the youth Leagues. A correct solution cisions were patented to give an impetus to The national sections of the Y. C. I. The present leadership despite its strict the growth of “mass young Leninist would spell death to the sophistication, high were just as impotent. In the period be­ adherence to the “leftward” swing in the leagues” . A genuine discussion of policy politics, cynicism and opportunist adventur­ tween the F ifth Congress and the recent Comintern, actually carries over all the and tactics; a critical analysis of the ism that today pervades the youth move­ plenum, the French League lost, according features of the former opportunistic and conditions of the young workers in the ment. To these and other questions, subse­ to official reports, one thousand members, bureaucratic leadership. The heritage of various countries; steps to educate the quent issues of the M ilitant w ill devote (it fell from 7,000 to 6,000). In great the Harvey-Green-Rijack (Steuben) leader­ membership of the Leagues; ways and itself, Britain, although the League had made ship from the former Lovestone-Zam cliaue means of drawing the working youth into —A. M. G. great strides during the British miners’ was a non-appearing Young Worker, a pit­ the struggle, these and similar questions < I > strike and the General Strike in 1926, had ifu lly small membership, a League that was were absent from the proceedings. I t is dropped to 900 members at the time of the apathetic to its tasks, that was virtually FOODLESS MOTHER TRIES SUICIDE no longer necessary to follow sdeh tedious F ifth Congress, and now has about 300. In non-existent as a factor in the revolutionary DETROIT—(FP)—Rescued after an at­ and “ academic” procedure—for don’t we Germany, the Brandlerite (Right Wing) movement. This inheritance found fitting tempt at suicide in the Detroit River here, know that in the present, the “third period”, youth succeeded in organizing a group, executors in the present regime, who while Vida Britton, unemployed waitress and rab- the young workers are becoming radical­ which has resulted in the loss to the Com­ differing in their political affiliations, are ther of two, tells a p itifu l tals of hunger and ized, that the Communists are the only true munist movement of many young workers, fo r all practical purposes alike in their misery in "dynamic” Detroit. representatives of the workers and, Ipso some going over to the Right wing, some concepts of the needs of the League, and ‘I ’ve worked so hard, and life is so facto, the communist youth leagues w ill leaving the movement entirely. Jn Czecho­ the methods of building a mass youth move­ hard,” she sighed, as she told of hard work grow? Such reasoning sometimes with the slovakia, the League in a period of one ment. Not only has the present leader­ as a waitress bringing in a few pennies a most naive consciousness, other times un­ year has declined in membership 50%-— ship failed to better substantially the state day. “ Business slumped and I lost my job.” wittingly, is the prevalent logic of the* from 12,000 to 6,000. In the United States of affairs left by the former ruling group, Mrs. Britton then went to work as a young Stalinite leadership, internationally the League has fallen to a little over fifteen but it is responsible for the further decline dancing partner in a local dancing school. and nationally. hundred members (1589). Not a single and disintegration of the League, "I had to depend on taxi-dancing for a liv­ Y. C. I. Follows the False Path of the 0. I. youth section of a trade union or auxiliary ..Revolutionary Youth offers no solution ing. Sometimes I barely earned enough to Since the Fifth Congress, the Y. C. I. organization had been formed. Meanwhile, for these conditions. Upon the heads of buy food, let alone pay my share of the conducted the following mass activity. On we witness the attempts on the part of the the Rubinsteins, Siivis, Luryes, Zams, Her- apartment rent where I lived. I earned 4o July 20th and 21st of last year an Inter­ social democracy to revive and activize Its bergs, as well as the present Harveys, Hi­ a dance. These lost weeks I sometimes national Anti-Imperialist Youth Conference youth sections. In Germany the social dem­ jacks and Greens, lie the shortcomings of didn't, earn more than 50c a night. L was held at Frankfort-on the-Main, Ger­ ocratic youth is taking an increasing ac­ the League. The attempts of the Lovestone couldn't live on that. Half the time I did’nt many, for the purpose of forming “youth tive part in the strikes led by the social youth section to cry for democracy, discus­ get enough to eat. Things went from bad to sections” of the Anti-Imperialist Leagues in democratic controlled trade unions; in Eng­ sion, mass work, organization, etc. can only worse. the various countries. The advisability of land, the Guild of Youth' of the Independent draw crocodile tears from the members of “ I love dancing but dancing, night such a conference, even from a principle Labour Party, after being made impotent the Communist Opposition. Only a year after night isn’t so easy aq i t sounds. point of view, is highly questionable. The by the winning over of many of its best ago we were faced with the same bureau­ Whether you are tired or not, whether you conducting and leading of the struggle elements by the Y. C. L. of Great Britain, cratic expulsions, lack of opportunity of like your partner or not, you must dance. against Imperialsm is the tasks of the Com­ is showing signs of life; even in the United discussion and slugging® from the same I couldn’t be pleasant to people half of the intern and its sections, especially the States, where the national movement of the group that finds it expedient today, to dis­ time, and that was bad for my income. Y. C. L.s. To organize the petty-bourgeois socialist youth has been practically non- cover that the principles of Communist or­ There was nobody to whom I could look fo i liberals and socialists into an organization existant since the war, the Socialist Party ganization are mercilessly looted by the help.” and expect them to carry on a consistent is attempting to resurrect it. The Leagues present Stalinist adventurer- And so Vida Britton tried to drowr fight against imperialism is to close one’s of the Y. C. I. are carrying on no work I t is apparent from the situation that herself. THE MILITAN T Saturday, March % IM P

ganized Left wing, mast be met With • deeper penetration ot it. This work w ithin The Mining Situation and the Tasks of the Left Wing the ranks of the National Miners Union goes hand in hand with the widest possible (Continued from Page One) ate themselves from the latter. The Left the union” (i. e., for capitalist politics in proclamation of these views in the ranks wing inust put to the progressives—In for­ reality) or into the hands of the "pure and ranks while the old union is numerically of the U. M. W. A. and independent agitation mal public statements and by widespread simple Industrial unionists” (I. W. W. anti- many times stronger Its fight cannot con­ for them. agitation in the ranks—the question of their political actionists). sist exclusively of a frontal attack against By steering a firm r.nd steady course position on various issues: Democracy in the U. M. W. A., but of the mobilization Not only the convention, but the Left as Bolshevik fighters along these lines the the union; National vs. local and district of the broadest possible sections of the wing miners now, must reject the course Opposition Communists in the mining fields agreements; the organization of the unor­ miners to conduct a struggle against the proposed in the T U. U. L. Board state­ can bound forward. They can render great ganized miners and a fight for regaining offensive of the employers and the betray­ ment, ( Daily Worker, Febraury 20,1930), service to the Interests of the miners and their lost standards; the reinstatement of als of the officialdom. For this a two- which states: “ The T. U. U. L. calls upon bring a new prestige to the banner of Com* expelled miners; the Lewis plan to run qided policy is necessary: the extension the miners to quit the Lewis organization munism which has been sullied by the 300,000 miners out of the industry; the and consolidation of the National Miners and to eliminate Flshwick and his whole Party bureaucrats. Conscientious work for right to Independent thought and action and crew of ‘progressive' fig leaves. Send no the policy indicated in this statement is the Union on the one hand and the establish- expression for minority groupings; inde­ met of a firm base in the ranks of the delegates to this fake convention.' That road to this accomplishment. pendent working class political action, etc., is no method of eliminating Lewis and Flsh­ National Committee old union on the other. etc. By working in the ranks of the miners Under the new conditions that have wick, but of strengthening their position. Communist League of America (Opposition) along this line, the Left wing will clarify been created, the N. M. U„ particularly in The Left wing miners must, on the contrary, the situation; It w ill be able to draw the view of the fact that its generally weak­ send as many delegates to the proposed com miners to its side and prevent them from ened position throughout the industry has ventlon as possible, establish a Left wing Operators Speed-Up Illinois falling under the complete influence of the been further aggravated by the Illinois bloc there, force the progressive leaders to Fishwick-Farrington machine and those who defeat, must in all fields where the the wall on the burning issues of the day, Coal Diggers support and strengthen it in any way. and challenge Fishwlck and Co. for the U. M. W. A. embraces the majority of the There are, however, certain pre-requis­ miners—and particularly where the check­ confidence of the miners. The proposal to SPRINGFIELD, 111.—Speedup in illlin- ites for such a drive, which must be accom­ off system prevails—maintain and constitute leave Fishwick an open, unhampered field ois mines is on the increase month by plished by the N. M. IT. Pittsburgh con­ itself as a Left wing in the U. M. W. A. at this convention must be repudiated out of month, according to official state figures. vention. The N. M. U. must become a forum hand by the Left wing. For January the statistics show that more without at the same time dissolving the for the rank and file members, who should N. M. U. In Illinois, this is especially im­ The Left wing is confronted by the coal was dug than in December. This was be made to feel that It is their union. The perative because of the practical ‘‘illegality” most serious tasks. Its present line is a done with fewer miners employed than in N. M. U. must declare for the unity of the of the N.M.U. and the conditions of check­ rope around its neck that must be ruth­ December. And each miner worked fewer Left wing, which means that all elements off that prevail. The organization of a Left lessly cut before it chokes the breath of the days In January than in December. When must be given full opportunity for partici­ movement among the miners. A new course an Illinois coa miner told Michigan col­ wing minority in the U M. W „ especially pation and expression of their views. Up in Illinois, has a favorable basis and is must be steered. The le ft wing must lege professors three years ago that the till now, the party leaders in control of the necessary as a counter-agent to disinteg­ rise to its task and be capable of mastering mine was turned into a “goddam factory” union have used it for a faction battle­ rating tendencies. it. that was only a very modest beginning of field against their party opponents. A united • * * the underground speedingup. Left wing, however, is a pre-condition for 3. The Coming Convention of The actual figures are given by state a successful influencing of the new move­ The members of the Communist League director of mines and minerals John G. the N. M . U. ment. The N. M. U. must throw overboard in the mining industry, and the non-party Milhouse as follows: Tons of coal dug in the whole narrow line with which it has militants co-operating with them, have be­ Illinois in December, 6,415,338 in January, The Left wing at the coming conven­ been operating, arbitrarily foisted upon it fore them now exceptional opportunities 6,590,275; number of miners employed in tion of the N. M. U. in Pittsburgh should by the party leadership, and certain if per­ and responsibilities, in carrying their work December, 51,265, in January, 50,664; aver­ set for itself the goal of re-uniting the sisted in, to doom it to a futile sectarian forward it is particularly necessary for the age days employed per miner in December, miners on a national scale in a single or­ existence. I f the Left wing is to fight suc­ Opposition Communists to bear in mind 20.1, in January 19.7 days. ganization. This does not exclude but cessfully for trade union democracy in the the differentiation and relation of forces Ten men were killed and 1,399 were presupposes temporary agreements with U. M. W. A. it must first establish such within the Loft wing as well as within the injured seriously enough to keep them from progressives and semi-progressives, which a regime in the N. M. U. This doe3 not miners movement as a whole. The Left work a day or more in January mine acci- is one of the most effective means of estab­ exist today. A ll opponents and critics of wing, organized prim arily in the Nai.onal i ents in the state, the director adds. lishing broad contacts in the ranks and the Party policy are mercilessly crushed Miners Union with all its defects and advancing the interests of the workers and without the interests of the workers and weaknesses, and the false policies of its its most progressive vanguard. The ele­ their union being considered. The N. M. U. leadership, is the main dynamic force for HAMMOND Jnd. — SOc.ge bands and ments in and around the N. M. U. must es­ must reject the party theory of purely me­ progress in the industry. The adherents of electricians in union theaters in Hammond, tablish connections with the new movement chanical, strangulating control of the unions the Communist Opposition are but a faction East Chicago and Indiana Harbor won a in Illinois and push it persistently to the by the C P.. and replace it with ideological —at present a small faction—of the organ­ raise of $2.50 a week to $72.50. Operators Left. They must demand of Howat, Brophy and comradely guidance, advice, influence ized Left wing. From this follows the were raised $16.25' a week to $95. and others who base themselves on the and aid of the working class party, The central task of the Opposition Communists: progressive-minded workers, that they ex­ present relations of the Party to the union to struggle within the Left wing to unite it BATTLE CREEK, .Mich.—Union pain­ press themselves on the record and program only plays into the hand of the Lewis- on this program. A ll provocation and slan­ ters have won a 5c increase to 85c an of Farrington-Fishwick-Walker, and separ­ Green-Gompers theory of ‘‘no politics in der, aimed to isolate them from the or­ hour in a contract with the employers as-

artillery from the lines in the rear. I t would announce “ What's the order?” the beginning of the engagement, but now, at ten minutes Their eyes met. A ll too well they understood each after six, it was already overdue. “ Two hours are hardly other. But Lieutenanat Orloff resumed the m ilitary mask. enough to destroy the entanglements,” Orloff muttered to “ You have your orders. Eight o’clock. A ll the men himself. “And still they are delaying.” Scarcely able to ‘ o carry snippers. Wire snippers.. .is that clear? contain himself, he re-entered the trench, and another , Osol repeated the order and withdrew. Orloff quarter of an hour passed while he strove to hide his looked despairingly at his watch. Only ten minutes of the gnawing agitation. His subordinate officers looked toward hour remained. His glance swept up and down the ranks him as if to question him, but military discipline held of men, waiting, with fixed bayonets, for him to give the B r r .. .b r r... went the field telephone in the dugout them back. sigal. He thought of what awaited them and a sob of pity in trench No.—, where a group of Russian officers shivered Orloff had kept up a nervous pacing. At seven tore at his throat. in the cold of an early morning of the winter of 1915. o’clock he came to a halt, took off his cap, and wiped the Sharp on the hour of eight he raised his signalling B rr...w e n t the telephone, and the operator lost no time sweat from his brow. He could hear the roar of cannon whistle to his lips. A shrill note rolled along the line and in answering it. in the far-off distance but from his own sector not a with a shout, “For the Czar and the Fatherland,” Orloff “Lieutenant O rloff!” he called out. “ Division Head­ sound. leaped out of the trench. A thousand voices echoed the quarters on the wire.” “ My God! Only one more hour,” he groaned. “ What cry as the Russians followed their leader. A short and A tall, blond fellow with a mild peasant face that can the matter be?" furious run across No Man’s Land and they had reached harmonized little with his military bearing strode forward He hurried into the dugout. “ Was there a call from the wire entanglement. and seized the receiver, frowning. He listened intently headquarters?” he asked the operator. “ Down and cut through,” shouted Orloff, panting for for a moment, and his face cleared as he wrote down the breath. message: No, sir. Not a word,” was the reply. “Ra-ta-ta-ta,” ansewered the German machine guns, Orloff turned away. His face was pale with rage “At eight o’clock sharp you w ill attack enemy trench and the Russians began to drop, while those who escaped No.—. Two hours of artillery preparation w ill clear the and fear, and as he raised his field-flask to his lips his the bullets cut feverishly at the wires. Terrific explosions wire entanglements. Occupy the trenches and hold them hand shook. now began to sound from the rear of the German lines “ Some more of their damn blunders—that we must at any cost.” and shells to plow the ground around the attackers. A “ Thank God!” he exclaimed. “ We’re going into pay for with our lives.” he wheeled around again to say. shell burst over the head of Lieuteant Orloff ahd his face action.” Similar cries of relief came from the assembled With this he rushed out into the trench. But in a moment contorted with fury. group, and one after another the officers leaped to their he was back. A look of dumb appeal on countless human “ Damn you!” he shouted. “ Damn you! You're two feet to receive their orders. The Lieutenant, breathing faces was more than he could bear. He took the telephone hours too late!” receiver in his hand. He hesitated but a moment. Then, quickly, read off the message. His men wavered. They were caught in a curtain “ I t ’s just five minutes of six," he concluded, con­ “ Damn the discipline,” he said aloud, and when a voice of fire, the barrage from their own cannon. Their re­ sulting his watch. “ You’ve got two hours to get the boys answered his ring his voice had the same edge of angry treat was cut off. ready. Each man to his post now.” They saluted him protest in its tone. “Forward!” shouted Orloff, and-his order was re­ “ What's the delay?” he demanded. " I am to go over gravely and turned to go. peated down the line. Again the men threw themselves “ Just a moment!” he called. “ There's one thing the top at eight and the artillery hasn't started firin g yet.” upon the wire entanglement. In cutting through it lay “ Orders have been given,” came the reply. The more.” He smiled. "See that all the men have a good their only hope. stiff drink before we go into action. They’re going to voice was a grey monotone. “ Ra-ta-ta-ta-ta!” The enemy s machine guns cease­ need it.” “ But what am I to do?” protested Orloff. lessly spit death. Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! and the The smile s till lingered on his face as he entered “ Obey orders,” mechanically returned the voice, and Russian shells burst over their heads, raining deadly the trench for his morning inspection. The dawn was there followed a sharp click as the receiver at Division fragments among them. breaking and the forms of a long line of khaki-clad men, Headquarters was hung up. Ramloff was on his knees, the blood streaming down still shivering from the night’s intense cold, were just The soul of Lieutenant Orloff was at that moment his face. He staggered to his feet and shook his fists barely visible. Orloff spoke a few encouraging words as a battlefield; and his face showed it. There the unques­ toward the Russian lines. his men saluted, but as he passed along a little inward tioning obedience of the seasoned soldier fought w ith the Fools! Murderers! You have betrayed us!” voice kept asking: How many of you are going to be passionate revolt of youth faced with death for himself “Ra-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta!” And Orloff crumbled up. missing at the next inspection?” To Orloff his men were and his comrades. Once more Lletenant Orloff hurried into "Boommmmmmmmm!” roared the Russian artillery, not inferiors, but fellow-fighters in a common cause. the trench; once more he faced the mute glances of hts tearing up the wire entangleents. Inspection over, he returned to the dugout, listening men. Too late.. .Forever too late!.. .For Lieutenant Orloff intently the while for the fam iliar booming of the Russian Second Lieutenant Osol saluted him and his men obeyed orders.