' r - Have you read your copy of E~rl ~rowd er 's · t~test b ~o k , . I . n;E WAY OUT, yet? , l

This book is .a magnificent 1guide , to the present events ·· which are r ~ha ping: the· world. It co'ntdins the articles ~ " . and utterances whiCh ~B r owder ·placed before the Amari.- '- can people durin g tne p a st~ ye ar. It i~ THE book of 'the 'a nti- w<~r movement in the Uhited States: ' I ' • I . j t --. J There is no better· wa y to ~d u eate the pe.,ople of Amer i c~ 0. l I ~ - fo ii; realization of tne path, they must t a:k~ to keep war fr om America than to get this ke en ana eloquent book b tr,cl·' , I -t ~ ') the Ge,erai, Secretary of tile Com~tmist Party into the hanas pf i~e puDiic. - -

Browder IS ., Atlanta prison. But I his message to his fellow-Americans ~burns b rig~t.er ·t han, ever ip the pages· of THE WAY O~T. , Ans er the persecution of Ea r1 ·. Br.owder py buyin~ .his book 4nd sprel!dtpg iHa.r and wide ' ' through the factories, offices,' and home~ of the country. / ~ '( , } j • 256. pages. Price $I .00 • .Or der from LIBRARY PUB LISHERS P. 0. Box 148, Station D, New York, N". Y. VOL. XX, No. 6 JUNE, 1941 THE COMMUNIST

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

CONTENTS

Editorials 483

Earl Browder and the Fight for Peace . William Z. Foster . 497

Earl Browder-Tribune of the People . Robert Minor. 505 How to Free Earl Browder Elizabeth Gurley Flynn 508

Browder Shows the Way Out Roy Hudson 513

Earl Browder-Leader of the Oppressed James W. Ford 529

Earl Browder-Molder of Party Cadres John Williamson 53ft

Who Are the Friends of the Youth? . Max Weiss 546 Earl Browder and the Southern People Rob Fowler Hall . 557

Our Debt to Earl Browder William Schneiderm.an 563 Space and Time--Fonru; of the Existence of Matter George Kursanov . 5ft8

Entered as second class matter November 2, 1927, at the Post Of}tce at New York, N. Y., under the Act of March 3, 1879. Send checks, money orders and correspondence to THE COMMUNIST, P. 0. Box 148, Sta. D (50 East 13th Street), New York. Subscription rate: $2.00 a year; $1.00 for six months; foreign and Canada $2.50 a year. Single copies 20 cents. PRINTED IN THB U.S.A. ~209 MASTER AND SPREAD THE TEACHINGS OF EARL BROWDER! Michad s. in Nov M auer.

M ASTER AND SPREAD THE TEACHINGS OF EARL BROWDER! EDITORIALS

the occnsion, doing honor to the BROWDER'S FIFTIETH leader of the growing peace front BIRTHDAY of the American people, by inten- sifying the struggle on all fronts TO COMRADE BROWDER in against the reactionary and war Atlanta Penitentiary, imprisoned offensive of the American bour­ by the will of the imperialists and geoisie, demanding with ever in­ warmakers, our heartfelt loyalty creasing determination that Earl and devotion, on the occasion , of Browder be freed. his fiftieth birthday. Wall Street and its warmaking This occasion is being celebrated government want the people to for­ by masses of our people throughout get Browder. But the people are not the land. They are doing so through forgetting him. Even more than special mass meetings devoted to before his imprisonment, large the Browder Fiftieth Anniversary masses of the people think of Brow- Campaign launched by the National der, study his work and writings, Committee of the Communist Party. join the struggles which he cham­ They are doing so by circulating pions and leads, and prepare to join and studying Browder's writings, actively the ranks of the Party parti:!ularly his latest book, The which·he heads. No; the people are Way Out,* in order to master the not forgetting Browder. teachings of Lenin and Stalin, the And why so? Because the people teachings that will lead them to cannot forget the war, and the victory over their exploiters and imperialist offensive and capitalist oppressors. They celebrate Brow­ exploitation. The masses of the peo­ der's fiftieth birthday by building ple are compelled to take daily the circulation of the Daily Worker notice of these evils and to fight and by rallying more closely and against them. And, as they do so, in greater numbers around Brow­ they must think of Browder in the der's pnrty-the vanguard party of Atlanta Penitentiary to which he the American working class and of was cor..fined by the ruling class for all working people-and by sending championing and leading these into its ranks new thousands of struggles. They think of Browder party members to reinforce the as their spokesman and leader struggle of the people against the whom they now need more than warmak€rs. They finally celebrate ever before, who has left an indel­ ible imprint upon their thoughts

*International Publishers, New York, 1941, and emotions in the many years of 256 pp., $1. his active work in the cause of 483 484 EDITORIALS the people, especially in the last event that opened up the present decade when he stood at the head epoch of the world socialist revolu­ of the Communist Party of the tion, Earl Browder had found the United States. answer to the new fundamental From his early youth, nourished problems and tasks facing the by the revolutionary traditions of American working class in this our people and working class, Earl epoch. He found the path to the Browder has been in the very thick creation of the party of a new type of the progressive struggles of -the Communist Party-which this American labor and its allies among epoch calls for. He thus became a the working people. A Left-winger founder and builder of the Com­ in the Socialist Party, prior to the munist Party of the United States, emergence of the Communist Party, leading the fight against reformism and a militant progressive in the and Social-Democratism on a new trade union movement, Earl Brow­ and higher plane, in association der always stood on the advanced with Ruthenberg, Foster and the sector of the class struggle, in the other known revolutionary Marx­ vanguard ranks of labor's fighting ists in America. army, associating with such lead­ How then can the people forget ers of our class and people as Debs, Browder even though separated Haywood, Ruthenberg and Foster. from them by the walls of the Led to Marxism by his theo­ Atlanta Penitentiary? They cannot retical studies and practical lead­ and they will not, despite all efforts ership in the class struggle, the by the ruling class to bring it about. teachings of Marxism which he so Browder continues to influence the giftedly advances and popularizes minds and struggles of the masses, among the masses, Earl Browder vitally and potently, just as Thael­ has come naturally and inevitably mann does, and Prestes, and Zapo­ to the great continuators of Marx­ tocky, and Semard, and the other ism-to Lenin and Stalin. He em­ leaders of the people that are kept braced the teachings of Lenin and captive by the bourgeoisie of Ger­ Stalin as the application and fur­ many, France, England and the ther development of Marxism to the United States. For these are the new conditions and tasks of the best sons of their peoples, their era of imperialism and socialist nations, their working classes. revolution. He embraced these Capitalist spokesmen in the teachings in the process of struggle United States are trying to mislead against the first imperialist world the people into believing that Brow­ war (1914-1918), which he met as der is a "foreign agent," that his a working class internationalist, op­ political work and leadership are posing America's entrance into it "un-American." What travesty of and being jailed for his opposition truth and fairness! And the truth by the Roosevelts of that time. In is becoming known to ever wider the teachings of Lenin and Stalin masses of our people. It is the truth which led to the victory of the great that Browder and his party are not October Socialist Revolution, the only an inseparable and vital part EDITORIALS 485

of th~ American nation but one that Marxist historical evaluations of the represents most fully and thor­ past revolutionary struggles for oughly the best interests of the bourgeois democracy in the United American people-in the present as States, Browder has given the for the future. working class and its allies new Those familiar with Browder's weapons of struggle against impe­ work and writings, and their name rialist and capitalist reaction today is becoming legion, know full well as well as a clearer understanding how much he has done to revitalize of how to fight for the new and and activize the revolutionary tra­ higher type of democracy, for so­ ditions of the American people. cialist democracy, the true democ­ These revolutionary traditions of racy fur the people which has been struggle for national independence, established and developed in the for democracy for the people, for Soviet Union. What greater service the abolition of slavery, for world could one render the American peo­ peace and international brother­ ple at a time of mounting capitalist hood; struggles associated with the reaction, destruction of the people's names of Jefferson, Paine, Lincoln, civil liberties, imperialist world war Douglass; struggles and traditions and the most far-reaching crisis of that are the just pride of the Amer­ the capitalist system? ican people and their rightful claim Applying to American conditions to progressive leadership in that and tasks the method and principles epoch of world development when of the most advanced revolution­ feudal reaction and remnants of ary and scientific theory-Marxism­ feudalism were the main obstacle Leninism-Earl Browder has been to so:!ial progress; struggles and blazing a path for successful pro­ traditions which the ideologists of gressive action by the masses of our the American bourgeoisie in the people headed by its working class. imperialist epoch have so distorted Forward action, progressive ·action, and c0nfused as to make them action that alone can save the meaningless for the present-day American nation from the catas­ tasks of the American people; these trophe to which the course of the revolutionary traditions and glori­ imperialist ruling class is leading, ous struggles Browder has brought action which enables the masses to back to life, giving them meaning resist successfully the war and and significance for the present and reactionary offensive of the bour­ the future. What greater service geoisie and its Social-Democratic could a loyal son . of the American servants and which helps the people people and its working class render to become ready for eventual lib­ the nation in the present period? eration from capitalist misrule. Following the lead of Lenin and Is this service to the American Stalin, Browder has made us see nation? Of course it is. Because the the American revolutionary tradi­ nation is the people and not its tions as a vital force in the present­ imperialist and warmaking exploit­ day struggles of the masses for ers. The nation is its working class, peace, freedom and security. By his its working farmers and middle 486 EDITORIALS classes of the cities. And it is these of the Communist Party in itS call masses of our people that Browder for a Browder Fiftieth Anniversary and his party are serving by organ­ Campaign during the period from izing the progressive mass strug­ May 1 to June 15. They do so in gles for peace, freedom and security. special mass meetings and other It is no accident that Browder's gatherings, by circulating and latest book is devoted to the crucial studying Browder's writings to question of the way out of the crisis popularize and master the teachings of capitalism and the catastrophic of Lenin and Stalin, by extending course of the ruling class. This is the permanent circulation of the the major question that is forcing Daily Worker, by l:>uilding the Com­ itself steadily upon the masses of munist Party and recruiting thou­ the American people as well as sands of new members into it. They upon the masses in all capitalist do all of this in order to strengthen countries. Where are the imperial­ the struggles of the masses against ists taking us to? What is going to the imperialist war, for the protec­ be the end of it? Like the Com­ tion of the economic standards and munists in all countries, Browder civil rights of all working people, and his party are bringing to the for a people's peace, for freedom, masses the people's way out of the for socialism. And in doing so, they imperialist war and its terrific con­ are raising the demand for the im­ sequences, the way that leads to a mediate and unconditional freedom speedy conclusion of the war, to a of Earl Browder. true people's peace, to national We join with all these masses of independence of the oppressed and fighters against the imperialist war conquered nations, to lasting peace and capitalist reaction in sending and security, to the eventual aboli­ our ,congratulations and best wishes tion of capitalism and the estab­ to Earl Browder on his fiftieth lishment of socialism, which will birthday, assuring him of our loy­ make war forever impossible. And alty and devotion, determined to this is how Earl Browder, leader follow the course he champion!! of the Communist Party, serves the and leads, despite all difficultie!! American nation, its people, its pro­ and obstacles. ducing masses. And this is why Earl Browder has been placed by the NEARING THE "SHOOTING ruling class in the Atlanta Peniten­ STAGE" OF THE WAR tiary. In ever larger numbers the masses T IS unquestionable that Ameri­ of our people are learning that this I can imperialism is pushing this is what Browder stands and works country with increasing rapidity for. That is why thousands upon toward the "shooting stage" of the thousands are celebrating his fiftieth war. All signs point in that direc­ birthday in all parts of the coun­ tion. And it is also unquestionable try. They celebrate the great event that the majority of the American in the spirit and in the way pro­ people do not support the war posed by the National Committee course of the imperialists and their EDITORIALS 487 government, that they are opposed rialism in the midst of the war to further involvement, that they which has become a world war is want to see the United States out such as to drive the ruling class of the war, that they ardently inexorably to full and complete desire the end of it and the estab­ involvement. lishment of genuine and lasting Objectively, therefore, the gulf peace. Thus the imperialists are between the peace desires of the brazenly violating and defying the masses of the people and the war democratic will of the people while course of the imperialist bourgeoisie falsely representing themselves as is becoming ever wider and deeper; fighters for democracy and free­ and it is the kind of a gulf that dom. cannot be bridged. At the same That the "shooting stage" of the time, the organized struggles of the war is near :tor the United States, masses against the war course of if it is not already here, is seen the bourgeoisie continue to develop, from the extraordinary intensity of finding their chief expression at the the imperialist war propaganda and present juncture in the struggles of its open drive for complete involve­ the workers :for the protection and ment as well as from various gov­ improvement of their economic ernmental steps in the same direc­ standards and democratic liberties, tion. While the government is still with the working farmers and mid­ maneuvering - maneuvering with dle classes, of the cities still search­ and against the people-it is never­ ing for a way o:f organized expres­ theless pushing forward unmistak­ sion of their own demands on the ably toward the "shooting stage." same issues. It is also clear that The fact that the two most out­ the organized forces of the anti­ standing and powerful representa­ imperialist people's front are grow­ tives of monopoly capital in this ing, despite all difficulties; and th~ country-Rockefeller and Lamont was shown once more in the May (of Morgan & Co.)-found it advis­ Day demonstrations and meetings able and necessary to come out with in various parts of the country. an open call for war, something The anti-war struggle of the these people rarely do publicly and masses is progressing, but it ls still in their own names, would indicate in its early phases. Further and plainly that the stage is set for all­ more intensive organization of the out participation in the second masses below for the anti-war imperialist world war. And this struggle, in closest contact with the judgment is not at all invalidated developing mass movements against by the fact that the open war pleas the imperialist attempt to make the by Rockefeller and Morgan also people bear the full burden of the indicate the continued existence war, is obviously the most impor­ and even sharpening of disagree­ tant task of the moment. ments within the imperialist bour­ And as we approach ever more geoisie itself regarding estimates of closely the "shooting stage of the the situation, tactics and timing. war," the masses of our people will For the position of American impe- be asking with increasing persist-

caught caught in in defiance defiance the the nets nets of of of of the the this this imperialist imperialist tricky tricky bour-

the the imperialist imperialist war, war, have have been been realize realize a a true true people's people's peace peace in in

That That many many masses masses honest honest in in people, people, their their to to who who own own hate hate powers powers

you you are are in in undermine undermine fact fact supporting supporting the the confidence confidence Hitler." Hitler." of of the the

support support Roosevelt Roosevelt and and Churchill, Churchill, why why they they work work so so energetically energetically to to

chill"; chill"; furthermore: furthermore: you you don't don't attractive attractive "If "If to to the the masses. masses. That That is is

must must support support respective respective Roosevelt Roosevelt "new "new and and orders" orders" Chur­ in in colors colors

you you don't don't want want a a Hitler Hitler victory, victory, you you so so desperately desperately seek seek to to picture picture their their

almost almost "inevitable." "inevitable." Namely: Namely: "If "If That That is is why why they they all all imperialisms. imperialisms.

here here on on the the conclusions conclusions become become is is the the victory victory of of the the masses masses over over

than than a a Hitler Hitler victory. victory. And And from from cisely cisely this this different different way way out out which which

"better" "better" camps camps (if (if not not fear fear altogether altogether nothing nothing so so good) good) much much as as pre­

velt-Churchill velt-Churchill victory victory would would be be the the imperialists imperialists of of both both basicatly basicatly

fraudulent fraudulent proposition proposition that that a a Roose­ Hitler Hitler or or Roosevelt-Churchill. Roosevelt-Churchill. And And

is is used used to to drive drive home home the the totally totally ferent ferent way way than than a a victory victory for for either either

no no other other choice. choice. This This tricky tricky sophism sophism out out for for the the masses, masses, an an entirely entirely dif­

Churchill Churchill victory, victory, and and that that there there is is full full well well that that there there another another way way is is

a a Hitler Hitler well well victory victory as as their their and and reformist reformist a a Roosevelt­ agents, agents, know know

the the choice choice for for the the masses masses is is between between that that the the imperialists imperialists themselves, themselves, as as

ers, ers, directly directly and and indirectly, indirectly, that that For For the the truth truth of of the the matter matter is is

formist formist and and Social-Democratic Social-Democratic lead­ Rockefellers Rockefellers and and Morgans. Morgans.

tricky tricky argument argument used used by by the the re­ chained chained to to the the war war chariot chariot of of the the

and and confusing confusing to to the the masses masses is is the the so so that that they they can can more more easily easily be be

viction. viction. But But particularly particularly misleading misleading of of the the masses masses in in their their own own powers, powers,

though though with with little little certainty certainty or or con­ destroymg destroymg the the growing growing confidence confidence

ances ances of of the the the the sole sole warmakers, warmakers, purpose purpose of of even even checking checking and and

misled misled into into accepting accepting these these assur­ is is repeated repeated over over and and over over again again for for

numbers numbers of of these these our our false false people people assumptions, assumptions, are are being being the the trick trick

And And there there is is no no doubt doubt that that large large worst) worst) not not quite quite so so bad. bad. And And with with

ment ment of of precisely precisely bad bad and and this this something something kind kind of of that that peace. peace. may may be be (at (at

ists ists are are aiming aiming at at the the establish­ tween tween something something that that is is definitely definitely

that that the the Anglo-American Anglo-American imperial­ can can do do is is to to make make their their choice choice be­

would would to to like like the the masses masses believe believe about about anything anything else, else, that that all all they they

perialism perialism and and its its reformist reformist are are helpless helpless flunkeys flunkeys to to bring bring themselves themselves

The The spokesmen spokesmen of of American American im­ "peace" "peace" is is possible, possible, that that the the peoples peoples

peoples? peoples? tion tion that that none none but but an an imperialist imperialist

laboration laboration between between nations nations and and other. other. lies lies in in the the further further It It assump­

a a peace peace resting resting on on brotherly brotherly col­ between between one one imperialism imperialism or or an­

and and independence independence for for all all peoples, peoples, masses masses can can do do nothing nothing but but choose choose

ing ing peace, peace, remain remain with with and and national national that, that, freedom freedom therefore, therefore, the the

peace peace be be achieved, achieved, pens, pens, imperialism imperialism a a just just and and last­ and and capitalism capitalism

to to an an end? end? the the How How assumption assumption can can a a that, that, people's people's whatever whatever hap­

ing ing our our own own Wherein Wherein country, country, lies lies be be the the brought brought trick? trick? lies lies in in It It

slaughter, slaughter, which which is is rapidly rapidly engulf­ chief chief responsibility. responsibility.

the the Way Way Out? Out? How How can can this this world world which which Social-Democratism Social-Democratism bears bears

ence ence the the crucial crucial question: question: What What Is Is sophism, sophism, well well known; known; a a fact fact for for is is

488 488 EDITORIALS EDITORIALS EDITORIALS 489 ge01s1e. That is finally why they these two Communist Parties is that single out the Communists for spe­ the German Party fights primarily cial persecution, because the Com­ against German imperialism and the munists are the most consistent ad­ American Party fights primarily vocates and organizers of the against American imperialism, both people's way out. proceeding from the same Lenin­ If that were not so, how would Stalinist principle that the struggle one explain the fact that both Ger­ against imperialist war and impe­ man and American imperialism rialism begins at home, against your have essentially the same attitude "own" imperialist bourgeoisie. (though still in somewhat different And this is a very important form) to the Communist Parties and point, a fundamental one. Reform­ their leaders, at the very time when ist and Social-Democratic leaders these rival imperialisms are prac­ also "fight" imperialism and impe­ tically at war and are preparing rialist war, but it is always the for most bloody decisions against other imperialism they are fighting, one another? How does one explain the one that stands in the way of that fact? The only explanation is their own. Thus, for example, Hill­ that the struggle between the im­ man and Green declaim very hotly perialists of Germany and the against German imperialism and United States is waged in each Japanese imperialism, but for their country by the same class, by the own imperialism they have nothing ruling imperialist bourgeoisie, which but praise. American imperialism, is waging war not only against its they say, is "different." In fact, if imperialist rival but also against its you believe them, it is not imperial­ own people, and singles out the ism at all but sweetness and light, Communists for special persecution "anti-fa,:cism," and "democracy." because they are the most consistent But the masses of the American and irreconcilable enemies of impe­ paople are beginning to know rialism and capitalism, because they better. are the most dependable force for But, it is asked, aren't the the organization of the people's vic­ German Social-Democratic leaders, tory over all imperialisms, of the those that are supporting Anglo­ people's way out. American imperialism, thus fighting Ernst Thaelmann, the leader of their own, German imperialism? the German Communist Party, is The answer is: no. These Social­ held in jail by German imperial­ Democratic leaders, who them­ ism; Earl Browder, the leader of selves have paved the way for fas­ the Communist Party of the United cism ln Germany, fear now most of States, is held in jail by American all that the continuation of fascist imperialism. Is it because these two rule leads to the accumulation of Communist leaders and their par­ such powerful explosive forces as ties are following courses of action insure not only the outbreak of that are at cross purposes with each most far-reaching revolutionary up­ other? No; that is too absurd. The heavals but certain victory of the only difference in the policies of peoples over imperialism and capi- 490 EDITORIALS talism. Fearing and hating this out the Soviet Union for particular eventuality more than anything attack, slander and conspiracy. And else, these German Social-Demo­ this is what Social-Democratism is cratic leaders are in the service of doing. British imperialism not as a way of The perspective of a people's struggle against their own. That is peace arises from the fact that in impossible. They are in the service the capitalist world the masses are of British imperialism as a way of gradually coming together and are struggle against their own people's consolidating their forces into genu­ victory over German imperialism, ine people's fronts headed by the a victory that would eventually working class and led by consistent lead to the victory of the socialist anti-imperialists. These peace forces revolution. And in this policy the of the g.::-owing people's front, strug­ German Social-Democratic leaders gling fer a speedy tennination of are fully consistent with their entire the war and for a people's peace, treacherous reformist past: to save are grr.dually acquiring greater German capitalism from the social­ organization and political con­ ist revolution has been and con­ sciousness. And as they do so, they tinues to be their main aim and become infused ever more thor­ conce1n. Hence their present sup­ oughly with the spirit and ideas of port of Anglo-American imperial­ proletarian internationalism and are ism as the future savior of Ger­ rallying ever more closely and in man capitalism and imperialism. larger numbers around the great Incidentally, other Social-Demo­ Soviet Union in active solidarity cratic leaders are supporting the with its peace policies. This is the present rulers of Germany. And for unmistakable process, taking place the same basic reason: to forestall before our very eyes; and, although and prevent a victory of the peoples still in its early phases, it most over all imperialisms. assuredly creates the prerequisites When it is understood, therefore, and forces capable of realizing a that the main role of Social-Democ­ people's peace and a people's vic­ ratism, whichever imperialist side tory. it supports, is to prevent a people's No wonder, therefore, that the im­ peace and a people's victory over perialists and their reformist serv­ all imperialisms, then its counter­ ants are seeking by all means to revolutionary attitude toward the undermine the confidence of the Soviet Union becomes fully clear. masses in their own powers, on the For it is evident that the greatest one hand, and to prevent the grow­ single support to the people's anti­ ing solidarity of the peoples with imperialist peace movements in the the Soviet Union, on the other. In capitalist world is the socialist this way, each of the warring impe­ Soviet Union. This is incontestable. rialist camps, while carrying on the Consequently, he who opposes a war for victory over its rival, hopes people's peace and a people's vic­ to make impossible a victory of the tory over the imperialists and war­ masses, expecting thus to save the makers would "naturally" single class rule of the bourgeoisie. EDITORIALS 4-91 These hidden wishes of the Army and our socialist intelligence imperialists do occasionally break service!" through even in their own press. Of course, there was also in the Says The New York Times in a May Soviet Union's May Day demonstra­ Day editorial regarding the signifi­ tions "a display of armed force," cance of that day's demonstration and a very impressive display, ac­ in the Soviet Union: cording to all reports. And the "It is not the Labor Day of the workers of the world, and the op­ Third International. It is a day of pressed nations and peoples, will military parade, an occasion to dis­ derive great comfort and much in­ play, not the solidarity of the work­ spiration from that fact. Because-­ ers of the world, but the armed what does this force stand for? We force of Russia." again turn to some of the .May Day slogans in the Soviet Union. They If the authors of this editorial say: were frank with their readers, they would have prefaced the foregoing "Long live our Red Army­ observation with the words: "We mighty bulwark of peaceful laborl! wish it were so; but, alas, it isn't." of the peoples of the U.S.S.R., re­ May Dr.y in the Soviet Union was liable guardian of the gains of the great October Revolution. Long precisely a magnificent demonstra­ live the foreign policy of the So­ tion o.f solidarity with the workers viet government, the policy of peace and oppressed nations in the capi­ between peoples and ensuring the talist world. What else could it be? security of our fatherland!" And this is what worries Tlve Times and the imperialists everywhere. The armed forces of the Soviet Here are a few of the major slo­ Union stand guard over socialism gans of the Soviet Union's May Day -the beacon light and road of sal­ demonstration, formulated by the vation for the world. These forces Central Committee of the Com­ back up a foreign policy that fights munist Party of the Soviet Union: for peace among peoples, a policy which is in fraternal solidarity with "Long live May First, militant the peace movements of the masses review of the revolutionary forces everywhere. That is why there is a of the working class. Our fraternal growing sympathy and solidarity greetings to our class brothers, with the Soviet Union among the prisoners of capital, fighters for. widest masses in the capitalist emancipation of the working class world. That i.s why these masses throughout the world. Strengthen will derive fresh inspiration and en­ the international c.ontacts of the couragement in their struggles for a working class of the U.S.S.R. with people'::; peace, from the May Day the working class of the capitalist countries. Hold aloft the banner of demonstrations in the Soviet Union, international proletarian solidarity. from its glorious manifestation of Working people of the U.S.S.R., do international working class solidar­ not forget the capitalist encircle­ ity as well as from its display of ment, steadily strengthen our Red armed force. 492 EDITORIALS In this growing solidarity of the that their only choice lies between masses in the capitalist world with a German imperialist "peace" and the Soviet Union lies the chief guar­ an Anglo-American imperialist antee for the victory of a people's "peace," according to Roosevelt­ peace. And as this major idea of Willkie-Hillman; or that the choice our time becomes known to and ac­ lies between a German imperialist cepted by the masses in all coun­ "peace" in collaboration with tries, they lend increasingly more American imperialism and no peace active support to the Soviet Union's at all, according to Lindbergh-Lan­ peace policies. They realize ever don-Norman Thomas. Consequent­ more clearly that such a measure ly, both imperialist groups with as the Neutrality Pact between the their respective reformist supporters Soviet Union and Japan, creating seek by all means to prevent the better conditions for peaceful rela­ crysta!lization of a genuine people's tions between the two countries and peace front; to prevent the collabo­ increasing the security of the Soviet ration of the American people with Union, increases the influence of the the peace movements of the masses Soviet Union in world affairs and in other countries; to make impos­ strengthens the effectiveness Qf its sible support by the American peace policies. In this way, more masses to the national liberation power is added to the struggle for struggles of the peoples of Latin a people's peace; greater strength is America, of China, of India and of acquired for the eventual victory of other oppressed nations; and, above the masses everywhere. all, to stem the process of growing Thus the leadership of the great solidarity of the peace forces in the Stalin, now Chairman of the Council United States with the Soviet of People's Commissars, demon­ Union, in the hope and expectation strates daily the principles of inter­ that the present war will somehow national working class solidarity, and sometime be turned against the inspires the masses with confidence land of socialism and against the in their own power, lights their way liberation movements of the masses to a people's peace-to freedom, se­ everywhere. curity and socialism. As for Norman Tromas, more par­ And it is right here that we can ticularly, the greatest disaster that best see the full imperialist class could overtake the world would be nature of the policies of the Roose­ a people's peace and a people's vic­ velts, Willkies, Landons, Hoovers, tory mean-what can it mean-if Lindberghs, Vandenbergs and Tafts, words are different. He speaks of and of their reformist supporters­ such a possibility as "a Stalin vic­ the Hlllmans, Greens and Norman tory." But what does such a vic­ Thomases. All of them, regardless tory n'ean-what can it mean-if of whatever differences they may not a victory of the peoples in all have, oppose a genuine people's countries, a people's peace, a vic­ peace. They employ all the powers tory d working class internation­ at their command to impress the alism, the transition to a world masses with the fraudulent idea without war, crises, oppression and EDITORIALS 493 exploitation of man by man or na­ in collaboration with the anti-im­ tion by nation? Norman Thomas & perialist forces in all countries and Co. know full well that reformism in solidarity with the great Soviet can render to the imperialists and Union. warmakers no better service at the present time-in the midst of the second imperialist world war-than BUILDING THE COMMUNIST to discourage the independent mass struggles for peace, to spread PARTY among them lack of confidence in their own powers, to prevent the ARL BROWDER spends his fif­ growth of their solidarity with the E tieth birthday in jail because he Soviet Union. And that is what the leads the struggle against the impe­ reformist leaders are doing. rialist war and for a people's peace. From which follows that the ma­ To do honor to the anti-war leader, as jor anti-war movements of the thousands upon thousands are now masses at the present time, which doing, is to strengthen the cause of take tne chief form of struggle for the people against their exploiters the economic standards and demo­ -the cause for which he stands. cratic liberties of the people, must And one of the main ways of doing systematically be infused with the so is to defend, support and build idea and slogans of struggle for a the Communist Party of the United people's peace. Day by day, and in States. the very process of further organ­ Says Browder: izing and developing the resistance of the masses to the increasing bur­ "Our own ruling class can launch dens uf war and militarization, the us into this war but they cannot genuine peace forces must challenge end it. The American people can and explode the bourgeois and re­ end it; the American people will formist myth that the people's choice end it, and the American people lies only between a victory of one will find the way to this all the or another imperialist gang, bring­ quicker because the American peo­ ing forward and popularizing most ple have produced already a Com­ widely the perspective of a people's munist Party, a party with roots peace and a people's victory. among the masses, a party that can Thus will richer meaning be add­ never be separated from the Amer­ ed to the slogan "Get Out and Stay ican masses, a party that will al­ ways be at work among the Out of the War," and the peace American masses, a party that will struggles of the masses will begin organize and lead the American peo­ to advance more rapidly and to ple to peace and to socialism." (The higher stages. In this way broader Way Out!') forces will be entering the process of crystallizing a genuine people's Here we have the role of the peace front of the American people, Communist Party in the life and struggling for the speedy termina­ struggles of the American people. tion of the war, for a people's peace, And where does this role derive 494 EDITORIALS from? It derives from the fact that Party, Comrade Browder was pro­ it is the vanguard party of the moting the development of the pro­ American working class, the class gressive forces in the trade union that is destined to head the Amer­ movement and, at the same time, ican people--the nation-to peace, laying the foundations for the sub­ freedom and socialism. To the build­ sequent formation of the Commu­ ing of this party Earl Browder has nist Party, organized by the Left been giving his all and his best. Let Wing of the Socialist Party headed us do likewise. by Ruthenberg and carrying for­ From the very early days of our ward the best proletarian and revo­ Party's history,' Comrade Browder lutionary traditions of Debs and emphasized the idea that the most Haywood. important avenues of approach to Browder and Foster, the leaders the masses are the progressive of the Communist Party, were fol­ movements and organizations of la­ lowing the Lenin-Stalin method of bor. This idea was not always fully struggle on two fronts. They fought understood and accepted by the reformism (Social-Democratism, vanguard movements of the Amer­ class collaboration) and they fought ican working class, movements and against ultra-left "radicalism" and groupings which were strongly per­ sectarianism. They fought against meated with narrow sectarian ten­ these bourgeois and petty-bour­ dencies that were separating the geois influences in the working vanguard elements from the broad class because these militated against masses and their daily struggles. the development of proletarian class One of Comrade Browder's great· independence and organization, be­ contributions to the labor move­ cause they obstructed the growth of ment of America and to our Party labor's class consciousness and lead­ particularly has been precisely his ership in the nation, because they­ successful struggle for the Lenin­ these bourgeois and petty-bour­ Stalin idea that the way to make geois influences--were hampering the Communist Party a true van­ the crystallization of a true van­ guard party of its class and people guard proletarian party, a party of is to make it an organic and in­ the Bolshevik type. And when we separable part of the progressive reflect today on the powerful move­ movements and organizations of the ments of organized labor in our masses. country, increasingly and ever more In association with William Z. deeply influenced by progressive Foster and his collaborators, the trade unionism, we should know pioneers of modern class struggle that into the making of them went trade unionism in the United States, also the struggles and organizing Comrade Browder came forward to work led by Browder, Foster and leadership as a revolutionary So­ their associates. And when we reflect cialist and militant, progressive on the significant role of the Com­ trade unionist. Fighting reformism munist Party in the present-day and class collaboration, both in the struggles of American labor and its trade unions and in the Socialist allies, we should know that this be- EDITORIALS 495 came possible through the many ican working class and its allies. years of struggle, led by Browder Learning from its own experiences, and Foster, :for a party of a new from its own serious achievements type, a party grounded in the teach­ of the past as well as from its mis­ ings of Marx, Engels, Lenin and takes, and greatly enlightened by Stalin, a party inseparable from the the experiences of the world labor masses and functioning as their true movement and its Communist van­ vanguard. guard as interpreted and developed No les" important are Comrade by Georgi Dimitroff, the Communist Browder's contributions to the Party of the United States, headed building of the internal unity and by Browder and Foster, has been Bolshevik integrity of our Party. enabled to make significant and This did not come by itself. It took serious contributions to the advance long and hard struggles to bring it of American labor to influence and about-struggles against enemy in­ leadership in the nation. And in do­ tl.uences of an ideological and po­ ing so, the Party has been fighting litical nature, against the disruptive as a true vanguard of its 'Class and and disintegrating work of enemy people, and the Party's leader, agents in our own midst (Love­ Comrade Browder, became a leader itoneism, Trotskyism); and also of the American people. itruggles against factionalism and When, therefore, we reflect today factional habits. It was in the strug­ upon the fact that the relatively gle against all of these disruptive small Communist Party of the factors, against all opportunism United States is successfully forg­ (Right or "Left"), against every ing ahead to leadership in the anti­ and all kind of bourgeois influence war struggles of the American peo­ in our midst and for a. consistent ple, despite great obstacles and per­ application of our principles and secutions, we should know that the policies through the Stalin art of basis cor this was laid by the Party's leadership that our Party was contributions to the progressive achieving its internal unity and mass rr.ovements in the many years Bolshevik integrity. Comrade Brow­ prior to the outbreak of the war. der's leadership in this struggle, The basis was laid in the Party's especially since 1930, when he be­ struggles for progressive trade came General Secretary of the unionism and the organization of the Party and Comrade Foster became unorganized, for working class po­ National Chairman of the Party, litical independence in alliance has written one of the finest chap­ with all working people, for the ters in the history of our Party and maintenance and preservation of of the labor movement in the world peace through the building of United States. the people's and democratic front to For it was particularly during resist aggression, for support to the this period that the Communist anti-imperialist struggles of the Party has made its most positive colonial and dependent countries, contributions thus far to the pro­ for active support to the peace poli­ gressive development of the Amer- cies of the Soviet Union. In all of 496 EDITORIALS these struggles our Party has left interpretations and popularizations an indelible mark upon the mass of the socialist achievements of the movements, and so did the Party's Soviet Union and of its peace poli­ leader, Earl Browder, whose fiftieth cies. That his leadership in this ma­ birthday we are now celebrating. jor field of struggle has contributed Building the Party by rooting it much to the growth of the peace among the masses, Browder always movements and to the spreading in­ gave great prominence to the prin­ fluence of the Communist Party is a ciples of working class internation­ fact well known. It has also greatly alism. In his own work and strug- · contributed to the building and gles, he gave daily expression to strengthening of our Party. That is these principles, in pursuit of which why the spreading, study and mas­ he rendered valuable service to the tery o.f Browder's works and writ­ national liberation struggle of the ings-the teachings of Lenin ?nd Chinese people, the Spanish people, Stalin-are of such great political the peoples in Latin America. In importance, not alone for Commu­ all these countries, which he per­ nists but for every opponent of the sonally visited and in which he imperialist war, for all sincere worked, Browder's name stands for fighters in the progressive causes of the true America, the America of the masses. the people, as against the Amer­ Thus we shall be appropriately ican imperialist exploiters and op­ celebrating the fiftieth birthday of pressors--the Rockefellers, Mor­ our party's leader, of the anti-war gans, Fords and their governmental leader of ·the American people agents. To the masses of China, whom the ruling class has placed in Spain and Latin America Browder Atlanta Penitentiary. We shall do is the embodiment of all their best so in accordance with the plan of hopes and aspirations-the collab­ the National Committee of the oration of the American people Communist Party: through huge with the colonial and dependent mass meetings, by building the cir­ peoples, in fraternal solidarity with culation of the Daily Worker, by the great Soviet Union, hand in spreading and mastering Browder's hand with the peace movements in teachings of Marxism-Leninism, by all capitalist countries, in the his­ recruiting new thousands of mem­ toric struggle for peace, national in­ bers into the Communist Party and dependence and freedom. Browder strengthening it all along the line. belongs to the masses of these coun­ This will be our best birthday gift tries just as he belongs to the to Browder. This we shall do in the masses of the American people­ process of intensifying the struggle because he is a Communist, a con­ for the defense of the economic sistent working class international­ standards and democratic liberties ist, a disciple and loyal follower of of the people, in the daily struggle the great Stalin. against the imperialist war and for The masses in the United States a people's peace, in the struggle for are becoming ever more fully ac­ the immediate and unconditional quainted with Browder's brilliant liberation of Browder. EARL BROWDER AND THE FIGHT FOR PEACE

BY WILLIAM Z. FOSTER rJ"'HE experience of the past sev- racy and peace, Roosevelt is un­ .1. eral years shows that, beyond blushingly obeying the dictates of all doubt, the overwhelming mass of Wall Street, forcing the country into the American people are resolutely the war and slashing the people's opposed to fascism and war. When- living standards to make them pay ever the issue of fascism has stood for it. With unparalleled demagogy out clearly and sharply, the great and hypocrisy, the present Admin­ majority of our people have cate- istration has taken step after step gorically condemned it and, as re- into the war, in spite of the anti­ gards the present imperialist war, war attitude of the people-all done their opposition to it is so steadfast under the pretext of keeping the that, as every poll of popular opin- country out of the war. Roosevelt, ion demonstrates, it has not been who notoriously cherishes the ambi­ broken down, even by the tremen- tion of writing his name down in dous barrage of pro-war propa- American history as a great liberal ganda to which they have been sub- President, is instead, in order to jected. force the unwilling American people Nevertheless, although they are into this war, piling up a record as so generally and deeply opposed to the most reactionary President this fascism and war, the masses have country has yet known. not understood clearly the way to The social-reformist leadership combat the insidious approaches of is doing its full part to involve the this twin menace. Consequently, United States in the war and to they have been misled by the camp facilitate the fascist-like reaction of warmongers slickly parading accompanying it The A. F. of L. under slogans of peace and national Executive Council and the Hillman defense and by fascist-minded reac- forces in the C.I.O., blithely mouth­ tionaries operating under the mask ing the British tory slogan that this of democracy and Socialism. As a is a war against fascism, are all out result, the people's fight for peace for the Administration's war pro­ and democracy has by no means de- gram-in the name, of course, of veloped its great potentialities. peace, democracy and national de- Setting the pace in this pro-war fense. The Social-Democratic Fede­ demagogy is the Roosevelt Adminis- ration leads the pack in openly tration, supported by Willkie and whooping it up for the war. The the bulk of the Republicans. Under Socialist Party, with its leader, cover of a great to-do about democ- Norman Thomas, supporting all-aid- 497 498 EARL BROWDER AND THE FIGHT FOR PEACE to-Britain and the project of an ican people into the war, the Com­ anti-Soviet war, is unable to hide munist Party has stood out as the its pro-war position behind its fig­ most clear-headed and resolute leaf of isolationism. The recent fighter for peace. It has militantly spilt-off from the Socialist Party, fought the warmongers of all stripes Altman, Niebuhr & Co., together at every step of the road. And its with a smattering of so-called lib­ most effective spokesman is its Gen­ erals and renegade radicals, under eral Secretary, Earl Browder. His the name of "Union for Democratic brilliant challenge to the warmak­ Action," have made their bid for ers, in so far as it has been reduced services to the Administration's war to cold type, is contained in his four program, adding to it a few radical latest books- The People's Front phrases. The Lovestoneites have (1938), Fighting for Peace (1939), long since dissolved their dis­ The Second Imperialist War (1940) credited grouplet and gone over to and The Way Out (1941). These the war party. And the degenerate volumes-a running account in Trotskyites, in their May Day mani­ speeches, reports and articles of the festo, single out Hitler as the enemy developing war situation-consti­ to fight, let British and American tute an enormously important his­ imperialism escape condemnation, torical documentation. They also and virtually accept the war. comprise, as a whole, an anti-war Meanwhile, the so-called isola­ policy which, if adopted by the tionists are also maneuvering to American people, would have saved confuse and defeat the peace-loving our country from its present critical masses. The liberal wing of the situation. . America First Committee - the Nyes, Wheelers and LaFollettes The Struggle to Prevent the War -accept, although with some res­ The Soviet Government, the Com­ ervations, the Administration's aid­ munist International and the Com­ to-Britain policy, and their impe­ munist Parties the world over rialist program, with hostility to­ fought intelligently and resolutely ward the Soviet Union and calling to prevent the outbreak of the pres­ for the domination of Latin Amer­ ent, the second imperialist world ica, a course that is a sure road to war. As early as the summer of war and reaction. The reactionary 1928 the Comintern, at its Sixth wing of the America First Commit­ World Congress, in view of the tee, the Lindberghs, Hearsts, Cough­ gathering war clouds in Europe, lins, Johnsons, etc., are essentially made the fight against the war fascist, mostly pro-Nazi, and their danger a central point on the con­ pretense of defending American gress agenda-an action for which peace and democracy is an utter it was denounced by liberals and sham. Social-Democrats everywhere as In the midst of the drive of the conjuring up, for factional advan­ United States Government, aided by tage, a non-existent peril of war. many tricky pseudo-peace move­ The seizure of power in Germany ments, to force the unwilling Amer- by Hitler in 1933 obviously intensi- EARL BROWDER AND THE FIGHT FOR PEACE 499 lied the war danger enormously; of the Roosevelt Administration hence, the Soviet Government re­ against the American people, against doubled its efforts to preserve world the peoples of the world, was that it peace. In 1934, joining the League failed to collaborate with the of Nations, the U.S.S.R. sought to U.S.S.R. in its resolute fight for unite the democratic peoples in peace, that it followed in the main common action to hold the aggres­ a parallel policy to that of British sors in check. In the ensuing years imperialism. Thereby Roosevelt as­ it condemned the aggressions of sumed major responsibility for the Germany, Italy and Japan in Spain, present murderous war. China and Ethiopia, and strove dili­ Browder made a brilliant effort to gently to create an international awaken the American people to the peace front on the basis of collec­ vital importance to them of the in­ tive security. But the imperialist ternational peace front as the way governments of England, France to prevent the outbreak of the pres­ and the United States wanted no ent world war. The slogan he form­ part of this policy. They desired, in­ ulated-Keep America Out of War stead, a strong Hitler, to stem the by Keeping War Out of the World, revolutionary forces in Europe, and -was of historical importance. As as a check upon, if· not the de­ no one else, Browder demonstrated stroyer of, the rapidly growing So­ that catastrophic consequences were viet Union. Therefore, supported by inherent in the dastardly "non­ the Social-Democrats, they followed intervention" policy in Spain, which their "appeasement" policy, with the gave Hitler and Mussolini a free fatal results now apparent to all. Its hand to help Franco, while it de­ peace proposals rejected, and a war nied the Loyalist Government ac­ between the great imperialist pow­ cess to arms. Browder, too, showed ers having become inevitable, the the folly of permitting Mussolini to U.S.S.R., by its non-aggression pact overrun Ethiopia, and of giving Ja­ with Germany in August, 1939, pan the munitions without which stepped out of the line of fire. Un­ she would have been handicapped able to preserve world peace, the in the war on China. Browder's Soviet Union decided to avoid the writings in this period, utilizing role of catspaw for imperialism and many precedents and traditions of at least to keep its own people out our national life; teem with search­ of the war. ing analyses and clear warnings of The proposal of the Soviet Gov­ the disasters to come if the re­ ernment to preserve world peace by actionary policies of Chamberlain, a policy of collective security was Blum and Roosevelt were continued. manifestly in the interest of the Today the war implications of the American people, as well as of all infamous Munich agreement be­ other peoples. Hence the Commu­ tween Hitler, Mussolini, Cltamber­ nist Party of the United States, with lain and Daladier to dismember Browder at its head, militantly sup­ Czechoslovakia are generally rec­ ported this program of the interna­ ognized. But, at the time, this mon­ tional peace front. The great crime strous betrayal of peace and democ- 500 EARL BROWDER AND THE FIGHT FOR PEACE racy was hailed by liberals and world peace, began quickly to Social-Democrats as insuring world orientate American policy toward peace. The Communists, however, participation in the war on the side in the face of bitter attacks from of Great Britain. Coming forth such people, denounced the Munich boldly as the spokesman of Amer­ _ Pact in unmeasured terms as an in­ ican imperialism and casting aside citement to war. Characteristically, his previous New Deal program of the French Communist Party Par­ reform, Roosevelt, to the growing liamentary Group, on October 4, applause of Wall Street, started only a few days after the signing of systematically to develop an all-out the pact, vigorously condemned the "defense" with a view to the major betrayal of Czechoslovakia and Eu­ war aims of American imperialism, ropean peace. Commenting upon including complete domination over this, Comrade Browder, who was Latin America, grabbing Canada then in Paris, cabled the Daily and other remnants of the decaying Worker, on October 7, that the so­ British empire, seizing as much as called peace of Munich was but a possible of the Far East, preventing false peace, one which "can only be the victory of German imperialism, maintained by constantly more and, if possible, developing a gen­ rapid surrender of the whole world eral capitalist war against the So­ to fascist dictatorship." A few weeks viet Union. later, on November 14, speaking in This ambitious foreign policy New Ycrk, Browder declared that strives for the conquest of world "The Munich pact was a treacher­ hegemony by American imperial­ ous betrayal of the republic of ism. The effort to realize it requires Czechoslovakia. But it was also far this country's full participation in more than that. It opened the flood­ the war, the maximum militariza­ gates of reaction over Europe." The tion of the American people, and outbreak of the war, only nine the drastic reduction of the living months later, showed, all too soon, standards of the masses and sup­ the correctness of Browder's anal­ pression of civil liberties. All these ysis. aims and implications of the pro­ gram of American imperialism The Fight to Prevent American Roosevelt fully accepts. But to ac­ Entry Into •the War complish them has not been easy, The beginning of the war in the because of the American people's fall of 1939 confronted the peace­ stubborn refusal to accept the war loving masses of the United States as "the struggle to defend humanity, with a new phase of anti-war strug­ democracy, civilization and Amer­ gle, namely, to keep the United ican national independence." States from becoming involved in Consequently, to force the unwill­ the imperialist slaughter. Roosevelt, ing country into the war, the gov­ who, in connection with Spain, ernment and the warmongers gen­ China, Ethiopia and the peace front erally have had to resort to the propos-ed by the Soviet Union, had greatest campaign of trickery and refused to take any steps to secure deceit in the history of this coun- EARL BROWDER AND THE FIGHT FOR PEACE 501 try. Every conceivable device has Roosevelt Administration will stand been used to edge the United States out as perhaps the greatest crime into the war and to condition the ever committed against the Amer­ people to accept as inevitable our ican people by its government and entry into belligerency. With ever the ruling class. And it will be to more bellicose slogans-"we are not the lasting prestige of the Commu­ neutral in thought," "all measures nist Party with Browder as its head, short of war," "full aid to Great that it has thoroughly understood Britain," "a bridge of ships to Great the war program of the government, Britain," and "to make the United disguised though it has been by a States into the arsenal of democ­ thick n::.antle of peace propaganda, racy," while cloaking itself with and has actively opposed every protestations of peaceful intentions, phase of its unfoldment. the Government has taken step Within the narrow compass of after step deeper into the war. Cun­ this article it is quite impossible to ningly, deliberately, it has inched its do justice to the work of Comrade way toward the abyss. The lifting Browder in the historic fight of the of the arms embargo, military con­ American people to keep the United scription, the transfer of "obsolete" States cut of the war. His writings airplanes and destroyers to Britain, and speeches in this period con­ the seizure of Axis ships in Amer­ stitute penetrating analyses and ex­ ican harbors, the mutual defense posures of the innumerable tricks pact with Canada, the seizure of and devices that have been used by Greenland, the establishment of air the government to deceive the bases in British colonies and Latin American people and to get the American countries, the passage of country into the war. Throughout the "Lend-Lease" Act, the setting the struggle, Browder has taken the up of th~:; patrol system, the studied lead in exposing the imperialist hostility toward the Soviet Union, character of the war, and its origins the growing assaults upon the civil in the decaying, moribund capitalist rights of the people and the elabo­ system, in pointing out the warlike rate schemes to transfer the burden character of Roosevelt's so-called of the war costs to the masses--are measures "short of war," in mobil­ all definitely war acts, and were so izing the workers to defend their conceived by the Roosevelt Ad­ economic standards and civil rights, ministration. in explaining to the masses that the The Communist Party, led by road to peace and prosperity for the Browder, has militantly fought American people lies in cooperation every step of this drive by the with the Soviet Union and other Roosevelt-Wall Street Administra­ democratic peoples. One of the tion to push the peace-minded many outstanding contributions of American people into the war. Un­ Browder during this period was his doubtedly, in the years to come, exposure of the Roosevelt-Willkie when the folly and criminality of conspiracy to keep the peace issue the present war become so clear that out of the recent national elections. all can see it, the war policy of the Browder's denunciation of the 502 EARL BROWDER AND THE FIGHT FOR PEACE peace-shouting Willkie as a war­ just and lasting world peace, for a monger has been strikingly borne people'1: peace to end the present out by the latter's present jingo­ slaughter. istic course in demanding convoys In the first world war the capital­ to Britain. ist warmakers held forth many il­ The resistance of the American lusory peace hopes before the people to involvement in the im­ masses as the war dragged on its perialist war-although it has been gory existence. Wilson proclaimed marked by much ideological con­ that it was the war to end all war fusion among the masses regarding and that his fourteen points would Great Britain's role in the war and provide the basis for the organiza­ misunderstanding as to the basic tion of a free and democratic world; war character of the aid-to-Britain Lloyd George declared that post­ policy, and although it has not pre­ war England would be a place fit vented the Government from for heroes to live in; and the pow­ plunging the country deeper and erful Social-Democracy in the Eu­ deeper into the war-nevertheless ropean belligerent countries talked constitutes the greatest single of the socialism that it would build struggle ever conducted by the when the war was over. great masses of the people against All these promises came to their exploiters. It has had an naught, however, as the people now enormous educational and organiza­ well realize. Instead of a democratic tional effect upon the toiling masses. world, we have one ravaged by It has been carried on in the face fascism; instead of lasting peace, of unprecedented betrayal by venal we have a still more dreadful war. leaders of political, trade union, In view of these fatal failures of farm, and other mass organizations. capitalism, following the last war, And in this great fight no man has to establish either peace or democ­ more ably and loyally defended the racy, it is difficult, this time, for the cause o.f the people than has Earl warmongers to convince the peo­ Browder. ple that these goals can be achieved through this war. This does not, The Fight for a PeopLe's Peace however. deter them from trying The Roosevelt Administration, again to deceive the people. Once despite the peace wishes of the mass again we hear the slogans of the of the P.eople, has already deeply capitalist governments on both involved this country in the war as sides about freedom and peace and a military ally of Great Britain and national security. But they all sound with diabolical cunning it is now very hollow and stale. Great Britain taking one step after another to and the United States do not even make us into a full-fledged belliger­ dare state their war aims; the fas­ ent. The fight of the people, there­ cist New Order stands clearly ex­ fore, against this final plunge into posed as a regime of permanent ter­ the war still goes on. But more and ror and war; and as for the Social­ more th(' anti-war struggle now en­ Democrats, one would have to be a ters a third stage-the fight for a political novice to be fooled by their EARL BROWDER AND TilE FIGHT FOR PEACE 503 feeble talk about the socialism they ency of the Greens, Hillmans, Du­ say they will construct after the binskys, et al, to the war ideology war, after the victory of their im­ of American finance capital. One of perialist masters. the lalit things Browder did before If there is to oe a just and lasting beini jailed was to write his power­ peace following this war it must be ful attack upon Henry Luce's im­ a people's peace. That is, the great perialist theory of the "American democratic masses of the world century," showing how disastrous it must take the matter in hand them­ would be for our people to follow selves, in opposition to their war­ any such imperialist will-a-the­ mongering capitalist rulers. The wisp. road to the accomplishment of this On the other hand, if Browder is the formation of vast popular ably attacked the current bourgeois fronts in the various countries and peace demagoJY, he no less capably by joint action internationally with pointed out the true path to peace. the Soviet Union, the peoples of His writ~ abound with theoreti­ China, India, Latin America and cal and practical guidance for build­ other lands, the oppressed peoples ing the united front of the working of the occupied countries, the class, the people's front of the great awakening workers of the world. ma8Ses, the establishment of peace Only by the decisive action of these and cooperation among the demo­ great popular forces can a demo­ cratic peoples of the world. Espe­ cratic peace be achieved. The havoc cially did Browder analyze and and devastation of the war are popularize the socialist achieve­ gradually but surely laying the basis ments of the Soviet Union, the hope for such action by the harassed of a war-stricken world. millions of the earth. In the ftght to prepare for a peo­ The People's Tribune Jailed ple's peace to end the present war It is an incontestable fact that the Comrade Browder distinguished peace struggle conducted by the himself no less than in other phases Communist Party, with Earl Brow­ of the anti-war struggle. As no der as its outstanding spokesman, other man in this country, he punc­ dovetailed, not only with the true tured the peace illusions now being interests of the American people, fostered by the capitalists and their but al~o with their outspoken Social-Democratic tools. This is at­ desires. tested to by Browder's brilliant at­ Regarding Spain, for example, re­ tacks upon the New Order of Hitler, peated popular polis at the time the hypocritical war aims of the showed that the great majority of Anglo-American alliance, the en­ the American people were against croachment of American imperial­ Franco and favored permitting the ism upon Latin America, the "Union Loyalist Government to purchase Now" scheme of the British-Amer­ arms in this country, as was its legal ican imperialists, the "revolution right under international law, and by consent" theories of the British as the Communist Party urged. Yet Social-Democrats, and the subservi- the Roosevelt government violated 504 EARL BROWDER AND THE FIGHT FOR PEACE the will of the American people, ap­ Earl Browder led the Communist plied the arms embargo, and helped Party'~ fight to prevent this his­ Hitler, Mussolini and their stooge toric b€trayal of the American peo­ Franco toward their fateful victory. ple by the Wall Street-Roosevelt In the case of China, too, the Administration and its many mis­ American people have always, with leaders in the ranks of the masses. virtual unanimity, favored helping For this true service to bur people the nationalist forces, as the Com­ Browder is thrown into jail for munist Party proposed; but Roose­ four years-and upon such a flimsy velt has nevertheless continued to pretext as to make every honest furnish Japan with the munitions non-Communist blush with shame. without which it could not have Browder's able fight was a thorn carried on its invasion of China. in the side of the warmakers. It Similarly, in the matter of the made much more difficult their work international peace front proposed of confusing the people and forcing by the Soviet Union to check ag­ them into the war. This militant gression, there can be no doubt that champion of peace had to be gotten the American people, like those of out of the way. Moreover, inasmuch every other capitalist country, were as the present war can bring only in favor of it and would have hardship, misery and tyranny to the backed it. But again Roosevelt suc­ American people and as the mass cessfully violated the people's will, resentment is bound to grow and helped defeat this historic plan, against the men who are respon­ with the present war as its tragic sible for dragging them into it, the result. warmongers do not want the power­ And as for the financial side of ful voice of Browder to be heard Roosevelt's war policy, that is, mak­ when the people's anger begins to ing the masses carry the economic rise. burden of the war, unquestionably Browder opposed the first World the great masses of our people War as a criminal imperialist favor the Communist Party's pro­ slaughter and he was jailed for this gram of placing the war costs upon offense against imperialism. But, the rich. If the Roosevelt Adminis­ long since, the American people tration has been able to involve the have come to understand that the country in the war in spite of the war was a useless one, that they people's will for peace, it has been were hicked into it. And already by systematically violating their they knew that the present war is peace mandate, by deluding them not their war and they want noth­ with an unprecedented deluge of ing to do with it. More and more lying propaganda that makes war the rising mass demand for the policies look like peace policies, and release of Browder will show the by utilizing faithless reformist trade growing appreciation of the correct­ union, farm organization and "lib­ ness of his and the Communist eral" leaders to betray their follow­ Party':; position in condemning this ers into the hands of the imperialist war as being against the basic warmongers. interests of the American people. EARL BROWDER-TRIBUNE OF THE PEOPLE

BY ROBERT MINOR

ARL BROWDER is the leader of of the Party which had never pre­ E the Communist Party, brought viously been attained; disunity had forward by the turn of history of been an inevitable result of the the working class and the country heritage of sectarianism, expressed in the beginning of the economic in unprincipled factional struggles. crisis in 1930. Browder became the Browder's leadership of the Party embodiment of the needs of the is not to be confused with the vul­ Communist Party turning away from gar bourgeois conception of leader­ sectarianism and toward the strug­ ship of a single individual. The im­ gles of the masses, the embodiment portant aspect of his leadership is of the conscious course of the work­ found precisely in his ability to ing class in the great crisis. The unify the leadership of the Party, choice of Browder as General Sec­ to generate the type of collective retary of the Communist Party was leadership without which a Party the act of sweeping out the oppor­ cannot be a Communist Party. The tunist, sectarian rubbish uncon­ commencement of Browder's office sciously retained in the heritage as General Secretary of the Party from the old Socialist Party, and was not only the beginning of a pe­ tolerated during the "boom" period riod of growth of the Party to eight of post-war imperialism. A turn to times its former size within ten the masses, made imperative by the years, but also is connected with his economic cataclysm of 1929-30, capacity to unify and develop and could be accomplished only with the renew the leadership of the Party. uprooting of this poisonous fungus Browder became a leader through growth. In the struggle of the Com­ whom for the first time leader­ munist Party to rid itself of these ship of the masses tended to become elements of conscious imperialist identified with the leadership of the corruption, the Party found its Party. Browder came to be regarded greatest strength and clarity in the not only as a leader of the Party but leadership of Earl Browder. Brow­ also as a leader of the people, what ·der became the necessary center of Lenin called "a Tribune of the gravity of all of the leadership of People." the Communist Party for a unity Lenin once said: 505 506 EARL BROWDER-TRIBUNE OF THE PEOPLE "Not a single class in history has historic traditions of the great ever achieved power without pro­ American Revolutions of 1776 and ducing its political leaders, its 1861, while bringing to conscio\18- prominent representatives able to ness the distinct role of the modern organize a movement and lead it." workL'lg class and the socialist (Selected Works, Vol. II, p. 13. In­ ternational Publishers, New York.) revolution. Browder becomes there­ by a stimulator of the self-confi­ With all that, every single mem­ dence of the working class and its ber of the Communist Party has a identification of its own cause and right to feel that he or she also its own victory with the necessary shares in the honor due Comrade historic course of the nation. Browder, for the leadership of The mistake of Roosevelt and Browder is inseparable from the his Attorney General Jackson tiel!! quality and greatness of the Com­ in their belief that the course of munist Party. The Communist Party the working class in relation to is not only created by such men as their effort to carry our country Browder, it also creates them. We through a prolonged world war are reminded of the words of Lenin can be changed by the imprison­ about the German Socialist leader ment of this pest and foremost August Bebel: leader of the Communist Party, whom they rightly feel to be the " ... even Bebel could not become Bebel without long Party work in strongest leader of the people the construction of a real Social­ against their imperialist war. Democratic representation. Don't say If the Communist Party were like to us: 'in our fraction we have no the opportunist-built and controlled Bebels.' One cannot be born a Bebel. Socialist Party of 1918 it could be It is necessary to be made into a emasculated and its will to struggle Bebel. Bebels dop.'t spring ready­ against the war could be broken by made like Minerva from the fore­ the imprisonment of its leader, head of Jupiter, but are made by somewhat as the resolve of the the Party and the working class.'' masses of the Socialist Party to op­ In this sense we can proudly say position to the first World War was that Earl Browder is not only the crippled and made ineffective by best leader of the Communist Party the imprisonment of the grand old but that also there could be no fighter Eugene Debs by Woodrow Browder without the Communist Wilson and A. Mitchell Palmer. Party. On the firm basis of Marxism­ The love of the workers for Earl Leninism Browder built a different Browder is an expression of their kind of Party. The imprisonment of consciousness of the historic role of Browder must and will, and has al­ the working class, and their pride ready begun to show how even such in this role, and their resolute will a damaging attack upon the work­ to carry it through. To a much ers can be turned against the greater degree than many people enemies of the workers. Because the realize, Browder succeeds in assim­ leadership of Browder expresses ilating for the working class the best and accomplishes the construction EARL BROWDER-TRIBUNE OF THE PEOPLE 507 of a Communist Party, and not a But the whole of this struggle in party of the Social-Democratic type, the interest of the masses is incon­ this Party will answer the attack by ceivable and impossible of succes!! strengthening itself. unless it includes a bold and far­ The decisive thing is the rapidity flung struggle for the release of the and thoroughness of the extension best fighter in the struggle against of the organization of the worker~?, war, the tribune of the people who and their ideological and organiza­ i,; a hostage of the war party-Earl tional consolidation and clarification Browder. in the struggle against a war that We are absolutely confident that is directed against the people's the workers can and will accomplish interests. his release. HOW TO FREE EARL BROWDER

BY ELIZABETH GURLEY FLYNN

'f'HREE months ago our beloved Thus on American soil the shame­ .1. leader, Earl Browder, was ful set-up of concentration camps is snatched from our midst and im­ demanded by this poll-tax Con­ prisoned in Atlanta penitentiary. gressman from Alabama. The tradi­ His sentence is for the duration of tion of political asylum is as old as the RooseveJ.t Administration-four our country and gave our ancestors years. The flower of fascism refuge. Knowing full well that the bloomed in the spring on the banks conditions in war-torn Europe and of the Potomac, along with the Jap­ the political status of many resi­ anese cherry trees. Its first bitter dents make deportation a death fruit, true to its European proto­ sentence and imprisonment here a type, is an attack upon the Com­ life sentence, this sadistic Bourbon munist Party. A second crop, as we presses for the passage of his mon­ have clearly warned, is an attack strous bill. on civil liberties in general and These and similar manifestations organized labor in particular. Un­ of home-grown fascism-such as der the pretext of "wartime emer­ Mrs. Roosevelt's charming plan to gency" the 1941 Congress is grind­ relieve the sweethearts of the ing out a plethora of repressive leg­ draftees from loneliness by con­ islation. Poll-tax Congressmen from scripting them at forced labor for eight states, where ten million of $21 per month-slap the American the electorate are disfranchised, people in the face daily. Uncertain head all important committees, and of her public, she warns: "I can are geared to outlaw strikes, to hear some of my young friends, maintain the open shop, to "freeze" particularly those influenced by wages and working conditions. The certain political beliefs, bringing up Vinson Bill, opposed by both the the question as to why this year's C.I.O. and the A. F. of L., is the service should be compulsory. They high peak of such anti-union legis­ would claim that this is a fascist or lation. The Hobbs Concentration Nazi scheme leading us straight to Camp Bill provides "detention for the system of German work camps." non-citizens ordered deported but (Italics ours-E.G.F.) She blandly whose deportation cannot be ef­ assures her critics that it is like fected." the public school system-that com- 508 HOW TO FREE EARL BROWDER 509 pulsion is democracy. With over today pose as Hitler's "enemies" nine million unemployed in Amer­ were his abject appeasers. ica, jobs in hospitals, clinics, school Labor unions were smashed long lunchrooms, vegetable gardens are ago in Germany; their officials are to be done by drafted young women dead or in prison. Similar procedure at scab wages. Thus the bitter fruit is planned here shortly, if Congress of fascism is dressed up like a sac­ has its way. Undoubtedly every rificial offering for the Ladies Hom.e poll-tax Congressman from the J ournat. Puzzled mothers undoubt­ South, plus more than a few kin­ edly ask: "First the boys go for $21 dred spirits from other sections, a month. Now the girls must go, too! would fight for the pleasure of lock­ Where are we going-to the poor ing up John L. Lewis and throwing house?" the key away for the next four The pattern of Adolf Bitler has years. Concentration camps for for­ become a blueprint for American eign, minority, and labor groups is capitalism, as it became in France a Nazi pattern. So is compulsory and under the same guise--prepar­ labor for women in work camps, as ing to fight Hitler. There the best many observers, including Dorothy of the anti-Nazi, anti-fascist forces Thompson, have stressed. were exiled leaders of the Commu­ Many American capitalists have nist Parties of Germany, Italy, expressed their admiration for Hit­ Spain and Czechoslovakia, who had ler. Others barely conceal their con­ escaped the hangman's noose and currence and would gladly emulate the guillotine. On the declaration of him. Lindbergh is the open face of war these heroic refugees were this group. But is Mr. Knudsen thrown into concentration camps, as cleansed of his admiration of the "alien enemies." Many died. Some "miracle man"? "America must were killed, resisting deportation fight fascism," they say openly. So back to torture and death. Members we must become fascist, they say in of the International Brigade are effect, in their inner councils and held in unspeakably vile camps. As more boldly every day. Fight fire a preliminary to capitulation to with fire! Throw America into the Hitler, the Communist Party of holocaust!-this is their crude and France was outlawed and its elected cruel prescription. Anything to save Deputies imprisoned. their putrid profit system! Anything Ernst Thaelmann, Secretary of to extend their imperialist markets! the Communist Party of Germany, Anything to be in on the kill and is imprisoned by Hitler. Earl Brow­ division of the loot when other im­ der, Secretary of the Communist perialist groups totter and crumble! Party of the U.S.A., is imprisoned Anything to ward oft the day of here, by the Roosevelt Administra­ reckoning, when an aroused Ameri;.. tion-a thought-provoking parallel can people will say to the capital­ to the American people. Both are ist class: "You have been tried in long-standing and courageous fight­ the balance and found wanting. ers against the Nazis and the fas­ We'll take over now!" cists and were when those who Because our beloved Comrade 510 HOW TO FREE EARL BROWDER Browder is the most eloquent, artic­ pers trekked to see Debs and then ulate, persuasive and convincing to the White House. He wanted to speaker to and for the American take the credit for Debs' release. people at this time, best personify­ Two years after Debs entered prison ing the struggle for peace and he was released by President Hard­ against fascism, his voice was si­ ing, thanks to "The court of last lenced, his pen was halted, his ac­ resort-the people,'' Debs had said tivities cut off. A mean, petty when his sentence was affirmed by pretext which fooled no one was the Supreme Court, "They win be resorted to by this cowardly ad­ heard from in due time." ministration. The similar vindictive determina­ When that other great leader of tion which the present war admin­ the people, Eugene V. Debs, was istration displays to keep Earl arrested in 1918, it was over one Browder in the same prison and year after war had been declared, for the same reasons will evoke and he was then accused openly of similar mass support for Comrade opposition to the war program of Browder, once the facts are brought the United States. He was not im­ to the American people, as they prisoned on a subterfuge charge. were in regard to Debs. Let us press This gave him a magnificent oppor­ the question, why did they not try tunity to speak to the entire coun­ Browder for his political utter­ try, the world in fact, through his ances, as they did Debs? Apparently two-hour address to the jury. He was at one time they contemplated do­ able, like our brave Comrade Dimi­ ing so. We recall that after Comrade troff an trial in Germany years Browder spoke in Boston there was later, to make a historic political great excitement in the press. An defense in court, and expose the en­ unofficial spokesman, "close to the emies of the people. He earned the President," said in an interview vindictive personal hatred of Wood­ from Hyde Park that an investiga­ row Wilson, who allowed this frail tion was under way to determine if old man to go to Atlanta Peniten­ Browder was guilty of treason, sedi­ tiary, sentenced to ten years, five tion or what not. What was the months after the Armistice had questionable quotation from Com­ been signed. Wilson declared that as rade Browder's speech? ~e had said, long as he was· in the White House speaking of the ruling class: Debs would stay in prison. The answer of indignant Ameri­ "They know that America itself, despite the political backwardness can people in 1920 was nearly a as yet of our working class, is tech­ million votes for Debs as Presiden­ nically, objectively, the country tial candidate while his eloquent which is the most ripe, the most voice was silenced in a cell. A tre­ prepared, for ·a quick transition to mendous mass movement for his socialism, for which it lacks only release and that of all other politi­ tlJ;e understanding and the will of cal prisoners developed in the the masses to that goal." * United States to such proportions • The Second l~ri«list W c, International that finally foxy old Samuel Gom- Publishers, New Yod::, pp. 153-154. HOW TO FREE EARL BROWDER 511 The Squire o.f Hyde Park was dis­ the people. They did not want a turbed by the suggestion of a quick political trial, where Earl Browder transition to socialism. For the eight could broadcast the views of his years past he had tried to give the party, the Communist Party, all depressed capitalist system blooo over America. They did not want transfusions of the New Deal to Browder to speak to the American save it from collapse. Then the pa­ people for peace and soCialism, as tient cursed the doctor. Now he has Debs did. So they substituted an shifted to injections of war orders, obscure red-tape technicality. shooting its blood pressure sky high. Our responsibility is to speak for But since the "shots in the arm" Browder . to the American people. give the old system dreams of ex­ The more widespread and effec­ pansion, conquest and prosperity for tively we do this, the sooner a tre­ profiteers, he is no longer a "traitor mendous mass pressure for his to his class." Another world savior unconditional release will assert it­ of capitalism is sitting in the chair self. We must flood the country with of destiny once occupied by Wooo­ literature, such as Comrade Brow­ row Wilson. And like the famous der's last book, The Way Out, and schoolmaster he cannot brook oppo­ the Dean of Canterbury's book, So­ sition. viet Power•; and with leaflets which "After us the deluge!" is no expose the real purpo$~s behind the poetic phrase but a constant night­ hand picked "blue ribbon" jury's mare for those who undertake the conviction of Earl Browder. herculean task of keeping capital­ The American people will appre­ ism on its feet. That's why they ciate the accuracy of Comrade have insomnia, as Comrade Brow­ Browder's own estimate of the Su­ der remarked in his farewell speech. preme Court's decision against him Earl Browder sleeps serenelY in when he quoted Abraham Lincoln's his narrow cot in a prison cell be­ biting comment on the Dred Scott cause he does know the American decision: "It is as thin as homeo­ people. He is flesh of their flesh. pathic soup made by boiling the Their thoughts are not secret to shadow of a pigeon that starved to Browder. He knows that once his death." We must expose the harass­ fellow countrymen are fully aware ing, sniping tactics against the Com­ that fascism in all its evil forms is munist Party, the excessive bail, the the last foul spawn of capitalism expensive, long-drawn-out trials, they will not tolerate its insid.ious the unheard of "compliance bail" growth in our country. which keeps twenty-nine of our The Roosevelt Administration did most active members in jail in not try Earl Browder for the real Western Pennsylvania; the heavy charge against him-that he advo­ fines and costs levied in all cases; cates socialism as a better way of the revival of obsolete criminal life than capitalism and as the only syndicalism laws in Oklahoma and social order capable of establishing the brutal ten-year sentences in- peace, security and happiness for all • Published by Iaternarional Publishen. 512 HOW TO FREE EARL BROWDER fl.icted upon our comrades, Wood, Party a thousandfold. We cannot fill Shaw and Jaffee. Comrade Browder's place. We must The Communist Party is the acid restore him to his place. Let us ex­ test of the right of any minority press our deep love and admiration party to challenge the Siamese­ for him as a comrade, friend and twin party system, which, Janus­ leader, let us express our unbound­ faced, shouts for war today. To free ed contempt and opposition to Browder, we must defend our Par­ the Roosevelt Administration's at­ ty. To free Browder, we must pre­ tempt to gag and bind him, by car­ serve our press. To free Browder, rying on his work to the very best we must build our Party and ex­ of our ability. Let us now work un­ pand our press. To free Browder, ceasingly to bring his message to we must resist every attempt to the American people and thereby deprive our Party of its legal exis­ build a mighty movement to return tence and lawful rights. To free him to his family, his Party and the Browder, we must intensify the people. In working to free Earl struggle against the imperialist war, Browder we are working to free the we must increase the work of our American people. BROWDER SH0\\18 THE \\TA Y OUT

BY ROY HUDSON

ILLIONS of Americans have significance of this book, and have Malready awakened to the fact given it a recommendation beyond that against their will, and through anything which we can give. false promises, lies and subterfuges, A bourgeois commentator who they have been led down the bloody evidently could not forego the urge path of imperialist war. Tomorrow to be "clever" found it a rather tens of millions will awaken to the humorous coincidence that Comrade sad realities of their plight. And like Browder, with the prison door about their brothers and sisters in other to close on him, titled his book Tire lands that have been engulfed in Way Out. Little did he understand this second world imperialist war, that just as the dark forces who they will want to know how, by have catapulted the American peo­ whom, and for what purpose they ple into the war have as part of have been thrust into the valley of their war plans snatched Comrade destruction. And above all, they will Browder from our midst, so the search for the way out. This is why people in their struggle for a way Comrade Browder's latest book, The out of the bloody holocaust will, Way Out, is without doubt the also as part of this struggle, open most important book that has ap­ the doors to freedom for Comrade peared in this country since the out­ Browder. And Comrade Browder's break of the war. Thie Way Out will be a powerful The fact that the author of this instrument in the hands of the book, which is already a "best American people to achieve both seller," is today behind prison bars peace and the release of Comrade because of his leadership in the peo­ Browder. ple's struggle against the war, only emphasizes its importance to the * * people. Wall Street and the Roose- Like all his previous books The velt Administration who have im- Way Out-his sixth-is not a work prisoned the leader of the Commu- written "on order" by the publish­ nist Party in an effort to silence his ers, to satisfy some urge to write, voice, to rob the American people or some academic study. Like most of his active leadership in these cru- of the works of great leaders of cial days, have only underscored the the working class and people's 513 514 BROWDER SHOWS THE WAY OUT movements, and in the best tradi­ as the most powerful country in the tions of Lenin and Stalin, this book world. This period, which began is the product of the struggle itself, with the American trade union the expression of Comrade Brow­ movement at the lowest point in the der's role and leadership in these post-War period, saw the rise of the struggles. It is written for, about, great struggles of the unemployed, and in the heat of the battle. This the organization of new millions of latest volume is a collection of re­ unorganized, the building of the ports, speeches and articles covering C.I.O. This period saw the rise of a the period from May, 1940, to Feb­ powerful movement for the rights of ruary, 1941, ten months unfolding the Negro people, the increasing the most fateful developments in role of the Negro workers in the world history. ' liberation struggles of the Negro The Way Out is the greatest book people, the development of joint ac­ that Comrade Browder has written tions of Negro and white masses. thus far. But it at the same time It witnessed the cleansing of the serves to emphasize the imperative Communist Party of the Trotskyites need that all his former works be and Lovestoneites; the development studied most carefully by all Com­ of the Communist Party of the munists and by the most active U.S.A. from a small group with little forces of the workers' and people's contact with the masses into a rela­ movement. The six books of Com­ tively influential organization with rade Browder, beginning with Com­ deep roots among the masses, and munism in the United States, and with a clear Marxist-Leninist pol­ followed chronologically by What Is icy, discovering and making great Communism?, The People's Front, use of the revolutionary traditions Fighting for Peace, The Second Im­ of the American people. It is the perialist War, and now The Way decade in which Comrade Browder Out, cover a whole decade. This . has stood as the head of the Com­ decade includes the collapse of the munist Party, its General Secretary. so-called Coolidge-Hoover "pros­ The Way Out is the greatest work perity" with the great crash of 1929, of Comrade Browder because it re­ the emergence of the "New Deal," flects and is the product of the and the beginning of the second im­ growth of the labor and people's perialist war. It covers the rise of movements, of the growing influ­ Nazism in Germany, the great ence of the Communist Party, to struggle in Spain; the struggle for which Comrade Browder's con­ the independence of the Chinese tributions have been so great. A re­ people, and the emergence of the flection of the dialectical interaction People's Front tactic as a major of men and events, it shows to what weapon in the people's struggle for heights Comrade Browder has risen peace, security and democracy. It as a leader of the Communist Party covers the period of the successful and the American people, in the building of socialism in the U.S.S.R., course of the last decade, and un­ through the great Five-Year Plans, der the impact of the present crucial and the emergence of the U.S.S.R. period in human history. A study BROWDER SHOWS THE WAY OUT 515 of Comrade Browder's works will, marizes the whole previous period to the vulgarizer and superficial ob­ since the beginning of the war, a server, present zigzags in policy. subject which is treated in greater This is how the bourgeois writers, detail in The Second Imperialist Social-Democrats and renegades try War. It thus makes it possible for to interpret his writings in theit· those who have not read this earlier efforts to weaken his growing in­ work to get a complete and round­ fluence among the masses. But the ed-out analysis of the character of honest worker, the student of the imperialist war, as well as of the Marxism-Leninism will see the tasks in the fight for peace. It also inner connection of all his writings, shows how American imperialism his true Marxist-Leninist method, and the Roosevelt Administration, his application of theory to the while trying to lull the masses into study of actual events and the ap­ passivity with promises of "peace," plication of strategy and tactics to had already determined from the changing situations in the truest very beginning to join the war on Marxist-Leninist spirit, that "theory the side of British imperialism. To is not a dogma, but a guide to know and understand this and to action." make the masses understand it, is The Way Out-like the former most important especially now, writings of Comrade Browder, but when the last steps are being taken even more so-while being a col­ toward full belligerency. lection of reports, speeches and ar­ Comrade Browder in that report ticles, dealing with current events, -in May, 1940--told us: and giving direct answers to the im­ mediate and most, burning questions "And already the American bour­ geoisie assumes, as a closed ques­ of the day, at the same time con­ tion, that this country is committed stantly refers to and elaborates on to one side of the imperialist rivalry, theoretical questions from which to the Allied camp, for good or evil, flow his analyses and conclusions. and to question the decision is al­ Moreover, it presents a profound ready a form of treason. In the face adaptation to the American scene of of a popular will to keep out of the theory in many phases of the strug­ war, estimated at 96 per cent, the gle, enriching and adding to the vast Roosevelt Administration, backed by treasur-es of Marxism-Leninism, in the united economic royalists and their agents, is taking the country both .the fields of theory and tactics. step by step into the war with a speed unexampled in all history, I. and with a boldness and cynicism that are quite breath-taking, worthy While covering the period begin­ of Hitler himself." (The Way Out, ning with May, 1940, already nine p. 13.) months after the beginning of the Today every honest person read­ second imperialist war, the book ing these lines will agree with this opens with Browder's report to the charge against the imperialist bour­ Eleventh National Convention of geoisie and the Roosevelt Adminis.. the C.P.U.S.A., which actually sum- tration. But in May, 1940, when 516 BROWDER SHOWS THE WAY OUT from Roosevelt down to every apol­ going sky high. Similarly, the lib­ ogist for Wall Street, there were erties of the people are being daily protestations that we were follow­ curtailed through legislation, and ing a policy of "neutrality," of a through executive orders, as well "desire for peace," and that every as through intimidation and extra­ new war measure taken by the legal action. We now have military Administration was really a meas­ conscription. Five million foreign­ ure to "keep us out of the war," born have been registered and these words were indeed words of fingerprinted. Never have we wit­ great insight, sounding a badly nessed such interference with free needed warning to the people. elections as in the last Presidential We also remember how the Hill­ campaign, which witnessed the re­ mans, the "liberals" of the Nation election of President Roosevelt to a and the New Republic were then third term, for the first time in the assuring the people that Roosevelt history of the republic. Lynching would make possible "guns and and Jim Crowism have increased. butter," that our liberties would re­ Civil liberties are trampled under main intact. But Comrade Browder foot, with scores already filling the warned the country: jails in Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, West Virginia and other states. The "War policy determines every­ right to strike is under fire through thing else. The American bour­ geoisie cannot move toward enter­ state legislation, through the Presi­ ing the unpopular and imperialist dent's Mediation Board, and the war without, at the same time, mak­ threat of new Federal legislation. ing war against the living standards And if matters have not come to a and civil rights of the masses at worse state of affairs it is only be­ home, making war against the labor cause the militant sections of the movement, wiping out progressive labor movement, the rising move­ legislation, and establishing a more ment for peace, have resisted these brutal dictatorship of monopoly attacK:s and are resisting today in capital over the daily life of the ever g~·eater numbers. And because country." (Ibid.) Comrade Browder and his Party What happened since then again have pointed to the danger and shows with what insight Comrade warned the masses, that is why Browder foretold coming events. Comrade Browder and other Com­ The capitalists are ever more deter­ munists are behind prison bars, minedly trying to place the burden while the attacks against the Com­ of the war cost on the people, munist Party take on more and through increased taxation on the more the character of a general at­ low-income groups, through rising tack. prices that enrich the monopolists The key to an understanding of and war profiteers, through forced the tasks involved in the struggle "savings" and through a conscious against further involvement in and policy to force curtailment of mass for the way out of the war, is of consumption. The masses are called course to know first the character upon to "sacrifice" while profits are of the war and its causes. The BROWDER SHOWS THE WAY OUT 517 Roosevelts, the Hillmans acting in talism itself, and not merely a the interests of monopoly capital, Kaiser or a Hitler, or as some would wish the masses to believe that this have it, the German race, that is il:' a war for democracy, for civiliza­ responsible for war, they will quick­ tion, against fascism and barbarism. ly put an end to both war and capi­ The cause for this war they tell us talism. And precisely for this rea­ is the character of the German peo­ son it is necessary that the masses ple. Even those "liberals" who only do learn the true cause of the war. yesterday condemned the last World It is especially urgent that the War as a war for imperialism, for working class learn this truth. Com­ the interests of the capitalists of the rade Browder does not limit himself various imperialist countries, are to the statement of capitalist re­ now throwing mud in their own sponsibility for the war. He analyzes faces, telling us that the last war the workings of imperialism, shows was really a war to make the world how the law of the uneven develop­ safe for democracy, and that since ment of capitalism operated since the job was not finished then, it the last war in deepening the con­ must be finished now. Let us see tradictions among the various impe­ how Comrade Browder answers the rialist countries, how the general question as to the character and the crisis of capitalism and the emer­ causes of the present world conflict: gence of the Soviet Union have fur­ ther served to deepen these contr~­ "The present imperialist war is dictions, and how the Allies them­ not a 1·cpetition of the imperialist World War of 1914-1918, but it is selves helped to bring about and its continuation. It is the same in hasten the present war against principle, in that it is the expression themselves. He asks: of the most profound contradictions of the capitalist system of society "How could German imperialism, (in its imperialist stage of the dom­ defeated, prostrate and helpless inance of monopoly capital); it is ;~_fter the last war, staJi:e such a spec­ different, inasmuch as it occurs tacular comeback in such a short time?" (Ibid., p. 17.) after the last World War with all its consequences, in a period of more And he answers this question: profound crisis, with the forces of world capitalism much weaker, with "The answer is to be found in two the revolutionary anti-capitalist main factors: First, the contradic­ forces much stronger and more ma­ tions and antagonisms among the ture, and above all with the exist­ victors in the last war flared up with . ence of the Soviet Union, a decisive new intensity when Germany was and irrevocable break in the world defeated, and among the leading system of capitalism .... Capitalism powers themselves effectively pre­ is itself the general underlying vented any common world policy; cause of the war." (Ibid., pp. 14-15.) peace was not the first, but the last, consideration among them. Second­ Quite naturally, the capitalists ly, the fear of the working class, of and their apologists wish to keep the socialist revolution, and espe­ this truth from the masses. For, cially hatred of the Soviet Union once the masses learn that it is capi- was so deep and so overwhelming 518 BROWDER SHOWS THE WAY OUT within the bourgeoisie, the ruling free hand in Spain, to test out those classes of the whole world, that it engines of destruction which should led them into fatal miscalculations, later be thrown against the Soviet into policies that went bankrupt Union. For this they agreed to under the test of reality." (Ibid.) allow Hitler to guarantee his 'rear' through the fortification of the It is important always to remem­ Rhineland. For this they sacrificed ber these antagonisms within the Austria and Czechoslovakia, with camp of the bourgeoisie, even untold armaments and treasure. among the so-called Allies and Axis For this they dishonored and emas­ powers and not only between these culated the League of Nations. For two camps. Without this one cannot this they betrayed their own most understand the development that solemn obligations and turned them led up to Munich, the whole "ap­ into a mockery before all men. For this they delivered their own fate peasement" policy. Nor should it be into the hands of Hitler." (Ibid., forgotten that these antagonisms p. 20.) and contradictions between the im­ perialists of Britain and the U.S., as Comrade Browder then goes on to well as between Germany and show that even after the war had Japan, continued to play an import­ broken out the British, French and ant role today, even as the U.S. and the American imperialists did not Britain are jointly fighting "for give up their hopes and their in­ ci¥ilization" and while the Axis trigues to convert the "wrong war" powers are fighting for their "new into the "right war," into a war world order." Comrade Browder against the Soviet Union. Expecta­ goes into great detail to prove his tion and hope was heightened for analysis. Here is what he has to say them when they thought that Fin­ regarding the role of Great Britain: land could be used as the spring­ board to accomplish this aim. We all "The British ruling class had col­ still remember how the French laborated with their German class brothers in bringing Hitler to power shipped their best war material to in Germany in order to crush the the "democrat" Mannerheim, how threatening German socialist revo­ President Roosevelt rushed in with lution, to smash the German Bol­ loans and war material, how from sheviks. They were delighted with Hoover to Norman Thomas they his performance, and encouraged howled, they began their collections German rearmament for the purpose to help "brave little Finland." On of smashing the Soviet Union which this Comrade Browder says: Hitler had long boasted was his chief aim. For this the British and "During the period of hostilities French bourgeoisie were actually in Finland, Allied-American grand bappy to see Hitler building an strategy was reconstructed in terms army and piling up armaments. For of holding tight on the Western this they were ready to make most front, while active military meas­ serious concessions to Hitler's axis ures WEre assigned to the 'Northern partners, Japan and Italy, sacrific­ front' and the 'Southeastern front,' ing China and Ethiopia. For this both of them capable of being di­ they gave MussoYni and Hitler a rected against Germany or tlie So- BROWDER SHOWS . THE WAY OUT 519 viet Union, or both with equal facil­ for Britain will be in the interests ity. The plan was to move simul­ of the casses. He says: taneously on bcfth fronts in May, in a pincers movement, which backed "What reason is there to believe by the blockade and a solid Western that an Allied victory will bring front, would 'bring Hitler to his anything better than a German vic­ senses' and a quick peace, followed tory? Britain and France emerged by a concerted drive against the the victors in 1918 ... what kind of Soviet Union, the 'right war' at last. Europe and what kind of world did The world shaking achievements of they produce? If the wodd is a the Red Army in smashing the Man­ bloody mess today that is the direct nerheim Line and the Soviet-Fin­ result of victory for the Allied nish peace on March 12, without powers in 1918. Have the British precedent in the generosity of its and French ruling classes shown terms, again shattered the recon­ any intelligence or morality since structed Allied strategy." (Ibid., 1918 greater than before? On the p. 28.), contrary, they have shown even less. How this "farsighted" policy of Have they shown any more ability? On the contrary, they display noth­ the Allies and their efforts to switch ing but an abyss of incapacity, in­ the "wrong war" into the "right eptitude and corruption. Are they war" turned out is very aptly de­ any more 'democratic'? On the con­ scribed by Comrade Browder in the trary they have leveled off the so­ following words: called democracies with the fascist "Marking the close of the first regimes, so that there is no essen­ phase of the war, Prime Minister tial difference between them in their Neville Chamberlain speaking to relationship to the masses. There is Britain and the world uttered these nothing to choose between the im­ historic words: 'Hitler has missed perialist camps, for any support the bus.' The next day, the second given to either means the surrender phase of the war opened with the of the whole struggle for peace and British mining the Norwegian terri­ a better world.'' (Ibid., pp. 35-36.) Within six weeks Ger­ torial waters. the man troops were within artillery The way out for the masses, range of the British shores.'' (Ibid., road to peace and to a better world, p. 29.) Comrade Browder tells us, can only be found by the people through In answer to those who believe their own struggles: that a victory of British imperialism is to be preferred to a victory of "Only the peoples of the world, German imperialism, Comrade led by the working class, can bring Browder· recites what happened peace and a better world, and that and victory after the end of the first world war. only through struggle over their own imperialists and re­ important because This is especially actionaries.'' (Ibid., p. 36.) the Soci!iil-Democrats and liberals of all stripes, in order to ensnare • • • the masses into the war, are playing The Way Out i& divided into three the game of "admitting" the "sins" parts of approximately equal size. of British imperialism, but contend­ The report to the 11th National ing at the same time that a. victory Convention from, which all the- 520 BROWDER SHOWS THE WAY OUT above quotations are taken forms article one also understands why it the major section of the first part: is that among the masses in Latin In addition there is the acceptance Ame.rica there was such an outburst speech at the Nominating Conven­ of protest against the imprisonment tion-"A Platform for Peace," a of Browder. Here are some of Com­ speech to the Veterans of the Abra­ rade Browder's observations: ham Lincoln Brigade, a speech ad­ "Certainly there are common in­ dressed to the middle classes-"The terests of the peoples of the twenty­ Middle Class and the War," and one American republics; equally finally two most important docu­ certain it is that these common ments, Comrade Browder's testi­ interests are placed in jeopardy by mony before the Senate Judiciary the chaotic world conditions .... Committee on the Voorhis Registra­ "How is it possible that German tion Bill, and an article on the Pan­ influence can become the central American Conference. These last issue within a conference of the two documents especially should be twenty-one American republics? studied by every Communist and "There are two chief factors progressive. They furnish the key to which make this possible. They are, first, the conflicting interests be­ underst&nding the events of today. tween the Government of the United They c.re an example of Comrade States, on the one hand, which re­ Browder's application of Marxism­ flect the interests of United States Leninism to the problems facing the finance capital, and the Latin Amer­ American people. ican ccuntries, on the other hand, The article on the Pan-American whose governments reflect interests Conference is of such importance within their own countries in con­ that despite limited space, and the flict with the aims and policies of fact that the article forms an in­ Yv ashington. Second, there is a divisible whole from which to ex­ broad range of differences and con­ tract quotations is difficult, we will flicts within Latin America itself, ventm'e to quote from it, in the which are more or less clearly re­ hope that the reader will make a flected in their own government which will be represented in thorough study of the article in the Havana." (Ibid., pp. 74-75.) light of recent developments with­ in Latin America, and in the rela­ Comrade Browder then traces the tions between the Latin American changed significance of the Monroe countries and the United States. Doctrine from "a support to the na­ The bourgeoisie, no matter what tional liberation movement of the other differences, is united in its Latin American peoples, in their policy with regard to Latin Amer­ struggle to break away from the old ica. From Lindbergh down to Nor­ European semi-feudal empires" to man Thomas, there is agreement on the time when it became, as it re­ what is called "hemisphere de­ mains today, nothing but "the his­ fense," the Monroe Doctrine, etc., torical costume used to dress up the all of which form the cover for new policy of imperialist conquest American imperialist policy in of Wall Street." After citing many Latin America. When one reads this facts to show how American im- BROWDER SHOWS THE WAY OUT 521 perialism has acted in Latin Amer­ over their foreign trade with the ica in the last forty years, he con­ rest of the world.... cludes: "We in the United States cannot successfully break the chains of "It was not out of imagination, monopoly over our own life if we but from prolonged experience, that help to bind Latin America in the Latin American people raised similar but even heavier chains. their slogans against 'Yankee Im­ "\Vall Street's super-profits from perialism' and the 'Colossus of the Latin America only help to grind North.' " (Ibid., p. 76.) down the people of the United States into deeper poverty and op­ Then characterizing the present pression." (Ibid., p. 78.) policy of the Administration to­ ward Latin America, the abandon­ II. ment of some of the earlier begin­ The second part of the book deals nings of the "good neighbor" policy, mainly with the last Presidential he says: election campaign. It contains some "When we turn to the examina­ of Browder's most important tion of the concrete proposals which speeches-delivered by radio or have been given to the press by through recordings, because the Washington in anticipation of the Roosevelt Administration, through Havana conference, we are con­ Judge Knox, prevented the Commu­ firmed in our presumption that nist candidate from touring the the Roosevelt Administration has country. While the other Presiden­ plumped hook, line and sinker for tial candidates wish that the masses an intensified imperialist policy." would not remind them of their (Ibid., p. 77.) campaign speeches, and when re­ Comrade Browder then outlines a minded of their already broken policy which alone will be in the promises admit that they were mere interests of the people of Latin "campaign oratory," the speeches of America, and shows how such a Comrade Browder when read today policy is also in the interests of the will be understood and accepted by American people. new millions who in the course of the ~ampaign were still under the "The only salvation of the Latin illusions that Roosevelt was follow­ American nations lies in the direc­ ing a course toward peace, and tion of a progressively increasil'l;i against the economic royalists, or economic independence, to be who took seriously Willkie's "ora­ achieved through (1) their own in­ tory" about keeping out of war. dustrialization and reclaiming their These speeches will be read and re­ economies from foreign ownership; (2) a more balanced agriculture; membered when the names of (3) the development of foreign Roosevelt and Willkie will have trade between the Latin American dwindled into insignificance. We countries; and ( 4) prevention at all shall limit ourselves here to citing cost that any of the great capitalist only one of the speeches and one powers should secure monopoly article originally published in the 522 BROWDER SHOWS THE WAY OUT Daily Worker, to show with what ist war-all without even the for­ understanding, clarity and adroit­ mality of submitting the issues to ness Comrade Browder met the Congress, which under the Constitu­ main issues of the campaign. tion alone holds the power of mak­ ing alliances and deciding questions * * * of war and peace." (Ibid., p. 87.) In his most important speech dur­ Comrade Browder is here of ing the election campaign, at the course referring to the so-called de­ very moment when the candidates stroyer-base deal. He further ex­ of both' the major parties were com­ poses the conspiracy in these words: peting in demagogic promises of "peace" and "democracy" Comrade " ... Wendell Willkie was nomi­ Browder exposed the conspiracy of nated by a conspirational junta, or­ Wall Street and the Roosevelt Ad­ ganized by Thomas W. Lamont of ministration to plunge the country the firm of J. P. Morgan, working in direct agreement with Roosevelt, into war and establish a military and engineered by Walter Lippmann. dictatorship. He lashed out against Willkie was chosen for the Repub­ the decision to prevent him from lican Party by Roosevelt and La­ going to the people in person. He mont after an agreement had been showed that he was denied rights reached as to the fundamental pol­ granted to real criminals. Citing that icy to which all would adhere, the the Administration was excusing its same policy revealed in the Presi­ treatment of him on the ground that dent's sensational coup of Septem­ he and his Party "propose to change ber 3. the form of government of the U. "Willkie's nomination was a guar­ s.," he safd: antee which Roosevelt required be­ fore he dared to launch his coup "But who is really changing the d'etat. The masses, the majority of form of government of the United the voters, had been disarmed and States? It is the Roosevelt Ad­ denied every opportunity of effec­ ministration, under the direct lead­ tive protest before the President ership of the President himself. dared to proclaim the joining of the They have been deliberately violat­ United States into the British Em­ ing the elections laws, and the Con­ pire. Even now, with the elections stitution itself, throwing the Com­ effectively blocked off from the peo­ munist Party and other minor, par­ ple, Roosevelt dares not submit his ties off the ballot in state after secretly matured plans to a vote of state, in order to steal Communist Congress, but must act by proc­ votes they may need to win the lamation, by edict, by a coup d'etat. elections, in order more effectively "In its cunning trickery, in its to silence our voices. And it was the cynical betrayals, in the personal President himself who, on Septem­ character of its leading participants, ber 3, openly stepped outside the the Roosevelt coup d'etat is in the Constitution, assumed powers of an historical tradition of Louis Na­ unlimited military dictator, com­ poleon; in its social significance for mitted the United States to a mili­ today, it is a flagrant adaptation of tary alliance with Great Britain and. the technique of Adolph Hitler; .in participation in the second imperial- its consequences for the American BROWDER SHOWS THE WAY OUT 523 people it is a catastrophe exl?ress­ formi.sts and Social-Democrats, the ing the most profound and vwlent "liberal:;," all who hated Lewis' cnsts of the capitalist world." militant trade union policies, all the (Ibid., pp. 88-89.) Red-baiters, all the Hillman sup­ porters in the C.I.O., jumped at Millions now, on the basis of his what they considered an opportun­ deeds, can see the game that \Vill­ ity to annihilate the progressive kie played during the elections. But forces ir: the labor and people's in September, Browder's analysis movement. They hoped to make use was a profound insight into events of the temporary confusion that and indeed a bold public statement Lewis' speech brought into th~ by a responsible leader of the work­ ranks of some of the progressive ing class. Whose vision and words circles. have events confirmed? Today the How did Comrade Browder meet millions begin to see that Roosevelt this situation? That it was a difficult had long ago decided upon the situation cannot be denied. But course of war and was taking the Comrarle Browder by his masterful country into it step by step. But to approach to this question helped not expose this conspiracy in Septem­ only to keep the progressive forces ber waz the greatest service to the united, to beat back the attack of people. the HilJmans, Greens and Norman Let us now consider Comrade Thomases, but to show the progres­ Browder's article "Labor Must Find sive forces how they could emerge Its Political Independence." It was stronger out of this difficult situ­ written as an editorial for the Daily ation. And that is exactly what hap­ Worker in comment on the speech pened. Comrade Browder of course of John L. Lewis in which he en­ could not and did not condone the dorsed Wendell Willkie. The mass grave error of Lewis in endorsing of the trade unionists were still sup­ Willkie, but neither did he adopt a porting Roosevelt. The Hill mans were totally negative attitude. Here he telling the masses that the choice be­ showed again the value of real lead­ tween Roosevelt and Willkie was a ership. In this now famous editorial choice between democracy and fas­ he said in the opening words: cism; that to vote for Roosevelt was to presHve all the gains of the "John L. Lewis, in his historic "New Deal," and to elect \'Villkie speech of October 25th, broke away would mean Hitlerism in the United from il1e active official leader of the States. Many honest trade unionists war party, Roosevelt, only to fall who were cooling off toward into the arms of the candidate for Roosevelt would, in the absence of leadership of that same war party,. a "third party," vote for Roosevelt Willkic. Thus did he give dramatic expression to the most. fundamental as the "lesser eviL" It is under these issue facing labor and the people­ conditions that Lewis made his the necessity for full political in­ speech and endorsement of Willkie. dependence from the moribund Immediately after the speech, the Democratic and Republican Parties Hillmans, the Tobins, all the re- which are but the expression of the· 524 BROWDER SHOWS THE WAY OUT war party coalition-without; how­ bilities of the 'lesser evil' theory." ever, indicating the only radical (Ibid., pp. 147-148.) solution, which is an independent The position taken by Comarde national Labor Party." (Ibid., p. Browder was echoed in one form or 147.) anothe.r by many of the most pro­ Thus we see that while the Hill­ gressive trade union leaders, with mans and Greens were trying to the result that at the close of the capitalize on the Lewis speech to campaign there was a greater body rally ihe workers to Roosevelt, of support for independent political Browder used the same speech to action on the part of labor than be­ promote independent political action fore. And even though this could of labor. While the reformists were not be registered in the November putting forward Roosevelt as labor's elections, because of the absence of choice, Browder showed that there a Fanner-Labor Party, it is never­ was no choice between Roosevelt theless true that the progressive and Willlde. Today these same sections of labor emerged clearer Hillmans, Greens, Waldmans and and more united in their determina­ La Guardias are praising Willkie in tion to fight for a break with both the same words as . they praise parties of the war coalition. And Roosevelt and Churchill. And truly finally, as was registered at the there is not now and there was not C.I.O. national convention a few then any real difference between weeks later, the Hillmans were de­ them. feated in their attempt to use the Referring to the Hillmans and Lewis speech in their efforts to split Greens, Comrade Browder con­ the C.I.O., to chain it to the Roose­ tinued: velt war machine. "There can be nothing but con­ III. tempt for the howls and the caviling The third and last section of the against Lewis, which come from the book contains ten separate articles, camp of Roosevelt's 'labor' lieuten­ ants. Among these Lilliputians, speeches and reports dealing with Lewis stands forth as a giant. They the most vital questions of the day, have groveled at the feet of the war and elaborated in such a manner machine and would deliver labor in that they increase our understand­ chains for the reward of Lewis' ing and · knowledge of Marxism­ smile." (Ibid., p. 148.) Leninism, of American history and "With Lewis' scorching excori­ of developments in the literary ation of the betrayal of Roosevelt, world. There are articles on the of his adventurous playing with the fight for the freedom of Prestes, on welfare, the lives, and peace of the inner developments in China, the people, a profound assent arises etc. Undoubtedly the most import­ from the masses, a deep voiced ant contribution in this section is 'Amen.' ... But the unconditional endorsement of Willkie, as the op­ the report on "Proletarian Interna­ posite of Roosevelt, flies in the face tionalism" delivered to the Emer­ of trmh and common sense. It trans­ gency Convention of the C.P.U.SA., cends even the moss-grown plausi- in November, 1940. BROWDER SHOWS THE WAY OUT 525 This report is a good example of knowledge of the history of our how Comrade Browder has mas­ country in the interests of the peo­ tered Marxism-Leninism, and how ple's struggles of today. he has raised and is leading our · Let us remember that the Emerg­ Party in its spirit. Here we have ency Convention was called to de­ the greatest firmness in principle cide what action the C.P.U.S.A. was combined with the greatest flexibil­ to take in the face of the enactment ity in tactics. Comrade Browder be­ of the Voorhis Registration Bill, gins this report with the famous which, if applied to the Party, Abraham Lincoln statement upon would practically make it impos­ accepting honorary membership in sible for the Party to carry on its the Workingmen's Association of work freely and openly. This would New York which reads: be so, not because the Party has anything to hide, but because the "The strongest bond of human Voorhis Act is really .. a blacklist sympathy, outside of the family re­ against the membership of every lationship, should be one uniting all working people, of all nations and organization to which it would be tongues and kindreds." (Ibid., p. applied. How did Comrade Brow­ 179.) der meet this question? He met it, first, by concretely analyzing the He !hen shows how the principle situation and taking into account of international solidarity which both the forces making for fasciza­ arose \Vith the modern labor move­ tion and the restraining influences: ment is not only not in conflict with, but is in the best traditions of this "Does the Voorhis Act represent nation. Analyzing the "historical such a definitive fascization of America that it leaves the Commu­ background of the Voorhis Act," he nist Party no choice but capitulation traces itfl "family tree" to the in­ or being declared illegal? That it famous "Alien and Sedition Laws" may represent such a development, of the Adams Administration, 1796- by administrative edict, is clear. But 1800. He shows how Thomas Jeffer­ a careful examination of the ques­ son, who was in his day denounced tion will cause us to withhold such by the Alexander Hamiltons as a a conclusion until it is forced on us. "Red," a "foreign agent," came to "First, we have witnessed the ex­ power in struggle against these in­ ample of England where, after more famous laws, and how these laws than fourteen months of war and were smashed by the people. He several months of horrible bombard­ traces the connection of the Voorhis ments from the air, the Communist Party of Great Britain still func­ Act under Roosevelt to the "Espion­ tions as a legal party . . . the war age Act" of 1917 under the "liberal" hysteria has not overwhelmed it Wilson. Finally, he shows the kin­ despite all the restrictions of war­ ship of the Voorhis Act to Hitlerism. time under a bourgeois govern­ This section of the report, like so ment. While it is true that the many other articles in the book, American bourgeoisie is more hys­ shows how effectively Comrade terical, more jittery ... yet we may Browder can draw upon his deep still keep the door open for possible 526 BROWDER SHOWS THE WAY OUT restraining influences to operate, to Must we defend this concrete or­ keep America from the full fasciza­ ganizational expression of our fun­ tion which threatens. damental principle in the same un­ "Secondly, the Voorhis Act itself conditional, uncomprom1smg way has the peculiarity that it avoids we defend and always will defend direct attack upon political opinions, the principle itself?" (Ibid., p. 189.) principles and teachings, insofar as anything applying to the Commu­ It was on the basis of this analysis nist Party is concerned. We are not and with the understanding of our advocates of force and violence, we uncompromising adherence to the are not foreign agents, we are principlCommunist International, at adh!=!rence to ,the Communist Inter­ national as an organized part of a the same time condemning the world party." (Ibid., p. 189.) Voorhis Act and deciding to work for its repeal. On the basis of the analysis of the Among the most important concrete situation and the actual speeches in the book is the one provisions of the Voorhis Act (rath­ delivered at the Lenin Memorial er than the intentions or possible Meeting in January of this year­ intentions of the Administration), "The Way Out of the Imperialist Comrade Browder proposed a line War." It gave for the first time a of policy which on the one hand direct answer to the question of the firmly defended the principle of extent to which we were becoming internationalism, and at the same involved in the war. Secondly, it time adopted a flexible attitude on gave a clear answer on how to get the "organizational expression" of out of the war. On the first point that principle: Comrade Browder said: "This affiliation is the organiza­ "The first requirement for under­ tional expression of the principle of standing our problems is to face internationalism, a principle to facts as they are, however unpleas­ which the life of every Communist ant. And it is a fact, unpleasant in­ is unconditionally consecrated. For deed, that America is in the war. this principle we will whenever Most of the current newspaper and necessary gladly give our lives, for radio chatter about keeping out of it is that which gives life meaning, the war is merely to hide a while makes it proud, heroic, worth living, longer the fact that we are already the only guarantee for the whole in, that our problem is: 'What way future of humanity. out.'" (Ibid., p. 199.) "Can we consider taking the step of dissolving the formal, official af­ But this did not mean, as Com­ filiation ... as the only way to avoid rade Browder pointed out, that we immediate practical illegalization of adopt a fatalistic attitude and fail our Party under the Voorhis Act? to organize the masses to struggle BROWDER SHOWS THE WAY OUT 527 against every new step that would be brought to an end by a similar involve us ever more deeply. That revolution in one or more of the is why we continue to fight against major countries of Europe. It cannot convoys, against a new A.E.F., be ended by the present rulers, but against every new war measure, only by their overthrow. The peo­ ples themselves must end this war." whethe;: directed at America's im­ (Ibid., pp. 204-205.) perialist rival or the people at home. Comrade Browder may be behind Then turning to the way out of prison bars, but the American peo­ the war, Comrade Browder showed ple will in ever greater numbers that not by supporting one side in learn of his teachings and follow his the imperialist war, which would of advice. We know that it will not be course be against the interests of easy. There are stormy days ahead the masses, not by supporting for the masses, and of course for Britain, as if a victory for Britain our Party. But there is no other would be better than a victory for choice than the path shown by Germany, can the war be brought Comrade Browder. And with every to an end, but only through the day, despite all hardships, our con­ struggles of the people: fidence in the final outcome only in­ "What then is the way out of the crenses. We are inspired by the calm war? Look back at the last World and confidence with which Comrade War! The nations are locked in em­ Browder for more than a year, with brace of mutual destruction, and the a heavy prison sentence hanging ruling classes of none of them could over him, carried on. We will strive point any way out except to com­ to be his worthy disciples. plete the destruction. Peace came Comrade Browder in prison only when the masses, the workers, knows that the Party of which he is the peasants and soldiers of one great country, Russia, took their the leader, and which he raised in fate into their own hands, over­ the spirit of Marxism-Leninism, will threw the old rulers, proclaimed so­ carry on and not falter. He has left cialism and peace. They were us tried cadres trained under his threatened with the most dire con­ leadership, and a great tradition. He sequences. The Kaiser's Germany has taught us how to meet the most forced a victor's peace at Brest­ difficult problems. He has given us Litovsk-but the people of Ger­ in his writings all of his wisdom, many soon overthrew the Kaiser in experience, deep love for the a revolution of their own. The masses, faith in the future. These United States, Britain, France, Ja­ are our strength. We shall all study pan made an undeclared war his works. We shall study "The Way against them-but the people stirred against their own governments and Out," until we make sure that we forced them to withdraw. The Rus­ have grasped every thought, its sian Revolution in 1917, under the method, its spirit. And we know that leadership of Lenin and Stalin, to master and fully understand his brought the end of the World War. works, which will ever be our guide, "The present imperialist war will we must study again and again the 528 BROWDER SHOWS THE WAY OUT teachings of Marx, Engels, Lenin But behind this surface appearance and Stalin. We must follow his ad­ the reality is something else. This vice and make the most profound great gathering of the forces of re­ study of the history of our country. action, this unlimited offensive We must note and give serious against everything that is honest and decent in American life is a sign thought to every important new not of the strength of reaction in event. Only thus shall we be able America; it is a sign that the whole fully to understand and apply the ruling class today is becoming con­ teachings contained in The Way Out scious of its doom. It is a sign that and Browder's previous writings. the American bourgeoisie has read But our task is not only to make its own death warrant and is in a certain that every rarty member hysterical fit of resistance to the in­ read and study The Way Out. This evitable. And we, though small we shall accomplish through our numbers today-and the future al­ ways first presents itself not with a branches, our schools, educational majority but with a small minority circles, through self-study. Our -we represent the future of Amer­ task is also to bring this last book ica. We represent the American of Comrade Browder to hundreds of search for truth; we represent the thousands of workers, especially American tradition of democracy, of the most active forces among the government of, by and for the peo­ workers in the basic industries, in ple. We represent honest thought the trade unions, who have just and culture; we represent the search written a new and glorious page in for beauty; we represent the cre­ ative power of the masses. And that the militant struggles in which they is why the future belongs to us. engaged. In celebrating the birth­ If the bourgeoisie still dreams that day of Comrade Browder we pledge in America they can continue their ourselves, not only . to master his bankrupt and decrepit system by works, to make them the property adopting the new technique of of the entire Party membership, but Adolph Hitler, let them take a sec­ to organize ourselves to bring them ond t..l-J.ought. That is a false hope. to these hundreds of thousands in They did not begin the job quickly the coming months. enough. Already there is such a growing opinion, knowledge, cul­ We face the future and our tasks ture, understanding, intellectual with the confidence that Comrade power in the masses of America that Browder so ably expressed in his the most reactionary regime can speech on the occasion of the never cut it out." (Ibid., pp. 240-41.) thirtieth anniversary of the New And we add that we, today only Masses when he said: a minority actively fighting for the unconditional release of Earl Brow­ "A great wave of reaction has en­ der, will tomorrow be joined by new gulfed America. In appearance it is overwhelmingly strong, and we are hundreds of thousands, who will in­ a puny handful who stand up and scribe on the banner of struggle for brave the lightning of their storms peace, security, democracy and so­ apparently doomed to utter an­ cialism, also the demand: Free Earl nihilation. That is the appearance. Browde-r! EARL BRO\VDER-LEADER OF THE OPPRESSED

BY JAMES W. FORD

ARL BROWDER, General Secre­ interests do not lie in supporting im­ E tary of the Communist Party of perialist wars of conquest and the United States, symbolizes all plunder of other peoples and coun­ that is fine, honest and progressive tries; that, in proceeding to launch in the working class of our country. its plunder war abroad, imperialism To him belongs the honor of hav­ simultaneously makes war upon the ing consolidated the Communist people at home. Party of the United States, the Earl Browder says: Party of the working class, cham­ pion of the Negro people, of all the " ... The War Party of the Amer­ ican bourgeoisie is on the march, toilers of our country, the best rep­ and Roosevelt stands at its head.... resentative of the true national The government, with the War interests of the American people. Party in full possession, step by step This historic contribution-the con­ moves into the Second Imperialist solidation of a united Communist War and sets up its instruments of Party, vanguard in the struggle for repression of the masses." (The Sec­ a socialist society in America, free ond Imperialist War, pp. 289-292.) from wars, from exploitation, from That is why the rulers of America national oppression-accords to hate Earl Browder. Browder the place of foremost American in the present era. * * * The Roosevelt Administration, the government of the capitalist ruling Earl Browder, the outstanding class of America, has imprisoned Marxist-Leninist in the Western Earl Browder in the Federal Peni- Hemisphere, is the symbol of fra­ tentian' at Atlanta, Ga., because ternity and unity among the toiling of his opposition to the involvement peoples of the Americas. Unity of of this country in the imperialist the peoples can successfully defeat war. The exploiters hate Earl Brow- Yankee imperialist exploitation, der because the Party which he domination and war. Earl Browder heads explains to the working class has exposed in our own country and and the people generally that their throughout Latin America the im- 529 530 EARL BROWDER-LEADER OF THE OPPRESSED perialist designs of the rich rulers of President Roosevelt the following this country to strangle the coun­ cablegram of protest against the im­ tries of Latin America and subju­ prisonment of Earl Browder: gate their peoples to American im­ "At a membership meeting of our perialism as a part of its scheme of organization we unanimously voted world empire. to address you, requesting the par­ Earl Browder is the best friend in don of the genuine leader of the America of the people of China be­ American workers, Earl Browder, cause of his profound Leninist un­ sentenced by the high tribunals of derstanding of their struggle for na­ that country. tional freedom. For many years Earl "We trust that this appeal of ours, Browder worked with the people of which is the unanimous outcry of China and helped them organize the all the peoples of our continent, will receive proper attention so that our struggle against the imperialist beloved popular leader should be powers intent on dismembering freed promptly." China. Indefatigably, Browder has A splendid example of solidarity brought before the American masses of the peoples of Latin America and the Marxist-Leninist truth that the the United States is expressed in the interests of the toilers in the big fight for the liberation of Earl capitalist countries are fundamen­ Browder; of A. Compas, a national­ tally interconnected with the inter­ ist leader of Puerto Rico, who is also ests of the peoples of the colonial serving a prison term in the Federal and semi-colonial countries who Penitentiary at Atlanta; and of Luis struggle against imperialist oppres­ Carlos Prestes, "Knight of Hope" of sion. He, therefore, who understands the Brazilian people. In Cuba, and aids the millions of colonial Mexico, Chile, Costa Rica, Puerto peoples in their struggle against the Rico,. Haiti and other Latin Ameri­ rulers of his own country, evokes can and Caribbean countries, the the boundless love of the colonial indignation of the masses rings out peoples, and attains the highest re­ in loud Protest, "Free Earl spect among the toilers of his own Browder!" land. That is why a mighty protest Jacques Romain, prominent movement is stirring throughout Haitian leader and poet, declares: Latin America and in China for the freedom of Earl Browder. "The election in Haiti, in which The people of Cuba are resisting the real character of the Roosevelt the machinations of Yankee impe­ Administration manifests itself so rialism to pull their country into the brazenly, shows the need for all imperialist war. They are fighting honest and progressive people in the for democratic freedom and to United States who believe in real democracy and in sincere coopera­ maintain the independence of their tion of the peoples of the Americas country. Lazaro Pena, General Sec­ to intensify their struggle against retary of the National Federation of U.S. participation in this war; to Trade Unions of Cuba, sent to strengthen their solidarity with the EARL BROWDER-LEADER OF THE OPPRESSED 531 peoples of Latin America; to expose as it plunges the country headlong the complicity of the State Depart­ into war. The rulers of America ment in the crimes of Lescot, Vargas know the power of the labor move­ and Trujillo; to mobilize the people ment and the Negro people when to demand the liberation of the real united. They are determined to pre­ defenders of the liberties and rights vent the stronger forging of that of the people of this hemisphere; to press for the freedom of Carlos bond. That is why they intensify Prest.es and Earl Browder." their attacks against the Negro peo­ ple. With his penetrating under­ In these manifestations of solidar­ standing of this question, Earl ity are symbolized the common in­ Browder declares: terests of the peoples against the class hatred of the imperialist bour­ "Among the most important allies geoisie toward its own people and of the American working class are the peoples of the colonial and semi­ the Negro people . . . who, more colonial countries. than any other section of the popu­ lation, are doubly oppressed and ex­ ploited by capitalism. The forces of * * * reaction that ride the country today The imprisonment of Earl Brow­ center some of their hardest blows der has specific relation to the prob­ at the Negro toilers. They seek to lems vf the 13,000,000 Negro people throttle the rising tide of Negro un­ in their struggle for equality and rest by increasing Jim Crow terror­ liberation. Browder is the cham­ ism, by tightening up on segregation and intensifying discrimination in pion of the oppressed, a people's every form." (What Is Commu­ leader. He has a complete under­ nism?, p. 181.) . standing of the struggles of the Ne­ gro peoples, their achievements, The heightened level of struggle their aspirations and the great con­ of the Negro people today and the tribution they are making and will growing understanding of sections increasingly make to the liberation of the working class movement of of all the toilers in America. the problems of the Negro people The policy of oppression of the can be measured by the fierce Negro people, begun in the period hatred which the bourgeois rulers of the slave market, is continued evidence toward Browder and the today in the form of national op­ Communist Party. The current pression under the modern Ameri­ strike struggles throughout the can capitalist system. The white rul­ country have shown truly great ing class of America rides rough­ heights of solidarity and the urge shod over the Negro people along for trade union organization on the with its efforts to strangle labor. part of the Negro workers. One of The Roosevelt Government has es­ the outstanding achievements of the tablished a national policy of Jim recent strike in the Ford plant at Crow to cause disunity between Detroit was the fact that Ford and the Negro people and white labor, !>.is agents were unsuccessful in in­ and to disunite the workers' ranks stigating a race clash between Negro 532 EARL BROWDER-LEADER OF THE OPPRESSED and white workers as a means of already been taken through the preventing the unionization of the splendid victory in their recent workers as a whole. Ford and his stoppage to solve the thorny prob­ henchmen, enemies of labor and the lems of the poll tax and the lack of Negro, turned heaven and earth to citizenship rights of all the common provoke a race riot. But the major­ people of the South. ity of the Ford Negro workers stuck The progressive development to­ with the union and demonstrated ward uniting the Negro and white their advanced understanding and workers in the trade unions, and the class solidarity. struggle against the Jim-Crow pol­ The policy of subjecting Negro icy of the reactionary trade union citizens to an inferior status is firm- · leaders, have in great measure been ly maintained in industry by the led by the Communist Party. Earl rulers of capitalist America. And, Browder says: except in certain important in­ stances, reactionary trade union "We Communists have always had leaders, particularly in the A. F. of as one of our main jobs the fight against discrimination in the trade L. and in the Railroad Brother­ unions and elsewhere, against Jim­ hoods, stamp Negro workers as sec­ Crow lynching and brutality and ond-rate citizens and bar them from against every kind of oppression by the unions altogether, and deny the white ruling class of this coun­ them elementary trade union rights. try." (Ibid.) But in the Lackawanna and Bethle­ hem steel strikes, the International Like the Negro workers, the Ne­ Harvester strike in Chicago, the gro people's movement generally is registering new advances, especially struggle for jobs for Negroes on the in the struggle against the war and bus lines in New York, and in nu­ the effect of the war program on the merous other actions during the re­ life of the Negroes in the United cent period, Negro workers have States. The war program of the blasted the lies and slanders of re­ American bourgeoisie and its Roose­ actionary trade union officials, and velt Government is the root of the exhibited high trade union con­ intensified Negro oppression and job sciousness and workers' solidarity. discrimination in the recent period. By their sterling qualities, they In the name of democracy the coun­ try is being rushed headlong into have stamped the trade union bu­ war and the conditions of the Negro reaucracy as strike-breakers and people are rapidly growing worse. agents of the ruling class. A recent statement to the Negro In unions where Negro workers people, endorsed by a broad cross­ enjoy equality they show even section of Negro leaders-labor, greater power of solidarity, as in professional, religious, youth-re­ the United Mine Workers of Amer­ leased by Dr. Max Yergan, indicates ica, led by .John L. Lewis. In this what the heart of the Negro prob­ union, where thousands of Negro lem in America is today. It says: and white workers always stand ''Discrimination, Jim Crowism, solidly together, the initiative has segregation and unemployment, EARL BROWDER-LEADER OF THE OPPRESSED 533 from which the Negro people suffer and annexations. They want real de­ in normal times, have become much mocracy, and they reject the claims more acute as the country drives to of either imperialist camp in the war. We are told that the 'defense' present war that it is fighting for program is to prepare the nation for democracy or for a better world, a a defense of democracy. Yet scarcely any feature of the program stands "new order." out more distinctly than the dis­ The statement to the Negro people crimination which is being forced declares further: upon Negro Americans." " ... we want democracy with It is inevitable that an imperialist equality in jobs, in our political life, war of depredation, pillage, de­ and in the social institutions of our struction of nations, and subjugation country, and we want peace in of peoples-conducted by two gangs whicq to achieve these basic human of imperialists, equally guilty-can rights." only multiply a hundredfold the op­ We Communists find ourselves in pression which the Negro people full agreement with these indict­ suffer in America today. ments of the brutal effect of the "The Negro people cannot avoid Roosevelt war program upon the the conclusion that the war drive," Negro people. These clear state­ declares the statement to the Negro ments evidence the growing matur­ people, "and the denial and destruc­ ity of the Negro people's movement. tion of democratic rights go to­ The Negro people are waging a gether.... The Negro people want relentless struggle against Jim Crow nothing of Hitler; they detest him in industry. But they must not allow and all his practices. On the other this fight to be made a basis for hand, the British war-makers hold supporting the involvement of this Africa, India, the West Indies and other colonial areas in a cruel bond­ country in the imperialist war. This age often infinitely worse than the would be a fatal mistake. It would oppression known by Negroes in be endorsement of a predatory war America." program that threatens them with total ruin, economically and so­ The statement further says: cially. ". . . the last war destroyed many In the national election campaign of our liberties and resulted in fur­ of the Communist Party in 1940, ther cultural and economic impover­ brilliantly led by Earl Browder, the ishment. We are convinced that the Communists were the first to warn oresent war will do the same." the Negro people of the plans to

Th~ peoples in all areas affected plunge America into the imperialist by the present war are tragic wit­ war and of the dire consequences nesses to this fact. The peoples can­ that such a move held in store for not go on bearing this war and the them: untold sufferings it has brought "When President Roosevelt signed upon them. They want peace-a the conscription bill, he declared people's peace, without indemnities that democracy entailed equal obli- 534 EARL BROWDER-LEADER OF THE OPPRESSED gations. . And yet, only a short men are at bottom in complete time before, Senator Barkley, Ad­ agreement with the policy of main­ ministration whip, practically de­ taining a Jim-Crow status for Negro clared that the government was too citizens. They have become alarmed busy with 'defense' to think about at the militancy and the brilliant Negro rights. ... And on top of this, struggles of the Negro people in the the President [abetted by A. Philip Randolph, Walter White and T. recent period for manhood status. Arnold Hill] officially raised Jim While they admit "some discrimina­ Crowism to the status of a national tion" against Negro people in the policy.... " "national defense" set-up, their real aim, according to the statement, is: In the struggle for peace and the "an 'all out' defense effort," in other right to work, the Negro people have words, support by the Negro people to be on guard against the nefarious of the Roosevelt war program, and united front of the reformists and acceptance of the national Jim­ Social-Democratic leaders with the Crow policy. white bourgeois ruling class to chain Let the Negro people speak for the Negro people to the war ma­ themselves and seek their allies chine. The reformist leaders are up among their real friends. The state­ to their old tricks--betraying the ment released by Dr. Max Yergan Negro people, as they did during the in behalf of a large group of Negro last imperialist war, when they sold leaders declares: out the Negro people to the white "The progressive sections of or­ bourgeois rulers. ganized labor, notably in the C.I.O., A statement issued by the Phelps­ and in some unions of the A. F. of Stokes Foundation, purporting to L., have done yeoman service in im­ speak for the Negro people, has just proving the status of the Negro been released. It is signed by "sixty worker. But prejudiced elements prominent Americans." They in­ that receive aid and comfort from clude A. Philip Randolph, Negro the A. F. of L. bureaucracy merit Social-Democratic leader, and a few and receive our condemnation for their continued policy of disc;:im­ reformist Negro leaders and other ination against the Negro worker professionals. But the names are and indifference toward his prob­ overwhelmingly those of white lems. bourgeois leaders and agents of the "Men who have enacted and ex­ ruling class, including Governor excuted our laws and control the Lehman, a high figure in the Roose­ economic life of our country have velt war set-up; and Matthew Woll, never seriously challenged the the long-discredited reactionary open fact of discrimination against vice-president of the American Fed­ Negroes in the job life of America. We declare ourselves unalterably eration of Labor. The composition of opposed to Jim Crowism as a na­ the signers exposes the real purpose tional policy.... of the statement to chain the Negro "We must speak out and state people to the war program of Amer­ clearly our demands: We have the ican finance capital. These gentle- right and need to in.sist upon and EARL BROWDER-LEADER OF THE OPPRESSED 535 work for the removal of all restric­ The Communist Party is making tions on the franchise and the com­ the occasion of the fiftieth birthday plete abolition of the poll tax. We of its beloved leader, Earl Browder, demand the abolition of all Jim­ which occurs on May 20, a great Crow restrictions in civil life as well event in the life of the country. It as in the armed forces. Finally, we insist upon the opening up of all conducts the celebration of this jobs, public and private, to Negroes great event in a practical way: (1) on the basis of equality with whites. to intensify the struggle for Brow­ "We set our compass in the direc­ der's release; (2) to bring the bril­ tion of freedom, security and full liant teachings of Browder to a vast citizenship rights. We want a de­ number of Americans; (3) and to mocracy that is a living reality for bring new thousands of toiling peo­ all the people within it." ple into the ranks of the Communist Earl Browder says: Party. Let the Negro people respond to "The Negro people have learned this great campaign. Join the fight to expect and demand from Com­ to get America out of the imperialist munists the greatest sensitivity to their problems, the greatest energy war! Join the struggle for peace!· in their defense, the closest solidar­ Join the struggle for Negro equality ity in their struggle. We are proud -for full national liberation! Join of this position. We are proud of the struggle to defend the peoples our pioneering work in the dark re­ of Latin America, the Caribbean, gions of the Solid South. We are China, the oppressed everywhere, proud to be spoken of as 'the party against imperialism! Free Earl of the Negroes.' We will defend and Browder! advance this position at all costs." Take your place among the forces (The People's Front, p 47.) struggling to end capitalist exploi­ The struggle for the release of tation and oppression and to estab­ Earl Browder is of tremendous im­ lish socialism-the new world of portance to the country as a whole, freedom, prosperity and peace, the but it is of special significance to the first sector of which the peo­ the Negro people. The persecution ples of the Soviet Union have so of Browder and the Communist magnificently constructed! Join in Party is a blow at the rights of the the struggle for freeing Earl Brow­ Negro people. Its aim is the paralyz­ der, friend and champion of the ing of the struggle for the libera­ Negro people, and of all the ex­ tion of the Negro people. ploited and oppressed! EARL BROWDER-MOLDER OF PARTY CADRES

BY JOHN WILLIAMSON

'f'HE Leninist view of building the unity, steadfastness and political .1. Communist Party as the van­ ability of not only the National guard and leader of the working Committee but the great majority of class evaluates the question of state committees. cadres--their selection, distribution Comrade Browder has never tired and training-as one of primary im­ of referring to the Leninist tests portance. This view has been tested indicated by Georgi Dimitroff with in the rich experience of the Party reference to the selection of leading of Lenin and Stalin. Similarly, in Party personnel, which can be sum­ the growth and development of our marized as follows: Party toward a mass Party, with 1. Absolute devotion to the strong roots among the American working class, loyalty to the Party, workers, the problem of cadres has tested in the struggle and under the occupied an important place. Our enemy's fire. Party's ability to meet the numerous 2. The closest possible contact and difficult tasks before the Ameri- with the masses. can working class, and to influence 3. The ability to assume initia­ and guide its development into a tive, to find the correct course inde­ decisive force in the life of the pendently, to make decisions, and to American people, has been intimate- assume responsibility. ly connected with its ability to de- 4. Discipline and steadfastness in velop, promote and train new the struggle against the class enemy, Party leaders. as well as irreconcilable opposition More than anyone else, Comrade to all deviations from the Party Browder has undeviatingly pursued line; immunity to moods of panic a Leninist policy in approaching the and pessimism; the ability to work solution of this problem. His own collectively and weld the Party development and methods of lead- forces into a monolithic unity. ership have set a splendid example However, understanding that the for all other and younger Party problem of cadres should always be leaders to follow. The fruits of this approached in the light of the tasks consistent attention to the develop- confronting the Party at different ment of cadres by our National periods, Comrade Browder placed Committee, under the leadership of different emphasis at different Browder, are seen today in the times, although never deviating 536 EARL BROWDER--MOLDER OF PARTY CADRES 537 from the guiding policy which he successful in hamstringing the labor expressed as follows: movement into passivity with the Coolidge-Hoover "permanent pros­ "Communist Party policy depends perity" illusions, the Party never­ for effectiveness upon the leading theless succeeded to an extent in personnel which must translate it into life. Our policy can never rise establishing contact with the work­ above the political level of the Party ers in the mass movements for leading committees." (The Demo­ amalgamation of the craft unions, cratic Front, p. 66.) recognition of the Soviet Union, to­ ward building a Farmer-'Labor In the first decade of our Party's Party, and in the "outlaw" strikes history there was no conscious pol­ and the strikes of unorganized icy of promotion and development workers, in the main initiated and of new cadres. The new forces that led by our Party. But the progress did appear came forward in the of the Party was greatly impeded by Communist Youth movement. The the prolonged factional struggle, overwhelming majority of the lead­ which was accentuated , by the ing forces had come over from the manipulations of two cliques, Socialist Party, the I.W.W., and the headed respectively by Lovestone Left forces within the A. F. of L. and Cannon, inside of each of the unions. They brought with them old main groupings. The factional strug­ practices and influences, although gle prevented the adoption of a they were generally united in the much needed policy of promoting desire to organize and build a party and developing new cadres. The based on revolutionary theory and effect of this was felt keenly in the inspired by the successful October shortage of forces which rendered Revolution. more difficult the overcoming of our In this first decade the Party was isolation by active participation and faced with the task of creating a leadership in the mass struggles that real Marxist-Leninist Party, able to followed the outbreak of the eco­ come to grips with the many. prob­ nomic crisis in 1929, which co­ lems arising on the American scene incided with the unity of our Party from the standpoint of advancing after the expulsion of the factional the interests of the proletariat, and disrupters Lovestone, Cannon, striving through the application of Schachtman and Gitlow. such leadership to establish firm ties with the American working class. A United Party Forged Ahead in This process was hindered by a the Mass Struggl!ls combination of the historical sec­ tarianism and "practicality" of the With the Party and its leadership American revolutionary movement, united for the first time in ten years, with the by-products of "Left" ro­ and this united leadership having manticism and Right opportunism. elected Comrade Browder as Gen­ Despite this, and the other inhibit­ eral Secretary, the Party, in his ing factors in the period when the words, "sailed into the storms of the dominant leadership was largely crisis boldly, beginning to gather its 538 EARL BROWDER--MOLDER OF PARTY CADRES fundamental political experience previous isolation of the Party from that made it a factor in the national the American people and demon­ political life." A new era of Party strated our ability to cope with the history opened and immediately the new problems and to give effective Party was confronted with. the need leadership to the masses in their of pursuing a conscious and persist­ struggles. It established us as a ent policy of developing and pro­ Party on a national scale and en­ moting new forces of leadership. In abled us to recruit new thousands these years of 1930-33 the united of Negro and white workers into Party threw itself into the struggles our ranks. of the unemployed, the Negro peo­ The period of 1933-36, during ple, the unemployment insurance which there occurred an economic campaign, the newly organized revival, registered significant devel­ Trade Union Unity League indus­ opments in the life of the country; trial unions and the developing broad and determined struggle for strike wave; for the first time the the right of union organization; nu­ Party penetrated the South. merous strike struggles against the Every possible force, every com­ will, not only of the employers, but rade showing promise of leadership, of the reactionary top leadership of including the Party members in the the A. F. of L.; the grouping to­ Young Communist League, was gether of the union forces that sought out and given responsibility launched the C.I.O.; the sharp re­ of leadership in the districts and alignment of class forces in the section organizations. There was no country with the emergence-at the time for formal training, necessary end of this period--of a democratic as this was. The prerequisites were front of the toiling masses on the understanding of the Party policy, basis of the New Deal program, with loyalty, ability to adjust oneself to the organized labor movement play­ new conditions and new methods of ing a leading role, and including work in the course of sharpened wide sections of the middle class. class battles, and a political re-edu­ The Communist Party grew to a cation achieved largely through the membership of nearly 50,000, with more intensive propaganda activity three times as many state organiza­ of the National Committee and self­ tions and ten times as many section study in the course of participating · and county organizations as it had in and leading the daily struggles previously. The Party had a grow­ of the workers which swept the ing organization in the South and country. The great majority of these had members in all forty-eight cadres proved themselves worthy of states. This period again faced the the Party and their class and today Party leadership with a whole series are part of the Party leadership, of new cadre problems. both nationally and in the most im­ Comrade Browder again sounded portant districts. The activity of the keynote when he declared: these particular years resulted in "What is the central weakness in marked progress in overcoming the our work of building a mass Party? EARL BROWDER--MOLDER OF PARTY CADRES 539

. . . It is the insufficient number of ing the Party and impatience with politically trained and technically the task of training such "raw'' skilled leading people, the shortage v.10rkers. Against this, Comrade of adequately prepared officers to Browder spoke out sharply, de­ lead the mass army which we are claring: recruiting.... We are not adequate­ ly providing a leading personnel to "Is there any shortage of poten­ these masses who are coming to us. tial leading forces which can meet We attack this problem in a desul­ all our needs? Not at all. Among the tory, unorganized, and mechanical new tens of thousands coming into fashion, without thinking out the our ranks we have all the forces we problem fundamentally." (The Peo­ need. But we are not using them ple's Front, pp. 54-55.) adequately. Our leading forces tend to petrify in closed circles of the What was needed was hundreds oldest Party comrades. The new of new leading forces and intensive active elements, potential leaders, training of both old and new cadres. are not systematically brought for­ While in the first period, 1930-33, ward and trained for their tasks." Party forces had been sent from old (Ibid., p. 55.) established Party centers to scores As a result of this campaign of new localities, this process could hundreds of new local forces were not continue. It was draining the trained and promoted into local original Party centers; but even posts of leadership. They were more important was the need of de­ especially picked from the most veloping local people who had roots active participants in the mass in the locality and were known struggles of the unemployed, the among the workers of the shops of struggles for Negro rights, and the that area and could develop into developing strike struggles of the much more effective local Party newly organized union members. leaders. To carry through this task They had the particular task of of training hundreds of new, young guiding and organizing the Party comrades who were just joining our members in the constantly growing Party, coming out of the struggles mass struggles and helping to an­ we were participating in, and to swer the problems facing the newly promote them into leadership, organized workers as they were necessitated a sharp campaign with­ confronted, not only with employer in the Party. There were manifesta­ hostility, but with opposition from tions of skepticism among the mem­ the top leadership of the A. F. of bership as to whether such "new" L. to their militant actions and or­ people could be "trusted" with such ganizing activities. posts of Party leadership. Yard­ Side by side with the emphasis sticks of leadership were sometimes on training and boldly promoting set up by older cadres that even new, young local working class they themselves would have had forces into leadership, Comrade difficulties in meeting. Above all, Browder raised the slogan of Every these tendencies reflected lack of Party Member a Leader of Masses. confidence in the new workers join- He explained this as follews:

in in a a loose loose sort sort of of coalition coalition with with truly truly mass mass party party which which can can infiu-

". ". . . a a . . section section of of the the bourgeoisie bourgeoisie by by the the growth growth of of our our Party Party into into a a

steadily steadily rising rising is is demanded demanded quality, quality,

Browder, Browder, litical litical effectiveness effectiveness of of our our work, work,

velopment velopment when, when, in in the the words words of of "Constant "Constant improvement improvement in in the the po­

highest highest point point of of the the New New Deal Deal de­

Browder, Browder, who who declared: declared: The The period period of of 1936-39 1936-39 saw saw the the

sounded sounded at at the the Tenth Tenth Convention Convention by by

A A

Higher Higher

Quality Quality of of Leadership Leadership leadership. leadership. This This keynote keynote was was

new, new, young, young, local local forces forces into into Party Party

ized ized F. F. of of L. L. or or C.I.O. C.I.O. unions. unions. A. A.

policy policy of of training training and and promoting promoting

as as cornerstones cornerstones for for newly newly organ­

while while continuing continuing to to pursue pursue a a bold bold

local local unions, unions, some some of of which which .served .served

proving proving the the quality quality of of our our work, work,

of of many many militant, militant, strongly strongly organized organized

and and emphasis emphasis was was placed placed on on im­

tributed tributed decisively decisively to to the the building building

ing ing class class and and the the tasks tasks of of our our Party, Party,

brother brother trade trade unionists unionists and and con­

class class forces, forces, the the needs needs of of the the work­

respect respect . . of of their their shopmates shopmates and and

the the light light of of the the alignment alignment of of the the

members members won won the the confidence confidence and and

of of our our cadres cadres was was re-examined re-examined in in

this this period period thousands thousands of of Party Party

ing ing these these years. years. Again Again the the question question

militant militant and and willing willing to to learn. learn. In In

and and won won such such respect respect as as it it did did dur­

fronted fronted them. them. These These workers workers were were

Party Party exercised exercised such such mass mass influence influence

cated cated political political problems problems that that con­

In In no no previous previous period period had had our our

to to speak speak of of the the many many more more compli­

sion sion via via imperialist imperialist war. war.

and and organize organize executive executive boards, boards, not not

long long plunge plunge for for imperialist imperialist expan­

lines, lines, of of how how to to conduct conduct meetings meetings

united united big big bourgeoisie bourgeoisie in in their their head­

boss, boss, of of how how to to organize organize picket picket

the the toiling toiling masses masses generally generally by by the the

ing. ing. committee committee should should act act with with the the

sive sive against against the the working working class class and and

steward steward system, system, of of how how a a negotiat­

leadership leadership of of Roosevelt, Roosevelt, of of an an offen­

enced. enced. They They little little knew knew of of the the shop­

"national "national unity," unity," and and under under the the

time. time. They They were were raw raw and and inexperi­

launching, launching, under under the the false false slogan slogan of of

workers workers joining joining unions unions for for the the first first

the the Economic Economic Royalists Royalists and and the the

every every city city had had tens tens of of thousands thousands of of

segment segment of of the the bourgeoisie bourgeoisie back back to to

the the conditions conditions of of that that period period when when

marked marked the the retreat retreat of of the the Roosevelt Roosevelt

Party's Party's advance, advance, especially especially fitted fitted

break break of of the the imperialist imperialist war. war. This This

This This slogan, slogan, ever ever vital vital for for the the

This This period period ended ended with with the the out­

of of the the class class struggle." struggle." p. p. 56.) 56.) (Ibid., (Ibid.,

ance ance and and leadership leadership Deal. Deal...... " " in in the the problems problems p. p. 38.) 38.) (The (The Way Way Out, Out,

New New Deal Deal and and ers ers the the regularly regularly anti-New anti-New look look to to him him for for guid­

only only when when dissolved dissolved fifty fifty to to a a into into hundred two two work­ new new camps-the camps-the

consider consider ing ing himself himself old old party party a a real real structure structure Bolshevik Bolshevik had had largely largely

which which the the obsolete obsolete and and worker worker disintegrat­ outside outside the the Party; Party; he he shall shall

was was the the period period of of the the leading leading New New Deal, Deal, and and in in educating educating one one at at least least

member member concessions concessions must must assume assume to to the the the the masses. masses. task task of of ...... That That

on on ...... the the path path of of social social leader leader reform reform among among and and the the masses. masses. Every Every

had had tried tried to to lead lead the the ing ing United United every every States States Party Party member member into into a a

groes, groes, the the youth, youth, the the organized organized unemployed, unemployed, on on the the principle principle of of mak­

" " ...... the the labor, labor, whole whole the the Party Party poorer poorer life life must must farmers, farmers, be be the the Ne­

540 540 EARL EARL BROWDER--MOLDER BROWDER--MOLDER OF OF PARTY PARTY CADRES CADRES EARL BROWDER--MOLDER OF PARTY CADRES 541 ence millions. The key to all prog­ tributed to its strengthening. In ress is the constant struggle for carrying out this line political as­ improvement in the quality of our tuteness was necessary on the part work." (The Democratic Front, p. of the Party cadres everywhere, in 63.) order to clarify and steel the Party, Improved quality in our work and present its independent position to greater mastery of theory by our the masses and yet maintain proper cadres were especially emphasized friendly and working relations with at this time, owing to the vital role the other forces within the demo­ of the Party in the democratic front cratic front movement. To the ex­ and the need at the same time to tent that the Party forces within the guard against the danger of its sub­ mass organizations, especially the mergence in the democratic front trade unions, improved the quality mass movement. of their work, they were able to or­ To strengthen the democratic ganize political mass education and front movement and help influence develop the class consciousness of it toward a real people's front the trade union members, in such a movement, with a clear-cut political way that they understood the need program, it was above all necessary of defeating every Red-scare and to infuse the working class and anti-Communist move, not only labor movement with political un­ from the viewpoint of defending derstanding of its role as the unify­ civil rights and maintaining their ing force and leader of the general own unity against reactionary at­ movement against reaction and for tacks, but also from the more basic genuine democracy. This was espe­ viewpoint of defending the Com­ cially necessary because of the munist Party as a genuine working efforts of monopoly capital to divide class and democratic force. the middle class from the labor In short, the emphasis on the im­ movement and even to divide the proved quality of the work of our labor movement itself, around the cadres aimed at enhancing our issues of the militant strike and Party's contribution to the develop­ "sit-down" struggles and the wave ment and consolidation of the pro­ of union organization that swept the gressive mass movements, of en­ country. hancing its role as vanguard of the Emphasis on improved quality of working class, of securing on this our work simultaneously aimed at basis closer and firmer ties with the developing fully and frankly .the workers and with the toiling masses Party's independent political posi­ generally, and of thus strengthen­ tion at all times and in relation to ing the Communist Party itself, nu­ all groups, and at enabling it to merically, organizationally, and as a combat effectively all ideas harmful political force. to the cause of the people and the The enhanced role of the Com­ developing democratic front unity. munist leadership in the broad mass Such criticism, far from harming movement in this period, brought the unity of the movement, con- renewed emphasis on the question 542 EARL BROWDER--MOLDER OF PARTY CADRES of political vigilance and personal of acquiring the habit of self-edu­ conduct. Unhesitatingly the Party cation through planned reading and demanded higher standards from all self-study. its functionaries and emphasized Of great assistance in this cam­ that all who assume the responsibil­ paign was The History of the Com­ ity of leadership thereby submit munist Party of the Soviet Union. themselves to the constant inspec­ One hundred thousand copies of tion, criticism and verification of the this classic work were sold and have whole mass movement. In this con­ been and are being systematically nection the Party tolerated no atti­ studied for the lessons that it tude of smug satisfaction, above all, teaches the American Communists. no political vacillation under petty­ A pamphlet of Comrade Browder bourgeois influence. Comrade Brow­ written at that time, to help drama­ der declared: tize and organize this campaign to "A Communist leader must be, improve the quality of our work like Caesar's wife, above suspicion. through better mastery of Marxist­ He must be an example to his Leninist theory, should be read and fellows and to the masses, of the reread today, for the guidance it best qualities of the working class gives. In this present period of great and the American people. He must historical changes, one passage of inspire and maintain confidence this pamphlet is especially worth among the masses. He must be the steel link that binds our Party im­ quoting: mutably with the toiling people." (Ibid., pp. 68-69.) "It is in moments of crisis, of great changes, of historic turns, So important did the Party con­ when there is revealed especially sider this question of improving the the utter inadequacy and harmful­ quality of the work of the entire ness of all anti-Marxian theory.... membership and especially its lead­ Today all the old landmarks are ing cadres, that the Tenth Conven­ drifting, breaking up, disappearing. tion adopted a detailed plan for ... For those with foundations only intensive political training, aimed in the old order of things, it is a period of pessimism and despair. . . . particularly at reaching the hun­ Our theory guides us through crisis, dreds of new, local, working class through moments of great change, comrades in the branches and sec­ because it is a science of social de­ tions. This included numerous full­ velopment, it is the generalization time schools on a district and na­ of all past history and forecasts fu­ tional scale, and special schools for ture history.... For those ... Negro and youth workers. It cov­ armed with the understanding of ered the organizing of hundreds of Marxist-Leninist theory, the way is lighted up through the deepest week-end schools and evening chaos, pessimism is dissolved, cour­ classes, and of thousands of study age and enthusiasm inspire to strug­ circles, many of which were con­ gle, with calm confidence in the cer­ nected with the Workers Schools. tainty of victory." (Theory as a Emphasis was also given to the need Guide to Action, pp. 9-10.) EARL BROWDER--MOLDER OF PARTY CADRES 543 Browder's Methods of Work appearing time and time again. One and Le.adership is the method of the 'strong man' who goes into his committee with Every Party functionary, from the his mind already made up on every­ humblest group organizer to the thing without consultation, brushes members of the National Commit­ aside all discussion except by 'yes­ men' on the committee; who does tee, can learn from the methods of not even bother to take a vote on work and leadership of Comrade disputed questions ... who achieves Browder himself. He has the ability unity of direction by what could be to find that which is new in each called intellectual 'strong-arm' situation and to choose that link methods. . . . The other wrong which is most decisive at the time method is just the opposite; here in furthering the class interests of there is plenty of freedom of dis­ the workers and in making more cussion, but it is not directed toward effective the Party's work of influ­ . welding a real unity of opinion, so that everyone goes out of the com­ encing and leading the working mittee not with a united opinion, but class. Once a policy has been de­ with exactly the views he brought cided upon by the National Com­ in.... Neither of these methods has mittee, he is intransigent in its anything in common with the Bol­ execution and strikes out against shevik conception of leadership; this everything that tends to obstruct. In is always collective, the gathering his relations with comrades, he is an and welding together of the varied example of modesty and unlimited and supplementing qualifications of patience, especially with rank-and­ individuals, the arming of each one with the strength of all others . . . file comrades and lower Party func­ and thereby the multiplication of tionaries. His speeches and writings the leading powers of the Party, a are always aimed at influencing and thousandfold over that which any being understood by the broad individual, even a genius, is capable masses of non-Party members, and of giving." (The Communists in the not only for the Party membership. People's Front, pp. 98-100.) While he is a patient listener and The consistent pursuance of a not at all voluble, every one of his Leninist policy in the training of remarks and comments counts. A cadres by our Party leadership, and few years ago, observing certain especially guided by Comrade wrong tendencies in the methods of Browder, has paid heavy dividends leadership of some District Organ­ to the Party, in these last ten years. izers, Comrade Browder struck out This was particularly dramatized in sharply against these tendencies and the past eighteen months, when our gave a brilliant characterization of Party has been under heavy attack collective leadership which should by the bourgeoisie and all their So­ guide us at all times. Comrade cial-Democratic helpers, in an effort Browder declared: to isolate us and break our connec­ "Examining the work of our dis­ tions with the masses. The Party trict and section secretaries, for ex­ has come through this last period ample, we find two wrong methods more united than ever before. It has 544 EARL BROWDER--MOLDER OF PARTY CADRES extended its influence and activity, war, without ever breaking its in­ demonstrating continued strong ties timate contacts with the broadest with the progressive masses and es­ mass movements and organizations." pecially the working class. It con­ Under the growing attacks of the tinues to grow, despite the extraor­ last eighteen months the great ma­ dinary difficulties. Today it is en­ jority of Party cadres have demon­ gaged in a Browder Birthday Cam­ strated their political understanding paign, which has as one of its ob­ and steadfastness. Increasing num­ jectives the recruiting of 5,000 new bers have felt the lash of the members in a six-week period. It Roosevelt war dictatorship; many has demonstrated its ability to un­ have been sentenced to jail for long derstand the deep-going changing terms; but they conduct themselves relationship of forces, resulting from in the same courageous manner the second imperialjst war and to worthy of Communists as the thou­ reorientate the entire Party to face sands of Americans who met the the new situation. It has unhesitat­ great test in the struggle for de­ ingly and persistently exposed the mocracy in Spain-a democracy imperialist character of the war and which was strangled through the of both imperialist blocs, especially collaboration of Roosevelt, Blum the role of "our own" imperialism, and Chamberlain with Hitler and and popularized the consistent peace Mussolini. Because of this type of policy of the Soviet Union. It has political leadership on behalf of the fought the policy of American im­ masses, Earl Browder is today perialist expansion pursued by Wall America's No. 1 political prisoner of Street and the White House, the the second imperialist war. policy of dragging the United States Today we face a new period when into the imperialist war, and has the bourgeoisie and Roosevelt are undertaken to clarify and mobilize "convoying" us into the very heart the American people against the of the second world imperialist war. policies of war and reaction at home By the time this article appears the -policies aimed at scuttling all the "convoy policy" may be official gov­ gains of labor and the people; at ernment policy as it is today its de weakening and disorganizing the facto policy. Roosevelt has stated trade union movement unless it earlier that "convoys mean shooting capitulates to the war policies of and shooting means war," so that Roosevelt, Hillman and Green; at today we are on the brink of the liquidating all democratic rights and final stage of involving our country entrenching fascist reaction in the in the war as a belligerent. Already country. The Party has demon­ the working class is learning that strated its ability to fulfill its van­ Roosevelt's past pledges to labor guard role, to explain and expose mean no more than his election each move of the bourgeoisie in its pledge to "keep us out of war." "step-by step" war policy, and "to Today the workers see and feel the point the way to the masses through war program as it is applied at the increasing chaos of reaction and home against strikes, by trying to EARL BROWDER--MOLDER OF PARTY CADRES 545 "freeze" the wage standards while that real cadres are forged." (Ad­ the cost of living goes up, and to dress to the Red Army Graduates.) "freeze" the open shop while the em­ Today, one-third of our Party ployers and the government strike membership are women comrades. at labor unions and labor leaders in Much more than ever before, we the same way as they first struck must turn our attention to these at the Communists and our leader, comrades in the promotion and Earl Browder. training of the new cadres that we Again new conditions present the so badly need today. In the solution Party with new cadre tasks. Among of this question, special training these we must stress the bold pro­ should be worked out and, above motion and training of a still larger all, a helpful and comradely ap­ number of new, local working class proach to the various family prob­ forces into leadership, to guide the lems which many of our women lower Party organizations which in­ comrades must solve, if they are to creased fivefold as a result of the become effective cadres. organizing of groups, and to replace The solution of this important those of our leading cadres sent to question of Party cadres, so decisive jail for their opposition to America's in the political development and participation in the imperialist war maturity of our Party as a real Bol­ as well as of the ever-larger num­ shevik Party, has made important bers being drafted. headway in these past years; but it In meeting the present-day cadre must never be considered as com­ tasks, there is seldom heard the old pletely solved. We must strive to cry of "no forces"; where it might transform our cadres and raise them still be raised it is indicative of a to higher capacities, to get them to lagging behind the general develop­ cast off from the past everything ment of the entire Party. We must that hinders this development. We recognize, however, that at times must strive to help them, as Brow­ there is not sufficient boldness in the der has taught us, toward a "radi­ process of promotion. While it is cal reconstruction of the human per­ true that we face the double diffi­ sonality; the ruthless searching out culty of requiring a fivefold in­ of every bad influence in one's po­ crease in local forces of leadership litical and personal life and the at the very time when we are hav­ burning out of such influences with ing experienced cadres snached a red-hot iron and their replacement away from us, we should be guided with the living contact of the con­ by Stalin's advice: stantly growing Bolshevik." Such training, development and ". . . only those cadres are any promotion of Party cadres have as good who do not fear difficulties, their aim who do not hide from difficulties, closer, more effective ties but who, on the contrary, go out with the masses, learning from them and meet difficulties, in order to while teaching them, and in this overcome them and eliminate them. way creating indestructible ties be­ It is only in combating difficulties tween the Party and the masses.

546 546

around around the the anti-New anti-New Deal Deal camp camp our our young young manhood, manhood, transformation transformation

tions tions of of the the bourgeoisie bourgeoisie centered centered militarization militarization and and regimentation regimentation of of

Of Of course, course, in in those those days, days, the the sec- perialist perialist war, war, sacrifices sacrifices at at home, home,

cultivate cultivate this this impression. impression. Death Death on on the the battlefield battlefield of of an an im-

ministration ministration went went out out of of its its way way to to so-called so-called "friends "friends of of youth"? youth"?

youth." youth." The The entire entire Roosevelt Roosevelt Ad- But But what what are are the the policies policies of of these these

Mrs. Mrs. Roosevelt Roosevelt as as the the "friends "friends of of the the hand hand that that fed fed them." them."

refer refer to to President President Roosevelt Roosevelt and and to to friends," friends," they they say. say. "They "They are are biting biting

days days of of the the "New "New Deal" Deal" began began to to "The "The youth youth are are ungrateful ungrateful to to their their

As As a a result, result, the the bourgeoisie bourgeoisie the the follow follow the the policies policies of of in in their their "friends." "friends."

progressive progressive policy policy toward toward the the youth. youth. youth youth are are not not willing willing nowadays nowadays to to

tion tion began began to to follow follow a a somewhat somewhat berate berate them, them, because, because, forsooth, forsooth, the the

youth. youth. The The Roosevelt Roosevelt Administra- joined joined voices voices to to scold scold the the youth, youth, to to

concessions concessions to to the the demands demands of of the the "friends "friends of of youth." youth." They They have have

compelled compelled the the government government to to make make geoisie geoisie refer refer to to the the Roosevelts Roosevelts as as the the

the the working working class class and and the the youth youth scrapped. scrapped. All All sections sections of of the the hour­

But But the the momentous momentous struggles struggles of of partial partial reservation reservation has has been been

the the generation generation without without friends. friends. gram gram of of imperialist imperialist war, war, even even this this

referred referred to to as as the the "lost "lost generation," generation," inated inated in in pursuit pursuit of of a a common common pro­

prospects prospects for for the the future. future. They They were were velt velt Administration Administration have have been been elim­

homes homes and and families, families, and and without without of of the the New New Deal Deal and and the the Roose­

were were without without jobs, jobs, often often without without ences ences between between these these former former enemies enemies

the the years years of of the the crisis. crisis. The The youth youth Today, Today, when when all all essential essential differ­

term term became became quite quite fashionable fashionable to to the the title title in in of of "friends "friends of of youth." youth."

about about the the "friends "friends of of youth." youth." This This recognition recognition that that there there was was validity validity

The The bourgeoisie bourgeoisie is is fond fond of of talking talking fantastic fantastic charge charge was was a a backhanded backhanded

given given to, to, America's America's youth? youth? ple, ple, too too much. much. Hence, Hence, even even this this

country? country? What What has has he he done done for, for, and and the the youth-according youth-according to to these these pea­

mean mean to to the the young young people people of of this this Administration Administration was was doing doing things things for for

What What does does Browder's Browder's life-work life-work charge, charge, was was the the admission admission that that the the

Browder. Browder. plicit plicit even even in in this this reactionary reactionary

the the fiftieth fiftieth birthday birthday of of Earl Earl was was "coddling" "coddling" the the youth. youth. But, But, im­

.1. .1. young young and and old, old, are are celebrating celebrating that that the the Roosevelt Roosevelt Administration Administration

TENS TENS of of thousands thousands of of workers, workers, disputed disputed this this title. title. They They claimed claimed

BY BY MAX MAX WEISS WEISS

WHO WHO ARE ARE THE THE FRIENDS FRIENDS OF OF THE THE YOUTH? YOUTH? WHO ARE THE FRIENDS OF THE YOUTH? 547 of Federal youth aid into cheap la­ America's youth how to find the bor projects for the "defense" pro­ way out. His whole lifetime of work gram, conscription of girls for forced and struggle in the labor movement labor, destruction of all civil rights has been to bring to the masses of in America-this is the program of­ American workers and youth the fered to American youth by Presi­ knowledge of the way out that is dent Roosevelt and Mrs. Roosevelt. contained in the science of Marx­ Is it any wonder that the masses ism-Leninism. It was this science of American youth are in increasing that enabled the Russian proletariat number beginning to question, to under the leadership of Lenin and suspect and to repudiate these so­ Stalin to find their way out of the called friends of youth? first world imperialist war and to Such people are not friends! They the establishment of socialism. are the deadly enemies of the youth! This is one of the basic reasons But American youth does have that the present young generation friends, a multitude of them. And presents such a marked contrast to the greatest of these real friends the young generation which went to of the youth is the man whose its death in 1917 under the fatal il­ fiftieth birthday is now being cele­ lusion that it was really fighting for brated, the leader of the Communist democracy. This is one of the basic Party, Earl Browder. reasons that today, unlike 1917, What has Earl Browder done for there is a tremendous and swelling the young people of America to be movement among the masses of called their greatest friend? What youth against participation in the has he given to these masses of imperialist war. youth-yes, even to those who do This characteristic difference be­ not as yet recognize this fact-to tween the two generations of 1917 earn the proud honor of being a true and 1941 is the bete noire which friend of America's youth? haunts the dreams of all bourgeois Earl Browder, more than any ideologists. Their "best minds" have other living American,. has put the been set to work to examine this key to the future into the hands of strange phenomenon. Here, for American youth. Millions of young example, is the finding of that well­ people in the United States are known bourgeois ideologue, Morti­ against America's participation in mer Adler: the imperialist war. Yet, they see their will for peace flaunted by the "The first World War produced a post-war generation. Its young bourgeoisie. They see America ac­ men won a fight but lost what they tually plunged into the war and were fighting for. Their lives had dragged to the "shooting stage" of been interrupted, their purposes its participation in it. been undermined and their eyes What to do; what way out? opened.... Earl Browder, the foremost ex­ "The second World War finds us ponent of Marxism-Leninism in the with a pre-war generation.... United States, has been teachini "Considering their state of mind, 548 WHO ARE THE FRIENDS OF THE YOUTH? one is tempted to say that the fath­ hypocrisy of its slogans, to reveal ers have tasted war and the chil­ the step-by-step preparations for a dren's teeth are set on edge." (Har­ continuation of that imperialist war, pers Magazine, October, 1940.) to struggle against its outbreak. Earl Browder, as the foremost By his brilliant work as leader of leader of the revolutionary working the Communist Party in bringing class in the United States, stands the theory of Marx, Engels, Lenin at the head of that great movement and Stalin to America's youth, and composed of the most advanced elaborating it on the basis of the sons of a previous generation whose experiences of the class struggle "eyes were opened" following the in the United States, Earl Browder last war. made it possible for the present It is because these lessons of the generation of youth to look into the first imperialist war and the estab­ dark clouds of imperialist war with lishment of socialism in the Soviet a confidence of victory that the Union have been absorbed by large youth of a generation ago did not masses of the advanced workers, have. and especially by big sections of the "Your generation, it is true," youth, that the present young gen­ wrote Browder in an article ad­ eration resists being plunged to dressed to the youth, "is threatened death on imperialist battlefields as with the brutal and senseless was the generation that went before slaughter of a new world war. My it. generation was similarly threatened. This knowledge of what the 1917 But there are tremendous differ­ experience meant did not come ences, and most of them are in favor automatically to the workers and of your generation. My generation the youth. It was, for the most part, had only the most confused ideas of brought to them by the conscious, how to fight against the warmakers, deliberate, far-sighted activity of and understood very little about the world in which we live. Your gener­ those who grouped themselves ation has a fairly clear understand­ around the banner of Communism, ing of the world, and knows much who absorbed the generalized expe­ better who are the warmakers and rience of the working class of all how to fight them. And your gen­ countries as it has been system­ erati·Jn has powerful forces con­ atized in the science of Marxism­ sciously working with it-the Soviet Leninism, who fought as Commu­ Union, and the labor and people's nists and under the leadership o.f democratic movements all over the the Communist Party, headed by world. Earl Browder. It Was brought to "My generation was also dissatis­ them, in the greatest measure, ow­ fied with the world, and wanted to ing to the work of those who, with change it into something better. But it was very difficult to find out how Earl Browder at their head, labored we should go about that task. A and fought ceaselessly through the multitude of advisers shouted their two decades and more following the particular ideas at us, but there was first imperialist war, to lay bare the little in our own experience or in WHO ARE THE FRIENDS OF THE YOUTH? M9 the world of achievement about us, can youth what they are searching which could help us sift the false for: the way out. from the true. Only a fortunate few of us stumbled on the writings of A New Faith for American Youth Marx and Engels, and even then · Earl Browder is the true friend found them only in fragmentary and of American youth because he is the distorted translations. "Your generation has available a finest representative in the United rich treasure of the writings of the States of that great ideal of ad­ best teachers of mankind, in au­ VIanced humanity, socialism. Be­ thentic and verified texts. Marx, En­ cause he is the foremost exponent gels, Lenin and Stalin, are at your of that great ideal, he has been able free disposal. . . . to give the masses of youth a faith "It can truly be said that your in themselves and their future generation is fortunate, despite the which the bourgeoisie and its terrible dangers that overhang the spokesmen are confessedly inca­ world, despite the difficult tasks to which you must turn your minds pable of doing. and hands. You have at your dis­ The burden of all bourgeois anal­ posal those resources, the lack of yses of the youth problem ultimate­ which brought failure to my gener­ ly reduces itself to the conclusion ation in America. that what we are confronted with is "Yes, rich treasures are yours for a "generation in search of signifi­ the taking. You can, by thought, ef­ cant loyalties," that what is needed fort and organization, become the is a "new faith that youth can be­ masters of your own destiny. But lieve in." Such discussion has re­ these riches are yours only at the cently taken on very wide propor­ price of sustained study and under­ standing, of exertion of all your tions. The bourgeoisie complains faculties to the utmost, and of or­ that the youth do not follow the ganization of the thought and effort old, time-honored slogans. They of many, of a growing multitude, in have lost "the faith of their fathers." a great collective social movement." Hence, we have Vice President (The Second Imperialist War, pp. Henry Wallace saying: 51-52.) "In order to win the psychological The masses of youth, in increas­ war, the battle of nerves, it is vital ing numbers, are beginning to fol­ to define the difference between low the path toward becoming mas­ nazism and democracy, in such a ters of their own destiny as outlined way that the young people of the by Browder. They are in incresing United States are wholeheartedly numbers rejecting the path toward with us. The issue must be drawn war and enslavement as outlined by not in terms of a short-time propa­ Roosevelt. In this historic hour of ganda but as an everlasting reality. We mt:st believe in the worthwhile­ trial in which all claims are tested ness of that for which we are now in the crucible of world war, it is fighting a.Jtd for which we intend to Earl Browder who stands out as the fight with even greater passion real friend of American youth, as when peace comes." (New York the friend who has shown Ameri- Times, April 9, 1941.) 550 WHO ARE THE FRIENDS OF THE YOUTH? Exactly! The imperialists have snatch the young generation, so been finding it increasingly difficult hungry for the full and free life to define the difference between which capitalism denies it, out of nazism and Roosevelt's "democ­ the clutches of a demagogic fas­ racy" in such a way as to win the cism." (The Second Imperialist War, wholehearted support of American p. 54.) youth. The plain truth is that Amer­ The fires are dying out on the ican youth is beginning to see more altars of capitalism. Nor can all the clearly every day how all the bar­ huffing and puffing of Mrs. Roose­ baric and hated practices of Hitler velt's vestal virgins among the fascism are transplanted onto Amer­ youth rekindle them. The masses of ican soil by the Roosevelt Adminis­ American youth are looking for tration. They see the whole Hitler friends who will infuse them with a youth program of regimentation, new spirit, the spirit of socialism; forced labor camps, cheap labor, with :l new faith, faith in the work­ sub-standard work projects, con­ ing class; with a new confidence, scription for girls, fascist health and confidence in their ultimate victory. fitness movements a la Hitler's Only such friends can welcome "Strength Through Joy" introduced the mighty upsurge in the ranks of into the United States. the youth, stimulate their struggles That is why the bourgeoisie can­ for peace, jobs and democracy, en­ not hold the youth to the "faith of courage them to develop their own their fathers." That is why the movement against the resistance of bourgeoisie clutters up its ideologi­ the false friends of youth. cal workshops with shingles read­ Those who fear the independent ing "Wanted: A New Faith For movement of the youth, the devel­ Youth." opment of its initiative in fighting But this is exactly what Earl for its demands, expose themselves Browder, the greatest and staunch­ as enemies and not friends of youth. est fighter for socialism in the It was this fear of the masses of United States, has inspired in the youth, this hatred for their move­ youth: a new spirit, the spirit of ment that lurked behind every word socialism. It is this which he cease­ of that well-remembered speech de­ lessly emphasizes as the basis for livered by President Roosevelt to the work of the Young Communist the 5,000 delegates attending the League: Citizenship Institute in Washington. The only advice this so-called " ... Without binding its members friend of youth could offer the to a political program, the Y.C.L. young people of America was that must always cling fast to the 'spirit which bases itself on a considera­ of socialism' as its guiding light.... tion of youth in terms of cannon­ In a day when capitalism is so pal­ pably breaking down, wqen social­ fodder. The youth are not to pass ism is so magnificently succeeding resolutions on important matters! in the Soviet Union, it is only the Such questions as war and peace spirit of socialism that will finally and foreign policy must be left to WHO ARE THE FRIENDS OF THE YOUTH? 551 "experts"! As for the youth-theirs In particular, Comrade Browder not to reason why, theirs but to do emphasized the special task of the or die! Communists as part of the broad On that occasion, and by his youth movement: every act since then, President Roosevelt has fully revealed exactly "Let me turn briefly to the ques­ tion of the youth, that most decisive what kind of "friend of youth" he is. section of the population, which is It is finally becoming clear to the coming into political activity as masses that President Roosevelt never before in the history of our was motivated by something other country, which is demonstrating the than a high ideal when he de­ most healthy political development. scribed the establishment of the Na­ It is necessary to refer to this ques­ tional Youth Administration as a tion, especially because the very worthwhile investment in youth. It breadth and soundness of this great is becoming clear today that Presi­ mass youth movement we have seen dent Roosevelt even then expected may give rise to notions in our Party ranks and among our leader­ dividends from this investment, ship that there is nothing to worry dividends in the form of a young about as far as this vital sector is generation that would passively concerned, that here everything is march off to be slaughtered on the well and going ahead fiourishingly. battlefields of an imperialist war. But that complacent attitude toward How can those who hold out such the youth movement would be the a perspective for youth give them most dangerous thing for us in that that faith in the future, those "sig­ it would overlook its most critical nificant loyalties" for which Amer­ point, namely, that the youth is not Communist as the reactionaries tell ican youth searches? They cannot-­ us, that it is our job to bring Com­ and they are not! munism to the youth movement and It is only in the words and activ­ really to educate the youth of ity of Earl Browder that the youth America in Communism. This we find a steady, ringing call to enter have not yet begun to any serious, freely and boldly upon the struggle broad and deep extent; but that is for their demands, to express them­ the task our Party must take up in selves openly, to unfold to the maxi­ relation to the youth." (The People mum their independent movement, Against the War Makers, p. 28.) to rally to the side of the working This insistence upon tirelessly class, to develop their initiative in presenting the socialist solution to the fight to find the way out of the youth's problem arises from Brow­ morass of mass unemployment, fas­ der's deep understanding of the cism and imperialist war under th~ forces at work among the youth, leadership of the working class. from his knowledge that their hor­ It was in this sense that Earl rible experiences during the last Browder helped the masses of youth decade have increasingly shattered appreciate the full significance of their previous firm belief in the ade­ their broad movement and the new quacy of the capitalist system; from role they were beginning to play. the conviction that only socialism 552 WHO ARE . THE FRIENDS OF THE YOUTH? can today provide youth with the Browder worked ceaselessly to give "significant loyalty" and the "new to our Party and to the working faith" for which they are searching, class was clearly expressed in his and that therefore it is among the masterly report to the Eighth Con­ masses of toiling youth that the vention of the C.P.U.S.A., in 1934: working class can, and must, find ". . . The winning of the working one of its strongest allies in the class youth is the problem not of our struggle to accomplish its historic youth organizations alone, but the goal. problem of the entire Party.... Every Party unit, and every Party The Toiling Youth-Ally of the committee must take as a part of its Working Class daily concrete tasks, the work It is this Leninist conception of among youth, the establishment of their organizations, the solution of the youth. problem as one of win­ their political problems, and mate­ ning allies for the working class, rial help to their movement. The which Earl Browder has made the Young Communist League, instead property of the whole revolutionary of being less than a fourth the size movement. of the Party, must be expanded in For this reason, Browder has the next period to become larger worked continuously to mobilize the than the Party; that means that the working class, and in the first place youth must find a serious place in the Communist Party, to support the trade unions and other mass or­ ganizations; that it must be helped the struggles of the toiling youth to politically enrich the life of its and by so doing win them as allies organizations, to concretize it.s strug­ in its own fight. At his direct initi­ gles for the young workers' needs, ative and as a result of his cease­ to broaden out the scope of its ac­ less education of the entire Party tivities, to include everything that into a comprehensive grasp of this interests, attracts, and holds the Leninist-Stalinist approach to the masses of young workers, also in­ youth question, the Communist cluding their social, sports and cul­ Party established its present correct tural needs." (Communism in the United States, pp. 49-50.) attitude to the task of winning the masses of toiling youth and to build­ The consistent adherence of our ing the Young Communist League. Party to this orientation over the Under Browder's leadership, this past years, especially since the task was rescued from the neglected Eighth Convention, has played a category of secondary Party con­ major role in making it possible for siderations to which it had been the Young Communist League to relegated by the sabotage of the grow, to strengthen itself, to develop Lovestoneite-Trotskyite enemies of its leadership, to take its prope::: the working class. It became a task place within the broad youth move­ for the entire Party and labor ment, and to help it rally the youth movement to concern itself with in the fight for peace, jobs, demo­ and, collectively, to solve. cratic rights and socialism. This orientation which Earl The personal attention paid by WHO ARE THE FRIENDS OF THE YOUTH? 553 Earl Browder to the daily problems movement is the extent to which it of the Young Communist League is beginning to understand and as­ helped it shake off tendencies which sume this task. The demonstrative in the past had led to a sectarian entry of militant sections of the fear of the masses, encouraged it to organized labor movement into the plunge boldly into the stormy sea public arena as the champion of the of the youth movement initiated American Youth Congress after its under reactionary leadership, and desertion by the Roosevelt Admin­ made it possible for the Y.C.L. to istration is an indication of this fact. identify itself actively with the It shows that this conception, pre­ powerful desire of the masses of sented with Marxist clarity by Earl youth for a united movement under Browder as the guiding policy for democratic and progressive leader­ the Communist Party in its rela­ ship. tion to the masses of youth, is at At every stage in the further de­ last-as a result of their own direct velopment of this broad youth experiences-beginning to permeate movement, Browder's wise counsel broad sections of the organized la­ helped guide the Y.C.L. in its re­ bor movement. lations with the varied strata of In the same way-and also as a youth with which it united its result of its own direct experiences forces. The many complicated prob­ -the consciousness which Browder lems which the Y.C.L. was called gave to our Party that "the youth upon to solve in determining its must find a serious place in the orientation toward each special po­ trade unions and other mass organ­ litical force in the broad youth izations" has begun to dominate the movement were lighted up by thinking of an increasing section of Browder's brilliant analysis of the the organized labor movement. This great social issues confronting the development has been stimulated by masses. the fact that hundreds of thousands The statement of Earl Browder of young workers have entered the that "the winning of the working trade unions in the last few years, class youth is the problem not of our fighting militantly in the great eco­ youth organizations alone, but the nomic battles of the working class, problem of the entire Party" has and contributing by their great ac­ significance not only for our Party. tivity, devotion and heroism to the It is more than a simple statement strengthening of the organized labor of the policy of the Communist movement. It was as a registration Party toward the Young Communist of this new fact that John L. Lewis, League. It is at the same time a at the last convention of the C.I.O., statement of fundamental policy for called upon these new young trade the entire working class, especially unionists to take their proper place the militant and progressive organ· in the councils of labor. ized labor movement. Most significant of all from a his­ One of the signs of the growing torical point of view is the related maturity of the American labor conclusion to which a growing sec- 554 WHO ARE THE FRIENDS OF THE YOUTH? tion of the trade union movement own organizations and activities has come. Out of the practical daily based on the trade unions is the requirements of the fight to historic task of the American work­ strengthen the trade union move­ ing class. Built in the form of labor ment it now sees that it "must take sport organizations, union sponsored as part of its daily concrete tasks, cultural and recreational activities, the work among youth, the estab­ union community centers, such mass lishment of their organizations, the organizations of the working class solution of their political problems, youth would give direct working and material help to their move­ class leadership to the hundreds of ment." thousands of young workers who Thus; in a number of places, trade are ready to accept it, would edu­ unions have responded to the desires cate the toiling youth in the prin­ of the working youth and adopted ciples of loyalty to the trade union the policy of helping them establish movement, would win them for and sports movements, youth clubs and activize them within the trade community centers for the special unions, would rally them for inde­ youth activity of themselves and pendent working class political ac­ their friends. tion and would carry on a militant The profound significance of this activity among the youth against the development consists in the fact that imperialist war and for the daily the organized working class, in re­ needs of the youth. A mass working sponse to the active demands and class youth movement consisting of militant self-activity of the work­ a network of such organizations ing youth, is at last beginning to would act as the backbone of the challenge th,e hitherto undisputed broad youth movement, cementing monopoly which the bourgeoisie has its alliance with the labor move­ had over the organization of the ment. masses of youth. More than in any The teachings of Earl Browder on other country in the world, the the youth question have contributed American bourgeoisie has succeeded immeasurably toward equipping our in building an extensive and widely Party and Young Communist ramified network of youth organ­ League for the mobilization of the izations financed by it, controlled by working class and youth to accom­ it, and devoted to the task of im- plish this historic task . . pregnating the masses of youth from their earliest years with the spirit Earl Browder-Teacher of of class collaboration, with the the Youth spirit of pious respect for the hal­ Earl Browder not only equipped lowed sanctity of private privilege our Party and the labor movement and profit, with the spirit of loyalty with a correct understanding of the to the bourgeoisie and its institu­ fundamental character of the youth tions. question and its relation to the gen­ For this reason, assistance to the eral struggles of the working class. youth in the establishment of their He al

BY ROB FOWLER HALL

T MUST have occurred to tens table summaries after discussion, in I of thousands of people as it has this instance before a meeting of to us in the South that the per­ the National Committee of the secutors of Earl Browder uninten­ Party in .January, 1933. tionally performed a profoundly " ... We must say a word about symbolic act when they manacled this tendency that we have noticed Browder between two Negroes in in many places . . . to say 'Now that historic journey to prison in we have the Negroes. What we need the heart of Georgia. , now is to get the whites,' and then For this is the lesson which Com­ to proceed to get the whites by soft­ rade Browder has emphasized to pedaling the Negro issue. This, of the Communist Party in the South; course, is a most dangerous ten­ that the unity of Negro and white dency. You can't get either the is the keystone upon which the whites or the Negroes that way. In struggles of the Southern people the first place, we haven't got either must be based if they are to achieve of them. We must win whites, too, in ordec win the Negroes. But success. to in order to win the whites, we have The entire Party is aware of the to win them on the issue of Negro struggles which Comrade Browder rights; otherwise you haven't won has led to root out from the work­ them at all. You haven't won any­ ing class all remnants of white thing. The Negro question is one of chauvinism as an influence of the our principal channels in winning imperialist bourgeoisie. Likewise, the whites. It may seem an obstacle the position which our Party has but, like many of our obstacles, we taken, and fought for, under the can transform them into instru­ leadership of Browder, for full ments of strength for us. We can economic, political and social equal­ make it clear during the struggle ity for the Negro people, is well that the division between white and known. Negro defeats them." (The Com­ munist, April, 1933. My emphasis­ But, for the Party in the South, R.F.H.) Comrade Browder has made a spe­ cial contribution on this question. When Browder speaks, as he often Perhaps the clearest and most does, of our "pride" that we are forceful (if informal) formulation called "the party of the Negroes" of it came in one of his unforget- or "the Negro party," what could 557 558 EARL BROWDER AND THE SOUTHERN PEOPLE be more appropriate than that he Marxist-Leninist policy is the op­ should voice this pride in the South portunist policy of the Socialist to Southern audiences! ' Party in the South which, precisely Our Party has always had some because of its opportunism on the sympathizers among Southern white Negro question, has won neither workers who maintain that they Negro nor white workers in the agree with us wholly, or that they Southern states. agree with us on all issues, except Comrade Browder was able to on the Negro question. These "well­ provide the Southern Party with wishers'' have time and again coun­ this correct line because of his own seled us to soft-pedal the Negro profound understanding of the question in our approach to the South, its history and traditions, mass of Southern white workers as an integral part of his Marxist­ and farmers. In 1936 Comrade Leninist knowledge of American Browder toured the South in the history. It was with the encourage­ course of the election campaign and ment of Browder that our Party spoke over the radio and at public began to examine the history of the meetings in the principal cities. South. The last direct message In every such address, Comrade which this writer had from Comrade Browder not only did not soft-pedal Browder was, "Study the history of our basic position for full social, the South"; it is here passed on to political and economic equality, but our comrades in the Southern Party emphasized it with his character­ for the highly valuable directive istic sharpness which left no doubts that it is. in any one's mind. Our confused Comrade Browder has thus been friends were deeply chagrined at able to characterize the particular Comrade Browder's "mistake." But social relationships in the South the results then-as they have al­ with accuracy and with a clarity ways been when this policy was that illuminates the entire problem: followed-were a strengthening of "The South has for generations our support among the Negro work­ been the stronghold of reaction, the ers and a growing response from one place in America where mod­ white workers who recognized that ern capitalism was fused-in its the Communist Party alone had the most parasitic aspects-with rem­ solution to that biggest of all nants of feudalism, of pre-capitalist South~rn questions, the Negro ques­ society; and, on the basis of that tion. fusion of parasitic capitalism and Today we are finding new con­ pre-capitalist survivals, the South firmation of the correctness of this has played a deadly role in the policy, not only in the daily expe­ political life of all America." (The rience of our Party, but also in the Communist, July, 1938.) solid growth of the C.I.O. unions, Comrade Browder has nevertheless especially in recent months, in the never been pessimistic about the Birmingham industrial district. South. Because he has mastered In sharp contrast to this clear Stalin's teachings on the national EARL BROWDER AND THE SOUTHERN PEOPLE 559 question, he has taught us how to "Those shackles which prevent the apply them to the Negro question full economic development of the in the South. Knowing how unity South, those restrictions on civil of Negro and white, forged in the libertie;;, those denials of full eco­ struggles for democracy in 1865-75 nomic, political and social equality and again in the Populist days, led for the Negro people, can only be smashed if white and black toilers to great popular victories, he has unite, if in the South and North, been able to anticipate with calm East and West, the American people confidence the changes that are tak­ rally to defeat the threat of reac­ ing place in the South under the tion and fascism, and in the South leadership of the proletariat, to smash once and for all the rem­ point out the progressive forces nants of slavery and serfdom. This availabl~ as reserves of the prole­ is the only way freedom and pros­ tariat, and to indicate the necessary perity can be won for the South." direction of our work here. (The People's Front, pp. 111-112.) Simultaneously with showing us Discussing the issue of state's what is distinctive in the Southern rights in 1937, Comrade Browder picture, Comrade Browder has said: taught us to avoid the pitfalls of Southern exceptionalism. In an ad­ " ... But the issue is very narrowly dress before the Institute of Public posed, as yet, between the two Affairs at the University of Virginia major groupings. For us this issue in 1936, in which he projected is much deeper and more far-reach­ a Farmer-Labor Party, he said: ing. That this issue can exist at all is a sign of the incomplete national "This program is of a special unification of the country. The interest to the toilers of the South, American bourgeoisie was never white and Negro, but especially the able fully to unite our country into Negro people who are the most ex­ one nation; it compromised with all ploited of working people and who sorts of localisms and particularisms are denied the right to live as which divide the people. These human beings. There can be no divisions, originating under the in­ freedom for the Negro people and fluence of pre-capitalist forces no prosperity for the toilers of the (slavery, landlordism, colonialism), South t:ntil the demands of the pro­ have now been taken over by the gressive platform are realized. upper bourgeoisie as its strongholds "There has been much talk that in the fight against the people. That the special problems of the South is why the Republican Party, orig­ can be solved only in some peculiar inally a party of national unity, Southern way. We say that the has been transformed into the domination of Wall Street in the party of localism against the nation. South is aggravated by the rem­ "This setting of the locality nants of semi-feudal and serf rela­ against the nation, the part against tions. It is these hangovers from the whole, is used to paralyze all slavery that enabled Wall Street to efforts at social legislation, and to establish the vicious system of wage prevent further democratization. differentials, to cite one example. Only by fuller, more complete na- 560 EARL BROWDER AND THE SOUTHERN PEOPLE tiona! unification can the economic ". . . Tens of thousands of- our problems of the masses be even friends are only awaiting a serious approached; only thus can effective invitation to join our ranks. democracy be established. Through breaking down the judicial dictator­ "How true this is was brought ship and by setting up a national home to me sharply last week-end electoral system that guarantees in when I attended the Southern States life the rights of citizenship promised Conference of the Communist Party in the Constitution, can we abolish in Chattanooga, Tennessee. In a hall all restrictions on the franchise and of the City Auditorium gathered 130 provide direct and proportional delegates from eleven Southern representation in each state. It is states, Negro and white, men and towards this more complete concep­ women, larger and more represen­ tion cf national unity that we Com­ tative than the Seventh Convention munists must direct the thought of of our party for the whole United the broad people's movement. In States. doing this we will continue under the "What a transformation is coming conditions of today that democratic over the old reactionary Solid work begun by Washington, Jeffer­ South; it is breaking up, a new son and Paine, and continued by Solid Progressive South is in process Lincoln. We Communists must be­ of birth, and in the midst of it come known as the most energetic works and grows the Communist champions of the full national unifi­ Party." (Ibid., p. 248.) cation of our country." (Ibid., pp. 166-167.) The entire Southern party was inspired and encouraged by similar It was with such analyses as this remarks of Comrade Browder in that Comrade Browder prepared the his summary at the conclusion of party for the developments that the Party's Tenth Convention. were tc take place in the South, first in the New Deal period when "There is just one more feature the democratic strivings of the of our convention I want to speak people were to receive encourage­ about . . . the importance of the ment, small as it was, from the participation in this convention of national administration, and since, our delegations from the Southern in the further maturing of the peo­ states and the significance this has ple's movement under conditions of for all of America, the significance imperialist war and growing war­ this h:ts in the further maturing of dictatorship. the Negro liberation movement. The South in America has for genera­ Many of Comrade Browder's ar­ tions been a stronghold of re­ ticles and speeches refer to this action.... changing situation and focus atten­ «But that old 'Solid South' is tion on the South. melting away. We see the signs of Toward a New South it not only in those great political developments I spoke of in my Returning East after a trip South report, but we know how to eval­ in September, 1937, Comrade Brow­ uate the significance of the ap­ der told a Boston audience: pearanc~ of even a small Comm'f- EARL BROWDER AND THE SOUTHERN PEOPLE 561 nist Party. We know the enormous mitted the Party to forget the real significance of the appearance at South, the agrarian South with its this convention of a delegation from million Negro sharecropping fam­ the states of the South, which took ilies, living in semi-peonage and part right along, side by side, with destitution, and its relationship to the delegations from all over Amer­ the movement for Negro liberation. ica, and dealt with the problems of At the Tenth Convention, he said: the South in exactly the same way and with the same perspective that "I want to speak about a certain our party is dealing with the prob­ phase of our work which is of the lems of all America. most burning significance for the "We must draw a certain conclu­ people of the country-that is, the sion from that for the political per­ organization of the Negro libera­ spective for all America." (The tion movement to involve the whole Communist, July, 1938.) mass of the Negro people. This movement embraces the great ma­ It was during the Tenth Conven­ jority of the Negroes in the North. tion that the writer, together with It is only beginning to embrace other Southern Communists, con­ the main masses of the Negroes ferred with Comrade Browder to there where the Negroes have their concretize a plan of work based on feet upon the ground, on the land, Browder's proposal of national leg­ down South. islation to abolish the poll tax and "Important as onr work is among guarantee the right to vote for the the Negroes in the North, let us Negro people. Today, when we re­ never forget that this work gets its main irr.portance because it gives us the peo­ joice at the high level of channels to reach and organize and ple's mcvement for a free ballot in rouse the main masses of the Negro the South, when the poll tax has people on the land in the Southern become an issue of such nationwide states." (Ibid., pp. 595-596.) importance that slogans for its abolition are shouted from coast to The role of the poll-tax Congress- coast and reactionary politicians . men and Senators in the present must work overtime to keep anti­ situation is not basically different poll tax legislation off the floor of from their role over the past two Congress, we cannot escape the con­ decades. However, in the New Deal clusion that the Communists can period their power for evil was claim for their leader, Earl Brow­ somewhat checked by the division der, a considerable portion of the which existed among their own credit for this improved state of bourgeoisie, and by the fact that affairs. (But if we are disposed they were opposed by a progressive toward· any feeling of complacency movement which had the support about this, we are spurred on by of sections of the Northern bour­ the certainty that Comrade Brow­ geoisie, including the President of der would chide us: "This is only the United States. In the present the beginning.") period they represent the noisiest Comrade Browder has never per- spokesmen, the main floor leaders 562 EARL BROWDER AND THE SOUTHERN PEOPLE and propagandists, for the Wall their lives in this cause." (New Street-Roosevelt program of reac­ Masses, Aug. 23, 1938.) tion and war. This influential, almost decisive Comrade Browder can therefore role of the South in national politics speak of the South both from a was recognized by Comrade Brow­ wealth of practical experience and der in his summary remarks at on the basis of a Leninist-Stalinist the Tenth Convention: understanding of the relation of forces in the South. For the South "We who want to change the course of our country, who want he emphasizes the ultimate conclu­ to turn our country away from the sion: that while it is necessary for path that is charted out for it by Communists to struggle for every the economic masters of our land, feature of a minimum program for who want to block once and for­ the South, uniting the people be­ ever the road to reaction and fas­ hind a Farmer-Labor Party, it is cism, if we are really practical for us also to teach that: politicians we must keep our eyes on the South. Not only our Southern ". . . the South requires socialism comrades, but the entire party has for its full emancipation from the the task to win the South for the terrible conditions revealed in the democratic front." (Ibid., p. 596.) report. For that is in truth an in­ escapable conclusion for all who Although the emphasis was espe­ would dig down to the very roots cially timely, this was certainly not of the problem. The Soviet Union the first time Comrade Browder had with its socialist system is reveal­ made such a statement. Since 1930 ing, in its own development of its the National Committee, under many constituent republics, espe­ Browder's leadership, had devoted cially ti10se formerly most exploited great attention to the South. As under tsarism, how economic des­ Comrade Browder wrote, in connec­ erts under capitalism quickly be­ tion with the publication of the came blooming gardens under Report on Economic Conditions of socialism." (Ibid.) the South by the President's Na­ Comrade Browder has answered tional Emergency Council: for us tht: main political and organ­ "For many years the Communist izational questions about the South. Party has been deeply concerned It remains for the party organiza­ with these problems of the South, tions, especially those in the South, so well summarized by the report. to study and apply the teachings ... We have suffered great hard­ of Browder so that when his prison ships to maintain the growing Southern movement. Hundreds of doors are forced open Comrade our best men and women have Browder will find a stronger party risked their lives in pioneer work leading a united people, including for the rising Southern labor move­ a united Southern people, toward ment and the Negro liberation complete equality, freedom and movement, and many have given prosperity. OUR DEBT TO EARL BROWDER

BY WILLIAM SCHNEIDERMAN

HE gates of Atlanta Peniten­ velt-McAdoo slate, and were able T tiary are nearly three thousand to poll 100,000 votes in the Demo­ miles from the Pacific Coast, and cratic primaries. yet Earl Browder's imprisonment The Communist Party publicly and enforced absence from our campaigned for a united front with ranks are keenly felt by his fellow­ the Epics and other progressive­ workers in California as every­ labor forces, and made every effort where in the country. This is so, to collaborate with them on issues not only because Browder is a na­ on which common agreement could tional leader of progressive Amer­ be reached. In the course of this ica, but because he has made campaign, we were confronted with special contributions to the labor two problems, in the solution of and progressive movement of the which Comrade Browder played an West Coast, where his keen vision, exceptionally important role. One his masterly ability to find the key was the antagonism and distrust to every problem, and his calm and displayed by·some of the Epic lead­ inspiring confidence in the working ers toward the Communist Party, class have left an indelible impres­ an aftermath of our generally cor­ sion on the work of the Communist rect criticism of the Epics during Party and the mass movement. the Sinclair campaign. Comrade Browder, in the course of his tour "' * " of California during the Presiden- In 1936 the progressive political tial campaign of 1936, was mainly movement of the country began to responsible for eliminating this ob­ take on a democratic front charac- stacle to united front activities. In ter. In California, the remnants of his personal contact with the Epic the Epic movement, which, in 1934, leaders, including Upton Sinclair had almost swept Upton Sinclair himself, he made it clear that the into office, became a Left-wing mi- Communist Party frankly acknowl­ nority in the Democratic Party, edged the mistakes it had made in fighting the McAdoo leadership and the past, in its dealings with the giving qualified support to Presi- Epics, but insisted on the Party's dent Roosevelt. The Epics ran their right to speak critically, in friendly own slate, nominally pledged to Up- fashion, of their mistakes as well, ton Sinclair, in the Presidential pointing out that this did not inter­ primaries of 1936 against the Roose- fere with the common grounds that 563

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BROWDER BROWDER EARL EARL TO TO DEBT DEBT OUR OUR 564 564 OUR DEBT TO EARL BROWDER 565 erendum vote, it was at Comrade was rapidly growing and had polled Browder's initiative that the Party 100,000 votes for Anita Whitney, in California decided to urge a and 150,000 votes for Leo Gallagher, "Yes" vote, in spite of our disagree­ who, although not a member of the ments with certain phases of the Communist Party, had consented to measure. Comrade Browder and run at our invitation on the Com­ other members of the Political Com­ munist Party ticket. mittee pointed out that a victory for Comrade Browder took this occa­ the pension measure would be a sion to warn the Party against any blow to the reactionary opponents tendency that might develop of of all social security measures, and being "dizzy with success," and would be a sharp warning to the against thinking of the growth of New Deal forces who were shame­ the Party in mere numbers. Among fully neglecting the pension prob­ other things, he said: lem and thus playing into the hands of the reactionary "economy blocs." "America is not a stranger to movements and organizations that If the $30-a-week plan were adopt­ grow fast. In fact, it is one of the ed and did not work, it would force characteristics of America that the Administration to enact a work­ movements rise up almost over­ able pension plan. Experience night, gather hundreds of thousands proved our united front policy to be and even millions of members, make correct, and established a basis for a great noise and a tremendous im­ friendly cooperation between the pression on the public mind and Party and the rank and file of the then disappear almost as fast as pension movement. they arose. In the past history of the American people, in the past 50 • or 60 years, how many great move­ • * ments have arisen and disappeared, There are many other valuable and today are only a memory? . . . contributions made by Comrade "We don't want the Communist Browder to the progressive mass movement to be one of those mush­ movement in California, in the room growths that will disappear trade union field, on the cultural as fast as it appears and merely front, and others. But the one that write another chapter for the anti­ left the most profound effect was quarians to ponder over in coming generations. We want to build a his constant emphasis on improving permanent organization, because the political quality of our work, our goal is not only the immediate on building the type of Party lead­ goal. The immediate problems of ership which would be able to meet the people are our starting points, any test. In May, 1939, he was pres­ but upon that basis we are looking ent at a State Conference of the ahead to the complete reconstruc­ Party; it was shortly after the pro­ tion of America, and of American gressive election victories of 1938. social and economic life, and we A new administration had come must build in such a way that every year marks an advance, every year into office in the state, and in the the Party is more solid, more firmly Los Angeles city government; Tom based, more sure of itself, more the Mooney had been freed; the Party master of its own problems and the 566 OUR DEBT TO EARL BROWDER problems of the American peo­ Party by the collective work of the ple.... leading committees. But the founda­ "We have to have a better lead­ tion of all of this must more and ership of our Party in order that more be self-study and self-educa­ our Party can give a better leader­ tion. That is the raw material at the ship to the mass movement. And a foundation of all the collective better leadership of the Party means work, and on its quality will de­ a crystallization of collective lead­ pend everything else. All that the ing groups beginning with the Party can do as a collective body branch, which learns how to fuse in the raising of the political capac­ all the best qualities of our Party ity of the Party as a whole, and of in its neighborhood, to multiply the each individual member, is to create political influence of our Party and better conditions for this self-edu­ not merely add numbers one by one. cation. And how much we realize If you have one Communist you out of these better conditions will have one unit of the energy of the in each case depend on the indi­ Party and its political influence, but vidual member himself. We must when you get five Communists to­ stress very heavily now individual gether, working as an organized responsibility, the individual con­ body, that should represent, not tribution in mastering the problems only the equivalent of five units, but of our communities and the politi­ those five who get together, work­ cal program of the Party, mastering ing together, should multiply one Bolshevik theory and mastering the another's capacity and influence Bolshevik adjustment to the condi­ and the net result should be equiva­ tions of life around us. . . . lent to five times five. That is the "It is not enough to listen to a principle upon which our small Par­ speech, or to read a pamphlet or a ty exerts a great influence in the book. The test of whether we un­ country. This principle of collective derstand it or not is: Are we able teamwork, working together, sup­ to transmit it to those people who plementing one another, creating are least prepared for it, so that something new which is more than this political thought of our Party just a sum of the individuals penetrates through the broadest brought together; this is the very masses of the people and determines principle of Communist organiza­ the direction of their thinking and tion, the very principle of the lead­ begins to guide their actions? . . . ership of the Party over great "In the membership of our Party masses. we have the material out of which "In emphasizing this aspect of we must create the future leaders the collectivity of our work, we of the people of our state and na­ don't want to overlook the role of tion. They must bind themselves so the individual. We are now enter­ closely to the masses of the people ing a stage of our Party develop­ that in the great changes that are ment when we can say that every­ to come, and that are already in thing is going to depend for a time preparation, the people will natur­ upon the raising of the level of the ally and inevitably put forward our individual contribution of the indi­ people as their best representatives. vidual Party member. Our great Leadership is not something that task is education, the education of can be created by political maneu­ the masses by the collective work vers. Leadership of the masses is, of the Party, the education of the first of all, the winning of the trust OUR DEBT TO EARL BROWDER 567 and confidence of the masses. With­ This speech of Browder's, in dif­ out that you can't move an inch. ferent times and under different That is what we have got to get, conditions, rings doubly true today, and when we get that, everything and is a reflection of his own great else will follow. . . . qualities of leadership. It was the "In order to achieve that, we must last speech Comrade Browder was be able to speak in such a way that allowed to deliver in person in Cali­ our words are not merely the dis­ turbance of the air, but that they fornia. bring illumination to the minds of The imperialist war smashed our listeners, and that our actions the old alignments. Roosevelt be­ and our work are so consistent and came the leader of the imperialist so reliable that all of the people war camp, Browder became the who come in contact with us will leader of the fight against Ameri­ learn to trust us, will learn to know can involvement in the war. The that our word is even better than results of his wise leadership are another man's bond, and to know more evident today than ever, even that we 'stay put,' that we can al­ ways be found where we should be, while he is in jail, for the Party and that they can rely upon us .... has an unerring guide in Comrade "And, finally, we have to learn Browder's teachings and his own that in order to be leaders of the example of leadership and courage. masses we not only must be a step Browder's last speech in Califor­ ahead of them, and be teaching nia, before his imprisonment, was them, but that we must be in the one that he was not allowed to de­ closest connection with them and liver in person, during the 1940 learn from them. This interchange Presidential election campaign. It between the Party and the masses, was delivered by electrical tran­ of teaching and learning, is a mu­ scription at a memorable meeting tual relationship and runs both ways. Modesty is a very essential at Olympic Auditorium, Los Ange­ quality for a Communist Party and les, and closed with these prophetic for Communists, leaders and indi­ words: vidual members of the Communist Party.... "The economic royalists and their "We must put our Party among servants are riding high, and glee­ the masses and at the head of the fully congratulate themselves that masses, and through the quality of the masses have been hogtied, that our thinking, and the quality of nothing can now spoil their plans our work, win such unconditional for a great imperialist speculation loyalty of the masses to our politi­ with the blood and lives of the cal program, to our Party and to its American people. But the fight is leadership, that our Party will not only begun. Notwithstanding all only be an inevitable, an indispens­ difficulties and hardships, the Amer­ able part of the democratic front, ican people cannot forever be but that through that work it will tricked, bulldozed and suppressed. secure the position where it can They are fighting back with in­ lead the majority of the American creasing numbers, energy, intelli­ people to the complete reconstruc­ gence and determination. And the tion of our country on the basis of final victory will belong to the socialism." people." SPACE AND TIME-FORMS OF THE EXISTENCE OF MATTER

BY GEORGE KURSANOV

III. Dialectical Materialism on in motion, maintaining that their Space and Time* foundation is matter · itself and ·its properties. D IALECTICAL materialism We are thus stressing two points. views space and time as the First, that all the properties of space forms of the existence of matter. and time are derived in the last anal­ The universe is matter in motion. ysis from the properties of matter Matter moves in space and time, and its motion; it is impossible, there­ which are the necessary conditions fore, to derive the properties of for the existence of matter. The space and time from any a priori in­ motion of any material body, all tuition, etc., but they derive ex­ processes and all phenomena, take clusively from the properties of place in space and in time. It is im­ moving matter. In the second place, possible to imagine anything exist­ space and time are the forms of the ing out of space, or out of time. existence of matter; they have just The movement of all material this specific form and are not iden­ bodies, of phenomena and processes, tical with any specific material the movement of matter as a whole process: Space is not gravitation, is motion in space and time. time is not life and death-they are Matter, motion, space and time merely corresponding forms of the are considered by dialectical mate­ given material processes which can rialism in their natural, logical con­ occur only in space and time. nection. The successful study of the properties of space and time is pos­ Space and Time Are Inseparable sible only in their relation to the Contemporary physics has clear­ motion of matter. Dialectical materialism conceives ly demonstrated the inadequacy of the definition of space and time space and time as forms of matter given by classical physics, the defi­ • This is the third section of this essay, the nition which metaphysically sev­ first two parts of which appeared . in the April ered them, conceiving them as two and May issues of The Communtsl. T_he co!1~ eluding part of the third and final sectton ":'II independently existing absolute en­ appear in our July number. The essay was ortg~ inally published in the Soviet phil'?sol?hical and tities. socio-economic periodical, Pod Znamtemem Marx­ The theory of relativity revealed i:tmd (uUnder the Banner of Marxism") for June, 1940.-Ed. the inadequacy of this narrow con- 568 SPACE AND TIME 569 ception and established the insepa­ which it travels; the "erratic" dec­ rable unity of time and space. linations of the perihelion of Mer­ This connection was established cury, etc.). by the theory of relativity as the All this confirms the value of the result of the investigation of the new concepts of the connection of processes of motion, and is indisput­ time and space advanced by the able from any point of view. First, theory of relativity, an organic, an because this connection reflects the inner dialectical connection. It fol­ unity and inseparability of matter, lows that space and time possess a the existence of which is possible number of common properties. only in space and in time. Space and But this unity and connection time are the forms of existence of which determine the common prop­ matter; their separation is impos­ erties of space and time do not ex­ sible by virtue of the nature of clude in any way their differences, matter. In the second place, the i.e., the peculiarities of the spatial movements of material bodies and form of existence of matter as dis­ of phenomena and process can take tinguished from the temporal form. place only in time and in space. The following scheme for the Any change in the material world analysis of space and time can be occurs at a definite historical mo­ set forth. First: establishment of the ment and in a definite point of real general properties common to both space. space and time; second: elucidation A motion out of space or out of of certain specific properties which time is a fiction. One of the founders characterize space alone and time of the theory of relativity, specifi­ alone. In both these cases the prop­ cally of the theory concerning space erties of space and time are defined and time, Hermann Minkowski, has by the properties of matter: they are expressed his thought in a very the forms of its existence; it is their original manner; "Nobody has ever content. noticed a place except at a time, or In this article we do not consider a time except at a place."• space and time in greater detail Thirdly, classical physics based than is found in the. classics of upon the metaphysical conception Marxism ("forms of the existence of separated time and space proved of matter"). A finished, logical to be incapable of explaining a definition of a concept can be given number of physical phenomena in either of two ways: (a) by sub­ which were satisfactorily explained suming the particular concept under by the theory of relativity (the mo­ a general; (b) by the analytical tion of micro-particles of matter method, i.e., in terms of progres­ with the velocities of the order of sively simpler concepts. However, it the velocity of light; deflection of a is exceedingly difficult to define ray of light by a material body past space and time by the analytical method because such a definition • Hermann Minkowski, uSpace and Time," in Th~ Principle of Relttti'lfity, a collection of es­ as "space is the order of objects" says by H. A. Lorentz, A. Einstein, H. Min­ defines nothing, while it is impos­ kowski and H. Weyl. Dodd, Mead, New York, 1923, p. 76. sible to define space and time by 570 SPACE AND TIME subsuming them under a general and objective. But the absoluteness of concept, since they themselves are motion does not contradict its physi­ the most general of concepts. Lenin cal relativity. Motion occurs only as pointed out that ultimate concepts relative motion of bodies. The motion (limiting concepts) are incapable of of a body is comprehensible only in definition. relation to some other body, to a Our task therefore is, relying on definite frame of reference. In this the classic Marxist definition of sense motion has a relative charac­ space and time as the forms of the ter. From the above it follows that existence of matter, to consider and the absoluteness and objectivity of formulate a number of properties of motion in the philosophical sense time and space, both common and are not in contradiction to the rela­ specific. tivity of motion in the physical sense. The absoluteness and relativ­ The Absoluteness and the Relativity ity of motion are the inseparable of Space and Time parts of their dialectical unity. In Matter is objective and absolute. science, the properties of space and It is independent of all forces or time are inseparably connected with causes; it is the sole substance and the motion of material bodies. The cause of all changes. relativity of motion leads to the The forms of the existence of relativity of space and time. This matter~space and time-are also does not, however, refute in any objective and absolute. The exist­ way the absoluteness and objectiv­ ence of material bodies, the motion ity of space and time as the objec­ of matter, occur in space and time tive forms of the existence of independently of any "transcenden­ matter, nor does the relativity of tal" forces and are absolute and motion refute in any way its abso­ objective. luteness and objectivity from the Space and time are inseparably philosophical point of view. connected with the motion of mat­ The relativity of space and time is ter, the latter being absolute and characterized, first, from the point objective. Space and time are there­ of view of the relative character of fore absolute and objective in the motion and, secondly, from the same degree. The Kantian thesis point of view of their mutual inter­ that space and time are subjective dependence. while matter is objective is, at bot­ When we speak of the relativity tom, nonsensical. Dialectical mate­ of space and time we mean the rialism rejects the subjectivity of relativity of space-interval and the space and time and asserts their relativity of simultaneity (and, fur­ objectivity and absoluteness. ther, of duration) from the point of The absoluteness of space and view of material systems traveling time means, in the philosophical at different speeds in respect to each sense, that their existence in no way other. depends on any sensations or con­ Consequently the objectivity of ceptions in the human mind. spatial or temporal intervals re­ The motion of matter is absolute mains unaffected; but the fact un- SPACE AND TIME 571 der consideration is their different conceptions. Their changes (theo­ evaluation from the point of view retically taking place constantly) of differently moving systems. On depend on the objective factors; for the contrary, it follows even from instance, the change in the distance the special principle of the theory from the earth to the sun is a result of relativity that in systems "at of the decrease in the force of gravi­ rest" all physical phenomena follow tation due to the dissipation of solar exactly the same course, time and matter through radiation, etc. In space-interval included. The gen­ the same way, the diverse methods eral theory of relativity generalizes for measuring time cannot in the the special principle for all systems least disprove the objective exis­ and thereby but confirms the objec­ tence of time, the objectivity of the tivity and the absoluteness of space definite intervals of time. The time and time. And, as we pointed out of the revolution of the earth about before, the difference in the evalu­ the sun is a period which depends ation of the space-intervals and of upon the properties of the motion of durations does not depend on the material bodies and on no other subjective qualities of the observers forces. It may please humanity to in the different systems but on the name this period a year, or any­ velocities of those systems (and the thing else; but the fact remains a speed of light), i.e., on quite objec­ fact irrespective of the name. It tive factors. would have been just as possible to Motion embodies the unity of measure one revolution of the earth space and time. In this phenomenon about its axis with timepieces di­ they are absolutely inseparable. vided into 16 parts instead of 12. Of course, time and space are The objective period of the revolu­ absolute and objective; but thi3 ob­ tion of the earth would not thereby jectivity is actual only because of be changed by a second. The terms their close union as the two insep­ astronomical, mean, sidereal, solar arable. forms of existence of the and local are but the differ­ single continuous matter. Apart ent methods of measuring time, from time, space can be conceived which do not change in the least the as an amorphous, fictitious entity, objective course of its flow. just as time apart from space can It should be noted that all meth­ be thought of only as an a priori ods of measuring time are based on concept. In reality, however, nei­ some objective period of its dura­ ther exists separately. tion, a year, a day, etc., which only The measurement of space and confirms the objectivity of time. time is equally incapable of under­ The measurement of cosmic dis­ mining their objective existence. Ir­ tances by light-years* signifies both respective of our methods of mea­ the objectivity of space and time suring space-intervals, the inter­ atomic, geographic, cosmic, etc., intervals exist and will exist objec­ • A light-year is the distance light traveling at 186,000 mil• por socond would travorso in a tively, and independently of our yoar.-Ed. 572 SPACE AND TIME intervals and their intimate con­ The Infinity of Space and Time nection. The absoluteness and objectivity Matter is eternal; it is infinite in of space and time do not depend in space and time. The universe is any way upon man's perception and ever existing in infinite change and knowledge of them. The perception in infinite diversity of phenomena. of time and space is a complex "This order, the same for all things, psychological process. Space and no one of gods or men has made, time act upon our organs of sensa­ but it always was, and is, and ever tion in a very peculiar way. Engels shall be, an ever-living fire, kindling remarked long ago that space and according to fixed measure, and ex­ time cannot be smelled. The investi­ tinguished according to fixed mea­ gation of this problem belongs to sure."* (Heraclitus of Ephesus.) the field of the theory of cognition Matter is everlasting and uncreat­ and psychology. Here we note only ed. The absolute law of nature, the that perceptions of space and time law of conservation of matter and by a subject do not disprove their of mass-energy is the expression of objective existence but on the con­ the eternal and uncreated nature of trary themselves depend on the the material world. All the phenom­ specific properties of space and time ena of the natural world are subject as the objective modes of the exis­ to the absolute law of nature which tence of matter. is consistent only with the recogni­ Man's knowledge of the properties tion of the universe as everlasting of space and time, the process of and uncreated and, in turn, follows discovery of their real nature, is a from it. complex dialectical process, in the The infinity of matter determines course of which we continually dis­ the infinity of space and time which cover new properties of space and are inseparably bound up with mat­ time; learn new aspects and replace ter and which are the forms of its old conceptions by new; and come existence. Space and time, as was ever nearer to the knowledge of pointed out by Feuerbach, are the their true nature, to the absolute manifestation of the actual infinite. truth. The development and change The infinity of space and the in­ of our concepts of space and time finity of time are a reality condi­ speak for the relative character of tioned by the infinity of matter as our knowledge in general which, the objective reality of the infinite continuously developing, becomes objective world of nature. more ample and adequate. This in Dialectical materialism deduces no measure refutes the absoluteness the infinity of space and time from and objectivity of space and time, the infinity of matter; the properties just as the relative character of our of matter determine the properties knowledge of objective reality can of space and time. This is the only in no way disprove the .fact of its scientific thesis which is compatible existence, as Lenin clearly showed in his Materialism and EmpiTio­ • S~lectiont from Earl Grul Philosophy, edited by Mtlton C. Nahm. F. S. Crofts and Co 1934 CTiticism. p. 90. .• • SPACE AND TIME 573 with all natural laws and, above all, matter and, especially, the law of with the law of the conservation of conservation of matter and the law mass-energy, the absolute law of of conservation and transformation nature. of energy-mass. The acceptance of the opposite 2. From the unity and continuity view, of the finite nature of space of matter it follows that there can and time leads eventually' to ideal­ be no absolute boundaries of space, ism and to religion. The thesis of boundaries, that is, beyond which the finite universe implies the crea­ there could be nothing else but sim- tion of the world by supernatural ply real space. , power out of nothing; it implies a 3. Postulating finite space leads transcendental world governed by to the recognition of a supernatural its own supernatural laws. power and of a transcendental Materialism and idealism are dia­ realm which contradicts all the metrically opposed to each other in progress of human knowledge. their conception of the essential Therefore, it is possible to speak properties of space and time. The not only of the hypothesis but of the thesis of the infinite universe is thesis of infinite space, the only compatible only with the materialis­ scientific and the materialistic tic philosophy which recognizes thesis. matter as the sole substance of all Social practice is the criterion of change. On the other hand, the the validity of our knowledge, the­ thesis of the finite universe is ideal­ ories, :rostulates, hypotheses. This istic and leads directly to the ad­ criterion, however, cannot always mission of a supernatural divine be applied in a simple and direct force. manner. As it has been pointed out, The hypothesis of infinity of space laboratory experiments cannot prove (and the universe) cannot be tested directly whether the world is in­ directly by an experiment. This, finite or finite. The criterion of prac­ however, in no way diminishes its tice in this case is more complex: scientific and logical validity. The It is the verification by life of all hypothesis of the infinity of space scientific laws of matter in motion, is founded on the laws of natural which amply confirm the infinity science, and it alone is compatible of space. And we can say with the with them. Roman materialist, Lucretius: Here we can note in detail the following: "The universe then is not limited 1. The hypothesis of the infinity along any of its paths; for if so it of the universe (and of space and ought to have an extremity. Again, clearly nothing can have an extrem­ time) is the only one which makes ity unless there be something be­ it possible to explain, in a natural yond to bound it, so that something and scientific way, the emergence can be seen, beyond which our and development of diverse worlds sense can follow no further. Now and organisms, without contradict­ since we must confess that there ill ing the laws of the development of nothing beyond the sum of things, 574 SPACE AND TIME it has no extremity, and therefore from the basic principles of the it is without end or limit. Nor does theory. it matter in which of its quarters The main arguments which the you stand: so true is it, that what­ proponents of the finite theory of ever place anyone occupies, he space derive from the theory of rel­ leaves the whole equally infinite in ativity are the following: every direction."* 1. "The infinite universe is pos­ Or as Engels says: sible only on the assumption that "Eternity in time, infinity in the mean density of matter in the space, mean from the start, and in universe is equal to zero." the simple meaning of the words, Einstein rejects this assumption that there is no end in any direc­ and thereby asserts that space is tion, neither forwards nor back­ finite. The mathematical expression, wards, upwards or downwards, to from V\'hich it follows that the mean the right or to the left."** density of matter must equal The materialistic Weltanschauung zero, for space to be infinite, is de­ leads to the inevitable conclusion rived by Einstein through advanc­ that space is infinite. The denial of ing a number of working hypotheses this leads to idealism, to belief in which by no means reflect the actual the first impulse of a supernatural laws of space. For example, the force, etc.; i.e., it leads to religion. hypothesis of the constant positive The theory of relativity has pro­ curvature of space, the property duced many new, fresh and pro­ which holds only for a finite space, foundly scientific conceptions about but which is not at all applicable space and time. On this point bour­ to the universe as a whole. Further, geois scientists, beginning with in order to establish space as finite Einstein himself, made the theory Einstein postulates the existence of of relativity the reactionary tool a certain center toward which all which is being used by religion and the material masses of the universe idealism for attacking the material­ gravitate. Present-day astronomy istic thesis of the infinity of the definitely rejects the existence of universe. In opposition to this, we such a center. show that the ideas of the theory of Therefore, the first argument can­ .relativity were, and remain, pro­ not be considered a convincing de­ gressive, scientific ideas, but that the fense of the thesis of the finite uni­ conclusions as to the finite character verse. Its main fallacy consists in of space are tendentious inferences the mechanical application of the on the part of bourgeois science and laws of the finite to the infinite. philosophy, and in no way follow 2. This argument is closely con­ nected with the first and it also • Lucretiu_s: pe f!.erum Natura (On tho Na· deals with the constant, positive ture o£ Thtngs), wtth an English translation by curvature of space. Here are two W. H. D. Rouse. D. P. Putnam's Sons New York, 1931, p. 71. ' assumptwns contrary to fact: first, •• Fr~deric_k En~b, Horr Eugen Dnehring', the correct idea of the theory of Re".olut1•n m Sctence (Anti-Duehring). Inter· nat1onal Publishers, 1939, p. 57. relativity about matter as the de- SPACE AND TIME 575 ciding factor for the properties Gf thus clearly depend on the physical space is distorted by the assump­ properties of space. tion that the distribution of matter Nor can the various mathematical (gravitational masses) in the uni­ formulas for expressing finite space verse is uniform, while in reality the be accepted as convincing. For in­ distribution of the material masses stance, the first equation for the is extremely uneven and complex; radius of the universe, which Ein­ and secondly, the existence of a stein presented in 1917, the deriva­ single center of gravitation for all tion of which was based on the the material masses is introduced equatir~n of the gravitational field again, which also has no place in into which he had introduced the the world of reality. so-called cosmological term. This 3. "The hypothesis that the uni­ equation Einstein himself always verse is infinite and Euclidean be­ considered artificial, and subse­ comes complicated from the point of quently he offered other equations view of the theory of relativity." for the radius of the universe, in To supplement this argument Ein­ deducing which he constantly as­ stein introduces the postulate of the sumed the finiteness of space and simplicity of conditions of closed rejected the hypothesis of infinity. (finite) space. This is a circular argument: that This argument cannot be con­ which is to be proved is already ac­ sidered a serious one. It does not cepted in the premise. assert anything nor does it refute In general, the following can be anything. Here is shown once more said concerning Einstein's argu­ the scientific sterility of Machism ment for finite space. It mechanical­ and its "economy of thought," even ly applies the laws which are oper­ when it is used by the greatest ative in the finite realm to the realm scientists. of the infinite and, therefore, it is It was remarked above that not in the least convincing. The among the advocates of the theory positive content of the theory of of relativity there is a tendency to relativity is the recognition of the make the physical depend upon the dependence of the properties of geometrical. From this is deduced space on the distribution of matter the finiteness of the universe which in the universe. But this proposi­ they assert, basing the proof on the tion is tendentiously distorted by properties of Riemann's geometry, the bourgeois scientists in such a which is a geometry of bounded manner that it becomes the founda­ space. tion for anti-scientific conclusions From the point of view of the the­ favoring finite space. ory of knowledge everything here One of the attempts to establish is standing on its head. The geomet­ the finite world is by means of the rical figures and abstractions retain proposition stating the dependence their meaning only when they re­ of the radius of the universe on flect the definite relations and prop­ time. For this Einstein devised a erties of real spatial objects and mathematical expression: the differ- 576 SPACE AND TIME ential equation without the cosmo­ race." It is not easy to comprehend logical term which he gave in 1931. how the theory of destruction and According to this equation, the rad­ death of the world can do honor to ius of th£. universe is not a constant humanity. but a variable magnitude, the func- It is quite evident that all these , tion of time. This dependence is ex­ theories are sharply at variance pressed either in the form of simple with all of science and, above all, increase of the radius of the uni­ with the absolute, immutable law verse with time, or in the form of of nature--that matter is eternal the variation of the radius in time. and uncreated. These theories lead A multitude of speculations of immediately to the first "divine im­ modern bourgeois philosophy· and pulse," as the result of which the religion are connected with this idea universe arises and receives its mo­ of the theory of relativity and, in tion. Here idealism and religion are particular, with this !lquation. The in perfect accord and the scientific world during the last twenty years point of view, and the true laws of has been literally flooded with all nature, are rejected, since they con­ kinds of theories of "exploding," of tradict all these religiously idealistic "expanding," of "pulsating" uni­ conceptions. The diametric opposi­ verses. There were attempts at tion of materialism and idealism ap­ mathematical computation of the pears here in all its clarity. The time for the "end of the world," etc. thesis of idealism-the world is All this is anti-scientific specula­ finite in space and in time--is an tion carried on by bourgeois phi­ anti-scientific thesis contradictory losophy and religion with quite def­ to all the natural scientific laws. inite ends in view, namely, to The thesis of materialism is the only combat the scientific materialistic scientific thesis because only this Weltanschauung and to supplant it thesis of the infinity of the world in with idealism and the religious space and time permits the explana­ Weltanschauung. tion of the world on the basis of the One of the militant representa­ scientific laws of nature. The uni­ tives of clericalism, Bishop Barnes,* verse is infinite in space and time; declared: "The theory of infinite finite and transitory are the separ­ space is a disgrace to the human , ate, single worlds, but the world as a whole exists eternally in infinite * Hrnest William Barnes, Bishop of Birming­ ham.-Etl. space. 1""-

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