la Im k ! “ The real law lives in our

Kropotkin - ■ p . 2 hearts. If our hearts are empty, no law or political | Michael Scott - p - 3 reform can fill them.” Military Training --LEO TOLSTOY in U.S. - p. 4 a n a r c h i s t W EEKLY

hi. 13, No. 2 January 12th, 1952 Threepence LxT Union Leaders Cling to Nationalisation ew Life to Land? '"THE leaders of two unions have just cussed in these columns, it is unlikely’ expressed their concern that the that the Tories will interfere radically with the system of public control of the |W development in the question beginning of a revolutionary era in large farming syndicates who acquired State control of their industries shall agriculture, in which man-made deserts it at low cost and just exhausted it by not be tampered with. steel industry. All they are concerned Boss of soil and of soil- fertility repeated cropping. Are they likely, or about is the direction in which the fcently opened. This is the may be turned into blooming gardens The executive committee of the profits flow, and that the products of the Mi of a synthetic plastic “con- and green acres,” able, to expend £100 per acre on recon­ National Union of Blast Fumacemen, ditioning when their whole economy was steel industry shall be at the service'of (fo r exhausted soil which has Krilium does not. like compost, add in a resolution sent to Duncan Sandys, the State for its rearmament programme. the most enthusiastic nutrients to the soil; but it does affect rapid immediate returns? Erosion also Minister of Supply, referred to “un­ E many soil experts, agricul- the physical structure in a manner which afflicts the land of poor peasants in India certainty and confusion . . . during this If the profits go to the shareholders, gmists and meteorologists in counteracts the processes which lead to and Africa who would employ a soil critical period" and stated: “That we, but control remains in the hands of a erosion. It thus creates the necessary conserving method but for economic holding the profound belief that it is public corporation, the Tories will be Kill is exhausted by repeated physical conditions whereby the soil stringency. This same factor will pre­ impossible to assure the necessary de­ well satisfied—and for all we can see I loses its power to hold to- can receive nutrients and become fertile. vent them from deriving help from velopment and expansion of the industry, from the above resolution, so will the Ko hold water. . Hence, in dry And. presumably, it also prevent the soil kriljum. secure adequate production of iron and unions. H top soil is blow off as “dust from being blown away and lost steel to fulfil the rearmament programme It is ironic to notice that, apart from tie in wet weather floods altogether as dust. Nevertheless, the new development and maintain full employment unless the a passing reference to full employment art from loss of productivity, Dr. Hochwalt, who introduced it to shows that even the most appalling man­ industry is planned and operated in the hardly to be feared in an industry so jiods have become recurrent the American Association, is the chief made depredations are susceptible of public interest, express our great con­ essential to war!) the main concern of liters in the Missouri and of research of the Monsanto Chemical repair when scientific research is avail­ cern at the decision of the Government the Blast Fumacemen’s leaders seems to galleys. Company. The company say that krilium able to be applied to it. It may be that to proceed with a Bill to annul the Iron be the rearmament programme, not the Jdevelopment is a derivative will be available commercially in 1953. a powerful new weapon against soil and Steel Nationalisation Act.” welfare of the workers. itrile, which is the starting Despite the small quantities required— erosion is now available. It remains to be seen whether our economic system The union, of course, need not worry The other union leader springing to Stony plastics, and is called concentrations of no more than 0.1 per unduly, since, as we have already dis- defend the State, is our old friend Sir ^A ccording to Alistair Cooke, cent, by weight of soil—the cost is will strangle its capabilities. William Lawther, president of the Tr/iesrer Guardian, “it is not a likely to be from £100 to £120 per acre National Union of Mineworkers. who, ■ t does not feed in new foods (2 dollars per pound of the krilium in a New Year's message told his mem­ m gm or nitrates. Its action is powder). No doubt costs will later come bers that private ownership was dead compost, manure or peat down. The Monsanto Company is More Pay for Civil Servants and that its return would be a disaster s* is.reconstitutes the physical constructing a 50 million dollar factory too terrible to contemplate. npHE Treasury have decided that all munications from the various Ministries, [the soil to allow its natural for the production of acrylonitrile. Without wishing to debate that at this ■■rough oxygen, water and A Civil Servants earning up to £1,500 churned out by conscientious clerks and On the face of it, krilium offers hope typists at the instruction of executives point, we must draw the conclusion that T its. But krilium works any- of advance in the struggle against soil a year (£30 a week) are to have pay Sir William does not believe that a con­ lone hundred to one thousand increases. and administrators, hastened on their erosion. But its expense will make it way by those Post Office departments tinuance of State control would be |uickly and powerfully as the difficult to apply except by government These have been arranged on a per­ disastrous. H gditioners.” schemes of the type of the Tennesse centage basis on a sliding scale, decreas­ who stand to gain their, 10 per cent.? { science Correspondent of the Valley Authority.' Small farmers and ing as the salary increases: thus on the We hope not. But even if we are, We do believe that the nationalisation rT/mej who attended a de­ market gardeners employ methods of first £500 of salary, the increase is 10%, since this is the first time that Civil of the mines has undoubtedly brought fat the American Association culture which enrich the soil and con­ on any part of salary between £500 and Service pay has been officially tied up the miners certain small material benefits Pyancement of Science given at serve it. Such people could afford £1,000, 5%; and between £1,000 and with the cost of living index, as that in the matter of welfare, but in return, by Dr. C. A. Hochwalt, krilium but they are the least likely to £1,500, 2£%. The increases, which will index rises and the pay increase is shown they have had to put themselves in the- ■hat krilium “will mark the need it. Erosion affects the land of the to be of temporary relief only, no doubt hands of their employers far more com­ benefit 600,000, will cost about £30 the Whitehall production drive will pletely than ever they did under freer millions a year. prove temporary, too. The paper flood enterprise. In all the various appeals we have had will abate and the suffering Civil Ser­ And the material benefits they have for restraint in pay demands, the official vants will drown their grievances in still gained are going to be nullified by the ain Carlsen and the Unknown line has been that increases in reward more frequent cups of tea. effects of re-armament—the increased must be earned by increases in pro­ pearly a week a ship’s cap- But the productive workers will have pressure of work, the falling value of duction. But- what do civil servants to continue to carry them on their backs. money. in has “hit the headlines”. Bulgarian produce? Must they, in order to balance The £30 millions will have to be paid their bigger pay packet, produce more Neither the steel workers nor the eir sense of what the public others adrift in boats, is surely for by people like the railwaymen, for miners are going to find security or satis­ j the newspaper editors have government forms? Must every docu­ example, who were recently granted a drama of the highest order, ment from now on be filled in in wage increase of only 8 per cent, on faction in their position in their indus­ ted all else to the inside pages, especially in view of the eventual quintuplet instead of merely in triplicate? incomes averaging much less than £500 tries until they are themselves in control!. [odyssey of Captain Carlsen is Shall we all be bombarded with com­ a year. The choice is not between nationalisation rescuing of the men and the towing or a return to private ownership—except rid of story which is lapped to a Spanish port of the part of the for those who have an interest in those our escapist society. 'How ship containing the engine room and alternatives. Capitalists want free enter­ people reading the accounts cargo. But nothing has been made Electric Power from Atomic Energy prise; it’s in their interests. Trade union seven day wait for the trawler of this in the Press. ' leaders want nationalisation—that’s in -TpHE U.S. Atomic Energy Commission their interests. But the workers have no ke his ship in tow, and the signed to gain technical information interest in either of these two systems of me he and the trawler’s mate has announced from Chicago that necessary for further research into the American scientists have harnessed exploitation. crew have been promised when A NP , what of that unfortunate problem of generating electricity at a Bulgarian, of whom we are only atomic power to generate electricity. “competitive” cost. Their interest lies in working towards id and Goliath enter Falmouth, After concentrating for years upon a system of no-exploitation. The system told that he is about 30 years old, We wonder if the term “competitive” ie not re-lived the experience the destructive potential of atomic takes into account the cost in miners’ of workers' control. who had travelled from Paris to fission, time has been taken off to see if lives of the existing method of genera­ themselves in the place of the its obviously tremendous constructive ■tain, just as at the cinema they London on the night ferry train by tion—from coal? clinging all nighi to the rods under­possibilities are realisable. However, the fact that a start has been tructive, and it needs years of peace-. jentify themselves with the Holly- In a two-day experiment, enough neath a sleeping compartment. The made, holds out hope for the future. Neither of these are compatible with the od hero. What an escape from power was produced to run some of the But, of course, it needs much more than present power-political forces which are | humdrum of everyday existence! three-inch press report headed'. Atomic Station’s own plant, as well as the technical knowledge, before society dividing the world, and which will still at it was quite unnecessary for “Paris to London Under Sleeping all the electrical equipment of three will benefit from atom-produced elec­ concentrate on atom-bombs rather than Car,” tells us that the man was ob­ averaged-sized homes. tricity. It needs the social attitude that on producing electricity to light pur hptain Carlsen to remain on his This tiny experiment was only de­ constructive activity is better than des- homes. ihip is beside the point, any more served by the police as he dropped ■ton there is any rhyme or reason to the rails at Victoria Station, ran lor undergraduates at Oxford to across the track, and walked off the EGYPT AND platform. He was covered in climb the highest spire to affix a MALAYA POTS A ETTLES chamber pot. to the lightning con- grime. Buctor. In America every week The man was wearing two pairs J7XAMPLES afe never lacking as . Now let us look at the other side authorities. In offering these re­ someone thinks up a new endurance of trousers and a thick woollen to the double-think which goes of the medal. Last September, wards the authorities have never feat—from sitting on the top of a jacket. He pleaded that he was cold on among our politicians and in the Ching Peng, a Hokkien Chinese, tvas mentioned the secretary-general by­ pole for a fortnight to dancing and hungry and near to exhaustion Press. And by exposing this double­ named officially for the first time as name. As far as is known no mem­ marathons in which the winner is and immigration officers, before think we are not condoning the Secretary-General of the Malayan ber "of the Malayan Communist the last to collapse in a heap on the questioning him, gave him a hot actions of one side or the other, but Communist Party . . hierachy has ever been killed or dance floor. In Russia where they meal. simply showing that before pro­ “The authorities [that is the captured. take their endurance feats more Who was this nameless Bulgar­ testing about the barbarous be­ British authorities—E d .] have of­ “Ching Peng was described by seriously, it takes the form of laying ian? He was a refugee from behind haviour of others we should first fered a reward of 80,000 Straits Colonel Spencer Chapman in his thousands of bricks or hewing the Iron Curtain, hoping that the see whether our own conduct is dollars (£9,400) to anyone who book, The Jungle is Neutral, as a hundreds of tons of coal in a day, “democracies” would give him work such as to allow us to make such captures alive the Communist ‘young and attractive Hokkien, who and of being named a Stakhanovite 1 and shelter. To have travelled the moral strictures on the actions of Party’s secretary-general, and a re­ was later to become Britain’s most or Hero of the Revolution or some way he did he must have been a others. ward of $60,000 (£7,050) for anyone trusted guerrilla representative’.” such pompous title. desperate and courageous man. What the News Chronicle calls who delivers his dead body to the Manchester Guardian, 6 /9 /5 1 . Of course, we have all followed Surely if we recognise the courage “Cairo’s extreme^ Left newspaper”, fHe salvage efforts with excitement. in Captain Carlsen’s quixotic ges- AI Gomhour al Misry, last week It represented a struggle against the ture, we cannot withhold such printed a headline the translation of recognition from Freedom of the Press elements, and the whole of man­ this unnamed which reads: Bulgarian? “ ‘£1,000 for him who kills Erskine. TN a debate on the freedom of the almost the only paper to protest earlier kind’s history has been such a strug­ Press, arranged by the Council for at the powers conferred on the Home gle, but there is surely a sense of Yet how differently we treat these And £100 for everyone who kills a Education in World Citzenship, Mr. Secretary by the Defence Regulations. proportion in all things. In the courageous men! When Captain British officer.’ Frank Owen, former editor of the Frank Owen declared that “it is a very serious thought that it could be done* present case, the Flying Enterprise Carlsen and first mate Dancy arrive British protests have been lodged Evening Standard and of the Daily Mail, jn triumph at Falmouth, they know against the incitement to murder by declared that the freedom of the press again to-morrow morning”. He also* is an American ship and its rescuer, was “slender”. pointed out that the restriction oir the Turmoil, a British trawlef. To that a London hotel has offered the paper which stated in justifica­ He recalled the closing down of the newsprint caused a real censorship of what extent does national pride play them a “river suite” on the house. tion that it appreciates the motive Daily .Worker by Herbert Morrison under opinion, but added that “there is always its parts in the excessive publicity? That obviously means the Savoy which led Egypt’s ‘heroic Com­ Defence Regulation 18b (wouldn’t it be an unofficial censorship, as I know as an more correct to say under 2dd ) When editor, when someone comes round to> The fact, for instance, that recently Hotel. mandos’ to fight the red-faced thieves with the help of others. It Morrison called a meeting of editors and your office from the boss, or perhaps somewhere off the coast of Spain, a For the unnamed Bulgarian, an announced his intention, Frank Owen even from the boss's wife, and says, ‘Do had decided to participate finan­ ship was cut in two during a storm, escort was- provided to take him opposed it. At the time,F reedom ’s pre­ you think that that i$ in good taste?' and with nine members of the crew back to France! cially in the liberation battle by decessor War Commentary was one of you will get it in the neck for putting it the very few papers to protest, and in the paper.” stranded on the stern half and the R. offering rewards.” r FREED o M KROPOTKIN by Malatesta TravelKers’ Tales about Russia (from our Bombay correspondent) for production but like any private In this article, written at the very end of his life, Malatesta discusses the effect of capitalist it must sell the products, which Kropokin’s great eminence on the development of Anarchist thought. He knew and'T 'H E Indian publicists and even scien­ can only be consumer goods, to ill tists who visited Russia at the invita­ ■employees, and recover what is advanced worked with Kropotkin for nearly half a century and his opposition is therefore of tion great of the Soviet Government, have through sales, in addition what it interest from every point of view. Of particular interest, however, is Malatesta’s brought wonderful tales of what they must have to run the Govet ability to stand back and survey the effect of Kropotkin’s influence, and his readiness had seen there. We wish that what they said were No Difference to see that it was not always wholly beneficial. His article is fascinating not onlytrue, for for in that case there would be itself but for its method and for the revelation of the independence of anarchist thought some prosperity at least in one vast Thus all these expenses have I country. But the question is whether added to the actual cost of prodi at its best. even a part of what our visitors tell can as under any private capitalist That means that those in actual pE T E R KROPOTKIN is, beyond be true. It is unnecessary to go so far cern Kropotkin alone, since the mistakes I had the honour and good fortune as Russia to judge if what they and the duction must bear all these expel fgi doubt, one of those who have con­ we can blame him for were made by to be linked to Kropotkin for many Soviet Government publicise is true. when they go and buy what they] tributed the most (perhaps even more anarchists before Kropotkin had ac­ years by the most fraternal friendship. It is enough if we know the economic made to produce, which means that than Bakunin and Elisee Reclus) to the quired an eminent position in the move- We loved one another because we were set-up and economic technique underliving costs must be much higher elaboration and propagation of the • ment. Kropotkin confirmed these mis­ filled with the same passion and hope . .. which these miracles are claimed as truetheir income. If they and our tray anarchist idea. He is for that reason takes and made them last in giving them and also by the same illusions. to the letter. For what cannot be donesay that all arithmetic is set at ■ worthy of the gratitude which anarchists the support of his talent and prestige, by economies cannot be done at It all.by the magic words Communisn] have for him. Still, in acknowledgement but we, old militants, have all of us— Both of us having optimistic tempera­ is not simply a question of production State-ownership, then argument | to the truth and in the supreme interest or nearly all—our share of responsibility. ments (thpugh I think that Kropotkin’s but how the products are distributed that possible. Their argument seems) of the cause, it must be said that his optimism was much deeper than mine is important. that there is plenty of product work has not been totally and exclusively Russia. But production alonc_a In writing to-day about Kropotkin, I and had a different source) we saw Our visitors seem to claim that the beneficial. It has not been his fault; on do not intend to thoroughly analyse all things, alas! in a much too rosy light. enough to distribute the produ Soviet Government spend more money the economic system obtaining: the contrary, it has been the very height his doctrines. I only want to record a We hoped, already more than fifty years than they make out of production. That of his merits which caused the ills I few impressions and remembrances which ago, that a revolution in the near even if that is true also of t| is not possible either for private capi­ capitalist system. If anything, propose to point out. will serve, I . think, .to throw a light future would realise our ideal. During talist Governments nor for the Soviet on Kropotkin’s moral and intellectual this long period there were many spells capitalist system takes chanc Naturally, Kropotkin could not (no Government which is the sole owner and rigid Soviet economy cannot 1 character and help to bring about a of doubt and discouragement. 1 remem­ capitalist in Russia. It is finally the so- man could) avoid all errors and take in belter understanding of his merits and ber, for instance, Kropotkin once saying Russian Communist system id the whole truth. Consequently we should called Communist Party of Russia which on selling for profits. In a J faults. to me: “My dear Errico, I fear that commonly owns all things through the have profited by his valuable contribu­ only you and I believe in a near revolu­ whether conducted by the EH tion and continued research to achieve monopoly of the Slate. If it is claimed the private capitalists, it iVd However, first of all, I shall say a tion.” But they were only passing spells; that State monopoly can manage to pay further progress. But Kropotkin’s liter­ few words from the depths of my heart, I Soon confidence returned to us, we ex­ duction that counts but thfl ary talents, the tjalile and extent of his out more than it receives, then alone the investment and profits. In for I cannot think about Kropotkin plained to each other present difficulties stories brought by our Indian visitors production, the prestige given him by his without being stirred by thp remem­ course, the profits go only 'I and the comrades' scepticism, and we can be true. But even the State must and finally into Communist! renown as a learned man, the fact that brance of his goodness. I remember continued to work and to hope. he had sacrificed a position of high what he did in Geneva during the make more than it pays even under the for unless profits are madq privilege to defend, at the price of winter of 1879 to help a group of Italian Nevertheless, one must not think that ownership of all things by the “Com­ whether private or Stnle-os dangers and suffering, the popular cause, refugees in real distress—of whom I was we were of the same opinion on all munist” Party. For, the Slate even in be maintained. Has this n Russia is not a Charity institution which in Russia, because the Bail and with that, his personal charm, which one; I remember the attention, which I matters. On the contrary, on many fun­ can produce more money than it re­ owns the State? captivates all those who had the good would call maternal, which he gave me damental ideas we were far from agree­ ceives. Even if it is called Communist. fortune to approach him, all this gave in London one night when I had been ment, and seldom did we meet without In the Russia of the Bolstj him such notoriety and such an influence the victim of an accident and had some sharp discussions on our different In Russia, the State is the sole mono­ are also two classes of worfl that to a great extent he appeared—and knocked at his door; I remember his views bursting out between Us. Still, as polist employer. It pays all whom it those who work in product really was—the acknowledged master of thousand acts of kindness towards Kropotkin always felt sure of being employs, sells all things to those em­ productive workers, and thol the great majority of anarchists. everybody; I remember the atmosphere right, and could not calmly tolerate be­ ployed and maintains itself with the duce things which are not c] of cordiality which surrounded him. For ing contradicted, and I, on the other difference, which the Marxians call the people. The cost of m l And as a result criticism was dis­ he was really "good, that nearly un­ hand, having great- respect for his know­ “surplus value”, and which is an latter class of workers is Jl couraged and development of the anar­ conscious goodness which feels the need ledge and much care for his failing euphemism for p/ofit. Otherwise the the products of producing vu chist idea was halted. For many years, to help all who are in suffering and to health, tried in the end by changing the State cannot pay its expenses; %it will example, the cost of maintain in spite of the iconoclastic and progres­ spread around oneself smiles and joy. argument to ensure that we should not have no offices to run. It is true that ment offices, the d efen ce! sive spirit of anarchists, most of them, Indeed, one could say that he was good needlessly excite each other to excess. like any private capitalist the Communist armaments manufacture an in regard to theory and propaganda, without knowing it; anyway, he did not Party, through the State, advances money police or security services. ■ only studied and repeated Kropotkin. like it to be said of him and he even However, this did not hurt the in­ these services also pay the j To speak contrary to his views was, for felt hurt when in an article on the timacy of our relations because we | sumers’ goods like all produ many comrades, nearly a heresy. occasion of his 70th birthday I had said were collaborating more for sentimental But that does not make ' that goodness was the first of his reasons than for intellectual ones. What­ men and generals. He called those living for producing or Therefore, it will be well to submit qualities. He preferred to show his energy ever the differences between our ways of anarchists cowards who refused to join producing workers less. soW Kropotkin’s teachings to a severe and pride, perhaps, because these last explaining facts and in the arguments the Union Sucre, and regretted that age employees must be parting syl critique, without reserves in order to qualities had developed in the struggle that we used to justify our conduct, in and health did not permit him to take proportion to maintain A distinguish between what is always true and for the struggle, while his kindness practice, we wanted the same things and up a rifle and march against the Ger­ producing activity of the and living from what later thought and was the spontaneous expression of his were motivated by the same desire for mans. It was therefore impossible for us creased production does not cr experience may have demonstrated to be intimate nature. freedom, justice, and well-being for all. to agree; for me he was a pathological thing, because in Russia, too,-] wrong. This, after all, would not con­ We could thus go on together in case. At all eveDts it was one of the goods represent so much money harmony. most painful and tragic moments of my which must be recovered frr>m| And, indeed, there was never any life (and I dare say, of his, too) when that only a part of the goods ! FILM: R E V IE W " serious misunderstanding between us after a heartbreaking discussion, we the total cost price, which mean until the day when, in 1914, a question separated as opponents, nearly as prices of the goods must be fa VIOLE of practical conduct and of capital im­ enemies. than what the workers received.1 portance for both of us presented itself: Great was my suffering for the loss The Russian State's apparal THE SOUND OF FURY — stores they progress to kidnapping that of the attitude anarchists had to of my friend, and the damage which enormous and it can only be met] and murder, and in the small town take in regard to the Great War. On would result to the cause as the result productive workers, out of their] General Release. this wretched occasion his old and ex­ of the confusion that would be created ings. To deny that, is lo deny] itt which the action takes place, the asperating preference for all that is amongst anarchists by such a defection. It is unnecessary to know stall UST going the rounds on a minor local newspaper, with screaming Russian and French stirred within him Yet, in spite of all, my love and respect although we have some meagre sti headlines, stirs up the population and he declared himself passionately in remained intact within me, as did also available. For figures and p erc^ J. cinema circuit is one of those favour of the Allies. He seemed to have the hope that when his temporary may be, and usually are, cooked American films which manage to to an hysteria of fear. forgotten that he was an internationalist, aberration passed away and the fore­ Russia. It' was Stalin who once] escape the twin damnations of medi­ The editor of the paper frankly a socialist and an anarchist. He forgot seeable outcome of the war was seen by the dictum that statistics can onl ocrity or ballyhoo. admits that his circulation needs the what he himself had said a short time him, too) he would admit his error and Marxian, not objective. In R boost the sensation can give it. The before—about the war for which the return to our ranks the same Kropotkin statistics are State secrets. But I Like Strange Incident (and very capitalists were making preparations, and as of old. , enough if we know the relation bet! similar in theme) The Sounds ofreporter shows his “responsible” began admiring the worst Allied states- (To be continued) Fury ends with a lynching. It is the attitude to society by demanding a r* r Continued on story of a weak character, whom clean-up, strong action against the ■BOOK REVIEW" we discover unemployed, persuaded hoodlums and so on—in fact, be-| into crime by a slick hoodlum. having very irresponsibly. From petty stick-ups of grocery When the two kidnappers are caught—following the crack-up of Yet another Book on Oscar Wilde the unwilling partner—fury is let OSCAR WILDE: A Present Time friends testify.” It is true that Wilde say that Wilde was “guilty”. But thd loose in the town. The social basis Appraisal, By St. John Ervine. talked a lot of poppycock about peder­ are not so foolish or such liars as t asty, but, curiously enough—not that it go further than say that he was guiltj for their action—and the respon­ (George Allen & Unwin. 18s. net.) matters much, except for the use made of of the actual offence with which he wad sibility society should take for it— it by those who need a weapon to help charged. That, at least, can be said fod FREEDOM BOOKSHOP is sympathetically expressed, but by TN this otherwise unhelpful book, their calmunies—nobody has yet been the lawyers. Not so of the anti-Wildes™ Talks to Parents & Teachers v now it is too late for reason to pre­ St. John Ervine, in a laboured able to produce one iota of convincing Instead of clarifying the position, and) Homer Lane 6/- attempt to debunk Oscar Wilde, succeeds proof that he practised it. The evidence, thus indicating the objective approach,! A reprint of a modern educa­ vail. (And, indeed anarchists may Ervine—to take the latest—once more 1 tional class. only in debunking himself. In his and it is all hearsay, comes from the smile at what “reason” here implies insensitive criticism of Wilde’s poetry, most doubtful sources. The really ap­ gives us the old distortions. The smear ! Workers' Councils Anton Ponnekoek 5/— is heavily reapplied in new fresh paint “The author, who for many —“fair” trial with just retribution the niggling evaluation of the prose, and palling feature of this book—and it is years attentively observed, and at the end!) the meticulous picking to pieces of the the one part on which Ervine’s integrity of Ervinite invention. The smear, as a sometimes actively took part in as a writer can reasonably be challenged, technique of amoral journalism, is the Dutch worker' movement. But the people of the town decide plays, the small portions of praise given Rives here a summary of what grudgingly with the left hand are im­ for his general sincerity need not be making progress these days, helped by from these experiences and study to take the law into their own hands. mediately snatched away with the heavy questioned—is that, from it, the average the brush of moral indignation. may he derived as to methods The mob scenes are terrifying and and aims of the workers’ fight right, and, so to speak, chucked into the reader must think that, in the famous for freedom." convincing, and the whole film is a garbage bin. This kind of put-and- prosecution, Wilde was tried for sodomy In the case of Wilde, the fact that his Child of Light Muriel Spark 12/6 salutory lesson on the powers that take criticism, cluttered up and clogged and found guilty. This is so widely name was associated with homosexuality Biography of Mary Shelley, the with Ervinite sermons on sodomy, sex, accepted that even the publishers of the has been consistently used to smear his daughter of William Godwin and lie in the hands of the press to sway bastardy, etc., and his high-horsical Wilde Trials said in their ‘blurb’: reputation and works, but one hoped , Mary Wollstonecraft. public opinion to the point of moralisings like those of Anthony “Literary geniuses have appeared in the that writers of our own time had grown I Race & Biology L. C . Dunn 1/6 madness. Comstock, does not contribute anything dock on more than one occasion, but out of this sort of thing. His works, 1 The latest pamphlet in the Unesco series Tht Rare Question One is left wondering how much new or much that can Ue taken seriously seldom on so serious a charge as in spite of the calumnies, have their 1 in Modern Science. lynch law is peculiar to America. in regard to Wilde’s work. But it does sodomy”! The simple truth, known to place in literature. Incidentally, Wilde’s Wagon-Wheels Jim Phelan 12/6 tell us very clearly how far hate can Mr. Ervine and to everybody who has works are the liveliest of all anti-Blimp i “ T he vigorous ora] traditionof The mass hysteria whipped up by blind a critic and, incidentally, under­ read The Trials (published by Hodge & literature, the horror of the politically an unlettered people, with its the Nazis and other totalitarians lines the living power in Wilde's work ritual past of narrative, is admir­ Company, 1948), is that Wilde was never and morally static and of the rftirl intro1 ably communicated; so too are always seemed lo be artificially to serve as an antiseptic to Com- even charged with sodomy! He was That is one good reason why we may the sturdy adaptability of the stimulated and temporary. The fury slockery and as a stiff tonic for arrested charged with the legal misdemeanour of always expect the Blimp camp to find gygpsies to the claims of the development. So that, apart from pro­ “indecent exposure in private”. Of this its champions against them. But, as the gorgio community and their of the mob never seems far below power of remaining opart from viding between the covers of one book, “crime”, proof of which was provided works hold their own, and are more the nation-State round which the surface of American life, fs it a conspectus of costive sex-obsessions, by the lowest and least desirable types popular than ever, it is far easier to their wagons pass.— “ Times and a skilfully compiled bombination of of witnesses—persons who to-day would attack the dead man, to apply personal Literary Supplement. because America is a young coun­ try, not many generations away anti-Wilde dicta and obiter dicta, be thrown out of court—the unfortunate abuse, to re-hash all the dirty tittle- Journal of Sex Education Ervine's ill-tempered and ill-mannered man was found guilty and given the tattle one can rake up. This—incident­ Vol. 4, No. 2. Dec.-Jan. 2/6 from the time when the six-shooter “Appraisal” may be a useful document maximum sentence, a most savage one, ally (sic) caters for the market of A popular-scientific journal for the sexual enlightenment of was the only arbiter? Or is it a for study by the analysts of morbid of two years. To the pure all things garbage-eaters, which is considerable. adults. reflection of the tensions of a psychology. That is, if they can ever may or may not be pure—but to the And it helps to explain why these in­ neurotic society, speed-mad, sensa­ sort it out. impure all things are certainly impure. fantile books appear from time to time. . . Obtainable from And so we get a reiterated repetition of It is with relief that one turns from tional and empty? There is great malice in the book. this colossal calumny, based on a com­ the muck-raking to the sympathetic 27 red lion st, London, This is not a great film, but it is Ervine says of Wilde: “He was deliber­ plete distortion of a “Trial” which itself appraiser such as Hesketh Pearson; or W .C .1 at least a good one. It does at least ately sodomistic. He not only practised was little more than a frame-up. Law­ to the sanity and reasoned objectivity W make us think. the vice, but he believed that it should yers, including the Editor of The Trials George Woodcock’s Paradox of be practised. He denied that it was a and their Introducer, The Rt. Hon. Wilde. . P. vice. These are facts to which his Travers Humphreys, do not hesitate to Charles D ue a ] LETTER FROM GERMANY POLITICIANS AND MILITARISTS—2 (Continued from our last issue) and police organisations whose names West managed to occupy a part of Russia A war started by the West agamst changed but whose purpose remained the and treated the Russians as human be­ Russia would be a great moral victory 1 of the little principality of same: Opritshniki, Strelitzen, Ochrana, [freedomTH* ANARCHIST WEEKLY ings in a friendly manner, it would not for Stalin, and in this case could perhaps Moscow, with an area of a few Cossacks, and to-day it is the N.K.V.D. be surprising if some of the people lined rally the people for a second time in the thousand square miles, there developed with its 14 divisions of heavily-armed up with the West. And that could be defence of Russia as he did in Hitler’s Vol. 13, No. 2 January 12,1952 in five centuries the gigantic Russian soldiers. the start of an uprising of the down­ war. But if the West should not start empire. Continuous conquests of the ad­ trodden in general and the beginning of a war, and “peace should break out" jacent countries, combined with a steady Stalin’s wars against Finland, Poland and the Baltic states, and the occupation the fight for independence of the many with an economic crisis for consequence. growing power of the arbitrary rulers, nationalities in Russia in particular. Even Then Stalin could send his emissaries to and an ever-worse enslavement of the of the satellite countries, prove that he MICHAEL SCOTT is a first-rate imperialist and militarist. the ^ Nazis, in spite of the savage be­ the hungry masses in the Western coun­ people were the characteristics of this haviour of the S.S. troops, had an army tries, to recommend Bolshevism as their period. To expect that he has changed his mind BP this totalitarian age it is a and is now peaceful would be fallacious. of 200,000 Russians who fought on their saviour from capitalism and all its evils. side against Stalin. And in the countries where the Com­ 1 salutary corrective to see how The ruler, Ivan the Terrible, in the With his powerful armies he could munist parties have influence he could lone man can sometimes stand up 16th century was in-many respects a over-run Central Europe at any time in There is resistance in Russia, and in a few weeks, but no such event has more than one place. Although we hear also employ his fifth column, assisting forerunner of Lenin, Stalin and the them if necessary with a few divisions \to all the power of government and Bolsheviks. He made serfs out of the happened till now, despite the fact that only sporadically of it, it exists. With e politics of expediency. Ever he knows that the forces of his ad­ the experience of more than 30 years of the N.K.V.D., as he did in the previously relatively free peasants, intro­ satellite states, and add in this manner ance the ending of the war, the duced a secret state police with un­ versaries grow more formidable every of dictatorship, the Russian people have become dictator-wise. By terrible ex­ a few more countries to the Russian Hghts of the colonial Africans— questionable power over life and death, day. In possession of Central'Europe, empire, without danger to the Bolshevik had his former companions killed by Stalin could defy America. He would perience it has learned that to abolish id their wrongs—have been set the dictatorship takes the force of all regime. sham jurisdiction, behaved in the con­ have thousands more modern, highly- IIP Tt in high relief by the pertinacity quered countries like a real savage, etc., industrialised workshops for production, the people. Attempts on a small scale B courage of one man, the Rev. etc. It is perhaps worth mentioning that and millions of first-rate trained workers are doomed to sure defeat, and turn out We turn away with horror from these |hael Scott. there already existed in former times in to keep production running, and would to be useless sacrifices. But a rising of plans and machinations for wars, geno­ Russia, a certain state-capitalism; the also have harbours on the Atlantic sea­ all the people is only possible when the cide and destruction. The politicians and iiring the last few months, Scott rulers also directed the economic life board, which have been coveted by im­ state for some reason is tottering and militarists prove with their plans not of the country. So the Bolsheviks had' perialist Russia for several centuries. staggering, and a war can cause that. only that they are devoid of any human fbeen appearing before the only to copy the methods of their It is, therefore, not surprising that the feeling but also that they do not use Nations as representative of predecessors, to study other systems or We do not know the plans of the Russian people have never made an at­ any common sense. They can only think frican race, the Hereros. ideologies was for them superfluous. Kremlin, nor what happens behind the tempt to throw off the yoke of the in terms of power politics. Why en­ him, their voice would not Iron Curtain. We can only guess ac­ Bolsheviks. They never had a chance, danger the future of the world with wars Killings and fighting between the cording to what we know of the dictator­ and if they had tried in the last war, of extermination, why not try for once gben heard, and the ambitions factions who wanted to rule the country ship in Russia in general, and of the they would only have jumped from the a solution with the remedies of peace? , Nationalist South African were also the order of the day. As a Russian people in particular. An attack frying-pan into the fire. Hitler would We know that in the society of to-day I Dr. Malan, would have French philosopher put it: “The des­ against the West would bring the war have enslaved or even partly extermin­ a real peace cannot exist, but the fear Virtually unopposed. For potism in Russia is mitigated by all over Russia from all sides; the ated them for the benefit of the “master- of the future could be mitigated to a assassinations.” The rulers of Moscow Russian cities, towns and villages would race”. And the small attempts which great extent if a real goodwi.ll for peace Jer show the British Govern- were often foreigners and not Russians be bombed into ruins, and how would were made, were promptly silenced in was shown at least from one side, either 4ave made, they treat their at all, they took as their standard the the people of Russia react to that? the cellars of the N.K.V.D. and the out­ East or West. It would be much cheaper ices with Malan as so much methods of the neighbouring Mongolian When it was known that Stalin had side world heard nothing. Stalin has to for all powers concerned to make ing currency, as their abso- princes and the rulers of Byzantium, and started the war, he could not as in the be very careful if he starts a war of friends of their adversaries than to fight jexpedient attitude in the later the arbitrary German princes. But last war, proclaim that Russia had been aggression, nobody can with probability them. If the U.S.A. would use half the all these despotic rulers never managed attacked by a foreign enemy. The say what the Russian people is liable to money which it spends to-day on arma­ ♦Tchekedi case showed. to spoil the extraordinarily good and Russian people are war-weary like any do in that case, not even the N.K.V.D. ments, and produce goods which the human character of the Russian people, other people, and Hitler caused terrible How can they expect to know the minds people of Korea, China, Russia, etc., ps case, too, Michael Scott 1 and the older generation have it yet, but damage in Russia. They are one of the of vthe people when their own terror need so badly, and which the majority as a friend and counsellor the younger generation, raised under most peaceable peoples in the world and forces the people to tell them lies of them have never possessed, and give afekedi Kliama. F reedom , Bolshevik rule is, alas, partly influenced have always been forced into wars of and falsehoods for their own self- these goods free of charge to these ■ears ago, drew attention to by their moral standards. conquest by their rulers. So it was preservation? peoples." That would be a solution of during the First World War and in the But suppose that Stalin avoids a hot great benefit to the U.S.A. and to the iticipation in some of the In the course of the 19th century, war of 1904-6 against Japan when war and wages only a cold war for peace of the world. Sly non-violent demonstra- there began a slight relaxation of the Russian soldiers in Siberia told us, “Why several years to come, and keeps his The U.S.A. would get rid of its un= arbitrary rule, the peasants were released war? Russia wants to conquer Man­ adversaries guessing his real. intentions? saleable goods without running into rf the Africans against racial from their serfdom, and with the begin­ lion and other humiliations. churia. That, is crazy. Russia has The U.S.A. and the Western powers will debts which the country could not carry, ning of the 20th century the people land enough for its people.” Nobody in all probability keep to the armaments but what is more important: it would obtained franchise. But the conquest of 5ael Scott is clearly no anar- knows when a war is once started what race and militarism for the next few make friends in these countries by the other countries continued unabated. its consequences may be. Suppose the years to come, and the armaments debts millions, with whom the government of K or has he any well-defined Russia has inside its borders to-day will grow, causing heavy taxation, high these countries would have to reckon if ponary convictions. Although several dozen nationalities; about 40% prices, inflation, etc., which will bring of the Russian population are real they intended to make war. It is much y against much that the about the pauperisation of masses of more human and cheaper to give a suit Russians. Even the White Russians and people and the attrition of the economies stands for, he is neverthe- Ukrainians who are near-related to them of clothes or a watch to a Russian, or Ktii! a minister of religion, of the Western countries in consequence. Chinese than to fight them, and in the in language, consider themselves as The Western world would have to decide fights Americans are liable'to be killed. jttionary history may make peoples apart; they, too, were conquered f r e e d o m p r e s s one day either to quit the armaments Shiploads of American gifts brought to jlhists and revolutionists un- in former times. In order to keep all TONY GIBSON s race or under one pretext or another, Russia, Korea and China would cause these conquered peoples in submission Youth for Freedom paper 2s. start a war against Russian in order to more damage to Bolshevism, than ship­ jOnable about clergymen as the rulers of Moscow employed military x. Even Gandhi, though not in PHILIP SANSOM : justify the ruinous armaments to their loads of fighting soldiers from the Syndicalism—The Workers’ own peoples, or else they must face a Western world. lers, showed that religious views Next Step Is. capitalist crisis. W illy Fritzenkotter . Ametimes soften the edge of ERRICO MALATESTA i ‘nggle at times when it should be ANOTHER Anarchy. 6d. finest. Michael Scott, however, Vote—What Fori Id. Tkidly ever brings religious par- BIRTH CONTROL M. BAKUNIN : Marxism, Freedom and . theState. Travellers’ Tales about Russia ince into his arguments. He has paper 2s. 6d., cloth 5s. Ways stood for simple issues of TRIAL IN ITALY SY1 Continued from p. 2 than they do. But subscription for clubs HERBERT READ : the productive and non-productive acti­ is compulsory. light, announcing the wrongs of Art and the Evolution of Man. 4s. W E hear from Italy that a new trial vities. That is why the extreme and Tall Claim ■oionial rule with its weapon of Existentialism, Marxism and Anar­orthodox Marxians denounce it as State- against birth control is in progress. chism. 3s. 6d. According to statistics, there are only white racial superiority, on grounds During this month, Dr. Dino Origlia will capitalism which is against Socialism and Poetry and Anarchism. Communism. 40 million persons employed in all {which appeal to everyone who has be tried under Article 553 of the Fascist cloth 5s., paper 2s. 6d. Russia, out of the 200 million people. ■any feeling for moral issues. Penal Code (which is still in force) for The Philosophy of Anarchism. Ideal Set-up Our friends of the Soviet Union claim his book on Voluntary Procreation. Dr. boards 2s. 6d„ paper Is. Our travellers praised the State and that there is no unemployment in Russia. • By keeping the struggle on this Origlia calls attention to the fact that The Education of Free Men. la. rigid capitalism as wonderful because What are others, who are not infants, the law not only forbids writing on this they have seen children brought up in and invalids doing for their living? Yet" / level he has forced his reactionary subject but even talking about it. ALEX COMFORT : 7 opponents in South Africa, and Delinquency 6d. creches and kindergartens: education up they claim there are no beggars in. This is the third anti-birth-control Barbarism & Sexual Freedom. to the secondary stage is free: house Russia. Are the unemployed getting any their expedient associates in White­ trial in Italy in recent years. Our com­ paper 2s. 6d., stiff boards 3s. 6d. rent of two to five per cent, of the doles? Our friends do not say so and hall. to stand nakedly on the rades of Volonta, Giovanna Berneri and RUDOLF ROCKERi wages: workers having annual holidays do not know. The fact is there is no ■round of mere political manoeuvres Cesare Zaccaria, were prosecuted in Nationalism and Culture. which they spend in beautiful health unemployment insurance or doles in Naples for their pamphlet on birth con­ where they have not openly avowed cloth 21s. resorts: "Every strata of society” (under Russia. That is described as there being trol. Although they withdrew nothing Soviet Socialism!) has cultural activity no unemployment in Russia—“unem­ racial beliefs worthy of Hitler. the jury acquitted them. In the second ALEXANDER BERKMAN t and medical aid is free. We need not ployment is abolished!” Our Govern­ trial, Dr. Lenard was tried at Milan for ABC of Anarchism. Is. deny that most of this is true. But these ment also can claim there is no unem­ Now Dr. Malan has intimated to publishing a book on contraception. The PETER KROPOTKIN « guests have not mentioned what the ployment in India because there are no Michael Sant, by letter, that he will prosecution stopped the case after The State: Its Historic ROle. Is. working population of Russia is, and unemployment insurance or doles here. not be allowed to return to the several days. Now comes Dr. Origlia’s The Wage System. 3d. what are the unemployment figures (if Besides 40 million paid workers, there Union of South Africa. This is an case—obviously a follow-up of the Revolutionary Government. 3d. any), and what provision there is against are about 15 to 29 million unpaid altogether extraordinary step. Its Pope's recent pronouncements. Organised Vengeance Called Justice.unemployment and whether there are labourers working in concentration Progressive opinion in this country 2d. any concentrations camps, how many in­ camps. That is because the Soviet legality is open to question, and it should be up in arms about Ihese trials. JOHN HEWETSON « mates there are and what is their con­ economy cannot afford to pay for labour, is clearly counter to all the Human No one can force birth control on any­ Sexual Freedom for the Young 6d. dition. All these were not told nor since its apparatus is so huge and waste­ Rights clauses of the United one else, and it is simply fantastic that Ill-Health, Poverty and the Stale. shown to our 'honoured guests' in ful and parasitic and no Government the dissemination of knowledge about cloth 2s. 6d., paper Is. Russia. And they did not see anything can invest money in employing all able- Nations. Even in this, Scott has except what was shown or "explained". bodied men and women without the it should be illegal. It is to be hoped M. L. BERNERI i managed to crystallise the moral that observers will be sent to this trial Recently a French labour paper prospect of making them repay the in­ issues, and has shown up Stale Workers in Stalin's Russia. Is. quoted a Soviet report saying that so vestment with profits. Hence 20 million and that liberal opinion will make itself GEORGE WOODCOCK■ morality in the hardest and most fell on leaders of opinion in Italy. many rubles have been paid as wages people have to be put into concentration Anarchy or Chaos. 2s. 6d. and salaries to all the employed in camps in order to make them work free unfavourable light. F reedom pro­ New Life le the Land. 6d. Russia and by mistake I suppose, it was for the sole employer, the State, tested vigorously when the U.S. Railways and Society. 3d. mentioned in the report that 40 million According to the Soviet statistics men­ Government refused a passport, calm and “good counsels” in the Homes or Hovels7 fid. persons were the recipients. That shows tioned above, the average wage works What Is Anarchism? Id. that only 40 million persons were em­ out at about 400 rubles a month. It does among others, to Paul Robeson, Union. Malan’* action simply The Basis of Communal Living. Is. ployed in all in Russia. Let us remem­ not matter how many hundreds or making h impossible for him to throw* into still further relief the WILLIAM OODW1N • ber that a part—a large part—of these thousands of rubles are earned, but what leave America. Even more arbi­ difference between governmental Selections from Political Janice. 3d. are non-producing workers who are counts is its purchasing power. It has trary is this decision of the South On Law. Id. maintained at the expense of producing been proved that the cost of the huge trickery and deception and bu*ene*t State and non-productive apparatus is African Government not to permit on the one hand, and the moral p. A. RIDLEY i workers, although both of them main­ The Roman Catholic Church andtain the Soviet State out of what they maintained out of the purchasing power Michael Scott to return. Could one force of Scott'* position on the the Modern Age. 24. pay as profits from their earnings. of the producing workers who are far have a clearer example of the black­ other. it is enough if we know the system fewer than the 40 million employed. In mailing methods of government. i t to deduce this, whatever figures and per­ Russia even Stalin and the Ministers are In retaining the moral question a* Maria LouUo Berber! Memorial centages may say. Do the Soviet just employed, deciding their own em­ “You are a free agent, but if you Commilee publications ! Government print special money to give ployment. It cannot be otherwise under do things we don’t like, we’ll see to the central one, Scott ha* performed Marie Louise Berneri, I9U-1949: the amenities for which our travellers the economic technique of the Soviet it that you are made to suffer for a revolutionary service. It it the A Tribute. cloth Ss. admire it? Surely Ihese amenities are system which is considered new, Marx­ it.” Always the State wants to set moral issue and the simple and Journey Through Utopia. provided out of the earners’ pockets, ian and Communist. Only believers in straightforward recognition of what cloth 16s. (US.A. *2.50) while much of the contribution is con­ miracles can assert that miracles have up an opposition between the in­ happened and that they have’ seen ★ sumed by a huge bureaucracy appointed dividual’s feeling for what is morally is right by masses of people that to administer them. The cost of some them. Arithmetic cannot create miracles, right and his material interests. have proved to be the motive* in all K. J. KENAF1CK i of these amenities is deducted from the even under the wand of Stalin or Michael Bakunin and Karl Marx. pay envelope. For example, the cost Marx. Since average .earning is Such a threat is hardly likely to suc­ the great steps of progress in history. Paper 6s. And it is u tremendous encourage­ of running clubs, where in the name of 400 rubles and there are many who are ceed with Michael Scott. And the 17, Red Uon Street, culture. Government propaganda is earning far more under the miracle depriving of the African majority ment to sec how one man can stand thrust and dinned into them whether system, it is natural, the vast majority of their friend, adviser and mouth­ against all the forces of expediency London, W.C.I. they want it or not. They would rather will be earning less than the averat" piece is hardly likely to promote and put them to shame. have that money to huy more things M. P. T. A chary St fr ib d o Military FEWER SCHOOLS Training in the United States YV7E have several times recently A/fILlTARY training has two main sadistic as any storm-trooper training in THEORY OF SUPERIORITY and his environment. Most men have vv quoted press reports of protests jg a purposes. The first of these is pre­ Hitler’s Germany. The result is accept­ “I don’t need to explain anything to whatever habits their society permits and by local education authorities on the paration for war, and the second is the ance of authoritarianism and dependence my men,” a post commander said encourages them to have. Few court drastic cuts in their school building annihilation of the individual’s will bv upon it. There is a vast difference be­ programmes made by the Ministry of recently. “The good soldier is the one social disapproval in a conforming Education. instilling in each soldier the habit of tween this ordered existence and the who obeys without question everything society. “Change the society,” says automatic obedience to authority. These opportunity parents, teachers, and other It was a little surprising to hear Sir that he is told.” (New York Times, May Waller, “and you change the man. The John Maud, the Permanent Secretary to two purposes are, of course, meshed to­ civilians give boys to learn to make 19th, 1951.) This idea is not simply the civilian turned soldier derives his dis­ gether. As Wiilard Waller put it in his decisions for themselves so they are not the Ministry declare in Birmingham this expression of one officer’s convictions. tinguishing characteristics from the social month that one hundred thousand new Veteran Comes Back: forever dependent on a “leader”. environment of the army.” "The aim of an army is to impose its It is the rule of the army. One of the school places arc needed before 1953 to Air Force training at Randolph Field “Armed Forces Talks” issued for the use ROLE OF THE NUMBER ‘ will upon the enemy. Before an armywas described in the July 24th, 1949, provide adequate accommodation, and can succeed in this purpose its leaders of commanders in informing their per­ Two social scientists, Howard Brotz that over the next eight years we should New York Times magazine. From the sonnel of army procedures and ideas and Everett Wilson who served in the must first impose their will upon the menmoment the boy gets his uniform “he is have to start £6,000,000 worth of build­ in their organisation. They must mould points out that “training in the service is armed forces, discussed the characteristics ing for secondary schools alone. not permitted to walk across the campus. designed to instil in us the direct and the common soldiers and the officers intoIf he is alone, he must run. If he is of military society in the March, 1946, If he is alive to these urgent needs perfect instruments for expressing thewith another cadet, he must march in almost automatic obedience to orders American Journal of Sociology, After he had better tell his masters about it,J will of the leader." step. He goes from class to class in stiff that is necessary in peace-time and indis­ discussing the authoritarian caste system, not the general public, who if they are; The marines are quite proud of their formation. Outside his room he may not pensable in war. The habit of discipline they described the disintegrating results parents, are aware of the needs, and otj training system and have co-operated must become almost second nature to us of military life: the continued over-crowding in schools speak unless he is spoken to except •and it can be acquired only by actual with various writers who in a number under certain rigidly defined situations. “. . . The impersonality of the military of periodicals have described it for the performance.” (Armed Forces Talk method of handling great numbers also Answering questions in the House He must keep his eyes cast down to the No. 281.) public. A former marine, writing for the ground except when saluting.” makes for anonymity. This imperson­ Commons on November 30th, Mjj January 16th, 1949, New York Times The army teaches every man that this ality, as evidenced in serial numbers, Florence Horsburgh revealed that thy magazine, says: “The theory is that you - . Meal-time for the cadet is an automatic obedience to authority is a squad and platoon numbers, queueing are 628 schools which were on the 19 can’t change a civilian into a marine astonishing ordeal. He files into the virtue surpassing the undisciplined up by alphabet, numbers designating black list as being unfit for use, s[ without first driving a hard wedge be­ huge hall without a word because he is civilian life. The same Armed Forces main civilian occupation and main occu­ in use. tween his past and his future.” not allowed to talk. His eyes are on the Talk says to the soldier: “In the armed pational speciality, tent numbers, and This "wedge" is started the moment floor. He walks stiffly, his shoulders forces . . . you are faced with standards laundry numbers, is soon accepted by the the marine enters “boot” camp. The drill thrown back in the almost painful that are higher than and different from GI. He learns, somehow, that his new STIFF-NECKED PROFESSOR instructors “are deliberately rough and posture of ‘bracing’ . . . He then sits in those you knew in civilian life.” This r6Ie will be easier if the anonymity of As most of us know, “the Portug abusive. They heap maddening indigna­ his chair, but his is a special one. Its emphasis on a soldier’s being superior to numbers is preserved—if, to be specific, can’t bend their kneeses, half sol tion on the “boots” (recruits), demanding front legs have been sawed off several a .civilian is part of the programme, his officers and the orderly room never as a Russian.” Not that Pjp almost impossible physical exertions and inches, so the cadet is hunched forward. which the marines call driving a wedge identify his name or number with face Vladimir Kemenov performed] keep up a ruthless pressure 17 hours a He sits only on the forward inch of between a man’s past and his future. and personality. Cossack dances on the platform] dav, seven days a week.” {Life, October the chair, eyes still cast down and not As Willard Waller points out, there —U.S. N ational Council A gainst Institute of Contemporary Ail speaking.” 8th. 1951.) is a direct relationship between a man Conscription . week; but he was mentally agile The indignities, many of which have . . . Up rose the lean figure of) been photographed by a Life photo­ Spender, the Apostate, to asft grapher, begin with shearing of every point blank what the Professor In marine's hair until he is completely bald. of the Picasso hanging on the vi® The theory is that this is “essential for LETTERS TO THE EDITORS hind him. This time the evasioi humility”. {Ibid.) A marine who had unblushing. He could give no off neglected to shave all the fuzz off his Last Words on Purpose of Marriage Controversy for, since the painting was behind] chin had to scrape it off with a dry he could not see it. —Architectsf Journal, 6/1 razor while a bucket covered his head r'pO prevent any further misunder- but sex.” This, he warns us, is a tion succeeding while society is so man- and rested on his shoulders. Another standing, it would be better if I dangerous fallacy. Then, later, “Man dominated in structure for we men are, who “forgot his belt had to carry it pointed out certain beliefs on Which I was impelled forward by mental and in general, doing our damndest to see around in his mouth.” {Ibid.) A careless agree with Mr. Green. I agree entirely spiritual forces. Doesn’t it appear that that women do not escape from the INTOLERANCE & AUTHORIl recruit who throws a candy wrapper on that women are in no way inferior to both Mr. Green and Dr. Huxley by social pattern so aptly described by your WANTED the floor is punished by being forced men or have any different rights, or that rational thinking have come to the same correspondent D.l.D. to “hold it for three hours until the What this country needs is “a bit) there is any need for conventional or conclusion that love is beyond rational And what of the reasons for this con­ healthy intolerance” and a greater f hand goes slightly numb.” (New York legal laws in “marriage”. His answer to thought, but Mr. Green has tried to fit Times. January 16th, 1949.) tinued tendency to exclusiveness which ness to exercise authority. That ’ my second misconception, in which he this “new” discovery into his theory? impoverishes the lives of both sexes? Its substance of what Mr. J. F. Wolff There are innumerable indignities of a had a small part, I agree with entirely. sadistic nature such as every recruit being As for' the widely divergent -figures main roots seem to me to lie in the re­ Vice-Chancellor of Reading Unitr forced to stand in a tear-gas chamber and of D.I.D. (Reading), this seems another markable lack of the capacity to love told some 700 councillors, directf Where my beliefs are the direct oppo­ in an adult fashion. For most people education, university represejgra sing the Marine Hymn without gas site is in the meaning of love. Whereas case of hypothetical rational thought. masks. A recruit who “committed the If the first figures of 30% were true, (again, particularly men) their love is parents, businessmen, and teachers|T Mr. Green’s conception of love seems still that of an infant, helpless, jealous crime of calling his rifle a gun, had to to be based on a dictionary definition there would be a reason for believing presidential address to the Noif hold the 10-pound rifle at arm’s length that our neurosis was caused by sexual and demanding security, ready to wail in England Education Conference. of the word, which seems to fit his self-pity if some other head Lies between for five minutes." Another who scratched theory perfectly, 1 believe that love Be­ inhibition; if the second figure were true, —Manchester Guardian, a bug bite during formation had to wear which is 90%, and also the fact that those breasts. The infantile ideal of the tween two persons of opposite sex is of perfect future is expressed in the old his cap pulled down over his eyes. Life much deeper significance than that which sexual satisfaction was a cure for shows him stumbling along to the chow neurosis, it would be almost non-existent. rhyme (if I may take a slight liberty with an individual can have for the whole of Shakespeare): line in this blind fashion. humanity. This may be an emotional I suggest that the lack of sexual satis­ THE PERFECT NERVOUS SYSTEM belief and not a rational one, but Mr. faction, although a great factor, is not “Jack shall have Jill; Every move of the marine recruits, Green cannot disperse this belief from the ultimate cause of our neurosis, but Naught shall go ill; unless otherwise specified by drill in­ Society by rational argument, nor pre­ that it is more closely linked to our The man shall have his mere again, structors, is made on the run. {Life.) vent couples from falling in love with lack of belief in anything not material And all shall be well.” They must address everyone as “sir” each other who will break all conven­ and a way of life that frustrates the soul and creative abilities of man. Again I would associate myself with LONDON ANARCHIST from PFC on up and must lurch to tional and legal codes so that they can Robert Vine in remarking that revolu­ GROUP attention when spoken to, “must request live happily together. A writer in Newport, Dec. 11. Milward Casey . tions are necessary in several spheres of permission” to speak, get a drink of F reedom only a few weeks ago, sup­ life before we can attain our full OPEN AIR MEETINGS water or go to the toilet. {Life.) ported this view. Writing of people in ★ stature—revolutions in the fields, fac­ Weather Permitting “The objective," writes an ex-marine, our midst not in some remote society, tories, workshops, bedrooms and nuseries. HYDE PARK OHN BERESFORD expresses a wish Every Sunday at 3.30 p.m. "is a nervous system conditioned to res­ be said of the gypsy that, without any London, Jan. 5. T ony G ibson . pond without the slightest hesitation.” form of marriage or interference from that “some competent person would TOWER HILL The marine recruit is given no oppor­ others, men and women choose of their J undertake an analysis of the ideas of [This correspondence is now closed.—E d .] Every Friday at 12.45 p.m. tunity to choices. “Every act is a own free will to live together. The anarchists to-day". I cannot undertake MANETTE STREET command. ” and “the smallest detail of writer, a gypsy, has not known of any so vast a work to oblige him, but I {by Foyle’s, Charing Cross Road) training becomes a matter of supreme couple having a “divorce”. Given abso­ Should like to comment on the particular Every Saturday at 4.30 p.m. urgency “ lute freedom, isn’t it conceivable that nexus of anarchist ideas which is COMMUNITIES This is marine training—as brutal and men and women would still choose to worrying him. INDOOR MEETINGS live together until such time when they T WAS very interested to read the con- at the were no longer in love. I, too, have followed with some in­ A eluding section of Mark Holloway’s PORCUPINE, Charing Cross Rd. terest the continued correspondence in series of articles on “Communities in {next Leicester Sq. Underground WILL NEW TOWNS EVER Mr. Green seems a little scared of the F reedom under the heading of “the relation to Society”. In his sketch of Station) GROW OLD ? word or his emotions, does he really Purpose of Marriage”, in which four the right sort of community, I could not Every Sunday at 7.30 p.m. believe that he rejects emotion when he men and one woman have been chiefly help being reminded of the Briiderhof JAN. 13—DEBATE between IN his “Letter to Posterity”, on the explains his theory? He does couple it concerned with the pros and cons of (the Society of Brothers) in Shropshire, Tony Gibson and Philip Sansom on the radio last week, Lord with the intellect once as a mutual de­ monogamy. No one has ventured the where I spent a memorable four days in VIOLENCE & NON-VIOLENCE IN Beveridge, addressing the people of velopment but avoids it after that until opinion that Mr. Beresford, or any other the summer of 1945. This community, THE SOCIAL REVOLUTION he accuses me of emotional thinking, man, should be denied the opinion of however, is definitely authoritarian, and the year 2052, told them abdtit implying that such beliefs, which cannot JAN. 20—Geoffrey Ostergaard on remaining monogamous as far as he I was not attracted to the life they led. SYNDICALISM IN ENGLAND Newton Aydiffe. one of the New be proved by some theory, are untrue. himself is concerned should he “find 1 have wondered many times since my Towns, where he is Chairman of.the If this were to, then we would have continual delight with another person”. experience there whether, in fact, this NORTH-EAST LONDON to reject practically all that the poets, If he has even a rudimentary apprecia­ strict discipline is not necessary for the DISCUSSION MBBTINGS Development Corporation. “Bythe artisu and tome philotophy have been time you get this letter,” he said, tion of anarchist ideas he must acknow­ organisation of all communal activities, IN BAST HAM able to offer us. He was very careful ledge that his remarks about avoiding both domestic and external: whether, in in not coupling the word love with that at 7.30 “Newton Ayclifle will be an old detection as a counter-revolutionary in a word, it is lack of authority—and JAN. 23—S. E. Parker on town.” of sexual satisfaction, though I do not free society by making forays into poly­ obedience to a leader—which is the main share bit interpretation of my letter in VOLTA1RINE DE CLEYRE gamy, are rather silly, and included in reason why so many .communities have Enquiries c/o Freedom Press which he stales I made this error. I his letter to prevent a serious considera­ failed, apart from the obvious reasons eapoloatse if I did. Dr. Julian Huxley tion of the matter under discussion. Or that Mark Holloway advances. LIVERPOOL WORKING-CLASS HISTORY was also vary careful not to couple these perhaps Mr. Beresford writes in good This question is, of course, relevant to DISCUSSION MEETINGS at Messrs. Macmillan A Co. have just two ideas in a recent broadcast; he said, 101 Upper Parliament Street, “It sexual impulse is at the base of love, faith, and really lacks a rudimentary Anarchism, in an Anarchist society, published British Working Class M ott' appreciation of anarchist ideas. who is going to work In the coal mines Liverpool, 8 menu : Selected Documenta 1789-1875, then love is to be regarded as nothing Every Sunday at 8 p.m. edited by C. D. H. Cola and A- W, The main point at issue js that mono­ and on the land without some sort of Filaon. The volume is designed as a gamy, in the accepted meaning of the compulsion? GLASGOW companion eMher to A Short History of term, is not a solitary condition that Yours fraternally, INDOOR MEETINGS at the British Working Class Movement by Mr. Hereford or any other individual Preston, Dec. 31. W. A. I. eMin . Central Halls, Bath Street C. D. H. Cole, or to The Commam Firemen Stillcan decide upon for himself. Ii requires Every Sunday at J p.m. People by G, D H. Cole and Karound two people io arrive at the same With John Gaffney, Frank Leech, Postsale. Each group of documents Angry Ucci.ion If Miss A. happens lo find Jimmy Raeside, Eddie Shaw printed in the volume (which is of 6)0 continual and exclusive delight in Mi . It., pages and costa 45/-) has an introduction VN ipiic of tile dropping of *U cba/fM who wants the same thing, it Is a happy Special Appeal and explanatory notes. * ft jam* ft firemen taming from the coincidence, and both ara satisfied. 1 December 14th—31*1 i recent botytott) by fire luiborttln in have never known of such a cilso, hut FREEDOM London and elaewbere. com# iocnJ I am willing lu believe that it might Unellyi L.W.* g/6: Anon* 2/6; Dover- authorities are priming on with the im­ axial. But. dealing with people aa they court: L.C.W. £2; London: Anon* 10/-: The Anarchist Waaltly TI l f . ONE A B O V E S E E S ALL position of penalties really are, we do know Bun if Mr. B. Altoi J.N. £1/5/6; London: Anon* I0/-I Postal Subscription Rates in M iacbnter. 165 firemen have been wanit a monogamous relationship with London: S,P. 10/-; glacltpooli R.B.B. 2/6: 12 month* l7/~ (U.S.A. $3.00) ”li has been brought to our attention Mist A., be is only satisfied if he can Dublin: 6,F. 7/6; Philadelphia: R.N. 6 monthi 8/4 (U.S.A. $1.50) that pictures of Stalin have not been fined, sod in Wakefield four Mitvoflken and four leading firemen have been get her to put an end to Iter sexual CI/18/0; Colchester: W.M. 2/6: Denver: 3 month* 4/6 (U.S.A. $0.75) displayed in all houital sickrooms,“ relationships with Messrs. C. and D. - R.B. £1/12/6; Burnley; J.R.S. £1: 5*n intoned the Communist Party Central puniibed. six by demotion and two by Special Subscription Rates for 2 copies reprimand. A proteat march to the and resist forming one with Mr. F. So Frenclicoi C.S. £1/7/6; Anon* 2/4. 12 month* 27/- (U.S.A. $4.50) Committee in Budapest last week “Con­ monogamy is not, in practice, a matter tact of the soul (with Stalin] is ex­ County Hail at Wakefield it threatened, 6 monthi 13/6 (U.S.A. $2.25) of individual choice which affects no-one Total . fl II 4 ceptionally important in hospitals. In and throughout the fire atrvice reaent- 13 8 Chequai, P.O.'i and Monty Orders ihouid muni if being fanned by this M flultg but oneself: it generally has quite wide rrtvlouily acknowledged 491 ba mad* out to FREEDOM PRESS, ctosssd the operating room, in particular, Stalin's foetal repercussions even when we pay stc Pay**, and addressed to the publlihert, portrait should be mounted in such a and unfair vviiniiutioo. lip-service to ideals of self-determination 1981 TOTAL CSIO 4 2 position that the patient on the operating The union, however. Hunt to be un­ and to the emancipation of women. For, FREEDOM PRESS table looks straight into Stalin's eyes. able to move from their podium of in practice, men do seek to dominate 0IFT OF BOOKS—Lendoni C.W.; Stroud: 27 Red Lion Street The patient should know that Stalin three weeks ago, seeking support from women —and generally succeed. Like M.K. London, W .C.I England always guards over him.” the T.U. movement, but apparently not Robert Vine, I am somewhat pessimistic Tal. s Chaneary 8364 Tux*. 19/11/51. knowing how to use it when they get it | Roedon who hevo undertaken to lend aa lo the chances of the sexual revolu­ regular monthly coatrlbutleni. M atoft 9Mapnsa Priaa n , Land—. 1-1.PuNUhed b f Freedom Prtn, 27 Red Uoo Street.London, W.C*1