WORKERS OF T H E WORLD. UNITE

Published weekly by the Communist League of America (Opposition) at 126 E ast 16th Street, New York, N. Y. Entered as second class mall matter, November 28, 1928 at the Post Office at New York, N. Y. under the act of March o, 1679 VOLUME VI, NO. 6 [WHOLE NO. 153] NEW YORK, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1»33 ~ PRICE 5 CENT* W h y Is the Comintern Silent on Germany?

The Militant to Appear Three Hitlerites Move Forward; Times A Week During Drive! Communists M ark Time The National Committee Issues A Call to Action to A ll CALX. TO ACTION i lar bills in the fourth year of the played during the days of the Kapp To a ll branches, members, and supporters1 crisis!—registered a spirit of sacrifice 5 0 0 W o rkers Pack New York H a ll Nine days have passed since the Aus­ of the Left Opposition. that stops at nothing; a spirit that trian adventurer, Hitler, was appointed putsch, by a general strike. But the German working class could not declare Dear Comrades: has not been seen in the years of Chancellor of the German Republic by this general strike without a leadership CONCENTRATE ALL ACTIVITY ON Stalinist degeneration. To Hear Opposition on Germany the social democratic “Bulwark against to organize and direct it. The social THE GERMAN CAMPAIGN OF This glorious beginning of our Fascism” President Paul von Hindenburg. solution which was put for adoption: democracy wants no m ilitant struggle THE LEAGUE! great campaign filled us all with un­ Despite the bitterly cold weather five To sum up this brief period into which Hie League is reacting to the Ger­ bounded confidence that we can carry hundred workers packed the largest T his mass meeting o f 500 w orkers as­ so much has been condensed, we must which may lead to the triumph of Bol­ man crisis w ith the greatest campaign it through and fu lfill our internation­ meeting yet held by the Left Opposition sembled at Stuyvesant Casino at the say: shevism; true to its role, it continues to hold the restless masses in check. The in its history. It is precisely at the a l d u ty in a m anner w o rth y o f a sec­ in New York, to hear our speakers in call of the Communist League of Amer­ The forces of reaction, and primarily moment of sharp turns and world- tion of the International Left Op­ the Stuyvesant Casino present an analy­ ica (Opposition), raises its voice in the forces of Fascism have been enor­ Communist party could not call the shaking events, when the Centrist position. The appearance of the sis of the acute crisis in Germany today. vigorous condemnation of a regime of mously strengthened and consolidated, strike, or more exactly, its call met with bureaucracy reveals its impotence and MILITANT three times a week in With Martin Abern in the Chair1, the Fascism in Germany and declares its un­ become more insolent and audacious.. no response from the bulk of the work­ bankruptcy, that the Left Opposition this fateful period cannot fail to meeting got under way with a recount­ yielding solidarity with the struggle of The forces of proletarian resistance to ing class. And for cause: the ultimat- must show its political initiative, its electrify the Communist workers, to ing by Max Shachtman of the role play­ the German working class against the the triumph of Fascism have not yet ist policy of the party in the past, the boldness, and its capacity to m ultiply shake them out of passivity and rout­ ed in the victory of Fascism by the H itlerist monster. We appeal urgently rallied into serried ranks. The social demand it made that the workers of its activities many fold. From this ine. It cannot fail to awaken them treachery of the social democracy, on to the Communist party and the Com­ democracy still plays its treacherous all tendencies first recognize its leader­ point of view the National Committee to an understanding that the defense the one hand, and on the other the crim­ munist International to take cognizance role of “watchful waiting”, which is syn­ ship, has not increased its hold over has already taken a number of deci­ of th e German proletariat against inal policy of blundering pursued by of the critical situation and fu lfill its re­ onymous with a passivity that plays into the organized, socialist, workers. The sive steps which are shaking the Com­ the dreadful scourge of Fascism is Stalinism in Germany. James P. Cannon sponsibility by leading the German work­ the hands of a relentlessly advancing general strike could not be on the order munist movement in New York to a matter of days, perhaps of hours. dealt with the significance of Fascism, ing class to the victorious struggle Fascist!. The Communists have not yet of the day because the party had not en­ its foundations. This is our aim—to awaken the Com­ the imminent threat to the Soviet Union against Fascism, employing the tactic of been able to stir out of that impotence ergetically pursued the policy of the The first of these actions, and the munist workers. This is why we be­ and the Communist International. The the united front as it has been expound­ with which the pernicious policy of sec­ united front which would have made pivotal point of our campaign, is the gin our campaign and center it question of the united front of Commun­ ed by Lenin and after him by the In­ tarianism paralyzes it. possible the m ob iliza tion o f the masses decision to publish the MILITANT around the triple editions of the ist and social democratic workers and ternational Left Opposition. In a word, right in the midst of a around a concrete program of struggle. during the next month THREE MILITANT. their organizations, for the purpose of We appeal to the Communist Party of situation where days are substituted for Result: the first caU for' a general strike issued by the Communist party ended in TIMES A WEEK! But the struggle of the Left Op­ crushing Fascism was emphasized in the the United States to initiate at once a months and years, where hour's count in This decision was made with the speeches and the summary. The intense series of huge united front demonstra­ place of days, the Fascists are gaining a fiasco, for the masses did not respond. position w ill not be confined to the In this way the Communist party, and greatest deliberation and sobriety literary sphere. Our thrice-a-week interest of the audience may be guaged tions against the Hitler regime and to in strength and strategic position, while by the same token, the German prole­ and w ill be carried out in life. It MILITANT must be for us not mere­ by the fact that more than 50 questions demand of the Socialist party and the the Communists, who alone can lead a were sent up to the chairman by repre­ tariat, is paying heavily for the blun­ is not a bluff or an empty gesture, ly the propagandist, but also the agi­ trade unions that they take part in the genuine struggle to smash the brown- sentatives of all tendencies. In sum­ ders and crimes of Stalinism. and must in no case be so regarded tator and organizer of a great move­ single united front movement of the Am­ shirted monster, are marking time, de­ The H itler regime has been quick to by a single member of the organiza­ ment, as Lenin said a Communist ming up, Shachtman pointed out that it erican workers in solidarity with the moralized and not knowing in which dir­ was impossible to reply to all the ques­ press its advantage. Its aim is: weaken tion. At the time of making the de­ paper should be. Mass meetings must embattled proletariat of Germany. ection to move. tions ; when the proposal was put to the proletariat further, bleed it slowly cision we had no money on hand— be held everywhere. Workers meet­ Long live the united front of the The Comintern Is Silent! by the dirk and the bludgeon, exhaust not a penny, in fact; nothing but ings, shops, gatherings of every kind call another meeting two weeks later, to working class! And above everything else, with nine it and distract its attention with parlia­ pressing bills and obligations. Our must be invaded boldly with the discuss the German events further, it Down with the Fascist murderers! precious, crucial, fateful days already was enthusiastically endorsed. Despite mentary maneuvers, press hardei on resources for the execution of this burning message of the Left Opposi­ Long live the German proletarian rev­ gone by, the general staff of the world this proposal, the floor was given to a the institutions of the proletariat, and ambitions plan consist exclusively in tion on the German crisis. Every o lu tion ! revolution, the leadership of the revolu­ then deliver the final blows with drawn the burning world importance of the member of the organization, and ev­ spokesman for the official Communist Now more than ever we demand the re­ tionary movement, the Executive Com­ saber, torch and machine gun. How has German crisis and the movement we ery sympathetic worker, must be party who offered a sad example of the turn to the Soviet Union and to the mittee of the Communist International— mis-education of the Communist work­ it proceeded? shall create on the basis of that is­ mobilized for daily activity to distri­ party of Leon Trotsky and Christian IS SILENT! Instead of guidance to the ers by Stalinism. Not only was a good Fascist Advances sue. That is enough. bute the MILITANT. The whole rev­ Rakovsky, the leaders of the Internation­ Communists and the m ilitant working collection taken, running close to $100., One: the Reichstag has been dissolved The correctness of our decision olutionary labor movement must be al Left Opposition and the proletarian class of Germany in this zero hour— and elections set for March 5. W ill the from a practical as well as from a shaken from top to bottom with the bn; those in attendance, amongst them world revolution! the Communist International preserves elections decide the question of Fascism, political standpoint was confirmed to message of internationalism. being several score party members and (Six votes were cast against this re­ an ominous silence. Instead of a ringing Lovestoneite sympathizers, voted with of power? Preposterous! The begin­ the hilt at the magnificent mass And now the capacity of the Left solution by show of hands, whereas the call to arms, which the Communist In­ nings of that decision are being made meeting of the Left Opposition in Oppositionists for material sacrifices enthusiastic unanimity (save for four rest of the several hundreds present ternational is duty-bound to issue at right now on the streets of Germany. New York Sunday. Never since the must really asert itself. We expect contrary votes!) for the following re- voted enthusiastically for1 it.) such a moment—Moscow is as eilent as H itler has no illusions about the possi­ days following the Russian Bolshevik that every Bolshevik-Leninist w ill the grave. Instead of a flaming appeal bilities of ruling by a constitutional 51 revolution has New York seen such a put his duty to the German revolution to the workers of the whole world for percent majority in the Reichstag. But meeting— such unrestrained enthusi­ above every personal consideration solidarity action with the hard-pressed he loses nothing by distracting attention asm, such a stormy assertion of the and see to i t th a t the funds necessary German proletariat, the international from the decisive extra-parliamentary spirit of proletarian internationalism. to assure the steady appearance of Opposition at Gillespie Stalinist staff maintains—what milder And—what is no less significant— term can be applied?—a criminal and field and centering it upon the illusion- the MILITANT on the new schedule ary parliamentary elections. On the one could see by the size of the are forthcoming without delay. Do treacherous silence! contrary, by this procedure he gains splendid audience, by its fervid de­ this, comrades, do evoryttung, not to­ League’s V ie w Triumphs at Progressive Miners Conference What Is happening? What should monstration of support of our cam­ morrow but today! have happened? valuable time in which to Consolidate 170 delegates, more than a h a lf o f tion as simply another unfortunate split. his positions. paign, how quickly the Left Opposi­ W ith Communist Greetings, whom came from the locals of the Pro­ The conception of the Stalinists that the The minute Hitler was appointed Two: The Prussian Diet has been dis­ tion, if it acts boldly at the moment National Committee, gressive Miners of America, assembled Progressive Miners of America is just Chancellor, and took the first real solved, and the elections also set for of great happenings, can hound for­ Communist League o f Amoi-ica. at the conference in Gillespie, Illinois, another edition of the Lewis type of un­ steps to establish the genuine Fasc­ March 5. The arbitrariness of the dis­ ward and rally the Communist work­ (Opposition) on January 29 in response to the call of ion could likewise find nothing to nour­ ist dictatorship of blood and iron, solution is only a foretaste of bloody ers around its banner. The flnanefai JAMES P. CANNON, the Gillespie Trades and Labor Council ish it at the Gillespie conference. the working class should have re­ (Continued on page 4) contributions alone—five and ten dol­ National Secretary. to discuss the project of a new federa­ The P. M. of A., whose locals furnish­ plied, with the same unanimity it dis­ tion of labor. The representation at the ed the driving force and the bulk of the conference and the sentiments expressed delegates at the Gillespie Conference, is by the great majority of the delegates a movement pulsing with life. It is gave a most emphatic confirmation to the calling out new resources of proletarian Lovestone Group Splits in Two How W e Plan «New Militant» estimate which the M ilitant had made energy and militancy, new hope andl philosophy. On the other hand, the lat­ The decision to increase the frequency Abpve all, we are determined to make of the new movement and of the pro­ vision. In the course of epic struggles I Events are moving with tremendous ter has been able to retain his hold over of appearance of the MILITANT to the MILITANT available to every work­ posal to organize a new trade union it is throwing up a cadre of new leaders speed everywhere, i t seems. A fte r sever­ many Communist elements in the faction three times a week, is the biggest step er. Therefore, we are changing the price center. The conference revealed most from among the young miners who, if al months of internal dispute, the Right by pointing to where Gitlow is head­ forward yet taken by the Left Opposi­ of each copy of the MILITANT. I convincingly that the organizational they still lack experience and ease of i wing Lovestone group has been split by tion in this country. That it is being basis for a new general labor movement orientation in complicated problems, are, the walk-out of the Gitlow faction in it. ing, and Gitlow is indeed head­ taken at the moment when the situation From Five Cents to O n e Cent is by no means sufficient at the present by that uncorrupted and unspoiled by 1 Just at the present moment, the contro­ ing far to the Right, on a hopeless sec­ in Germany—the key to the Internation­ time, and the project was taken off the the deadening routine, conservatism, and versy is being fought with statements by tarian venture, devoid of any principles al situation—is reaching its most cruc­ We are so confident that a larger cir­ agenda. Instead of that, a realistic pro­ treachery of the old bureaucracy. Behind both factions in the capitalist press, in or revolutionary considerations. ia l stage, w ith long-lasting consequences culation w ill immediately be obtained for gram of agitation to coordinate the work them is a surging m ilitant rank and file. which each seeks to excel the other in We are compelled to deal here only for the whole revolutionary and labor the new MILITANT during the period of of militants inside and outside the A. From all these aspects one who looks at bombast and fraud. Lovestone modestly sketchily with the latest developments in movements, is of the utmost significance. the German crisis, that we calculate on F. of L. was adopted. the Gillespie conference w ith a clear eye Claims for his group a membership of the American Right wing. In the next The official Stalinist press is dealing the additional numbers sold covering the A Mistake Avoided can see th a t although i t could not con­ 900—no less. G itlo w announces his new issue of the M ilitant, we shall devote a with the latest development in Germany deficit involved in reducing the price of This outcome of the conference should stitute the basis for a new labor federa­ mission as founder or organizer of a lengthier study to an analysis of these as if it were some chance episode, of each copy so drastically. be a matter of great satisfaction to the tion, it did nevertheless, represent a mass movement of the American working developments. no considerable importance to the pro­ The new MILITANT w ill go to press militants throughout the country who significant step on the path of a regen­ class in the form of a Farmer-Labor letariat in this country. The MILITANT on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday warmly support the new rise of the erated labor movement, and contained p a rty. The next issue of the Militant w ill intends to break down this despicable nights, and appear for sale, at least in progressive miner’s movement and who forces which are destined to be a dyn­ The Left Opposition declared from the also contain a fu ll report of the second national narrow-mindedness, this blind­ New York and vicinity, on MONDAY, feared that it might handicap itself at amic factor in advancing that movement. very beginning that within the Right meeting of the Committee formed in New ness to the historical events passing WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY MORN­ the beginning by a dangerous mistake. The program adopted by the confer­ wing groups themselves were contained York after the trade union conference right before our eyes, and to fu lfill the INGS! At the same time, both by its size and by ence tallied very closely with that of the the germs of their own dissolution. In for unemployment insurance. Pressure role of the revolutionary newspaper by To carry on during this period, we its spirit, the conference refuted those advanced Left wing labor1 elements near­ virtually every country, this assertion of space compelled us to omit it from stimulating the internationalist spirit need two things above all. One: gen­ conservative and sterile formalists, such ly everywhere. Industrial unionism, has been confirmed beyond dispute. In this issue, but it w ill certainly appear of the American working class. erous financial support—it is the German as the Right wing Communists, who look shorter work day, unemployment insur- the United States, it was particularly in the next. Despite the enormous burden we are revolution and the world proletarian upon the Progressive Miners organiza-i (Continued on page 4) Clear, because the Lovestone-Gitlow sec­ undertaking to carry, we feel confident cause which is involved and we feel that tion of the “International” Right wing that the response to our initiative w ill we are in a position to make the most was never troubled much with the pro­ O P E N FO R U M be broad enough to enable us to go imperative demands for financial assist­ blem of principles. Consequently, ite through with the enterprise. We have ance from every militant worker and Oehler Starts National Tour O n Germany function has been—since it existence—to “WHAT NEXT IN THE NEEDLE made all the technical arrangements. sympathizer. furnish repentant capitulators to Stalin­ TRADES” And the first issue of the three-times-a Two: technical assistance in the office: In the campaign of the Communist Buffalo, N. Y.—Feb. 18 ism, on the one hand, and new recruits RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE week MILITANT w ill appear on next We w ill have an enormous bask of mail­ League on the German crisis comrade Pittsburgh, Pa.—Feb. 19. for reformism, on the other. In between, RIGHT AND LEFT UNION Hugo Oehler w ill begin a speaking tour Monday m orning, F ebruary 13, 1933. ing and distributing to do, and every New Castle, Pa.—Feb. 20. it has sought to maintain itself as an Hie Policy of the Left Opposition at Utica, New York on Friday, February “independent group”, without startling The MILITANT w ill continue with the offer1 of help w ill be gratefully appreci­ Youngstown, O.—Feb. 21. same format, although the number of ated. Come immediately to the office to 17. A ll energy must he concentrated to success. Now, Gitlow has capitalized on Speaker: Cleveland, O.—Feb. 22. pages w ill be cut down from four to two. ask for the comrade in charge of this arrange big mass meetings on the oc­ the discontentment of many Right wing J. P. CANNON In addition, to improve the looks of the work, Martin Abern. casion of Comrade Oehler’s visit. Ac­ Chicago, H I.— Feb. 24, 25, 26. workers with the obsequious attitude paper and increase the amount of mater­ All comrades and friends—help put tion is the slogan of the hour1. There D avenport, Iow a—Feb. 27. Lovestone takes towards the Stalin re­ Friday, 8 P. M. FEBRUARY 17th ial that is to go into each issue, we have this historic drive over the topi Without is no time to rearrange dates. A ll read­ Des Moines, Iow a—Feb. 28. gime in the Soviet Union which, he 126 East 16 Street, decided to change the number of columns your help, our difficulties multiply. W ith ers take notice of the meetings in the Kansas C ity—M arch 1, 2, 3. argues, is “historically necessary”. Thus A D M IS S IO N : 19c to the page from six, as at present, to your cooperlation, we are assured of a various cities on the following schedule: S t. Louis, Mo.—M arch 4, 5. Gitlow wins to his side a number of the N. Y. Br. Communist League of i» « H « seven. powerful advance! U tica , N. Y.—Feb. 17 Illinois Coal Fields—March 6. workers disillusioned w ith the Lovestone (Opposition)

BRONX MASS Tl /"DICIC ■ ^ZH D U A klV ' Hollywood Gardens M E E T IN G I nc in O l InIVIAIN / JamesP.Cannon * T m ™ — ^ ADM ISSIO N 15 Cents P A G E 2 THE MILITANT SATURDAY^ fEMUJABY U , HUB Letters fro m Militants M y Daughter’s Suicide

...... ■ ...... women began to break from their lines, Open Letter O n Stalin's Role in the Death of Zinaida Volkov Miners's Women on the filling the entrances of the state Capitol. TO A L L MEMBERS OF T H E C. C. OF plied. A half year passed in constant The curious and interested masses that THE C. P. OF THE USSR. but fruitless efforts in several European March flanked the streets started to move to­ TO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE EXECU­ countries. Only my unforseen trip to wards the steps of the Capitol. Bands TIVE COMMITTEE OF THE USSR. Copenhagen gave us the opportunity to SPRINGFIELD, ILL.— incessantly played their many stirring bring the child to Europe. With the Dressed in white uniforms, ten thou­ TO A L L MEMBERS OF T H E C. C. C. tunes. OF T H E C. P. OF T H E USSR. greatest difficulty he made the trip to sand Illinois coal diggers’ militant After the singing and band concerts I deem it necessary to inform you how Berlin in six weeks. He was hardly wives, mothers and sweethearts staged a had abated, Agnes Wieck called her ex­ and why my daughter committed suicide. near his mother for a week when Gen. colorful demonstration of working class ecutive board together and along with A t the close o f 1930, upon my request, Schleicher’s police in collusion with the power and solidarity through the state the fifty-one branch presidents, the com­ you authorized my tubercular daughter, Stalinist agents decided to expel my oapitol’s busy thoroughfare, voicing pro­ mittee representing the Women’s Auxili­ Zinaida Volkov, to come to Turkey tem­ daughter from Berlin. Where? To Tur­ test against the fourth year of the hun­ ary of the Progressive Miners of Amer­ porarily with her five year old son Wese- key? To the Island of Prinkipo? But ger era. ica, made their way through the immense wolod, for treatment. I did not suppose the child needed to attend school and Mass delegations from flfty-one mine crowd to present to the chief executive that behind this liberalism of Stalin lurk­ my daughter needed continuous medical towns were prompt in their response to of Illinois, Governor Homer, the demands ed a mental reservation. My daughter attention under conditions of family life the call of their executives to assemble of their organization. a rrive d here in January 1931 w ith a bear this new blow. On the fifth of Janu­ here January 26 to take up the fight of The reception room of the Governor pneumothorax in both lungs. After a ary she asphyxiated herself with gas. She the Progressive Miners of America on was taxed to capacity. The hallways ten months sojourn in Turkey we finally was thirty years old. four burning issues: Namely, unemploy­ were jammed with miners’ wives. State obtained—despite the constant resistance ment insurance, increase in state aid, re­ Highway Patrolmen, one with a tear gas In 1928 my younger daughter Nina, of the Soviet foreign representatives per­ storation of civil rights and against the gun, were standing in strategic posi­ whose husband has been locked up in mission for her to go to Germany for tions. Plain clothes men were milling solitary prison by Stalin for five years, sales tax. treatment. The child remained tempor­ around somewhat uneasily. We later was bedridden and then taken to the Marching eight abreast in disciplined arily with us in Turkey so as not to bur­ learned that the day previous a large hospital for a short time after my exile formation, the huge army of women stir­ den the invalid. After some time the delegation of unemployed workers had to Alma Ata. They found her with gal­ red to ecstasy the thousands of coal German physicians thought it possible to entered the state capitol to petition for loping consumption. A purely personal miners who flanked the streets all along remove the pneumothorax. The invalid unemployment relief and had been un­ letter, without the least relation to poli­ the road of march. began to recover and dreamed only of mercifully clubbed by the police. Possibly tics, which was addressed to me, wae Five miners’ bands led the mass of returning with her child to Russia where this caused the uneasiness. A few repre­ held up by you for seventy days so that women in the one hour march from the her daughter and her husband, who is sentatives of the Progressive Miners of my answer did not find her alive. She State Arsenal to the Capitol. a Bolshevik-Leninist held in exile by America who had remained at the side died at the age of 26. Loyal rank and file miners from the of the women’s committee throughout the Stalin, remained. During my stay in Copenhagen, where On the tw e ntie th o f February 1932 you fighting Springfield district, along with whole demonstration were eyed suspici­ my wife began a treatment for a seri­ published a decree by which not only my large committees from all over the state, ously. At Mrs. Wieck’s suggestion, the ous Illness and where I prepared myself wife, my son and I, but also my daugh­ were at hand to spur the women on to Governor agreed to meet the entire dele­ to begin a treatment, Stalin, through ter Zinaide Volkov, was deprived of struggle against the intolerable condi­ gation in the reception room. Tass agency, issued the lying denuncia­ Soviet citizenship. In the foreign land tions of unemployment. The Governor was finally met by the tion to the European police that a “Trot­ where you gave her permission to go with At the head of the inspiring multitudes women’s committee. Mrs. Wieck then skyist conference” was meeting in Copen­ a Soviet passport my daughter occupied was Agnes Burns Wieck, commanding read to him their statement in behalf of hagen! That was enough to have the herself only w ith her treatm ent. She the organized from delegations through the housewives of Illinois’ mining fields Danish social-democratic government do did not, and because of her health, could flfty-one branch presidents. Along side —those who often must make “meals” Stalin the favor of expelling me with not take any part in political life. She of her were Celine Burrell, Secretary- solely from the flour1 that is labeled feverish haste, interrupting the neces­ avoided anything that might throw the Treasurer, and Mrs. Leon Besson, Vice- “American Red Cross”. The statement sary treatments for my wife. But in shade of a “suspicion” upon her. Depriv­ President, of the Illinois Women’s Aux- was tersely written, it rang with the th is case, as in many others, S ta lin ’s ing her' of her citizenship was only a unity with the capitalist police at least ilia ry . tone of resentment against impoverish­ CLOTH 65c Preceding the state officers was the ment of the worker's dependant upon coal wretched and stupid act of vengeance had a political aim. The persecution of against me. For her, this act of per­ Gillespie-Benld-Wilsonville fifty piece for an existence. my daughter was devoid of even a shade sonal vengeance meant a break with her PAPER 35c band forming the vanguard of the white The following immediate demands were o f p o litic a l sense. D epriving h e r o f So­ pioneer PUBLISHER. £ little daughter, her husband, her finance army of marching women. Next in line, presented by the Auxiliary head: viet citizenship—a loss of her only hope Postage 6c Extra and all her customary life. Her mental faithfully trudging along, was “Mother" 1. For restoration of civil liberties in to return to a normal environment and condition, already disturbed without that McKeever, unmindful of her 75 years. coal fields. to recovery—finally her expulsion from by the death of her younger1 sister, by Then came the widows of the Moweaqua 2. For increased and more equitable Berlin (a service indisputably rendered her own illness, received a fresh blow miners dressed in black mourning, further distribution of State Aid. to Stalin by the German police), are The Capitulation of Roman W ell and Co. all the more atrocious as it was quite symbolizing the woes and tortures of 3. For unemployment insurance paid acts without a political aim for miser­ surprising and not provoked in any way The international Stalinist press (in forged edition of “Die Permanente Rev­ that section of humanity that choke deep by industry and state. able and stupid revenge and nothing by her. The psychiatrists unanimously this country, the Freiheit), is celebrat­ olution”, the turncoats complain that under in producing society’s basic fuel. 4. For defeat of the State sales tax. else. My daughter was pretty clear declared that only a return to her nor­ ing a new “victory”. Messrs. Roman none of Trotsky’s analyses of the situa­ Broad smiling faces regained their ser­ That night the members of the Wo­ about her position. She understood that mal environmet, with her family, and Well and his handful of followers in the tion in Russia, Spain or Germany have iousness and hats were removed as the men’s Auxiliary, Progressive Miners of she could receive no safety at the hands her work could save her. But your de­ Left Opposition in Germany have broken stood the test of events (Stalin’s have, bereaved women of Moweaqua marched America, jammed the main floor and of the European police, persecuting her cree of the twentieth of February of away from the organization and have you see!). “National Socialism has re­ solemnly by. Their heads were drooped balconies of the huge state arsenal to lis­ at the requst of Stalin. Conscious of 1932 removed precisely this possibility started on the thorny path to Canossa ceived powerful blows, the Communist in sadness and tears were visible. ten to the report of their delegation. The that, her death followed on the fifth of o f saving her'. A ll other attem pts, as to capitulate to the Stalinist bureau­ party has considerable successes to re­ Next in line came the families of the report on the conference with the Gov­ January. Such a death is called “volun­ you know, have remained in vain. cracy. Seizing upon the article “With cord. Nothing has remained of the per­ martyrs of the Progressive Miners of ernor was made by Agnes Burns Wieck. tary”. No, it was not voluntary. Stalin German physicians insisted that at Both Hands”, in which Stalin’s treach­ spective of the ‘unconditioinal and im­ America, Mrs. Andrew Gynnes, Mrs. Joe Following the report, a grand ball was imposed this death upon her. I lim it least her son be brought to her as quick­ erous interview with Mr. Thomas Camp­ mediate Uprising of the National Social­ Colbert and Albin Cumerlatto along with held celebrating the tremendous organi­ myself to this information without draw­ ly as possible; in that they still saw the bell was so thoroughly exposed, the Well ists’. The Conception was and is cor­ his daughters and son. Those who gave zational success that the women march­ ing conclusions. The time w ill come for chance of restoring the moral equilibrium clique found a pretext for' their rene- rect that Fascism in Germany cannot their loved ones for the cause were high­ ers had made. Proceeds from this affair this subject. The regenerated party w ill of the mother. But as the six-yead old gacy from the International Left Op­ come to power until it has assured it­ ly honored by the whole gathering of w ill go to the Moweaqua victims and do it. child was equally deprived of Soviet cit­ position. It proceeded to issue a "spe­ self along the road of coalition of de women fighters. Deeply written from the Springfield unemployed miners who izenship the difficulties of his departure P rinkipo, January 11, 1933 cial issue” of the organ of the German cisive positions in the state apparatus. one column of the march to the other are still on strike against the Peabody from Constantinople to Berlin were m ulti­ —LEON TROTSKY. Opposition, “Die Permanente Revolu­ Even if the Fascist danger is not yet were signs of worry and desperation Coal Company. tion”, which is a forgery from begin­ ( !) over with, one thing is plain, that steeled by a solid phalanx of organiza­ Until early morning, tractions, buses, ning to end. The regular edition of “Die in the given situation it is in decline and tio n . autos and trucks continued to roll, trans­ EON TROTSKY Permanente Revolution” is still in the the revolutionary proletariat has come The first delegation to lead the parade porting the greatest gathering of working hands of the Left Opposition, as is the ahead.” was the women of Springfield who were women in the history of the American bulk of the membership which is repudi­ Two days after this declaration was honored to first position because of the labor movement. The precision, disci­ ating the turncoats. The Well forgery is received in New York, H itler was made affair being held in their home city. Sev­ pline and spirit of the women marchers not only different in format and in mast­ Chancellor of the Republic and the Fasc­ eral hundred were numbered following a was highly commendable. The m ilitant STALIN'S DENIAL head, but by its very contents, reveals stenographic report of this interview: ist bands started their reign of terror large banner proclaiming: “12 mines members of the Women’s Auxiliary ga­ I am not in possession of the "Bol­ that it could not possibly have been is­ Stalin confirms this. Campbell is no with renewed vigor' and violence! work under P. M. of A. contract and thered in Springfield to wage the strug­ shevik” with the denial of Stalin of the sued by the German Left Opposition. journalist but an agrarian big bourgeois. For the capitulators, the Stalin fac­ peace in Springfield. Why not Peabody?" gle against hunger at the very doors of article “With Both Hands”. The semi­ The latest issue of our German brother Is it possible that Stalin took no notice tion does not represent Centrism, be­ Next in line were the other auxiliaries the representatives of the government. official communication of the "Berliner organ, which has just been received, con­ of this man’s book? Out of the ques­ cause, you see, Lenin spoke o f C entrism from the Springfield district—Riverton, Success o f th e ir fig h t, however, w ill de­ Tageblatt”, however', suffices to give one firms the obvious impression of a fraud tion. The Press Bureau must have furn­ only in connection with the social dem­ Virden, Dawson, Williamsville, Witt, pend largely upon the degree of organi­ an adequate picture of this denial. created when the Well sheet first ar­ ished him with the most important ex­ ocracy ! For the capitulators, the uni­ Nokomis, Gerard Panama, Thayer, Div- zation that w ill be exerted to change the Stalin did not react to Campbell’s rived here. ted front with the social democracy is ernon, Auburn, Pawnes—marching at a evils responsible for starvation amidst book until the Left Opposition seized up­ cerpts, especially those which concern The rejoicing of the Freiheit, which inadm issible, because, you see, the social steady gait, headed by banners describ­ plenty. Back in mine towns, thr'ough on it Didn’t Stalin deem the book suf­ Stalin himself, immediately after the announces gleefully that the “Trotskyist democracy is led by traitors! For the the Progressive Miners of America, ficiently important? Yet he did grant appearance of the book. Nevertheless, ing the names of their towns. group in Germany has announced its capitulators, the Left Opposition has no Then came the large Gillespie group through their own organized efforts, u til­ Campbell an interview which, according Stalin was silent The article in the own dissolution”, is due to be short­ rig h t to existence, because, you see, i t followed by the Benld School band and izing every possible economic and poli­ “Bulletin of the Russian Opposition” to the report of the American, lasted un­ lived, for it is based upon sheer false­ is a small group; the German Commun­ their home town auxiliary. Benld with tical instrument at their command, the til the early hours of the morning and, first loosened his tongue. Therein is to be found the measure of value of Stalin’s hood. ist Party has gained votes in the last a large banner proclaimed: “Benld Women’s Auxiliary w ill be ultimately according to Stalin’s denial, lasted “no elections; the 12th Plenum of Manuil- Women’s Auxiliary of the Progressive triumphant in the war to make labor more” than two hours. Even two hours denial. Every edition of capitulationism thus far has sung the same song at the be­ sky and Co., “put into the foreground M iners o f Am erica. 610 members strong.” safe from hunger. are enough to confirm the importance of In 1925, when his policy aimed com­ ginning. Zinoviev broke with the Opposi­ with Bolshevik determination the mass Next in line were the mass groups from —A M IN ER . this conversation. Campbell received the pletely at the capitalist farmer, that is, tion because 'Trotsky had broken from work in all reformist organizations”. Mt. Olive, Carlinville, Staunton, Wilson- at the Kulak, Stalin went so far as the principles of the Opposition plat­ Finally, there is no “internal democracy” ville, White City, Livingston and W il­ to have. secret designs on the necessity form” ; to defend the Opposition platform —the faction of Stalinist bureaucratism! liam son. finally consented to invite the Musteite of denationalizing the land. He ar­ I.L.G.W .U. Leaders Seek more ardently, Zinoviev rushed right The Left Opposition, neither in Ger­ The towns of Hillsboro, followed by youth (but did not do so) and refused ranged for himself an interview by So­ into the arms of Stalin and Co. Radek, many nor internationally, does not capi­ the Tovey band, then Taylorville, Lang- to invite the Left Opposition youth. He viet journalists. One of the questions to Corral Youth Smilga, and Preobrazhensky also found tulate. It leaves that role to miserable leyville, Bulpitt, Stonington, Kincaid, then proceeded to enumerate the condi­ (dictated by Stalin himself) read, if it grace in the Stalinist bureaucracy by turncoats who cannot distinguish be­ Tovey, Pana and Decatur came next. At the call of the Dressmakers’ Joint tions under which his group would par­ would not be advisable in the interest discovering that “Trotsky had broken tween revolutionary internationalism and The enthusiasm of the miners’ women Board of the International Ladies Gar’- ticipate in the “action committee” which of peasant agriculture to hand over to from the principles of the Opposition national Commuism, who mix up the from the midland territory was visibly ment Workers Union, a conference of was to be elected: workers’ democracy every individual farmer the land tilled platform”. The third and most vulgar Stalinist faction of bureaucratic degen­ undaunted as they confidently marched “radical youth” groups was held in New in the union, the right of revolutionary by him, for a period of ten years. edition of the capitulators—Roman Well eration with the Party and Comintern of behind their sister's from every nook and York, February 3, to aid the union in its groups to propagate their views, the ab­ Stalin's answer was: "Even for forty and his coterie—have crawled into the Lenin and Trotsky, who identify the in­ corner of the state. organizational drive. Representatives of olition of political control, and its con­ years.” At the same time, the Georgian Stalinist camp under the same smoke terests of the ruling clique in the Rus­ The northern district with Peoria, the Young Peoples Socialist League, the version into a “revolutionary industrial People’s Commissar for Agriculture, af­ screen: They, and not the International sian party with the interests of the Rus­ East Peoria, Farmington, Galesburg, St. Inter-Collegiate Student Council of the union” ! ter an interview with Stalin in the Cau­ Left Opposition, are the true defenders sian and world revolution; who cannot David, Cuba and Norris were also pre­ League for Industrial Democracy, the The chairman explained that the dis­ casus, brought in a formal legislature of Bolshevism, the loyal supporters of distinguish between the German worker- sent, raising their' banners high to the Lovestoneite youth, the Young Circle crimination against the CPLA youth was project for the denationalization of the the Comintern and the world revolution; Communists and the corrupt Thaelmann world that was out to watch them. League and the Vanguard (anarchist) accidental, but that the Left Opposition land. The Left Opposition unfolded a The Belleville territory with its num­ youth was not invited “because we don’t therefore, capitulate to the Stalin fac­ regime; who wince under the pressure group had a short while previously par­ violent protest campaign against it. In tio n ! of the party bureaucracy, and, not having erous, sturdy German women were next ticipated in a pre-conference to arrange want to bring in unnecessary discussion”- this connection, it referred back to the In the declarations published in the the intransigeance, the steadfastness, the in line. Banners on which were inscrib­ for this conference. The Left Opposition Julius Hechman, one of the leaders of already partially forgotten interview on ed Belleville, O’Fallon, Marissa, Bresse, the Union, replied to the anarchist endurance, the fierce loyalty to the rev­ youth— the Spartacus Youth Club— wad the suspension of the nationalization of olution and its principles that distin­ Pocahontas, Coulterville. Tilden boomed not invited to either gathering. It had speech. the land “for forty years”. Stalin found over the heads of different groupings. It was obvious from Hochman’s speech with Lominadze and others among his guish the Bolshevik from the camp-fol­ an observer at the conference. it necessary to start the retreat. He sim­ confidantes, launched the argument: “The lower of the revolution—run to beg for Last but not least were the courage­ that gangsters and bribery were too ex­ ply declared that the journalists had ous mining women of southern Illinois After the chairman explained the pur­ pensive financially, and free aid from en­ Comintern represents nothing and it ekes mercy and a tiny place in the sun of pose of the meeting, Max Bluestein, “wrongly” understood him. But as to out its existence only because of our sup­ that bureaucracy. who braved threats and intimidations to thusiastic youth was needed by the de­ why he had remained silent about the join their sisters of the north. Du Quoin manager of the Joint Board, spoke in cimated union. Flourishing radical port.” But the moment when Lominadze, The Well capitulation is an episode in glowing terms of the history of the un­ printed interview for several months, he in struggle against Stalin, threw up to the life of the Bolshevik-Leninists, not and Dowell, new allies of the Progres­ phrases formed the bait with which could make no answer. sive Miners of America, were present. ion and the need of the cooperation of these labor fakers tried to enviegle the him the opinion he had vouchsafed, the first and not the last in the long Then came groups of women representing the youth assembled to help the union or­ radical youth into their campaign. In 1926, S ta lin prepared the entrance Stalin had no difficulty in repudiating struggle for revolutionary victory. But his own words. auxiliaries from bloody Franklin county. ganize the dressmakers. Following this, The youth conference is an attempt on of the Russian trade unions into the nothing more than an episode. We move It takes a man with a mighty heart to representatives of the youth groups pre­ the part of the Right wing leader's to Amsterdam International. In the new So it is not for the nrst time Stalin, forward over the corpses of these poli­ tical suicides. be an active Progressive down in that sent spoke. mobilize the radical youth of the city edition of the membership books of the under the attack of the Left Opposition, land of terror, but here we had delega­ The YPSL, LID and Young Circle in a campaign in competition and Russian trade unions, the passage con­ has resorted to a denial of his own af­ Tenacity, tenacity, tenacity! Bolshe­ tions from West Frankfort, Ziegler, League pledged their support and readi­ against the drive being made by the In­ cerning adherence to the Red Interna­ firmations. One can say that this pro­ vik-Leninists, forward! ness “to take orders”. The speaker for tional of Labor Unions was simply cedure is part of the iron arsenal of Buckner and Christopher. The writers dustrial Union to organize the dress­ -rjinirm nioiiiiiiM iitjiiiM im iiHiiiiim m iHim iim iiiniiim iiim unii* are proud to belong to the great cause the Lovestoneites endorsed the campaign makers. stricken out At the same time, Kagan- his policy. At every new zig-zag, he UNEMPLOYMENT of the Progressive movement. A defiant and spoke for a “clean, fighting, m ilitant A motion made by a delegate from the ovitch delivered a speech in Kharkov, moves cautiously, sends up tria l balloons, smile gleams from their faces as they union” which would fight racketeering Vanguard Group to permit a representa­ naturally in agreement with Stalin, in frequently has others send them up, but and the take their places side by side with the and organize the youth in the trade. The tive of the Left Opposition Youth to favor of entrance into the Amsterdam holds open the possibility of a retreat new Champions of labor. chairman, an official in the union, greeted speak to the Conference was “overlook­ Trade Union International. The Left as long as he can. To repudiate one of AMERICAN WORKING CLASS “We saw Edmondson peering from the this mild and meaningless speech. The ed” by the democratic chairman. Later Opposition once more raised its voice in his own declarations has never offered side of an auto,” said one Franklin spokesman of the Vanguard (anarchist) a m otion by a Yipsel to invite representa­ vigorous protest. Stalin retreated. The him any difficulties. by county woman. “He looked like he was Group launched into an attack upon the tives from the CPLA youth and the Left new text of the membership books was Besides, the conversation with Emil explained away as a "misunderstand­ going to faint.” Edmondson is the re­ leaders of the A. F. of L. and the ILGW Opposition youth to join the “action com­ Ludwig—published by Stalin himself— ARNE SWABECK negade of the rank and file movement U, and their sell-out policies and agree­ mittee” was carried unanimously. The ing”. Kaganovitch declared that the differs in no essential from the denied who is employed as the leading terror­ ments. He exposed by direct references Young Communist League, the largest stenographer in Kharkov had bungled conversation with Campbell. And what 24 PAGES F IV E CENTS ist of Franklin county by Walker and fake agreements made in the dress andj working class youth organization in the the meanig o f his speech. The K h a r­ is more important: the denial does not Lewis. It was a sorrowful day for the cloak industry in New York by the ILGj City, was not invited. This ended the kov Oppositionists, however, established alter by one iota either’ the Kellogg Pact reactionary fakers of the old United WU. He protested at the original refus-j latest move of the ILGWU officialdom the fact that the stenographic report had policy or the tactic of Stalin-Litvinov in PIONEER PUBLISHERS al of the officials of the ILGWU to in-1 which deserves to be watched and upon been c a re fu lly corrected by Kaganovitch Geneva. And this is what’s important. Mine Workers of America. 84 East 10th Street, The last column having passed the vite the youth of the CPLA and the Left which we w ill comment in the near fu­ him self. P rinkipo, January 14, 1983. towering statue of Abraham Lincoln, the Opposition to the Conference. They hadj ture. — JOS. C. , Back in 1930, S talin, in conversations —LEON TROTSKY. New York, N. Y. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY I I , 1938 T H E MILITANT PAGE 3

Fascist Papen government knew that the leaders of the trade unions would exert the fu ll power of the apparatus to pre­ Stalinist Policies Throw Food Workers The Record Speaks! Centrism M onth by M o n th ... vent the mass strike movement.” THE SAME BLOODHOUNDS THE “OFFENSIVE” BEGAN less of party under our relationship.” —W alter Ulbricht, Roto Faline, Union Into Serious Crisis “We must show that the social Fasc­ IN.... 1929 — Saechsische Arbeiter Zeitung August 25, 1932. It is impossible to understand the a few militants, could be obtained for ist Factory Councils and functionaries in “The working masses, who a year ago (C. P. G .), June 23, 1930. present crisis in the Food Workers’ In­ picketing. Attempts were made to the factories are the agents of the blood­ still hesitantly set themselves in motion * * * * dustrial Union and its effects upon the dramatize the strike. Demonstrations stained Noske-Severing-Zoergiebel policy with dull, ponderous steps, are marching AFTER SOCIAL FASCISM— membership without tracing its causes were organized by party members and ___that they are just the same blood­ today under the blaring fanfare of the Sandino Passes . . . “BRUENING FASCISM” to the past and bringing into the open sympathizers together with the YCL and hounds as the Noskes, Severings or Zoer- proletarian offensive against the capital­ “Hindenburg’s black Chancellor yes­ The report that the petty bourgeois the crimes and errors committed by the the Pioneers. An airplane was hired to giebels.” ist system.” terday declared the Fascist financial dic­ Nicaraguan general Augusto Sandino party and union leadership under the spread leaflets all over the city. More —Rote Fahne, end o f 1929. —Rote Fahne, May 1, 1929. tatorship with the aid of article 48.” Lovestonelte and present regimes. » * * * • • * • has made his peace with the puppet gov­ than 865,000 was spent in a period of — Roto Fahne, M arch 17, 1930. ernment of American imperialism, re­ The Hotel and Restaurant branch of three months. But all was in vain. If “MANY COMRADES.. AGAIN: THE “OFFENSIVE” * * * * conciling himself with the gang which the Amalgamated Food Workers was “Many comrades see nothing at all a few more shops were later compelled IN 1929! MORE “BRUENING was lifted into power by the bayonets of under party control for many years. Its except social Fascism, even in things to settle with the union it was on the “The relationship of forces between FASCISM” the U. S. M arine Corps, w iU come as main activities were confined exclusively that have not the slightest to do with same basis as mentioned above. the bourgeoisie and the proletariat has a surprise only to those who attributed to the hotels and restaurants. More than Fascism. For many comrades there are Communist Deputy Neubauer in the The situation became much worse be­ changed fundamentally. The working to the Central American general a revolu­ once the leadership rejected the propos­ no longer any social democrats and any Reichstag: “What is taking place in cause the union failed to protect those class is striding forward from the defen­ tionary stature which he never attained, al to undertake an organizational drive social democracy, but only social Fasc­ Germany now is nothing but the desire workers sent out as extras during rush sive to the offensive.... In the Berlin nor ever could have. From the begin­ among the cafeteria workers on the ists and social Fascism. Workers, ordin­ to heal the deep-seated wounds of capi­ hours. They were refused employment May struggles, broad masses stepped be­ ning of his guerilla warfare in Nicara­ grounds that the masses were to be found ary workers, who have nothing more to talism with the methods of Fascism ---- by the bosses because o f th e ir reputation yond the framework of bourgeois legal­ gua, the Stalinist Comintern bent all among the hotel workers. What hap­ do with Fascism than that they have This means nothing else than that the as m ilitant strikers. This helped to dis­ ity, offered resistance to the police action its energies to conduct an international pened in the spring of 1929 when these voted social democratic, are designated system of terroristic Fascism is to take rupt the unity of the employed and un­ and opened up the political-revolutionary advertising campaign for Sandino which same people, without exception, were in as social Fascists.’’ the place of the so-called democratic sys­ employed, which unfortunately, to this struggle against the bourgeois state po­ was not one whit better or more justi­ favor of a general strike in the New — Remmete, Die Internationale, tem.” very day has not been corrected. wer. . .The Berlin May struggles Consti­ fied than the campaign carried on by the York cafeterias, and at that, with no pre­ No. 5-6, 1930. —ROTE FA H N E, July 16, 1930. tute a turning point in the political de­ • • • • Kuo Min Tern for Chiang Kai-Shek and paration at all? Did the leadership' It is significant to point out the op­ * * * * velopment in Germany.” company. Communists from Mexico and realize that their previous positon was portunist policies of the union during THE SLOGAN OF THE HITLER’S GREATEST DAY —Theses, Wedding Congress, C. P. G., Central America were sent into Sandino’s incorrect? No. Far from it. As we the feverish wave of the strike, with re­ COMMUNIST YOUTH —IN 1930 1929. army, not to act like proletarian rev­ w ill prove, this sudden change was based gard to injunctions. L. Oak, the public­ “Drive the social Fascists out of the A fte r the September 1930 elections: * • * * olutionists, but as aides-de-camp to San­ upon the interests of its faction. ity agent for the strike, reported to the factories, out of the employment bureaus, “Last night was Herr H itler’s ‘greatest ILLUSIONS ABOUT dino. The Lovestone faction was then in the capitalist press that the union defied and out of the trade schools!” day’, but the so-called election victory of DISTINCTIONS Sandino was touted everywhere by the leadership of the party and the union. would continue to defy the injunctions —Jungle Garde, end o f 1929. the Nazis is the beginning of their end.” “On the basis of the social Fascist official Communist apparatus. Like doz­ A party convention was to take place issued by the capitalist courts. The of­ * * * * —Rote Fahne, September 15, 1930. evolution of the lower cadres of the So­ ens of others of the same stripe, he was during that time. Lovestone, in order ficials of the union issued a statement to THE SLOGAN OF THE • * * * cial Democratic Party of Germany, the one of the big leaders and “attractions” to “strengthen” his prestige before the the press, pointing out that the report— YOUNG PIONEERS MORE BUREAUCRATIC illusions of the working class are being in the Hippodromes conducted by W illi convention suddenly “discovered” the that the union would defy injunctions— “Beat the smallest Zoergiebels out of OPTIMISM destroyed in the belief that there is a Muenzenberg for the Comintern. San­ necessity for mass work. Secret meet­ was not the position of the union; that the schools and playgrounds!” “The 14th of September was the high distinction between the leadership of the dino was one of the “revolutionary lead­ ings were immediately arranged by those this was written by the publicity agent —Die Trommel, end o f 1929. SDPG and the lower cadre of function­ point of the National Socialist movement ers in the struggle against imperialism” members of the leading fraction who without the knowledge of the leadership. • * * * in Germany. What comes after this can aries of the SDPG.” at the Congresses and on the directing supported Lovestone. They decided to For this deed the publicity agent was only be decline and fall.” THE “RED” FACTORY —Theses of Wedding Congress, committees of the World League Against sell the union building located at 133 W. removed from his post' This statement —Rote Fahne, September 16, 1930. COUNCILS ON PAPER C. P. G., 1929. Imperialism. At the abominable mas­ 15th St., and declare a general strike in by the union was demanded by the law­ “The Factory Council elections in * * * * querade at Amsterdam recently, where the garment section. On the eve of yer who claimed that it would give him which the Communist Party of Germany FASCISM “AGAIN” AT * FASCISM BROUGHT TO A adventurers, reformists, and pseudo-Com- March 15th, I was informed by a com better grounds in his fight against in­ came forward for the first time in the A STANDSTILL (1931!) S T A N D S T IL L .... IN 1930 munists gathered to “fight against war” rade that such a meeting was to take junctions in the Courts. This demand is, sharpest struggle against reformism as “The party succeeded, by a resolute “No wonder that nil this affects the and “defend the Soviet Union”, Sandino place. When I entered the meeting Bert of course, in accord with a lawyer’s the beater of the united front of the offensive, in bringing the desultory ad­ National Socialist worker elements like was among the most prominent, even Miller was reading the following de­ business. But for a militant organiza­ organized and unorganized, became a vance of National Fascism to a stand­ a Cold douche. They are beginning to though he was absent. Just a few cisions of the D istrict Executive Commit­ tion whose membership defies injunctions triumphal march in the most important s till.” feel that they have gotten enough from weeks before his open capitulation to the tee: the strike was to take place not it is a ruinous and extremely opportun­ industrial fields and large factories. The —Communist Party of Germany, Hugenberg and H itler___On the land, Nicaraguan agents of American imperial­ later than April 4th; preparations were istic course. But this was not accidental labor masses elected countless Red Fac­ Political Bureau decision, particularly where the agricultural pro­ ism, the Amsterdam Committee of Muen­ not necessary; it was sufficient merely for the leadership. It coincided fully tory Councils under the banner of the September 24, 1931. zenberg, Stalin and Co. announced in to place pickets before the cafeterias; with the general line pursued by them struggle against the state power, the em­ letariat found a resolute leader in the • • * • its press releases that General Sandino the needle trade workers w ill not pa­ during that period. ployers and reformism.” Communist party, the advance of the Swastikas has been brought to a stand­ “LET THEM COME TO had been selected to represent Nicaragua tronize them and the bosses w ill thereby — SEBASTIAN PAPPAS. —Wedding Congress, C. P. G. POWER” on the International Committee! be compelled to settle with the union. June 1929. still in recent months.” * * * * — Rote Fahne, M ay 9, 1930. “If they (the Nazis) once come into Like H. G. Wells, Sandino must again No arguments were strong enough to power, the united front of the proletar­ be denounced by the S ta lin is t press as THE “RED” FACTORY (Two days later, the elections took make them change their decision, for, iat w ill be established and sweep every­ a “traitor”. Traitor he is indeed, but COUNCILS IN REALITY place in Gotha (Thuringia) where the as mentioned above the strike was to thing away___They w ill come to grief largely in the sense that he too has “As a result of the defective contacts Nazis topped the Communists, and in­ serve as a weapon for the Lovestonelte* Boston Activities more speedily than any other govern­ served to throw light on the wretched of the Red Factory Councils with the creased their December 1929 vote of in the convention. I immediately appeal­ m ent.” policy pursued by the Comintern which BOSTON — workers of their factory, it was possible 5,193 to 6,136.) ed to the Central Executive Committee • * * » —Remmele in Reichstag, Rote Fahne, leads the proletariat from one surprise On January 13 comrade A. Konikov to eliminate a number of Red Factory against the District E. C. decisions. I October 16, 1931. to another, from defeat to defeat, to con­ Councils without any struggle or protest FASCIST RULE SET pouted out that “no matter how great debated Louis Marcus of the Socialist fusion and demoralization. Sandino’s party on the subject “Socialism versus action of the plants___In many cases, UP....IN 1930 the support of the needle trade workers THE GREAT LEADER * passing tears with it another piece of Communism”. Louis Marcus gives Red Factory Councils did not stand their “The well-fed fakers, the accursed it is entirely incorrect to declare a SPEAKS.... the veil that still covers the nudity of courses at the S. P. headquarters and is ground and capitulated before the sharp­ secretaries and functionaries of the so­ strike without the strikers. Such a de­ the Stalinist faction. considered the local theoretician of the ened pressure of the common enemy: em­ cial Fascist party apparatus, want the “The fact that, for example, in our cisions w ill play Into the hands of A. S. P. There were about seventy social­ ployer, reformist bureaucracy and state civil war and a bloodbath which w ill revolutionary trade union work, united F. of L. bureaucracy, who, in order to apparatus. Their work was in no way exceed a ll the preceding sham eful deeds front offers could he made from above cover up their treacherous role of serv­ ists and five sympathizers of the Left Opposition present. Each speaker had distinguished from the policy of the re­ of Noske and Zoergiebel. This is no to district trade union leaderships or International Workers School ing as a scab agency against the strik­ thirty minutes and then the floor was formists, or else they remained in com­ longer the preparation, but the begin­ other instances of the reformist bureau­ ers, w ill claim jurisdiction over this ter­ cracy (Ruhr district), also shows that thrown open to general discussion and plete passivity.” ning of Fascist rule in Germany, set up AMERICAN LABOR LEADERS ritory. In view of this it is urgent to with the bloody hands of the Social Dem­ our principled struggle against the so­ propose a united front with the A. F. questions before a rebuttal of ten min­ —Congress of the Trade Union The Movements and the Men Opposition of the C. P. G', Nov. 1929. ocratic Party.” cial democracy was not conducted re­ of L. unions. Particularly at this time utes by the speakers. The discussion * • • • — ROTE F A H N E , January 17, 193(). solutely enough to make such mistakes A Series of 8 Popular Lectures on when the masses are in revolt against period showed that comrade Konikov had * * * * American Labor History and Its done a good job. The younger workers MUENZENBERG ON THE impossible.” their officials. By their refusal we w ill, Outstanding Personalities particularly had it in for the socialist UNITED FRONT LATER, HEINZ NEUMANN WAS —Thaebnaim, Die Internationale, to a large extent, be able to prevent them speaker. After the meeting some of “A bloc, or even an alliance, or even THE SCAPEGOAT No. 11-12, 1931. by from playing the role of scab agents « • * • these young militants invited comrade a temporary joint operation in individ­ “Today the slogan of the people’s rev­ JAMES P. CANNON during the strike.” (I am reminded that ual actions between the Communist olution is a central, comprehensive pro­ VON PAPEN IS ALSO during this period, A. F. of L. locals No. Konikov to go w ith them fo r Coffee and there they discussed their problems with party and the Social Democratic party paganda slogan, the main strategical FASCISM.... Single Lectures—15 Cents 1 and 719 issued leaflets urging cafeteria her very frankly. in Germany against National Socialism, goal to which we are leading the masses “Before all, we must make it clear to One Dollar for the Course. workers to join the union.) would forever discredit the Communist along the line of our social and national the social democratic workers that what SUNDAY 8 P. M. Comrade Foster, to whom I also gave The debate was a huge success from party among the broad masses of the emancipation program.” we have today is the Fascist dictator­ 126 East 16th Street a copy of my appeal, told me that my our point of view. Each sympathizer of workers, toiling peasants and middle —Ernst Thaelmann, January 1931 s h ip __ The same holds for the illusion position was correct, bnt that at the pre­ the Left Opposition became a center of that the S. D. P. G. or the General Ger­ sent time, due to the situation in the strata, and draw it into decline.” “The slogan of the people’s revolu­ T H E MILITANT a group of S. P. members after the meet­ —W illi Muenzenberg, tion was a correct slogan and remains man Trade Union Alliance ar'e also or­ party, it was impossible to change the ing. They wanted to know more about February 1, 1932. a necessary slogan.” ganizations of the anti-Fascist struggle. Entered as second class mail matter decisions of the District E. C. in any the Opposition. Many Militants were • * * • —Thaelmann, Central Committee Whoever would aim to build on the idea November 28, 1928, a t the Post Office a t way. sold and given away. The big bugs of New York, N. Y. Under the act of A THOUSAND TIMES Plenum, F ebruary 1932. that by ‘appeals’ to the SDPG or other On M arch 18, the firs t lea flet was is­ the S. P. were conspicuous by th e ir ab­ LESSER EVIL * * • * reformist organizations, a struggle M arch 3, 1879. sued to the cafeteria workers, calling sence, apparently not approving o f th is “A social democratic coalition gov­ WHO WAS GUILTY OF would come about, would disarm the pro­ Published weekly by the Communist them out on strike. Eighteen days later, debate. However, the younger element ernment, confronted with a non-combat- UNDERESTIMATION? le ta ria t.” League of America (Opposition) on April 14, the general strike was de­ wants another debate and th is has been tive split-up, confused proletariat would “We assert it openly: For a long time —Rote Fahne, J u ly 26, 1932 a t 126 East 16th S t, N. Y . clared in the garment center. As a first arranged for Thursday, February 2, at be a thousand times greater evil than we underestimated the danger of the Central Committee Statement. EDITORIAL BOARD step, “pulling committees” composed of 8 P. M. at 6 Byron St. Glen Trimble • • • * an open Fascist dictatorship, against National Socialist movement. It is high Martin Abern James P. Cannon party members and sympathizers were w ill represent the Socialist position. which would appear a class conscious time to catch up, to exterminate the DIVERTING ATTENTION Max Shachtman Maurice Spector organized. The duties of these commit­ proletariat, resolved upon struggle, uni­ weaknesses and to conclude the real fight­ FROM REAL FASCISM Arne Swabeck tee were to pull the workers from their On January 22, comrade W. Konikov ted in |ts mass.” ing proletarian united front against “The Fascist overturn in Prussia on SATURDAY, FEBRU ARY 11, 1933 jobs while picketing was being organized spoke before the Independent Workmen’s Der Propagandist, September' 1931. Fascism, a front of all workers regard­ July 20 was possible only because the Vol. 6, No. 6 Whole No. 153 in front of the cafeterias. In several Circle, Branch 27 on What the Left Op­ cases w orkers were a ctu a lly forced to position Stands For. Thirty members — i— ‘— —— rr~ —“~~i—rr=f°i leave their jobs. Such actions are justi­ and a few visitors were present. The munist with no other representation. | ness o f the congress are to be sought in fiable, in any case, against strike break­ question period showed that the major­ Confusion M arks Stalinist Policy on Fight They demanded that on this committee its political character. It was separ­ ers, in any strike. But in this instance ity of those present had a clear idea there must be socialists in addition to ated, in spite of everything from the the workers were not even aware that of the Left Opposition and are sympath­ pacifists in order to make a united working class. It was not based upon a strike had been called. In spite of the etic. After the meeting one member dis­ Against War front committee that would consist of reality. There were no worker dele­ lack of preparations for the strike hun­ cussed the possibility of joining the Op­ all three tendencies. In spite ,of the gates to give character to the congress. dreds of workers, driven by the unbear­ position with comrade Konikov. Several (Continued from previous issue) betrayed the proletariat during the war efforts of the leaders o the NSL, the The attempt to transform the political able and slavish conditions in the cafe­ copies of the M ilitant and Kami were We must ask, naturally, if the ini­ be similarly condemned, and they spe­ Party and YCL, all through the pre-con­ nature of the congress toward its close terias, responded to the strike call. sold. tiators of the congress feared presenting cifically named Foster and Cachin. This gress period, to hide and cover up their only brought confusion among the dele­ a Communist position of the question of motion was changed to conform to the Communist color, the NSL in the con­ gates. Those Communist delegates who Although we have described, in previ­ On January 24, comrade W. Konikov war, prior to the congress, and even if proposal and attitude of the Socialists gress was synonymous to Communism in argued so vehemently against the posi­ ous articles in the M ilitant, the heroism spoke in Lynn before the Lynn unem­ it is true that pressure was put on them and carried. Upon the passage of an­ the eyes of the pacifists and socialists, tion of the Opposition had later to de-, displayed by the workers In the 1929 ployed Council on the subject “A Doctor and that a majority of delegates were other motion calling for support of the and they conducted themselves accord­ fend the main political contentions of cafeteria strike, it is not out of place to Looks at Unemployment.” An audience Communists, were they not afraid then Amsterdam Congress in the form of th- ingly. When acceptances were taken up the Opposition against the attacks of repeat that it w ill remain one of the of sixty members were present and ask­ of driving away the pacifists? What American Committee against War, the for the executive committee each dele­ the pacifists and socialists. The con­ greatest struggles In the history of the ed many questions. Many of the com­ was the attitude of the Pacifists and Socialists ceased to participate in the gate was to answer in addition to his gress itself vindicated every criticism labor movement in New York City. rades’ wives were present and after the Socialists? Both saw that the Commun­ congress because, said they, the passage school organization, his political affilia­ that the Opposition made. It was false Though hundreds of workers were ar­ meeting arrangements were made for a ists were the overwhelming majority of of this motion signified accepting the at­ tion. The YCL members of the NSL in to hold such a conference before a rested and jailed, time and again, their lecture by comrade A. Konikov. Credit the congress. The pacifists expressed tacks against the 2nd International con­ accepting on the committee replied: working class movement on a united fighting spirit could not be broken. They for these meetings fust be given to com­ themselves as follows: We want a prac­ tained in the decisions of Amsterdam, member of the NSL; the socialists ans­ front basis existed, to fight on concrete courageously fought the brutal, vicious rade Cooperstein who alone represents the Opposition in Lynn. tical program of work when we get hack which they as Socialists could not ac­ wered: League for Industrial Democracy issues. If such a proletarian organiza­ attacks of the gangsters and the police. to the campus. We are not concerned cept. The discussion was extremely and Socialist. The pacifist answer tion had been in existence, it might have Injunctions issued against them were In our last report we spoke of the So­ with your resolutions since you w ill heated and indicated a split situation. should be clear. Our comrade Geltman been possible to organize a student move­ torn up and thrown in the faces of the cial Science Club (an organization for adopt them, anyway, notwithstanding The split situation became evident up­ In reply declared himself member of the ment that would attach itself to such bosses and the police. Such was the Marxian study which began with a what we say. Go ahead, we w ill wait on the election of an executive commit­ NSL, and Communist. When this roll a workers’ movement. As it is the con­ prevailing spirit among the strikers dur­ course on Elements of Marxian Econom­ for a practical resolution. The Social­ tee to carry through the decisions of the was taken again the YCL members con­ gress remains suspended in mid-air try­ ing the first 5 or 6 weeks of the strike. ics in Novemhber. The first quarterly ists were similarly unconcerned. It is Congress. The Socialists declined to ac­ tinued to hide their identity which was ing to find a place for itself. That the Without the knowledge of the leading meeting of the club was held on Jan. 10. clear1 again, that you cannot play around cept because of the passage of the above- clear to all. On this round comrade congress changed many of its plans is fraction, not to speak of the general About fifty members were present and with the question of program. The pol­ mentioned resolution. The Pacifists Geltman announced that he was a Left true. But the original sin remains. fraction, the officials of the union, to­ Comrade W. Konikov gave a lecture on icy of playing hide and seek with paci­ would not accept unless the Socialists Oppositionist much to the dismay of gether with Lifschltz, Lovestone’s lieut­ “Communism versus Socialism’” Follow­ fists and liberals and socialists is a fatal did. Pleas for unity came from all sides The responsibility for the whole af­ the YCL. enant, who was local secretary of the ing the meeting he was invited to give one and even more fatal is the one of the hall and upon those pleas a fair falls upon the shoulders of the Party T. U. E. L. at the time, settled up some the same lecture for a Yipsel organiza­ to attempt to unite on the basis of YCL member introduced a motion to Thus the congress ended. What did and the YCL. To be more precise upon of the shops where all of the scabs re­ tion in one of the suburbs of Boston. a liquidation of principle which the Com­ rescind the motion upon which the so­ it actually accomplish? It gathered to­ the Communist International under the mained on the job. They also agreed Two classes were organized. One, on the munists came very near doing, com­ cialists broke from the conference. In gether a number of students from vari­ aegis of Stalinist revision of Commun­ upon the ten hour instead of eight hour '"Three Internationals” by comrade A. pletely. As such they maintained a spite of the Opposition of Henderson ous parts of the country to decide upon ist policies. The Party was represented day. This was done in spite of the pro­ Konikov meets in Tremont Temple, Room minimum political correctness as ex­ and a large section of the delegates, holding meetings on the campus to de­ officially by Browder in the form of a mises and guarantees made to the strik­ A, every Tuesday at 8 P. M. Visitors pressed in the main resolution. this motion carried and the Socialists clare against war and militarism, to speech. The YCL was absent, ju s t as ers every evening in the strike halls. In are welcome. Seventeen members have The congress was thrown into a crisis remained and were accepted on the Com­ fight against the ROTC, to propagate it was absent at the New York con­ speeches a t these meetings, they said, enrolled for this course and several vis­ when a member of the YCL introduced m ittee. and agitate against war. It is now al­ ference last summer. The criminal at­ they would not settle with any shop un­ itors have attended the first two meet­ a motion to condemn the betrayal of the An amusing incident took place which most a month since the congress end­ tempt made to hide the face of Commun­ t i l all the demands were met. The clande­ ings. The other course is a repetition 2nd International during the war. The indicated just how the Socialists and ed. For all practical purposes the ism resulted in confusion and error. The stine settlement of Lifschitz and Co. was of Elements of Marxian Economics, this Socialist delegation quite sharply object­ pacifists were actually fooled by the congress might not have existed. The future of the committee elected by the enough to demoralize even the most m ili­ time given by comrade W. Konikov. Ten ed and stated that they would leave the character of the congress. The pacifists ripples caused by it, have like those congress is dubious. What shall be its tant strikers. members are taking this course which declared that all tendencies must be re­ of Amsterdam, settled into a dead calm. mission? How will it carry through congress if this resolution carried. They A few days later the majority of the inculdes a careful study of the first vol­ were not opposed to condemning those presented on the Committee. If only The criticisms that we made prior to the struggle against war? Under the striking workers left the organization in ume of Marx’s “Capital”. This course leaders of the 2nd International who be­ NSL members were on the Committee the congress, and at the congress through circumstances it can do nothing but dis­ deep disgust. This event marked a deci­ the speeches of our comrades remain cor­ solve of itself. meets every Tuesday at 8:30 P. M. at trayed the working class during the with pacifists, that would mean that sive turn in the strike. Following that, 11 Keswick St. war, but insisted that all those who the committee would be primarily Com­ rect and real to this day. The weak- —ALBERT GLOTZER. only paid workers, with the exception of — 0. Ss SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1 9 0 3 F A 6 S 4 T H E MILITANT

concrete needs of the moment? Very simply. They made a complete right­ about-face on everything. And they did Germany: W h y Is the Comintern Silent Opposition at Gillespie this without previous announcement or warning in the Party press, without any (Continued from page 1) Communists, Socialists and is in a position to crush the working League’s Views Triumph at Progressive Miners Conference acknowledgment of previous error; and tom orrows. S ignificant fa c t: in 1931, the class completely, is not a leader of the they even kept, or tried to keep, straight working class but an impostor who tral.'—you w ill look in vain for a cate­ Communist party criminally supported Fascists in Civil W a r (Continued from page 1) faces through this bizarre performance. should be kicked into the obscurity where goric answer in their publication be­ the Fascist popular referendum to dis­ •ance, trade union democracy, abolition In the conference there were not a few fore the event. And it is on just such solve the Prussian Diet, with its Social­ lie belongs. of high wages for officials, class-struggle conscious militants who follow all devel­ also a Socialist Deputy in the Prussian questions that clear and categoric ans­ ist-Centrist government, thus alienating Can Fascism still be smashed? Yes. policies, relentless figbt against labor opments closely and take careful note of Diet and the father of a family, was shot wers are required. The comment of the the socialist workers from Communism It should and could have been smashed lasers—all of these and similar demands, what each group and tendency stands from behind while opening his garden Labor Age implies a certain support for and raising the prestige and strength of months ago, before Hitler' became Chan­ which are becoming the fighting pro­ for. But even these seasoned people, gale. He dies in a hospital-----In Dussel- the idea of a new federation of labor to Fascism. Our violent condemnation of cellor. Invaluable, irreplaceable time has gram o f insurgent w orkers in every sec­ who were glad enough to see the old dorf eight men were injured during already been lost, but it is not yet too tion of the labor movement in all parts be formed at the Gillespie Conference. the policy of the so-called Red Referen­ ruinous policies discarded bag and bag­ dum was met with the customary Stalin­ clashes in various parts of the city, after late. Once organized into a powerful, of the country, found their place also But the door is left open to face the gage, regarded the spectacle with a cer­ ist abuse: the Trotskyists are agents of four busloads of Nazis had been shot at united army, the million-headed German in the program of the Gillespie Confer­ other way, if things go wrong and the tain amount of amusement and incredul­ Braun and Brueuing. In 1933, the same from windows. Munich, Leipzig and proletariat can sweep the Fascist scum ence. In this fact is to be seen the best miners involve themselves in a serious ity, as one watches a circus performer Prussian Diet is finally dissolved by the Danzig also reported bloodshed....” out of power and into oblivion. But this basis for the eventual fusion of the mistake. In this attitude the Musteites going through flip-flops and wonders how Fascists, not by referendum but by dic­ The civil war has started, but only demands struggle, and united struggle, Illinois movement with similar move­ ran true to form. In all their dabbling he does it. tatorial decree. What position do the started. The first bloody skirmishes al­ and whoever stands in the way is giv­ ments in other parts of the country into with the Illinois miners situation, they Stalinists take? If their policy in 1931 ready show what form it w ill take when ing aid to Hitlerism. a single national formation. For various have never failed to show this policy of If the party stands for the formation was good Bolshevism, and not a crimin­ it extends to the far vaster scale it reasons this necessary unification of half-wayness by which they blunt the of a new labor movement, and if the The Socialist Leaders al adventure, it would be logical that must take on before the question: Fasc­ the scattered insurgent elements on a sharp edge of all the issues and muddle TUUL is in fact the new labor center, Do the social democratic leaders want th is policy be crowned in 1933 by a ism or Bolshevism, is definitely decided. national scale remains to be realized. An up the progressive movement from with­ as they have maintained since 1929, then to fight? Yes, if they could be guaran­ vote in the Diet to dissolve it. But they The realities of the class struggle explode organization, or a group of organiza­ in. It is in the highest degree thanks to why not urge the Gillespie Conference teed that the masses, once set into real acted in exactly the opposite way: the the theories and practises of the Stalin­ tions, with sufficient stability and in­ them that the Farrington-Howat betray­ to join the TUUL? That is certainly a motion, w ill stop where the leaders want Communist fraction voted together with ists every day. If the theory of "social fluence to attract the other scattered al was put over on the miners and the logical conclusion—if the policy was a them to—i. e., at another socialist or the social democrats and the Catholic Fascism” was regarded with contempt movements around it is one of the ele­ liberation movement against the Lewis correct one. But the Stalinists delegates coalition ministry, let us say—and not Center against the dissolution of the and outraged feelings by the Italian so­ ments s till lacking for this national con­ bureaucracy was so long arrested and did not even mention the TUUL. More go further along the road to proletarian D ie t! cialist worker who remembered bis centration. The Gillespie conference and disoriented. Let the Illinois miners who than that, they appeared there as the power—the logical goal of such a mass Matteottis, it is now being cut to pieces the forces represented in it could not retain some confidence in these pseudo- most vociferous opponents of any idea of Three: The most drastic decree yet movement. But there is no such guaran­ by the Hitlerite knives sunk into the yet serve this purpose. It could only con­ progressives, after all their experience, the formation of a new general labor' issued has been put into effect by von tee, and the socialist leaders, well aware bodies of socialist workers in Germany. tribute to the process. But the dynamic ask themselves why the CPLA did not movement at the present time. They re­ llindenburg on the control of the press of it, x»refer to restrain, hold back, check, take a clear position and warn them peated a ll the arguments which the Left and public meetings. Any public meet­ The murder of Mayor Hasten, the killing soothe and give false consolation to the potentialities of a great role are there. of dozens of other socialist proletarians The developments of the Progressive against premature and dangerous experi­ Opposition has been making on this ings, for which 48 hours advance notice masses who follow them. When the and militants, these give also a death­ Miners in Illinois in the coming months ments with a new federation of labor. question, the arguments which up till must be given in any case, may be for­ Diet is dissolved in Prussia, the social By what right can they claim to be lead­ yesterday had been denounced as coun­ bidden “when danger to the public sec­ blow in concrete to the theoretically un­ democracy does not call upon the work­ may have a decisive bearing, not only the tenable slogan of “soeial-Fascism”. What mining situation but also upon the whole ers if they can’t answer such questions, ter-revolutionary. They went further urity is to be apprehended”. Are the ers to rise in protest, to act as a class. socialist worker, and what intelligent Left wing and progressive labor move­ and answer them at the right time? than that. In their disorderly retreat Nazis a danger to the public security? No, these contemptible Prussian dem­ Of course not! But the Communists and Communist worker w ill still believe that ocrats run to the Supreme Court at ment of the entire country. The Stalinist Position from the discredited policy of yesterday, the socialists manifestly are, above all Hasten and other martyrs to Fascism in Leipzig to complain about Hindenburg’s The Progressive Miners Organization they arrived at such a conservative posi­ The position of the Stalinist delegates tion, they argued so passionately against and prim arily the former, against whom Germany were murdered because they unconstitutional action! The importance and significance of in the Gillespie Conference was indeed represented the “moderate wing of Fasc­ the danger of premature splits in the A. the decree is particularly aimed. Meet­ But the Communists? You read the the Giliespie conference derives primar­ a spectacle for gods and men. A half is m ’ ? F. of L. unions, that they found them­ ings and demonstrations may be dis­ Daily Worker in vain for an elucidation ily from the participation of the Pro­ a dozen or so delegates from TUUL selves a number of times in alliance solved for any one of a dozen reasons, More than that: the consoling theory of the strategy and tactics of the German gressive Miners of America. Not only groups in Chicago came to the Gillespie with the extreme Right wing of the con­ which means they may be dissolved (i. e., is being sedulously spread in whispers Communist Party in the present situa­ from the top but also from the bottom, Conference and gave the miners another ference, with those who wanted only to violently dispersed) without any reason in the ranks of the Communist party tion. There are whole days when the from the local unions, the fighting Ill­ occasion to scratch their heads in won­ let well enough alone and take no at all being given. Any paper may be that, after all, it makes no difference to Daily Worker simply doesn’t mention inois miners came to rub shoulders with derment at this queer melange of con­ further progressive steps of any kind. confiscated or suppressed for “inviting the proletariat whether it be Bruening the German situation, for what does it the delegatee of other trades and take tradiction and inconsistency, this com­ disobedience of the government or its in­ or von Papen or von Schleicher or H itler amount to when compared with a meet­ counsel with them. Here is a heartening bination of adventurous leaps and pan­ If the National Miners Union is the struments, for inviting or glorifing vio­ who is in power. F or, you see, they a ll ing of the Independent Barber's’ Union sign, one of many signs, that the P. M. icky retreats, which goes by the name of only organization of the progressive min­ lence, for proposing a general strike or represent oue and the same class, the of Greater New York? And when i t does A. stands higher and sees fa rth e r than the trade union policy of Stalinism. The ers, and if the PMA is only an imita­ a strike in some vitally necessary in­ bourgeoisie! This is a theory of co­ refer to Germany, it contains badly re­ the previous district formation of insur­ conduct of the Stalinist delegates at the tion of the Lewis union—as was main­ dustry, for defending or holding up to wards, criminals or confirmed idiots. written accounts from the capitalist gent miners. Still going through its conference was indeed a humiliating con­ tained up till yesterday—then the Gil­ contempt the organs or institutions or How many p a rty members have been press, or else cables from the Interna­ own first birth pangs a« a union, the fession of bankruptcy, and a complete lespie conference should have been made leading officials of the government,” etc., taken in by this, by your leave, theory, tional Press Correspondence which are P. M. A. already looks beyond the bor­ repudiation of everything that have done a forum for the advancement of this etc. For second offenses, papers may be cannot be estimated. Scores of them, a disgrace to the Communist movement? ders of its own industry and seeks a lli­ on the trade union field in the disastrous idea. But this policy had likewise gone suspended for from six to twelve months! however, have voiced it. We cannot con­ What is the line of policy of the German ance with the workers of other trades. years of the “third period”. to pieces on the rocks of reality. So... Even public collections for party pur­ ceive of a more signal service rendered Communist? What are they doing? What And the participation of the rank and the National Miners Union was not men­ If the trade union policy of a political poses “ may be restricte d or forbidden” . to reaction than this theory. It is cal­ do they plan to do? What has happen­ file, through delegates from the local tioned by a single word. It is by such group is any good it should reveal its In a word, the activities by word or culated to excuse the impotence of the ed with the call issued on the morrow unions, shows very clearly, the genuine contradictions and zig-zags that the strength precisely on such an occasion deed of any militant working class or­ Stalinists during the past period of the of Hitler’s appointment for a national mass impulse behind the movement. Stalinists have succeeded in discrediting as the Gillespie Conference where work­ ganization, of the Communist party in struggle, and also to justify the wretch­ general strike? About all of these vital But if the domination of the confer­ the Communist party in the Illinois coal ers’ organizations are seeking an ans­ particular, are carefully circumscribed to ed passivity and bewilderedness of the questions, not one single word in the ence by the Progressive Miners was the field and facilitating the revival of the wer to new questions. Isn’t that a fair the point where it is forced into a party chieftains in face of the crisis. columns of the Daily Worker. strength of the conference, then, in an­ socialist organization. straitjacket. Is Fascism Different? Here you have the German situation other sense of the word, it was also its test? The Left Opposition thought so, and that is why its representatives at As is known, the Rote Faline, organ Is Fascism “different” from the “dem­ poised on the tip of a needle. The way weakness. The other delegations came The Left Oppositionists who, by a con­ the conference expounded there its trade of the Communist party, together with ocratic” forms of bourgeois government? it falls w ill decide for the next period from the small local craft unions and sistently correct policy over a period of union policy, not in a new edition but in several other party organs, has already Is it possible that a serious worker the fate of all Europe, and consequently central bodies in the Illinois mining years, and by a loyal participation in the old one. N othing th a t we said or' been hit hard by suppression and con­ can even entertain such a question in ot the world revolution. The central towns, and from Left wing groups which the struggles, have gained a certain in­ did there stood in contradiction to the fiscation. The central organ of the so­ the year 1933? Yes, both are the rule organ of the American Communist Party are still in the stage of propaganda ra­ fluence and prestige in the progressive standpoint we have taken in the whole cial democrats, Vorwoerts, as well as of the bourgeoisie. One by “democratic” deals with the whole situation as though ther than stable union organization. miners movement of Illinois, have great other socialist papers, have met with a means, by deception, by illusions, by it were reporting a local strike of third- Such a combination can and should work course of the development of the pro­ and unique tasks before them. They gressive labor movement in recent years. similar fate. The central headquarters “peaceful persuasion”. The other, how­ rale significance! out a common program of agitation. But have to lift up the banner of Commun­ of the Communist party in Berlin have ever, throws off all pretense and toler­ We are quite willing for the militant ism which has been trampled in the mire But let not the Daily Worker be made on such a basic there can be no serious already been raided. Meetings of work­ ates none of the bourgeois or proletarian miners to judge the trade union policy and make the miners understand that the tlie scapegoat for' the Comintern. For talk of a new labor federation. ers are being forbidden or dispersed by democratic forms or institutions. Is the of the Left Opposition not only in the monstrous blunders and crimes of the it is the Comintern, we repeat, that is The prospects of the new union repre­ force. The same measures employed by suppression of the socialist press only a light of what we said at the conference recent years are not an expression of responsible for the unprecedented silence sented at Gillespie are the prospects, Mussolini on the road to establishing the little accidental joke of Hitler? Is the but also in the light of what we said Communism but of the Stalinist perver­ concerning the German events. Why? first and foremost, of the Progressive black shirts in power, are being started murdering of several socialist workers before the conference. sion of it. In view of the annihilation Wliy is no explanation given to the Com­ Miners of America. If this new union with a vengeance by the H itler bandits merely a regrettable mistake of the of the Party organization in southern munist workers about this silence? What survives the test of fire in the coming' The Stalinists came to the conference in Germany today. Fascists, or perhaps a Machiavellian Illinois, they are obliged to fu lfill the is the position of the responsible leader­ months, and consolidates its organization under a heavy handicap. The best m ili­ The civil war has started in all earn­ plot to disprove the Stalinist theory of natural functions of the party; to con­ ship of the Communist International on more firmly in the struggle against the tants in the miners’ organization were est. We take some excerpts from a sin­ “social Fascism”? Has the history of duct the direct struggle against the re­ the decisive events which are unfolding operators and the UMWA, it w ill by that antagonistic to them, and for good rea­ gle issue of the New York Times (Feb­ Italian Fascism been forgotten already? in Germany? What horrible calamity is fact lay a big section of the foundations sons. The Stalinists fought the opposi­ formist elements for the decisive influ­ ru a ry 6, 1933) :: ence in the movement. They have to Have we already forgotten these grue­ Stalinism preparing for the international of the new unionism. If the PMA goes tion movement in the UMWA which laid “At midnight tonight reports from all take upon themselves directly the initia­ some photographs, printed in their time proletariat? down in the fight and loses its organiza­ the ground for the formation of the P. over the country give this additional re­ tive and the leading role in the organi­ in every labor paper, of workers mass­ Plain words! That is what we de­ tion base the new union movement w ill M. A. They fought the PMA which re­ cord—undoubtedly incomplete for' the zation of a strong Left wing which w ill acred in Italian streets, of newspaper mand. receive the heaviest blow. presented a mass movement and set up day—of the evil results of the violence steer the new movement firmly on the offices wrecked, of labor temples demol­ Speak up now! Not after the event, In other articles the specific tasks and against it the National Miner's Union attending these demonstrations. In path of a class struggle policy. The de­ ished, of every single institution and not as a sermon for the dead, but as a problems of the PMA, and its prospects which did not exist in Illinois. They Chemnitz, in a clash between socialists stiny of the Progressive Miners move­ organization of the working class —re­ battle cry and a line of march for the for expansion into a wider' field w ill be set the TUUL up as a new labor center and Nazis, one socialist was killed and liv in g . ment of Illinois depends on this. And, formist or revolutionary—destroyed with considered. In our opinion the Pro­ in 1929 and since that time have been twelve wounded, five perhaps fatally. At conversely, the chances of an early re­ bestial ferocity? Of the trade unions For' the real, Leninist united front! gressive Miners’ movement in Illinois oc­ characterizing all unions that did not Wetzlar twenty were wounded in a sim­ smashed and the political parties driven For a bloc between the Communist party, affiliate with it as “company unions”. If vival of the Communist movement and ilar disturbance. At Bochum, in a con­ cupies at the present movement the key organization among the miners, under underground and their leaders impris­ the Social Democracy, the Trade Unions, position in the unfoldment of a new these policies had been confirmed as flict between Nazis and Communists, a the direct leadership of the Left Opposi­ oned and exiled and banished? the Red Front Fighters, and the Reichs­ progressive sweep in the labor' movement correct by the development of the move­ Nazi leader was killed and there were tion, depends upon the complete identity Whoever even hints to the working banner, to march separately but to on a national scale. For that reason it ment itself, the Gillespie Conference was thirty-one arrests. In Munich, in a of its own interests with the fundamental class that there is no real difference be­ strike unitedly, to bring the iron fist deserves the closes attention of a ll those just the place to defend them and to Nazi-Communist clash, three Nazis, a interests of the miners’ movement. The tween the “democratic” rule of the bour­ of the German proletariat down upon elements and tendencies which strive, or make further proposals along the same Communist, two policemen and a Reichs- Letf Oppositionists at the Gillespie con­ geoisie and the Fascist rule by torch and the skull of the Fascist beast! pretend to strive, in one way or another, lines. But there was the rub. The pol­ banner man were wounded. In Stettin, sword, that it is a matter of indifference Proletarian Communists, militants, icies had been completely discredited in ference were animated by this funda­ in a row between Nazi storm troopers to break the labor movement out of the mental conception and made it the start­ to the proletariat, is playing the game workers! The decisive word lies with paralyzing grip of the A. F. of L. bu­ life and did not in any way fit the and socialist Reichsbanner men, a Nazi to the best interests of Fascism! Who­ you now. Speak up so that the whole problem of the hour. ing point of new plans and new en­ was badly wounded---- Joachin Matthes, reaucrats. And by the same token the deavors. Great things can follow. ever does not shout out loud to the work­ movement may hear and act—before the worth of these various tendencies in the How did the Stalinist delegates get 17 years old, was held tonight in Stass- ers of all groups and organizations that whole movement has been drowned in field of trade unionism can be judged out of this contradiction between the furt on a charge of murdering Mayor they must immediately form a powerful its own blood. whole policy of the recent years and the —JAMES P. CANNON. most concretely by their attitude toward Hermann Hasten. The Mayor, who was united front to crush Fascism before it Wed., Feb. 8. _M. S. the activities and problems of the PMA, rww ww and especially by the answers they give ^ ^ ^ w w W 'w w W w * y y y y y y w w W W W V W W W W W * ? * ? to the questions which haven’t been ans­ broad organization to include within it peasants parties, Labor party, anti-im­ it is not for us to aid in the creation of wered yet. Shall the Revolutionary Students Be not only young workers, but also the perialist Leagues, etc., etc., they only organizations of the petty bourgeoisie of From this point of view it is interest­ revolutionary-inclined students. The further undermine the theoretical foun­ various descriptions. Bigger and more ing to note the position taken on the Organized Into Separate Movements Communist Youth organization does not dations of Marxism, and particularly the important tasks remain for the Com­ Gillespie Conference by the various poli­ demand that young workers or students role of the C. P. and YCL. The NSL, munists. Wherever any organization ex­ tical groups. The Socialists, the CPLA, (Continued from last Issue) ary student participating in such a con­ who desire to join it, shall be full-fledged in our opinion, is but another version ists, however, which contains workers Communists when they make application. or application of Stalinist theory, and the Lovestoneites, the Stalinists and the DISCUSSION ARTICLE ference doing his duty in attempting to and other elements upon whom we can Left Opposition—all of them reacted to lead this struggle against capitalist war? It requires, and properly so, that those as in the other cases i t results only in exert influence, the Communists enter, the Gillespie Conference. But the only If there is any instance where only He thought so. B u t he was doomed to joining it shall be willing to learn to additional blows delivered against the build fractions and conduct their work group that gave a clear and definite ans­ the Communists can lead effectively and failure. Yet subordinate to, and a part be Communis!s, in theory and through revolutionary movement. The Barbusse accordingly. But certainly Communists wer beforehand, and had its position correctly, it is in the struggle against of the YCL, the revolutionary students participation in the struggles of the Conference and the American replicas can never think of relinquishing the role confirmed to the letter by the experience capitalist militarism and imperialist war. could take a part, howsoever small or workers. We speak here not of the cari­ of it are the demonstrations of how of leadership, politically or organization­ of the conference itself, was the Com­ Yet, witness the spectacle at the Bar- large, in a united front movement against cature that the YCL in the United these blows are dealt. ally, to such elements; for they are his­ munist Left Opposition. busse Congress at Amsterdam when the war on specific issues. States, and elsewhere, has become, but But while the Left Opposition, hence, torically unqualified to do so; they can­ That wing of the S. P. which trails Communist International abandoned its of the foundation upon which the Young must stand opposed to the formation of not serve, with their confused and false along with the Progressive Miners, and rightful role of leadership to the intel­ On other questions, the NSL has taken Communist International was erected independent students’ organizations, and a position which on the one hand is programs, the interests of the working fattens itself parasitically on the blun­ lectuals ! Comment here is superfluous; and the manner the YCLs were expect­ more so when they masquerade as “rev­ class and the vast mass of exploited. ders and crimes of the leadership of the the Militant has dealt fully with correct and on the other, false. For in­ ed actually to function. For such stu­ olutionary” or “Communist”, this by no stance, the “revolutionary” NSL endors Trotsky points out in connection with official Communist party, had nothing to this Congress and at the Student Con­ dents who join the NSL today because means excludes work among the stu­ the building of the Red Arm y: “The petty say, and no advice to offer, about the ference Agginst War at Chicago, ini­ ed the Communist party in the Novem­ of its revolutionary program, we have to dents. In whatever students’ organiza­ ber elections: a correct action. But it bourgeois intelligentsia could give the project of a new federation of labor be­ tiated by the NSL and the Communists, say that their place is directly in the tions exist, the Communist must army a considerable number of lower fore the conference. As with the forma­ the Amsterdam spectacle was repeated motivated its support of the C. P., not ranks of the Communist youth organiza­ build fractions, even as they do in trade on revolutionary class grounds, but on officers, as they had done under czarism, tion of the PMA itself, these parasites in an even more grotesque manner. The tio n . unions and other mass organizations of the fact that the C. P., of all political but they could not create a commanding w a it to see w hat luck the m iners have YCL abandoned Its field and the results It is a totally false conception of bridge the workers, and there seek to develop parties consulted, had alone taken a stand corps in their own image, for they had with their ventures. If a given under­ of the Chicago Conference were—con­ organizations and their functions to ac­ Communist influence and win the in­ no image of their own.” Likewise, by for the students on their specific pro-' taking fails they wash their' hands of fusion, disorganization, perversion and cept the formation of an independent dividual students to the revolutionary blems of class fees, etc. How ridiculous analogy, the Communists nowhere must it; if it succeeds and sweeps a mass misrepresentation of the revolutionary students’ organization as a part of that banner and organization. Even as anti­ for an organization presumably pivoting concede leading historical roles to forces movement with it, they trail along and ways and means to combat imperialist schema. An ILD, which defends class imperialist papers can be issued by the on a revolutionary axis! Why should incapable of “creating a commanding exploit it. And all the time they main­ war except as clarified by delegates and war victims irrespective of their political Communist without special anti-im­ any such confusion arise among revolu­ corps.” Wherever Stalinism has permit­ tain a solidarity within one party with supporters of the Communist Left Op­ or economic views, is one thing. An in­ perialist organizations, so can Commun­ tionary students? It shouldn’t; the con­ ted them—and, worse, justified it—there the Hillquits who support Lewis and all position. (See the articles on the Chi­ dependent students’ body with a political ist student papers be issued to proclaim fusion Is unnecessary and springs largely have resulted debacles: in China on a the other black reactionaries. cago Student Conference in the M ilitant program and functions is an altogether its cause for the workers and proletar­ from the concept of an independent stu­ tremendous world stage; in Amsterdam The CPLA, which recommends itself by Aderhabe and A. Glotzer for an an­ different matter. An ILD has an obvi­ ian students. dent role and the belief that revolution­ (Barbusse Congress) on a lesser, but as the center and leader of the progres­ alysis of this Conference). It was In­ ously legitimate function to perform. An Win Students on Communist Basis ary students should put forth more still important scale; and in Chicago sive labor movement, also showed the evitable there, as at Amsterdam or where- independent students’ organization can, Nor need there be any neglect of neu­ “palatable” or “adaptable” reasons for (Youth War Conference) on an illusion- quality of its leadership in the matter ever the same stunt is tried, that when and already has done great harm to the tralizing or trying to win as allies to ary and comic scale. their revolutionary conclusions. This is of the Gillespie Conference. The recent the intellectuals or students took over immediate and historical interests of the the proletarian cause the middle class the manner in which liberals and oppor­ In short, the Left Communists must issue of the Labor Age printed the call the leadership in the anti-m ilitarist move­ workers. That which tends to and does or petty bourgeois students, in the same come to the conclusion, in the writer’s ment, the real basis of struggle against tunists justify their stupidities or be­ usurp the role of a revolutionary poli­ manner', relatively, as we seek to make for the Gillespie Conference, with its trayals. opinion, for the liquidation of the Na­ announced intention of “formulating a war was vitiated and the workers mis­ tic a l p a rty o r YC L becomes a perversion allies of the poor and exploited fanners. tional Student League and sim ilar crea­ new federation of labor”, without saying led. The C. P. and YCL stood in the Yet, and this is another decisive fac- of Marxist theory on the role of a Com­ But while we recognize the need to win tions, and insist that the Communist definitely what it thought about the pro- wings, behind the scenes, w itnessing, i tor, the Young Communist League, mea- munist party. When the Stalinlsta aid such groups to aocept the leadership of party and YCL take over the duties and jeot. Were the Musteltes in favor of approvingly, the spectacle end abandoned ! sured by Its theoretical and organlea- in the formation of such bodies as the the proletariat and the Communists in role that properly belongs to them. j tional basis, is or should be a sufficiently National Student League, workers and the proposal? Or against it? Or neu­ their leading role. Was the revolution­ the struggles against the bourgeoisie, yet I —M A R T IN ABERN.