LEW J,S A ND THE DEFEATIST CONSPIRACY . EARL BROW DER W ILLIAM , Z. 1 FOSTER

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philosophic philosophic fundamental fundamental ace ace there there Axi•, Axi•, the the againd againd conflict conflict great great this this "In "In VOL. XXII, NO. 5 JUNE, 1943 THE COMMUNIST A MAGAZINE OF THE THEORY AND PRACTICE OF MARXISM.LJ!:NINISM EDITOR: EARL BROFDER

CONTENTS The Strike Wave Conspiracy . Earl Browder 483

The Victory in Africa . . . Eugene Dennis 495

The Crisis in Fascist Upper Circles in Italy M. Ercoli 505

The Provocation of the Polish Reactionaries Hans Berger 513

The Strike of the Coal Miners . . . . . William Z. Foster 527

Lessons of the Party Building Campaign and the Next Tasks . . . . John Williamson 539

A Year of American Slav Unity A. Landy 552

On the 73rd Anniversary of Lenin's Birth L. Yudin 562

"One World"-Wendell Willkie's Challeng- ing Book ...... Joseph North . 564

Historic Documents 572

EmereEl. as second el4u matter NO'Vember 2, 1927, at the Post Office a.t New YOTk, N. Y., under the Act of March 3, 1879. THE COMMTJNIST is publi.thed .Mcmthly by WOTkeT's Library Publishers, Inc., at 832 Broadway, New YOTk, N. Y. (mail address, P. 0. Box 148, Station D), to whom sub­ scription&, palf'll\(mts and corresp

Policy for Victory • • $.15 By Earl Browder

Soviet Trade Unions and Allied Labor Unity . .05 By William Z. Foster

Behind the Polish-Soviet Break • .03 By Alter Brody With an introduction by Corliss Lamont

Thomas Jefferson: Selections From His Writings • .25 With an introduction by Dr. Philip Foner

The Heritage of Jefferson • .I 0 by Claude G. Bowers, Earl Browder and Francis Franklin

Karl Marx: His Life and Work • .15 Reminiscences by Paul Lafargue and Wilhelm Liebknecht

Battle for America-1776-1861-1941 .15 By A. B. Magil

Is Communism a Menace? . .I 0 Earl Browder-George Sokolsky Debate • WORKERS LIBRARY PUBLISHERS P. 0. Box 148, Station D (832 Broadway), New York, N. Y. THE STRIKE WAVE CONSPIRACY*

BY EARL BROWDER

HE present moment is charac­ aware of this and are frantically T terized by the turn in the war in trying to avert disaster by mobiliz­ which the ultimate defeat of the ing all their resources and calling Axis has been written in large up their reserves. Hitler has already letters for the whole world to see. mobilized all of his fighting forces The brilliant completion of the in Germany and is now combing the North African campaign with the war factories for able-bodied men, occupation of Bizerte and Tunis by replacing them with slave labor the British, American and French from the occupied countries. At the soldiers, and the rapid mopping up same time he has called upon his afterwards which netted 175,000 fifth column in the United States to Axis prisoners, are a sign of the ·go into action. The military record times. ever many months has gone steadily The North African campaign, so and inexorably against Hitler, but he well completed, and the rising tide has still been able to register sur­ of British and American air raids on prising strength · on the diplomatic Nazi munitions and communication and fifth-column front, especially centers, have merged with the vic­ in this country. tories of the Red Army on the Eastern Front--victories on a scale The Alter-Ehrlich Conspiracy unprecedented in military history­ The first open break in the United to create the preconditions for Nations was registered in the breaking the backbone of Hit­ provocations of the Polish govern­ lerism in 1943. The decisive phase ment-in-exile which joined Berlin's of the war has arrived; the road to propaganda against the Soviet victory lies straight ahead and Union, compelling the Soviet Gov­ needs only the immediate and full ernment to suspend diplomatic re­ development of coalition warfare, lations with the Sikorski govern­ unmoved by military or political diversions, to crush Hitler in the ment. A New York Herald Tribune correspondent in London cabled iron ring of a two-front war. to his paper a day or two Hitler and his associates are fully after the break in diplomatic relations the opinion expressed in * This article is based on a speech delivered at Manhattan Center, New York, May 14, 1943. conservative circles in London, that 483 484 THE STRIKE WAVE CONSPIRACY the Sikorski government would to strike Hitler this year and finish never have dared to join in Goeb­ him. bels' provocation about the missing These conspirators had powerful Polish officers had it not been for press organs in their hands for this the fact that they had been encou­ purpose. They not only had the col­ raged to expect United States sup­ laboration of a large section of the port in such a position by the suc­ capitalist daily press. Through the cess that had attended the campaign presence of members of this anti­ in the American labor movement Soviet conspiracy in strategic posi­ against the Soviet Union on the tions in the labor press, they were basis of the Ehrlich-Alter case. able to make powerful trade union It is true that a very small pro­ organs the bearers of this poisonous portion of the American labor propaganda. movement responded to this provo­ Thus in the months of March and cation on the Ehrlich-Alter case. April, the United Auto Workers However, I believe we have all News, the organ of the great auto­ made a serious error in underesti­ motive qnion, which happens to be mating the importance of this issue. edited by a former associate We saw it too much as an isolated of the Social-Democratic New incident which would soon be over Leader in New York, carried not and forgotten, leaving the mass of one single line to expose the crimes the workers untouched and unaf­ of the Nazis, but every single issue fected. We failed to see that it was has thundered against the supposed a part of the whole pattern of Nazi crimes of our ally, Soviet Russia. conquest through the division of its Another former associate of the enemies. New Leader is the editor of the It is time we put an end to that C.I.O. News ·of the State of Michi­ underestimation because, although gan. And there we find the same a very small section of the Ameri­ thing repeated: and it is no accident can working class in any way re­ that this concentration has been sponded to that campaign, the cam­ right at the heart of the war indus­ paign was carried out by men who try in Detroit. They have dinned it hold powerful and strategic posi­ into the ears of the workers that the tions in the American labor move­ great David Dubinsky of New :York ment and who compromised in their vouches for Alter and Ehrlich and provocation important and honest says that those two men in the So­ leaders who did not know what they viet Union could no more have been were being inveigled into. In this guilty of appealing to the Red Army way the conspirators transmitted to to desert to the Nazis, than David a large section of the American Dubinsky himself. But they did not population and the working class an tell the workers that David Dubin­ attitude of suspicion and uneasiness sky, on a public platform in New toward our Soviet ally, precisely at York only last week declared his the moment when that would do the solidarity with the sentiments ex­ most harm to the united war effort pressed by N. Chanin, in the maga- THE STRIKE WAVE CONSPIRACY 485 zine Friend in January, 1942, that Government would crumble under "the final shot will come from Free Hitler's assaults. America-and from this last shot These men were speculating on the Stalin regime will be shot to the victory of Hitler over the Soviet pieces," or that earlier David Du­ Union, and today we see them be­ binsky had defended another advo­ ginning to speculate on the defeat cate of desertion from the Red of the United States. They still be­ Army, a Ukrainian associate and lieve in Hitler's victory. They are protege of Dubinsky's who pub­ still speculating on it and they are lished a pamphlet in the City of ready to go to great lengths to pre­ Detroit in the Ukrainian language, vent Hitler from being defeated. addressed to Ukrainians and Rus­ sians and presumably transmitted Another Diversion through the international channels That is the significance of the of the organization centering whipping up and the careful culti­ around the New Leader to Soviet vation of the strike movement territory. among the American workers at this After stating that he is hostile to moment, which, if it materialized, the Soviet Government, this man would prevent the opening of the wrote in the pamphlet: second front this year. The same "Consciousness of national duty people who launched the first cam­ justifies desertion from the army of paign in Berlin's propaganda to a hostile government. All dissatisfied break the unity of the United Na­ elements will take advantage of this, tions and prepared the grounds for their right, in order not to risk the present move, are now engaged their lives." in an effort to involve American la­ This is addressed to the Red Army, bor in a broad strike wave against and is an appeal to them to desert, the government of the United not to fight the Germans. The cir­ States. There can be no doubt that culation of this began about the if this movement continues to grow, time Alter and Ehrlich were ar­ it will confront the whole labor rested and charged with doing the movement, as well as the entire na­ same thing in the Soviet Union. tion and its allies with a major cri­ Dubinsky defended this man in sis, a political and economic the United States. He later defended diversion directed against the de­ Alter and Ehrlich. How can anyone velopment of the joint Anglo-So­ doubt that Ehrlich and Alter said viet-American war to a decisive the same thing in the Soviet Union and victorious conclusion. that their friends and protectors It is indicative of the character of were saying in the United States? this strike movement that its basic Why did these men have the premise is the contention that labor "courage" to be so bold in the So­ is not itself interested in winning viet Union? The answer is found this war, and that only the govern­ in their own predictions at the same ment and the employers have a time that the Red Army and Soviet special interest in victory. But as I 486 THE STRIKE WAVE CONSPIRACY stated in a recent speech on the If you cannot find a settlement for mine strike and its lessons: these grievances without striking, it ". . . this is a false and viciOus means you cannot conduct the war, argument. The war is first of all because you cannot strike and have labor's war. There is not the a war at the same time. If you think slightest hope for the existence of these grievances are more impor­ free labor, or organized labor, any­ tant than the war, then your place where in the world today except is with John L. Lewis and Matthew at the price of destroying Hitler W oll and such people as Walter and his Axis. The working class Reuther, and all the advocates furnishes the main body of · men of a negotiated peace. If you think who must fight this war on the battlefields. Labor's sweat and sac­ that victory is above everything eise, rifice alone produce and can pro­ then you will have to go. along with duce the weapons of victory. La­ a no-strike policy no matter what bor first and most of all will pay the you think of these grievances. If terrible price of defeat in slavery. you not only place victory above Labor first and most of all is inter­ everything else but understand that ested in victory, which alone can we can settle many of these griev­ preserve free labor." (The Worker, ances, even though we won't get May 16, 1943.) 100 per cent satisfaction, you will The second premise which the not only go on with the no-strike promoters of the strike movement movement but you will also con­ attempt to convince the workers to . tinue to work with the government accept is that all efforts to redress for the settlement of these questions their grievances have failed because and will help stop all this nonsense of the no-strike policy and that a of withdrawing labor's representa­ few threats of strike, little strikes, tives from the government bodies. or a big general strike would get im­ Is it true that we have an Admin­ mediate results. These people do not istration which is indifferent or want labor to cooperate with the hostile to labor and its grievances? Administration or with manage­ Is it true that this Administration ment for victory; they do not want has to be bludgeoned into doing increased income for the workers anything? While reserving the right based on increased production for to indulge in the sharpest kind of the war; they do not want to solve constructive criticism of the Admin­ the wage problem at all. They want istration necessary in the interest of only to break the back of the Roose­ victory, it must be said that, with velt Administration by means of a all its weaknesses, the Roosevelt deliberately planned strike move­ Administration has organized and ment which would open the way to conducted a great war with fewer a negotiated peace with Hitler in­ burdens placed upon the working stead of his unconditional surrender, class and fewer rights taken away and bring the war to an end without from the working class than has victory for the United States and the ever happened in any capi:alist United Nations. country in the world before. THE STRIKE WAVE CONSPIRACY 487 How To Get Tough and then pressing the solution upon the government and the employers, We have had a long period in the with the united power of labor-the United States in which the present political power of organized labor. labor movement grew up and the That is the solution to this question. strike was the principal weapon in As to the specific answers to these defense of labor's economic inter­ problems-they are all given by the ests. When we talked about getting C.I.O. and Philip Murray has re­ tough, we usually meant getting peated them time and again. We prepared for a strike movement, would be much tougher, and further and out of that has grown a habit along in the solution of these ques­ that if you don't talk about strike tions if we united around Philip you are getting soft. I am not giving Murray instead of helping the up the fight for the improvement of Lewises and Reuthers by sitting all the conditions necessary for back and letting Murray fight out waging this war. I am going to do these questions without sufficient some tough fighting for improving support from us. the policies, and adjusting the con­ A little story, told to me in Mil­ ditions of labor and wages in the waukee, will illustrate the extent to course of this war. But would I be which wage questions can be solved able to get tough if I joined the by cooperation with the government. strike movement? This story concerns three small .fac­ The worst section of the employ­ tories working in war production, ers, those least anxious for the un­ similar in size, doing the same type conditional surrender of Hitler and of work, under the same general the destruction of fascism, are the working conditions, wages and very ones who want the strike hours. We'll call them Factory A, movement. Is it getting tough when B and C. Each one had a separate you give these employers what they business agent; each one worked out want? Or do we want to strike its own wage demands; the union in against employers that are ready to each case endorsed them and left it collaborate in the settlement of up to the business agent to file the questions? Those who are not ready claims with the War Labor Board. to settle problems are the ones who They negotiated with the bosses want us to strike the most. How can first, of course. In each case the we call it getting tough when we bosses were quite willing to give play into their hands? That is not them what they wanted. The nego­ getting tough; that is getting soft tiations were very short and sweet and where it hurts the most, in the and agreement was reached, and it head. was left up to the business agents To get tough means holding a dis­ in each case to file their application ciplined labor movement together, with the War Labor Board. Each studying and understanding its one made out his application in the problems, formulating a way in terms he thought best according to which these problems can be solved, his education and experiences; the

C, C, but but under under the the influence influence of of the the and and prevent prevent the the demagogues demagogues from from

production production just just as as much much as as Factory Factory policy policy is is it it possible possible to to fuse fuse them them

tories tories A A and and B B had had increased increased their their ests ests of of victory, victory, and and only only with with this this

and and therefore therefore it it was was endorsed. endorsed. Fac­ tion tion interests interests for for the the war, war, the the inter­

under under the the rules rules of of the the government, government, ests ests of of the the workers workers with with the the produc­

That That was was the the sound sound basis basis to to argue argue how how to to combine combine the the economic economic inter­

that that had had already already been been achieved. achieved. tion tion before before the the labor labor movement movement of of

the the grounds grounds This This of of is is production production the the answer answer increases increases to to the the main main ques­

tory tory C C claimed claimed its its wage wage increase increase on on increases increases in in wages wages to to the the workers. workers.

than than it it was was previously. previously. That That is, is, Fac­ of of the the war war and and it it will will bring bring large large

be be even even lower lower under under this this new new rate rate up, up, and and that that will will hasten hasten the the winning winning

unit unit in in production, production, therefore, therefore, would would things things moving, moving, production production will will shoot shoot

production, production, and and that that the the cost cost per per agement agement committees committees and and really really get get

not not even even as as much much as as the the increase increase in in you you get get functioning functioning labor-man­ If If

much much that that this this wage wage increase increase was was have have that that wage wage increased. increased.

period period increased increased its its production production so so incentive incentive wage, wage, they they would would already already

that that the the factory factory go go out out had had and and fight fight within within for. for. the the last last they they had had the the If If

of of this this agreement agreement even even Reuther Reuther on on the the doesn't doesn't grounds grounds tell tell them them to to

however, however, had had applied applied for for approval approval per per cent cent increase, increase, something something that that

same same thing thing in in Factory Factory B. B. Factory Factory C, C, production, production, they they would would have have a a 20 20

needed needed it it and and they they wanted wanted it. it. The The their their wages wages were were hitched hitched to to their their

living living and and in in general general because because they they months months at at a a minimum minimum estimate. estimate. If If

crease crease because because of of the the higher higher cost cost of of duction duction 20 20 per per cent cent in in the the last last six six

the the workers workers were were entitled entitled to to this this in­ workers workers have have increased increased their their pro­

find? find? Application Application in in Factory Factory A A said said whole whole automobile automobile industry, industry, the the

the the applications, applications, going going to to force force and and what what them them did did to to take take they they it. it. In In the the

tion. tion. Then Then workers workers they they began began don't don't to to want want examine examine it, it, they're they're not not

oped oped on on the the basis basis of of the the discrimina­ ployers ployers agreed agreed that that as as long long as as the the

And And a a whole whole take take strike strike such such sentiment sentiment an an increase, increase, devel­ and and the the em­

of of us us and and convinced convinced accepts accepts them them the the other other it it was was one." one." wrong wrong to to

War War Labor Labor Board Board turns turns down down two two wage wage based based on on increased increased production, production,

ot ot justice justice our our cause cause is is the the same. same. The The Reuther, Reuther, opposed opposed to to an an incentive incentive

same, same, about about wages wages the the they they same same were were things. things. before. before. The The Walter Walter

this this discrimination? discrimination? Workers Workers are are Our Our still still case case getting getting is is the the the the same same

workers workers were were has has been been up up in in as as arms. arms. high high "What's "What's as as 80 80 per per cent. cent.

plication plication granted. granted. of of some some Immediately Immediately plants, plants, production production the the increase increase

application application week week denied; denied; to to week. week. Factory Factory In In some some C, C, up­ departments departments

places, places, it it is is increasing increasing A, A, steadily steadily application application from from denied; denied; Factory Factory B, B,

The The decisions decisions Production Production came came is is back: back: increasing. increasing. Factory Factory most most In In

out out the the automobile automobile each each industry industry factory. factory. today. today.

was was quite quite That That clear clear is is what's what's and and the the happening happening same same in in through­

gether gether because because didn't didn't the the get get justice justice their their increases. increases. of of the the case case

were were all all going going to to win win or or lose lose to­ application, application, and and therefore therefore they they

bor bor Board; Board; everybody everybody thought thought they they fused fused to to put put that that argument argument in in their their

applications applications all all went went to to the the War War Reuther Reuther line line of of thought, thought, La­ they they re­

THE THE STRIKE STRIKE WAVE WAVE CONSPIRACY CONSPIRACY 488 488 THE STRIKE WAVE CONSPIRACY 489 placing one in opposition to the noon I received a copy of the So­ other. cial-Democratic New Leader dated Many workers have been told the Saturday, May 15. A double line, incentive wage policy is nothing full-page headline reads: "Carey, more than a speed-up plan. That is Reuther Lead Union Drive for New one of Walter Reuther's pet propa­ Roosevelt Labor Policy." Here we ganda devices. Of course there is a have it right out of the horse's certain element of speed-up in in­ mouth, except that there is one lie creased production-a minor ele­ in that headline. It should have ment. The main element in said, "Drive for New Anti-Roosevelt increased production is better or­ Labor Policy." Carey and Reuther ganization of the work, better co­ are supposed to be the new leaders ordination of the workers and the of the American labor movement, departments, better planning, and according to the sponsors of Ehr­ better execution. There is a certain lich and Alter. element of speed-up in war produc­ And what is the characteristic of tion, and the labor movement has Carey and Reuther today? They are accepted as policy that the workers working in such a way as to give are going to work harder for the aid and comfort to John L. Lewis war effort than they ever worked to spread the strike movement for a private employer. If you are throughout the labor world, to against that, you are against the discredit and to overthrow the war, that's all. Let us face it; Do responsible leadership of organized we think we're going to win this labor. Carey, it should be remem­ war without any kind of burdens, bered, made his first appearance in without any sacrifices? We certain­ the strike movement et the Alter­ ly are not. And the probllims are Ehrlich meeting with Dubinsky in going to get worse. Do you think New York; his second role was to we're going to solve these problems begin to make speeches everywhere with a slogan of "equality of sac­ possible in which he lists all of the rifice"? We know very well that shortcomings of the Roosevelt Ad­ the bourgeoisie never has agreed to ministration, contributing nothing any equality of sacrifice and never whatsoever to bringing about a will. The point is this is our war. solution of them; his third role is If we don't determine to win it, it now to appear with Reuther in sup­ isn't going to be won. That is the port of Lewis' effort to upset the only question and that is the only Roosevelt Administration. answer. Who else agrees with the New Leader? Norman Thomas and the The Forces Behind the Strike Call, the Trotskyites and The Mili­ Threat tant. This Trotskyite sheet declares: "Mine Leaders Predict Walk-Out"; The deliberate nature of the "Union Members Are Prepared to strike movement can be seen from Fight as Truce Nears End"; and in the forces behind it. Just this after- a modest place, "Earl Browder, 490 T!;IE STR~KE WAVE CONSPIRACY Strikebreaker." Hard words don't movement that the difference be­ break any bones, and as regards the tween Walter Reuther and John L. fomenting of the strike movement Lewis is not so great as it appears. that threatens America at this Lewis comes out in the open and present time, I consider it the Walter Reuther has a hypocritical greatest honor to be a breaker of mask on his face. He squirms this movement. around and tries to prevent any­ After I made my speech on the thing from being on his record that mine strike and its lessons in St. couid hold him to responsibility. Louis on May 7, there gathered in But every active worker in the the same city the Regional Confer­ Automobile Workers Union knows ence of the United Auto Workers that Walter Reuther is aiming to Union; and to that conference came take control of the Auto Union and Walter Reuther. He came to St. evidently is counting on the help Louis fresh from the conference of of John L. Lewis as well as his So­ the Auto Workers in Detroit, the cial-Democratic colleagues. He has heart of the union, where he had encouraged his followers through­ organized a move against the chief out the country to defend John L. leaders of his union, had voted Lewis and uses the example of down all their proposals, prevent­ Lewis to bring the airplane and ing the denunciation of Lewis and tank workers of this country out on his strike movement and instead strike as quickly as possible. engineering a message of cheer to It should be noted that even in Lewis, and where he endorsed the his maneuvers Walter Reuther withdrawal of the union's repre­ does not abandon even slightly the sentatives from the War Labor central point of his fight as a "new Board, and had endorsed the with­ leader." That which he carefully drawal of the no-strike policy. maintains is his fight against the With these victories behind him, incentive wage. Why is this so im­ Reuther came to St. Louis on May portant to Reuther that he does not 9, and the newspapermen asked even maneuver with this issue but him to read my speech and com­ stands pat 100 per cent against the ment upon it. As a result, he went incentive wage? The reason is that into the conference in St. Louis, it is by their fight against the in­ made a speech against John L. centive wage that they have pre­ Lewis, said John L. Lewis was vented the airplane and automotive manipulating the grievances of the workers from getting wage in­ miners for his own personal ends, creases that would have made them and then joined the conference in a immune to the strike moods. They unanimous reaffirmation of the no­ fight against the incentive wage be­ strike policy. cause that fight closes the door to Some people think that Walter the solution of the grievances of the Reuther has already seen the error mass of the workers, and with a of his ways. I want to warn the closed door against any solution of Auto Workers and the whole labor the biggest wage problem of this THE STRIKE WAVE CONSPIRACY 491 great body of workers you can keep and could bring about a general na­ them stirred up, you can get them tional crisis. excited over all the current issues Walter Reuther knows all of of the day, you can get them des­ that just as well as anybody else; perate in feeling the only way out he is not a stupid man; he is a very is strike. That is why Walter Reu­ clever and very able man. If there ther is fighting against the incen­ is any clear objective result to the tive wage in the airplane and auto­ policy that he is pursuing, it is time motive industry. the workers understand that Walt Walter Reuther knows just as Reuther intends that result to come. well as anyone that the only way to raise the general level of earn­ A Revealing Banquet ings of the workers of his industry is either to break down the declared For a direct formulation of these and established policies of the intentions, we can cite the words of Roosevelt Administratiqn and force Victor Reuther, Walter Reuther's a complete general readjustment of brother and his collaborator, as the economic policies of the gov­ well as the words of several of his ernment on a level of higher wages associates delivered at a banquet and higher prices, or adopt the in­ oa April 25. As far as we know, centive wage which would keep Walter Reuther has never broken prices as they are and wage rates with his brother Victor, or with his as they are but wage earnings in­ brother-in-crime, Norman Thomas, creasing even beyond the demands who uttered similar words and ex­ that are now made by any of the pressed similar sentiments as Victor unions. It is one way or the other­ at this banquet, which was held either accept the incentive wage or significantly enough in the city of shatter the Roosevelt Administra­ Detroit. At this banquet Norman tion's policies in the hope that out Thomas said, and Victor Reuther of it some wage increases might agreed, that "the winning of the come even at the cost· of a general war has been e.xalted too much. release of prices. . . . The size of the Army is one of Roosevelt is committed to the the greatest wastes of manpower present policies and the breakdown with no reasonable justification for of those policies in the face of the it.... Roosevelt is writing his hostile Congress would mean a speeches while Churchill interprets breakdown of the war effort. Even them and the youth of America should the movement for strikes in have to die." an effort to force a breakdown of At the same banquet in Detroit, the Roosevelt economic policies not Matthew Smith, head of the Me­ succeed immediately, it would de­ chanics Educational Society of stroy the effective power of leader­ America, a company union, was one ship of the Roosevelt Administra­ of the featured speakers. Here is tion in the war effort and prevent the tenor of his remarks: The war the opening of the Second Front, was offensive to me when it was 492 THE STRIKE WAVE CONSPIRACY started.... A matter of expediency tory. He said that such policy is should not allow any Socialist to leading the labor movement into a support any war at all.... There is blind alley. "Where does the union no excuse to be in the war any meet itself?" he declared. "I don't longer than such time as the other mind fighting McNutt, but some of side is ready to quit, we haven't a our people are responsible for op­ lot to lose on either side of the war. ening the door to such as the hold­ Drawing the practical conclusion the-line order. You cannot serve of action from these general senti­ two· masters." And then he made a ments, Matt Smith said: "The conclusion of policy. He said: "I M.E.S.A. has never accepted the no­ would rather see the C.I.O. washed strike clause. It is ready to drop it up in a fight than to see it die slow­ at the drop of a hat, and without ly as a result of cooperation with even waiting for that." Walter Reu­ the government. . . . The C.I.O. ther is a little ashamed of his union; must fight the hold-the-line policy he's not so ready to drop the clause with whatever it takes to break that at the drop of a hat-he's got to policy.... If the hold-the-line or­ get his union to drop the hat to der is not withdrawn, the only thing drop the no-strike policy. to do is to announce to the govern­ Matthew Smith said further: "We ment that we are withdrawing our have the right to deliver ultima­ no-strike pledge." With regard to tums and take advantage of the labor participation in War Labor shortage of labor now." agencies, Victor Reuther said: Victor Reuther, who is also an of­ "Maybe we ought to pull out and ficial of the U.A.W., of which his have the unions advance pro­ brother is one of the Vice Presi­ grams." That was the general rec­ dents, spoke next. If he said any­ ommendation for the labor move­ thing that was directly contrary to ment of an action that the U.A.W. the wishes of his brother Walter, it had already taken on the motion of would be something that has never Walter Reuther. happened before in their careers Tucker Smith, head of the Retail and what Victor Reuther said fits in Clerks Union of Detroit, C.I.O., and exactly with what Walter Reuther old-time associate of Norman is doing. Thomas and former head of Brook­ And Victor Reuther, Assistant wood College in New York State, Director of War Policy Division of also spoke. Pointing to a uniformed the U.A.W., C.I.O., said at the Nor­ soldier in the audience, he said: "I man Thomas banquet: "I agree with don't like to see Socialists wearing many things that Matthew Smith the uniforms of a capitalist govern­ has said; I used to make many of ment. . . . It is unpleasant for me such speeches, years ago. I wish to support this war and I have to do Matt Smith a great deal of success it solely on the ground that it is a in his ideas." Victor Reuther elabo­ different kind of a war." rated on that. He attacked the The same Tucker Smith referred whole idea of cooperation with the to Victor Reuther's opinion that co­ government on war policy for vic- operation with the government's THE STRIKE WAVE CONSPIRACY 493 war program leads to disaster, and leader of this strike movement is said: hostile to the Soviet Union, wants to see the Soviet Union defeated, "Those of us in the C.I.O. who and most of them joined in the cam­ believe this, should take some steps paign against the Soviet Union on to see that the leadership makes a the Alter-Ehrlich case. It is not break with this good fellow pol­ icy." an accident that David Dubinsky himself, although he heads a union The "good fellows" who have to in an industry that has no signif­ be changed or kicked out of the icance for the war directly at all, leadership of the labor movement went out of his way to help create he specified were first of all, Phil strike atmosphere in the American Murray and R. J. Thomas. And his labor movement by calling his friends, the New Leader in New dressmakers out on strike abso­ York announced today, "Carey, lutely unnecessarily, not so many Reuther Lead Union Drive for New weeks ago in New York. The Roosevelt Labor Policy." settlement of that strike had al­ ready been worked out before the An Unmistakable Conspiracy strike was ever called. The only It is clear by now that we are purpose of that strike was to not dealing with misguided or spread the idea throughout Amer­ short-sighted men who are just ica that the way to get settlements swept away by the pressure of a was to strike. mass resentment of the labor move­ There are a large number of ment because of an accumulation of anti-labor employers in industry grievances. We are dealing with a after industry who, on little griev­ well-developed, organized conspir­ ances, are encouraging the work­ acy against the war, to prevent the ers to strike. And when they solution of the grievances of labor strike, they will settle the little and then to manipulate those grievances; if they won't strike, grievances in order to whip up they don't settle anything. These strike sentiment and a strike move­ employers want to help create the ment among the workers of this atmosphere of strike movements in country, all directed toward one the United States. The reactionary specific purpose-to create a crisis directors of the coal operators col­ in the United States that will pre­ laborated with John L. Lewis for vent the opening of the second preparing and provoking the mine front in Europe which will crack strike. And if you read the reac­ Hitler in 1943. tionary columnists in the big news­ If you look over the speeches and papers in this country, you will find the newspapers which represent the that they all have been repeating leadership and the development of for weeks now with the most curi­ this strike movement in the United ous unanimity, that John L. Lewis States, you will find one feature is the outstanding leader of organ­ common · to all of them: Every ized labor, congratulating him on 494 THE STRIKE WAVE CONSPIRACY his achievements, and then ending war how things are exaggerated. up their columns with the conclu~ Don't get excited about the whole­ sion that this means, of course, that sale enslavement of the workinli( we're going to have the anti-labor class of a dozen nations." Every one Smith Bill adopted by Congress of them is agreed that we must get very soon and everything will be very excited, however, about Ehr­ hunky-dory. lich and Alter, and every one of Every one of these people who them sprang into action at the mo­ talk strike agrees not to mention ment when the word went out from any of the problems of the war. Berlin, "We're in a tight spot, boys. They are all agreed, in the words Go to it." of Norman Thomas, that too much As long as this strike issue is be­ has been made about this question fore the country and the labor of victory; victory is not the impor­ movement, I am going to avoid tant thing any more. Every one of criticism of the Administration's la­ them is agreed that it is more im­ bor policy. As for labor, it is clear portant to satisfy the immediate, that one of its first obligations is to particular demand or desire that is clean its own house of defeatists raised for discussion than any con­ and place itself solidly behind this sideration about the conduct of the war and take leadership in the con­ war. Every one of them is agreed duct of the war. Because, after all, that Lewis' friends are of course this is truly the nation's war and correct when they laugh at Phil consequently labor's war. It is true Murray and say, "Phil Murray, he's that there are important parts of all a good fellow, but he's no leader." other classes besides labor who Every one of them is agreed that, want to win this war, just as much "Roosevelt, of course we don't as labor does. But it is true that speak directly against him, but his it is labor which is the most unani­ policies, they have to be broken mous and the most trustworthy in down." Every one of them is the conduct of this war to victory. agreed that it is not worthwhile to This is labor's war. The no­ talk about the crimes of Hitler; strike policy is labor's policy, and "after all, that's just war propa­ labor is going to enforce that pol;.. ganda and you know from the last icy throughout the United States. THE VICTORY IN AFRICA

BY EUGENE DENNIS

HE triumph of American and tent, the Allied victory in Africa T British arms in Tunisia, aided was facilitated by the fighting col­ by French troops, has brought the laboration of the Anglo-Soviet­ Allied campaign in Africa to a vic­ American coalition which has torious conclusion. The Italo- grown during the past months. The German coalition has suffered a epic struggle of the Red Army at serious defeat. The United Na- Stalingrad, unmatched in history, tions have won an important vic­ just as the entire Soviet winter of­ tory. fensive, was a decisive factgr in The immediate and direct mili­ disrupting Rommel's offensive in tary factors which determined the Egypt. It enabled the British Eighth final outcome of the Anglo-Ameri­ Army to regroup its forces and go can operations in Tunisia-the over to the offensive. This also crowning climax of the African made it impossible for Hitler to campaign-were the brilliant tac­ transfer the Luftwaffe or a single tics of the Allied Command, under division from the Soviet-German General Eisenhower; the unified front to Africa (in fact, due to the strategy and coordinated blows of absence of a Second Front in Eu­ the combined British-American and rope, Hitler was able to shift thirty the British Eighth Armies; the close divisions from western Europe to and concerted action of the Allied the Eastern front precisely during air forces, troops and naval units; the Soviet winter offensive). All the preponderant air superiority of this, too, had a profound effect in the Allies; the successful naval and enhancing the morale of the Anglo­ air blockade which prevented Hitler American forces and in lowering from sending necessary reinforce­ the morale in the camp of the Axis, ments and supplies to Tunisia; and including among both the Nazi and not least of all the courage and Italian troops in Africa. skill of the American, British and In this connection there can be French soldiers, the first of whom no doubt but that the powerful acquired their fighting experience British and American air attacks as "green" troops in combat against over Europe during this period, as the seasoned veterans of Rommel well as the heroic struggle of the and Messe. Yugoslav Partisans, also played a Moreover, to a considerable ex- role in helping frustrate Hitler's 495 496 THE VICTORY IN AFRICA plan to reinforce the Axis troops in the increased and extensive Allied Tunisia. Hitler had intended to air raids on the key war centers of continue to prolong resistence to Germany and Italy, coupled with the Allies in Africa, beyond the six the decisive turn of the war on the months already obtained, thereby Soviet-German front--have en­ seeking to delay still further the hanced the strategic initiative which opening of a Second Front in Eu­ is now in the hands of the anti­ rope. But these plans were Hitler coalition. These have created wrecked, and not least of all, by the additional preTequisites for, and great striking power of America have brought closer, the organiza­ and Britain and by the common tion of a Second Front in Europe blows of the American-Soviet-Brit­ from the south as well as the west, ish coalition. near to the vital centers of Hitler Germany• • • • There has now been established As a consequence of the African in Africa, especially at strategic_ fighting, as well as due to the great points in the North, a series of im­ Soviet winter offensive which fa­ portant bases for conducting offen­ cilitated its outcome, the German­ sive operations in Southern and Italian coalition has been further Southwestern Europe. Africa now undermined and its disintegration constitutes a protected and well­ accelerated. The Nazis and fascists equipped springboard for invading have lost their African bases and the European continent, second only armies. Hitler's plans to break in importance to England, from through to the Near East and to ef­ which an invasion of Europe is long fect a juncture with his Japanese awaited and over-due. partners in India-plans which With the domination of the Medi­ were defeated by the Red Army at terranean which the victory in Tu­ Stalingrad-now have been doubly nisia ensures, the Allies have safer shattered. and more effective communications. The Italian empire and Musso­ They have a shorter supply route lini's dream of converting the Medi­ to invasion points on the European terranean into an Italian lake have continent, to the Near and Middle gone up in the smoke of the Halo­ East, to extend aid to the Soviet German debacle in Libya, Tripoli­ Union via Iran, as well as to rein­ tania and Tunisia. Italy is on the force India and expedite the strug­ verge of being knocked out of the gle against Japan in Burma and the war. The anti-Hitler forces and Far East. the national-liberation struggles in Moreover, now in Africa there France, Spain and the Balkans have exists a tested and skillful Allied been directly encouraged and army which is equipped and trained strengthened. for offensive combat in Europe. Above all, the victorious com­ And in addition to the American pletion of the Anglo-American mili­ and British forces there has arisen tary operations in North Africa and the beginning of an anti-Hitler THE VICTORY IN AFRICA 497 French army in North Africa which, ond front in Europe in 1942, was if united with the de Gaulle forces influenced by a mistaken Anglo­ and the Fighting French National American military analysis of the Committee, could add great force, situation on the Soviet-German weight and inspiration to the forces front. At that time leading circles of Allied invasion. in London and Washington mis­ And outstanding, of course, is the judged the character of the tempor- • fact that the growth of American­ ary advances of the Nazis in the Soviet-British fighting collaboration summer fighting in 1942. Evidently has now created further precondi­ they believed that the Nazis might tions for launching new and power­ capture Stalingrad and break ful blows jointly from the East and through to the Caucasus and reach the West. In other words, addi­ the Near East. Evidently they con­ tional prerequisites have been sidered that the Nazis might suc­ created by the events in Africa, as ceed in "stabilizing" the Eastern well as on the Eastern Front, for Front in such a way as to enable combining the military efforts of them to divert sufficient forces the U.S.A., the U.S.S.R., and Great from the East so as to cope with Britain into united and coordinated Allied landings in the West, as well blows against Nazi Germany which as to reinforce Rommel in Egypt. can jointly lead to the speedy de­ Certainly the defeat of the Nazis feat and collapse of Hitler and at Stalingrad and the subsequent Hitler's Axis. Soviet winter offensive proved how unjustified and erroneous were such * * * calculations. They clearly indi­ In analyzing the significance of cated that had Britain and America the African victory and the pros­ invaded Western Europe in Novem­ pects which exist for immediately ber last, in coordination with the extending the Allied offiensive to Red Army's winter offensive, not the continent of Europe, it is also only the Afrika Korps would be necessary to bear in mind certain smashed but that the Hitlerite ar­ costly political-military lessons of mies in Europe would be, at least, the North African operations. on the verge of final catastrophe. Among these note should be taken They show, too, that if we had not of the following miscalculations and waited to invade the continent until mistakes, all of which need to be the completion of the North African avoided in the next phase of our campaign, the Nazis and their satel­ offensive operations: lites would also be confronted now First, it is well to remember that with imminent disaster and annihi­ the decision to invade North Africa lation. which was made in July, 1942, It is useful to mention this, not thereby modifying the Roosevelt­ to minimize the important results M o 1 o to v - Churchill agreement of the African campaign, but so as reached in June, 1942, regard­ to help ensure that the favorable ing the urgency of creating a sec- situation which now exists for

trigues trigues and and consummated consummated deals deals with with in in Vichy Vichy the the interests interests and and of of de-

scure scure and and some some questionabe questionabe such such deals deals political political can can and and should should be be in­

Thirdly, Thirdly, per per it it circles circles was was claimed claimed in in these these that that countries-and countries-and ob­

latter. latter. necessary necessary to to make make with with certain certain up­

and and land land assaults, assaults, mitments mitments particularly particularly it it may may be be the the expedient expedient or or

eration. eration. Whatever Whatever deals deals the the medium medium and and com­ of of combined combined air air raids raids

done done at at Bizerte Bizerte of of this this and and people's people's Tunis, Tunis, war war through through of of national national lib­

nests nests of of the the time time U-boats, U-boats, that that we we such such learn learn as as were were a a simple simple truth truth

France, France, Yugoslavia, Yugoslavia, trols trols etc., etc., it it by by is is liquidating liquidating high high the the hornets' hornets'

stroyers, stroyers, prepare prepare corvettes corvettes to to and and invade invade naval naval Italy, Italy, pa­ Greece, Greece,

because because now, now, for for ment ment instance, instance, the the production production as as we we and and use use of of de­

It It is is essential essential to to comment comment menace. menace. on on And And this this this this is, is, to to supple­

best best way way lerites lerites to to cope cope in in with with France. France. the the U-boat U-boat

African African campaign campaign has has shown shown the the and and complete complete unity unity of of all all anti-Hit­

and and are are and and available. available. injures injures the the Moreover, Moreover, fullest fullest mobilization mobilization the the

proved proved that that ships ships and and convoys convoys were were eration eration of of all all anti-fascist anti-fascist prisoners, prisoners,

ace. ace. But But the the African African operations operations giers giers and and Morocco, Morocco, the the complete complete lib­

view view of of the the growing growing U-boat U-boat men­ retard retard the the democratization democratization of of Al­

shipping shipping and and victory victory supplies, supplies, in in North North especially especially Africa Africa in in proper, proper, to to

place place too too still still heavy heavy operates operates a a strain strain to to on on becloud becloud Allied Allied the the Allied Allied

might might be be feasible feasible in in 1942, 1942, it it would would French French army army on on African African soil. soil. It It

while while the the creation creation layed layed the the of of formation formation a a second second front front of of a a formidable formidable

Secondly, Secondly, it it was was contended contended that, that, anti-Hitler anti-Hitler French French forces forces and and de­

his his war war machine. machine. obstructed obstructed the the unification unification of of the the

namely, namely, to to defeat defeat Hitler Hitler and and smash smash the the final final phases phases of of the the campaign. campaign. It It

opportunity opportunity which which which which was was we we not not lost lost fully fully in in secured secured 1942, 1942, until until

ful, ful, would would have have us us lose lose in in 1943 1943 the the and and British British forces forces in in North North Africa, Africa,

and and of of defeatism, defeatism, which, which, if if success­ complete complete coordination coordination of of American American

tion, tion, of of It It criminal criminal held held back back procrastination, procrastination, the the most most rapid rapid and and

are are the the Tunis Tunis voices voices in in of of November-December, November-December, cautious cautious calcula­ 1942. 1942.

man man front front has has been been decided. decided. These These an an all-out all-out assault assault on on Bizerte Bizerte and and

summer summer tory tory fighting fighting in in Tunisia. Tunisia. on on the the Soviet-Ger­ It It helped helped prevent prevent

until until the the outcome outcome of of the the momentous momentous Department Department delayed delayed the the final final vic­

once once more more Darlanism Darlanism be be postponed, postponed, pursued pursued ostensibly ostensibly by by our our State State

eration eration in in Western Western Europe Europe should should It It is is no no secret secret that that the the policy policy of of

a a major major Anglo-American Anglo-American land land op­ within within Africa Africa and and France. France.

counseling counseling New New that that York York in in Times, Times, the the United United Nations, Nations, particularly particularly

raised, raised, such such as as Edwin Edwin James James of of the the in in harmful harmful political political repercussions repercussions

ban ban area, area, voices voices are are again again being being North North Africa, Africa, as as well well as as resulting resulting

after after the the Soviet Soviet offensive offensive in in the the Ku­ jeopardized jeopardized military military operations operations in in

mighty mighty Allied Allied and and Soviet Soviet air air raids, raids, trigues trigues and and policies policies and and dela~ dela~

after after Tunisia, Tunisia, after after the the recent recent world world knows, knows, these these political political in­

shall shall be be speedily speedily realized. realized. For For now, now, North North Africa. Africa. But But as as the the whole whole

many, many, as as well well as as of of fascist fascist Italy, Italy, would would facilitate facilitate an an easy easy conquest conquest of of

hastening hastening the the defeat defeat of of Hitler Hitler Ger­ Vichy Vichy elements elements in in North North Africa Africa

498 498 THE THE VICTORY VICTORY IN IN AFRICA AFRICA THE VICTORY IN AFRICA 499 stroying Hitlerism - the Allies confined to its periphery, to its should rely upon offensive military outposts, and which are discon­ action and upon mobilizing the nected in time from the key blows popular anti-fascist forces. of the Red Army that are leveled This, for example, is the case in on the decisive Eastern front of the respect to Italy. For to withdraw war. Italy from the Axis coalition, from Hitler's war, it will be necessary to * * * invade Italy and to activize and At this writing, Roosevelt and depend upon the staunch anti-fas­ Churchill are meeting in conference cists. It will be necessary to de­ with their chiefs of staff. It can be pend, in the first place, upon the expected, on the basis of estab­ working people, upon those who lished governmental policy and all will sacrifice and struggle consist­ current indications, that the main ently against the Hitlerite enslavers. orientation and direction of the It will not depend primarily or so forthcoming Anglo-American blows much upon those who have worked will continue to be directed chiefly in collaboration and collusion with against Hitler Germany. Steps may Mussolini and Hitler, and who now, be taken to reinforce the attacks under the duress of the war, in against Japanese militarism in the view of the turn of the war in favor Pacifi~ and the Far East, but this of a United Nations victory, seek subordinate to the extension of the to scuttle the sinking ship of fas­ Anglo-American offensive from cism. Africa and from our "advanced Fourthly, it was said that a major fighting base" in England to the landing in Europe would be easier continent of Europe. As the Presi­ in 1943 than in 1942. But, as all can dent stated on May 13 in reply see, the delay in attacking in the to Premier Stalin's congratula­ west from England and in extend­ tions on the Allied victory in Tu­ ing the African offensive to Europe nisia, " ... now that we have the has enabled Hitler further to fortify initiative, it is reasonable to ex­ the continent. The longer the deci­ pect further successes on both the sive second front is delayed the Eastern and Western fronts and costlier will be the undertaking. further supplies, including air." The defeat of Hitler will not come There is, however, much specula­ auto~atically or by easy stages. The tion concerning the next military theory of "stages," of "stepping objectives. Some people talk of the stones," of conquering Europe certainty of the imminence of a ma­ "piecemeal," is false and deceptive. jor and decisive Allied attack dur­ It delays and jeopardizes victory. ing the next few months in West­ Hitler-Germany will be defeated, ern Europe. This is possible, though will be destroyed, by concerted it is not yet assured. Nonethe­ blows at its heart, at its vital cen­ less, all visible indications would ters. Whereas the defeat of the seem to point rather to the exten­ Nazis will be postponed and victory sion of the Allied offensive in its endangered by blows which are next phase during the key summer

the the as as well well be be as as should should West West the the in in Germany Germany Nazi Nazi Axis, Axis, that that year; year;

Hitler's Hitler's of of this this of of centers centers key key instead instead the the 1945, 1945, or or against against 1944 1944 in in ered ered

deliv­ be be should should blow blow directed directed American American operation operation military military major major

a a into into Europe Europe of of invasion invasion American American Anglo­ decisive decisive the the that that side"; side";

Anglo­ impending impending the the veloping veloping our our for for works works "time "time that that culators, culators,

de­ for for defeatists, defeatists, the the combating combating for for cal­ cautious cautious and and defeatists defeatists the the by by

Commander-in-Chief, Commander-in-Chief, our our around around influenced influenced views, views, still still are are there there don don

unity unity national national strengthening strengthening for for Lon­ and and Washington Washington in in circles circles ful ful

movement movement people's people's the the of of vigor vigor and and power­ certain certain in in that that overlooked overlooked

unity unity clarity, clarity, the the by by all, all, of of least least not not be be cannot cannot it it may, may, at at this this Be Be it it

and and developed; developed; is is Europe Europe of of iphery iphery Europe. Europe. Western Western in in

per­ the the on on front front new new each each which which Axis Axis Hitler's Hitler's of of heart heart the the at at livered livered

with with force force de­ and and be be speed speed may may the the by by blows blows Europe; Europe; decisive decisive and and jor jor

in in struggles struggles ma­ soon soon how how national-liberation national-liberation precisely precisely ing ing unclear unclear still still

mount­ the the of of course course the the by by Front; Front; is is it it least least at at Europe; Europe; southeastern southeastern

Eastern Eastern and and decisive decisive the the southern southern in in on on chiefly chiefly Army Army continent, continent,

Red Red the the of of progress progress the the by by altered altered European European the the of of pheriphery pheriphery the the

may may and and can can These These be be overcome. overcome. at at struck struck blows blows be be will will likely likely most most

be be can can and and should should Europe, Europe, western western fighting fighting summer summer the the during during West West

in in action action the the in in decisive decisive operations operations postpone postpone land land again again Allied Allied next next

to to things, things, other other among among calculated, calculated, the the that that is is moment moment this this at at probable probable

those those above, above, mentioned mentioned as as ences, ences, appear appear does does what what words, words, other other In In

influ­ and and views views Such Such Government. Government. ain. ain.

Churchill Churchill the the and and Administration Administration Brit­ and and country country our our of of forces forces air air

Roosevelt Roosevelt the the of of strategy strategy military military the the by. by. scale scale larger larger a a on on delivered delivered

major major the the of of direction direction the the and and tion tion and and up up stepped stepped systematically systematically and and

orienta­ main main the the to to counter counter run run but but speedily speedily be be will will Europe, Europe, occupied occupied

with with harmony harmony in in not not are are views views ous ous in in points points invasion invasion possible possible against against

danger­ and and and and false false such such coalition, coalition, Obviously, Obviously, German-Italo German-Italo the the

East." East." Far Far the the of of centers centers industry industry war war main main the the

to to attention attention "more "more devote devote should should against against blows blows damaging damaging more more and and

and and Axis, Axis, the the of of center center the the ites, ites, heavier heavier still still that that evidence evidence ample ample

Hitler­ the the defeating defeating on on less" less" trate trate is is there there course, course, of of And, And, rope. rope.

concen­ should should "we "we now now that that East; East; Northwestern Northwestern in in Eu­ diversion diversion a a

Middle Middle the the and and Balkans Balkans the the rope, rope, or or Norway Norway in in blow blow simultaneous simultaneous a a

Eu­ southern southern Africa, Africa, in in instance, instance, by by accompanied accompanied be be also also may may these these

for for influence, influence, and and positions positions our our ing ing though though Greece, Greece, and and Crete Crete dinia, dinia,

consolidat­ simultaneously simultaneously reserves, reserves, Sar­ Sicily, Sicily, in in start start may may nigh nigh draws draws

new new and and strength strength further further cumulate cumulate which which Europe Europe of of invasion invasion American American

to to ac­ us us for for advantageous advantageous be be may may Anglo­ approaching approaching the the that that servers servers

it it growing growing are are Army Army Red Red the the of of ob­ military military American American competent competent

powers powers offensive offensive and and defensive defensive the the of of estimates estimates the the to to credence credence giving giving

since since that that Europa"; Europa"; "Festung "Festung tack tack for for grounds grounds substantial substantial are are there there

at­ we we before before Union Union Soviet Soviet the the is, is, That That area. area. Mediterranean Mediterranean pean pean

of of blows blows by by further further still still weakened weakened Euro­ the the into into primarily primarily months, months,

AFRICA AFRICA IN IN VICTORY VICTORY THE THE 500 500 THE VICTORY IN AFRICA 501 South, in coordination with the So­ least of all, these will be affected viet offensive from the East. by the success of the mass political struggles waged by labor, in alli­ ance with all other anti-fascists and Now more than ever the mass win-the-war forces, against the de­ movement of labor and the people featists and appeasers within the for the second front should be re­ country. inforced. Stern, difficult and stub­ The defeatists are now desper­ born military and political struggles ately at work to revise and circum­ lie ahead. The African campaign is vent the decisions of Washington only a step on the road to victory. and London to extend our offensive Crucial battles are approaching on operations to the European conti­ the decisive Eastern Front where nent. So far they have not succeeded the Nazis continue to concentrate in determining the main direction their maximum forces and striking of our military blows. But they power. Important Anglo-American have been successful in delaying ac­ operations are in the making. If tion, in creating countless difficul­ the existing prerequisites for speed­ ties. They have succeeded up to ing the defeat of the Hitlerites are now in limiting the extension, force to be realized, then the blows and tempo of our military action. against Hitler from the East and Today, seeking to provoke and West must now be fully synchron­ e~ploit anti-Soviet and anti-Brit­ ized and concentrated against the ish bogeys and prejudices, as well vital centers of Nazi Germany. as the timid philosophy of the cau­ To carry out the military deci­ tious calculators, they counsel post­ sions already arrived at by the poning decisive blows till 1944 or President and Prime Minister later. They are vigorously advocat­ Churchill necessitates the max­ ing a suicidal and traitorous revi­ imum mobilization of labor and the sion of our war strategy, and echo­ people. And to ensure the most ing Berlin, as well as Bullitt's "car­ rapid extension of the Anglo-Amer­ rot and the club" thesis, call for ican offensive to the heart as well as concentrating our main blows the periphery of Europe demands against Japan, so as to try and dis­ greater and not less political ac­ rupt the unity of the anti-Hitler tivity of the masses to help imple­ coalition, so as to avert defeat for ment and influence the Administra­ both the Nazis and their Japanese tion's war policies, and to sustain partners. They pose the extension the President's hand against both of material aid to the Soviet Union the defeatists and the counselors of as standing: in opposition to the cautious calculation. task of organizing the second front. The military decisions of the gov­ They assiduously campaign for a ernment and the High Command "negotiated peace" with Hitler's can be advanced or retarded, as was slave-order and strive to undermine shown by the outcome of the .June our Commander-in-Chief and the 11 and the Casablanca decisions. Not national war effort at borne. 502 THE VICTORY IN AFRICA Therefore, now more than ever, international labor unity, and the popular movement for the sec­ against all anti-Soviet baiters and ond front now must become one of Anglophobes. New efforts are be­ help guaranteeing the earliest and ing made to disrupt the unity of complete fulfillment of the military the United Nations, especially of its decisions of our government; one of leading coalition of America, the organizing the most active public Soviet Union and Great Britain. support in behalf of, and for imple­ Franco's latest bid for a "compro­ menting the policy of our Com­ mise peace" and for a new coalition mander.,in-Chief for carrying for­ to combat the "menace of commu­ ward and extending immediately the nism" is a straw in the wind. The fight against Hitler Germany to the defeatist conspiracy organized by continent of Europe. This movement and around John L. Lewis to try should be crystallized into mobiliz­ and obstruct war production and ing full support for the opening of create internal disunity as a means the new Anglo-American fronts of impeding the national war ef­ now planned or being undertaken, fort, of undermining the Command­ and for the most energetic, resolute er-in-Chief and of enhancing the and successful prosecution of these position of the Hoovers and du new military enterprises. This Pants further dramatizes the seri­ movement should profit by the ousness of the situation. It con­ lessons of our African campaign, firms the urgency for continuing should seek to avoid the mistakes and reinforcing the mass movement and miscalculations which were supporting the immediate invasion made there both in the political and of Europe. military spheres. It should strive to The strengthening of the popu­ organize support for combining the lar movement, headed by the conduct of aggressive military op­ working class, for the second front erations against Italy, the Balkans likewise requires that greater at­ or northern Europe with the launch­ tention shall be given to the ing of a decisive, all-out offensive achievement of new goals on the in western Europe, in conjunction production front. It necessitates a with the summer campaign of the marked rise in war production to Red Army, simultaneously reinforc­ meet the requirements of our ex­ ing the struggle against Japanese panding military operations and of militarism. those of our Allies. It makes neces­ Moreover, the people's movement sary the assurance of uninterrupted for the second front requires that production, the defeat of the Lewis­ a more serious and stubborn politi­ Woll-Reuther strike provocations, cal struggle should now be waged the continuance of labor's no-strike against all and sundry exponents of policy, real progress toward achiev­ a "negotiated peace" with Hitler's ing over-all economic stabilization Axis, against the Ehrlich-Alter con­ and a centralized war economy, and spirators, against the opponents of the forging of more effective labor THE VICTORY IN AFRICA 503 and national unity around our Com­ Joseph Stalin, in the same historic mander-in-Chief in furtherance of Order of the Day on May First, our nation's war objectives. stated that in conjunction with the It is therefore clear that the suc­ Soviet winter campaign, the victor­ cess of our new military efforts in ious actions of the Anglo-American Europe, the task of establishing troops in Africa, and the growing now, this summer, the cardinal blows of the Anglo-American air second front, the further de­ force in Europe, it was possible "for velopment and consolidation of the first time in this war" that "the the American-Soviet-British coali­ blow delivered by the Red Army in tion, as well as the strengthening the East was merged with the blow of national unity for victory-re­ delivered by the troops of our al­ quire that the mass movement for lies in the west into a united, com­ the second front in Europe from the mon blow.... " west as well as the south, should be This signifies that a new and most intensified and broadened, that the important development has already people, especially labor, should in­ taken place in the war, in the tervene more actively and firmly in strengthening of the fighting alli­ the political life of the nation, back­ ahce of the leading anti-Hitler ing up and implementing the anti­ coalition, in the developing coalition Hitler and victory orientation and warfare now taking place betwen decisions of our government and the U.S.A., the U.S.S.R. and Brit­ nation. ain. As Stalin pointed out-"All For it should be remembered, as these facts taken together have Stalin emphasized on May First, shaken the Hitler war machine to while-- its foundations, changed the course of the world war and created the " ... the Germano-Italian fascist necessary prerequisites for victory camp is undergoing a severe crisis over Hitler Germany.... " and is facing catastrophe. . . . This But this does not yet mean that does not yet mean, of course, that victory is won, or that the U.S.A., the catastrophe of Hitler Germany the U.S.S.R. and Britain have al­ has already arrived. Not at all. ready forged a unified strategy and Hitler Germany and her army are fully coordinated military action. shaken and undergoing a crisis; but Heavy battles still must be fought. they are not yet smashed. It would be naive to think that the catas­ Hitler's Axis, Hitlerism, must still trophe will come automatically and be destroyed. spontaneously. Two or three more The relations among the mem­ powerful blows from the west and bers of the anti-Hitler coalition east, such as that inflicted upon the have undoubtedly improved. It Hitler army in the last five or six would seem that a general under­ months, are necessary for the cat­ standing, though not yet complete astrophe of Hitler Germany to be­ come real." agreement, exists among the coali­ tion regarding military strategy. * * * Clearly, there is not yet full 504 THE VICTORY IN AFRICA agreement, otherwise the second tend American and British offensive front against the vital centers of operations to the continent of Eu­ Hitler Germany would now, or long rope, in important operations which since, have been opened as a major, may and should take place simul­ all-out offensive. Otherwise Amer­ taneously with the crucial summer ican relations with Mannerheim­ campaign and fighting of the valiant Finland and Franco-Spain would Red Army on the decisive Soviet­ have been radically changed. How­ German Front. This is seen by the ever, this is not yet the case. character and widening scope of the What we have witnessed in th&l Anglo-American air raids over Eu­ recent period-in the combined rope. This is testified to by the struggles of the Red Army, the recent augmenting of Lend-Lease Anglo-American armies in Africa, aid to the Soviet Union. This is also and the mounting air raids in Eu­ evidenced by the clarification of the rope-is the beginning of coalition political atmosphere arising from warfare but not yet full, coordin­ the suspension of Soviet relations ated coalition war. What we see, with the pro-fascist Polish govern­ important as it is, is the striking ment-in-exile. of a united, common blow-but not However, it is still essential and yet the attainment of a single, com­ urgent that everything should be pletely unified strategy embracing done, that all patriots, that all anti­ the timing, scale and force of the Hitlerites, should continue to press major blows, resources and the resolutely and vigorously for a total war efforts of all members of completely unified fighting strategy, the anti-Hitler coalition, directed for ensuring the maximum and in coordination against the core timely concerted military action of and center of the Axis-Nazi Ger­ our country and its Soviet and Brit­ many. ish Allies. This is vital today in A common, unified strategy must view of the new and decisive battles still be obtained. The complete approaching on the Eastern front. coordination of Anglo-Soviet-Amer­ This is imperative for using the ican military action must yet be existing prerequisites to deliver the realized. The conditions for realiz­ decisive blow against the Hitlerites ing this are improving. This is this year, for winning victory. This evidenced by the actions and prepa­ is the way to prepare for a just rations now being organized to ex- and durable peace. THE CRISIS IN FASCIST UPPER CIRCLES IN ITALY*

BY M. ERCOLI

AST February news of the re­ policy, beyond which bankruptcy L organization of the Italian begins. These circles regard with Government spread through Italy alarm the destruction of Italy's eco­ and the whole world. With the ex­ nomic and trading positions in the ception of several obscure minor whole world and in Europe: Some officials the only minister to retain of these positions were abolished his post was Mussolini. The rest with one blow three years ago, and were dismissed. At the same time others were seized by voracious the Chief of the General Staff of German imperialism, pursuing its the Italian Army, Marshal Cabal­ expansion in keeping with the "New lero, was also removed. Order" in Europe. That is why these This time Mussolini considered it circles in Italy looked to the future necessary to get rid, in the first with the greatest apprehension. place, of those people who were A trusted man and direct repre­ more or less closely connected with sentative of these circles could no various groups of public opinion longer be Mussolini's trusted man who critically estimated the situa­ and consequently his Minister. tion in the country. The Minister Grandi and Bottai-the former of Finance, Taon de Revel, un­ was Minister of Justice and the lat­ questionably personified the fascist ter Minister of Public Education­ plutocrat. A big industrialist and were unquestionably representa­ financier, he was sponsor of the tives of the Fascist Party second very same financial policy which only in importance to Mussolini. in less than three years had boosted But Grandi has on his "conscience" the country's national debt to more the fact that at another period crit­ than three times Italy's annual rev­ ical for the fascist movement he enue. This policy enabled the fas­ headed all those in the Fascist Party cist state to finance war by appro­ who mistrusted Mussolini. As re­ priating billions in small savings. gards Bottai, just as luck would Considerable industrial and fin­ have it, before the present crisis he ancial circles are beghming to un­ deemed it necessary to begin a cam­ derstand that there is a limit to this paign for personal responsibility of everyone, including also the fascist • Written before the latest Allied victories in Tunisia.-Ed. rulers, for his own actions, and to 505 506 THE CRISIS IN ITALY campaign for "restoration of free­ compelled to get rid of them? The dom of criticism." It is obvious that only acceptable explanation is that this campaign was not very much these people are backed by influen­ to the liking of Mussolini, directly tial circles of the big Italian mon­ responsible as he is for all politi­ opolist bourgeoisie. Together with cal and military disasters which Mussolini these circles were per­ have befallen the country since the meated with an expansionist and beginning of the war. belligerent spirit. They represented The dismissed Riccardi and Ricci, the only category which derived ex-Ministers of Economy and Cor­ concrete advantages in the form of porations respectively, could be re­ thousands of millions of super-prof­ garded as typical representatives its from the war waged by Italy in and leaders of an apparatus con­ the interests of the German impe­ sisting partly of profiteers and dem­ rialists. agogues, and partly of corrupt bu­ But Italy's heavy industry is also reaucrats placed by fascism over having a hard time at present. Its the country's productive forces in crisis is due partly to lack of raw order to subordinate them to itself. materials which Germany no longer But the most characteristic fig­ can or wants to supply, partly to ures of present-day Italy are For­ the impossibility of replacing equip­ eign Minister Ciano and Chief of ment. It is beginning to feel General . Staff Caballero. General devastating blows as a result of the Caballero, better known as a share­ first serious Anglo-American air holder in heavy industry and ex­ raids. change-profiteer, was appointed to The opposition circles in the his military post solely because he Italian bourgeoisie see that all of was Mussolini's evil genius in the Italy's colonies have been lost and organization of the military disaster that, following all of Mussolini's de­ in Greece and Albania in 1940-41. feats, conquests are out of the ques­ An obedient servant of the German tion. Those who began this war, General Staff, he supplied Hitler calculating on conquering and plun­ with the whole Italian Army for the dering the East and West, have only Soviet-German front. brought the hurricane of war to the Ciano signed the "Steel Pact." territory of Italy proper. Moreover he is Mussolini's son-in­ The popular masses justly consid­ law. Having given his daughter in er the groups of imperialist plutoc­ marriage with Ciano, Mussolini racy mainly responsible for the gained access to narrow circles of catastrophe. Feeling the approach magnates in heavy industry and of the storm, they too are beginning shipbuilding. to look for a way to salvation. And Mussolini is increasingly feeling the * * * waning enthusiasm for the policy Wherein lies the explanation of of the country's servile submission the fact that Mussolini could not to Hitler Germany. trust even these people and was Surrounded, if not as yet by open THE CRISIS IN !TALY 507 opposition, then at least by distrust his army's death roll another 175,- which has penetrated considerable 000 killed, wounded and prisoners. sections of Italian public opinion, He refrained from communicating Mussolini was thus compelled to news of these losses to the Italian oust all his Ministers. He replaced people. But news leaked through them by his own person. He per­ from th~ barracks, camps and hos­ sonally took over all politically im­ pitals and became widely known portant Ministries and placed at the among the people. A cry of indig­ head of other Ministries formerly nation against Mussolini's vile ad­ unknown bureaucrats. venture was ready to burst every­ Such is Mussolini's new govern­ where. The people were bent on ment. At a time when every day learning the truth at any cost and finds the people growing more and Mussolini was again obliged to more weary of war and its conse­ break his silence. quences, at a time when the ruling In a new communique published classes are themselves beginning to after the "return" of the Italian doubt the expediency of continuing army home, Mussolini stated that in a policy which may lead Italy to January and February alone Italian catastrophe and doom, Mussolini's troops on the Soviet-German front new government is a government of had lost more than 100,000 men. In violence, of bureaucracy and fascist another communique he admitted militia, systematically enforced to that six Generals, twenty-three plunge a "stubborn" nation com­ Colonels and a militia consul were pletely into the abyss. killed on the Soviet-German front. After two and a half years of war, However, he ccntinues to maintain Mussolini can credit himself with so silence about December, that is, the many defeats and disasters that month when the Italians were sub­ even in the upper circles of fascist jected to the most deadly attack. society a vacuum is beginning to form around him. Defeat and "The defeat sustained by Italy on liquidation of the army which the the Soviet-German Front," stated Italian Government, on Hitler's or­ Colonel Luigi Longo, Commander of ders, sent to fight on the Soviet­ the Third Regiment of Motorized German front have added a new Infantry of the Division Celere, disgrace to the long list of Musso­ taken prisoner by the Red Army, "is lini's vile deeds and constitute one incomparably more terrible than the of the main reasons which led to defeat suffered by the Italian army the reorganization of the govern­ at Caporetto in 1917." ment. This estimate is correct. Actually * * the Italian Army received crush­ ing blows after it had sustained a Beginning February, 1943, the number of major military defeats. Italian Army in Russia ceased to In other words the fascist regime exist. Mussolini was able to add to has revealed jts utter incapability

Italy, Italy, Southern Southern threat- of of all all soldiers soldiers and and German German dinia, dinia, and and temple temple

Sar­ Sicily, Sicily, others, others, among among cludes, cludes, his his to to revolver revolver a a put put officer officer German German

in­ zone zone This This operations. operations. military military of of a a offensive offensive Army's Army's Red Red the the during during

theater theater a a become become has has which which Italy Italy that that told told Longo Longo Colonel Colonel same same The The

of of zone zone the the of of extension extension responding responding people. people. and and army army Italian Italian the the

cor­ a a by by accompanied accompanied was was it it West West among among widespread widespread expression expression an an

the the to to kilometers kilometers of of hundred hundred eral eral cannon-fodder"­ "sold "sold as as Union Union

sev­ rolled rolled Africa Africa in in front front the the time time Soviet Soviet the the to to them them sent sent Mussolini Mussolini

Every Every Turin. Turin. and and Milan Milan North North in in that that is is disappears, disappears, down down them them ties ties

centers centers industrial industrial big big the the on on made made which which discipline discipline fascist fascist the the as as soon soon

been been have have raids raids major major 1, 1, vember vember as as voice voice they they which which soldiers, soldiers, these these

No­ Beginning Beginning home. home. own own their their in in among among conviction conviction widespread widespread most most

city, city, own own their their in in death death of of menace menace The The assent. assent. in in lifted lifted was was harid harid

constant constant the the with with them them threatening threatening single single a a not not Italy," Italy," for for profitable profitable

is is It It Italians: Italians: of of millions millions many many for for Russia Russia against against war war the the considers considers

meaning meaning direct direct and and concrete concrete quite quite you you among among "Who "Who question, question, the the To To

a a acquired acquired has has war war the the Today Today front. front. Soviet-German Soviet-German the the of of rear rear the the

in in gathered gathered prisoner, prisoner, taken taken Italians, Italians,

* * * * * *

4,000 4,000 1942, 1942, 31, 31, December December On On

clique." clique." cist cist

Caporetto. Caporetto. fas­ the the of of war war a a it's it's War, War, People's People's

at at defeat defeat the the than than grave grave more more ally ally a a not not is is "This "This said, said, Di_vision Di_vision Torini Torini

mor­ and and politically politically front front German German the the of of Bonanno Bonanno Contelli Contelli Ettore Ettore jor jor

Soviet­ the the on on army army Italian Italian the the of of Ma­ while while Regiment, Regiment, Infantry Infantry 37th 37th

rout rout the the rendered rendered have have which which ments ments the the of of Goldini Goldini Giovanni Giovanni Colonel Colonel

ele­ the the are are slavery-such slavery-such German German said said Italy," Italy," and and Union Union Soviet Soviet the the

shameful shameful by by feeling feeling national national of of between between war war for for cause cause slightes-'; slightes-'; the the

mockery mockery profound profound Germans, Germans, the the to to wasn't wasn't "There "There Regiment. Regiment. fantry fantry

soldiers soldiers Italian Italian out out sold sold Mussolini Mussolini In­ 28th 28th the the of of Bianchi Bianchi Mario Mario onel onel

how how of of sight sight the the at at humiliation humiliation Col­ stated stated for," for," fight fight must must I I what what

whole, whole, a a as as policy policy fascist fascist the the at at understand understand least least the the in in didn't didn't I I

indignation indignation growing growing but but conscious, conscious, aims. aims. war war about about nothing nothing know know "I "I

un­ yet, yet, as as partly, partly, and and Muffled Muffled Empire. Empire. about about dreams dreams

Union. Union. Soviet Soviet the the in in Army Army delicious delicious Mussolini's Mussolini's all all to to ity ity

Italian Italian the the of of officers officers and and soldiers soldiers hostil­ and and indifference indifference pt'ofound pt'ofound of of

the the by by learned learned lesson lesson the the is is Such Such state state this this exactly exactly is is front front German German

imperialism. imperialism. man man Soviet­ the the on on prisoner prisoner taken taken ficers ficers

Ger­ of of interests interests the the in in death death tain tain of­ higher higher the the even even but but soldiers, soldiers, the the

cer­ · · to to slaves slaves and and hirelings hirelings Italian Italian of of only only not not testimony, testimony, standing standing

driving driving are are soldiers soldiers and and officers officers out­ The The them. them. for for lives lives their their fice fice

German German when when reality reality today's today's tmd tmd sacri­ to to intend intend not not do do they they cism, cism,

empire empire win win to to promise promise Mussolini's Mussolini's fas­ of of adventures adventures predatory predatory the the of of

between between gulf gulf deep deep a a is is There There approve approve not not do do people people Italian Italian The The

diers. diers. campaign. campaign.

sol­ Italian Italian machine-gun machine-gun to to ened ened military military serious serious any any conduct conduct to to

ITALY ITALY IN IN CRISIS CRISIS THE THE 508 508 THE CRISIS IN ITALY 509 that is, the poorest part of the with mass arrests and executions, country and moreover a section al­ but terror will not bring him any ways known for its separatist ten­ results. The population of Sicily, dencies. For more than fifty years Sardinia and Southern Italy, which after the political unification of the has never been fascist, on whom Italian Kingdom the Rome Govern­ fascism has been forced with the ment regarded these districts as ter­ aid of punitive expeditions from the ritories to be exploited and plun­ continent, and who now regard fas­ dered in the interests of the welfare cism as the direct cause of their and profits of the reactionary and ruin, will welcome British and plutocratic clique. Italy's imperial­ American troops should they land ist bourgeoisie invested hundreds of in Italy. millions in senseless colonial cam­ But the same problem, and in paigns; Mussolini and his gang of the same form, is also facing the blackshirt sharks squandered tens whole of Italy, that is, not only the of millions for building highways working class and the working peo­ in Ethiopia and preparations for ple as a whole, not only the anti­ war to conquer Africa. In the fascists but all the citizens to any meantime Sicily, Sardinia and the extent conscious of Italy's national South of Italy continued a pitiful interests. existence without highways and The countries of the anti-Hitler railways, without dwellings, schools coalition have never advanced and or port facilities. Today the cities never will advance any demand and ports of Sardinia, Sicily and contrary to the interests and dignity the south are crumbling to heaps of Italy. They are merely pursu­ of debris and the population looks ing the rout of German imperialism, with horror to the future. the destruction of Hitlerite tyranny With the completion of the Tu­ and the restoration of the freedom nisian adventure Italy may soon be­ and independence of all the nations come the arena of military opera­ of Europe. All this is directly in ac­ tions, not only as regards air raids cord with the interests of the Ital­ on her territory, but in the fullest ian people and the Italian state. sense of this word. Thus a new If, despite the inevitable prospect problem is arising before the Italian of the war being shifted to the ter­ people, that of facing war at home. ritory of Italy proper, the prospect It is doubtful whether Italy po­ of the devastation of the country litically will be able to withstand and new disastrous defeats for its this blow as an integral state. Not army, Italy still continues the war, in vain do Italian soldiers, taken it is due to two reasons. Firstly, prisoner on the Soviet-German Germany compels Italy to continue front, tell about the movement to fight on to disaster and death. among the petty and middle bour­ The second reason is that Mussolini geoisie in Sicily demanding separa­ and his clique are clinging tooth tion of Sicily from fascist Italy. and nail to power in Italy. And the Mussolini replied to this movement main reason is that the forces which 510 THE CRISIS IN ITALY must overthrow Mussolini and his fascist organizations. A staggering gang have not yet matured. state debt, inflation, and the dis­ For Germany, Italy's withdrawal appearance of foodstuffs and articles from the war today would mean of consumption from the markets, the collapse of her position in the triumphs of the black market-all Balkans and the immediate neces­ these are facts against which the sity to fortify Southern Germany's government, according to its own frontiers. Naturally, Hitler is bent admission, is powerless to do any­ on preventing this at all costs. thing. The only way to salvation for To preserve this regime and rule Italy and the Italians is to over­ of the country, it is by no means throw the power of Mussolini and worth while to go to certain disas­ his entire gang of fascist dignitaries. ter. This truth is dawning on many These people have shown thousands representatives of the ruling classes, of times over and over again that who preferred to leave Mussolini they represent a caste of the most alone with his squadrists at the head ungifted, corrupt, irresponsible rul­ of the government; it is being real­ ers eve:.· known in Italian history. ized more and more by a wide sec­ In war and in international rela­ tion of the population, beginning tions they brought about only the with groups affiliated to fascist or­ defeat and humiliation of Italy. ganizations. This is attested by the They are ending their career of ill­ struggle against "defeatism" in the starred conquerors, as the boot­ fascist organizations, from which blacks of German imperialism. "defeatists" are being expelled in tens of thousands. From October, 1942, to February * * * 28, 1943, the membership of the Fascist Party declined by 2,000,000, As regards Italy's internal situa­ and the membership of the youth tion, it is hard to find another coun­ organizations by 5,0UO,OOO. (Accord­ try with greater disorder and grav­ ing to available information, 1,000,- er chaos. Only a fascist govern­ 000 members of these organizations ment would be able to bring a coun­ are in the army.) The masses of try to such a state, with its policy people are turning their backs on which condemns people to death Mussolini and fascism. Nevertheless, from bombs, forces masses of peo­ this clear manifestation of disgust ple to go to Germany to work for with the fascist regime, like the the Germans and compels people sabotage pursued by the peasants to live on a hunger ration of 150 with regard to the requisition of grams of bread daily, a policy which agricultural produce, like the flight systematically and stubbornly is de­ of workers from the factories, ac­ fending the interests of the pluto­ quiring a mass character, despite crats of war industry, who feath­ the militarization of all workers and ered themselves a nest in the state threats of imprisonment remains as apparatus and in the leadership of yet at a stage of passive opposition THE CRISIS IN ITALY 511 and passive resistance to the policy creating a broad front of the na­ of war and catastrophe pursued by tional forces resolved on bringing Mussolini. the country out of the war by over­ With such means as passive re­ throwing Mussolini exist. But such sistance, the expression of "defeat­ a front will be created only when ist" viewpoints, it is impossible to strikes break out and big street overthrow Mussolini's despotic gov­ demonstrations of workers occur, ernment, impossible to break the when in the city, countryside and chains of German slavery, to put an army rebellion breaks out against end to war, to save Italy from the fascist government, when group doom. after group of dauntless anti-fas­ Following the reorganization of cists throughout the country devel­ his government, Mussolini began op the struggle by every means to without any scruples to make prep­ smash the war machine and the arations for the use of all arms to state apparatus of Mussolini. suppress open rebellion by the peo­ Therefore a decisive struggle for ple. To the leadership of his or­ rooting out every manifestation of ganizations he appointed the most passivity and inertness, especially hated jailers and murderers of the in the ranks of the working class early period of fascism, speeding and among the anti-fascists, re­ up the formation of his battalions mains the principal task of those specially trained for civil war. It who today really want to play in is clear the moment is coming when Italy the role of vanguard of the the popular masses---

BY HANS BERGER

1\.."fUMEROUS individuals and the "On what fundaments is it your l, newspapers have indulged in opinion that the relations between Poland and the U.S.S.R. should be more or less would-be ingenious based after the war?" speculations as to the reason that the Soviet Union has broken off Stalin replied: relations with the so-called Polish National Government in London. "Upon · the fundament of solid The grounds offered by the Soviet good neighborly relations and mu­ Union for this break did not suf­ tual respect, or, should the Polish fice them. Some-not the least people so desire, upon the funda­ among them, of course, the New ment of an alliance providing for Ger­ York Times--even went so far as mutual assistance against the mans as the chief enemies of the .the Soviet Union the to ascribe to Soviet Union and Poland." motive of alleged opposition to an independent and· free ·Poland. Stal­ Thus Stalin reaffirmed, in this in's letter to the Moscow corres­ letter, the declaration he had made pondent of the New York Times at the conclusion of the pact with clearly and succinctly reasserted General Sikorski in December, 1941, the position of the Soviet Union now developing it, and thereby ex­ with reference to the reconstruction pressly emphasizing the fact that of an independent Poland. To Mr. the break in relations with the so­ Ralph Parker's question: called Polish Government-in-Exile in London in no wise affected the "Does - the Government of the attitude of the Soviet Union in re-- U.S.S.R. desire to see a strong an:d . gard to the question of the recon­ independent Poland after the defeat stitution of a strong and independ­ of Hitler's Germany?" ent Poland. This position is in no way a surprise to anyone familiar Stalin replied: with the Leninist-Stalinist prin­ ciples of Soviet policy in regard "Unquestionably it does." to the question of nationalities. The New York Times is pleased To the further question: to note that Stalin, in this letter, 513 514 THE POLISH REACTIONARIES' PROVOCATION does not touch on the boundary recognition in order to establish the question. We find this quite ob­ geographical boundaries of its land. vious, since for the Soviet Union Consequently, for the peoples of the there can exist but one boundary Soviet Union and their elected gov­ question, namely, that of the de­ ernment there is no boundary ques­ struction and expulsion of the Ger­ tion to be discussed with friends., man invaders. This boundary ques­ Hence, it was not because of a tion the Soviet Union discusses with change in attitude toward the ques­ its foes by means of artillery, in­ tion of a future free and independ­ fantry, and cavalry. But, one might ent Poland, or because of any perhaps argue, we have not recog­ "boundary question," that the So­ nized the Western border of the So­ viet Union suspended relations with viet Union. This is certainly re­ the Polish Government-in-Exile. It grettable, but it in no way alters did this because the Polish govern­ the situation. We recognized the ment, in its propaganda, intrigues, Soviet Union only in 1933; yet it and overt acts against the Soviet endured and developed. And it is to Union, had made common cause be hoped that in the best interests with the Nazis, and thereby robbed of the gJ:owth of our friendship with the pact of any valid basis. the Soviet Union we make amends In July, 1941, the Soviet Union for our neglect and recognize the concluded a pact with General Si­ · Soviet Union as a whole, that is, korski, as the representative of the as it was constituted prior to Hit­ Polish Government-in-Exile, a pact ler's invasion; for our ally is the of war against Hitler-Germany. entire Soviet Union, which adheres According to this pact, all questions to and will remain our friend if we of boundaries were to be left to do not disturb this growing relation­ the future. The Soviet Union un­ ship with methods used in the past dertook to provide the Polish gov­ for that purpose. ernment with facilities for organiz­ It requires no Atlantic Charter ing upon Soviet soil a Polish army or recognition to determine the for struggle against Hitler. The So­ frontiers of the United States. We viet Union concluded this pact with are not a "geographi<;al concept" the Polish Government-in-Exile al­ but a sovereign state, whose fron­ though it knew that in that govern­ tiers are marked on a map--fron­ ment there was a coalition of arch­ tiers which we are defending with reactionary landed· proprietors and all the means at our command reactionary army officers who had against the German and Japanese formerly carried on a systematic imperialists. Nor is the Soviet policy of hostility toward the So­ Union, with which we are allied, viet Union, while manifesting at the a "geographical concept," as the same time marked pro-German and Nazis are finding out to their grief. pro-Nazi tendencies. In the very Therefore the sovereign Soviet conclusion of this pact even with Union does not require, any more such a government, the Soviet than we do, an Atlantic Charter or Union explicitly stressed its wish THE POLISH REACTIONARIES' PROVOCATION 515 to see, after the victory over Hitler, "The very signing of the Polish­ an "independent and strong Poland" Soviet agreement in July, 1941, was reconstituted. accompanied py a crisis in the Po­ Had the Polish Government-in­ lish Government-hi-Exile. The op­ Exile under the leadership of Gen­ ponents of the agreement, the lead- . ers of which were mostly members eral Sikorski loyally lived up to the of the former 'colonel's" regime' and Polish-Soviet Pact, had it desisted ·adherents of Colonel Beck's policy, from falling back into the old tra­ or members of the definitely fas­ dition of its policy of anti-Soviet cist 'nationalist camp,' had started hostility, had it exerted itself to an embittered opposition against maintain friendly relations with General Sikorski's foreign policy. that land upon whose fighting This opposition organized its center strength above all others depended in the United States and is led by · the emanCipation of Poland also, Colonel Matuszewski. It has been . doing much damage to the morale there would have been obviated any of Americans of Polish descent, need for a breach in its relations among whom it is building up with the Soviet Union. strong emotions against our So­ But the arch-reactionary Polish viet, Czechoslovak and Briti~h al­ Circles, represented by the Govern­ lies.... ment-in-Exile, just like the Prus­ "In the spring of. 1942 strong sian jurikers, or the· Japanese sa­ anti-Soviet sentiments were ex­ murai, are unteachable. Very soon pressed in the National Council. A resolution stressing the claim to after the conclusion of the pact they pre-war eastern frontiers was began, in England as well as in the passed in December, 1942. Another United States, a bitter incitement resolution was passed in February, against the Soviet Union and 1943. In none of these resolutions against General Sikorski, whom was there any mention of the Uk­ they reproached with being "too rainian and White Ruthenian pop­ conciliatory" toward the Soviet ulations which form the majority Union. Both in the United States in' the disputed territories. and in England as well as in other "At the same time a constant anti-Soviet campaign was being countries, they allied themselves carried on in the Polish emigre with every anti-Soviet force-with press by the official diplomatic and the America Firsters, with fascist­ information services. Among inci­ minded Slovaks, with Ukrainian dents in this campaign there are White Guards friendly toward the such facts as furnishing the Chi­ Nazis, with all that hated the So­ cago Tribune with anti-Russian ma­ viet Union and wished to see her terial, and the activities of the downfall. The former lecturer at American Friends of .Poland, an or­ the University of Cracow, Mr. Os­ ganization acting under the aus­ pices of the Polish Embassy and car Lange, at present professor at counting among its members ·this the University of Chicago, described, country's foremost isolationist lead­ in the New York Herald Tribune ers. Colonel Langhorn is chair­ of April 29, the activities of the man, Mr. Cudahy, General Wood, Polish reactionaries as follows: Mr. Robert Hall McCornuck, Miss 516 THE POLISH REACTIONARIES' PROVOCATION Lucy Martin belong to it. This col­ What was the Riga Treaty? That laboration of Polish diplomacy with treaty was imposed upon the young persons who have been outstanding Soviet Union by force of arms. Four advocates of a negotiated peace to five million White Russians, eight with Germany is unanimously in­ terpreted as an anti-Soviet policy. million Ukrainians, and two million The activities of the press, of the Jews, as also a part of Southeastern information services, and of the Lithuania, were forcibly brought diplomatic representatives of the under Polish rule. The Ukrainians Govern men t-in-Ex i 1 e have and White Russians were brutally thwarted General Sikorski's person­ oppressed and exploited by the Po­ al efforts. Having signed an agree­ lish large-landed proprietors. Po­ ment and an alliance with the So­ groms against the population of viet Government, General Sikorski these regions constituted the policy proved unable to 'deliver the goods! He has been consistently sabotaged of the half-fascist Polish dictator­ by his own government, by the Na­ ship. Misery was their daily bread. tional Council, and by all govern­ Even the extremely anti-Soviet ment agencies." (Italics mine.­ · British Foreign Minister, Lord Cur­ H.B.) zon, had proposed at the Versailles Peace Conference a line of demark­ • • • ation corresponding to the line es­ To this description by an out­ tablished by the Soviet Union be­ standing Pole, of anti-Soviet in­ fore the fascist invasion. The His­ trigue by the Polish reactionaries tory of the Communist Party of the and their friends, much could be Soviet Union characterizes thil! added; for instance, the regrettable phase as follows: fact that the Divine Service and their priestly robe were abused by "The Polish gentry and Wrangel, certain reactionary Catholic priests, as Lenin put it, were the two hands in order to wage a campaign of hate with which international imperial­ against the Soviet Union, and break ism attempted to strangle Soviet the Eighth Commandment by bring­ Russia. The plan of the Poles wal! ing false witness against an ally.· to seize the Soviet Ukraine west of This slander-campaign, carried the Dnieper, to occupy Soviet By­ elorussia, to restore the power of on over many months by the Polish the Polish magnates in these re­ reactionaries, led on December 8, gions, to extend the frontiers of the 1942, to the open violation of the Polish State so that they stretch pact entered into with the Soviet 'from sea to sea,' from Danzig to Union. In contravention of the Odessa, and, in return for his aid, agreement, the Polish government to help Wrangel smash the Red on that day, Sikorski agreeing Army and restore the power of the thereto, made public a declaration landlords and capitalists in Soviet Russia.... The Soviet government m which it specifically raised its made vain attempts to enter into claims to the Eastern frontier, negotiations with Poland with the claiming as its basis the Riga Treaty object of preserving peace and of March, 1921. averting war. Pilsudski refused to THE POLISH REACTIONARIES' PROVOCATION 517 discuss peace. He wanted war. He ment of "colonels" under Beck calculated that the Red Army, fa­ strengthened German fascism, per­ tigued by its battles with Kolchak formed labors of love for the Hit­ and Denikin, would not be able to lerite executioners after Munich, withstand the attack of the Polish pursued a consistent policy of op­ forces." (P. 24). position to collective security and The outcome of this attack of hostility toward the Soviet Union against the Soviet Union by the Po­ and thereby helped to prevent that lish reactionaries, whose army was development which ultimately · being led by von Weygand and would have provided the only way those French officers who later con­ of saving Poland. In 1939, the Beck tributed so systematically to the de­ Government, whose circles even to­ struction of France, was the Treaty day dominate the so-called Polish of Riga. And on this treaty the government in London, played an clique of Polish reactionarie3 in ominous role in sabotaging the con­ London, that government without clusion of a pact of security be­ land or people, elected by no one, tween the Soviet Union, France and has dared to base its claims! It is England. In his address on August as though Hitler, in order to justify 31, 1939, to the Supreme Soviet on legally his conquest in the Soviet the ratification of the Soviet-Ger­ Union, were to fall back on the Ir!an Non-Aggression Pact, Foreign Treaty of Brest-Litovsk. It is as Commissar Molotov described the though the Polish gentry in London role of Poland: were to justify their claims to the par!s of Czechoslovakia they stole ''ln these nego!iations o~e came at the time of the Munich Pact on up sharp against the fact that Pol­ the basis of that very pact. Little and, which was to receive the com­ interest indeed has this clique of mon guarantees of England, France, large landowners and big capitalists and the U.S.S.R., rejected the mili­ tary aid of th.e Soviet Union. At­ in self-determination for the Uk­ tempts to obviate these objections rainians, White Russians, and Jews on the part of Poland failed. . . . in the very regions they have One realizes that the negotiations themselves despoiled! involving Britain, France, and the The developments in Poland fol­ Soviet Union could not come to any lowed along· lines other than those fruitful conclusion in view of such of national self-determination and an attitude on the part of the Pol­ democracy. The reactionary Polish ish government and of her princi­ overlords established their brutal pal allies on the question of mili­ tary aid by the ·soviet Union in case anti-democratic, anti-labor, anti­ of an aggression. Thereafter it be­ Semitic and anti-Russian regime came clear to us that the British­ over the Polish people and espe­ French-Soviet negotiations were cially over the subject peoples. doomed to miscarry." (Italics mine Their fascist policy at home corres­ -H.B.) ponded to their policy of adventure abroad. The reactionary govern- It is essential to recall these past 518 THE POLISH REACTIONARIES' PROVOCATION events because there is still being By force of such a situation, the circulated among Polish reaction­ treaties entered into previously be­ ary circles and their· American tween the Soviet Union and Poland helpmates the calumny that the So­ have lost. their validity. In Poland there has arisen a situation that viet Union made a pact with Hit­ requires particular concern on the ler for the dismemberment of Po­ part of the Soviet Union over the land, Such a pact never existed, and security of her state. Poland has the Red Army marched into its for­ become a field susceptible to an merly ravished territories, since sorts . of accidents and surprises there no longer was a Polish gov­ which may .engender danger to the ernment and the resistance of Po· security of the Soviet Union. . . . land had collapsed. Doubtless the Nor can it be expected of the So­ Beck crowd, who even today exert viet Union that it will view with equanimity the fate of its Ukrain­ their unholy influence in London, ian and White Russian blood re­ would have preferred to see the oc­ lations, who reside in Poland and cupation of these territories by the have hitherto found themselves German fascists rather than their there as nationals deprived of all liberati~n by the Red Army. But the rights, but who at .present, however, Soviet Union, foreseeing the devel­ are abandoned to the whims of opments with regard to Hitler-Ger­ chance. The Soviet Union deems it many, discharged its responsibility her sacred duty to extend her hand toward the Ukrainian and White in help to her Ukrainian brethren, her White Russian brethren now Russian brothers of the Soviet peo­ living in Poland.... No one could ple in these territories. In his ra­ imagine that the Polish state could dio address of September 17, 1939, ever reveal such utter helplessness, Molotov described the situation as and could disintegrate so rapidly follows: as it has done throughout au· of Po­ land. However, since this disinte­ "The events evoked by the Po­ gration is nevertheless a fact, while lish-German war have exposed the th>e stat.esmen of Poland are com­ instability and the notorious politi­ pletely bankrupt and are incapable ca.l inca.pacity of the Polish state. of changing t~e situation of· Poland, The Polish government circles have our Red Army must therefore . . . gone into bankruptcy. All this oc­ in full duty bound, perform its duty curred in a very short time. Hardly of honor." (Italics mine.-H.B.) two ·weeks ha,ve gone by and Po­ land has already lost all its indus­ The Red Army was acclaimed by trial areas, and the greater part of the population of the territories it its large cities and cultural cen­ occupied, as defenders and libera­ ters. Also Warsaw,. as capital of tors. In a plebiscite, the people.de­ the Polish state, is no more. No clared themselves almost unani­ one knows the whereabouts of the mously in favor of the Soviet Union. Polish government. The people of Poland have been left in the lurch These areas are today an insepar­ by their wretched T!Ulers. The Po­ able part of the Soviet Ukrainiqn, lish government and the Polish Soviet White Russian, and Soviet state have in fact ceased to exist. Lithuanian Republics of the THE POLISH REACTIONARIES' PROVOCATION 519 U.S.S.R. The Red Army, which is lish Refugee Aid for systematic es­ fighting equally for the liberation of pionage activity. these areas, will not allow anyone, The Polish Lieutenant-Colonel after their liberation, no-not even Zygmund Berling, former chief of Polish counts who had their landed staff of the 5th Division of the Po­ estates there--to seize an inch of lish Army in the Soviet Union, this, as of any other part of Soviet decribes from his experiences, in soil. And the allies of the Soviet the ninth issue of the periodical Union, whose army and people Wolna Polska (F'ree Poland), pub­ have brought the most sacrifices lished by the Union of Polish and fought the decisive battles Patriots in the Soviet Union, of this war, are duty bound the kind of an army the Po­ to stand by the Soviet Union's de­ lish reactionaries in the Soviet fense of every inch of its soil. Union were striving to build. The leaders of this ar;my hoped for the • • • defeat of the Soviet Union, and trained the Polish soldiers and offi­ The Polish reactionaries in Lon­ cers, not for struggle against Hit­ don, while conducting· their cam­ ler, but for struggle against the So­ paign against the Soviet Union, un­ viet .Union, against Jews, against the dertook another step that clearly Ukrainians and White Russians, exposed the wretchedness of their against democracy and progress. position. They allowed the Polish They exerted themselves to set up army set up on Soviet soil to march a fascist, counter-revolutionary Po­ -but not against the common op­ lish army. The Polish Lieutenant­ pressor, against the Hitler armies, Colonel, who refused to flee to Te­ but in another direction, toward heran and stayed behind in the So­ Teheran in Iran. This event took viet Union, wrote: place at the moment when the Red Army was engaged at Stalingrad in "Taking advantage of the hospi­ the epic life-and-death struggle, tality, confidence and friendship of not only for the Soviet Union, but the Soviet Union, deceiving demo­ cratic world opinion, misleading also for Poland ahd all other na­ th~ir own soldiers, a handful of tions. army and civilian politicians spared Soviet Vice-Commissar for For­ no efforts to create on the territory eign' Affairs Vyshinsky, in a state­ of the Soviet Union an army along ment to the representatives of the their own lines--a fascist, hostile­ foreign press at Moscow on May 6, to-democracy, Polish armed force, made known to the world how that far from any thought of struggle Polish army was systematically against the Germans and instead di­ used as an instrument for anti-So­ rected it-ideologically at least­ against the Soviet Union. viet propaganda and intrigues, how "Those who have been closely fol­ members of the Polish Govern­ lowing the Polish press in America ment's diplomatic staff in the Soviet and England have noticed that Union were using the so-called Po- from the very beginning CYf the ex- 520 'THE POLISH REACTIONARIES' PROVOCATION istence of the Polish army in the years-since July, 1941-in German U.S.S.R. its command has pursued. a hands. They have had every oppor­ program outlined. by reaction. tunity to plant any kind of atrocity "Relations inside the army, the story they want. attitude toward the U.S.S.R., and, "But the story they tell is simply finally, what is all-important-the incredible. They claim, just now, attitude toward the struggle at the to have found the common grave of front,all of which culminated in the these officers, through stories told flight to the Near East-such is the them by Russian peasants, who for exact program of the Matuszewskis, two years have kept silence. Bieleckis and their ilk: The forma­ "The officers, dressed in their tion of an army not for struggle uniforms, with their medals, and against Germany, but for the politi­ with identification papers, letters, cal intrigues of cliques. and diaries in their pockets are said "It is high time to show the world to have been found in a common that the Polish people in the grave, atop which grew three-year­ U.S.S.R. by no means want to re­ old trees. This fixes the date of the main aloof from the struggle against slaughter before the German occu­ Hitler. The Pol.es in the U.S.S.R. pation. are eager to fight at the front to­ "The bodies were, of course, not gether with the Red Army, together embalmed, and have been decom­ with all democratic peoples in the posing for three years in the Smol­ anti-fascist coalition." (Italics mine ensk climate, where the ground -H.B.) freezes to a depth of eight or ten feet in winter, then thaws, becomes mud, ;freezes again, and h,ardens The decisive hostile act against and blazes with heat in summer. the Soviet Union which led to the "Yet these bodies are in such a suspension of relations was the Po­ state that Nazis could even identify lish government's teamwork with bayonet wounds in the legs as 'Rus­ the Nazi propaganda machine in sian' by the width of the blade cuts. connection with tLe Goebbels-in­ · "Their papers were legible. spired tale about tl:e alleged mur­ Everything was identifiable. And on dPr of ten thousan:1 Polish officers the basis of this the whole of Po­ land is being set ablaze with wrath by the Russians, and, following the against Russian assassins, who, ac­ nod of Goebbels. its calling upon cording to the Nazis, were Jews and the International Red Cross to in­ O.G.P.U. men.... vestigate this Nazi fairy tale. "This fancy tale looks to me more The prejudices of Dorothy like German thoroughness than like Thompson, as is well known, cer­ Russian ruthlessness. It reminds me tainly do not incline her favorably of the case of Van der Lubbe, in toward the Soviet Union. Still, in the Reichstag fire, caught red­ handed, with a Communist Party her analysis of the Nazi myth, in card in his pocket." the New York Post of April 30, she tore to shreds this horror story. She On April 26 the Soviet Govern­ wrote: ment published its note declaring its relations with the Polish Gov­ "The territory has been for two ernment-in-Exile to be severed. THE POLISH REACTIONARIES' PROVOCATION 521 Pravda, in its issue of April 28, this matter between the 'Hitlerites in commenting on thAdolf Hitler to constitute and Hitler!te governments- this a Polish government of his own, but fact, as well as the simultaneous that suggestion was turned down opening of a campaign hostile to the by Hitler. Such is the group of men Soviet Union, and •he very nature that prevented General. Sikorski of this campaign left no doubt, as from going to Moscow last Decem­ the Soviet Government pointed out ber and perhaps from reaching an in its note of April ·25, as to the agreement with the Kremlin." existence of contact and accord iD. (Italics mine.-H.B.) 522 THE POLISH REACTIONARIES' PROVOCATION • • • the price to be paid. The policy they pursue is merely the continua­ What object did the Polish reac­ tion of that policy that led to the tionarbs in London have in their enslavement of Poland, the policy concerted campaign with the Nazis that the Vichy-men, the appeasers against the Soviet Union? They and defeatists, the quislings of all wanted to incite the peoples and the lands, have followed and are follow­ governments in England and Amer­ ing. ica against the Soviet Union. They Johannes Steel, in the New York wanted to divert the oppressed Po­ Post of April 29, quotes English pa­ lish masses from their struggles pers which voice indignation over against Hitler Germany to support the unbelievable attitude of the re­ his war against the Soviet Union. actionary Polish circle in London to They wishe l to arouse a feeling of the issue of the. Second Front. Every opposition against the Second Front. true Polish patriot longs for the day By means of its participation in the of the invasion of Europe that will n e w Reichstag-'Fire campaign decisively hasten the liberation of against the Soviet Union the Polish the Polish nation. What are the Government-in-Exile hoped to be Polish colonels, however, doing in able to get the English and United London? Steel writes: States governments to bring de­ mands upon the Soviet Union that "The London Statesman and Na­ it obligate itself, after the war with tion some time ago called attention Hitler, to deliver its Western areas to the fact that while the Polish people are suffering all the horros of· over to Poland. the German occupation, certain Po­ The Polish reactionaries dread a lish writers in London even ex­ victory ending in a powerful Rus­ pressed the view that there is really sia, with a strong Red Army, and no hurry about the liberation of an unbreakable friendship among Poland because such quick libera­ the Soviet Union, England and the tion could come only as a result of United States, as well as with the a Russian victory. people of Poland. The reactionary "The Polish newspaper Myst Pol­ Polish imperialists are not inter­ ska, published in London, stated quite openly as early as last Sep­ ested in a victory over Hitler and in tember that a quick opening . of a the liberation of the Polish nation, second front would not be in the unless such a victory harmonizes Polish national interest. It is not with their narrow interests as res­ likely that these typical comments torationist large landed proprietors on the part of the Polish editorial or big capitalists in territories that writers in London and New York are Soviet. In their struggle for represent the feeling of the Polish their reactionary imperialist inter­ people, suffering at home under the heel of the oppressor. The truth 'is ests, they are ready to cast their lot -as the Statesman and Nation put with death or the devil, also with it so well~that these people in Hitler, even if the shattering of London represent nothing but nar­ the unity of the United Nations is row class interests and greedy mu- THE POLISH REACTIONARIES' PROVOCATION 523 sical-comedy Polish imperialism the fifth columnists and defeatists and that the welfare and salvation -in this instance, against the Po­ of the Polish people by means of a lish pro-fascists and their friends of quick Russian victory is something all varieties, whom we have all too that does not gladden but terrifies long allowed to use our · them." (Italics mine-H.B.) country as a stamping ground against our Without doubt, there existed valiant Soviet ally. Well might our quite a series of factors that encour­ own and the British governments aged the Polish reactionaries in the have employed the means at hand United States and England to carry to hit back at the Polish provoca­ on their provocation against the tion against our ally upon British Soviet Union, and that culminated and American soil. in the open concerted play with Yet the Polish reactionaries and the Nazis. Unfortunately, the Brit­ their abettors were allowed to do ish and we have too long tolerated as they pleased, to carry on undis­ on our shores the intrigues and turbed their work of disunity, of propaganda of the Polish reaction­ treason to the cause of the United aries in their provocation against Nations. Even when they openly the Sovlet Russian Ally. This even took over the Goebbeis propaganda reached a point where outstanding in the struggle against the Soviet individual~ in the win-the-war Union, neither from the British nor camp, on the grounds of the deserts our own government did there come meted out to the provocateurs and one word of immediate, clear pro­ spies Alter and Ehrlich by Soviet test at the assumption of the Nazi justice, participated in the anti-So­ cynicism by the so-called Polish viet campaign engineered by a re­ Government in London. actionary Social-Democratic clique, No wonder that· the Polish reac­ and thereby lent aid to the Polish tionaries felt encouraged; no wonder Government-in-Exile to further its that they looked back to their re­ struggle against the Soviet Union. peated role in the history of im­ The pretext that officially nothing perialism as gendarmes against the can be done against such campaigns Soviet Union, failing to understand aimed at misleading masses of peo­ that "those good old days" are ple in regard to our Soviet ally, be- gone. No wonder they still im­ . cause we are a democracy, is not agined it to be their "historic task" valid. We are fighting to preserve once more to build tomorrow a cor­ our democracy. Our war is not don sanitaire about the S~viet only against the enemy on the Union. Mr. Hull made a dour re­ battlefields; it is and must be also mark in answer to a question put against all who in any way hold to him by a reporter concerning back the combined fighting strength the contention of the Daily Worker of the United Nations from the that Polish reactionaries were re­ speediest possible blows for victory. ceiving encouragement from certain Our fight, therefore, on the home circles in the United States. But front · must be unmerciful against Mr. Walter Lippmann, in the New 524 THE POLISH REACTIONARIES' PROVOCATION York Herald Tribune, asserts es­ resentatives of Latvia, Esthonia, sentially what the Daily Worker has and Lithuania-continue to be asserted. And it is to be admitted recognized as speaking for these that this eminent. bourgeois publi­ republics-which are an or­ cist has access to far better infor­ ganic part of the U.S.S.R.? mation than the Communist news­ How can they feel otherwise than paper has. In his column of April encouraged when they observe the !9 he wrote: policy we still pursue with regard to Hitler's Finnish ally? How can "It has been evident for some they feel otherwise than encouraged time that Polish-Russian relations were drifting to a crisis out of when they see how our State De­ which they would either become ir­ partment discovers General Giraud reparably bad or much better. It as the "leader" of the French na­ was impossible to avert this crisis tion while it snubs the French Na­ by the well intentioned display of tional Committee under the leader­ abstract principles. In fact, the ef­ ship of de Gaulle, although this fect has been quite the opposite-to committee is based on the confi­ mislead the Polish government into dence and support of the French taking risks it could not afford to take and to provoke the Russian masses? How can they feel other­ government into forcing a show­ wise than encouraged when they down. We would have done better read the compliments our ambassa­ to have taken the unequivocal po­ dor pays to the Spanish fascists who sition that the boundary must be send their "Blue Divisions" to fight settled between Poland and Russia, against the Soviet Union and are that we are committed under the peddling "negotiated peace" pleas Atlantic Charter to the resurrection in behalf of Hitler? of an independent Poland, but not Nor was the reply of the British to the restoration of a particular and American governments to the frontier, an.-: that the fate of Po­ provocation by the Polish reaction­ land, the war against Germany, the common action of the Allies in Eu­ aries of a kind to discourage them rope and in Asia must not be haz­ from continuing with their attempt arded upon a aisputed province. to make common cause with the "A line like that would have Nazis against the Soviet Union and raised among the Polish leaders no to drive a wedge into the unity of false hopes, and encouraged no im­ the United Nations. Far better had prudent defiances and challenges. it been had the British and our own Amo'!l-g the Russians it would have governments declared outright that aroused no deep and old suspicions. ..." (Italics mine.-H.B.) they would have nothing to do with people resorting to Nazi propaganda Further, however, how can the as a weapon against the Soviet ally; Polish reactionaries feel otherwise had they added that our two coun­ than encouraged in their anti-So­ tries were fighting this war in an vietism when they see other "rep­ unbreakable coalition with the So­ resentatives" without land, people viet Union, also for the liberation or influence-the so-called rep- and the reconstruction of an \nde- THE POLISH REACTIONARIES' PROVOCATION 525 pendent, strong, and democratic of vilification was being launched. Poland. Such a step, coming in con­ Trap? Nobody fell into a trap. junction with the firm answer of The Polish reactionaries, working the Soviet Government, would have in collusion with the Hitlerites, crushed utterly any effectiveness of know very well what they were the Nazi lie. Such a move would trying to bring about. And the So­ have demonstrated to all· peoples viet Union, by its firm action of that the hopes of the Nazis and of repelling the trap-setters, taught their confederates to drive a wedge the world anew how to deal with into the unity of the United Nations collaborationists of the Nazis in the were in vain. camp of the United Nations. But such a logical step was taken The Soviet Union explicitly de­ neither by us nor by the British clared that the suspension of rela~ Government. Official and semi-of­ tions with the Polish Government­ ficial spokesmen did criticize the in-Exile did not constitute a break Polish Government for having been with the Polish nation. The essence "taken in" by Nazi propaganda; but of this is also contained in Stalin's at the same time they bewailed the letter to the New York Times rep­ Soviet Government's suspension of resentative in Moscow. Every day relations with the Polish Govern­ the Soviet Union gives proof of the ment-in-Exile, and spoke of the high esteem in which she holds the Goebbels "trap" into which "both heroic struggle of the Polish people governments" had fallen. against the German fascist oppres­ These attempts to shield the sor. Despite the agitation of the PoliSh reactionaries-whose perfidy Polish reactionaries in London, and could not be openly defended­ also in our own country, the Polish went so far that O.W.I. chief Elmer nation knows that it has in the So­ Davis presumed to offer the Soviet viet Union the staunchest friend in Union admonitions and counsel in the terrible war for its existence. regard to the "proper attitude" to adopt toward the Polish issue. Quite * * .. naturally, Mr. Davis has been fol­ lowing the activities of the Polish The Polish nation has no doubt reactionaries, their press, and their learned from its terrible experience propaganda. Admonitions and coun~ that it must adopt a different policy sel could indeed have been useful from the one pursued by the for­ had they been offered by him ·as mer rulers of Poland, a policy that timely warnings to the Polish reac­ has cast it into a limitless national tionaries, especially at the moment catastrophe. There can be no doubt when the Polish Government in as to the realization on the part of London caught the ball from Goeb­ the Polish people that only in clos­ bels, and when he could have risked est unity with the peoples of the a word in defense of our Soviet ally Soviet Union is it possible to regain when the Polish-German campaign and maintain Poland's independ- 526 THE POLISH REACTIONARIES' PROVOCATION ence. The Polish patriots who have ain and the United States is grow­ stayed on in the Soviet Union rep­ ing more and more ·effective. 'With resent, without doubt, the true at­ · the tremendous Allied victory in titude of the Polish masses, in Po­ North Africa, following upon the land and all over the world, in great winter offensive of the Soviet their championship of friendship for Union, the full emerging of the co­ the Soviet Union, and in their active alition forces, through the opening participation at the side of the Red of the Second Front, is imminent. Army, in the war · against ·Hitler The dog barks, but the caravan Germany. The recent creation of moves on, as the glorious Polish the Kosciusko Division on Soviet revolutionary Rosa Luxemburg was soil will inspire every freedom­ fond of saying. Goebbels and hiis loving Pole and every friend of the Polish helpmates may have tri­ Polish people. · umphed for a split second with the Whatever confusion may have trick they tried to play; but the mo­ been engendered by the concerted ment of this cheap triumph flew by agitation of the Nazis with the Po­ fast. For the hour of the destruc­ lish reactionaries, that agitation has tion of the Nazis moves nearer and failed in its objective. The unity of nearer. That hour will also proclaim 11truggle of the Soviet Union, Brit- the liberation of the Polish people. THE STRIKE OF THE COAL MINERS

BY WILLIAM Z. FOSTER

The Course of the Strike Reactionaries, while covertly pro­ voking and welcoming the strike N MAY 1 the United States, as a blow at the Roosevelt war ad­ Odeep in its battle for survival ministration, were quick to seize against the attack of the Axis pow­ upon it as a pretext to intensify ers, found itself confronting a na­ their union-smashing campaign. In tional strike of coal miners. Ac­ various state legislatures anti·strike cording to U. S. official figures, legislation was quickly introduced. 480,110 mine workers were pulled The Senate also rushed through the out on strike throughout the entire Connally Bill to prohibit strikes in Appalachian region, including some planfs under United States control, 80,000 anthracite miners. The strike while in the House, the Connally was practically solid, only isolated Bill has been amended in committee local unions here and there remain­ to include the infamous Smith Bill ing at work in the strike area. and is scheduled to be voted on The strike constituted a grave and very shortly. As for the fascist immediate menace to the national radio and newspaper propagandists war effort. Stocks of soft coal in Berlin, Rome and Tokyo, they above ground were relatively small, shouted in glee that the strike and the threat -of a widespread proved there was no national unity shutdown of war industries loomed in the United States, that the work­ in the near future. It was estimated ers were against the war, and that that the steel mills in the Pittsburgh the American war effort was about , area would begin drastically to cut to collapse. Naturally, our own war production after three or four days. allies, as indicated in the British Other basic industries were in a and Soviet press, were astounded similar predicament. The govern­ and dismayed by the strike. The ment called upon the railroads, the London Daily Telegraph expressed largest single users of coal in the a widely-held opinion when it said: United States, to institute important "The' war seems very far away coal economies immediately. , The from the American coal fields." whole war production program of Labor and American public opin­ the government was in jeopardy. ion in general sympathized with the 52'7 528 THE COAL MINERS' STRIKE economic complaints of the miners, with labor's destiny bound up with but sharply condemned the strike. the nation's victory, to tie up the in­ Almost universally, union leaders dustries by strikes means to hit the supported the demands of the min­ vital interests of labor itself. The ers, but there was mounting con­ Daily Worker of May 2 said: "The demnation of the anti-war strike entire labor movement, vitally con­ as a means for winning them. C.I.O. cerned in this crisis, must give full President Philip Murray, in a support to the Commander-in-Chie:C. speech at Los Angeles, emphatically in his move to ensure the coal sup­ stated that the organized workers ply. It must join him in calling on under his leadership would honor the miners to go back to work, to the no-strike-in-wartime pledges repudiate Lewis and submit their given by the labor movement after case to the War Labor Board. It Pearl Harbor. A. F. of L. President must urge the government to se­ William G"reen assured the govern­ cure the enforcement of its pro­ ment that the Progressive Miners posals for a full year's employment, in Illinois would not strike. R. J. to roll back prices, and to grant Thomas, President of the United the miners an impartial hearing on Auto Workers, while endorsing the their other demands." miners' demands, openly repudiated The strike was not formally their strike, declaring that "there called, but was developed by Lewis is no doubt in my mind that this is upon the failure of the U.M.W.A. a political strike--a strike against and the coal operators to agree upon President Roosevelt. During the a new contract. The mines were period of Lewis' so-called 15-day tied up on the basis of. "no contract, truce the C.I.O. National Executive no work." The miners' demands, Board strongly reaffirmed its no­ presented to the Appalachian bi­ strike pledge and condemned Lewis' tuminous coal operators prior to the unpatriotic strike action. In the expiration of their agreement on same period the A. F. of L. Execu­ March 31, included a $2-per-day tive Council held a meeting and wage increase and the incorporation l~kewise renewed its no-strike of 60,000 mine bosses and office . pledge, although Mr. Green weak­ workers under the union agree­ ened the Council's stand by stating ment. The operators refused all later that each affiliated A. F. of L. the union's demands. Whereupon union would decide for itself as to John L. Lewis, claiming that the whether or not it should strike. National War Labor Board had pre­ This reflects the influence of Woll, judged the miners' case because al­ Hutcheson, and Lewis' friends legedly it was committed to the within the A. F. of L. top leader­ Little Steel Formula, refused to ship. submit the miners' case to that The Communist Party spoke out body. After much haggling, a sharply against the strike as an in­ month's extension of negotiation sidious blow by Lewis against the time was grudgingly agreed upon nation's war effort. It pointed out by Lewis. Meanwhile, the an­ that with the nation at war and thracite miners, whose agreement THE COAL MINERS' STRIKE 529 expired on April 30, had come to a mediate possession, so far as may deadlock with their employers over be necessary or advisable, of any the $2-per-day increase. Thus and all mines producing coal in there was a complete breakdown of which a strike has occurred or is negotiations in both the soft and threatened." hard coal fields, with the deadline The President, while speaking in for a general automatic stoppage a .friendly tone to the miners and set for May 1. Mr. John Steelman, acknowledging they had economic on behalf of Secretary of Labor grievances which had to be at­ Perkins, proposed to settle the dis­ tended to, nevertheless minced no pute by the establishment of a words in calling the walkout a guaranteed yearly wage for the strike against the government. He miners. The U.M.W.A. accepted this, said, "No matter how sincere his but the mine operators rejected it, motives, no matter how legitimate just as Lewis had several months he may believe his grievances to before when Secretary Ickes had be-any idle miner, directly and in­ originally proposed the 6-day work dividually, is obstructing our war week. As a device to avoid re­ effort." '!'he President also s~ated sponsibility for calling the strike, that the mines would be operated, Lewis announced that the miners even if it took soldiers to guaran­ never worked without a union tee it. He put the question of the agreement and that therefore, un­ war and the nation's safety first, less an agreement was duly arrived and on this basis called for an im­ at, they would not "trespass" on the mediate return to 'Work the next companies' properties after April 31. day, May 3. Large numbers of the men in the In the meantime, asserting that pits, however, under the instigation he had come to a satisfactory un­ of Lewis officials, began striking, so derstanding with Mr. Ickes (which that by the time May 1 arrived, the latter afterwards denied), Lewis when the general walkout began, at declared a 15-day "truce" and or­ least 100,000 were already out on dered the miners to return to work strike. on Tuesday, May 4. The bulk of The Federal Government went the workers, however, visibly in­ into action on May 2. President fluenced by the President's radio Roosevelt, h a v i n g previously speech, went back on Monday, the pleaded in vain with the miners not 3rd, not waiting for Lewis' Tuesday to strike, seized the mines in the date. By May 4 all the mines were name of the government, hoisted operating again. After which, Mr. the American flag over them and, in Ickes announced the establishment the following words, ordered Solid of the 6-day week (time-and-one­ ' Fuels Administrator Harold L. Ickes half for Saturday) in the mining in­ to see to it that they were operated: dustry. And there, at this writing, the situation stands, with the War "The Secretary of the Interior is Labor Board considering the min- authorized and directed to take im- ers' demands. " 530 THE COAL MINERS' STRIKE Economic Factors in the Strike wages at levels assuring the health and efficiency of the workers; (5) It is clear that John L. Lewis did the rationing of foodstuffs and other all he could to provoke this sensa­ necessities of the people; (6) the tional wartime strike; but it is also cessation of installment buying, the obvious that, despite- his autocratic payment of debts, and the increase control of the miners, he never of savings; and (7) the maximum could have succeeded in pulling out general sale of war bonds. the men so completely, in the face With the exception of points 5 of the war situation and Presid,ent and 6, this economic program has Roosevelt's plea not to strike, if the been· torpedoed by the defeatist op­ miners had not had very substan­ position. The $25,000 salary direc­ tial economic grievances. These tive by the President was canceled grievances are akin to those of tens by Congressional action, and there of millions. of other American is an orgy of profiteering going on workers. They may be summed up throughout the country; the net in a few words-relatively station­ profits of corporations, after all ary wages in a situation of rapidly taxes have been paid, having in­ rising living costs. creased from $4,200,000,000 in 1939 The basic cause of the present to $7,600,000,000 in 1942. Price ceil­ widespread discontent among the ings are "more honored in the workers, of which the miners' breach than in the observance"; strike has be-en the sharpest expres­ farm prices are being systematically sion, is the fact that the anti-Ad­ jacked up by the phony Farm Bloc; ministration bloc of appeasers, de­ the profiteering defeatists are now featists, profiteers, union-busters trying desperately to jam the Ruml ;and poll-taxers in Congress, backed plan through Congress; would "for­ :by powerful outside forces such as give" the profit-swollen corpora­ ihe N.A.M., the Hearst-Howard­ tions their 1942 taxes; the ration­ :Patterson newspapers, etc., have ing system, still sketchy in charac­ been able, so far, to defeat the ef­ ter, was introduced only after fective application of President shameless profiteering in necessary Roosevelt's 7-point program of eco­ foodstuffs; while anything like di­ nomic stabilization. This program, rect profits limitations, as the 6 per presented to Congress a year ago cent limit suggested a year ago by by the President, proposed to con­ Secretary Morgenthau, is strictly trol the major economic factors out. The line of the Congressional making for inflation. It included (1) oppositionists is to give capital a the maximum taxation of profits, relatively free hand, while nailing and the limitation of executives' labor down tight. Hence their vast salaries to $25,000 yearly; (2) the enthusiasm and pressure for meas­ placing of ceilings upon all items ures to freeze labor's wages . and affecting the cost of living; (3) the freeze war workers to their jobs. stabilization of farm prices on a Likewise they are engaging in vio­ parity basis; (4) the stabilization of lent attacks upon the legal status THE COAL MINERS' STRIKE 531 of labor organizations, in Congress various war industries. And then, and the various state legislatures. the rise in living costs was particu­ The geperal result of the opposi­ larly swift in mining communities. tion bloc's Congressional policy, According to the U.M.W.A. state­ forced upon the Administration, of ments, widely printed as advertise­ economically soaking labor and fa­ ments throughout the press of cilitating widespread profiteering, America, the overall price increase is that we have developed a lop­ of foodstuffs in the mining areas sided economy. The general char­ had run up to 124.6 per cent, and acteristics of this are that the coun­ food, to the miners with their rela­ try is fast heading into inflation and tively large families, amounts to that the living standards of the from 60 to 70 per cent of their total masses are in decided decline. It living costs. Obviously, the wages is estimated by government reports of the miners , did not balance off that living costs in April were 24 the steep rise in the miners' gen­ per cent above pre'-war levels. They eral living rates. The inevitable are still rising, but the President consequence was a spreading pov­ has now pledged a "roll back" in erty and a growing discontent prices, and has taken certain steps among the miners, factors which to effect this. The A. F. of L. claims were utilized by Lewis to provoke that the increase, as over January the recent national strike. 1, 1941, amounts to 33 per cent. As Political FactOTs in the Strike against this rapid increase in liv­ ing costs, under the Little Steel Pespite their already difficult and Formula of the National War La­ steadily worsening economic situa­ bor Board, which was figured upon tion, however, it is extremely un­ the basis of ' the price levels of likely that the miners would have January 1, 1941, the workers were walked out were it not for direct allowed wage increases amounting strike provocation by John L. Lew­ only to 15 per cent, which was man­ i~>. The coal miners are patriotic ifestly far below the actual rise in citizens; they realize the menace of living costs, and which also did not Hitlerism; about 80,000 of their sons take into account the added finan­ and brothers are already in the cial drains upon the workers caused armed services; and they ardently by increased taxes, war fund con­ want to win the war. So much so, tributions, bond purchases, etc. Ad­ that if left to their own devices, ditional income from longer work they naturally would have proceed­ hours did not offset this opening ed to every means of patient nego­ scissors between living costs and tiation and adjustment, rather than wages. to strike. The plain fact of the situ­ The coal miners were among the ation wq_s that John L. Lewis, tak­ worst sufferers .in the increasingly ing advantage of the miners' legiti­ unfavorable economic situation of mate economic grievances and the the workers as a whole. To begin slowness of certain government with, they were working at wage agencies in adjusting them, literally levels substantially below those in rushed the workers into the strike 532 THE COAL MINERS' STRIKE for his own reactionary political daughter he was a roundabout af­ reasons. filiate of the notorious America The central political objective be­ First Committee. He was also for­ hind Lewis' carefully built-up merly a member of the Republican strike, was the same as that of the National Committee and is now an defeatist Congressional bloc: name­ intimate crony of the big-shot Re­ ly, to obstruct our nation's war ef­ publican defeatists. Ever since the fort. The obstructionist activities of United States became involved in the Wheelers, Tafts, Fishes and the war his house organ, the Mine Vandenbergs in Congress and Mr. Workers Journal, has waged un­ Lewis' "disruptive strike policy in ceasing attacks upon the Roosevelt the industries definitely comple­ Administration and upon our Brit­ ment each other. They are two ish and Soviet allies. Lewis himself phases of the same thing: opposi- has given only lip-service to our . tion to the war policy of the Gov­ war cause and his influence has ernment. The Lewis-Hoover line is kept the war activities of the one that would lead, not to the un­ U.M.W.A. down to the barest mini­ conditional surrender of the Axis mum that he could get away with. powers, but to a "negotiated peace" In the vital matter of increasing with the fascist aggressors, and coal production, his agents started hence, to the defeat of the United out with widespread propaganda to Nations. the effect that there was no produc­ The political offensive of the ap­ tion problem in the mining indus­ peas_ers and defeatists within our try. His union administration has country for a negotiated peace with sabotaged the formation of labor­ the fascists is now being pressed management committees, it opposes with renewed vigor. Hitler, with the an incentive wage in the coal in­ prospects of military victory fast dustry, and it has not yet enunciat­ fading, is now moving everything ed a real program for increased coal for a "peace" that would give him production. The measures that have a breathing spell in which to get been adopted to step up coal out­ ready for a new attempt at world put, such as the establishment of the conquest. General Franco, who re­ six-day week, have been virtually cently lyingly stated that the war forced upon Lewis by Solid Fuels had come to a stalemate and that Coordinator Ickes and the Roose­ there must be a "negotiated peace," velt Administration. is a mouthpiece of Hitler. The line Lewis wanted and plotted the of the Hoover-Taft-Wheeler bloc in coal strike for the same general Congress and of John L. Lewis fits defeatist purpose that the opposi­ right in with this general slave­ tion bloc in Congress is trying to peace strategy of Hitler. hamstring the war activities of the Lewis' record and his present ac­ Roosevelt Administration. Hitler tivity admit of no other conclusion could hope for nothing better than than that he is playing Hitler's ne­ the paralysis of American industry gotiated-peace game. Through his by strikes. The big thing Lewis THE COAL MINERS' STRIKE 533 wanted to accomplish by the strike mines would all shut down if no was to break down the no-strike agreement were reached. There pledge of organized labor and to were very few, if any, rank and file throw the industries into a series of meetings called. It is not surprising, stoppages, the general effect of therefore, that the opposition to the which could be none other than to strike, whatever there was of it, cripple and reduce war production. was stifled and submerged. The To this end, as preparations for a great body of the miners, full of broad strike movement, Lewis economic grievances, animated by shouted that the President's seven­ a powerful sentiment of union soli­ point economic program, to which darity, believing the strike was he never gave an iota of support, pretty much only a demonstration, had failed. He demanded that the stayed out of the mines, although Government abandon all efforts at with many misgivings and hopes for economic stabilization, declaring a speedy settlement. that inflation is inevitable in war. He proposed, in substance, that the Lewis Attempts to Wreck President workers "get theirs" by an anti-war Roosevelt's Leadership strike policy. Such a line, if it were One of the major political objec­ to prevail, could, of course, only tives of Lewis in the strike, and destroy. national unity and create part of his central plan of obstruct­ internal turmoil. Lewis backed up ing the :p.ational war effort, was and his general defeatist policy by pull­ is to try and weaken the war lead­ ing his stooge representatives out ership of President Roosevelt. The of the War Labor Board, by refus­ defeatist oppositionists in Congress ing to recognize that board on the and in the copperhead press are ground that it was prejudiced, by furthering their virulent hatred of by-passing an appeal to President the President, leaving no stone un­ Roosevelt to adjust the situation, turned in order to try and weaken and by hastening into the strike full his prestige and leadership. But steam ahead. none of these elements hates Roose­ As for the actual launching of velt more violently or seeks his un­ the strike, Lewis, who rules the doing more persistently than does U.M.W.A. like a czar, proceeded John L. Lewis. This common hat­ with characteristic ruthlessness. He red of Roosevelt by Lewis and the very reluctantly granted a 30-day Congressional opposition shows stay in the bituminous districts and their identity of general defeatist agreed to none whatever in the an­ political purpose. thracite regions. No democratic, By provoking the coal strike, rank-and-file "folderol" for him. As Lewis figured he had a heads­ the strike crisis date approached, I-win-tails-you-lose proposition to Lewis' horde of field men circulat­ defeat President Roosevelt now ed the "no contract, no work," and and for the 1944 elections. If "no trespass" slogans among the the Government were forced to miners, simply telling them that the give the miners any concessions,

Re- defeatist defeatist the the of of leader leader labor labor retroactive retroactive at, at, arrived arrived finally finally ment, ment,

darling darling the the is is He He groups. groups. tionary tionary agree­ the the make make to to miners, miners, soft-coal soft-coal

reac­ various various from from backing backing strong strong the the of of walkout walkout the the of of postponement postponement

his his by by enhanced enhanced greatly greatly is is featists, featists, 30-day 30-day a a for for condition condition a a as as refused, refused,

de­ the the of of camp camp the the into into labor labor of of even even they they that, that, than than More More passe. passe. . .

sections sections hig hig lead lead to to attempting attempting and and im­ the the of of out out way way as·a as·a Perkins Perkins ces ces

workers workers the the of of grievances grievances econorriic econorriic Fran• Fran• Labor Labor of of Secretary Secretary by by urged urged

the the of of champion champion bold bold the the as as appear appear was was which which wage wage annual annual yearly yearly the the

seeking seeking in in Lewis Lewis by by move move to to gogic gogic including including them, them, of of all all blank, blank, point point

dema­ this this of of danger danger grave grave The The demands demands miners' miners' the the rejected rejected They They

ment. ment. . . . . Lewis Lewis for for order order to to made made was was which which

move- union union trade trade American American the the in in strategy, strategy, general general their their alter alter not not did did

man man number-one number-one the the be be to to bitions bitions so, so, did did and and W.L.B. W.L.B. the the with with deal deal

am­ own own his his advance advance and and tration tration to to to to willing willing were were they they that that fact fact The The

Adminis­ Roosevelt Roosevelt the the and and labor labor Lewis. Lewis. of of that that did did as as even even strike, strike,

between between wedge wedge a a drive drive to to war, war, the the the the straight straight led led policy policy of of to to line line

in in country country our our of of cost cost the the at at hoped, hoped, whole whole their their contrary, contrary, the the On On out. out.

he he Thereby Thereby militancy. militancy. seeming seeming walk­ the the prevent prevent Government Government the the

of of show show a a by by leadership leadership his his around around help help to to anxious anxious bit bit a a not not were were They They

unrest unrest this this crystallize crystallize to to effort effort an an fields. fields. anthracite anthracite and and bituminous bituminous

in in strike strike his his timed timed he he and and workers workers the the both both in in operators operators coal coal the the by by

of of millions millions the the among among discontent discontent adopted adopted attitude attitude intransigeant intransigeant the the

economic economic of of spirit spirit broad· broad· a a was was there there was was politically, politically, President President the the stroy stroy

that that well well full full knew knew He He movement. movement. de­ to to attempt attempt Lewis' Lewis' into into directly directly

labor labor disunited disunited our our of of leadership leadership dovetailed dovetailed which which one one and and strike, strike, the the

the the off off grab grab to to hoped hoped also also Lewis Lewis .of .of feature feature sinister sinister especially especially An An

this, this, doing doing In In Congress. Congress. in in bloc bloc tics. tics.

defeatist defeatist the the of of pawn pawn the the it it make make poli­ defeatist defeatist of of schemes schemes grandiose grandiose

and and Government Government to to Roosevelt Roosevelt the the Lewis' Lewis' in in details details non-essential non-essential were were

with with collision collision head-on head-on a a into into labor labor course, course, of of these, these, war, war, the the country country in in

organized organized bringing bringing for for the the lay lay bas~s bas~s our our of of interest interest national national the the and and ers ers

to to walkout, walkout, the the of of means means by by was, was, min­ the the of of welfare welfare economic economic the the

line, line, anti-war anti-war his his of of feature feature central central for for As As lose. lose. not not could could he he calculated calculated

a a also also and and strike, strike, coal coal the the Lewis Lewis in in Lewis Lewis went, went, situation situation the the way way ever ever

of of objective objective political political third third The The Which­ unionists. unionists. trade trade organized organized of of

millions millions the the support, support, political political mian mian

Opposition Opposition

Defeatist Defeatist

the the in in

his his among among figure figure political political a a as as self self

Labor Labor

Lewis' Lewis' Ensnare Ensnare to to

Attempt Attempt

him­ discredit discredit hopelessly hopelessly would would velt velt

tude. tude. Roose­ figured, figured, Lewis Lewis then, then, duction, duction,

atti­ anti-Adrriinistration anti-Adrriinistration an an part part pro­ coal coal of of resumption resumption the the about about

their their on on showed showed distinctly distinctly operators operators bring bring to to troops troops used· used· der-in-Chief, der-in-Chief,

coal coal the the of of stand stand hard-boiled hard-boiled This This Comman­ as as President, President, the the hand, hand, if if

consideration. consideration. elementary elementary this this cept cept other other the the on on and, and, credit, credit, full full claim claim

ac'­ to to Government Government the the by by pelled pelled vigorously vigorously would would machine, machine, publicity publicity

com-· com-· be be to to had had They They April April to to elaborate elaborate l1is l1is 1. 1. through through Lewis, Lewis, then then

STRIKE STRIKE MINER"S' MINER"S' COAL COAL THE THE 534 534 THE COAL MINERS' STRIKE 535 publicans, even while they are util­ discipline. They neither wanted nor izing his anti-war activities as an would have tolerated any serious excuse for enacting legislation hos­ interruption of war production. tile to labor. The smelly Hearst Universally they hoped and looked press has also come out praising for a quick settlement and an early Mr. Lewis' "militancy in behalf of return to the mines. Nowhere among the workers." But, even more dan­ them- was there any mass desire for gerous, in top A. F. of L. circles, a long drawn-out struggle such as Mr. Lewis has natural affiliates the miners have experienced in among such notorious and powerful past strikes and as Lewis would reactionaries as Matthew Woll, W. have liked to see this time. As a re­ L. Hutcheson and David Dubinsky. sult of President Roosevelt's radiO> This group gave Lewis strong en­ speech and the seizure of the mines; couragement in the strike and is ob­ by the Government, about half o:f viously working closer and closer the men had already streamed back with him. Even in the C.I.O. there to work on Monday without waiting: is a. sort of sneaking pro-Lewis sen­ for Lewis' deadline of 24 hours-. timent, typified by Walter Reuther later. Lewis just managed to save· and James Carey. This C.I.O. pro­ his face by his so-called 15-day· Lewis element does not endorse "truce," which neither the. Presi­ Lewis openly, but extends a greater dent in his radio speech, nor Mr. or lesser support to his general de­ Ickes in subsequent speeches, ac-­ featist line. The Trotskyites, Nor­ knowledged. Had Lewis tried to man Thomas Socialists and similar hold the miners out of the mines ilk also find Lewis' activities to be for any length of time, the strike­ grist to their mill and are giving would have disintegrated. Actuany•. him their backing. in a negative sort of way, the coali strike showed that the workers; The Responsibility of the basically favor the no-strike policy. Government No one knows this better than Mr. Lewis was undoubtedly repulsed Lewis. in his bold attack upon the Gov­ Although the Government gave ernment's war policy. Also it is Lewis' strike policy a setback, nev­ doubtful if he succeeded in alienat­ ertheless its victory is a contingent ing any considerable trade union one. To make it real the Adminis­ support from the Roosevelt Admin­ tration must follow it up with real istration. Although he managed to measures to alleviate the bad eco­ get the miners out of the mines, he nomic situation that is now disturb­ never could have held them out for ing the workers. In his radio speech any length of time. Reports from on that fateful Sunday night, Presi­ the coal fields showed that the min­ dent Roosevelt acknowledged that ers looked upon the strike partly as the miners have legitimate economic a protest against their bad eco­ complaints, and he might well have nomic conditions and partly as a included the workers in general. In duty in carrying out trade union the days following the strike, the

cent. cent. a a paid paid not not

mili- great great this this make make To To Europe. Europe. in in

are are they they which which for for places, places, work work their their from from and and

somewhere somewhere front front second second a a launch launch to to going going underground, underground, daily daily hours hours four four as as - much much

as as spend spend often often miners miners the the press, press,

capitalist capitalist the the

to to about about finally finally are are States States United United

in in U.M.W.A. U.M.W.A. the the of of statements statements to to *According *According

the the and and ·Britain ·Britain Great Great that that pear pear

hold-the-line hold-the-line

President's President's the the that that ap­ would would it it Africa Africa North North in in tories tories

is is

neressary neressary

is is What What situation. situation. the the vic­ Allied Allied brilliant brilliant the the After After

of of care care take take will will legislation legislation strike strike

Labor Labor anti­ drastic drastic t t th th doing, doing, are are aries aries

Orga'l'tized Orga'l'tized Confronting Confronting Ta:;ks Ta:;ks The The reaction­ Congressional Congressional as as sume, sume,

as­ to to dangerous dangerous is is Lewisism. Lewisism. It It

unrest. unrest. class class

for for field field fertile fertile a a b.e b.e will will that that ment ment

working­ serious serious face face to to or or creases, creases,

resent­ of of spread spread sudden sudden a a have have

in­ wage wage general general grant grant to to pared pared

may may we we else else or or eased, eased, be be must must too, too,

pre­ be be or or costs, costs, living living rising rising check check

conditions, conditions, economic economic their their dustries, dustries,

must must Administration Administration The The expense. expense.

in­ other other in in workers workers the the for for As As

their their at at Jfiteering Jfiteering pr pr conscienceless conscienceless

strike. strike. the the before before effect effect

permit permit to to going going not not are are they they but but

in in already already was was it it instances instances many many

war, war, the the win win to to order order in in hardship hardship

very very in in and and adequate, adequate, not not is is mines, mines,

or or inconvenience inconvenience every every endure endure

the the of of control control assuming assuming after after ately ately

to to ready ready quite quite are are miners, miners, coal coal the the

immedi­ Ickes Ickes Mr. Mr. by by promulgated promulgated

workers, workers, The The knees. knees. the the in~luding in~luding

week, week, six-day six-day The The wage. wage. yearly yearly

of of weakness weakness from from suffering suffering be be to to

guaranteed guaranteed the the or or demands,* demands,* portal portal

seem seem who who executives, executives, war war other other and and

portal-to­ the the of of adjustments, adjustments, wage wage

Nelson Nelson Davis, Davis, Brown, Brown, Byrnes, Byrnes, by by

of of line line the the along along concessions concessions teeds teeds

profiteers profiteers the the to to concessions concessions further further

guaran­ be be must must miners miners The The dated. dated.

no no be be must must There There President. President. the the by by

liqui­ be be to to are are upon upon feeds feeds it it tent tent

power power veto veto the the of of use use liberal liberal a· a· and and

discon­ economic economic the the and and Lewisism Lewisism

people people the the to to appeals appeals by by

defeated defeated

Congress, Congress, in in opposition opposition if if defeatist defeatist

be be can can and and must must Congress Congress in in ers ers

all all despite despite promisas, promisas, and and policies policies

chisel­ price price The The abuses. abuses. reaucratic reaucratic

these these out out carry carry to to now now Government Government

bu­ against against protests protests their their of of face face

the the to to up up distinctly distinctly therefore therefore is is It It

the the in in not not and and unions unions the the with with cert cert

con­ in in democratically, democratically, out out carried carried ished." ished."

pun­ be be will will violators violators the the violated violated be be stabilization stabilization job job that that and and oped, oped,

being being are are ceilings ceilings price price that that find find devel­ be be labor labor organized organized to to sho~ld sho~ld

we we Wherever Wherever down. down. brought brought be be will will agreeable agreeable wages wages incentive incentive of of system system

they they high high too too risen risen have have essentials essentials

practical practical

a a that that

resolutely, resolutely, applied applied

of of prices prices that that find find we we "Wherever "Wherever

be be Board Board Labor Labor War War the the to to tives tives

direc­ new new Roosevelt's Roosevelt's that that back, back, miners: miners: the the to to cally cally

rolled rolled be be also also profits profits that that promised, promised, specifi­ said said he he quE>stion quE>stion latter latter the the

has has President President the the as as 1942, 1942, tember, tember, On On prices. prices. back back roll roll to to promised promised

Sep­ of of levels levels the the to to back" back" "rolled "rolled also also He He formula. formula. Steel Steel Little Little the the

be be prices prices that that necessary necessary it it is is ly ly of of modification modification by by Board Board Labor Labor War War

Especial­ enforced. enforced. is is program program point point the the through through concessions concessions wage wage of of

seven­ President's President's the the done done be be if if workers workers other other and and miners miners the the sured sured

can can This This out. out. carried carried fully fully be be order order as­ practically practically further further President President

STRIKE STRIKE MINERS' MINERS' COAL COAL THE THE 536 536 THE COAL MINERS' STRIKE 537 tary enterprise a success, and to is necessary, not alone to advance bring victory in 1943, maximum the nation's general interests in the production of war materials is an war, but also to satisfy the specific indispensability. And this uninter­ grievances of the workers. Organ­ rupted, all-out production can be ized labor must clearly realize that advanced in spite of the Lewises if, Lewis' attempt to have labor re­ among other things, the Adminis­ pudiate its no-strike pledge is a tration and the trade unions, resist­ blow aimed at our national war ef­ ing all defeatist pressure, will cour­ fort, an attempt to subjugate the ageously strengthen and carry out trade unions to the line of his de­ the President's hold-the-line order. featist Republican friends: Hoover, The labor movement must realize Taft, Vandenberg, et al. Labor must that it has heavy responsibilities in understand, therefore, that the Lew­ EJpplying the President's "hold-the­ is line of an anti-war strike policy line" order. To break through the cannot and does not protect the powerful defeatist opposition in economic interests of the workers, Congress and elsewhere, the Presi­ but lays the trade· unions wide open dent's seven-point program must to violent attacks from the worst receive the hearty, vigorous sup­ union-smashing reactionaries. And port of the masses of the people. most important of all, it would This means that the trade unions jeopardize our national victory in have to become far more active the war. politically than they now are. The Lewis' anti-war policy, in all its C.I.O. has shown the basic way that aspects, must be fought boldly and this activity should develop, vigorously, and with it all the through the formation of united Wolls, Hutchesons, Dubinskys, labor action committees in all Reuthers and Careys who are giv­ cities and Congressional Districts, ing it open or covert support. Lew­ through the unfolding of a national isism is now a grave danger con­ labor-consumer movement directed fronting our labor movement, against the looming danger of in­ seeking, as it does, to misdirect la­ flation, and in militant support of bor's win-the-war policies, destroy the Government's "unconditional its unity, and weaken generally its surrender" war policy. support of the war. The patriotic This is a time when the labor forces throughout the labor move­ movement must categorically reject ment, the overwhelming mass of all Lewisite policies which would organized labor, must much more make it a supporter, or half-sup­ determinedly work together to de­ porter, of the defeatist bloc in Con­ stroy the influence of the copper­ gress. It must support and strength­ heads now so busy inside and out­ en the Roosevelt Administration. side the ranks of the workers. As Especially it must renew and re­ Earl Browder .declared in St. Louis invigorate its no-strike pledge, on May 8: "Every effort to break both in word and in action, in the down the no-strike policy is a blow full understanding that this policy for Hitler and his Axis partners, is

organ- the the upon upon rest rest strike. strike. coal coal to to sponsibilities sponsibilities the the from from learn learn has has

re­ political political heavy heavy history history tional tional labor labor lessons lessons most most the the ~mportant ~mportant

na­ our our of of moment moment critical critical this this In In of of one one is is This This reached. reached. heretofore heretofore

swer. swer.

never never has has it it scale scale a a on on forces forces litical litical

an­ an an for for "No" "No" take take to to refuse refuse to to

po­

powerful powerful and and vast vast

potentially potentially

and and Government Government the the in in resenta:tion resenta:tion

its its develop develop war, war, the the of of support support ous ous

rep-· rep-·

solid solid

upon upon

insist insist to to

failure failure its its

vigor­ in in and, and, ranks ranks its its unify unify must must

been been has has war war this this in in labor labor organized organized

labor labor organized organized that that

resistible, resistible,

by by made made mistake mistake serious serious A A war. war. the the

and and categoric categoric manner manner ir­ a a in in insist insist prosecute prosecute to to effectively effectively more more still still

tasks tasks fundamental fundamental these these All All won. won. is is help help to to following following vast vast its its mobilize mobilize

victory victory after after faced faced be be to to world world war war to to properly properly it it enable enable to to and and fort fort

post­ the the of of problems problems vast vast the the are are ef­ war war national national the the in in partner partner full full

there there elections; elections; 1944 1944 crucial crucial highly highly a a as as status status rightful rightful its its labor labor give give

the the in in reaction reaction smash smash to to made made to to order order in in necessary necessary is is This This boards. boards.

be be to to preparations preparations the the are are there there war war all all in in and and Cabinet Cabinet President's President's

defeated; defeated; be be to to union-smashers union-smashers the the in in representation representation · · full full upon upon

the the of of drive drive ruthless ruthless the the is is there there insist insist must must unions unions trr.de trr.de the the policy, policy,

forces; forces; farmer farmer and and labor labor tween tween war war militant militant a a for for and and inflation inflation

be­ made made be be to to arrangement arrangement ing ing against against fight fight to to committees committees action action

work­ better better a a is is there there established; established; labor labor united united developing developing While While

to to be be unity. unity. union union trade trade national national us. us. upon upon disaster disaster

inter­ and and national national is is there there pleted; pleted; down down bring bring would would this this do do to to Failure Failure

com­ be be to to economy economy war war centralized centralized action. action. political political active active and and broad broad

rounded-out rounded-out a a is is there there supported; supported; develop develop must must they they unity unity national national

militantly militantly then then and and established established be be effective effective an an of of condition condition a a as as and and

still still Europe Europe in in front front second second to to great great self-defense self-defense in in therefore, therefore, war; war; the the

the the is is There There support. support. mass mass day day of of duration duration the the for for weapon weapon strike strike

day;..to­ given given be be must must policy policy der" der" the the aside aside lay lay to to agreed agreed willingly willingly

surren­ "unconditional "unconditional Roosevelt's Roosevelt's have have workers workers The The workers. workers. the the

workers. workers. the the upon upon press press vital vital of of standards standards economic economic the the tecting tecting

less less no no and and related related closely closely Others Others pro-. pro-. of of task task war war necessary necessary less less no no

tasks. tasks. political political these these of of urgent urgent most most to to the the accomplish accomplish also also but but policies, policies,

and and first first the the only only is is program program point· point· war war general general its its and and ministration ministration

seven­ the the for for fight fight The The litically. litically. Ad­ Roosevelt Roosevelt the the implement implement and and

po­ unity unity and and initiative initiative more more play play up up back back to to only only not not action, action, political political

dis­ must must efiort, efiort, war war people's people's our our intensified intensified by by found, found, be be must must Ways Ways

of of unity, unity, national national our our of of backbone backbone sincere. sincere. however however pledge, pledge, no-strike no-strike

very very the the are are which which sympathizers, sympathizers, the the of of words words in in support support by by merely merely

and and supporters supporters additional additional of of millions millions defeated defeated be be cannot cannot Lewisism Lewisism But But

many many with with and and strong strong 12,000,000 12,000,000 itself;" itself;" labor labor of of

unions, unions, trade trade The The workers. workers. ized ized betrayal betrayal a a is is people, people, the the to to ,treason ,treason

STRIKE STRIKE MINERS' MINERS' COAL COAL THE THE 538 538 LESSONS OF THE PARTY BUILDING CAMPAIGN AND THE NEXT TASKS

BY JOHN WILLIAMSON

EARLY 15,000 American work­ The Party Building Campaign N. ers, busily engaged in war ac­ was conducted in a period of big tivities, with less time available and crucial developments and strug­ than previously, but confronted gles. It took place during the cru­ daily with swiftly moving political cial struggle to realize the Casa­ events that require understanding blanca decision for imm~diate in­ and enlightened action, joined the vasion of the European continent Colnmunist Party during the three­ -a period of st.ruggle for strength­ month Party Building Campaign. ening the Anglo-Soviet-American This indicates a development in the alliance, against the efforts of the thinking of growing sections of appeasers and defeatists of all va­ American workers toward the Com­ rieties striving to change the basic munist Party and a widening rec­ strategy of the war. On the do­ ognition of the party's constructive mestic scene, the nation faced the program and win-the-war policies. J:Denace of the Lewis-provoked The keynote on which the Party miners' strike and the threat to Building Campaign was launched disrupt war · production, with the was sounded by Comrade Earl consequent danger of splitting up Browder in a special message to the camp of national unity and aid­ each member, when he declared: ing the Axis. It was a period of struggle for a correct economic sta­ "We can do greater things than bilization program to protect the we have ever done before. We must conditions of. the people and of la­ be confident in our abilities, and bor through a strong and united bold and tireless in our work among trade union movement recognizing the masses. We must constantly as its chief task the winning of the think and discuss with them, trans­ war. It was a period of growing mitting to them the political line of movement for unity among the Ne­ our party which brings us into step gro people, together with the na­ with the great march of history. In tionwide activities for repeal of the this great hour of world history, we are optimistic because we are not poll':-tax laws. idle, because we are part of the The contributions of the Commu­ forces that are going to win the nists in all phases"of these political war and that are going to ensure a debates and struggles for a correct better world after the war." war policy in support of the Roose- 539 540 THE PARTY BUILDING CAMPAIGN velt Administration emphasize that Per cent Per cent party building as a win-the-war Category in Regis- in New task is not a mere phrase but a vital tration Members undertaking. There is a direct rela­ Negro ...... 10 31 tionship between the success of the Trade Union ...... 51 54 Party Building Campaign and the Industrial Workers 43 62 widespread political activization of Basic Industrial labor and the entire people. Workers ...... 23 36 Women ...... 431 38 Main Facts of the Campaign Results Housewives among Women ...... 43 44 The correctness of the National Professional and Committee decision to launch the White Collar ...... 29 16 campaign for 15,000 new members, despite the original skepticism of Of specific help in preparing the certain district leaderships, has been workers for the campaign were borne out in life by its over-fulfill­ the previously conducted activities ment. While the objectives set by which resulted in the selling of a the districts totaled 13,000, the cam­ quarter of a million copies of Earl paign finished with 15,000. Of the Browder's Victory-and After, and twenty-seven districts, eighteen in the increase in circulation of the overfulfilled their objectives. Espe­ Worker. In many districts, from 30 cially outstanding among the large to 50 per cent of the new members districts were Michigan and New were subscribers to the Worker. Jersey, which recruited 885 (177 The campaign required full po­ per cent of its quota) and 653 (163 litical mobilization of both leader­ per cent) respectively; while among ship and membership. It was espe­ the small districts, outstanding cially necessary to overcome mis­ were Montana with 51 recruits (255 conceptions and hesitations within per cent), Louisiana with 98 (163 certain leading trade union party per cent), and Virginia with 73 (146 circles. In the main, this was per cent). achieved; thereby the solid founda­ In many important shops and in tions were laid for the successful entire communities there is today a· organization of the campaign. completely new party membership. Early in the campaign the Na­ Especially significant is the com­ tional Committee, realizing that cer­ position of the new recruits, indi­ tain skepticism still prevailed, se­ cating a strengthened contact with lected the important Michigan Dis­ decisive sections of the population. trict for special attention. With the This can be seen from a comparison able assistance of a National Com­ between the composition of the reg­ mittee delegation, headed by Com­ istered total membership on Janu­ rades Hudson and Ford, the Michi­ ary 1 and that of the new recruits, gan party set the pace for the en- , as follows: tire party, achieving 60 per cent of THE PARTY BUILDING CAMPAIGN 541 its goal in the first three weeks. ify the masses on such issues as The example of Detroit inspired and increased production, incentive pay, convinced the entire party of the the Second Front, the struggle great possibilities, and in the last against Red-baiting (most notori­ half of the campaign every district ously instanced in the reactionary got into stride with Michigan. efforts to unseat Senator Stanley How did Detroit get such results? Nowak), as helpful to the Axis and The workers in Detroit are essen­ harmful to the war effort; and, tially the same as elsewhere. Our lastly, the movement for unity of position and influence among the all Slav forces- especially the trade unionists were no stronger Polish-Americans, the largest na­ than in many other large industrial tional group in Detroit--behind the districts. The party was no better Commander-in-Chief and the na­ organized than elsewhere, and in tion's war program. some respects was considerably 3. The party reaped the organi­ weaker than in certain other dis­ zational benefits of accumulated tricts. Finally, while it is true that years of political propaganda and we have an able leadership in activity expressed in our contribu­ Michigan, we also have able lead­ tions to the fight for unemployment ership in many other districts. relief and insurance (which had its most dramatic expression in the What Made Possible the Michigan Ford Hunger March); the active Achievement? participation of Communists during Nevertheless, Michigan proved in the long, bitter years of organizing the first month the possibilities of the unorganized, starting with the mass recruiting and continued to set Auto Workers Industrial Union (of the pace for the entire party. While the Trade Union Unity League) and the National Committee delegation, the A. F. of L. Federal Locals, and together with the state leadership, culminating in the great C.I.O. headed by Comrades Toohey and United Automobile Workers' organ­ Little, made possible this achieve­ izing drives in the General Motors ment, the main lessons of Detroit's and Ford Companies; the consistent success are: struggle of the Communists for Ne­ 1. The entire party-member­ gro rights, dramatized for the entire ship and leadership--was won to nation by the victory at the Sojour­ a complete understanding that par­ ner Truth housing project as a re­ ty recruiting is a win-the-war task, sult of the achievement of a sub­ without which the successful mo­ stantial degree of unity of labor bilization and unity of labor and all with the Negro people; the expos­ the people's forces of national unity ure of, and struggles against, fifth · and victory would be weakened columnists- the Black Legion, and thereby made less effective. Father Coughlin, Gerald L. K. 2. Recruiting was carried on. Smith; the aid given in election precisely when the party was most campaigns to all win-the-war can­ active politically in helping to clar- didates and toward the defeat of 542 THE PARTY BUILDING CAMPAIGN ·the reactionary, appeaser candi­ larger numbers of workers associate date, ex-Congressman Tenerovich. our program imd our fighting poli­ . 4. The effective organization of cies and slogans with their own the party branches stimulated a thinking as a result of the great large· section of the membership to impact of history on their lives. As pursue a bold and energetic policy they learn of our policies, whether in recruiting, especially foliowing through our own independent ac­ up systematically the subscribers to tivities or through our collaboration the Worker, as the first line of re­ with them. and their organizations serves for party recruiting. in every phase of war work behind As a result, the Detroit District the nation's war effort under our has nearly doubled its membership Commander-in-Chief, new tens of in these twelve weeks, and realizes thousands of American workers that it is only starting on the path recognize in the Communist policies that can quickly lead to a party of the things they are .most interested at least 5,000 in the· State of Michi­ in, and join our ranks the more ef­ gan-more than double the present fectively and unitedly to fight for membership. these policies and win for them the labor movement and the nation. of the Campaign Lessons If this is true of the more ad­ What are the main lessons of the vanced workers who are ready to campaign for the entire party? join the Communist Party, it is true First, that the recruitment of 15,- also of many times that number 000 new members into our party who, while not yet convinced of signifies a decided development in their need to join, nevertheless see the thinking of large numbers of in the Communist Party a construc­ Americans, a development indicat­ tive force in American life, one ing growing awareness of the fact which should be officially and open­ that we are in the midst of a world ly recognized as a democratic force war involving the future of man­ in the nation and an integral part kind and the very existence of the of the camp of national unity. United States as an independent na­ This growing political under­ tion. It signifies a growing aware­ standing of the masses is evidenced ness that in this war labor must be both by their position and growing in the center of the most intense clarity on the key win-the-war is­ political struggles for a . correct sues generally, but also in respect policy of coalition warfare based on to their attitude toward our party a strong fighting alliance of the and its fighting policies on behalf U.S.A., the Soviet Union and Great of our nation. It is evidenced by the Britain, aiming at the destruction of repudiation of the attempted injec­ Hitler and Hitlerism through an im­ tion of the Ehrlich-Alter spy issue mediate invasion of Europe and un­ in many C.I.O. pnd A. F. of L. interrupted produc:tion . to supply unions and central bodies-a repu­ our armies. diation, not only of the anti-soviet­ . It further signifies that ever ism involved, but also of the Red- THE PARTY BUILDING CAMPAIGN 543 baiting which the anti-Sovieteers vertisements for publicizing the injected; in the action of the or­ party's important statements of ganizing committee of the Jewish policy. Neither, however, should be National Congress to admit mass or­ considered a substitute for tireless ganizations whom the Jewish Daily political work, extended circulation Forward clique sought to bar on of the Daily Worker and the grounds of "Communism"; in the Worker among the masses. action of a number of. colleges in selecting leaders of the campus The Relations Between the Part'}J Young Communist League as mem­ and the Trade Unions bers of their official delegations to The second main lesson of the the American Student Assembly campaign for the entire party is the Conference, specifically as a repudi­ fuller contribution we can now ation of Red-baiting by a reaction­ make through strengthening our re­ ary minority; in the growing num­ lations with the trade union and ber of Communists elected to trade other mass movements. The increase union posts in various cities; in the in industrial workers, especi(l].ly votes for the Communist municipal basic industrial workers and Negro candidates in California, especially workers, presents the party with in Oakland, where the Communist great opportunities and also respon­ Party candidate received 12,000 sibilities. Tlius, with the new re­ votes-:half of the total vote cast! cruits, we shall increase the party It is further seen in the stated sale members in the automotive industry of a quarter million copies of Vic­ by nearly 100 per cent, in the steel tory-and After, the favorable re­ industry by 50 per cent, and in the views of the book in the newspapers shipbuilding industry. by 60 per outside of New York City, and the cent. packed Communist Party mass We have the responsibility to see meetings addressed by Earl Brow­ that the ·growth of our party, es­ der in city after city. pecially among trade unionists in Too many of our party organiza­ all important industries, contributes tions, it must be said, are still in­ to strengthening the unity of the sufficiently aware of this develop­ trade unions, and to strengthening ment. From the Party Building their leaderships, on a program such Campaign we should draw the les­ as outlined by President Murray of son of greater confidence in the ap­ the C.I.O. peal of our policies to the people, The relationship between our for initiating independent party party and the trade union move­ campaigns and speaking out on all ment is a political one. It is our task vital issues, locally and nationally. to help the trade unions and the In our agitation we must display whole working class to achieve in­ greater imagination and ingenuity. dependence from those influences Systematic radio programs should which interfere with labor's full gain the same recognition as the re­ participation in the national war cent utilization of newspaper ad- effort, with the defense of labor's

successful successful war war against against result result fascism fascism in in political political and and losses losses to to our our basic basic

recognizes recognizes that that we we cannot cannot wage wage a a through through any any other other approach, approach, would would

potent potent weapons, weapons, but but not not everyone everyone "gain" "gain" the the party party could could acheive acheive

recognized recognized as as one one of of clear clear Hitler's Hitler's to to all all most most that that whatever whatever so-called so-called

Communism" Communism" hysteria hysteria are are generally generally and and shop shop papers. papers. must must be be made made It It

Red-baiting Red-baiting and and the the "threat-of­ ty ty years years ago ago liquidated liquidated all all fractions fractions

country country is is not not yet yet won. won. leaders leaders as as to to our our purposes, purposes, the the par­

the the battle battle for for democracy democracy in in our our own own misunderstanding misunderstanding with with trade trade union union

such such as as Attorney Attorney General General Biddle, Biddle, outlined outlined above above and and to to avoid avoid any any

some some elements elements in in the the Administration Administration GUr GUr party. party. Precisely Precisely for for the the reasons reasons

lenged lenged by by reactionaries, reactionaries, including including unionists unionists who who have have recently recently joined joined

of of the the Communist Communist Party Party is is chal­ brought brought to to the the thousands thousands of of trade trade

that that as as long long as as the the full full citizenship citizenship This This understanding understanding must must be be

been been achieved, achieved, we we must must recognize recognize in in every every field field of of its its activity. activity.

While While considerable considerable progress progress has has rent rent interests interests of of the the working working class class

saults saults directed directed at at the the party. party. express express the the fundamental fundamental and and cur­

masses masses on on the the main main ideological ideological as­ teachings teachings of of Marxism-Leninism Marxism-Leninism and and

izations, izations, and and for for enlightening enlightening the the which which are are based based upon upon the the scientific scientific

tion tion and and among among all all workers' workers' organ­ gram gram and and policies policies of of the the party, party,

of of the the Communist Communist Party Party in in the the na­ studying studying and and mastering mastering the the pro­

fight fight for for the the full full political political citizenship· citizenship· ter ter serve serve his his mass mass organization organization by by

paign paign is is the the need need for for furthering furthering the the nist nist Party Party member member can can all all the the bet­

The The third third main main lesson lesson of of the the cam­ mass mass organizations, organizations, every every Commu­

with with the the trade trade unions unions and and other other Political Political Citizenship Citizenship

attitude attitude toward toward and and relationship relationship Full Full The The Fight Fight for for the the Party's Party's

With With this this understanding understanding of of our our

cies. cies.

Section Section 8) 8) of of the the labor labor movement movement and and its its poli­

of of these these organizations." organizations." (Article (Article VI, VI, tribution tribution toward toward the the strengthening strengthening

abide abide by by the the democratic democratic decisions decisions

mass mass

organization organization leaders leaders as as a a con­

en en the the given given organization organization and and shall shall

looked looked upon upon by by trade trade union union and and

cooperate cooperate to to promote promote and and strength­

ing ing of of our our party party will will increasingly increasingly be be

fraternal fraternal organizations, organizations, etc.), etc.), shall shall

the the further further

growth growth

and and strengthen­ ganizations ganizations (trade (trade unions, unions, farm farm and and

nist nist Party Party and and the the trade trade unions, unions, "All "All Party Party members members in in mass mass or­

relationship relationship between between the the Commu­

the the following following provision: provision: With With this this understanding understanding of of the the

that that it it includes· includes· cratic cratic in in activity. activity. its its Constitution Constitution

The The party party cratic cratic considers considers forces forces this this to to so so find find decisive decisive forms forms of of demo­

democratic democratic decisions decisions of of their their union. union. upon, upon, the the progressive progressive and and demo­

loyally loyally to to help help them them carry carry out out the the it it permissible permissible for, for, and and incumbent incumbent

unions unions is is to to their their fellow fellow unionists, unionists, is is denied denied in in a a mass mass organization organization is is

members members as as members members within within trade trade the the nation. nation. Only Only where where democracy democracy

sole sole obligation obligation of of Communist Communist Party Party union union movement movement as as the the backbone backbone of of

aspirations aspirations for for a a better better world. world. The The united united and and politically politically clear clear trade trade

interests, interests, and and the the achievement achievement of of its its work work of of helping helping to to build build a a strong, strong,

THE THE PARTY PARTY BUILDING BUILDING CAMPAIGN CAMPAIGN 544 544 THE PARTY BUILDING CAMPAIGN 545 the Axis if we resort to the use of leveled against the Communist Par­ Hitler's IDain weapons in our (JWn ty has been exploded in theory and country. Comrade Earl Browder practice; it is the stock-in-trade >Jf dealt clearly with this question that small clique of enemies of our when he declared: nation like Dies and Hearst and their Social-Democratic helpers like "If the United States is so fear­ Dubinsky, Chanin, Woll and Counts, ful of its own small proportion of for whom Communism, not fascism, Communists that it must have spe­ is the main enemy and who -cam­ cial laws against them, special com­ mittees of Congress to hunt them out paign for the "liquidation" of the of governmental service, and special Communist Party. segregation of them into labor serv­ A new thesis is being introduced ice in the armed forces-then it in the crusade !}gainst the Commu­ will certainly be impossible for such nist Party, as expressed by people a fearful United States to have a who are sincere in their desire for realistic relationship of alliance victory over the Axis and favor with the Communists of Europe and joint action of the United States and Asia who are much more powerful, the Soviet Union. Typical of this and without whom it is impossible for the United States to have an al­ point of view is Mrs. Roosevelt, who, liance with the democratic forces of in a recent speech, attack!ng the the world. When we fight for the moral integrity of the Young Com­ full admission of American Commu­ munist League, declared: nists as citizens of the country without discrimmation, we are "You can work with anyone who fighting for a correct world policy has the courage to stand up and say which is necessary for victory in what he believes, but you can never the war." (Policy for Victory, work with anyone who says one Workers Library Publishers, New thing and does another or who stays York, 1943, p. 67.) silent and does not state his objec­ tives." This understanding of the prob­ lem and the elimination of all ob­ This charge as applied to the stacles in the path of the full public Communists is false and cannot acceptance of the Communist Party stand up against the facts. Who can in the camp of national unity must accuse the Communist Party of not be fought for. This is not the strug­ having "the courage to stand up gle or concern of the Communists and say what it believes"? Day in alone. It is the concern and must and day out, for 365 days a year, become the struggle of all who cher­ the Communist Party states its posi­ ish the Bill of Rights as a living tion publicly to the American peo­ charter and who stand for the vic­ ple, through speeches, articles, pam­ tory of democracy over the Axis phlets, radio talks, advertisements and the furtherance of our nation's in the newspapers, and through true interests in war and in the every other means at our disposal. peace to follow. It is precisely because we stand up The charge of "foreign agent" and say what we believe in the in- i46 THE PARTY BUILDING CAMPAIGN terests of labor and our nation­ through President Roosevelt and many times ahead of all others­ once through Under-Secretary of that we are criticized and attacked State Welles-has declared its by reaction and its dupes. True, not agreement with the policy of all-in­ every Communist in a factory, in a clusive unity, from conservatives to trade union or other mass organiza­ Communists, on the basis of a win­ tion can admit membership in the the-war program and common Communist Party. Those who pro­ struggle against Hitler. This policy test against this as "unethical" are should become the accepted prac­ either blind or politically dishonest. tice, carrying with it the wiping out Their concern for ethics should of all discriminatory laws and cause them to fight against a condi­ practices in relation to jobs, profes­ tion in which our statute books have sional standing, service in the armed laws and certain people in high forces, restrictions and prohibitions places adopt policies prohibiting against the Communist Party get­ employment of Communists in war ting on the ballot, right to hold trade industries and in government agen­ union posts, etc. This is a real prob­ cies. lem before the nation. This is in Such guardians of ethics cannot reality part of the struggle for the fail to know of discrimination extension of democracy and the against Communists and those winning ·of the war. Under such cir­ termed "Communists" in the armed cumstances, the few Communists forces which is depriving our nation who are not able publicly to affirm of the experiences of expert mili­ their party affiliation will be able to tary men who have already fought function openly. against Hitler's and Mussolini's In furthering the movement for troops; they cannot fail to know of full political citizenship of the party, the witch-hunting of the Dies, Rapp­ the party itself should function ev­ Coudert, and Kerr Committees, or erywhere and at all times publicly of the banning of the Communist in political life, assuming all its Party from the radio in a number of rights and responsibilities that fall cities. Despite this, the Communist upon it as the political party of the Party speaks out openly on all is­ American working class. This means sues affecting our nation. Tens of appearing at all hearings on public thousands of its members, including questions before City Councils, trade union members and leaders, State Legislatures, or Congress, and are known publicly as Communists. ~.ctively participating in political Let the misguided individuals join symposiums and debates on all cur­ with us in a struggle to wipe out rent political questions. The party all those remnants of Hitler's "se­ should deal squarely with all ideo­ cret weapon" and every Communist logical questions raised before the in every organization will proudly masses, and should meet and dis­ announce his party membership. pose of slanders and distortions, not On two different occasions the only coming from the reactionaries United States Government- once and defeatists but also from forces THE PARTY BUILDING CAMPAIGN 547 within the win-the-war camp. The recruits number close to 50 per cent party should see that its members of the total recruits. constantly strive to understand and This development takes place, master the great lessons from the first of all, because of the effects history of our country and its fore­ of the war on the Negro people, most leaders, such as Jefferson, and especially Negro labor. There Paine, Jackson and Lincoln, and is a growing consciousness of broad from the history and theory of the political issues, affecting the entire great labor and revolutionary move­ Negro people. There is growing ments of our own and other coun­ clarity on the anti-Hitler character tries, in order to strengthen and of the war and the role of the unite the labor movement and our Negro people in this great war of nation on the common platform of national liberation. There is also uncompromising struggle till Hitler increasing understanding among and the Axis armies and systems are the Negroes of labor as an ally of utterly destroyed. the Negro people, expressed in the The thousands of new party mem­ position of the trade unions toward bers not only add to the organized the F.E.P.C. and the anti-poll tax strength of the Communist Party in struggle in Congress. . Among the initiating and waging this struggle, Negro people and its organizations but, what is equally important, these there ·is a great desire for unity of 15,000 new members, through their all forces. numerous contacts, will be able to As this development unfolds it­ help mobilize great masses of non­ self, the Negro people finds the Communists in this common Communist Party an active partici­ struggle. pant in all of these struggles and movements. It appreciates the cor­ Effects of the War on the Negro rectness of the long and consistent People struggle of the Communist Party for full social, political and eco­ The fourth lesson of the Party nomic equality for the Negro peo­ Building Campaign is the rapidly ple. With this understanding ever growing influence of the party larger numbers of Negro workers among the Negro people and es­ see in our party the most politically pecially the Negro industrial work­ clear and consistent representative ers, who make up a large per­ and fighter for their own aspira­ centage of the new Negro recruits. tions. This is borne out by the fact that The party has a special responsi­ nationally 31 per cent of the re­ bility toward the large numbers of cruits are Negroes as compared Negro comrades joining its ranks. with 10 per cent in the Party Reg­ Thought and study should be istration on January 1. Of still given to the possible working out greater significance are the results of specific forms of branch life and in such districts as Michigan, New activity to take cognizance of ac­ Jersey, Baltimore; where Negro cepted forms of organization to 548 THE PARTY BUILDING CAMPAIGN which the Negro people are accus­ have rendered impossible this strike tomed while fitting into such or­ of Lewis, disruptive to the cause of ganizational forms the political victory and sowing confusion in the content of the party program, poli­ labor movement? cies and activities. Today we must face the fact that, with the increase in industrial Majority Mobilization Could Have workers, especially basic industrial Brought Still Greater Results workers, among the party members The fifth lesson from the Party the number of coal miners in our Building Campaign is the recogni­ party is at the lowest point in party tion that these recruiting achieve­ history. Using 1939 as 100, we see ments have been gained with but a the following trends: minority of the party mobilized. Clearly, we can see the great possi­ 1942 1943 bilities for further party building, if Illinois ...... 30 27 the great majority of our members West. Pennsylvania... . 34 17 Anthracite ...... 34 42 draw the lessons from this cam­ Ohio ...... 50 30 paign. Precisely because of this and the growing appreciation by the The final remedy in this situation branches of their responsibility to is a challenge to us. The fact that function as a political force, does John L. Lewis can malign the pa­ the goal of 100,000 party members triotism of the coal miners before in 1943 become more rea.listic and the nation and strive in their name attainable. to disrupt the labor movement de­ mands that our previous decisions Shortcomings of the Campaign be reinforced and guaranteed with Two outstanding weaknesses of all the necessary leadership and or­ the Party Building Campaign were ganizational ability we possess. the virtual absence of coal miners How shall we account for this among the 15,000 recruits, and the unsatisfactory status of our party small percentage of women shop­ strength among the coal miners? A workers, precisely at a time when partial examination indicates that millions of women are entering in­ among the older generation of coal dustry. miners our party is held in political The recent miners' · strike pro­ esteem, but primarily on the basis voked by John L. Lewis, and which of past performances in the coal could only result in disrupting war fields. The new and younger coal production precisely at a new and miners know little of the Commu­ critical stage of the offensive nists, except in a confused and dis­ against Hitler, dramatizes the ur­ torted manner. gency of the immediate strength­ The reasons for this situation can ening of the party among the coal be summarized as foliows: miners. Who would deny that the (a) Until recently the party was effective influence of a few thou­ without a complete rounded-out sand Communist coal miners would program based upon the actual con- THE PARTY. BUILDING CAMPAIGN 549 ditions and problems of the coal (d) In recent years there has miners and the mining communi­ been little organized party activity ties. This is partly explainable by in the way of propaganda, agita­ the fact that with the rapid devel­ tional tours or assignment of lead­ opment and unionizing of such mass ership to the mining areas. Precisely production industries as the steel, in this period we have applied no automotive, rubber and metal.:.elec­ cadre policy among coal miners. trical industries, the concentration One of the first signs of serious or­ of our party activity was centered ganized activity on our part shuulc! on these spheres, to the exclusion be intensive propaganda work, es­ of our activity among the miners. pecially in the securing of several An effective program for our work thousands of subscriptions to the among the miners must connect in­ Worker; assignment of our best creased coal production with bet­ propagandists and speakers to min­ terment of the miners' conditions in ing communities; training of select­ relation to winning the war; proper ed mining cadres and systematic planning of coal production in rela­ political guidance by all party com­ tion to the domestic and war needs mittees. of the nation with saving of trans­ The fact that in the splendid Party portation facilities through planning Building Campaign, with 62 per cent and supervision; economic rehabili­ of the recruits industrial workers tation of "worked out" mining areas and 36 per cent basic industrial such as in Illinois and Ohio; aboli­ workers, fewer than a hundred coal tion of "provisional government" miners were recruited is a chal­ and institution of full democracy lenge which the party must meet within the miners' organizations, and solve. etc. The second main weakness of the (b) The miners by virtue of the Party Building Campaign is the location of the coal areas are iso­ small number of women shop­ lated from the main stream of the workers recruited. While 38 per labor movement, which has not cent of all the recruits were women, taken energetic steps to bridge this nearly half of these were house­ gap and initiate joint activities. wives. Another 30 per cent were (c) Too often we forget that the clerical and professional or other main center of the bituminous min­ non-shop workers. The remaining ing industry has been shifted from 20 per cent, or 8 per cent of the to­ the old Northern fields to the area tal recruits, were women shop­ centered in West Virginia. While workers. The seriousness of this can the old fields, especially in Penn- be seen especially in Michigan, the . sylvania, are of key importance for pace-setter in recruiting for the en­ our work, a serious approach to a tire party, where, with larger num­ ftmdamental change in party activ­ bers of women entering industry ity among the coal miners will ne­ than elsewhere, only 3 per cent of cessitate activity also in West the new party recruits are shop Virginia. women. A correct political appre- 550 THE PARTY BUILDING CAMPAIGN ciation of the great changes taking and how he as a member can best place among the women of America, contribute? The party is now being as they enter war industry by the judged by the new member as to its hundreds of thousands, should cause ability to live up to his expectation us to understand the urgency of re­ in politically activizing him and cruiting shop women into our party making him a more qualified trade and to recognize that thereby our unionist and consequently a better party will the more effectively be American. able to contribute to maximum war The keeping of every new mem­ production and the necessary ber is a challenge to each branch, strengthening of the trade union section and state committee. The movement through the integration effort politically to integrate and and activization of women in its activize the new members should ranks. These women shop-workers, assume a campaign character, with once members of the Communist the same consciousness, determina­ Party and understanding the poli­ tion, pride and competition that cies of our party, will become an im­ characterized the Party Building portant force in all aspects of the Campaign. war effort and in strengthening the While the state and section organ­ labor movement. izations should plan, guide and check this entire campaign, the real solu­ Integrating and Activizing the tion of the problem lies in the New Members branch. To the extent that branch · Discussing the success of the Par­ activity, life, education and func­ ty Building Campaign and drawing tioning are established according to the main lessons for the entire party previous National Committee rec­ would be of little value if we today ommendations, the branch will be did not recognize quite frankly that more ready for its present-day big equally important but more difficult responsibility. than. recruiting the new members is In line with our emphasis on es­ their political integration and ac­ tablishing a closer political relation­ tivization-the task of making them ship with the members--new and feel "at home" in their own party. old-instead of a mechanical organ­ These 15,000 new members took ization relationship, and our deci­ the first step in joining the party sion of the last Plenum that regular because they agree in general with attendance at every branch meet­ our political program. The new ing is not a condition of member­ member took the step we asked him ship, we should consider three types to--he joined the party because he of branch meetings: agrees with its principles and ac­ 1. The regular weekly or bi-week­ tivities as he understands them. He ly meeting of the branch, where all is now waiting to see what will hap­ political and organizational cam­ pen. Will the party give him what paigns are discussed, organized and he wants and expects from it? Will checked. While open to every mem­ he learn how the party functions ber, it will invariably be the most THE PARTY BUILDING CAMPAIGN 551 active ,members in community or -insofar as activity, political rela­ shop affairs- numbering approxi­ tion, education, etc. - a necessary mately 30 per cent to 40 per cent. technique in helping the branch lS 2. Once a month an open branch a membership committee apparatus. meeting for propaganda purposes Every branch and section should where contacts and friends and have a functioning membership Y.C.L. members should be system­ committee that visits every new atically brought. (and old) member, knows their 3. The instituting of a new type problems, helps acquaint them with of branch meeting every three party procedure, suggests reading months to be known as the branch material and educational activities, quarterly meeting. Every single sees they have their membership member should be convinced of the books and know about their dues, necessity to attend that meeting. It and generally helps them feel at should be well prepared by the home in the party. branch executive. The branch exec­ It is well to enlist the comrade utive should present a review of its who recruited the· new member to activities for the last three months, keep regular contact with his or her evaluating its work and outlining recruits for the first three months tasks for the next period. This re­ and to consider it a challenge to port should include a review of the see that every recruit becomes a activities of the membership of the permanent member. branch. There should be presented To demonstrate real understand­ to this quarterly meeting a financial ing that party recruiting is an ur­ and dues report of the branch. Then gent win-the-war task, we should there should be a well prepared Po­ strive to equip every member - litical report on the issues of the especially the new member-with moment. At such quarterly report the minimum basic political educa­ the agenda should provide for dis­ tion, through regular reading of the cussion and proposals for any re­ Daily Worker and Th'e Communist, placement of any member of the consistent with time available. For branch leadership who has not met it is precisely political understand­ his or her party responsibilities. ing and conviction that are the spe­ (This is not to replace regular an­ cific contribution of the Communists nual elections of branch officers.) to the trade unions, labor-manage­ The purpose of such a quarterly ment committees, civilian defense meeting is to guarantee that every activity or community mass move­ single member, no matter what or ents, and that distinguish them where his mass activity may be, will from others, but also enable them to attend a branch meeting once a unite and strengthen all movements quarter and participate democratic­ of labor and the people in the com­ ally in its affairs. mon effort to speed victory over While the key to the problem of Nazism, and fascism, and their Ja­ the new members lies in the branch panese partners. A YEAR OF AMERICAN SLAV UNITY

BY A. LANDY

NE of the significant develop- the national existence of the United Oments in the organized effort to States itself. forge American national unity for The most powerful stimulus to victory over Hitlerism has been the American Slav unity, as part of our movement for all-Slav unity in the country's anti-Hitler national unity, United States which began in July, was provided by Hitler's attack 1941, and finally resulted in the upon the Soviet Union. This attack establishment of the first American not only showed that a common fate Slav Congress on April 25-26, 1942, of enslavement and annihilation in the city of Detroit. This Congress, awaited all the Slav nations, a·s well which was attended by close to as the rest of humanity, should 3,000 delegates, represented nearly Hitler be victorious, but it also pro­ all organized Slavs in the country, duced a vast upsurge of hope and the Poles being the only group confidence that with the involve­ whose chief national organizations ment of mighty Soviet Russia, the did not officially participate. Of all largest of the Slav nations, the the national groups, which consti- seemingly invincible Nazi legions tute such a substantial part of the would finally be halted, the American nation, the dozen and freedom and independence of all more Sla\· groups, representing an the conquered and tortured Slav estimated population of 15,000,000, nations would be restored; and have been among the most energetic with the United States clearly next in the creation of organized forms on Hitler's list of aggression, our of united activity in support of the country would have a mighty anti­ Administration's win-the-war pro- fascist ally, who, together with gram. The fact that their blood Great Britain and ourselves, would brothers in Europe have been in the form an invincible coalition rallying vanguard of the struggle against all humanity for the ulitmate defeat Hitler, augmented by the knowl- of the Hitler scourge. When Hitler's edge that Hitler is attempting vir- Japanese partner treacherously at­ tually to exterminate the Slav na- tacked the United. States at Pearl tions and peoples, made Americans Harbor as a prelude to a joint Axis of Slav extraction particularly c·Jn- declaration of war, American Slavs scious of the menace of Hitlerlsm to were more than ever convinced of 552 A YEAR OF AMERICAN SLAV UNITY 553 the necessity of united action and parts and the efforts of its enemies saw even more clearly the insepa­ to disrupt it. The dire predictions rability of all-Slav unity, American of those who thought and those who national unity and the fighting hoped that the day of its birth unity of the United Nations. would also be the day of its death were not fulfilled. Two months after Program of the Congress its organization, the Anlerican Slav Congress showed its vitality in a These sources and sentiments out series of nationwide demonstrations of which the desire for all-Slav on June 21-22 which th~ Congress unity arose, were reflected in the had proclaimed as All-Slav Day, spirit, the deliberations and the de­ with 50,000 participants in Pitts­ cisions of the national organizing burgh, 15,000 in Cleveland, 10,000 Congress in Detroit. Despite in Detroit, and thousands in other efforts of some of the top key Slav centers of the country. circles to hold it in check, the These were followed by various ac­ Congress established a clear-cut tivities in the war effort, ranging fighting line, adopting as its first from blood donations to participa­ resolution the call for the opening tion in the election of win.othe-war of a second front in Europe to as­ Congressmen; and even though sure the speedy destruction of Hit­ these activities were not developed ler in a two-front war, and calling to the same extent in all centers, upon American Slavs for all-out the work of the Congress has been production of the weapons neces­ going forward everywhere. sary for this. To this it added the The importance of this movement demand for close friendship and has been established beyond all collaboration with the Soviet Union doubt. It has proved itself to be as the road to victory over Hitler, a force for national unity; it has en­ and insisted on the necessity of hanced the unity of the win-the­ sharpest struggle against all ap­ war forces in the separate Slav peasers and defeatists and all groups; wherever ·it has been estab­ those who opposed the President's lished, it has stimulated the win­ win-the-war policies. the-war activities of the entire The organization of the Ameri­ community. Despite the fears of can Slav Congress was undoubtedly those who erroneously confused it an unprecedented achievement with the Pan-Slavism of Tsarist which came as a surprise alike to days or those who deliberately op­ those who believed that such unity posed it because it would could not happen and those who did strengthen the anti-Hitler coali­ not want it to happen. But even tion of the United States, England more significant is the fact that the and the Soviet Union and serve as unity achieved at this Congress has a further bD.r to their anti-Soviet been maintained and extended dur­ intrigues, the movement for Slav ing the course of the year, despite unity has grown and has been a the great diversity of its component definite contribution to our coun- 554 A YEAR OF AMERICAN SLAV UNITY try's war effort and to the cause plete and unconditional victory is of United Nations unity. the goal. The growth of the American Slav Importance of SLav ,unity Congress during the past year, ac­ The Slav groups, four million of cording to the press, was expressed whom still speak the various Slav in the organization of all-Slav com­ languages, are not only numerically mittees in many new localities and important in the United States; a in the greater participation of the large part of America's war indus­ separate Slav national groups. try workers are said to be of Slav Today there are Slav Congress extraction. This Slav origin and the movements in Chicago, Detroit, sentiments associated with it are a Cleveland, Pittsburgh, New York, source of fighting morale and deter­ Newark, Hartford, Philadelphia, St. mination. Inspired by the immortal Louis, Milwaukee, and on the West and matchless example of the Red Coast. Army, the Slav peoples have At the original Congress, the shown the world how to fight for Croatians provided the largest num­ freedom and national independence. ber of delegates with a large block Indeed, the unprecedented deeds of coming from the Serbs, the Slo­ the Red Army, which have given venes, Carpatho-Russians, Czechs England and the United States time and Slovaks. Since then, the ma­ to build up their military might, jority of Slovenians and Croatians supported by the legendary heroism have united into Slovenian and of the Yugoslav partisans, the irre­ Croatian Congresses of their own pressible struggle of the Polish and these are now official members guerrillas, and the valor of the of the American Slav Congress. Czechoslovak units fighting on So­ The Czechoslovak organizations viet soil, have created the precon­ have likewise strengthened their ditions for the complete and irrev­ role in the work of the American ocable destruction of Hitler slavery Slav Congress. If the Russians and by the Anglo-Soviet-American Carpatho-Russians have not been so coalition. prominent in the work of the Con-· This fighting origin of the senti­ gress, it is not because they are not ments for American Slav unity, in full accord with it. Indeed there the knowledge that the fate of each are indications that in the future Slav nation depends upon the unity these two groups will play a more of all Slav nations, the pride in the outstanding role in the movement magnificent contribution which the for American Slav unity. Soviet Union, supported by the While the bulk of the Polish or­ other Slav fighters, is making to­ ganizations did not participate in ward the survival and independ­ the Congress, adopting a non-com­ ence of aU nations, give American mittal attitude toward it, the Polish Slav unity the character of a pow­ fascists fought the Congress, at first erful offensive weapon, the kind of by staying away and then, after weapon that is needed when com- seeing its strength, by joining it in · A YEAR OF AMERICAN SLAV UNITY 555 such places as Chicago, Philadel­ ican boys and American arms have phia, and Newark, in an effort to made their first major contribution disrupt it from within. Whatever to the destruction of Hitler's ar­ genuine participation there has mies in North Africa, and · are now been on the part of the Poles has indisputably in a position to close come mainly from the Polish­ the iron ring around him from the American trade union circles as West. It is plain, however, that we personified in Leo Krzycki, Presi­ are on the eve of the most gigantic dent of the American Sla·.- Congress battles of the war. Every effort and a Vice-President of the. Amal­ will be made by Hitler and his gamated Clothing Workers of friends to prevent the closing of America, or from progressive circles this iron ring. Frantic military ex­ associated with them, such as those ertions and adventures by Hitler represented by Dr. T. W. Ossow­ will be accompanied by equally ski in Detroit and Blair F. Gun­ frantic diplomatic efforts to save the ther in Pittsburgh. In Hartford Nazis by means of negotiated peace. and Milwaukee important blocs of Clearly, the maintenance and ex­ Polish organizations are affiliated tension of Slav unity are more ur­ to the all-Slav movement. In the gent than ever. former, the central body of Polish On the eve of the Anglo-Amer­ organizations is active in the Con­ ican invasion of Europe which will gress. crush Hitler in a two-front war, the strengthening of Slav unity is an Lessons for the Future indispensable means of strengthen­ The beginning of the second year ing the unity of the United Nations, of American Slav unity opens at a and of assuring the maximum, un­ new and· perhaps most decisive postponable mobilization of the stage of the war. The bulk of Hit­ fighting energies and reserves of ler's armies are still on Soviet soil, millions of people in the occupied engaged by the might of the Red countries as well as in the United Army, although the blows of Eng­ States. It is essential in order to land and the United States have at eliminate serious obstacles to the last begun to merge with those of most efficient functioning of the our Soviet ally. Poland and Czecho­ Anglo-Soviet-American coalition, slovakia are still occupied and en­ sucb as the criminal contact with slaved by the Nazi barbarians. The the enemy and the policy of no-re­ blood of the Yugoslav partisans is sistance cultivated by the Polish flowing in the mountains and val­ and Yugoslav Governments-in­ leys as they beat back Hitler's exile. For it should ·be evident that fourth large-scale offensive. Mass such policies, based on reactionary executions and pillage by the fascist designs toward their . own people hordes are turning the Slav lands and on hostility to the Soviet Union, into vast cemeteries. But the tide facilitate Hitler's desperate attempt has turned; coalition warfare against to fortify Europe against the im­ Hitler is becoming a reality. Amer- pending Anglo-American invasion 556 A YEAR OF AMERICAN SLAV UNITY and give him additional means to 2. American Slav unity has carry through his frantic maneuv­ thrived to the extent that it has ers to stave off final defeat by di­ fought for the program as adopted viding the United Nations among by the first organizing Congress in themselves and internally with the Detroit and resisted every effort to help of his anti-Soviet bogey. No reduce it to a purely formal and observer of the movement for Slav barren character. It cannot thrive unity in the United States can for­ and contribute to the nation's war get that the forces which have op­ effort if it is kept on a purely cul­ posed this unity are the same tural, non-political plane, or if its forces, in and out of Congress and activities arc restricted within the the State Department, that have narrowest confines irrespective of tried to break national unity around the desire of the masses in this the Commander-in-Chief, prevent movement to speak out and act on the opening of the second front 1n the questions closest to their hearts Europe, disrupt the fighting alliance as, for example, the immediate of the Anglo-Soviet-American coal­ opening of the Second Front and ition, and encourage the restoration firm friendship and collaboration and establishment of pro-fascist re­ with the Soviet Union. It cannot gimes throughout the world. contribute to national unity by the The experiences of the first year methods of those forces who, though of American Slav unity will un­ friends of American Slav unity, doubtedly serve as a guide for its have tried to meet the incessant further development under the new pressure of its enemies by capitu­ conditions. Some of the signifi­ lating to this pressure, seeking for cant facts revealed by a study of a way out finally in a surrender of these experiences indicate: Slav unity altogether. If American 1. American Slav unity was Slav unity is to be a vigorous part achieved and maintained, despite of national unity for victory, it all of its weaknesses and contradic­ must represent more than perfunc­ tions, because of the collaboration tory participation in the war effort; of government, trade union and it must develop greater organiza­ Left-progressive forces on the basis tional activity and initiative in re­ of all-inclusive anti-fascist unity, lation to all questions affecting the making it possible to give organized outcome of the war. expression to the deep-rooted sen­ 3. American Slav unity is based timent and desire of the American on a cC'mbination of local commit­ Slavs for anti-Hitler unity. It tees and the participation of the stands to reason that the strength­ separate Slav national groups. ening of the national war effort on ·without these local movements, the a scale demanded by the needs of American Slav Congress would victory, and consequently the fur­ have gone out of existence soon ther development of Slav unity, re­ after its foundation. This is clear quires the continuation of this col­ from the impressive achievements laboration. of the Michigan Slav Congress in A YEAR OF AMERICAN SLAV UNITY 557 Detroit which seems to have stim­ the three main groups, the Yugo­ ulated many other Slav centers to slavs, Czechoslovaks and Poles, register similar successes. shows to what extent the central The close interdependence be­ issues dominating these groups are tween these local movements and essentially problems of A.'llerican the activity of the separate na­ national policy, and not just Amer­ tional groups is also shown by the ican reflections of purely European work of such Slav committees as questions. those in Detroit and Milwaukee. Take the Yugoslavs. The central The effective work of the Detroit point of controversy here has been committee, for example, has re­ the Mikhailovich question. At the sulted in activizing the Ukrainians organizing Congress in Detroit, not of that city, even though nation­ only the. Croatian and Slovenian ally this group is sharply divided. organizations took part, but also the The Milwaukee committee has been organizations of the third group able to do the same thing with the constituting the Yugoslav popula­ Polish organizations of that city, tion here, that is, the Serbs, includ­ despite the aloofness of the chief ing those organizations dominated Polish organizations nationally. by the fascists. Today, the bulk of It is evident that the further the Serbian groups has withdrawn strengthening of Slav unity as part from the Congress. It is significant of American national unity depends that the fascists dominating the upon the growth of the local com­ chief Serb organizations are not mittees and their activization only champions of Mikhailovich but around the needs of the war. Judg­ also conduct propaganda for Ned­ ing from the experience of the De­ itch, Hitler's Serbian puppet. troit Slav Congress as reflected in Obviously, Anglo-American pol­ its organ, the Michigan Slav, this icy toward Mikhailovich has been would require the correction of such used as a screen by these agents serious shortcomings in their work of Hitler in the United States, as the insufficient involvement of while confusing the anti-Hitler labor, the haphazard development forces not only among the Serbs and pursuit of a program of activi­ but among other Slav groups. The ties, the poor utilization of the time has plainly come when con­ available forces for leadership, and tinued support of Mikhailovich by the inadequate involvement of the Britain and the United States can basic organizations of the various only weaken the United Nations, Slav groups. apd be at the expense of Anglo­ American military needs and the Three Main Groups lives of British and American boys. It is clear, of course, that the Every student of the Yugoslav situation in the separate Slav na­ question knows that Mikhailovich tional groups will affect the fur­ has definitely collaborated with the ther development of Slav unity in Axis against the Partisan fighters this country. An examination of of the United Nations; that he has 558 A YEAR OF AMERICAN SLAV UNITY publicly attacked Britain and the The Czechoslovaks are today the United States, not to speak of the most important single group in the Soviet Union, although every effort American Slav Congress. The has been made to conceal this fact; close and friendly reiations of the that his alleged declarations of loy­ Benes government with the Soviet alty to England and ·America have Union and the neighborly relations been manufactured by the reaction­ of the Czechoslovaks with the ary Yugoslav Government-in-exile othe.r Slav groups enable the to cover up his treachery; and fi­ Czechoslovak-Americans to play a nally, that it has become increas­ unifying role in the Slav community ingly difficult for both London and in the United States. The Czecho­ Washington to maintain the Mi­ slovak units fighting side by side khailovich myth. with the Red A;rmy 'against the It is true that Britain particular­ common enemy are a dramatic re­ ly has recently come around to a minder to the Czechoslovak masses greater public recognition of the in America that Slav unity is the role of the partisans and has even only guarantee of Czechoslovak lib­ brought pressure to bear . on the eration and independence. Yugoslav Government-in-exile to Despite this favorable position, modify its public declarations in re­ the Slovak question, which arises lation to them as revealed by the from the national aspirations of the last speeches of King Peter. But European Slovaks within the the toleration of Mikhailovich con­ Czechoslovak group, represents a tinues. The Anglo-American inva­ serious source of disruption for sion of Europe will unquestionably American Slav unity. Slovakia to­ reveal the utter untenability of this day is headed by a Hitler puppet position and will force a drastic who seeks to exploit the national revision in policy. sentiments of the Slovak people for Meanwhile the American Yugo­ the destruction of the Czechoslovak slav groups have a great responsi­ state. His supporters in the United bility to intensify their efforts to States have been active in the same bring the truth about Mikhailovich direction. not only to the Slav movement for The efforts of the American-Slo­ the sake of Slav unity in this coun­ vak League to win the Slovak try but to the entire nation for the masses in support of Tiso, Hitler's sake of victory over Hitler. They Slovak puppet, were followed a have an urgent obligation to organ­ year ago by a new element of dis­ ize moral and material aid to the unity in the person of Milan Hod­ partisans and full mass support to za, formally a member of the the government's policy of Ameri­ Czechoslovak government-in -exile, can collaboration with the Soviet who quickly found a place in the Union, a prime condition for the plans of the reactionary Berle-Bul­ liberation of · Yugoslavia and the litt schemers in Washington. Promi­ victory of the United States and nent Slovak leaders of the Ameri­ the United Nations. can Slav Congress were taken in by A YEAR OF AMERICAN SLAV UNITY 559 Hodza's separatist propaganda organizations who, in the past, re­ and unfortunately have come frained from open · opposition to ·to regard the leaders of the American Slav unity, as distinct Czech group not only as enemies from the Pilsudski - Matuszewski of Slovak national aspirations pro-fascist forces, have found a but also as enemies of Amer­ common ground with these elements ican Slav unity. This breach is in public attacks on the Soviet plainly not in the interests either Union and will now take even of the Czechs or the Slovaks and fewer pains to maintain the sem­ must be bridged. The real ene­ blance of neutrality toward the mies are to be found elsewhere, Slav Congress. It should be said, and it is these that must be ex­ however, that the fact that the Pol­ posed. Above all, the big task is ish-American masses are over­ to win the masses of Slovaks in the whelmingly P.rogressive and sup­ United States for active support of porters of the President's win-the­ the government's win-the-war poli­ war policies has so far prevented cies and the anti-Hitler struggle. the enemies of Slav unity from us­ The rapid development of the great ing the Soviet Union's severance of perspectives for anti-fascist unity relations as a pretext for an open among the Czechoslovak masses in fight against the Congress. The the United States will be a big fac­ meeting of the Chicago All-Slav tor in strengthening American na­ Congress on April 28 after the tional unity and all-Slav unity gen­ break in Polish-Soviet relations, erally during the next crucial pe­ was attended by about twenty-five riod. Polish delegates, the largest attend­ The exposure by the Soviet Gov­ ance of its kind in that city, who ernment of the Polish Government­ expressed full support for All-Slav in-exile as a government of con­ unity. tact with the Nazi enemy has The Polish labor and progressive already been seized upon by the re­ forces in Detroit who represent the actionary forces among the Poles backbone of the Michigan Slav here as a further means of com­ Congress have sharply condemned bating our government's war pro­ the action of the Polish govern­ gram and its policy of collaboration ment-in-exile in associating itself with the Soviet Union. They have with Hitler's effort to divide the selected no less a forum than the United Nations, and have reiterated Congress of the United States, with their faith in Polish-Soviet friend­ Congressman Lesinski, defender of ship and the need of Polish armed pro-Nazi elements, as their chief forces fighting side by side with spokesman, and other Polish-Amer­ the Red Army as the only assurance ican Congressmen being lined up of the liberation of Polish people by the Polish Embassy. and the restoration of a free, inde­ The supporters of the Polish pendent and strong Poland. A Government-in-exile in the leader­ meeting of 100 leading Polish per­ ship of the main Polish-American sonalities in Detroit, addressed by

the the of of moment moment decisive decisive "the "the that that press press from from judging judging Indeed, Indeed, tions. tions.

declaring declaring and and powers," powers," Axis Axis the the of of obstruc­ or or obstacles obstacles of of free free way, way,

surrender surrender unconditional unconditional and and defeat defeat high­ smooth smooth a a not not is is unity unity all-Slav all-Slav

complete complete the the for for unity unity breakable breakable of of course course the the that that evident evident is is It It

un­ in in extraction extraction Slav Slav of of Americans Americans

rally rally to to Commander-in-Chief Commander-in-Chief Rebuffed Rebuffed Unity Unity All-Slav All-Slav on on Attack Attack

"to "to our our pledge pledge its its Reaffirming Reaffirming

war. war. soil. soil. the the of of Soviet Soviet on on development development division division very very Polish Polish a a of of

the the by by formation formation strengthened strengthened the the being being and and was was unity unity partisans partisans Polish Polish

Slav Slav the the American American of of for for basis basis activities activities the the in in political political expressed expressed as as

the the that that showed showed meeting meeting this this at at ly ly people people Polish Polish real real the the of of struggles struggles

unanimous­ adopted adopted Action Action of of gram gram heroic heroic the the obscure obscure to to permitted permitted not not

Pro­ are are Seven-Point Seven-Point and and government-in-exile government-in-exile Resolutions Resolutions Polish Polish the the

The The of of meaning. meaning. acts acts its its of of criminal criminal the the that that understanding understanding to to see see it it

deeper deeper a a must must acquired acquired They They Congress Congress Slav Slav collaboration. collaboration. Soviet Soviet

American American the the of of forces forces leading leading the the Anglo-American­ of of disruption disruption and and

unity, unity, Slav Slav of of maintenance maintenance the the for for Administration Administration the the against against struggle struggle

struggle struggle of of of of means means meeting meeting a a a a as as was was this this question question cause cause Polish Polish the the

Be­ use use to to Congress. Congress. the the of of Committee Committee vitality vitality Poland Poland of of the the Friends Friends

of of evidence evidence was was discussion discussion ternal ternal so-called so-called the the in in Cudahy Cudahy and and ski ski

fra­ and and Lesin­ friendly friendly of of like like means means by by defeatists defeatists tered tered First First Americ::J. Americ::J.

adminis­ been been have have to to seems seems this this and and appeasers appeasers the the of of efforts efforts the the feat feat

that that fact fact The The effort. effort. this this to to buff buff de­ to to and and issue, issue, this this about about truth truth

re­ vigorous vigorous a a provided provided Committee Committee the the spread spread to to ranks ranks their their uniting uniting in in

National National the the of of initiative initiative the the meeting meeting take take to to Chicago Chicago the the responsibility responsibility

of of decisions decisions and and deliberations deliberations the the great great a a have have forces forces anti-fascist anti-fascist and and

that that indicate indicate labor labor reports reports All All Polish-American Polish-American Congress. Congress. especially especially

Nations Nations and and United United broader broader a a Polish-Americans Polish-Americans organizing organizing Patriotic Patriotic

of of name name the the in in Congress Congress the the of of question. question.

dissolution dissolution the the the the on on for for way way country country the the this this in in opened opened forces forces Hitler Hitler

thereby thereby and and anti­ the the Congress Congress Slav Slav mobilizing mobilizing in in the the influence influence

considerable considerable exercise. exercise. destroy destroy to to undoubtedly undoubtedly ambition ambition their their up up given given

not not have have will will day day and and this this to to who who Government Government those those of of Sikorski Sikorski the the

pressure pressure the the to to attacked attacked yielded yielded sharply sharply they they circles; circles; relations, relations, of of ture ture

Washington Washington rup­ the the certain certain after after in in days days origin origin few few a a its its Trib·une Trib·une

had had which which effort effort this this York York of of New New the the struments struments in in Herald Herald peared peared

in­ unwitting unwitting ap­ as as which which served served friends friends Chicago, Chicago, of of best best University University

its its of of the the some some from from Lange, Lange, Unfortunately Unfortunately Oscar Oscar gress; gress; Professor Professor

Con­ entire entire Polish Polish the the the the of of liquidate liquidate to to statement statement effort. effort. The The exile. exile.

an an revealed revealed also also government-in­ Polish Polish accomplishments, accomplishments, dominated dominated

gratifying gratifying of of fascist­ year year the the one one of of action action the the proximately proximately pudiated pudiated

ap­ marked marked re­ which which 27, 27, categorically categorically March March which which on on Committee Committee

Chicago Chicago in in First First held held Victory Victory a a Congress Congress of of Slav Slav can can organization organization

Ameri­ the the the the of of in in resulted resulted Committee Committee National National Michigan, Michigan, of of sity sity

the the of of Univer­ meeting meeting the the very very of of the the Karpinski Karpinski reports, reports, Professor Professor

UNITY UNITY SLAV SLAV AMERICAN AMERICAN OF OF YEAR YEAR A A 560 560 A YEAR OF AMERICAN SLAV UNITY 561 war against the German would-be laboration and world Slav unity for conquerors has come," the main victory over Hitler. Judging by the resolution adopted at the national results of the All-Slav Day on June committee meeting called for a 22 of last year, the decision of the quick invasion of Europe "with all National Committee of the Con­ the power that we have built up gress to recommend similar actions during the time granted us by the this June 22 should prove an effec­ magnificent resistance of our Rus­ tive means of helping to mobilize sian brothers." "At this decisive the full moral, political and ma­ moment," the resolution declares, terial influence and resources of the "we renew our call to American American Slavs in support of the Slavs to uphold the hand of our Casablanca decisions and the deci­ President with firmness and cour­ sions of the latest Roosevelt­ age, so that he may carry out the Churchill conference in Washington decisions of the Casablanca Confer­ aimed at the unconditional surren­ ence for the swift invasion of Eu­ der and the crushing defeat of the rope. . . ." Another resolution Italo-Nazi coalition in a two-front adopted a stirring reply of solidar­ war which will provide the ity to the appeal of the All-Slav basis for the destruction of the en­ Congress in Moscow. tire Axis. There are many urgent Unquestionably, our country's tasks confronting the movement for war effort has been stronger for the Slav unity in the United' States. existence of the American Slav The energetic execution of the Congress. Hs national committee plans adopted by the American has adopted a program for the en­ Slav Congress will demonstrate that ergetic extension of its work in the the Congress is capable of meeting next period which should make these tasks and, in doing so, of ad­ even greater contributions to the vancing our country's war effort strengthening of American national and the cause of the United Na­ unity, American-Soviet-British col- tiom;. ON THE 73Ro ANNIVERSARY OF LENIN'S BIRTH

BY L. YUDIN

OR every country, every war, liberation of the people. Prior to Fparticularly modern warfare, is Lenin, history knew of no other a stern test of the stability of its man who played such a great role political system and of the economic in the life of his country, in the life power and moral and spiritual of his people. strength of its people. It is now half a century that the In summing up the past twenty- history of Russia, that everything two months of war our people can great that has been created by the proudly declare to the world that Russian people and the other peo­ the Soviet system has stood all the ples of the U.S.S.R., is indissolubly tests. The Soviet state has proved associated with the name of Lenin. that it is the most stable of all mod- Lenin was the organizer of the ern states. The unexampled hero- Bolshevik Party, the teacher of the ism, courage and skill of the Red people of the Soviet country, the Army have evoked the admiration leader of the October Revolution of the whole of progressive man- and the founder of the Soviet state. kind. The Soviet people have dis- He created the Red Army and or­ played their full determination to ganized the victories of the civil fight the hated enemy un'til his war. He drew up a brilliant pro- utter destruction. gram of a socialist society. What are the courses of the mili- Lenin strikingly and profoundly tary might and stability of the So- defined the vital strength of the So­ viet state? What guides the Soviet viet system and the full readiness people in their determination to of the masses to defend Soviet wage the war against the German power at any time and with all imperialists until the complete rout their strength. of the hated invaders, no matter Soviet power gave the people what the sacrifices? boundless possibilities for free and · The answers to these and similar creative labor, cultural develop­ questions are to be found in the ment and the independent admin­ very nature of the Soviet political istration of their state. And this system, founded by Lenin and united politically all the peoples of Stalin; in the peculiarities of the the Soviet country from the very war the Germans thrust upon us. first days of Soviet power and con- Lenin devoted all his life to the siderably multiplied their forces. 562 73RD ANNIVERSARY OF LENIN'S BIRTH 563 Lenin taught that the strength of ing a just war in the interests of the Soviet state lies in the universal its people finds universal support and conscious support of this state. among the people. Such a state, He had boundless faith in the such a country, such a people are strength of the masses, in their capable of fighting until victory is creative energy and ability to ac­ scored. complish great historical deeds. He The Soviet people are developing said that an inexhaustible source of their creative forces to the full in self-sacrifice, of everything honest, the course of the war. The heroism progressive and aspiring to the new of the Red Army, its courage and is latent in the popular masses. military skill, are growing. In one of his speeches in 1920 Difficult and bloody clashes with Lenin said that in every war victory the Hitlerite scoundrels still lie in the final outcome is conditioned ahead for the Soviet people. Victory by the morale of the masses who can be achieved at the price of are shedding their ·blood on the great efforts and sacrifices; by battlefield. He said that conviction straining all the vital forces of the in the justness of the war, the con­ Soviet state. sciousness of the need of sacrificing Realizing this, and steadily fol­ their lives for the well-being of lowing Stalin's instructions, the So­ , their brothers, raise the spirit of viet patriots in the rear are daily soldiers and impel them to bear increasing their output of war ma­ unprecedented hardships. terials; the Soviet troops at the The war has been on for nearly front are perfecting their military two years now, and the heroism of skill and daily wiping out increas­ the Soviet people and their will to ing numbers of German soldiers victory are still further enhanced and officers. by every new trial. The ·production Our Red Army men and the of war materials-planes, tanks, whole Soviet people remember artillery, mortars and all types of Stalin's words that ,the struggle arms and munitions, equipment and against the German invaders is not supplies for the Red Army-is yet over; that it is only just devel­ mounting month after month. oping and flaring up. It would be Lenin pointed out that in the silly to believe that the Germans course of a war, no matter how will surrender even a single kilo­ strong an army is and no matter meter of Soviet soil without a fight. how stable its rear, a critical· mo­ The Soviet people know that the ment will inevitably set in in those enemy is still strong, and therefore states which are engaged in the war they do not underestimate the dif­ not in the interests of the ·people; ficulties confronting them. The So­ a moment when the army becomes viet people repeat the words of the incapable of continuing the war, great Lenin: "Our Russia that has and when the rear is unable to keep been liberated, that has won its So­ its army supplied with all its needs. viet Revolution-we will de~end this On the other hand, the state wag- · Russia to our last drop of blood." "ONE WORLD"-WENDELL WILLKIE'S CHALLENGING BOOK

BY JOSEPH NORTH

S THIS is being written, about a happening in the Soviet Union? A million Americans have bought They wanted facts, but what they copies of Wendell Willkie's book were told did not seem to hold One World. The trade reports that water. Their suspicions were totally it is the fastest selling book in re- confirmed when reports poured in cent years. There is great signifi- of the fighting on the Eastern front. cance in this: it is not only that They were inspired by those re­ the titular head of the Republican ports: it did not take long for their Party has written a fascinating book feelings to crystallize into deep ad­ of the journey on his twentieth- miration for the Red Army and the century "magic carpet"-the four- Soviet Union. Why, they began to engined Consolidated Bomber, "The ask, were we informed by radio and Gulliver" which whisked him over by the press that the Soviets would 31,000 miles of land and sea in last three weeks after the Wehr­ forty-nine days. It is far more than macht unleashed its blitz? Such a a fine job of reporting. It is a cosmic piece of misinformation can statement of policy: a political doc- never be forgotten-nor forgiven. ument of first-rate importance. One Too much was at stake: this "mis­ World, as the title implies, breathes taken" appraisal of Sovet Russia's the spirit of United Nations coop- strength greatly affected interna­ eration. Mr. Willkie seeks a course tional relations and programs of of action that will strengthen the action, which, in turn, affected the base of the coalition-the success daily lives of men and their familes. of which spells victory in the war A re-evaluation of the Soviet Union and in the coming peace. began. Actually it started with Jo- For years-and particularly since seph E. Davies' book Mission To June 22, 1941, millions of Ameri- Moscow. Small wonder that the cans puzzled over a number of facts movie of this book is "packing them -or rather, !iistortions of fact. in." Small wonder, too, that this They realized that something was movie is drawing the concentrated wrong with the information af- fire of the defeatists and appeasers, forded them of certain world of all professional anti-Sovieteers, phenomena. The times were bring- of the unreconstructed Social­ ing vast changes, but the authorities Democrats, and the mad-dog Trot­ in foreign affairs were not equal to skyites, as well as those liberals the job. What, for example, was influenced by them. They fear the 564 "ONE WORLD" 565 fact that we have moved into a new complete realization that "there are era in our thinking about the So­ no distant points in the world any viet Union and all our Allies. longer." When Mr. Willkie says Mr. Willkie's book accords with "Our thinking in the future must the popular realization that this is be world-wide," he gets the appro­ a just war, a truly patriotic war of bation of all democratic Americans. national liberation-a realization Herr Doktor Goebbels is not at which came about after Hitler's all unaware of this change in atti­ panzerdivisionen crossed the So­ tude: his propaganda mills work viet frontier. The book is wel­ furiously to revive old confusions, comed because it answers questions to stir up old prejudices. The air­ -and poses solutions-that are in ways are filled with libels on all harmony with the growing popu­ the United Nations, and most par­ larity of the Soviet Union, and our ticularly our Soviet ally. The suc­ other Allies. Americans saw the cess of such propaganda can well mighty Red Army smash the myth rob the United Nations of promised of Nazi invincibility. They came to victory. It is particularly danger­ understand that without the Soviets ous today, on the eve of great im­ the Nazis would have overrun all pending action upon the continent Europe, Africa and Asia. They knew of Europe, when hundreds of mil­ then that we in America would lions throughout the world wait to have been assaulted by the over­ hear that the Allied armies have whelming might of the Axis. They landed in Europe. They wish to know now that the Eastern Front see the opening of the long-desired made our great victory in Tunisia second front that will synchronize possible. They have come increas­ with the epic fighting on the East­ ingly to demand answers to their ern front. That will spell total questions about the Union of Soviet coalition warfare in the decisive Socalist Republics. theater of the war. At such a time Furthermore, this just war is en­ the Goebbels lie, if not exposed gendering a sense of community and refuted, becomes a most deadly with all our sister nations. Sym­ weapon in the Axis arsenal. Our pathy for the lands and peoples of defeatists, eager for weapons, know the United Nations, and the desire that very well. to know them, grow, despite the For these reasons, Mr. Willkie frantic counter-propaganda of those has done a great patriotic service in America who echo the Goebbels with his book. He accepted no mean line. Mr. Willkie touches the agree­ responsibility when he climbed in­ ment of the majority in our land to "The Gulliver." He discharged when he writes that the "net im­ his responsibility honorably. His pression" of his journey "was not report was a wise statement of pol­ one of distance from other peoples icy; and it carries especial weight but of closeness to them .." The coming from the 1940 Presidential world had "become small and inter­ candidate, from a spokesman of dependent." The voyage of his capitalism, a hard-headed business­ four-engined bomber brought him man who might have retained the 566 "ONE WORLD" encrusted prejudices of so many of pressure of war. We-we and our his class, and particularly of lead­ Allies, of course-cannot, for in­ ing circles in his own party. His stance, stop fighting the Japanese to book, as Earl Browder has pointed make a detailed plan of what we out, ranks with the speech of Henry intend to do about Burma when Walace of May 8, 1942, and of Sum­ victory is won. Nor can we relent ner Welles of May 30, 1942. Mr. in our pressure against Hitler to Willkie is another powerful spokes­ decide the detailed future of Po­ man of that section of monopoly land now." capital-the dominant section-that To those in his class who look realizes this is ·a war in defense of for "enormous" trade relations with our national sovereignty and there­ China and the Far East he warns fore acts as a component in the na­ that their hopes may be an unreal­ tional front for victory. ized dream unless "joint military strategy with China" is worked out * * * "today." "Can we hope to bring What, in sum, does Mr. Willkie Russia, with its almost startling say? First of all, that this war can­ potentialities within the orbit of a not be won without genuine coali­ future coordinated economic world, tion warfare and common military unless we have learned to work council; that the Soviet Union and with her military strategists and China must be recognized as being her political leaders in common equal partners in the councils of the council." Today, now. United Nations, the realization of This, to our detriment, is not the which must be borne home on all viewpoint of all official circles: it people. That is his principal argu­ certainly is not in the sinister ment. And he concludes that, "gen­ "Berle corner" of our State Depart­ erally speaking, nothing of impor­ me'nt. There are too many in Mr. tance can be won in peace which Willkie's own party; and also among has not already been won in the the Democrats, who share the re­ war itself." The post-war world sponsibility for the secret finaglings will be fashioned by the way we of that "corner." The failure to de­ fight the war itself to victory. cl~re war on Hitler's Finnish ally In his thinking about the post­ and the continued appeasement of war world, he returns time and the fascist Franco have created uni­ again to the idea that it depends versal misgivings. Precisely such totally upon the way the war is appeasement policies endanger the fought, now. That was apparent structure of .coalition warfare. Our when he spoke up for the opening notoriously ambiguous foreign pol­ of the second front last year. It is icy has done us much harm. In apparent when he writes, "It is this regard, Mr. Willkie's now fa­ quite true that many details must mous phrase-the reservoir of be worked out at the peace table good-will for America-comes to and at conferences succeeding the mind. He warns that it has sprung peace table-details which cannot too many a leak. There was the be judiciously worked out under the Darlan episode; this was followed "ONE WORLD" 567 by the Peyrouton appointment. Mr. soil, for example, should be or can Willkie feels that the explanation be ruled from now on except by the of "temporary military expediency" people who live on it. And we must did not sit well on most people's say so now, not after the war." minds. They "felt they saw dip­ "America," Mr. Willkie writes, lomacy once more, in devious ways, "must choose one of three courses trading away the principles which after this war; narrow nationalism, we had proclaimed to the world." which inevitably means. the ulti- / He warned that the "people of Rus­ mate loss of our own liberty; inter­ sia and Great Britain and the con­ national imperialism, which means quered countries of Europe felt be­ the sacrifice of some other nation's trayed and baffled." liberty; or the creation of a world Today, as we gird ourselves to in which there shall be an equality fight upon the European continent, of opportunity for every race and this fact must be kept well in every nation. I am convinced that mind. For this is a war of liber­ the American people will choose, by ation, Mr. Willkie stresses, con­ overwhelming majority, the last of curring, he points out, with Joseph these courses. To make this choice Stalin. His journey proved to him effective, we must win not only the that all the peoples want the . war, but also the peace, and we United Nations to win the war, but must start winning it now." "they all want a chance at the end When Mr. Willkie says that, he of the war to live in liberty and undertakes a historic responsibility. independence." And there are He has a big job to push through doubts, he continuously presses his own ideas in leading circles of upon his readers, in "the readiness his own party. For there are of the leading democracies of the many in it-"Big Stick" imperial­ world to stand up and be counted ists-who differ violently with his for freedom for others after the concept. Harrison E. Spangler, war is over. This doubt kills their chairman of Mr. Willkie's own Re­ enthusiasm in participation on our publican National Committee, has side." a totally different viewpoint. He This, he says, is true everywhere, summed it up when he said, "My particularly in Asia. "This is a con­ job is to build up an army of voters tinent where the record of West­ in the United States to defeat the ern democracies has been long and New Deal, and I don't think there mixed, but where people-and re­ are any voters in China, or Mon­ member there are a billion of them golia or Russia that I can get for -are determined no longer to live the Republicans." under foreign control.... They are That reflects the caliber of one determined to work out their own of Mr. Willkie's leading party fig­ destiny under governments se­ ures; it reflects the thinking of im­ lected by themselves." portant sections of topnotch G.O.P. He declares that this war must circles. What Mr. Willkie writes end "the empire of nations over collides completely with the daily other nations. No foot of Chinese campaigning of the Patterson-Me- 568 "ONE WORLD" Cormick Axis. It is completely at ' In brief, Mr. Willkie has no mean odds with that "elder statesman" task. He and his like-minded as­ of the G.O.P.-Herbert Hoover, sociates, in collaboration with la­ who too, in collaboration with Hugh bor and the Administration, are Gibson, wrote a book. In Problems confronted with the decisive task of a Lasting Peace, Mr. Hoover of combating the defeatists and openly favored "a compromise reactionaries, in order to carry the peace." Everything Mr. Hoover has day in his party for his proposed written since his book was pub­ "third choice." He must win out lished certainly attests to no change against those others in the G.O.P. of heart. On the contrary. He leadership who favor the other two doggedly continues in one form or choices, "narrow nationalism," another to reaffirm his book's con­ which equates to "the ultimate clusions. His series of articles, loss of our own liberty" and "in­ carried by the Associated Press in ternational imperialism" - which January, 1943, echoed the Goebbels means the "sacrifice of some other line, arguing against the decisive nation's liberty." strategy of an early Second Front that was later enunciated at Casa­ * * * blanca. Don't invade Europe in Finally, and in context of current 1943! With Cassandra-like gloom political discussions as the war he seeks to overwhelm us all over moves to its climax, we come to the again with Axis "invincibility." He most fruitful part of Mr. Willkie's says they have "six to seven million book-the section dealing with the men behind their control of the American-Soviet understanding and whole European seaboard"-a wild­ cooperation, so vital to the victory ly exaggerated figure that can gain drive of the United Nations. These endorsement only from the Berlin are the most vivid chapters; the Propaganda Ministry. He pleads for son of the western prairies who a policy of drawn-out "attrition remembered the flatboard pave­ warfare" and proposes "solutions" ments of his childhood town in In­ that would drag the war on so that diana found much in common with the defeatists and "Big Stick" im­ the pioneering Soviet people. And perialists would have ample time in he looked clear-eyed at what he which to carry through their in­ saw. The Russians were vibrant trigues. with energy; they had enthusiasm; This Hoover line of a dragged­ they had a dream; they were build­ out war of attrition received its ers; they had already created a tre­ condemnation in Winston Chur­ mendous industrial machine. Their chill's meaningful words before democratic spirit reminded him of Congress on May 19: his own midwestern folk. He saw war waged with every ounce of the "We have surmounted many seri­ ous dangers, but there is one grave people's energy. "I realized more danger which will go along with clearly than ever before," he writes, us until the end. That danger is "that in Russia, 'This is a People's the undue prolongation of the war." War' had real meaning." He sees "ONE WORLD" 569 that it is the Russian people "in original workers tending their own the fullest sense who are resolved machines throughout the transfer." to destroy Hitlerism." He is stirred And by December, two months by what he saw. "The Russian later, "it was producing planes at people-not just their leaders-the its new location." Russian people, I was convinced, And he saw another thing of vast had chosen victory or death. They significance. "I found in Yakutsk talked only of victory." evidence of one of the Soviet He was given. carte blanche to go Union's greatest achievements and where he wanted, to see what he one which the best and most pro­ wished. He went to the Rzhev front gressive Americans must applaud; where he was impressed by the 38- its handling of the terrible problem year-old commander there. When of national and racial minorities." Mr. Willkie asked him how big a He was made acutely aware of this front he was defending, the Soviet problem everywhere he traveled­ general replied, offended: "Sir, I in Syria, in Turkey, in Egypt, in am not defending, I am attacking." · China. "Everywhere I found polite Mr. Willkie looked at the collective but skeptical people, who meet my farms, studied a typical one in con­ questions about their problems with siderable detail and discovered it polite but ironic questions about was run much like 250,000 other our own. The maladjustments of collective farms in the Soviet races in America came up frequent­ Union. And he began to realize how ly.... " This is highlighted by his the "collective farms constituted own reflections upon the way we the very backbone of Russia's "handle" the Negro question in our tough resistance." He spent a day country, and by the fact that we in a Soviet aviation plant where the are "witnessing a crawling, insidi­ famous Stormoviks are built, saw ous anti-Semitism in our own some 30,000 workers "making a country." Is it any wonder he was very presentable number of air­ moved to admiration when he wit­ planes every day." He found that nessed how the many races and more than 35 per cent of the la­ peoples in the Soviet Union live to­ bor in the plant was being done gether harmoniously, in fullest by women; and discovered the equality and unity? As an honest meaning of the word Stakhanovite. observer there was for him much He saw typical instances of the to admire. Russian workers' and leaders' self­ Later he spoke with the leader of sacrificing zeal and heroism. The this great ally that is Soviet Russia, plant he studied had been picked up Joseph Stalin-and with his asso­ bodily from its foundations in Mos­ ciates Molotov, Vyshinsky, Mikoyan cow in October, 1941 "when the and others. sound of Nazi cannonading could In Moscow he had two long talks oe heard in the Soviet capital." He with Stalin. His reactions to the admired the fact that it had been Soviet leader are similar to those moved more than a thousand miles previously recorded by Winston and set up again, "many of its Churchill, Lord Beaverbrook and

whom whom good good people people the the very very the the of of he he "question "question who who typical typical those those to to

prejudice prejudice of of himself himself pattern pattern the the Addressing Addressing into into lapsed lapsed understanding." understanding."

has has point, point, real real this this and and at at Willkie, Willkie, statesmanship statesmanship Mr. Mr. with with talked talked

Union. Union. Soviet Soviet the the to to relation relation in in ism ism they they over, over, is is war war the the after after do do to to

absolut­ of of prepared prepared concept concept be be must must entire entire the the world world the the fute fute what what to to

re­ observations observations recorded recorded own own His His peace, peace, the the to to ran ran men men these these of of talk talk

meaning." meaning." the the real real has has "Whenever "Whenever war' war' lead,ers. lead,ers. people's people's Soviet Soviet other other

a a is is 'This 'This there, there, that that conclude conclude and and Stalin Stalin with with world world post-war post-war

to to him him led led state state socialist socialist the the in in the the discussed discussed also also Willkie Willkie Mr. Mr.

effort effort war war the the on on observations observations His His army." army." its its destroy destroy "to "to was was

enthusiasm. enthusiasm. boundless boundless and and pation pation Germany Germany defeat defeat to to way way the the that that

partici­ vigor, vigor, peoples' peoples' Soviet Soviet the the said said He He Germany." Germany." in in collapse collapse nal nal

to to attests attests recorded recorded has has he he facts facts of of inter­ early early an an upon upon count count should should

mountain mountain very very the the out: out: this this point point to to we we think' think' not not did did "He "He timism. timism.

necessary necessary is is espouses. espouses. he he system system It It over-op­ to to inclined inclined are are who who those those

the the and and Communism Communism of of merits merits tive tive to to comfort comfort no no afforded afforded Stalin Stalin

rela­ the the capitalism capitalism of of exponent exponent ing ing materiel." materiel." and and skill skill bers, bers,

lead­ this this with with debate debate to to here here sary sary num­ by by primarily primarily lost lost or or won won were were

unneces­ is is absolutism." absolutism." to to ing ing It It Battles Battles it. it. save save could could bravery bravery pure pure

"lead­ as as Communism Communism to to refers refers he he nor nor homeland homeland of of love love neither neither that that

Union, Union, Soviet Soviet the the assertion assertion his his with with in in definite definite cooperation cooperation quite quite was was

and and understanding understanding fullest fullest urging urging he he and and it it hold hold to to ability ability Russia's Russia's to to

when, when, as as Willkie Willkie Mr. Mr. predictions predictions with with no no differ differ "made "made only only leader leader viet viet

can can one one So­ reasons, reasons, The The these these defense." defense." all all For For unsuccessful unsuccessful or or

successful successful the the of of East, East, Middle Middle the the

purpose." purpose." Stalin's Stalin's of of terpretation terpretation particularly particularly and and Germany Germany Russia, Russia,

in­

best best the the

find find

may may

we we that that

ple ple on on

effect effect

moral moral

the the

but but

portance, portance,

peo­ the the of of attitude attitude the the in in is is it it For For

military military and and im­ geographical geographical its its

reach. reach. Nazi Nazi beyond beyond interrupted, interrupted,

only only not not logically logically me me for for developed developed

un­ operate, operate, might might

they they

that that

'miles, 'miles,

"He "He

seige. seige.

under under then then Stalingrad, Stalingrad, of of hundreds hundreds factories, factories, great great of of ment ment

of of battle battle the the about about questions questions ist," ist," move­ miraculous miraculous almost almost the the into into

real­ great great "the "the Stalin, Stalin, asked asked He He went went that that effort effort the the in in and and front; front;

efficiency." efficiency." and and the the methods methods at at fighters fighters operating operating the the for for war war of of ments ments

instru­ produce produce and and forge forge to to mines mines their their to to as as judgments judgments general general not not

and and factories factories in in week week a a hours hours six six department, department, by by department department ports, ports,

sixty­ feverishly feverishly working working are are who who re­ detailed detailed wanted wanted "he "he

factories, factories,

women women and and men men Russian Russian of of millions millions

Soviet Soviet various various the the through through trips trips

other other those those in in Nazis; Nazis; the the of of slaves slaves

his his of of Willkie Willkie Mr. Mr. asked asked Stalin Stalin

become become

have have

who who

millions millions sixty sixty

When When him." him." interested interested that that matter matter

the the of of and and fatherland fatherland their their fending fending

the the of of heart heart the the be be to to believed believed he he de­ died died already already have have who who sians sians

what what to to through through cut cut to to designed designed Rus­ of of millions millions the the of of light light the the in in

them them of of each each revolver, revolver, a a like like loaded loaded statement statement Stalin's Stalin's of of faith faith good good the the

measure measure better better can can we we "Perhaps "Perhaps them them of of each each questions, questions, searching searching

"asked "asked says, says, he he Stalin, Stalin, mind." mind."

advice. advice. following following the the driving driving tenacious tenacious "hard, "hard, Stalin's Stalin's

offers offers Willkie Willkie Mr. Mr. Stalin" Stalin" of of faith faith admires admires too too He He Hopkins. Hopkins. Harry Harry

WORLD'' WORLD'' ''ONE ''ONE 570 570 ''ONE WORLD'' 571 is endeavoring to win away from anti-Soviet prejudices against the pernicious anti-Sovietism. country's needs. Overcome your Notwithstanding this, as well as fear and distrust of Soviet Russia, certain minor shortcomings, the he tells them. "Such fear is weak­ book deserves the wide acclaim it ness. Russia is not going to eat us has received. For Mr. Willkie ar­ or seduce us." And he concludes rives at basically sound conclusions; with convincing eloquence that we conclusions, which, if advanced must work and work well with the with the same zeal and energy that U.S.S.R. against our common he displays in this book, will play enemy, Nazi Germany. "We need to a great part in helping win this war learn to work with her in the world and the peace. after the war. For Russia is a dy­ These are his conclusions: namic country, a vital new society, "First, Russia is an effective so­ a force that cannot be by­ ciety. It works. It has survival passed in any future world.... So value. The record of Soviet re­ let me say once more: I believe it is sistance to Hitler has been proof possible for Russia and America, enough of this to. most of us, but I perhaps the most powerful coun­ must admit in all frankness that I tries in the world, to work together was not prepared to believe before for economic welfare and the peace I went to Russia what I now know of the world. At least, knowing that about its strength as a going organ­ there can be no enduring peace, no ization of men and women. economic stability, unless the two "Second, Russia is our ally in this work together, there is nothing I war. The Russians, more sorely ever wanted more to believe." tested by Hitler's might than even These are words that all truly the British, have met the test mag­ patriotic Americans hail-honest nificently. Their hatred of racism Americans of all parties and classes and the Nazi system is real and . who seek victory and a just and deep and bitter. And this hatred enduring peace when the war is makes them determined . to elimin­ won. Soviet-American cooperation ate Hitler and exterminate the Nazi and friendship are the guarantee of blight from Europe and the world. our national existence. Because "Third, we must work with Rus­ Wendell Willkie has said these sia after the war. At least it seems things so well and with such com­ to me that there can be no contin­ pelling force, his book has received ued peace until we learn to do so." the applause it merits. For it coin­ And what honest, patriotic Amer­ cides with the thinking and the ican, desiring victory over the Axis, hopes of the common men, the and effective post-war reconstruc­ democratic peoples of all lands who tion, can differ with these conclu­ wish· to live together and work to­ sions? gether in a world rid of fascism Mr. Willkie finally addressed and imperialistic brigandage. It re­ himself to those of his fellow capi­ flects, in global terms, the nation's talists in America who set their order of the day. HISTORIC DOCUMENTS

STALIN'S MAY DAY ORDER OF THE DAY

OMRADES, Red Army men, Army has grown. Our troops not C sailor:;; of the Red Fleet, com­ only dislodged the Germans from manders, political workers, guer­ territory captured by them last rillas, guerrilla women, workers, summer but also occupied a num­ workmen and workwomen, peasant ber of towns and districts which men and women, intellectual were in the enemy's occupation for workers, brothers and sisters tem­ almost a year and a half. porarily fallen under the yoke of The Germans found it beyond the German oppressors, in the name their power to prevent the offen­ of the Soviet Government and of sive of the Red Army. Even for a our Bolshevik Party I greet you counter-offensive on a narrow front and congratulate you on this day sector in the area of Kharkov, the of the First of May. German command was compelled to The peoples of our country meet throw in more than thirty divisions on the day of May 1 under the se­ from Western Europe. vere conditions of war. They en­ The Germans intended to encircle trusted their fate to the Red Army the Soviet troops in the area of and were not mistaken in their Kharkov and stage a German Stal­ hope. ingrad for our troops. The Soviet soldiers rose to a man However, the attempt of the Hit­ to the defense of their country. And lerite command to avenge them­ now, for almost two years, they selves for Stalingrad failed. have defended the honor and inde­ Simultaneous with this, the vic­ pendence of the Soviet Union. torious troops of our Allies defeated During the period of the winter the Italo-German forces in Libya campaign of the years 1942-43 the and Tripolitania, cleared these areas Red Army inflicted a severe defeat of the enemy and now continue to on the Hitlerite troops, destroyed a rout them in Tunisia, while the gal­ large quanity of the man power of lant Anglo-American air force in­ the enemy, encircled two enemy flicts devastating blows on the war armies at Stalingrad, captured more industrial centers of Germany and than 300,000 enemy officers and men Italy, presaging the creation of a and liberated from the German yoke second front in Europe against the hundreds of Soviet towns and thou- Italo-German fascists. sands of villages. Thus the blows on the enemy The winter campaign has shown from the east by the Red Army that the offensive power of the Red have, for the first time since the be- 572 HISTORIC DOCUMENTS 573 ginning of the war, merged with and in escaping from another Stal­ the blow from the west by our Al­ ingrad on one or another sector of lies into one single, common blow. the eastern or Tunisian front. Apparently the Hitlerite strate­ * gists have nothing else to boast about. All these circumstances taken to­ Secondly, the crisis in the fascist gether have shaken the Hitlerites' camp is expressed by the fact that war machine . to its foundations, the fascists are beginning to talk have changed the course of the war frequently of peace. and created the preliminary condi­ If we are to judge by reports tions necessary for victory over from the foreign press, one may Hitlerite Germany. draw the conclusion that the Ger­ As a result, the enemy was forced mans would like to conclude peace to admit the serious worsening of with Britain and the United States his position and began to yell about of America under conditions of the war crisis. It is true that the their separation from the Soviet enemy is attempting to hide his Union or, vice versa, they would critical situation behind the brass like to make peace with the Soviet foil of total mobilization. But no Union under condition of its sepa­ brass foil can hide the fact that the ration from England and the United fascist camp is, in fact, going States of America. through a serious crisis. The German imperialists have The crisis in the fascist camp the impudence to measure the Al­ finds expression primarily in the lies by their own yardstick, pre­ fact that the enemy was forced to· suming that one of them would fall abandon his original intentions for into the trap. a blitzkrieg. The boastful chatter of It is c1ear that the German prat­ blitzkrieg has been replaced by la­ tle about peace is not prompted by mentations about unavoidable, pro­ ail easy life. This prattle only longed war. proves that they are going through If the earlier German fascist a severe crisis. command boasted of the tactics of But what sort of peace can be in blitzkrieg, these tactics now have question with the imperialist fas­ been discarded and the German cists who have flooded Europe with command boasts not that they have blood and covered her with gal­ carried out or mean to carry out lows? Is it not clear that only the blitz offensive but that they man­ complete rout of the Hitlerite ar­ aged skillfully to sneak away from mies and the unconditional surren­ the encircling blows of British der of Hitlerite Germany can bring troops in North Africa or from en­ Europe to peace? Is it not because circlement by Soviet troops in the they feel the approach of the com.:. area of Demyansk. ing catastrophe that the fascists talk The fascist press sparkles with of peace? reports that the German armies The German-Italian fascist camp succeeded in escaping from a rout is going through a severe crisis and

tary tary bearing bearing matters matters all all the the means means sufferings sufferings to to remain remain be- g·~Dantly, g·~Dantly,

working working cannot cannot without without stand stand rest rest bravely bravely still. still. To To and and halt halt in in mili-

peasants peasants such such and and a a war war intelligentsia intelligentsia as as the the modern modern are are war, war, one one

over over 7,000,000,000 7,000,000,000 military military rubles. rubles. matters matters Workers, Workers, and and more more so so in in

But But even even this this is is 'uted 'uted not not enough. enough. to to the the fund fund In In of of the the Red Red Army Army

the the conduct conduct of of ·battle. ·battle. of of the the Soviet Soviet Union Union have have contrib­

In In less less than than four four months months the the people people manders manders must must acquire acquire mastery mastery in in

ther ther increase increase master master of of the the their their military military weapons weapons power. power. well, well, com­

give give all all their their rest rest at at strength strength that. that. Soldiers Soldiers for for the the fur­ must must learn learn to to

the the Red Red Army. Army. They They are are ready ready to to tlefield. tlefield. But But it it would would be be unwise unwise to to

showing showing to to wonderful wonderful handle handle their their solicitude solicitude troops troops on on for for the the bat­

Comrades, Comrades, merous merous the the Soviet Soviet commanders commanders people people are are have have learned learned

their their weapons weapons to to perfection. perfection. Nu­

* * * * * *

sands sands of of soldiers soldiers have have mastered mastered

during during the the war. war. Hundreds Hundreds of of thou­

peace. peace. rich rich store store of of military military experience experience

emy emy and and thus thus lay lay the the way way for for The The Red Red Army Army has has acquired acquired a a

tialities tialities in in order order to to smash smash the the en­ ly ly drive drive them them from from the the Soviet Soviet soil. soil.

mobilize mobilize all all their their power power and and poten­ man man invaders. invaders. They They must must ceaseless­

iron iron staunchness. staunchness. They They will will have have to to mercilessly mercilessly to to exterminate exterminate the the Ger­

rifices, rifices, enormous enormous staying staying power power and and more more powerfully powerfully and and still still more more

gle gle will will demand demand of of them them great great sac­ ple, ple, the the Red Red Army Army must must smash smash even even

the the Hitlerite Hitlerite monsters. monsters. This This strug­ In In reply reply to to the the faith faith of of its its peo­

struggle struggle for for complete complete victory victory over over military military law. law.

still still have have to to face face a a hard hard and and severe severe should should be be punished punished to to according according

well well as as our our Allies Allies and and their their armies, armies, Complacency Complacency and and lack lack of of energy energy

viet viet Union Union and and the the Red Red Army, Army, as as avoidable-everything avoidable-everything for for war! war!

Therefore, Therefore, the the peoples peoples of of our our So­ Lenin. Lenin. Since Since war war has has become become un­

many many may may become become a a fact. fact. Remember Remember the the legacy legacy of of the the great great

the the catastrophe catastrophe to to Hitlerite Hitlerite Ger­ and and accuracy accuracy like like good good clockwork. clockwork.

past past five five or or six six months months in in order order that that front front should should work work with with precision precision

on on the the Hitlerite Hitlerite armies armies during during the the ple, ple, all all our our enterprises enterprises on on the the home home

west west and and east east as as have have been been inflicted inflicted is is imperative imperative that that all all our our peo­ It It

ful ful blows blows are are necessary necessary from from the the ble ble vigor. vigor.

Two Two or or three three more more such such power­ should should work work for for the the front front with with dou­

course course of of events. events. and and the the whole whole Soviet Soviet intelligentsia intelligentsia

accord accord and and as as part part of of the the present present perative perative that that the the workers, workers, peasants peasants

catastrophe catastrophe would would come come of of its its own own tion tion and and food. food. That That means means it it is is im­

would would be be naive naive to to suppose suppose that that the the chine chine guns, guns, tommy tommy guns, guns, ammuni­

but but they they are are not not yet yet defeated. defeated. It It tanks, tanks, planes, planes, trench trench mortars, mortars, Iha­

are are shaken shaken and and undergoing undergoing a a crisis crisis Army Army should should get get ever ever more more guns, guns,

Hitlerite Hitlerite Germany Germany anq anq her her armies armies invaders invaders demands demands that that the the Red Red

begun. begun. No, No, it it does does not not mean mean that. that. But But the the war war against against the the German German

trophe trophe of of Hitlerite Hitlerite G€rmany G€rmany has has tive tive farms. farms.

not not mean, mean, of of course, course, that that the the catas­ tories, tories, on on transports transports and and on on collec­

stands stands before before catastrophe. catastrophe. That That does does caused caused by by war war and and toiling toiling in in fac­

574 574 HISTORIC HISTORIC DOCUMENTS DOCUMENTS HISTORIC DOCUMENTS 575 hind. And those who remain behind, warfare, to bear firmly in mind that as is known, are beaten. on the full and timely supply of The main point now, therefore, is troops with ammunition, equip­ that the whole Red Army must, ment and provisions depends the day in and day out, perfect its com­ outcome of combat operations. bat training; that all commanders Thirdly, that the whole Red Army and. men of the Red Army must consolidate and develop the suc­ study the experience of war and cesses of the winter battles, that it must learn to fight in such a man­ shall not surrender a single inch of ner as is needed for the cause of our soil to the enemy, that it shall victory. be prepared for · decisive battles Comrades, Red Army and Red with the German fascist invaders Navy men, political workers, men and that it shall display a stubborn­ and women guerrillas, I greet you ness and staunchness in defense and congratulate you on the occa­ which are characteristic of the men sion of May 1! of our Army. To display offensive First, all Red Army men, infan­ resolution, correct interaction of trymen, trench mortarmen, tommy troops, bold maneuver in the field gunners, artillerymen, tankmen, of action, crowned by the encircle­ pilots, sappers, signalmen and cav­ ment and annihilation of the alrymen should tirelessly continue enemy. to perfect. themselves in their fight­ Fo1rrthly, that men and women ing mastery, to execute precisely guerrillas strike powerful blows at the orders of their commanders, the the enemy's rear, communications, requirements of army regulations military stores, headquarters and and instructions, and maintain or­ factories, destroy the enemy's tele­ ganization and order. graph and telephone lines, draw a Secondly, that commanders of all wide strata of the Soviet population services and commanders of com­ in the occupied area into an active bined arms become experts in the liberation struggle and thus save leading of troops, skillfully organize Soviet citizens from being driven interaction of all arms and direct away into German slavery 'and them in battle. To study the enemy, from extermination by the Hitlerite improve reconnaissance-the eyes beasts. and ears of the Army-to remem­ That they take merciless re­ ber that without this one cannot venge on the German invaders for beat the enemy. To raise the ef­ the blood and tears of our wives, ficiency of the work of troop head­ children, mothers, fathers, brothers quarters, to the end that the head­ and sisters. That they help by all quarters of the Red Army units and ·means the Red Army in its struggle formations will become exemplary with the Hitlerite enslavers. organs of direction of troops. To Comrades! The enemy already raise the work of the Army rear has experienced several crushing establishments to the level of re­ b-lows from our troops. quirements presented by modern A new blow is approaching when

We We hope hope in in the the near near future future to to ties. ties.

of of

liberty liberty in in Africa. Africa. successfully successfully in in spite spite of of all all difficul­

complete complete destruction destruction of of the the enemies enemies

have have for for

many many

years years carried carried on on

message message of of congratulation congratulation on on the the

bring bring to to an an end end the the war war which which you you

to to express express appreciation appreciation of of your your

army, army, the the initiative initiative Asia Asia and and in in rican rican theatre theatre of of war, war, I I should should like like

For For the the Allied Allied forces forces in in the the Af­ take, take, together together with with your your gallant gallant

MESSAGE MESSAGE OF OF CONGRATULATION CONGRATULATION

ROOSEVELT'S ROOSEVELT'S ACKNOWLEDGMENT ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF OF CHIANG CHIANG KAI-CHEK'S KAI-CHEK'S

Now Now that that we we have have the the initiative, initiative, plies, plies, including including air. air.

Tunisia. Tunisia.

Western Western

Fronts Fronts

and and

further further sup­

ance ance of of our our forces forces liberating liberating in in

successes successes on on both both

the the Eastern Eastern and and

congratulation congratulation on on the the perform­ T

HANK HANK it it you you is is for for reasonable reasonable your your message message to to expect expect of of further further

ROOSEVELT'S ROOSEVELT'S REPLY REPLY TO TO STALIN STALIN

troops troops on on the the brilliant brilliant victory victory which which wish wish you you further further successes. successes.

gallant gallant British British

and and American American Tunis Tunis from from Hitlerite Hitlerite tyranny. tyranny. I I I I

led led to to the the liberation liberation of of Bizerte Bizerte and and CONGRATULATE CONGRATULATE you you and and the the

STALIN STALIN HAILS HAILS ALLIED ALLIED VICTORY VICTORY IN IN TUNISIA TUNISIA

STALIN. STALIN. live live our our courageous courageous men men and and wom-

of of the the Soviet Soviet Union, Union, Long Long live live our our gallant gallant Navy! Navy! Long Long

Supreme Supreme Commander, Commander, Red Red Long Long Marshal Marshal live live our our gallant gallant Army! Army!

(Signed) (Signed) backbone backbone of of the the fascist fascist beast. beast.

armies armies of of our our Allies, Allies, will will break break the the enemy! enemy!

en en guerrillas! guerrillas! Death Death the the Red Red to to the the Army, Army, German German together together with with the the

HISTORIC HISTORIC DOCUMENTS DOCUMENTS 576 576 I

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