Volume 20 No. 9, September, 1941
t . • ,., . ~
I MUNlCH AND .i}NTI-MUNICH . 'ROBERT MINOR ' ' • I • l -
TH~O,DORE lt BAS~ETT . - . TWO QUESTIONS ON THE ' STATUS \OF WOMEN
UNDER CAPITALISM < I A. LANDY .!
LABOR PACT BOOk 5, Rrepared by As~ociation ., . ~ . - - J - Over. I 0,000 useful faets about la bor, the ' COt;.IDITIONED REFLEXES AND PSYCHIATRY, - by Ivan P. P-avlov • . • • · . . . • ·$4.00 This new' .volume by the world's toremost authority 'r ·1n the sphere of conditioned reflexes makes available the res11lts of ilhirty-five yea rs of study and re.search . .THE SOVIET POWER, by Hewlett Johnson, Dean of Canterb4ry . . -. . , . . ~. . . -. . $ .35 ' A vivid and d ra ~afJC study of' how soci:alis~ works on one-sixth' of .the world ,_by'one of the world's leading ,, 1 Churchmen. ' I I THE WAY OUT, by Earl Brovrc1er . , ~ · -. $ .35 A gyide to the e-pochal evenils whic~ &re· tesh'~ping the world today; !Sy the General Secretary of the Communist Party. ,. r I WE ARE MANY, by Ella Reeve Bloor . ' • ( • $2.25 ~ , "'Mother" Bloor's autobiography is the story of five ,decades .of struggle and achievement in · the; cause -of '' labor anct socialism. I r ../ - WliY ~ARMER S ARE POQ~. by Anlna Rochester: • ~1.25 > A new low-priced edition -of the most ~uthorltative · ' and comprehen~ ivEi' study of agriculture in-the; ynited States to9ay. ' · "' Order f~om: WORI THE COMMUNIST A MAGAZINE OF THE THEORY AND PRACTICE OF MARXISM-LENINISM PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF THE U.S.A. EDITOR: EARL BROWDER CONTENTS Editorials . 755 The Working Class and the Na tional Front Against Hitlerism 763 Munich and Anti-Munich . Robert Minor . 77fr For the Military Destruction of Hit lerism William Z. Foster 793 With All Possible Clarity . Jose Diaz 801 The Negro People and the Fight for Jobs Theodore R. Bassett 805 Two Questions on the Status of Women Under Capitalism A. Landy· 818 Book Reviews 834 Latest Books and Pamphlets Re ceived 848 Entf!f'ed as second class mattf!f' November 2, 1927, at the Post Office at New York, N.Y., under the Act of March: 3, 1879. Send checks, money orders and correspondence to THE COMMUNIST, P. 0. Box 148, Sta. D (50 East 13th Street). New York. Subscription rate: $2.00 a year; $1.00 for six mo'll.ths; foreign and CaTIGda $2.50 a year. Single copies 20 cents. --ftDV&A...... READY IN SEPTEMBER: JOSEPH STALIN A SHORT BIOGRAPHY This authoritative life story of Joseph Stalin, leader of the Soviet Union and of the Bolshevik Party, provides the best general account of the practical and theoretic.al contributions made by Stalin to the success of the October Revolution of 1917, and to the subsequent building of socialism on one-sixth of the world. Starting with Stalin's childhood and youth, this biography traces his activities as a revolutionary in his native Georgia, his meeting and life-long collaboration with V. I. Lenin, his many arrests and years of exile at the hands of the tsarist police, his role during the February and October Revolutions, his brilliant military leadership during the civil war and the war of intervention. It describes Stalin's successful fight to carry through the Five Year Plans, the collectivization and mechanization of agriculture, the building ·of a powerful Red Army and Navy. It deals also with Stalin's great contributions in the realm of Marxist-Leninist theory, particularly on the questions of the state, the victory of socialism in a single country, and on the national question. The criminal assault o·f Hitler Germany against the Soviet Union, and Stalin's active leadership in the war against Hitlerism, lend added weight and interest to this biographical study. PRICE 20 CENTS • Order from: WORKERS LIBRARY PUBLISHERS P. 0. Box 148, Station D, New York, N. Y. EDITORIALS ties and all groups devoted to the AMERICA'S ROLE IN CREA national interests have to be brought TION OF A WESTERN FRONT together in an unbreakable national front against Hitlerite Germany. VENTS since June 22 on the Thus will the United States be able E military and political fields to make its maximum contribution have already proven the following: to the military defeat of German The glorious and magnificent strug fascism; and, in the first place, to gles of the Red Army and Navy and exercise its full influence and sup.:. Air Force have shattered beyond port for the creation of a second repair the myth of the so-called in front in th!e West. vincibility of Hitler's armed forces. This war with fascist Germany, Fascist Germany has been forced to said Stalin, is not an ordinary war. begin to prepare for a long war. "It is not only a war between two What has transpired on the Eastern armies, it is also a great war of the front thus far has proven to be only entire Soviet people against the the beginning. German fascist forces." And so it is Major George Fielding Eliot has being fought on the Eastern front. done no more than express a very The entire Soviet people have risen cautious (too cautious) attitude on against the enemy, fighting him on the "unexpected quality of the Rus his front, in his rear, and on his sian fighting," saying on July 29: flanks. This it is that makes possible the successful Soviet defense "in ". . . if it has done no more for depth." This it is that underlies the us than to explode the sickening Soviet military doctrine of combin myth of German invincibility, of the ing active defense, counter-attack hopelessness of resistance to the and eventual large-scale offense. mighty Wehrmacht, it has done But to realize fully the great much; our mental atmosphere will be the healthier and our spirits the potentialities of this kind of a peo stouter to face the trials that lie ple's war against Hitler Germany, before us on the long road to vic the American people-the United tory." (New York Herald Tribune.) States-must support this war more actively, more energetically. The These trials we must now face; United States has to move more we haven't yet faced them fully. rapidly to closer collaboration with The nation has to be united, more and participation in the great anti speedily and more solidly. All par- Hitler coalition that is growing day 755 756 EDITORIALS by day. For this is the only way in United States' determination to aid which our country can make a fully all nations struggling for indepen adequate and effective contribution dence against fascist barbarism." to the defeat of Hitlerite Germany, This aid has to be greatly increased which is now threatening our na in every possible way. And the best tional security not only from the way to insure the further extension Atlantic but-via Japan-also from of this aid, and the only way to bring the Pacific. the full weight of our country into Whatever immediate steps have to the scales of victory against Hitler be taken to meet the new moves of Germany, is for the United States German-Japanese aggression, the to associate itself more intimately most effective answer to these with the growing anti-Hitler coali moves is for the United States to tion. The exchange of notes between urge and support the opening of a the U.S. and U.S.S.R. on America's land front in the West, and to take aid to the Soviet Union is a major effective immediate measures step in that direction. There can be against Hitler's ally in the Far East. no doubt that such a course will re This growing coalition is the out ceive the support of the overwhelm standing development on the politi ing majority of the American peo cal field since June 22. At the basis ple. Furthermore: a determined and of this great and powerful coalition conscientiously pursued policy at is the pact between the Soviet home, for the creation of a united Union and Great Britain for joint national front against Hitler Ger action in the war against Hitler many, will quickly bring into being Germany. Joined in the coalition as a united American nation, in active active partners are the Czechoslo support for the opening of a land vak republic, Poland and Yugo front in the West, for intimate and slavia, whose agreements with the close participation in the world :;tnti Soviet Union are promoting the Hitler coalition. The pursuit of such unification of the Slav peoples for a national policy is bound to be suc liberation from fascist enslavement. cessful, despite all the machinations The united front of the peoples and obstructions of our actual and against Hitler Germany is growing. potential Quislings-the Lindberghs, The isolation of Hitler Germany is Wheelers, Norman Thomases and becoming more intense. Hoovers. The American policy of aiding It is already clear that the anti Great Britain, the Soviet Union and Hitler coalition will progressively China in the struggle against the grow wider and stronger. But it will aggressors is of tremendous impor grow-is growing-in actual strug tance to the further development of gle against the military forces of the anti-Hitler coalition. The recent German fascism. It will grow and is visit of Harry Hopkins to the Soviet growing in the magnificent fight of Union has demonstrated, in the the Red Army; in the developing words of S. A. Lozovsky, head of active resistance to Hitler's armies the Soviet Information Bureau, "the by the peoples of the occupied and EDITORIALS 757 enslaved countries, serious begin stitute the most effective answer to nings of which are already seen in the new Hitler military threats to Poland, Yugoslavia and Norway, the national security of the United and which are spreading to the States now coming from the Pacific other conquered countries of West via Japan. ern Europe and the Balkans; in the Moved by some of these similar opening of a new land front in the considerations, ever larger numbers West. This is how the anti-Hitler of the British people are urging coalition will grow and fight its way their government to open a new to victory. All recent reports to this land front in the West. It is becom country on internal conditions in ing the demand of the people. How the enslaved countries of Europe soon the British Government will are dominated by one fact: the suc proceed to realize this demand, we cessful resistance of the Soviet cannot know. But it is evident that Union to Hitler's onslaugl.olt and the the United States is able to exercise growing anti-Hitler coalition have great influence with the British instilled a new hope and confidence Government in favor of opening a in the conquered nations, awaken land front in the West. It is able to ing them to action against the fas do so by greatly increasing anci cist conqueror, giving them a clear making more effective American aid perspective for the victorious strug to Britain and the Soviet Union, and gle for national liberation. And by demonstrating convincingly its among the German people, the first readiness-the readiness of the signs of a coming awakening are al United States-to do everything ready to be observed. necessary to make possible and suc Facing these developments, can cessful the creation of a se•ond there be any doubt that the creation front in the West. And this is clear of a second front in the West is ly in the most vital interests of the a vital and crucial need of the pres national security of the United ent situation? It is a need for which States. It is the policy of becoming the greatest sacrifices are not too associated more clos~ly and inti great. The creation of a second mately with the great anti-Hitler front in the West would achieve the coalition. following results: It would engage The question might be asked: is in active warfare simultaneously all there today sufficient national senti of Hitler's armed forces, greatly ment in the country to back up this weakening their ability to concen policy, a policy inherent in the trate offensive power on either whole orientation of the American front and knocking the initiative for people and of the American Gov good out of Hitler's hands. It would ernment? The answer is: there is accelerate tremendously and direct already sufficient national support ly the further growth of mass peo for such action; arid a determined ple's warfare against the fascist effort to rally all parties and armies in the conquered countries groups in a national front for the of Western Europe. It would con- military defeat of Hitler Germany, 758 EDITORIALS subordinating everything to the greater effectiveness to this national need of achieving victory in this policy. struggle, would meet with the en Consequently, a greater degree of thusiastic response and ever-grow national unity has to be brought ing support of labor and the Amer about in Congress; at least as great ican people as such. a degree as already exists among the masses of the American people. Is it possible? The answer is: Yes. It is CONGRESS AND NATIONAL based on the proposition that the bulk of the Congressional dissenters UNITY from the national policy against Hitler Germany is motivated pri T IS a fact, which not even the marily not so much by real opposi I Wheelers dare dispute, that the tion to the national objective. These American people want Hitler Ger dissenters, some of them Demo many defeated. They do so because crats but most of them Republicans, they abhor and detest fascism; be are motivated largely by two con cause they feel that Hitler Germany siderations. First, partisan consider is a menace to the national security ations. Since the present Adminis and democratic liberties of our tration is Democratic, the Republi country. Whatever unclarity and dif cans "naturally" have to be in op ferences still exist on the ways and position, and must keep in mind the means toward the objective--the de coming Congressional elections and, feat of Hitler-the objective itself perhaps, also the coming Presiden has already become the main guide tial elections. This is justified in of our national policy. This is clear certain Republican quarters by what ly the case among the masses of the is designated as the partisanship of people. But this is partly obscured the Democrats and of the Adminis by the fact that Congress, the legis tration. Second, anti-New Deal con lative branch of the government, siderations. It is maintained in these seems to represent a different pic same quarters that the Roosevelt ture. In Congress, especially in the Administration is exploiting the Senate, there is a small but active Hitler menace and the whole na and intensely vocal ppposition to tional defense in order to push for the national policy of helping to de ward the "collectivism" of the New feat Hitler; and in both houses Deal and to perpetuate the rule of there are considerable groups that the Democratic Party. Hence their are continually lending either pas dissension from and even opposition sive or active support to this oppo to the Administration's foreign pol sition. This situation in Congress icies as well as domestic. not ·only obscures the considerable Of course, this does not apply to degree of national unity against the Wheelers, Hoovers and Lind Hitler Germany already existing in berghs. It probably would not apply the country, but also seriously ham to the tendencies represented by pers the government in giving Senator Vandenberg, either. But it EDITORIALS 759 certainly does apply to a large num national forces in the country are ber, if not the bulk, of the Repub already being impelled to adopt lican delegation in Congress, begin such a mode of conduct as will sub ning with those that generally agree ordinate all differences and di with Willkie and including the po visions to the central task of help litical currents expressed by Repre ing to defeat Hitler Germany. This sentative Martin and Senator Mc does not mean ignoring the differ Nary. In other words, the present ences or solving them in the selfish conduct of the Republican delega interests of one particular group to tion in Congress on foreign affairs the detriment of the interests of the is being determined partly by con nation. It means finding such forms siderations of domestic policy and of solutions for arising practical political party relationships. But the differences as will contribute most Wheelers, Hoovers and Lindberghs effectively to the national struggle are exploiting this situation (not for the defeat of Hitler, as will tend without a certain success) to aggra to solidify the national front of the vate the divisions and to impart to American people. Republican policy an anti-national Seeing that the trend of affairs in coloration. the United States is toward a na..; This being the case, there un tional front against Hitler Germany, doubtedly exists an objective basis the Wheelers are seeking to frighten for bringing about a greater degree political leaders (especially among of national unity in Congress. The the Republicans) with the threat of basis exists for bringing the Repub a new political party. Speaking in lican Party delegation (its majority the Senate, on August 1, Senator and bulk) into real and close part Wheeer burst forth as follows: nership with the Democratic Party delegation and other national ele "If the two parties continue to ments (Senator Norris, etc.), in a stand together on such programs as united national front to help and Union Now, the League of Nations secure the military defeat of Hitler and close connection with Great Germany. This would tend to isolate Britain, a new party will arise that and effectively combat the influ~ will sweep the country." ences of the Wheelers, Hoovers and Lindberghs, at the same time neu Senator Wheeler knows, of course, tralizing the opposition of those that the Republican and Democratic small groups that might persist in Parties do not yet "stand together," standing "in-between" the national either on the issues he mentions, or anti-Hitler front and the pro-fascist on any of the others. What he is try forces. ing to do with his "new party" But, the question may be asked, threat is to obstruct and delay the how can we overcome all the seri coming together of all national ous differences of party division and forces into a united front against on domestic policy? To which the Hitler. It is to be hoped, however, fundamental answer is that the true that responsible political leaders in 760 EDITORIALS the national forces of the country This is also the answer to the re will not be affected by this empty cent pro-Hitler sortie of a group of bombast. They will realize, if they ex-leaders of the Republican Party. have not already done so, that the We refer to the statement issued American people will judge parties from Alexandria Bay by fifteen per and leaders, in forthcoming political sons headed by Hoover, Landon, contests, chiefly by one criterion: Charles Dawes, etc., calling upon How well have they worked for the the Republican delegation in Con national front in this emergency? gress to aggravate and perpetuate How freely and competently and national disunity and to obstruct the self-sacrificingly have they con government's policies to defend the tributed to the defense of America United States. Because that is what from the Hitler menace? How much it is. The majority of the Republican have they done for the military de caucus in Congress hastened to give feat of Hitler Germany? And woe this statement some sort of endorse to him who will come to the masses ment, thus exposing the Republican of the people (not to be confused Party to the charge of obstructing with the reactionary circles of the national defense. A most deadly bourgeoisie which are cultivating charge when national defense has the Wheelers, Hoovers, Lindberghs become really national. and Norman Thomases), in future The purpose of this statement elections, with a record of opposi from Alexandria Bay was clearly to tion to the national front against prevent the crystallization of the na Hitler at a time when Hitler Ger tional anti-Hitler front, which is many was threatening the national already developing and which will and social security of the United bring into it, in one way or another, States! the bulk of the twenty-two million Nobody can now tell for sure the Republican voters, and all of its exact party alignments, or new par true national forces, in Congress and ties, that may crystallize by the time out. The Hoovers know it and fear the momentous struggle to defeat it. And so does Hitler. Hence their Hitler Germany is successfully con Alexandria pronouncement. But a cluded by the world anti-Hitler good deal has to be done yet to neu coalition. But it is sure that the po tralize the purely partisan and nar litical forces which will enjoy the rowly political elements of the situ confidence of the American people ation. And for this, we repeat, is will be the national front forces, needed a consistent and energetic those that have done most and best policy of a national anti-Hitter for the destruction of Hitlerism and front, isolating and defeating the the liberation of the world from the Hoovers and Lindberghs and fascist barbarians. The Wheelers, Wheelers. Lindberghs, Hoovers and Norman The unfortunate part of this Thomases will be looked upon by statement is the signature of John the American people as enemies- L. Lewis under it. But political facts enemies of the nation. are political facts and conclusions EDITORIALS 761 have to be drawn from them. By will have to carry out this struggle signing the Hoover statement Mr. without it and against it. Lewis has lent his name to a ven For it is clear that American la ture that carries great harm and bor has a great part to play in help danger to the American people. This ing to realize the national anti means to the working class, which Hitler front. All organizations of is the backbone of the people. Mr. labor-the C.I.O., the A. F. of L., the Lewis has thus taken a step which Railroad Brotherhoods; and all po associates him with spokesmen of litical currents and ideas that stand the most reactionary circles of the for the national objective of defeat bourgeoisie-the chief enemies of ing Hitler Germany-all must unite labor. And this is bad for labor, bad for the common effort. Hence, the for the people, bad for John L. spokesmen and leaders of labor Lewis. have no greater duty at the present There are some who entertain the time than to unite their actions for hope that it is possible for Mr. the national objective and thus hetp Lewis to lend support to Hoover and bring about the national anti-Hitter Lindbergh (which is objective sup front of the American people. port to Hitler) and still remain use Differences must take second ful and helpful to labor in so-called place, and third and fourth. First "domestic" affairs. But that is an place is taken by the national ob illusion. It was never possible to jective. By uniting itself for this separate to the point of severance objective, labor will influence the "foreign" policy from "domestic" whole nation, thus making its best policy. Now it is totally impossible. contribution to the national front. To defeat Hitler Germany is for the Certain individuals, wrongly be American people not "just" foreign lieving or pretending to be policy. It is the main objective of lieve that they are serving national all policies, and everything has to defense by carrying over from the be subordinated to the real needs recent past old differences and dis of this objective; these needs re agreements, advocate courses of ac quiring scrupulous care for the ma tion in the trade unions that ob terial and spiritual well-being of struct the unification of labor and the working people of this country. the unity of the nation. Such Consequently, the step taken by Mr. courses of action must be rejected. Lewis in association with the Hoo In some instances, divisive pro vers in "foreign" policy must lead posals are uncfoubtedly inspired by inevitably to similar reactionary pro-fascist elements and fifth col steps in "domestic" policy, in all umnists. All such cases must be ex matters affecting the well-being of posed and mercilessly combated. the working people. For everything must be done to Now that labor cannot have the promote the cause of labor unity in guiding influence of John L. Lewis, the service of th'e national front for the building of its unity and for against Hitter. the national anti-Hitler front, labor Maintaining its political identity thousands thousands of of hundreds hundreds and and tens tens the the Worker. Worker. day day the the and and the the of of Sun with with join join we we Worker Worker that that Daily Daily view view in in end end same same Circulation Circulation the the Double Double to to Brigades Brigades the the with with is is it it And And Councils. Councils. fense fense Browder Browder De Form Form National National friends: friends: all all Industrial Industrial and and for for Plan Plan membership membership Party Party the the before before stress stress Murray Murray the the of of adoption adoption the the urge urge we we reason reason same same the the for for And And Hitler. Hitler. we we that that view view in in end end this this with with is is against against people people Hitler. Hitler. against against American American the the front front of of the the It It nation~! nation~! front front national national the the does does so so And And him. him. of of promotion promotion the the for for unity unity labor's labor's needs needs Party Party Communist Communist the the Yes, Yes, realize realize help help to to all all do do to to continue continue Browder. Browder. Earl Earl of of will will Party Party Communist Communist the the cause, cause, release release unconditional unconditional and and mediate mediate national national the the contribution contribution mum mum to to im the the for for maxi its its calling calling make make to to Americans Americans of of independence, independence, and and EDITORIALS EDITORIALS 762 762 THE WORKING CLASS AND THE NATIONAL FRONT AGAINST HITLERISM AN EDITORIAL ARTICLE THE main immediate task of the American people. A victory of Hit .1 .American people is to weld the ler and his allies over Great Britain unity of all its forces, to gather all and the Soviet Union would be a its resources, for an all-out struggle victory also over the United States. to assure the military defeat of Nazi It would mean the end of the free Germany, the annihilation of Hitler dom and independence of the Amer and Hitlerism. All other tasks must ican people. It would doom us and be subordinated to this task. All our children to the yoke of Nazi other tasks must be part of and an slavery. It would mean the destruc aid to the main task. This is how tion of all our liberties, our demo the British people, the Chinese peo- cratic institutions, our economic ple and above all the people of the standards, our rights to fight for a Soviet Union are waging their war better life and human dignity. And against Nazi Germany. This is how for this reason no task of the Amer the American people must conduct ican people can stand above that of their struggle for the defeat of Hit- the struggle for the destruction ·of lerism. Everything, every phase of Hitlerism. our economic, political, social and Hitler was able to conquer so cultural life must be organized with many peoples and nations because a view toward strengthening the the Lindberghs, Wheelers, Hoovers struggle against Hitlerism. Every- and Norman Thomases of those thing and everyone that hinder this lands, representing the most reac struggle must be combatted to the tionary, greedy and traitorous sec utmost. tions of monopoly capital, were able Why must we do this? Because to divide the people, to strengthen upon the outcome of the struggle Hitler through their appeasement against Nazi Germany and its allies policy, while many opponents of rests, not only the future of the Hitlerism either minimized its dan British people, the Soviet people, ger or recognized it too late. The the Chinese people, all the peoples Quislings in our own land are no of Europe oppressed by Hitler, in- less menacing. They speak of a "ne cluding the people of Italy and Ger- gotiated peace" with Hitler. They many, but no less the future of the mask their pro-Hitler policies under 763 "' "' * * * * united united have have forces forces appeasement appeasement and and pro-Hitler pro-Hitler the the while while that that Hitlerism. Hitlerism. fact fact crush crush the the to to to to effort effort all-O>Ut all-O>Ut an an for for need need the the and and largely largely due due is is this this Hitlerism, Hitlerism, against against Quislings, Quislings, American American the the of of role role the the struggle struggle the the in in unity unity national national of of situation; situation; the the of of understanding understanding achieving achieving in in progress progress greater greater made made full full the the to to masses masses the the win win gle gle not not to to have have people people American American the the If If strug systematic systematic a a and and independence. independence. issues, issues, and and other other freedom freedom on on differences differences of of irrespective irrespective forces, forces, their their preserve preserve and and defend defend to to ple ple anti-Hitler anti-Hitler the the of of unity unity fuH fuH of of ment ment peo American American the the aiding aiding are are they they that that establish the the is is peoples, peoples, all all is is of of necessary necessary What What independence independence Wheelers. Wheelers. and and berghs berghs and and freedom freedom the the but but state, state, socialist socialist Lind the the of of successes successes the the to to little little great great the the Union, Union, Soviet Soviet the the only only no no contributed contributed have have forces forces Hitler Hitler not not defend defend to to fighting fighting are are Army Army Red Red anti the the among among trends trends anti-Soviet anti-Soviet heroic heroic the the and and Union Union Soviet Soviet great great certain certain Administration, Administration, the the within within the the that that recognize recognize They They Union. Union. viet viet even even influences influences appeasement appeasement certain certain So the the of of victory victory the the for for numbers numbers Administration, Administration, the the of of policy policy bold bold overwhelming overwhelming in in declared declared have have insufficiently insufficiently An An people. people. American American beliefs beliefs religious religious all all of of and and life life of of the the to to Hitlerism Hitlerism of of menace menace ate ate walks walks all all in in Americans Americans press, press, their their immedi the the recognize recognize fully fully yet yet not not and and reactionaries reactionaries the the of of efforts efforts all all do do Hitlerism, Hitlerism, opposing opposing while while who, who, Despite Despite Union. Union. Soviet Soviet the the and and China China masses, masses, the the of of sections sections large large among among Britain, Britain, Great Great of of victory victory the the and and ler ler trends trends contradictory contradictory the the on on ize ize Hit of of defeat defeat the the see see to to wish wish They They capital they they because because only only strength strength Union. Union. Soviet Soviet the the and and China China Britain, Britain, great great of of appearance appearance the the give give masses, masses, to to aid aid favor favor They They welfare. welfare. and and ties ties the the confuse confuse and and divide divide able able are are to to liber their their independence, independence, and and dom dom The;y The;y people. people. American American the the of of ful ful free their their to to Hitlerism Hitlerism menace menace of of hand a a only only represent represent Hearsts Hearsts and. and. the the recognize recognize people people American American the the Coughlins Coughlins Thomases, Thomases, Norman Norman ers, ers, of of majority majority overwhelming overwhelming the the But But Hoov Wheelers, Wheelers, Lindberghs, Lindberghs, The The bureau. bureau. selectees. selectees. the the among among morale" morale" propaganda propaganda as as Goebbels' Goebbels' of of agents agents of of "lack "lack the the about about much much so so hear hear acting acting people, people, American American the the among among we we why why is is This This vote. vote. one one only only of of gin gin Hitler-poison Hitler-poison the the spread spread they they mar a a by by House House the the in in carried carried was was how how is is This This dissipated." dissipated." has has alliance alliance bill bill extension extension draft draft the the why why This This is is Anglo-Russian Anglo-Russian "the "the that that "illusion" "illusion" demands. demands. situation situation the the that that masses masses an an freedom" freedom" and and tyranny tyranny tween tween the the among among enlightenment enlightenment and and "be struggle struggle the the consider consider Landons, Landons, education education of of campaign campaign the the veloped veloped and and Hoovers Hoovers the the like like Others, Others, nism." nism." de not not has has activity, activity, and and itiative itiative "anti-Commu of of name name the the in in try try in necessary necessary the the displayed displayed yet yet as as coun own own their their betraying betraying Hitler, Hitler, of of not not has has and and disunited disunited largely largely victory victory the the for for call call main~ main~ openly openly bergh, bergh, re movement, movement, labor labor the the cluding cluding Lind like like Some, Some, people. people. American American in camp, camp, anti-Hitler anti-Hitler the the masses, masses, the the divide divide would would They They Hitlerism. Hitlerism. the the to to going going in in activity activity and and tive tive of of menace menace the the minimize minimize They They fism. fism. initia great great shown shown and and ranks ranks their their paci and and isolationism isolationism of of guise guise the the HITLERISM HITLERISM AGAINM' AGAINM' FRONT FRONT NATIONAL NATIONAL THE THE 764 764 THE NATIONAL FRONT AGAINST HITLERISM '765 The working class, the most pro conclusions from the new world gressive class in modern society, is shaking events following the Nazi the deadly enemy of fascism, the attack on the Soviet Union-the most reliable support of our demo merging of the Soviet Union's de cratic institutions, the backbone of fense of its land with that of the the nation and its future. The Amer other peoples fighting for their in ican working class, the heart and dependence. It has not drawn the soul of the American people, reared lessons as to the new dangers facing in the spirit of America's great war the American people. of independence and the Civil War In the tenth week of the heroic against chattel slavery, has as a struggle of the Red Army against class fought many battles to pre the Nazi hordes, we find that the serve and extend our democratic C.I.O., the most powerful of the two institutions; it has fought, not only trade union centers, has not yet for its own interests, but for the spoken out. In this respect it must welfare and progress of the entire be declared that the statement of people. That is why the working the A. F. of L. Council, recognizing class of the United States is today the greater menace to the United almost unanimous in its opposition States from the Hitler invasion of to Nazism, and for the military de the U.S.S.R. and calling for Ameri feat of Hitler Germany. It stands in can aid to the U.S.S.R., represents a the forefront of the struggle for the most important and welcome devel freedom and independence of the opment, despite the unfortunate fact American people. that this stand was accompanied by But, unfortunately, the working the old slanders against the U.S.S.R. class, which is almost unanimous in and the Communists. This step of its hatred of and opposition to the A. F. of L. Council only serves Hitlerism, has not yet fully mobil to emphasize the unsatisfactory sit ized its forces as the backbone of uation with regard to the C.I.O. the national front against Hitlerism. How is this situation of the C.I.O. To a large extent this is due to the to be explained, epecially in the fact that the working class is not light of the fact that even the more yet more fully organized and united conservative leaders of the A. F. of as an independent force. And it is L. Council have spoken out? The precisely to the extent that the C.I.O. through its national conven working class has made progress in tions as well as through its affiliates organization and independence that has time and again taken a stand it is emerging as a vital force in the against fascism. It has been in the building of the national front forefront of the struggle for the or against Hitlerism. The main cause ganization of the workers, has de for the failure of the working class fended their economic and political to play a greater role in the present interests. But the C.I.O. as a whole situation lies in the weakness of has never in the past adopted a leadership. The trade union move clear policy on foreign affairs. In ment has not yet drawn the full the previous period, the Left and as as back back far far as as fact, fact, in in had, had, Lewis Lewis ill- regrettable regrettable The The situation. situation. new new home. home. at at and and abroad abroad both both cism cism the the by by for for called called measures measures other other fas of of danger danger the the of of spoken spoken times times and and Administration Administration the the by by posed posed various various at at had had Lewis Lewis that that known known pro steps steps various various the the of of support support also also was was it it hand, hand, other other the the On On in in forces forces other other the the all all with with tion tion factors. factors. negative negative collabora were were greater greater these these a a All All effect effect diately diately to to merits. merits. their their of of spective spective imme unable unable were were C.I.O., C.I.O., the the in in irre issues, issues, on on stand stand his his termined termined with groups groups other other with with relationship relationship de even even and and colored colored often often Hillman Hillman past past the the of of because because forces, forces, Hillman Hillman and and The The Roosevelt Roosevelt to to deeds. deeds. into into reaction reaction jective jective translated translated words words sub Lewis' Lewis' that that observed observed be be to to also also were were case case every every in in not not all, all, above above was was groups. groups. industrial industrial reactionary reactionary It It and, and, out, out, spoke spoke forces forces these these all all not not and and powerful powerful some some with with associations associations although although situation, situation, new new the the to to rectly rectly close close very very retained retained period period this this out out cor reacted reacted Councils, Councils, C.I.O. C.I.O. various various through has has through through Lewis Lewis that that affiliates, affiliates, known known C.I.O. C.I.O. well well national national was was it it Also, Also, U.S.S.R. U.S.S.R. the the of of invasion invasion the the of of some some of of leaders leaders the the through through Nazi Nazi the the and and war war the the of of outbreak outbreak C.I.O. C.I.O. the the within within forces forces gressive gressive the the between between period period the the in in true true was was Left-pro The The issues. issues. subordinate, subordinate, it it security; security; collective collective through through peace peace situation situation this this in in but but important, important, on on for for fought fought movement movement labor labor the the differences differences the the of of irrespective irrespective goal, goal, of of sections sections advanced advanced the the when when 1939, 1939, common common the the for for C.I.O. C.I.O. the the within within September, September, to to up up and and days days Munich Munich forces forces the the all all of of collaboration collaboration the the pre the the in in true true was was This This policy. policy. for for called called situation situation This This Hitlerism. Hitlerism. correct correct fully fully a a adopted adopted never never has has against against front front national national the the ganize ganize he he movement, movement, labor labor the the in in role role sive sive or help help labor, labor, of of unity unity the the through through progres a a played played years years recent recent the the labor-and labor-and of of forces forces the the ganizing ganizing in in has has he he while while For For apprehension. apprehension. or in in lead lead the the take take to to but but definitely definitely with with stand stand out out speak speak Lewis' Lewis' to to only only awaited awaited not not forces forces C.I.O., C.I.O., the the for for progressive progressive need need the the the the that that clearly clearly said said be be was was can can there there U.S.S.R., U.S.S.R., It It the the of of invasion invasion Nazi Nazi situation. situation. the the after after present present the the in in created created ground ground situation situation middle middle new new no no the the With With is is There There them. them. against against or or Hitler Hitler ing ing C.I.O. C.I.O. the the of of part part the the fight forces forces the the with with either either himself himself on on policy policy foreign foreign general general no no with with ally ally to to had had He He long. long. for for silent silent main main policy, policy, defense" defense" "national "national garding garding re not not could could Lewis Lewis that that clear clear rate rate re questions questions specific specific on on promises promises any any at at was was it it and and course, course, Lewis' Lewis' com were were there there which which in in situation situation influence influence to to try try to to duty duty their their a a about about brought brought war, war, it it imperialist imperialist the the considered considered naturally naturally forces forces gressive gressive then then was was what what of of side side one one ported ported Left-pro The The U.S.S.R. U.S.S.R. the the on on tack tack sup beginning beginning the the from from that that forces forces at Nazi Nazi the the after after weeks weeks seven seven first first influential influential of of C.I.O. C.I.O. the the within within the the for for silent silent remained remained situation, situation, existence existence the the with with together together ation, ation, this this of of face face the the in in Lewis, Lewis, L. L. John John situ This This "isolationist." "isolationist." merely merely was was C.I.O. C.I.O. the the of of orientation orientation which which trend, trend, the the with with rated rated ~ewis ~ewis re quick quick a a to to impediment impediment another another collabo policy policy anti-imperialist anti-imperialist an an was was Murray Murray Philip Philip President President of of ness ness on on carried carried who who forces forces progressive progressive HITLERISM HITLERISM AGAINST AGAINST FRONT FRONT NATIONAL NATIONAL THE THE 766 766 THE NATIONAL FRONT AGAINST HITLERISM 767 the Fifty-fifth A. F. of L. Convention rank and file, it can be said with (1935), motivated his plan for the certainty that this latest act of be organization of the unorganized and trayal of the interests of labor will therefore of the C.I.O., on the ex bring him even less support. If the periences of the labor movement in Lindberghs, Wheelers, Hoovers, and Germany and Italy, and the danger Norman Thomases represent only a from the fascist-minded capitalists handful of the American people in in the United States. But what was general, Lewis will find in the ranks particularly disturbing was Lewis' of labor, which is the deadly enemy connections with such groups as the of Hitlerism, even less support. But America First Committee, through just as the Lindberghs and Wheelers the direct membership of his are able to utilize certain confusion daughter, Kathryn Lewis. among the masses and exploit them Lewis finally spoke out on August for their pro-Hitlerite program, so 5, in company with the Hoovers, Lan can Lewis make use of certain un dons, Lowdens, Daweses and other clarities that still exist in the ranks reactionary spokesmen, associating of labor. himself with the appeasement Lewis will undoubtedly attempt forces; with those who precisely in to capitalize on his former progres this new situation, in face of the in sive role, to exploit his close asso creased menace of Hitlerism to the ciation with the progressive leaders United States, are bringing aid to and with the rank and file for the Hitler; with those who, like the purpose of holding them back from Lindberghs, use anti-Soviet attacks uniting their ranks, from helping to as their main weapon for betrayal establish national unity in the of our national interests. While struggle against Hitlerism. He will Lewis' action did not come as a especially try to make use of the in complete surprise to the progressive creasing difficulties that the labor sections of the labor movement, movement will face, try to use the they could not but be greatly effects of the transition to a de shocked by it. This latest action of fense economy, for the purpose of Lewis puts a new meaning also on disorientating the workers. Just as his maneuvers with the Republican the Wheelers, Lindberghs, etc., tried high command and with the Hoover to stir up the armed forces against forces, both prior to the Republican the draft extension bill, Lewis will nomination convention and in the try to utilize the difficulties arising election campaign. It shows that from the operations of defense that step then was not merely a priorities. He will pose as the true "mistake." champion of the workers' interests. If Lewis in his 1940 elec.tion He will also try to create the illu maneuvers found himself isolated, sion that it is possible for those who could not win the support of even a favor the policy of an all-out strug single outstanding leader of the gle against Hitlerism to cooperate C.I.O., and certainly failed to win with hhn within the C.I.O. and any substantial support among the within the country as a whole 768 THE NATIONAL FRONT AGAINST HITLERISM against the Hillman forces in the the new situation came out in favor C.I.O. and against the Administra of government aid to the Soviet tion, on purely so-called "domestic" Union. This is a very important questions. Were any of the progres action and contrary to the Lewis sive forces to entertain the illusion policy which, in common with the that such a couse is possible they Hoovers and Landons, is not only would be falling into a most danger opposed to aid to the U.S.S.R., but ous trap. It is not possible at any even retracts its former position of time and certainly impossible today aid to Britain on the ground that the to separate the stTtUggle of the "Anglo-Russian Alliance has dissi workers' interests into two compart pated the illusion" that this is a ments: domestic and foreign. The conflict "between tyranny and free struggle against the menace of Hit dom." The stand of the U.A.W.A. lerism is a world-wide struggle and convention, as far as it went, is cor it is the immediate major task of rect and will help in the struggle the American people. It is the fore against the Lewis policy and for the most and main task of the labor further unfolding of the anti-Hitler movement. On the outcome of this movement. But it is certainly dis struggle will depend our whole fu appointing in the face of the tasks of ture, our democratic institutions, the United States. It is not a policy the existence of a free trade union of the fulL mobilization of an forces movement, our economic standards, and resources for an all-out strug everything that we cherish. It is gle for the military defeat of Hitler therefore absolutely impossible for Germany. Had the regrouping re the Left and progressive forces to quired by the new situation taken collaborate with Lewis. What is place prior to the convention, the necessary is a complete regrouping results would have been different. within the C.I.O. and in the whole The maintenance of old alignments, Labor movement on th.e basis of the the failure to carry through the re unity of all forces in favor of a grouping of forces as demanded by struggle against Hitlerism and the new situation, also affected the against all those hindering this convention's decisions on a number stTiuggle. of questions of domestic policy and That there are dangers, that there directly or indirectly was a factor are illusions among some progres in the struggle for officers and the sives that irrespective of the new Executive Board. world situation, irrespective of The lessons of the U.A.W.A. con Lewis' actions, it is possible to vention should be taken to heart by maintain the old alignment, is clear the progressive forces in the C.I.O. ly shown by what happened at the and in the whole labor movement. U.A.W.A. convention in Buffalo the They are a danger signal. They first weeks in August. The result show the need for a full reorienta was far from satisfactory. It is true tion on the basis of the require that the convention re-emphasized ments of the new situation. They its policy of aid to Britain and in show the need for the unification of THE NATIONAL FRONT AGAINST HITLERISM 769 all the forces within the C.I.O. on ties. The Manifesto of the C.P. the basis of the main immediate U.S.A. says: task of the labor movement, which "The true defense of the Ameri coincides with the main immediate can people against its enemies at task of the whole of the American home and abroad demands a con people, with the interests of the en scientious policy of steady improve tire nation. ment of the economic standards, the Nor must the unity of the forces health, the general well being of the of labor in the interests of the na masses. It demands that the demo tional front against Hitlerism be cratic liberties of the people be limited to the C.I.O. All necessary guarded, preserved and extended." measures must be taken to estab The working class, which in its lish collaboration between the own class interests must concen C.I.O., the A. F. of L. and the Rail trate at this moment on the defense road Brotherhoods, for the common of the national interests of the en struggle against the menace of tire people, for the defeat of the Hitlerism to the freedom and inde menace of Hitlerism, wishes to unite pendence of the U.S.A. the entire people, irrespective of Only in this way, through the class, political opinion, race, creed unity of labor in the interests of the or color, for the common struggle. struggle for the freedom, indepen It places no conditions for adher dence and welfare of the United ence to the national front-save States, can labor play the full role one, the willingness to work for the which is indispensible in the forging destruction of the Hitler menace. of a real national front. Only if Naturally this means that in this labor, representing the majority of front there are capitalists as well as the American population, the most workers. The working class must cohesive and best organized group continue to fight for the defense of in the nation, the most reliable and its economic interests. It must oppose consistent fighter against fascism, every effort of the capitalists to take fulfils its historic role, can the na advantage of the present situation tion be truly united, can fascism be for the purpose of advancing their destroyed, can the pro-Hitlerites class interests as against those of and appeasers in this country be the workers. It must oppose any defeated. effort to weaken the organizations of labor. It must oppose any efforts * * * to lower the living standards of the The unity of labor in the strug masses for the purpose of increas gle against Hitlerism, the building ing the profits of the capitalists. It of the national front, does not, of must oppose any efforts to increase course, mean the abandonment of taxes on low incomes for the pur the struggle for labor's economic pose of lowering the taxes on the needs, does not in any sense mean rich. It must oppose the rising cost the abandonment of the struggle for of living brought about by greedy the people's well being and liber- profiteers who wish to profit by the maximum maximum national national unity, unity, to to develop develop national national unity unity and and a a maximum maximum de- in in the the United United States States is is to to create create the the shall shall not not be be able able to to establish establish real real and and their their henchmen. henchmen. Our Our task task here here we we face. face. Without Without such such clarity clarity we we dented dented enrichment enrichment of of the the capitalists capitalists the the issues issues involved, involved, the the dangers dangers that that war war being being a a source source for for the the unprece lightenment lightenment of of the the entire entire people people on on talists talists and and their their government, government, the the for for achieving achieving this this is is the the full full en labor labor fixed fixed arbitrarily arbitrarily by by the the capi democratic democratic way. way. The The first first condition condition suppressed, suppressed, the the wages wages and and hours hours of of effort. effort. This This can can only only be be done done in in a a the the working working class class and and all all toilers toilers are are time time assure assure the the maximum maximum defense defense trol trol the the entire entire life life of of the the country, country, workers' workers' rights rights and and at at the the same same their their adventurous adventurous henchmen henchmen con tions tions which which will will both both preserve preserve the the reactionary reactionary we we finance finance must must do do capitalists capitalists is is to to create create and and the the condi many, many, a a small small Under Under handful handful these these circumstances, circumstances, of of the the most most what what ple. ple. In In such such countries countries as as Nazi Nazi Ger tive tive that that unites unites the the whole whole people. people. maximum maximum unity unity of of the the entire entire peo pendence. pendence. is is this this common common objec It It the the masses. masses. There There we we have have the the is is a a war war for for freedom freedom and and inde It It who who would would profit profit from from the the toil toil of of ism. ism. This This is is not not a a war war for for socialism. socialism. privately privately own own the the industries industries and and tion tion and and the the struggle struggle against against Hitler cause cause there there are are no no capitalists capitalists who who through through successfully successfully the the mobiliza presents presents no no special special problems, problems, be ished ished in in order order that that we we carry carry masses masses for for maximum maximum production, production, a a condition condition that that capitalism capitalism be be abol the the fullest fullest mobilization mobilization of of the the On On the the other other hand, hand, we we cannot cannot make make tional tional unity, unity, including including the the task task of of all all in in the the struggle struggle against against Hitlerism. Hitlerism. Union, Union, the the task task of of establishing establishing na ing, ing, and and why why they they must must give give their their classes, classes, like like the the socialist socialist Soviet Soviet rights rights what what the the masses masses are are defend In In a a country country living living where where standards standards there there are are and and no no democratic democratic those those nations nations masses masses fighting fighting by by making making Hitlerism. Hitlerism. clear clear in in terms terms of of fulfillment fulfillment the the of of our our greatest greatest pledges pledges enthusiasm enthusiasm of of aid aid to to among among the the forces forces as as well well only only as as develop develop that that needed needed real real national national for for the the unity unity and and that that is is needed needed adopted adopted for for within within our our own own the the armed armed country. country. We We can can possible possible lerism lerism time, time, allow allow of of all all Hitler Hitler the the material material methods methods to to be be mum mum production, production, carrying carrying in in on on the the a a struggle struggle shortest shortest against against Hit in in the the nation nation people people in in cannot cannot securing securing and and the the will will maxi not not while while ested ested more more On On than than the the any any one one other other hand, hand, group group the the American American feat feat of of the the extend extend Hitler Hitler as as part part menace, menace, of of our our is is defense defense inter effort. effort. interests interests of of must must the the struggle struggle not not only only for for maintain maintain the the de but but even even interests interests of of democratic democratic national national defense, defense, institutions institutions in in the the which which we we ent ent time. time. other, other, The The working working and and under under class, class, in in conditions conditions the the of of ing ing class class is is terests terests interested interested that that in in are are at at the the opposed opposed pres to to each each But But this this struggle struggle is is not not all all against against that that the the Hitlerism, Hitlerism, work have have in from from the the immediate immediate of of issue issue the the people's people's of of the the rights. rights. where where there there are are classes classes for for that, that, the the maintenance maintenance aside aside and and extension extension curb curb democratic democratic conditions conditions liberties liberties where where and and capitalism capitalism fight fight exists, exists, tion tion in in the the defense defense industries, industries, ple. ple. It It must must under under oppose oppose all all attempts attempts to to and and maintain maintain the the maximum maximum plight plight of of produc their their country country and and the the peo 770 770 THE THE NATIONAL NATIONAL FRONT FRONT AGAINST AGAINST HITLERISM HITLERISM THE NATIONAL FRONT AGAINST HITLERISM 771 fense effort. Secondly, it is neces mum production in the defense in sary for the government to assure dustries, there must be real labor a minimum of well being to the representation on all bodies that people commensurate with our re have to do with national defense, sources. Starving people in a land not of a merely "consultative" char of plenty, where class distinctions acter, as the so-called Labor Ad exist and will perforce remain, is visory Board of the O.P.M., but not conducive to the development labor representatives chosen by the of the best morale. This question labor organizations themselves and must especially be faced in those on bodies that have power to de industries that will suffer great un termine both the policy and its employment as a result of the oper execution. In this connection the ations of the system of defense Murray plan for industrial councils priorities. Failure to make the furnishes one of the important necessary adjustments here will means to achieve this goal. Under onl:l(' play into the hands of the pro such conditions it will be possible to Hitler forces and the appeasers gen settle all disputes that will inevitably erally. Thirdly, it is necessary to arise without the adoption of the assure and safeguard the right of reactionary proposals to outlaw organization to all workers. The strikes, and without loss of valu better the workers are organized able time in the defense effort, into their unions the better through negotiation and where will they be able collectively necessary through mediation. and in a disciplined manner to ful If all these steps are taken-and fil their role in the interests of na the working class through its trade tional defense. Fourthly, it is neces union organizations must carry on sary to take measures against war a vigorous campaign for such a pro profiteering and a rise in the cost gram-then we shall have realized of living. Taxation should be levied one of the most important steps in on the basis of the ability to pay. the development of national unity The workers, through direct and in and assure the maximum and en direct taxes, are already bearing thusiastic effort on the part of the more than their share. And if the working class and the whole people workers must make more sacrifices, for national defense, for the strug they must be assured that these gle against the menace of Hitlerism. sacrifices are needed and will go Then it will become clear that it is towards the defense of the national not the working class, but the most interests and not into the pockets reactionary sections of capital, the of the rich. If the workers, for ex pro-Hitler and appeasement forces, ample, increase production, they the fascist-minded capitalists and must be assured that this is not for their agents who sabotage the de the purpose of increasing the profits fense effort, who stand in the way of the monopolists. And, finally, in of national unity, and who must be order to carry through such a policy combatted to the utmost as part of and to assure uninterrupted maxi- the fight for national unity. This 772 THE NATIONAL FRONT AGAINST HITLERISM fact is most dramatically illustrated with national chauvinism. It is, on by the sabotage of the capitalists in the contrary, part of true interna the Federal Shipbuilding tie-up in tionalism. Our emphasis on national Kearney, New Jersey. And if the unity has nothing in common with Administration had acted against the abandonment of the struggle for the management at least with the the interests of the working class, same dispatch that troops were un with class collaboration. It is, on the justifiably used against the strikers contrary, under present conditions in the North American aviation the ·best defense of the class inter strike, the morale of the people ests of the working class. The Com would be enhanced immensely. munists, in the sense of The Com munist Manifesto, written nearly a * * * century ago by the founders of the The Communist Party of the modern sociali5t movement, in United States, as the party of the every struggle champion not the working class and as its most ad temporary interests of any section vanced section, proclaims the strug of the working class, but the ulti gle for national unity, for the na mate interests of the entire working tional front against Hitlerism, to be class. Today this demands that the the main task of the working class Communists and the entire work today. To defend the freedom and ing class concentrate their all on independence of the American peo the main immediate task of the de ple, to champion the national in feat of Hitler and Hitlerism. terests of the American people as a Our Party has been prepared to whole is at present the best and play its role, to fulfil its great re only way in which both the imme sponsibilities to the American peo diate and ultimate class interests of ple by the twenty-two years of its the working class can be defended existence. Today, upon the occasion and advanced. In this policy the of the Party's anniversary (the Communist Party is acting as a true Communist Party, U.S.A., was or Marxist party, in the spirit of the ganized on Sept. 1, 1919), we are teachings of Marx, Engels, Lenin proud to be able as in the past and and Stalin. It is carrying forward with even greater understanding our Party's policy as developed and energy, to devote ourselves to under the guidance of our great the service of our class, our people, leader, Earl Browder, who, more our country. And we pledge our than any living American, has done selves anew to leave nothing un so much to arm the working class done to win the immediate and un with the rich traditions of our coun conditional freedom of our beloved try, taught them how to utilize these comrade and leader, Earl Browder, traditions for the struggles of today. so that he can resume his active role Our emphasis upon the national in in the leadership of our Party. We tere-sts of the American people is in are in these trying days ever mind the best interests of the working ful of the great contributions that class and has nothing in common Comrade Browder has made to the THE NATIONAL FRONT AGAINST HITLERISM 773 development of that maturity of our most critical examination of our Party which enables us to be of the work in order to determine and act greatest service to the American upon those causes that have pre people. We are always remember vented a more rapid crystallization ing his teachings, his advice, study of labor unity, of national unity. ing again and again his speeches Our Party must also take its share and writings, in order to learn how of responsibility for the weaknesses ever more effectively to fulfil our to be observed in the labor move tasks. But each moment we are also ment, for the unclarity which still mindful of his absence, mindful of exists, for the failure to realize fully how costly his imprisonment is, not the dangers and adopt measures to only to our Party, but to the whole meet the new situation. Our Party of the American people in this hour. must take its share of responsibility In fighting for the freedom of Com for the obstacles that still impede rade Browder we are fighting, not the more speedy unification of all for any narrow Party interests, not the forces opposed to Hitler and only against the injustice that has Hitlerism. been done, not only against the dan What is it that has prevented our ger that such persecutions represent Party from acting more decisively to the American democracy, but also on thQ issues that have arisen, from to establish in the shortest possible moving more rapidly in the direc time the maximum unity of the tion of building the national front? American people in the struggle It can be summed up by admitting against the menace of Hitlerism. that sectarian tendencies still pre This is why the struggle for the vail in many phases of our work. freedom of Earl Browder is a burn It is these sectarian tendencies that ing is&ue, an issue that must be were expressed in the failure to un taken up by all opponents of Hit dertake a more active campaign for lerism. the extension of the term of service Our Party, the Party of the Amer for the selectees. It is these tenden ican working class, because of its cies that are expressed in a reluc Marxist-Leninist policies, its history tance in some circles to fight for aid and tradition, was prepared for and to Britain and a desire to limit their able to reorientate itself quickly to activity for aid to the Soviet Union the needs of the new situation; it -a policy which in practice was already able in the first two amounts to the same as the policy months to contribute greatly to the of those advocating aid to Britain reorientation of the working class but not to the Soviet Union, al towards its new tasks, to help in the though approached from opposite building of labor unity and the na ends. At the present stage in world tional front. But these times and the history when the world coalition of tasks that they place before us do peoples and nations is taking shape not allow for any spirit of satisfac around the Soviet-British alliance tion with what has been accom against Hitlerism, every nation, plished. Rather do they call for the every people fighting Hitlerism the the for for that that resources resources our our insistence insistence our our and and by by people people forces forces Hitler Hitler our our all all of of pro the the of of mobilization mobilization aids aids complete complete becoming becoming from from them them save save only only fact fact in in the the can can for for We We unity. unity. struggle struggle the the of of lines lines front front national national and and labor labor the the in in towards towards place place efforts efforts its its takes takes and and people people the the our our impede impede to to way way with with any any in in joins joins lowed lowed land, land, our our and and world world the the of of al history history be be the the in in not not must must moment moment they they crucial crucial tactics, tactics, and and policies policies our our influence influence to to this this in in way way any any Party, Party, in in Communist Communist The The hesitation hesitation their their allow allow not not must must we we people. people. reorientation, reorientation, necessary necessary the the the the all all to to make make ly ly example example an an set set fices fices sacri and and work work its its immediate by by not not and and could could who who resources resources allies allies our our of of some some with with patient patient and and be be to to strength strength its its ginning ginning all all use use to to portunity portunity be the the in in correct correct was was op it it the the while while afforded afforded that that be be must must splendidly, splendidly, most most said said responded responded be be has has must must it it lead, lead, the the given given connection connection this this In In when when which, which, sectarianism. sectarianism. of of membership, membership, danger danger Party Party the the against against Our Our way. way. fire fire new new all all a a in in but but old old concentrate concentrate of of to to as as necessary necessary not not work work is is to to it it time time untiringly, untiringly, and and present present the the stantly stantly at at course, course, con work work to to independent independent an an Communist, Communist, pursue pursue every every to to times times of of all all certainly certainly at at and and Party Party the the worker worker for for scious scious necessary necessary is is it it class-con while while every every of of stronger; stronger; duty duty grow grow the the is is even even it it may may time time interests, interests, own own future future our our in in some some in in and and humanity, humanity, all all exist, exist, doubtedly doubtedly of of interests interests the the in in sacrifices sacrifices great great un dangers dangers opportunist opportunist Right Right such such making making While While are are Army Army Hitlerism. Hitlerism. Red Red against against the the struggle struggle and and people people Soviet Soviet the the when when ment ment the the of of progress progress the the impede impede which which mo this this At At and and tendencies, tendencies, Worker. Worker. sectarian sectarian Sunday Sunday these these bating bating com the the of of ruthlessly ruthlessly in in especially especially delay delay and and no no Worker Worker be be Daily Daily can can literature literature and and press press our our of of lation lation there there when when come come has has time time The The circu the the of of building building the the in in ganda, ganda, the the of of ing ing front. front. national national propa and and mean real real agitation agitation the the our our in in Hitler, Hitler, izations, izations, defeating defeating in in organ mass mass task task the the other other of of and and unions unions immensity immensity the the trade trade war, war, the the the the in in work work in in true true be be must must work. work. of of character character changed changed It It the the situation, situation, all all in in true true be be must must This This hour. hour. the the of of world world present present the the of of understanding understanding demands demands the the of of terms terms in in situation, situation, of of lack lack a a basically basically disclose disclose rianism rianism present present the the of of secta of of urgency urgency the the of of expressions expressions terms terms these these of of All All in in than than rather rather yardstick yardstick old old the the opponents. opponents. our our hitherto hitherto were were who who of of terms terms in in forces forces things things those those do do and and with with things things action action see see of of unity unity to to continue continue to to tendency tendency any any combat combat about about bring bring to to reluctance reluctance even even and and must must we we times; times; "normal" "normal" of of routine routine slowness slowness the the in in expressed expressed is is It It ation. ation. the the following following way, way, old old the the in in think think situ new new the the of of basis basis the the on on unions unions and and work work to to tendencies tendencies all all against against the the within within relationship relationship inner inner the the struggle struggle a a on on carry carry also also must must We We and and struggles struggles economic economic the the to to gard gard re with with both both Hitlerism. Hitlerism. work work and and their their Hitler Hitler reorientate reorientate of of destruction destruction military military complete complete the the to to forces forces union union trade trade our our of of many many for for Hitlerism, Hitlerism, against against front front national national of of part part the the on on failure failure a a in in pressed pressed the the of of development development the the hinder hinder that that ex is is tendency tendency sectarian sectarian This This policies policies their their all all to to end end an an put put they they support. support. fullest fullest the the given given be be must must HITLERISM HITLERISM AGAINST AGAINST FRONT FRONT NATIONAL NATIONAL THE THE 774 774 THE NATIONAL FRONT AGAINST HITLERISM 775 maximum effort, for an all-out of the great Soviet Union, the struggle to defend our freedom and Chinese Communists, the French independence, to ward off the men Communists, the British Commu ace of Hitler and Hitlerism, to crush nists and the Communists of all and annihilate the Nazi beast. In lands. We are confident that when this historic task our Party has no the people of the world have in partisan interests. It seeks no spe common struggle put an end once cial privileges. It seeks to gain no and for all to the Nazi menace, then special advantages. In this our the American people, like the peo Party carries forward the best tra ple in the other capitalist countries, ditions of the American War of In will have advanced and will carry dependence, of the Civil War forward the struggle for a world against chattel slavery. It wor~s for really free, a world without fascism the national interests of our people and war, a world where there will and our country in the same un be freedom, progress, peace and selfish way as do the Communists plenty. MUNICH AND ANTI-MUNICH SEPTEMBER, 1938, TO SEPTEMBER, 1941 BY ROBERT MINOR I. of strong powers with weaker pow ers were reasserted and tightened HE Munich Pact of September, in a firmer grip, in Europe, in Asia, T 1938, led its signatories into in Africa, in Latin America. war within the first year. Within the second year of the * * * pact of "peace in our time" most On June 22 of this year the only of the nations of Europe had lost great power that had remained neu their sovereignty. tral-the Union of Soviet Socialist At the dawn of the third year Republics-was forcibly drawn into since Munich the United States had the war. By its inclusion among bel passed from the small volunteer ligerents a profound change was army system to the system of uni- made in all aspects of the war. versa! compulsory military service. The war became universal among Its industrial plant, the most po- all great states, and the entire area tent of a single nation in the world, of all continents, with the ephemeral became decisively integrated with exception of Latin America, became the war operations in Europe; the belligerent territory. The United British struggle with Germany be- States and all nations were placed came an Anglo-American struggle before the alternative of German with Germany. The foreign policy Nazi world conquellt or the military of the United States passed from crushing of Nazi Germany. formal neutrality to undeclared A profound change of the politi war. The Second Imperialist War cal character of the war results had spread in essential fact to from the inclusion of the great non every continent; it became a imperialist state among the bellig struggle for redivision of the world erents. Visions of imperialist trea in which every colonial possession ties as the result of a new Allied and source of raw material was victory, such as the treaty of Ver again placed at stake for military sailles that enslaved Germany in combat; all spheres of influence be- 1918, the Treaty of St. Germain came spheres of military confronta- that enslaved Austria, that of Neu tion, and all imperialist relations illy that enslaved Bulgaria, the 776 MUNICH AND ANTI-MUNICH 777 Treaty of the Grand Trianon struction of the Hitler state. Not that enslaved Hungary, or that only the peoples of Czechoslovakia of Sevres by which Turkey was en and Bulgaria, Yugoslavia and slaved-such visions are dispelled Greece, but also those of Hungary by the inclusion of the Soviet Union and Italy know now for the first among the powers which, with Eng time that there will be no loss of land and America, will crush the the independence and freedom of Nazi power. their nations with the victory of the The Second World War has anti-Hitler cause of the United ceased to be a war between two States, Great Britain and the So imperialist groups for the redi viet Union. vision of the world; it has become That is the political side. a war of all peoples for national in' * * * dependence and liberation from Examine the military side. German fascist enslavement. This The German armies that con is disputed by the understudies of quered France in thirty-nine days Goebbels and Trotsky, who have and all of western Europe in sev flooded the world with the myth of enty-six days met their first for "red imperialism." But the peoples midable foe in the Soviet Red of all countries know instinctively Army. The largest military ac that it is true, and it is proven tions of all history developed from by the uniform wave of incipient the resistance of the Red Army. revolt in all conquered countries They are actions many times on receipt of the news that the Red larger than our own country's forces Army was at war against Hitler. have ever seen, actions in which Even the most rudimentary and ten million men with huge me instinctive feeling among the peo chanical instruments of war pro ple as to the historic character of duced by years of military con the U.S.S.R. has brought to the struction conduct battle a hundred whole of Europe the understanding miles deep on a front 2,000 miles that the victory of the British, long, from the Arctic Ocean to the American and the Soviet Russian Black Sea. Between that colossal arms in this war will not endanger combat and the territory of the the independence or liberty of United States there is no non-bellig a single nation in the world. erent territory. Defeat of the So Instantly that the Soviet Union be viet Union would bring the German came a belligerent every German armies and machines of war within knew that a defeat of Hitler would five miles of the shores of Alaska. not result in a new Versailles Such defeat would place control of Treaty. The course of the Polish the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans government in exile shows that in the hands of a dictator having every Pole knows that his country at his disposal the captive war fleets will be free and independent with of all Europe and the NaVY of the victory of that alignment of Japan. powers which is now either fight The industrial plant of the United ing or preparing to fight for the de- States is the largest of any single 778 MUNICH AND ANTI-MUNICH nation, but it is not larger than socialist state, the extinction of the those of all Europe and Asia. last great state in the old world in Against the Soviet Union Hitler is which men and women exercise the utilizing for military purposes the right of political franchise and pop combined industrial plants and re ular mass organization. The effects sources of seventeen nations. If he would be of the kind that the Ger succeeded in his present campaign man government knows how to ex against Soviet Russia and England ploit both in the old World and in he would operate in war against the the Western Hemisphere. United States the industrial plants of the entire remaining world and the resources of all existing col * * * onies. The Munich Pact of September, German victory over Soviet Rus 1938, disposed of the fate of Czecho sia would immediately be followed slovakia in a conference of four by the fall of Great Britain, of Tur powers-Great Britain, France, key, Iran, India and China. Germany and Italy-from which What strong powers, beside our Czechoslovakia was excluded along selves, would remain to face the with her only strong friend, So German-Japanese rulers of Eu viet Russia. The four powers dis rope and Asia? membered Czechoslovakia by giving There are none in the world. to Hitler her huge Sudeten Moun The next power in size and tain fortifications with their arma strength would be Brazil. After it, ments that formed the first bas in the order of their man power, tion obstructing a German move would come Spain, then Portugal, eastward; and the possession of Mexico, Egypt, Turkey, Ethiopia, Czechoslovakia's fo)."tifications and Argentina and Canada. Beyond their heavy armaments gave Hitler these would be the category of the an easy option on seizure of all the Union of South Africa and Aus rest of the military resources and tralia. None of these powers could territory of that country. This gift stand for even a serious number placed in Hitler's hands the mili of days against what the German tary hegemony of Europe and by it Italian-Japanese forces would con he was enabled to transform Ru sider a military expedition of sec mania, Poland and Czechoslovakia ondary strength. into an open military road to the This is the case as stated in the borders of the Soviet Union. plainest, unimaginative military There were two military roads terms. But military terms are al opened by the Munich Pact. One ways one-sided. The political con was the road to the Soviet border, sideration looms high above the which Hitler promised would be his consideration in military terms. path. The other was a road to Paris The downfall of the U.S.S.R. and and Brussels and Amsterdam, and its consequence in the downfall of the English Channel, which Hitler England would mean, despite all promised not to travel. the slanders directed against that This strangest of all treaties was MUNICH AND ANTI-MUNICH 779 a voluntary subordination of the who opposed the Munich Pact. In national interests of Great Britain France · the opposition to it came and France to the imperialist in almost exclusively from the Com terests of a foreign power-the sub munist Party and the sections of mission of their national security the masses close to the Communists. to the mercy of a foreign state. In the United States not a single Great Britain and France deliber national leader of a political party ately made German military power denounced the Munich Pact or gave stronger than their own. Sections warning that it endangered the se of the wealthiest classes under the curity of the nation except the lead influence of the fascist cult, known ers of the Communist Party. in England as the Cliveden Set and At the moment of the famous air in France as the 200 Families, felt plane flight to Berchtesgaden, Earl their property interests safer under Browder, as General Secretary of the protection of a foreign dictator, the Communist Party, said of the a "gendarme of Europe," than sub forthcoming deal with Hitler ject to the relatively democratic political systems of France and "It is the blackest and most open England. treason ever registered in modern history. Through the betrayal of * * * Czechoslovakia world peace and The Munich Pact sacrificed the democracy are to be betrayed." national interest of the United States along with that of Czecho Twelve days after the signing of slovakia, the Soviet Union, Poland, the treaty Browder sent from Paris Great Britain, France, Belgium, a message in which he analyzed Holland, Norway and the rest of what he called "the new reaction Europe. ary bloc formed at Munich" from But the policy of the United the point of view of the national States at that time was not to op interest of the United States, fore pose but rather to support it. The casting as the next step "an at morning after the signing of the tempt to liquidate the Spanish Re treaty the press reported from public . . . to secure the key to the Washington "a universal sense of great Latin American continent," relief" and quoted anonymous offi and warning as well that "with the cials as saying "At last after twenty strengthening of the hands of Jap years a balance of power has been anese imperialism they hope to established in Europe." Athough close the doors to the Pacific." If Secretary of State Cordell Hull ex one remembers that the British gov pressed some uneasiness, the advice ernment of which Browder spoke of Chamberlain, cabled from Lon was the Chamberlain government don-"Go home and get a nice quiet at the height of its Munich policy, sleep"-was accepted as policy. one can accept without the change of a syllable the following words * * * about the character and effects of In England among the leaders of the Munich Pact, and can wish with political parties there were some all one's heart that the policy he tiona! tiona! Publishers, Publishers, 167-68. 167-68. pp. pp. of of China China and and the the Pacific. Pacific. Thus Thus the the ---;-s.rl ---;-s.rl Browder, Browder, Fighting Fighting for for P•«•, P•«•, Interna· Interna· ists ists in in their their drive drive for for the the conquest conquest the the hands hands of of the the Japanese Japanese militar that that the the true true interest interest of of our our nation nation will will unquestionably unquestionably also also strengthsn strengthsn icy icy for for the the course course of of a a nation, nation, and and of of Hitler's Hitler's 'world 'world political political triangle,' triangle,' derlt'every derlt'every correct correct proposal proposal of of pol France France to to the the expansionist expansionist efforts efforts basis basis of of national national interest interest must must un Daladier Daladier to to adapt adapt Britain Britain and and simply simply that that the the firm firm un~rstood un~rstood ler, ler, the the attempt attempt of of Chamberlain Chamberlain and and Browder Browder is is not not a a magician. magician. He He tion tion of of the the Western Western powers powers to to Hit ican. ican. There There is is no no mystery mystery about about it: it: "At "At the the same same time time the the capitula the the opinion opinion of of every every honest honest Amer Spanish Spanish republic. republic. next next to to attempt attempt to to liquidate liquidate the the opinion opinion of of Earl Earl Browder. Browder. Today Today it it is is of of Czechoslovakia, Czechoslovakia, is is proceeding proceeding Three Three years years ago ago that that was was the the bloc, bloc, following following the the dismemberment dismemberment * * common common enemies enemies of of both." both." even even more more decisive. decisive. The The Munich Munich many many parallel parallel characteristics, characteristics, the the States States and and of of the the Americas Americas becomes becomes ests ests of of these these two two great great lands, lands, their their and and France, France, the the role role of of the the United United to to stress stress the the many many common common inter reactionary reactionary forces forces of of Great Great Britain Britain necessary necessary to to bring bring out out clearly clearly and and revolutionary revolutionary bloc bloc the the imperialist imperialist most most pressing pressing importance. importance. is is It It into into the the anti-democratic, anti-democratic, counter Soviet Soviet Union Union becomes becomes of of first first and and the the international international situation, situation, drawing drawing ship ship between between the the U.S.A. U.S.A. and and the the Munich, Munich, which which seriously seriously changed changed "The "The question question of of the the relation the the new new reactionary reactionary bloc bloc formed formed at at peace peace and and democracy democracy in in all all lands. lands. "As "As a a matter matter of of fact, fact, as as a a result result of of close close alliance alliance with with the the forces forces of of cist cist bloc. bloc. tory tory is is possible possible only only on on condition condition of of the the expansionist expansionist designs designs of of the the fas struggle-a struggle-a struggle struggle in in which which vic the the United United States States of of America America from from its its course, course, either either of of surrender surrender or or of of alone alone are are not not capable capable of of protecting protecting faced faced with with the the necessity necessity to to choose choose tion tion of of the the fact fact that that two two oceans oceans "The "The democracy democracy of of the the U.S.A. U.S.A. is is interests interests of of America America and and recogni doors doors of of the the Pacific. Pacific...... considerations, considerations, but but above above all all by by the the perialism perialism they they hope hope to to close close the the general general humanitarian humanitarian or or pacifist pacifist ing ing of of the the hands hands of of Japanese Japanese im Roosevelt Roosevelt was was determined determined not not by by conquest, conquest, and and with with the the strengthen that that this this intervention intervention by by President President British British Navy, Navy, it it considers considers ripe ripe for for isolation. isolation. is is also also clear, clear, however, however, It It laboration laboration or or the the neutrality neutrality of of the the circumstances circumstances keep keep to to its its policy policy of of can can continent, continent, which, which, with with the the col that that the the United United States States will will in in all all the the key key to to the the great great Latin Latin Ameri tion tion of of those those who who wish wish to to make make out out fascism fascism hopes hopes in in Spain Spain to to secure secure pute pute were were a a very very important important refuta doors doors of of Europe Europe against against the the U.S.A., U.S.A., settlement settlement of of the the questions questions in in dis the the first first glance. glance. Having Having closed closed the the vene vene an an international international conference conference for for ican ican continent continent that that might might seem seem at at for for peace peace and and his his proposal proposal to to con greater greater importance importance for for the the Amer the the European European conflict. conflict. His His appeal appeal and and fascism fascism for for Spain Spain has has a a far far United United States, States, twice twice intervened intervened in in "The "The fight fight between between democracy democracy D. D. Roosevelt, Roosevelt, President President of of the the American American democracy. democracy. against against Czechoslovakia, Czechoslovakia, Franklin Franklin ests ests of of the the U.S.A. U.S.A. and and against against by by Hitler's Hitler's threats threats of of aggression aggression strikes strikes against against the the national national inter highest highest point point of of the the crisis crisis evoked evoked comes comes worldwide worldwide and and directly directly "In "In September, September, at at the the time time of of the the marily marily a a European European problem, problem, be by by our our country: country: sidered sidered by by the the United United States States as as pri menace menace of of fascism, fascism, hitherto hitherto con outlined outlined then then had had been been followed followed MUNICH MUNICH AND AND ANTI-MUNICH ANTI-MUNICH 780 780 MUNICH AND ANTI-MUNICH 781 can never be contrary to the broad whose cooperation there could be no est and deepest interest of other serious thought of countering the peoples. rising might of the Berlin-Rome Tokio Axis. When the Axis was * * * formed in November, 1936, the But the foreign policy of the German foreign office played the United States followed Chamberlain cruel joke of calling it the "Anti to Munich. Americans influential Comintern Axis" for effect in Park enough to turn the course of the Avenue, the Cliveden Set and the nation were drawn into the in Boulevard St. Germain. Ambassa trigues of the "Rasputins" of Ber dor Bullitt made heavy use of the lin, Paris and London. Reactionary "Anti-Comintern Axis" idea and the elements that had gotten over their Lindbergh story to encourage the first fright of the economic crisis French government to tear up its and their momentary tolerance to pact of mutual aid to the "weak" concessions of social reforms had and "Un-Christian" Soviet Union, come to regard the New Deal as to turn France's face to Germany unnecessary, costly and dangerous, and to take the road that led as a concession to an American through Munich and Warsaw and rabble that was mainly leaning on Dunkirk to Vichy. shovels, and that ought to be got ten rid of along with the Front * * * Populair of France, the Frente When after one year the conse Popular of Spain, or even the Bol quences of Munich began to flame shevism of Russia. Hitler's method from the mouths of German cannon of dealing with the trade unions be in Western Europe and a week to gan to be more popular in some of ten days became the accepted norm the apartments of Park Avenue of time to complete the conquest than the Wagner Act, and his burn of a nation, and Dunkirk was fol ing of books and imprisonment of lowed in three weeks by the fall Communist leaders a model for the of France and then a full year of United States. Some of the fore British disaster, a spirit of pessi most industrialists returning from mism pervaded the American press. Europe praised Hitler as a strong and constructive statesman. A pro-British expert wrote: Lindbergh's emergence from "British sea-power is waging a Moscow and Berlin with the sen losing battle in the Atlantic. T.he sational announcement that the Red Nazis are sinking more than twiCe Army was weak and the Red Air as many tons as are being built." Force made of vegetable crates (Wm. Philip Simms, N. Y. World fitted in with the already power Telegram, April, 1941.) ful agitation in France, England and the United States for the rejection And another said: by these countries of all cooperation ". . . the last foothold on the con with the Soviet State, which every tinent of Europe is slipping." (Ray one knows now was the strongest mond Clapper, N. Y. World-Tele power in Europe and Asia, without gram, April, 1941.) 782 MUNICH AND ANTI-MUNICH A partisan of the Allied cause break for Britain! What a break for wrote that "the effects of an Al us, if ..." lied disaster have almost blotted The essential theory of Munich out the Presidential campaign," and· was that the German military speculated upon a maximum hope power should be turned to war that "the Allies should by a miracle against the Soviet Union, that the hold on and drive the war into a German military efforts would be stalemate." absorbed in Russia and the German The foregoing quotations show appetite for land and loot satisfied how the press saw the purely mili there, being thus diverted from the tary question of victory or defeat rest of the world, leaving France as between the two sides prior to and Belgium, England and America June 22, 1941. Why do we dwell undisturbed. upon this? Because it confirms what The Munich lie was that all the we have said of the nature of the rest of the world would derive an Munich Pact and the inevitable advantage from the involvement of ruin resulting from the policy by the Soviet Union in the war. "What which the friendship and mutual a break! ..." aid of the Soviet Union were re But all intelligent persons are jected and the security of the world compelled to see now that the in p1aced at the mercy of Nazi reac volvement of the Soviet Union is tion, and because that ruinous pol not a "break" but the greatest men icy still has powerful defenders and ace to the life of the United States; may yet bring unspeakable ruin to that the defeat of the Soviet Union this country. would mean absolutely certain and easy conquest of England and even * * * the compulsion of strategic mili The great all-decisive fact that tary necessity on Germany's part to the involvement of the Soviet occupy and disarm England and Union by the Nazi attack on. June Ireland. 22 worked a complete transforma tion of the entire war situation, and "Germany ... is carrying on her places in jeopardy the independence present conquest with the loot of past conquests and with the prod and life of every nation in the uct of the labor of enslaved na world-and not least of all the tions . . . Germany must obtain United States and Great Britain further loot by further conquests or was not at first seen by many. else she will begin to slide back This is because the minds of the wards into restlessness, revolt and bourgeois world were sodden with failure. . . . Our own hemisphere, the Munich theory. For instance, thinly populated, rich beyond all General Hugh Johnson, author of other continents in natural re the now inconspicuous doctrine that sources, is an inevitable ultimate target for these marauder nations. "the Russian Army is mush" said . . . If Hitler succeeds in conquer on June 21, the day. before Hitler ing Western Russia he will have attacked the Soviet Union, "If the under his control 100,000,000 more Nazis start fighting Russia, what a [of population]. The American gov- MUNICH AND ANTI-MUNICH 783 ernment which failed to take meas a tide of rebellion was at last aris ures of protection against such a ing among the conquered peoples; dire prospect for the future would it saw "new offensive energies stir be faithless, indeed, to the interests ring among the British," and re of its people." (Secretary Stimson's speech to draftees, Washington, Aug. marked: 15, 1941.) "Whatever lies immediately ahead, these, already, have been six Most intelligent Americans have crucial weeks in the history of abandoned the Munich idea that the Western civilization. The danger precipitation of the bloody war now is not in hoping too much; it against Soviet Russia affords an ad is in realizing too little the immense vantage to our country, and now change they have wrought and the understand that the assault upon immense opportunity they have Soviet Russia brings most dire peril opened-for those who will seize to the" United States and Great it." Britain and all peoples. Here we begin to get the anti That which brought advantage to Munich pattern: America and the world is the ter The advantage to the world is not rific and stubborn fighting of the in the involvement of the Soviet Red Army, which has surprised Union in the war, as the Munich everyone in the world except those makers contended; the advantage to countless millions of conscious men humanity lay in the fighting of the and women of the working class Soviet Army. As the manifesto of wlio instinctively know how it gets the Communist Party put it, the at that way. tack on the Soviet Union- * • * ". . . immeasurably increased the As soon as the Red Army began menace of Hitler and fascism to the to show the world how to fight, the national existence of all peoples, to the social and national security pessimism of the bourgeois press of the people of the United States. about the Allied cause began to ... The glorious and mighty defense vanish in astonishment. The press by the Red Army and the united did not concern itself with the So peoples of the Soviet Union, their viet Army except as the military valiant struggle to drive out and prospects of the British were af crush the aggressor, create the op fected. As The New York Times ex portunity for the people of the pressed it after watching the Red United States and for all peoples to Army make war six weeks and sab unite and assure the complete and final annihilation of Hitler and otage and resistance flare up in the Hitlerism." occupied countries in response to it: But the opportunity arising from "Europe begins to take courage." the magnificent fighting capacity of (N. Y. Times, July 29, 1941.) the Red Army is onLy "for those The New York Herald Tribune who wm seize it." noted that the Red Army's fighting Anti-Munich is to be found in had surprised the experts and that those words of the Herald Tribune. 784 MUNICH AND ANTI-MUNICH "Immense opportunity" has been man :advance was aided by a· de opened by the first two months of cisive section of French officers, and fighting by the Red Army. But the the sweeping removal of French turn of the tide is only for those generals by a "Munich" government who will seize this opportunity. of France was arranged to place the Otherwise it is not opportunity but command of the French Army for death for the peoples of the world. the final stage totally in the hands II. of the Cagoulards (French HiUer When the President of the United ites)-this epoch had to continue States and the Prime Minister of the engulfment of England and Great Britain met at sea and America, or it had to be ended. planned the pooling of strength of Roosevelt and Churchill say it the two nations with that of the must be ended. Union of Soviet Socialist Republics * * • in the war-they indicated a turn Every American must understand in the reverse direction from the in all its realism and in all its road of ruin that had been followed consequences the fact that the pol for the past six years, or more es icy announced by Mr. Roosevelt and pecially for the two and one-half Mr. Churchill is based upon the na years beginning with the Munich tional interest of the United States Treaty in September, 1938, and ex and that of Great Britain, and noth tending into the war period, during ing else. which all of the affairs of Europe We must understand this thor were approached from London and oughly. Any proposals or expecta Paris, almost as much as from Ber tions that the governments of the lin, Rome and Tokyo, in a manner United States and Great Britain influenced by the Munich pattern. may act in a manner motivated by If Roosevelt and Churchill acted "altruistic" conceptions in regard to turn the two countries decisively to other states can bring nothing away from that path, it is because but self-deception. that path leads toward death for The only alternative is resump these two nations. The epoch of the tion of the Munich path-a policy butchery of Ethiopia, the slaughter based upon a narrowly-conceived of the Spanish Republic, the be and short-sighted interest of a sort trayal of Austria, the selling of of "Rasputinized" section of finance Czechoslovakia, the false promise to capital so closely allied with Ger Poland, the Pickwickian declaration man interests, or so feverishly in of war in September, 1939, that was volved in the cult and international followed by seven months of unde scheming of fascism, as to have lost clared armistice during which the all primary concern for the general governments of Chamberlain and national interest of its country. Daladier attempted no defense of That alternative is being discarded their own nations but only to by this country and England be "switch" the war to the Soviet cause these two countries have at Union; :and then the catastrophic last been forced to see that their military debacle in which the Ger- national interest was being wrecked MUNICH AND ANTI-MUNICH 785 by the Munich policy. The policy of France's friendship and mutual aid this country and of England is now pact with Soviet Russia and to turning to the service of the na the signing of the Pact of Munich tional interest of each. with the annihilation of Czechoslo The policy offered and supported vakia and the flattening out of by the Communist Party through Poland into a military road to out this crisis and the period of its Smolensk, was then conceived by development from 1936 has always many to be perhaps cold-bloodedly been the anti-Munich policy which realistic, but in the national interest is now generally recognized as in of the United States, because it both dispensable to the national interest helped to build a "wall against of the United States. The policy we Bolshevism" and assured "peace in advocate now and have advocated our time." But now everyone knows throughout this crisis has coincided that the policy pursued by Bullitt with the interests of other countries in Paris was neither realistic, nor because it is to the mutual interest in the national interest of the of the United States and its friends United States, nor did it even per among the peoples. Communists al mit the sightest chance of peace. ways adhere stubbornly to the prin ciple and practice of international * * * solidarity of the working classes of The Munich policy was always all countries, it is true; but Commu opposed to the national interest of nists are never so blind as to offer the United States. the country a foreign policy that is The proposal put forward by contradictory to the national inter Hitler in his famous Reichstag est. For instance, when the British speech in May, 1935, that Nazi working class in 1861-65, with the terror against "Jewish Bolshevism" support and inspiration of the First be elevated to the principle for International and its Communist policing Europe through elevating leaders, deliberately went through Germany to military hegemony of a hell of unemployment and suffer Europe--was accepted by the Clive ing rather than permit the proposed den Set as an arrangement of part intervention in behalf of the slave nership of four sovereign Great owners' insurrection against the Powers, i.e., of Britain, France and United States, the British workers' Italy, with what the London Times policy was in accord with the truly forecast as "a free, equal and strong conceived national interest of their Germany." There was to be a di own country. The British workers vision of labor: England to continue were accused, it is true, of support to rule the seas and grow rich in ing the "foreign dictator" Lincoln undisturbed possession of her colo in disregard of the national interest nies, France to continue as the of their own country, but that was usurer of Europe, and "strong" Ger historically untrue. many to be entrusted with the The support that was given by military power necessary for her the State Department and its Am defense of Europe against "Russian bassador in Paris to the breaking of barbarism." 786 MUNICH AND ANTI-MUNICH The picture of four great and antee of access--commercial and equal imperialist partners has faded military-to the Western Hemi in the glaring light of reality. The sphere. reality is the rule of Europe by A Munich of 1941 therefore would Hitler and the extension of that rule be vastly different from the Munich to the world. The reality shows how of 1939, in that it necessarily would the other powers may "cooperate." openly, before the eyes of the whole It can only be done the way that world, be aimed directly at military Vichy France is "cooperating," as crushing of the United States. a chained and broken slave. Italy The most decisive of all facts in "cooperates" while German forces the world today is that the only keep order on Italian soil. Rumania, possible peace that the United Hungary and Bulgaria "cooperate." States can have with the Hitler gov An agreement between a Hitler ernment is the kind of peace that is Germany and a Cliveden England now had by France. As President could only be the completion of the Roosevelt said: arrangement already made between Germany and France. In a figura "Inevitably, such a peace would tive sense Cliveden would become be a gift to Nazism to take breath the capital of England as Vichy has armed breath-for a second war to extend the control over Europe and become the capital of France. That Asia to the American Hemisphere British seamen would not be trusted itself." with the British Navy is obvious. In the time of Baldwin and A "Lindbergh" collaboration with Chamberlain England had been Hitler by the United States could pledged to participation with Ger not but include acquiescence in many, Italy and France in control Germany's domination of Latin ling Europe's affairs on the assump America and Japanese-German tion that she could do so as a domination of all of Asia. It is not sovereign nation. Today England an accident that both Hoover and knows that Germany must have Lindbergh expressed the early basis guarantees. Germany does not take of their policy by advocating that paper guarantees. She must have Germany and Japan be permitted to the most tangible of guarantees, ~'share" in the "development" of which are made of stone and steel Latin America. We know it would and concrete. The British Navy is mean first of all development of the first of such guarantees. Ger naval and air bases. It would mean many would have to be assured in the same old Munich process of a physical way, and not in words, placing the security of the United on her western front, while she at States and the twenty Latin Ameri tempted to overpower Soviet can republics at the mercy of Nazi Russia; and the surrender of a de Germany by giving the Hitler gov cisive part of the British Navy ernment the military means with would be that guarantee. which to enforce dominance. It would be a guarantee of con That is what President Roosevelt trol of the seas. It would be a guar- and Prime Minister Churchill found MUNICH AND ANTI-MUNICH 787 out, and it is the basis of the en connection. If it consists of Armies tirely realistic policy of defense of of one Power, there is generally no the United States which President difficulty; if of allied Armies, of Roosevelt made with Churchill at which one is acting simply as an ally the conference on the high seas. without any interest of its own, then the difficulty is not much greater; if But the promise of the conference of a coalition for a common object, remains to be fulfilled in terms of then it depends on the cordiality of annihilating action. the alliance.... " (Clausewitz, On War, Kegan Paul, London, 1911, * * * Vol. III, p. 141.) About 125 years ago the famous military writer Clausewitz wrote his The greatness of Clausewitz con famous book On War, which was sisted partly in his ability always to largely a digest of the lessons understand that war is the continu learned in the quarter century of ation of political struggle by means wars of European nations with of military instruments. He knew, Napoleon. We quote a pasage from therefore, that a power attempting that book that reads as though it to conquer and to maintain conquest were written after June 22, 1941, as of Europe would depend for its suc a result of a study of the present cess upon certain weaknesses in the attempt of Nazi Germany to con unity of the victims against the con quer not only Europe but the world. queror. In a struggle against "a Clausewitz said that "two funda coalition for a common object" a mental principles reign through the would-be conqueror of Europe whole plan of War, and serve as a would have to estimate his chance guide for everything else." He con of defeat as depending upon "the tinued: cordiality of the alliance" of his intended victims. "The first is: to reduce the weight Looking back at the end of the of the enemy's power into as few third year since the Munich Treaty, centers of gravity as possible, into one can see that there has never one if it can be done; again, to been a unity of nations against con confine the attack against these cen ters of force to as few principal un quest by Hitler; and if there is a dertakings as possible, to one if pos degree of unity now, a coalition for sible; lastly to keep all secondary a common object, all who are in undertakings as subordinate as pos terested in defeating the new "Na-· sible. In a word, the first principle poleon" must look to the "cordiality is, to concentrate as much as pos of the alliance." sibl.e. Nazi Germany, transformed by its "The second principle runs thus conquests into the strongest mili to act as swiftly as possible, there tary power ever known, has a Ger fore, to allow of no delay or detour man army of eleven million men without sufficient reason. "The reducing of the enemy's which is being supplied by the power to one central point de twenty-four-hour day capacity pro pends- duction of the national manufactur "(1) On the nature of its political ing plants of all five of the great 788 MUNICH AND ANTI-MUNICH armament manufacturing countries eastward to strike root in richer of continental Europe. Hitler's sources of economic strength, but armies have free disposal of the also that he could not move west economic resources of seventeen en ward on major adventures without slaved nations of 270,000,000 popu trusting his eastern frontier to a lation. Hitler is throwing this great purely diplomatic protection of the est concentration of military force type on which military science of all time against a single national never depends. link in the world's defenses. The security of Latin America This is, of course, the most per from German aggression lay in the fect realization of the "first princi fact that the German army, navy ple" named by Clausewitz to reduce and air force were not adequate for the weight of the enemy's power the enormous Dakar-to-Brazil un into one center of gravity; to con dertaking or the Dakar-to-Rio fine the a'ttack to one principal Plate expedition while "tying up" a undertaking; that is, to concentrate huge German force on a border the full weight of many nations' re line of conquered Yugoslavs, Bul sources upon one single front, in garians, Czechoslovaks, Poles, Ru order to crush that front and then manians, Hungarians face to face to proceed to the next. with the Soviet Union, the symbol, to these peoples seething against * * their subjugation, of freedom and There must be full popular un national integrity. It is now evident derstanding of the matter of national that the German Government be interest and security of the United lieved it could not undertake the States. crossing of the English Channel The only possibility for the while its eastern border remained United States to get out and stay in that condition. The remarks of out of the war lay in the neutrality Hitler on this subject in his speech of the Soviet Union. When that neu of June 22 are revealing, despite trality ended, the security of the their distortion. United States ended. Hi.tler piled conquest upon con The possibility peacefully to quest. But the higher the imposing guard the security of the United pile of conquered nations rose, the States lay in the fact that the 6,000 more unreal became the idea that miles of territory between the it could have any permanence as Baltic Sea and the Alaskan shore long as the Soviet Union towered were held by a powerful state of above it. In this sense a statement non-imperialist character, which of the Communist Party of Argen shared none of the war-motives of tina on June 23 is enlightening: either belligerent and refused to be " ... the consistent peace policy of drawn into the war, while rapidly the Union of Soviet Socialist Re increasing its military and economic publics constituted an extraordinary strength. The existence of the So encouragement to resistence by the viet Union in this capacity ensured European peoples against the Nazi not only that Hitler could not move fascist aggression that had already MUNICH AND ANTI-MUNICH 789 enslaved the peoples of France, ous military and naval proposals Holland, Belgium, Norway, Yugo showed that London and Paris were slavia, Greece and other nations." still preoccupied with the Munich The consequences of neutrality of plan: they still conceived of the role the Soviet Union, therefore, in of the Soviet Union as one of ab cluded not only a check against the sorbing, by being conquered by, the spread of the war to the Western German armies. The German forces Hemisphere and against a war in were to be kept from Paris and the Pacific, but also the generation Brussels by being drawn deep into of a popular mass basis for libera a conquest of the Soviet Union. Any tion of the conquered peoples of doubt of this would be removed by Europe. Against this statement re the fact that for seven months from actionaries will wrathfully exclaim: the declaration of war on Sept. 3, Why didn't Soviet Russia accom 1939, to April, 1940, the Chamber plish all this at the beginning, in lain and Daladier governments August, 1939? It is necessary to di maintained a virtual unofficial ar verge a moment to reply to this. mistice with Hitler, preventing any The answer is that there proved to but light skirmishing between pa be no possibility of such united re trols on the German border, still sistence to Hitler in August, 1939. hoping for a turning of Hitler's The hope of a united front of peo forces against the Soviet Union. Be ples against Hitler vanished then yond' the slightest doubt the in when the French and British Gov volvement of the Soviet Union ernments, speaking for themselves would have res'tlted in the and the Baltic governments which continuation of the inactive west they controlled in the matter, re ern front and a withdrawal jected the Soviet Gov~rnment's pro of England and France from posed military and naval accord by the war, in conformity to the orig which the Red Army and Navy inal Munich plan. That Hitler could were to meet the German attack at not be induced to turn eastward the Polish-German frontier and to after taking Poland was due to his operate from Esthonian, Latvian knowledge that the soft front was and Lithuanian warm-water ports. in the west, that the unity of France That rejection revealed the fact had been disintegrated by the Mu that the British and French Gov nich poison, that the French people ernments did not have an undivided had no means of defending their purpose. The statesmanship of national interest through a Cliveden wanted Hitler's armies to "French" government of Hitler's begin fighting the Red Army, not friends Daladier, Reynaud and Pe at the western border of Poland tain; through his knowledge that but at the eastern Polish border 200 the friends of Hess and Ribbentrop miles nearer to Moscow; and Hit were still within reach in England ler's warships to fight the Red fleet and that through the Englishmen not at Tallinn and the Gulf of Riga, he had met at Munich there would but at Kronstadt within gunshot of be no single-purposed defense of Leningrad. The rejection of all seri- British national interest; through 790 MUNICH AND ANTI-MUNICH his knowledge that the Red Army ican; but to this day, in the United was the hard spot, though he did States, the pro-Hitler press rejoices not yet half know how hard. that Germany attacked Soviet When the German dictator, choos Russia and claims that there is now ing his own time and place by per no need to worry about Hitler. mission of Chamberlain and Dala Mark this clearly: All who speak dier, began serious fighting, the of the military action of the Soviet softness of the resistance of the va Union as an alternative to military rious states attacked showed that action of the United States are play these states were not then capable ing the Munich game of Hitler. of serving as organizers of a gen The policy of the Soviet Union in eral European defense against Nazi preserving neutrality was best, not aggression. The Munich corruption only for the security and national opened the French front at Sedan interest of its own people, plus the and the "French State" at Vichy security of other countries includ became but an agency of espionage ing the United States and the whole and assassination for the foreign Western Hemisphere, but also for conqueror. Bucharest proved a the development of the possibility sink-hole of rottenness, and in Bul of a united struggle against Nazi garia there was not yet a predom conquest of the world, in the event inance of patriotism and national that neutrality was to be ended. interest over the fifth column. Mr. Churchill was in error when Yugoslavia's magnificent resistance he said: was only a flaring up of a will to resistance that still lay prostrate in "Russia was cajoled and deceived into a kind of neutrality or partner Europe generally under the Petains ship while the French Army was of many countries. being annihilated." The entry of the United States as a virtual belligerent under those The neutrality of the Soviet conditions added to the military Union was the alternative, not to a strength of the British cause, but united front of nations against Hit did not serve to change the char ler, but to a war in 1939 of the So acter of the war. Th.ere was no pop viet Union alone versus Germany. ular response in the occupied coun If war was to come later anyway, tries. The entrance of the Soviet the Soviet Union would be still Union into the war was sought most stronger and it might even be pos ardently in both England and sible to attain a united struggle such America as a means of taking the as France and England rejected in burden off England and America. August, 1939. The interim of time Soviet Russian military action was unfortunately had to be consumed sought as an alternative to British in the terrible · process by which and American military action, all nations were given the lesson by which was of course the continu Hitler himself as to what consti ation of the Munich motif. This was tuted his "simple dismal plan." less apparent in the case of the Stalin was correct in his famous British approach than in the Amer- broadcast in the first days of the MUNICH AND ANTI-MUNICH 791 Hitler attack, in denying that the "A ... reason America's mili "non-aggression pact with such tary intervention in Europe would fiends as Hitler and Ribbentrop" have less excuse now than ever is was "an error of the Soviet Gov that Russia's trained and equipped ernment." The Soviet Union secured millions are engaging the bulk of for itself, as Stalin said: " ... peace Nazi forces with 'magnificent for a year and a half, and the op strength and courage,' to quote the portunity of preparing its forces to Churchill tribute." (July 30, 1941) repulse fascist Germany should she "Before Hitler tore into Russia on July 22 last, the danger (to the risk an attack on our country de United States and Great Britain) spite the pact." might have been greater than Wheeler, Lindbergh & Co. said it * * was.... "The bombing airplane already "Now, however, Hitler is badly has a range of several thousand tangled up with the Red Army.... miles. The development of the fifth Which means that Hitler is in no column has an indefinitely longer position to try to invade England, range." (Secretary of War H. L. let alone try to do anything drastic Stimson.) to the United States." (Aug. 9, 1941) It is imperative that every con scious American learn exactly how But the effects of Munich are not the forces work in the United States confined to the pro-Hitler press. to drug this country against its own The "indefinitely long range" of defense, while the German govern its influence is consciously and ment completes the intermediate unconsciously allowed to determine tasks leading to the direct assault the actions of many men and in upon the United States and the stitutions dedicated to the destruc Western Hemisphere. At an earlier tion of Hitler. stage the Lindbergh lie about the The New York Times, which we "weakness" of the army and air credit with a sincere desire not to force of the Soviet Union did tre have Hitler conquer the world, nev mendous service to Hitler, as we ertheless was so influenced by the have pointed out. But after the be old Munich habit of mind as to ginning of the German attack on give the classic expression of a the Soviet Union and the revelation doctrine that, if followed, would of the fighting capacity of the Red accomplish for Hitler all that his Army, the same reactionaries are fifth column attempts. The Times using the argument that the "mag said " ... that our primary interest nificent strength and courage" of is not in 'helping Russia' but in the Soviet Army make it "unneces 'stopping Hitler.'" (N. Y. Times, sary" for the United States to de Aug. 6, 1941.) fend itself. This uncanny clever From this doctrine the Times rea ness of Hitler's friends in America soned that American military mate is shown by none better than the rial should not be sent to the So pro-Hitler, pro-Japanese, New York viet Russian Red Army. Daily News: Modern armies operate by burn- 792 MUNICH AND ANTI-MUNICH ing up and wearing out huge naval strength of the United States masses of :factory products in an in this struggle for the defense of endless process of destruction. War America. A danger to the very life is made by the stream of products of the nation came to light in the from the giant modern factories to struggle over the bill :for the con the giant modern machines at the tinuation of the draft period of ser front whose only effective operation vice. The issue in Congress was is in expending those factory prod whether at the highest point of na ucts in the greatest possible mass. tional crisis the half-completed Obviously the one most decisive of army should be disbanded, which all immediate ways to help Hitler would set back our military prepa is to prevent the flow of that giant rations by nearly a year, and river of war material to the Red thereby, through helplessness, de Army from the greatest source, the termining the foreign policy of the United States. Any whose desire to country. The influence of the ap "stop Hitler" is limited by the wish peasement forces, even where un not to "help Russia" will thereby consciously accepted in some quar help Hitler no matter what their ters was so great as to come within desires may be. one vote in the House of disabling This is what Clausewitz meant. our country's foreign policy by But help to other nations fighting dissolving its only means of defense. Hitler, by means of manufactured The biggest mistake of judgment products, tremendously important that could be made would be in though it is, does not alone solve thinking that the act of President the problem of the national interest Roosevelt and Prime Minister of the United States. Churchill has once and for all set Here we insist upon the view of tled the course of this country as a Earl Browder in regard to the na course of relentless all-out struggle tional interest. If we were to con against Hitler. On the contrary, the ceive of our country's part as de devotees of the cult of Munich and termined by "general humanitarian Cliveden and Vichy are more ac or pacifist considerations," it would tive, more virulent, more reckless be possible to dream of limiting and disregardful of the borderline America's role to "help" in the of treason than ever before. form of factory products sent to other nations fighting Hitler. • But the whole of the world-wide * * political struggle of this epoch has The official policy of our Amer passed irrevocably into the stage ica has turned away from Mu of military solution. The defense nich, toward security for our coun of the national interest of the United try and the liberation of the world States can be made effective only from the bloody beast of Nazism. if, along with the utmost help of America, united, has to assure this all powers fighting Hitler, it in course. cludes the building up and direct No one has a bigger stake in this employment of the military and than the workers. FOR THE MILITARY DESTRUCTION OF HITLERISM! BY WILLIAM Z. FOSTER Address delivered at the Stadium, CMcago, Aug. 20, 1941 ~ American people, on pain of it has also been true ever since the .1. disaster, must fully realize that war broke out two years ago. a Hitler victory over the Soviet In his brutal war to establish Union and Great Britain would world hegemony for German impe place in acute jeopardy the most rialism Hitler had little difficulty in fundamental national interests--the smashing the armies of rival capi very national existence of the talist states and in overrunning United States. They, therefore, Europe. But he has not been able should take all necessary steps, to expand on a world scale. This is jointly with Great Britain, the because the Soviet Union has U.S.S.R., China and other anti-fas- proved to be the insurmountable cist peoples, to repel the develop- obstacle in the way of his larger ing fascist world offensive and mill- plans of aggression. Hitler did not tarily to destroy Hitlerism, root and dare to invade England while the branch. This is the only means by powerful Red Army remained in which the United States can be tact at his rear. Nor did the fact effectively defended against the that the U.S.S.R. was living up growing Hitler threat. loyally to its non-aggression pact The history of Europe since the with Germany and wanted to re rise of Hitler shows beyond question main at peace remove Hitler's that the U.S.S.R. has always been deadly fear. The very existence of the great barrier holding back the the mighty socialist state, the land flood of Nazi barbarism. It is mod- of plenty and socialist democracy, ern civilization's main dike against constituted a threat to the spurious Hitler's worse than medieval terror- "New Order" which Hitlerism was ism. This was true not only before proceeding to set up on the Euro the war, when the Soviet Union, pean continent in its drive for world with its support of Spain, China enslavement. Also, when Hitler, and Ethiopia, and its struggle for an with his plans to invade England international anti-fascist peace blocked, sought another route out front, was the most solid obstacle of Europe and on to world conquest, to the growth of Hitler's power, but again it was the U.S.S.R. that halted 793 794 FOR THE MILITARY DESTRUCTION OF ffiTLERISM him. This was during his great jeopardy the economic standards, drive early this year down the Bal civil liberties and national indepen kans and toward the Middle East, dence of the United States, as well a campaign which aimed mainly at as those of other countries. With the capture of the Dardanelles and the vast power he would then have the Suez Canal, the conquest of at his command Hitler could not Iran, Iraq, Egypt and other coun only conquer large areas of Latin tries on the road to the Far East. America but also, with the help of The success of the drive would have the powerful pro-fascist elements in meant a disaster for Great Britain this country, he would threaten the and a great weakening of the posi very existence of the American tion of the U.S.S.R. It was the So republic. viet Union which defeated this The fight of the Soviet Union and grandiose plan of Hitler's by stop Great Britain against Hitler is, ping him dead at the Dardanelles. therefore, also the fight of tha Now Hitler is trying to destroy American people, and we should the Soviet Union, the great barrier give it all possible assistance and to Nazi world conquest, the force collaboration. The vast forces of the which prevented his opening a United States-food, munitions, doorway out of Europe through funds, ships, men, everything neces Great Britain at one end of the con sary-should be thrown into the tinent and through Turkey at the scale against Nazi Germany and its other. Hitler was doubly moved to Japanese, Italian and other fascist attack the U.S.S.R., because of its allies. An international front of the rapidly increasing strength and its peoples of the world, rallying growing leadership of the con around a firm alliance of Great quered peoples. The fate of the Britain, the Soviet Union and the world depends upon whether or not United States, can and should mili Hitler succeeds in destroying this tarily destroy Hitlerism and wipe loyal guardian of the gate, the it from the face of the earth. U.S.S.R., and makes a path for him The Churchill-Roosevelt confer self to world conquest. ence and the proposed three-power Were Hitler to achieve his aim parley in Moscow are a good start of smashing the Soviet Union, then, in this general direction. But tha with no Red Army to fear behind decisions of aid there arrived at him, undoubtedly he could invade must be fully implemented by the and crush Great Britain. Then, also, most active collaboration between with gigantically increased eco the three great powers. Especially nomic, naval and air strength, he have England and the United States would soon be in a position for a de the duty of building up a great cisive collision with the United western military front. Hitler must States "in a titanic struggle for world be crushed in a vast two-front vise. mastery. The people must be keenly alert to From these facts it is clear that combat any tendency to leave the a victory for Hitler over the Soviet Red Army to bear the brunt of the Union would put into gravest fighting while the British content FOR THE MILITARY DESTRUCTION OF HITLERISM 795 themselves merely with bombing Nevertheless, the American peo raids and the Americans only fur ple do not yet fully realize the tre nish munitions. mendous sharpening of the danger To mobilize the American people to their national interests brought to perform their historic share in about by Hitler's invasion of the the world struggle against Nazi Soviet Union, and the consequent Germany there must be national need for vigorous action to counter unity; a national front of all those act it. They are still plagued by elements in the population who are many hesitations and confusions. willing to defend America by help It is upon these weaknesses that the ing to crush Hitler. Hitler consti friends and dupes of Hitler operate. tutes a threat to all the American The appeasers and would-be Quis people; therefore, the whole Ameri lings and Petains of this country; can nation should unite to smash that is, the Hoovers, Lindberghs, him and his barbaric regime. The Coughlins, Fords, Hearsts, Wheelers success of the national front against and Norman Thomases, who are also Hitler will basically depend upon spokesmen and servitors of the most the extent to which the workers, reactionary American financial in especially organized labor, give it terests-are busily at work trying solid support. The workers will to befuddle the masses, to break up shoulder their full share in the na their growing national unity, to tional effort to defeat Hitler; but sabotage every practical measure of they should at the same time insist defense, to disarm and demoralize that other classes likewise bear their the American people in the face of just part of the burden. They will the deadly menace of Hitler Ger demand the maximum possible many. Their main organizational maintenance of their economic center is the America First Com standards and civil rights and also mittee. They are the fifth column in the curbing of all excess profiteer this country, the beginnings of the ing and the efforts of reactionaries American fascist movement. The who try to exploit the war situation latest recruit to this sorry crew is to set up their own brand of fascism none other than John L. Lewis, in the United States. who, by signing the recent state The vast mass of the American ment of the fifteen Republican ap people realize in large degree the peasement leaders, served notice menace to American national wel that he has abandoned the American fare caused by the aggressions of people in this most critical moment the Axis powers. That is why they of their history. so deeply hate Hitler and Ja pan and also why they favor aiding all those peoples who * * * are fighting these powers. The bulk Let me review briefly some of the of the people not only endorse aid more insidious and virulent argu to the Soviet Union, but also, as the ments used by the pro-Hitler ele Gallup poll tells us, 54 per cent of ments to deceive the American peo them favor the use of convoys. ple. First, there is the isolationist 796 FOR THE MILITARY DESTRUCTION OF HITLERISM fallacy in its baldest :torm, namely, Soviet Union in order militarily to that the United States is not con destroy it. cerned whether Hitler wins the war Then there is the illusion that the or not, but should hole-up in the American people can conserve their Western Hemisphere and let the interests by taking the initiative in rest o:t the world go, to smash if it negotiating a general world peace wilL Unfortunately, many people with Hitler. This futile project, now still believe in this political idiocy; being actively propagated by the hence the appeasers harp upon it America First Committee and other ceaselessly. Obviously, however, the friends of German fascism, is the United States cannot, by sticking American phase of Hitler's current its head in the sand, avoid the great so-called peace drive. It is an at attack that will surely come against tempt to harness the peace desires it from the vastly strengthened and of the great masses to the Nazi war more militant Nazi Germany should chariot. The American people Hitler succeed in defeating the should realize very clearly that U.S.S.R. and Britain. Isolationism there can be no peace with Hitlerite can only make that assault more Germany. The only conceivable certain and more devastating. By peace acceptable to Hitler would trying to drive a wedge between the be a conqueror's peace; an appease United States and the present alli ment peace that would demoralize ance of Great Britain and the the world forces of democracy and U.S.S.R., isolationism dovetails into that would give Hitler much-needed Hitler's plans of dividing his ene time and resources to remobilize mies and then destroying them one his forces for fresh aggressions. Hit by one. Hitler's present main world ler's brutal invasion of the peaceful strategy seeks to smash first the Soviet Union is a final proof of the Soviet Union, then Great Britain, impossibility of any free nation liv and finally the United States. To ing in peace with the Nazis. The attempt to prevent the United States whole history of Nazi Germany from actively helping the countries proves conclusively that the only now fighting against Nazi Germany road to world peace lies through is, therefore, to serve consciously the military destruction of Hitler or unconsciously as an agent of Hit ism. Hence, there should be no talk ler. Isolationism, in the present war of peace with Hitler; nor should the situation, has become national de people lose themselves in discus featism and surrender to Hitler. It sions over the precise terms upon is no mere coincidence that many which world peace will eventually isolationists, such as the Chicago be established when Hitler is Tribune, are openly preaching smashed. treason. What the protection of The big task before the masses American national interests de of all countries, the one to which mands is not an impossible attempt they should address their main at to run away from the spreading tention, is to mobilize their com menace of Hitlerism, but full coop bined military forces to destroy Hit- eration with Great Britain and the ler and his regime. FOR THE MILITARY DESTRUCTION OF HITLERISM 797 Another dangerous illusion as devastating effects than did the re !iduously being sown among the fusal of these powers to support the masses by assorted fifth columnists pre-war proposal of the U.S.S.R. for and dupes of Hitlerite propaganda an international peace front of the is to the effect that now that Ger democratic peoples to restrain the many and the Soviet Union are at fascist aggressor states; a refusal war the American people have which brought about the rise of nothing further to worry about and Hitler and the outbreak of the pres can rest on their oars. "Let Bolshe ent war. vism and Nazism destroy each Then there are those who would other," say some of these reaction give aid to Great.Britain but none aries; while others put out the ver to the U.S.S.R. A typical example is sion that the Russians will do all the leader of the American Legion the necessary fighting for us. Such in New York State, who said re propaganda is dangerous in the cently that he would rather die highest degree to the American peo fighting Hitler than help Stalin. But ple. It is akin to Chamberlain's ill that is not the issue. The question fated program of promoting a Ger is not that of helping Stalin but of man-Soviet war; a reactionary helping America; for, as the con scheme which resulted in giving al servative New York Herald Tribune most all of Europe to Hitler. Fail of August 21 declared editorialy: ure or refusal of the United States "They [the Russians) hold today and Great Britain to assume their our first line of defense." Not to aid full share of the burden, along with the U.S.S.R. is to aid Hitler against the U.S.S.R., in fighting Hitler Britain and the U.S.S.R.-to aid would be a catastrophic mistake. Hitler against the U.S.A. Considering Nazi Germany's great Hitler is making his main drive strength, such a policy could lead against the U.S.S.R., for reasons to the defeat of the Soviet Union, previously discussed. Therefore, with a sure aftermath of invasion everyone who wants to fight Hitler for Britain and a desperate war of must give all possible aid, and im survival for the United States. Or, mediately, to the U.S.S.R. To confine in case of a stalemate on the Eastern American assistance simply to Great front, it might cause Hitler sud Britain would_ be suicidal. Air denly to turn his guns westward planes, guns, munitions of all sorts and destroy Britain, with ensuing must also be rushed to the Eastern disastrous world consequences. The front. The Soviet Union should be smashing of Hitler is a tremendous provided with all necessary credits, task, one that will require the priorities, and lend-lease arrange united strength of Great Britain, the ments to facilitate its most effective United States, the Soviet Union and struggle. At the same time, Great the oppressed peoples of Europe. Britain and the United States Failure of the United States and should cooperate in opening up a Great Britain to cooperate fully great Western front, so as to force with the U.S.S.R. now in its fight Hitler into a fatal two-front war. against Hitler could have even more The problem of destroying Hitler 798 FOR THE MILITARY DESTRUCTION OF HITLERISM is a joint one for Great Britain, the ingly filling the earth. The Ameri United States and the U.S.S.R. Aid can people, who are realizing more must be sent where it is most ur and more that the fate of world gently needed, and this means that democracy is now hanging on the the U.S.S.R. must get its full share effectiveness of the Red Army, are at once. Any tendency to play off also beginning to suspect the truth one front against the other is a pro of the ocean of anti-Soviet slander Hitler tendency, and it could have with which they have been deluged the most disastrous effects. for over twenty years. They are turning an honestly inquisitive ear * * * toward the country that has pro There are others who, recogniz duced such a splendid fighting force ing the menace of Hitlerism and as that which is now heroically com desiring its destruction, say, "Let's bating Hitler's plans for word con help both Great Britain and quest. The circulation of a couple of the U.S.S.R.," and then they launch million more copies of the Dean of into a tirade to the effect that Stalin Canterbury's famous book, The is as bad as or worse than Hitler. Soviet PoweT, now being sold for This is a favorite slant of the bour five cents a copy, will go far to geois press and the radio comment ward giving them the information ators. We also find the Executive about the U.S.S.R. which they are Council of the A. F. of L. express so eagerly seeking. ing the same idea. Do not such Finally, there are those elements people realize that by this line they who are spreading the "all measures only add grist to the mill of the ap short of war" illusion. Many of peasers? For when people have con these people (see the recent Auto stantly dinned into their ears the Workers' convention, for example), falsehood that the Soviet Union is honestly want to fight Hitler, but cut from the same cloth as Nazi they unwisely try to set limits to the Germany, naturally their willing degree of the fight they will make ness to aid the U.S.S.R. is damp against him, which is all very pleas ened. This is precisely what is ing to the American agents and wanted by Mr. Hitler and his Amer friends of Hitler. The advocates of ican Quislings-the Hearsts, Lind the "all measures short of war" berghs, Norman Thomases, etc. The slogan overlook two very vital facts. lumping together of communism First, they ignore the reality that and fascism is an infamous lie, and Mr. Hitler, now out to conquer the it is especially the job of the Com world, also has a deciding vote as to munists to prove it to be such. We whether or not the United States must convince the masses that the will enter the shooting stage of the U.S.S.R. is the strongest bastion of war. Therefore, for any group in world freedom and also that ·in its this country to say that it will use socialist system is to be found the all methods against Hitler except only final answer to the wars, hun war is to adopt an unrealistic at ger and fascism with which the titude and to play into his hands. rotting capitalist system is increas- Secondly, they ignore the fact FOR THE MILITARY DESTRUCTION OF HITLERISM 799 that, although the United States is lusion, and similar pro-Hitler ideas not yet fully a "shooting" belliger and propaganda. The master weap ent, it is already deeply in the war. on to combat this type of fifth col We may be perfectly sure that Mr. umn propaganda effectively is to Hitler considers it to be war against make clear to the American people Nazi Germany when this country how the whole character of the war gives huge quantities of planes, has been changed by the involve ships, guns and food to Great Brit ment of the U.S.S.R. What before ain, when it promises to help the was an imperialist war has now be U.S.S.R., when it occupies Green come a war for the freedom and in land and Iceland; when it holds dependence of all nations and peo what are virtually war conferences ples. By his attack on the U.S.S.R. with the representatives of Great Hitler is trying to demolish the Britain, the U.S.S.R. and China; main fortress of world democracy, and when it takes one drastic step thereby enormously jeopardizing after another to checkmate Hitler's the liberty and well-being of all aggressions. We may also be certain peoples, including those of the that when Hitler deems the time United States. Moreover, with the ripe he will reply to such measures U.S.S.R. now in the war, there ex by waging open warfare against us. ists the prospect of a decisive vic Daily Hitler's offensive against this tory over Hitlerism and a guarantee country takes on sharper forms. of a genuinely d~mocratic peace. Already his Axis partner, Japan, Once the American people under has advanced to the very brink of stand more definitely the changed war with us. Those who would de character of the war and the vital fend the interests of the American significance that it now holds for people in this world, when the Nazi them, the sooner they will over tiger is on the loose, must not hand come their lingering confusion and cuff the country with the slogan hesitation. They will then be pre "all measures short of war." The pared to adopt every means neces true watchword for our people in sary for the destruction of Hitler. these critical days is "every meas ure necessary for the military de * * struction of Hitler!" * For the successful building of In his attack upon the Soviet national unity against Hitler it is Union Hitler has made two major necessary to liquidate isolationism, miscalculations. Properly utilized the illusion that a negotiated peace by the democratic peoples, these with Hitler is possible, the deadly basic errors can be made to bring notion that the Red Army alone can about his downfall. The first of Hit do all the fighting against Nazi Ger ler's mistakes in his campaign many, the proposition of aiding against the U.S.S.R. was to under Britain but not the Soviet Union, estimate grossly the fighting capac of favoring aid to the U.S.S.R., but ity of the Red Army and the So of denouncing it in the same breath, viet people. He and his generals, like the "all measures short of war" de- many so-called experts in other I(J(I FOR THE MILITARY DESTRUCTION OF HITLERISM capitalist countries, thought, the tred of Nazism. He thought that all Soviet Union would be a pushover he had to do was to. proclaim a for the German army; that the war holy crusade against Bolshevism, would be a matter of only a few whereupon the peoples of Great weeks at most. Instead, Hitler has Britain and the United States, as run into a resolute and powerful well as those of lesser countries, resistance. He is shattering the elite would either join hands with him of his fascist forces and destroying against the U.S.S.R. or, at least, the best of his war material upon would give Germany a free hand to the granite of Soviet resistance. assail the W{)rld's first socialist state. Meanwhile, behind him the peoples But the peoples of this and other of the occupied countries, taking countries have come to learn the heart from the Red Army's valiant treachery, brutality and barbarism fight, are beginning to stir in the of the Nazi regime. Moreover, they revolt that will eventually grow cannot be caught with the bait of into a major factor in the wiping anti-Sovietism. Hence, instead of out of Hitlerism. The Moscow cor joining up with Hitler in his so respondent of the Chicago Daily called anti-Bolshevik crusade, they N.ews, reflecting present world mili are rapidly building a powerful in tary opinion, declared in the issue ternational front to destroy him. of August 18 that the Soviet-Ger It is also our task to help make man war was going to be a long, this second great error of Hitler's hard one, saying "Adolph Hitler a potent cause in his undoing. The terribly miscalculated Soviet mo American people should insist that rale." their government join in full collab It is our task, that of the Com oration with the U.S.S.R. and Great munist Party as well as of the rest Britain; that it aid and stimulate of the American people, to help the resistance of China and all other make Hitler's miscalculations of peoples fighting against fascism; Soviet strength fatal to him, by that it take all necessary steps, sending limitless quantities of mu jointly with the growing interna nitions to the U.S.S.R. and by de tional front, to wipe the pest of Hit manding that the United States and lerism from the face of the earth. Great Britain create a great West The only way to defend America ern front, one that will catch Nazi effectively is by collaborating with Germany in the death trap of a all other anti-Nazi peoples, immedi two-front war. ately and with all our power, mili Hitler's second major miscalcula tarily to annihilate Hitler and to tion in his anti-Soviet war was his smash his whole monstrous murder underestimation of the world ha- machine. WITH ALL POSSIBLE CLARITY BY JOSE DIAZ Foreword by Robert Minor HE document we republish here lems. No ready-made formula de T in translation* is a letter sent by rived from a past experience call Jose Diaz, General Secretary of the ever serve as a substitute for a con Communist Party of Spain, on be crete study of problems of the pres half of the Political Bureau of that ent. The situation today is not iden Party, to the editors of the Party's tical with that of Spain in March. newspaper, Mundo Obrero, at Ma 1938, where a democratic revolu drid, in order to correct a serious tion had recently overthrown both political error that paper had made. a monarchy and one military fas It was an error of confusion as cist dictatorship, and had left' a to the nature of the war in which residue of class relationships ob Spain was engaged. The Popular viously dissimilar to those we have Front of Spain included various to deal with. The united national classes and different political par front which we demand today in ties, and two trade union federa America for its defense against the tions of conflicting general views, Nazi aggression is not identical with all of which were united for the the Popular Front of Spain. But we single common purpose of defending have a lesson to learn about our the republican and democratic re present problems in studying this gime from the fascist attack. The historic Spanish document. Our Mundo Obrero momentarily lost problems have some basic charac sight of the character of the war, teristics in common with theirs. The and of the nature of the People's issue today, as in Spain in 1938, is Front that was indispensable to the not a socialist revolution, but a successful conduct of the struggle. united defense of our country and By improvising its own speculative its democracy against German fas ideas as to the objectives of the war, cist enslavement. Today, also, to the Mundo Obrero tended very dan at least the same degree, any con gerously to narrow down the basis fusion as to the character of the of the common struggle at the war, any errors that tend to narrow very moment when it was most down the broad basis of mass sup necessary to broaden that basis. port of the defense of the country This historic document is repub -expressing the unity of the nation lished because of its clarifying ef -may bring irreparable harm. fect upon our present-day prob- The spirit in which the Spanish Communist Party faced its prob • Originally published in the Frente Rojo ("Red Front") ''of March 30, 1938. lems is one we can emulate. 801 802 WITH ALL POSSIBLE CLARITY O THE Editors of Mundo Ob order to hurl back from the soil of T rero: our country the barbarous German Dear Comrades: In the M•u.ndo and Italian invaders. They are fight Obrero, issue of March 23, there ing because they do not wish to appears an article which it is see Spain transformed into a fas necessary emphatically to call to cist colony. They are fighting be your attention and that of the Party cause they do not want Spain to be as a whole. The article begins by fascist. They are fighting for saying that "everything which tends liberty, in defense of the democratic to confuse the masses should be and republican regime, which is the clarified with the utmost care." The legal government of our country, correctness of this statement no one and which is the one that affords can deny; and it is precisely for the broadest opportunities for social this reason that I deem it necessary progress. to address this letter to you, after The Communist Party, which is, reading your article and coming along with the Socialist, the party upon such a statement as the fol of the working class of Spain, has lowing: not and cannot have any interests " ..• We cannot say, as one news and objectives other than those of paper does, that the onLy satisfac the people as a whole. Our Party tory outcome of the war in which has never thought that the outcome we are engaged is that Spain shouLd of this war would be the setting end by being neither fascist nor up of a Communist regime. If the Communist, mereLy because France working masses, the peasants and wouLd have it so." the urban petty bourgeoisie follow I do not know what newspaper us and like us, it is because they it is that is the object of your po know that we are the staunchest lemic. It is possible that the paper in defenders of national independence, question is edited by persons hos freedom and the republican Consti tile to our Party, who do not un tution. Such a defense is the basis, derstand very well the problems of the very content, of our entire pol this war; but the statement that icy of unity and the Popular Front. "the only satisfactory outcome of And it would be a very serious the war in which we are engaged thing, one we cannot permit to hap is that Spain should end by being pen, if within the ranks of our neither fascist nor Communist" is Party there should develop-! shall absolutely correct and exactly cor not say any vacillation but, rather, responds to the position of our the slightest lack of clarity on this Party. question, particularly at the present It is necessary to repeat, in order moment, when a maximum unity of that there may not be the least lin the people is needed to meet the gering doubt on the subject: the furious onslaught of the foreign in Spanish peopLe in this war are fight vaders. In our country today there ing for their nationaL independence exist certain objective conditions and for the defense of the demo which render imperative, in the in cratic repubLic. They are fighting in terest of all the people, the con- WITH ALL POSSIBLE CLARITY 803 tinuance and strengthening of a our relations with the Republican, democratic regime; the conditions Socialist, and other popular anti do not exist which would permit us fascist forces are concerned. to think of setting up a Communist There is another point in your ar regime. ticle which it is necessary to clarify, To raise the question of setting namely, the one which has to do up a Communist regime would with the relation of the democratic mean to divide the people; for a countries of Europe and America to Communist regime would not be ac the Spanish people and their ceptable to all Spaniards, nor any struggle. You assert that "the Span thing like it, and our Party will ish people will conquer against the never do anything to divide the peo opposition of capitalism." Such an ple, but rather, since the beginning assertion might be interpreted as a of the war, has struggled with all declaration of faith in the inex the forces at its disposal to unite haustible energy of our people; but, them, to unite all Spaniards in the politically, it also does not corres fight for freedom and national in pond either to the present situation dependence. I will go further. I or to the policy of our Party and will say that, at a moment like the that of the Communist Interna present, when our task is to mobil tional. In my report to the Novem ize the people to the last man for a ber plenum of our Central Commit supreme resistance, by way of meet tee, I said: ing the invaders' offensive, a resist "There is a ground upon which ance which is the necessary condi all democratic states can meet for tion for our own counter-offensive joint action. It is the ground of de and ultimate victory-at such a mo fending their own existence against ment, if we were to think of any the aggressor who confronts all: fas change in our Party's tactics, it cism; it is the ground of self-de ought to be not with the object of fense against the war which threat restricting the basis of popular ens aU.'' unity, but rather with the object In speaking of "all the democratic of broadening that base. This unity states," we were not thinking of the should take in important layers of Soviet Union alone, where a social the population which, in the Rebel ist democracy exists, but we were zone, are under the yoke and, it thinking as well of France, England, may be, under the influence of fas Czechoslovakia, the United States, cist propaganda; it should take in etc., which are democratic countries, all Spaniards who do not want to be but capitalistic ones. We want those the slaves of a barbarous foreign states to aid us; we feel that, in dictatorship. aiding us, they are defending their This is the first point which it own interests; we endeavor to make was necessary to clear up; and from them understand this, and solicit the manner in which we raise the their aid. question, all the Party organizations The position that you adopt in should draw their own conclusions, your article is a very different and in so far as our policy of unity and an incorrect one. The mistake lies 804 WITH ALL POSSIBLE CLARITY in forgetting the international char aid, cannot but meet with our ap acter of our struggle, which is a proval. struggle against fascism, that is to How is it that the Mu.ndo Obrero say, against the most reactionary came to adopt a false position on sector of capitalism, the provokers questions of such importance? It of a new and terrible world war, may be the result of a mistaken the enemies of peace and of the interpretation of the correct posi freedom of peoples. tion adopted by our Party these last We know that the fascist aggres few weeks, in mobilizing all its sors in every country will find sup forces to denounce and exterminate port in certain bourgeois groups, by the root any lurking intent of such as the British Conservatives capitulation or compromise, while and the Rightists in France; but fas at the same time demanding an en cist aggression develops in such a ergetic policy for carrying on the manner that, in a country like war, one in keeping with the grav France, for example, national inter ity of the situation. This struggle est alone should suffice to convince should continue, and shall continue. all freedom-loving men, and those But this position of our Party does who care for the independence . of not mean, and could not in any way their counify, of the necessity of mean, any change of attitude on our opposing such aggression. And there part, with respect to our appraisal does not exist today any more effi of the character of our revolution, cacious means of opposing it than or our estimate of the international by lending concrete aid to the peo situation and our own policy of ple of Spain. Every self-respecting unity. On the contrary, everything Frenchman can and should be made that we seek is in the interest of to understand that, in Spain, it is the people and of the prosecution of France's independence also that is the war. On this point, all anti being fought for, and that for all we fascists can and should agree with know, the fate of France may be de us; or better yet: all Spaniards cided on the fields of Aragon. who want to see this war end with The manner in which you raise the victory of our fatherland and the question would inevitably lead the defeat of the fascist invaders. to our limiting once more the scope The Party's task, based upon this of our struggle, at the very moment premise, consists in drawing closer when it is imperative to broaden it. the bonds of unity among all the The task of organizing international anti-fascist sectors. Today more aid for Spain in this tragic instant than ever: nothing that interferes of world history is incumbent prin with unity, and everything that may cipally upon the international achieve the broadest and firmest working class and its organizations; unity of the people that is possible. but any means which may be taken For this reason, my dear editorial to convince other non-working friends of Mu.ndo Obrero, we must class forces, of the petty bourgeoisie avoid raising in a false or confused and the democratic and liberal manner questions which long since bourgeoisie, of the ne.cessity of such should have been clear to all of us. THE NEGRO PEOPLE AND THE FIGHT FOR JOBS BY THEODORE R. BASSETT HE demand :for jobs emerged as lynching and anti-poll tax legis T a major issue among the Negro lation and for jobs in the public people in 1933. Taking shape against utilities and private industry in gen-• the background of the general crisis era!. The mass movement of the of capitalism, this demand was an Negro people around these issues outgrowth of the profound economic now merged with the struggle for crisis of 1929-33, which wrought jobs in the defense industries and great havoc among the Negro for equality in vocational training masses. With the outbreak of the which now became the main de war in 1939, the already intolerable mands of the Negro people. The economic conditions of the Negro growing indignation of the Negroes masses became aggravated. War found vent in numerous ways. production rapidly expanded and James W. Ford, Communist Vice was becoming dominant in our na- , Presidential candidate in the 1940 tional economy. But the big monop campaign, boldly proclaimed that olies, holding the lion's share of the the treatment of the Negro people government contracts for airplanes, was the test of any democratic pro guns, tanks, artillery and other war gram :for the welfare of the entire materials, established a nationwide nation and evoked a warm response boycott against Negro labor. Dis from broad strata of the Negro peo crimination was rampant in the vo ple. This response, which was indi cational program. At the same time, cated in the growing upsurge of the work relief was drastically cur Negro masses, had a great influence tailed, the Southern agrarian econ upon the mass movement of the omy suffered further dislocations. Negro people. This situation confronted the Negro New organizations and commit people with a grave and unprece tees came into being around this dented crisis in their economic life. demand for jobs and against dis crimination in the defense program. The Negro Masses Demand Jobs A number of national conferences and Equality were held. On November 17 a con An upsurge developed among the vention held in Washington formed Negro people affecting millions. The the National Negro Council; on No Negro masses had fought deter vember 25 and 26 the Hampton minedly for the passage of the anti- Conference was held at Hampton 805 those those associated associated with with Randolph Randolph in in row row framework framework designed designed for for the the march march began began in in the the Spring. Spring. Among Among movement movement broke broke through through the the nar forces. forces. Active Active organization organization for for the the among among labor labor and and the the people, people, the the and and for for equality equality in in the the armed armed the the Left Left and and progressive progressive forces forces a a "March "March on on Washington" Washington" for for jobs jobs Bolstered Bolstered by by the the participation participation of of Randolph Randolph put put forward forward the the idea idea for for fore fore the the Negro Negro masses. masses. cooperation cooperation wih wih labor, labor, A. A. Phillip Phillip burning burning and and fundamental fundamental issues issues be growing growing unity unity and and its its trend trend toward toward demand demand of of the the march march with with other other Negro Negro mass mass movement, movement, with with its its by by labor, labor, and and linking linking up up the the main main In In this this situation situation of of the the rising rising among among the the Negro Negro people, people, buttressed buttressed these these struggles. struggles. a a united united movement movement of of all all forces forces the the Negro Negro proletariat proletariat stood stood out out in in equality equality in in the the armed armed forces, forces, into into differential differential around around in in coal. coal. the the The The single single militancy militancy issue issue of of of of jobs jobs and and breakdown breakdown narrow, narrow, of of the the separatist separatist southern southern wage wage movement movement the the Ford Ford was was plant, plant, to to transform transform and and the the the the partial partial march march from from a a powerful powerful citadel citadel it. it. The The of of object object the the open open of of the the shop, shop, Communists Communists ments ments were were the the the the organization organization organization organization of of of of the the that that masses masses for for of of workers. workers. Outstanding Outstanding achieve march march and and actively actively participated participated in in geoisie, geoisie, and and Communist Communist organized organized Party Party new new millions millions supported supported the the wage-cutting wage-cutting and and offensive offensive the the people people of of the the supported supported bour it. it. The The historic historic victories, victories, gress, gress, and and beat beat progressives progressives back back the the among among labor labor Congress, Congress, the the Southern Southern gaged gaged Youth Youth in in mighty mighty Con struggles, struggles, scored scored ered ered around around it. it. The The try. try. National National Labor Labor Negro Negro during during this this period period en movement movement of of the the Negro Negro taking taking people people place place gath throughout throughout the the coun march. march. Nevertheless, Nevertheless, Big Big the the great great local local mass mass struggles struggles for for jobs jobs were were tional tional scale. scale. around around the the organization organization of of the the veloped veloped toward toward Communist Communist mass mass unity unity atmosphere atmosphere on on a a na was was set set up up equality. equality. A A noted noted pronounced pronounced also also that that trend trend a a pronounced pronounced de anti issued issued a a of of ringing ringing organized organized call call for for labor. labor. jobs jobs and and should should be be It It any any white white organizations, organizations, Co. Co. On On even even May May those those 27, 27, 160 160 Negro Negro leaders leaders spirit, spirit, excluding excluding the the participation participation for for Negroes Negroes of of at at the the Glenn Glenn L. L. Martin Martin ized ized in in a a narrow, narrow, timore timore nationalist nationalist April April 27 27 conference conference for for jobs jobs however, however, the the march march standing standing was was among among organ which which was was the the Bal number number of of national national local local conferences, conferences, scale. scale. Unfortunately, Unfortunately, out Committees Committees were were set set National National up up on on Negro Negro a a Congress Congress held held a a lem. lem. "March "March on on was was Washington" Washington" held, held, also also in in Washington. Washington. The The utive utive Secretary, Secretary, Y.M.C.A. Y.M.C.A. councils councils of of of of Har national national organizations organizations People, People, and and Henry Henry under under K. K. Craft, Craft, the the Exec auspices auspices of of the the Chicago Chicago for for the the Advancement Advancement of of of of Negro Negro Colored Colored national national organizations organizations March March 27 27 tive tive and and Secretary, Secretary, 28, 28, 1941, 1941, a a National National conference conference Association Association ban ban League; League; Walter Walter Defense, Defense, White, White, Execu in in Washington; Washington; and and on on Executive Executive Secretary, Secretary, ticipation ticipation National National of of Ur Negroes Negroes in in National National pices pices of of the the ice; ice; Committee Committee Lester Lester B. B. for for Granger, Granger, the the Par Assistant Assistant sory sory Committee Committee for for Selective Selective Conference Conference Serv was was held held under under the the aus vember vember 29 29 Channing Channing Pittsburgh Pittsburgh the the H. H. Courier Courier Tobias, Tobias, of of the the Advi sponsoring sponsoring the the march march Institute, Institute, were were Hampton, Hampton, Dr. Dr. Virginia; Virginia; on on No 806 806 ':{.'HE ':{.'HE NEGRO NEGRO PEOPLE PEOPLE AND AND THE THE FIGHT FIGHT FOR FOR JOBS JOBS THE NEGRO PEOPLE AND THE FIGHT FOR JOBS 807 march by Randolph and his fellow Negro Job Discrimination and the initiators, and compelled President Fight Against Hitlerism Roosevelt to issue the Executive Order calling for the abolition of The President's Order was issued Negro job discrimination in the de three days after the brutal assault fense industries and in the voca of Hitler fascism on the Soviet tional training program. Union. Hence the struggle for its en Note should be taken, however, forcement and implementation goes of such shortcomings of the Order on in the new situation of the as failure to provide penalties for changed character of the war, violations, failure to apply retro bringing new aspects of the prob actively to $16,000,000,000 of exist lem to the fore. This change in the ing contracts, and failure to apply character of the war, however, in specifically against discrimination in no wise lessens the importance of Federal agencies in general, par this struggle. On the contrary, it ticularly in the Army and Navy. brings forward the question more The Order authorized the estab sharply for solution now as a cen lishment of a Committee of Fair tral issue of the national front for Employment Practices, to be ap the defeat of Hitlerism. pointed by the President. The six Our national defense against the man committee consists of David Nazi menace demands an enormous Sarnoff, President of the Radio Cor increase in the production of war poration of America; Earl B. Dick material, of airplanes, guns and erson, Chicago Alderman; Mark F. tanks. Immediate aid must be given Ethridge, Chairman of the commit to the U.S.S.R., Britain and all na tee, Vice-President and general tions battling against Hitlerism, manager of the Louisville C01Lrier through the full implementation of Journal; Philip Murray, President the declared policy of the Roosevelt of the Congress of Industrial Or Administration. The 15,000,000 ganizations; Milton P. Webster, Negro people of the U.S.A. bear a Vice-President of the Brotherhood deep and implacable hatred of fas of Sleeping Car Porters; and Wil cism. Their indignation rose to great liam Green, President of the Ameri heights during the barbaric and un can Federation of Labor. Of these, provoked assault of Italian fascism two--Dickerson and Webster-are on the Ethiopian people. The Ne Negro. groes want to annihilate Hitler and Despite its shortcomings, the Hitlerism. Manpower in production Order constituted without doubt an is now a life and death question. important victory, not only for the Yet millions of powerful black Negro people, but for the whole hands, eager to produce for the na labor movement and all progres tional defense, for the defeat of sives. The canceling of the march Hitlerism, are chained by the Hit by the initiators after the issuance ler-like boycott against Negro labor. of the Presidential Order was The fight for jobs for Negroes strongly and justifiably resented by is a struggle to use the productive broad sections of the masses. power of the nation; to employ the 808 THE NEGRO PEOPLE AND THE FIGHT FOR JOBS full resources of our country, the front. It is a struggle against Hit mills, the mines and factories, to lerite practice and ideology in the make the United States in truth a U.S.A., a struggle against the ap mighty arsenal of democracy in peasers of Hitler, against the reac order to guarantee the extermina tionary monopolists who place their tion of fascism. narrow, selfish interests above the Our national defense against Hit welfare of the nation. ler-fascism demands guarding and It is not at all strange, there constantly improving the standards fore, that the appeasers of Hitler, of the people, preserving and broad the camp of Lindbergh, Hearst, ening the democratic liberties of the Coughlin and "Grass Roots" Tal people. A hungry, shackled and dis madge strive to utilize the national united people cannot defend Amer oppression of the Negroes as a ica. The June 28-29 Manifesto of weapon against the further broad the National Committee of the Com ening of our democracy around the munist Party* states: program for the defeat of Hitlerism. It is not at all strange that they HThe true defense of the Ameri seek to incite the whites against the can people against its enemies at Negroes; try to resurrect (of course, home and abroad demands a consci with new content today, i.e., fas entious policy of steady improve ment of the economic standards, cist content) the old flags and battle the health and the general well cries of Reconstruction: "Negro being of the masses. It demands that domination," "White supremacy," the democratic liberties of the peo etc. ple be guarded, preserved and ex These are not aimless gyrations; tended. These are basic requisites they are political shafts directed at for a successful struggle to defeat what reaction considers the weakest German fascism." sector of the anti-Hitler front. The Bourbon survivals expressed But this is only one side of the in the oppression of the Negro peo picture; if, on the one hand, reaction ple lie in the very center of the path and fascism endeavor to utilize the of struggle to maintain and extend national oppression of the Negroes the people's well-being and demo as a weapon against the advance of cratic liberties and to attain full the people's fight against fascism, national unification. on the other hand, history, which The fight for jobs for Negroes demands the speedy solution of this is not only a struggle for the right historical anachronism, this relic of of the Negro masses to live; it is a slavery, has placed squ.arely into the struggle for bettering the living con hands of the working cLass and the ditions and for broadening the anti-Hitler movement a hard-strik democracy of all the people, for un ing weapon directed at one of the leashing the powerful anti-fascist most vulnerable spots of the reac energy of the Negro masses--an tionary pro-Hitler front. important force in the anti-Hitler Moreover, the struggle for jobs for Negroes and for economic equal * Publi.thed in The Communist foe August. ity is an important phase of the na- THE NEGRO PEOPLE AND THE FIGHT FOR JOBS 809 tional liberation struggle of the over indicate that a beginning ~ Negro people. Every advance made being made. toward Negro economic equality in On April 19 the Negro masses in industry accelerates the break-up Harlem, under the leadership of the of the semi-serf agrarian relations United Bus Association and sup in the Black Belt. These pre-capi ported by the Transport Workers' talist survivals constitute the eco Union, forced the Fifth Avenue nomic structure, the material foun Coach Company and the New York dation upon which rests the eco City Omnibus Company to hire nomic, social and political proscrip Negroes. The agreement called for tion of the 15,000,000 Negro people. a minimum of 100 Negro bus driv The break-up of Negro economic ers and 70 maintenance men before inequality greatly undermines the any new white workers would be economic basis of opportunism in hired, following which Negro and the labor movement, it robs the white were to be hired on an equal bourgeoisie of an important source basis until the Negroes constituted of superprofits with which it sup 17 per cent of the total employees. ports the labor aristocracy. The Three organizations combined to bourgeoisie is thus deprived of one form the association-the National of its chief weapons for splitting Negro Congress, the Greater New and retarding the working class York Coordinating Committee for movement. Employment and the Harlem Labor Finally, the fight for jobs for Union. The National Negro Con Negroes is a fight against the de gress, conducting a campaign for classing of the Negro proletariat. 7,000 jobs for Negroes at the Glenn This is a question of paramount im L. Martin Company, recently re portance because the Negro work ported "satisfactory conversations." ing class is destined to play an im Weeks before that, on June 20, the portant role both as an integral part Congress reported 200 Negroes had of the working class and as leader been hired by Martin's. Other firms of the national liberation move altering their employment policy, ment. The break-up of economic in according to the National Urban equality paves the way for the nu League, are Sperry Gyroscope of merical growth of the Negro work Brooklyn and Brewster Aeronaut ing class and a deepening of its ical Corporation of Long Island political consciousness. City. The National Bronze and Aluminum Company of Cleveland is Unity, Key Question of the Negro hiring 500 Negro workers. Paul V. Liberation Movement Today McNutt, Federal Security Adminis trator, reports a 47 per cent increase The mass movement of the Negro in the placement of Negro workers people has already punctured the through state employment offices airtight boycott of the monopolies. during the first five months of 1941 Even though some of the most no over the previous year. torious firms have not yet been These concessions illustrate the crashed, reports from the country power of the Negro people's move- 810 THE NEGRO PEOPLE AND THE FIGHT FOR JOBS ment, strengthened and supported ing the Negro people around a pro by labor. The Negro masses have gram of action for the defeat of taken their place in the front ranks Hitlerism. This organization, which of the forces fighting against Hit arose as a narrow, nationalist or lerism. Closer collaboration of ac ganization, welcomed the collabora tivity between the basic organiza tion of labor and progressive tions of the Negro people, and an forces; adopted a program of aid to increased consciousness and activity the U.S.S.R., Britain, Ethiopia and on the part of labor in connection all peoples battling Hitlerism; de with the demand of the Negro peo manded equality in industry and in ple for jobs can add to the nation's the armed forces, and the passage productive power hundreds of of the Anti-Lynching and Anti thousands of Negro workers to Poll Tax Bills. speed up the production of defense There is today no basic differ material. ence between the varied influential Unity of all the Negro forces, Negro mass organizations which from the top and from below, in the should prevent them from broad co communities, and supported by operative action around the issue of labor, for the enforcement of the job-marching on local plants. The President's Executive Order in local organizational forms of the local plants, is of paramount importance united committees can be of the to the Negro movement and the fight most varied character. In some in against Hitlerism. The achievement stances a March-to-Washington of unity is the central issue before Committee may be the center the Negro movement. This mea'ns around which unity may be estab unity of the whole Negro people, lished; in others, locals of the Na all strata without exception, share tional Committee for Participation croppers, workers, professional and in National Defense; in still others, business men. the National Negro Congress, With the changed situation and N.A.A.C.P. branches, local Urban the developing national front Leagues, or locals of the Ethiopian against Hitlerism, unprecedented World Federation. The main ques possibilities exist for the realiza tion is swift unity of action. tion of a broad national front of The opportunities for unity of the the Negro masses. Negro masses are great; but it will Unity is further facilitated by not be realized automatically. Unity the growth of labor's influence will be achieved only through strug among the Negro middle class or gle, through overcoming the ob ganizations, as evidenced at the re stacles that stand in its way. cent national conference of the Sectarianism is a particularly per National Association for the Ad nicious and tenacious obstacle to vancement of Colored People at Negro unity, and it must be reso Houston, Texas. The recent national lutely combated. Sectarian tenden convention of the Ethiopian World cies have been expressed in a Federation is an excellent illus hesitancy to approach all strata and tration of the possibilities of unit- all organizations of the Negro THE NEGRO PEOPLE AND THE FIGHT FOR JOBS 811 masses for united activity, partic guments of the appeasers have al ularly those circles and individuals ready appeared here and there in that in the previous period adhered the Negro press. George Schuyler, to a policy which hindered unity. In columnist of the Pittsburgh Courier, other cases non-Party forces, main Negro weekly, and Frank Cross ly proletarian, sincerely desiring to waith, Negro Social-Democrat, have effect united action, have hesitated been particularly vocal in this to take the initiative to approach respect. Negro bourgeois and professional Trotskyism, too, is striving to elements. Initiative and boldness in penetrate the nationalist groupings, organizing united action of the Ne with the aim of preventing the gro people by the Communists and broad masses in these organizations all Negro anti-fascists are the from following the path toward urgent need of the hour unity with the anti-Hitler forces, Certain tendencies toward ignor toward which they are moving. ing the danger of the activity of the Thus, a bestial perversion of na appeasement forces among the Ne tionalism parading under the name gro masses have appeared recently. of the "National Organization of One cannot dismiss this danger Negro Youth" has appeared. This lightly, for it would be a serious clique of reactionaries are support mistake to do so. What is necessary ers of Japanese imperialism and is a thorough examination of the Hitler's "New Order." special forms which the activities of The struggle for unity demands these elements and their arguments the merciless exposure and isola take among the Negro people. For tion of these elements. precisely on account of the ad vances, the high level of develop Lessons of the Fight ment and the potentialities of the What is the great lesson of the anti-Hitlerism movement among historical experiences of the past the Negro masses, the reactionary few months for the Negro masses? pro-Hitlerite bourgeoisie is striving For labor? Victory in the fight for and undoubtedly will increase its jobs for Negroes, a fight against en efforts to disrupt the growing unity trenched monopoly, is possibl11 only of the Negro people. The pro-Hitler in unity with the working class. America First Committee is making Support of the Negro community is a bid for Negro support. They have a powerful weapon in the hands of taken steps nationally to organize labor in the struggle against monop the Negro masses. Through Perry oly. The Communists have struggled Howard, Republican National Com for years to realize this idea. That mitteeman from Mississippi, they is why the Negro masses immedi have recently circularized large ately appreciated the role of the numbers of Negro people with their Communists in the successful literature. Norman Thomas is ac struggle for jobs for Negroes on the tively engaged in trying to peddle New York bus lines. They knew the bil of goods of the appeasers that the Communists were a factor among the Negro masses. The ar- in helping to unite the Negro peo- 812 THE NEGRO PEOPLE AND THE FIGHT FOR JOBS ple, that they had helped build the like the color of the Negroes, as some Transport Workers Union, and that Negro leaders assert? Or is it, per they had consistently fought for haps, because discriminating em solidarity between the white and ployers are just "malicious" per Negro workers. They saw that Red sons? No, the most superficial ex baiting was a weapon of the Negro amination of the question reveals hating utility magnates designed to that this is not the case. Tobacco weaken their forces. manufacturers, for example, employ Could greater gains have been Negroes in a wholesale fashion, scored by the Negro people and whereas cotton manufacturers rig labor during that period? Undoubt idly exclude them from the ma edly so, considering the deep indig chines. Both industries are located nation of the Negro masses, their in the South; both are controlled determination to struggle, their un by Wall Street capital. It cannot be derstanding of the issues involved, said that the tobacco manufacturers their willingness to unite with labor are "good" men who don't mind and all progressive forces, includ the Negro's color, while the cotton ing the Communists. Greater gains manufacturers are just the opposite. could have been attained by proper Nor by any stretch of the imagina guidance. Greater gains could un tion can it be said that the employ doubtedly have been scored had pro ers "like" the white workers; for gressive labor more clearly seen the not a single gain has been won by issue involved in the fight. them from the capitalists except by What then was the barrier to this bitter struggle. Moreover, to ascribe guidance? What was lacking? the discrimination against Negroes The advanced forces among the to the simple factor of race or to the Negro people did not as a whole "badness" of individual employers fully appreciate the temper of the weakens the fight for Negro eco Negro masses, nor the need for nomic equality, because it divorces flexibility in directing into proper the problem from its social and eco channels the anger of the N e nomic roots and blurs the real basis gro masses, which was overflow of the deliberate policy of the ruling ing the channels of existing stable monopoly bourgeoisie expressed in organization and giving rise to its nationwide boycott of Negro varied organizations and commit labor. To describe Negro job dis tees. They did not fully appreciate crimination and joblessness as the the trends toward unity among the result of a "race question" also masses or the need and possibility plays into the hands of the reac of unification around a suitable pro tionary chauvinist theories of Hit gram of action. ler and his "scientists," who make race the alpha and omega of social The Basis of Job Discrimination development. Whence springs the discriminatory Can it be the racial expression of policy? Why is the joblessness of the a class question, as the Social Negro people a special problem? Can Democrats are wont to assert? No, it be because the employers do not that is the trail of the petty-bour- THE NEGRO PEOPLE AND THE FIGHT FOR JOBS 813 geois "human nature" formula lower wages, and the Negroea the which divorces the problem from its lowest of all. The last quarter of the fundamental social and economic nineteenth century, the period of roots. the transformation of American in Negro job discrimination and job dustrial capitalism into imperialism, lessness cannot be reduced to a the period of the rise of the labor racial question or racial expression aristocracy and the establishment of ef a class question. its dominant position in the labor The racial features of the Negroes movement, was coincident with the facilitate the discriminatory treat period of the betrayal of the Ne ment meted out to them. The prob groes by the Northern bourgeoisie lem arises out of class exploitation. and their violent extra-legal and But these factors cannot explain the ''constitutional" semi-reinslavement special form of the question among by their former slavemasters. The the Negroes. The essence of the policy of the "labor aristocrats" question lies in nationaL oppression, toward Negroes is part and parcel in the fact that it is a definite phase of their general failure to defend of the economic retardation of the labor's economic interests and Negroes as an oppressed nation. rights. One must make a clear dis Negro job discrimination is a de tinction between such a policy alien liberate policy of the bourgeoisie. to the working class and the real Negro unemployment, as an aggra proletarian policy based on solidarity vated phase of the general problem of all workers, on struggle for a of unemployment growing out of true people's program, for national the general crisis of capitalism in unity in the struggle against Hitler the United Sates, is an expression of ism, for defending labor's economic the national oppression of the Negro interests and rights, of which the people. fight for equality in employment for The maintenance of an economic Negroes is an important aspect. differential between black and Certain Negro leaders pine for white workers is designed to fur the "goodness" of the capitalists of nish an economic basis for winning 1917 who hired Negroes en masse the support of the latter to the and lament the "wickedness" of the American capitalist policy of Negro monopolists of today who boycott national oppression. And here it Negro labor. But the "goodness" must be admitted that Wall Street and "wickedness" in general of em has achieved a measure of success. ployers, the "goodness" of 1917 and The American labor aristocracy is the "wickedness" of 1941, are noth the bearer of this boss policy of ra ing more than the reflection of dif cial prejudice against Negro work ferent aspects of a single unchang ers. They, a small minority of the ing policy of maintaining economic workers, are fed extra crumbs from division between the black and the table of the bourgeoisie which white workers, of preserving the come in part from the oppressed economic base of Negro national Negro people, while the great oppression. masses of the white workers receive In 1915-17 American industry as 814 THE NEGRO PEOPLE AND THE FIGHT FOR JOBS a whole was undergoing unprece nopoly capital. It can, however, be dented and rapid expansion. The finally extirpated only with the so factories were humming with war cialist reorganization of society. orders for the Allied powers. At the The Soviet Union, which has in same time immigration had been corporated in its constitution the cut off by the war and there was a guarantee of the right to work to shortage of labor. The "divide and all, is eloquent testimony of this rule" policy of monopoly capital fundamental solution of the unem then demanded the bringing of hun ployment problem. Article 118 of dreds of thousands of Negroes to the the Stalinist constitution states: North with the object of assuring "Citizens of the U.S.S.R. have the a supply of "cheap" and "docile" right to work, that is, are guaran labor. Importing Negroes from the teed the right to employment and South with their peasant outlook payment for their work in accord and lack of experiences in labor ance with its quantity and quality. struggles aimed at pitting "back "The right to work is ensured by ward" and "revengeful" Negro la the socialist organization of the na bor against struggling white labor. tional economy, the steady growth Today, in 1941, even with the war of the productive forces of Soviet society, the elimination of the pos stimulus in effect for nearly two sibility of economic crises, and the years, American economy has only abolition of unemployment." partly recovered from prolonged stagnation, and there are many mil The Negro people recognize dis lions of unemployed. Moreover, a crimination in employment and factor of singular importance is the training in the defense industry as tremendous growth of the Negro a barbarous, Hitleristic practice. proletariat in organization and in They are attracted to the Soviet maturity and its establishment of Union because it has eradicated na closer ties with progressive labor. tional and racial oppression. What Today, the policy of fostering di under tsarism was a hotbed of na vision in the ranks of the workers tional and racial hatreds is now demands exclusion of Negro work under the Soviet Union a brother ers from industry. It is this cold hood of free and equal nations and impersonal class motivation which peoples. Moreover, the Soviet Union has given rise to the policy of boy has shown the way to solve funda cotting Negro labor, and the exis mentally the unemployment prob tence of aggravated unemployment lem, this peculiarly distressing as a special problem among the feature of the national oppression Negro people. of the American Negroes. This sentiment of the Negro peo The Negro People Look to the ple is admirably expressed by Dr. Lesson of the U.S.S.R. W. E. Burghardt Du Bois, eminent Alleviation of this evil of job Negro scholar, who states: lessness which besets the Negro "Russia more than any other people with such ferocity can now country in the world is making a come about through curbing mo- frontal attack on the problem of THE NEGRO PEOPLE AND THE FIGHT FOR JOBS 815 poverty; and I believe that the or national prejudices; an army problem of poverty is the basic based on the equal status of the problem of our day; conditioning free and fraternal peoples of the all other problems of race, politics, U.S.S.R. They know that the Red industry and creative art." (N. Y. Army is gloriously resisting the Amsterdam N.ews, Feb. 24, 1940.) Nazi hordes on behalf of all hu And more recently, since the manity, in a struggle which, as brutal assault of Hitler fascism on Stalin declared, "will merge with the U.S.S.R.: the struggle of the peoples of Europe and America for their in "The hopes of the modern world dependence, for democratic liber rest on the survival of the new con ties," precisely because of that ception of politics and industry genuine equality, unshakable unity which Russia represents." (N. Y. Amsterdam-Star News, July 26, and real social security which con 1941.) stitute the firm basis for the mag nificent morale of the Red Army. The Negro people know that the Soviet Union has made "life, liberty The Trade Unions and the Fight and the pursuit of happiness" a living reality for all the Soviet peo for Jobs for Negroes ples, a fact which bespeaks the fundamental democratic character The struggle for jobs for Negro of Soviet society. The appeasers, workers, the struggle against job the Lindbergh-Hoover-Hearst-Nor discrimination, is not the task of the man Thomas camp, demagogically Negro people alone. It is a vital task lump communism and fascism to of the anti-Hitler forces generally, gether, prate about the attack of especially of labor. To assure real Hitler on the U.S.S.R. as a "private success, the trade unions must be affair" in which the American peo in the center of this struggle. ple have no stake. The Negro The specific tasks of the unions masses reject these slanders. They are as follows: equally reject the Schuylers and 1. In closed shops where there Crosswaiths who repeat Charlie are no Negroes, efforts should be McCarthy-like the vicious slanders made to place the problem of of the pro-Hitlerites. jobs for Negroes before the union The Negro people are fighting to membership. The purpose of build our defenses and for the right such efforts should be, in the first to bear arms with the manly dig place, to have the union open its nity befitting the democratic tradi membership rolls to Negro workers tions of our country; befitting free for all categories of work within men, citizens of a democracy. They the particular industry, and, sec know that the heroic Red Army is ondly, to secure the cooperation of not just an army of Russians alone the unions in fighting against the but a multi-national army; an army discriminatory policy of the employ without Jim-Crowism, segregation ers. The approach to this problem or any of the ugly practices of racial should be placed on the basis of take take must must unions unions the the carrying carrying Negroes Negroes in in delay delay or or hedging hedging any any ing ing employ shops shops against against unorganized unorganized In In 5. 5. guarantee guarantee a a as as necessary necessary workers. workers. Negro Negro is is be be organizations organizations people's people's Negro Negro may may hirings hirings new new all all the the of of and and percentage percentage groups groups progressive progressive unions, unions, a a example, example, for for that, that, so so trade trade the the by by proposal, proposal, vigilance vigilance Constant Constant 8. 8. this this expression expression concrete concrete plant. plant. to to give give and and departmental departmental both both order order in in demands demands special special to to seniority, seniority, of of consider consider question question the the to to tains tains should should unions unions the the per as as character, character, this this especially especially workers, workers, Negro Negro to to of of industry industry given given each each in in equally equally apply apply situation situation should should contracts contracts the the special special the the upon upon of of Depending Depending provisions provisions ments. ments. the the unions unions all all In In 7. 7. agree new new all all in in expressed expressed be be percentage. percentage. of of must must question question the the raising raising attitude attitude This This jobs. jobs. by by unskilled unskilled again again as as is is well well this this accomplish accomplish to to way way effective effective as as most most The The skilled skilled include include industry. industry. must must aircraft aircraft employment employment the the in in for for especially especially demand demand This This program, program, workers. workers. sionist sionist Negro Negro to to expan present present opened opened be be the the with with should should books books connection connection membership membership in in time time their their present present and and the the at at out out Negroes, Negroes, of of carried carried ployment ployment be be best best can can em the the Negroes Negroes for for of of demands demands employment employment special special advance advance for for struggle struggle should should The The unions unions labor. labor. to to the the support support Negroes, Negroes, no no are are powerful powerful give give can can organization organization for for there there where where shops shops organized organized In In 4. 4. struggle struggle the the with with side side by by side side groes groes practices. practices. Ne for for jobs jobs for for fight fight The The proach. proach. discriminatory discriminatory outlaw outlaw which which rated rated ap this this of of incorpo be be correctness correctness should should the the firm firm clauses clauses tracts tracts con experiences experiences Recent Recent quences. quences. con new new for for negotiations negotiations In In jobs. jobs. conse and and meaning meaning its its ation, ation, skilled skilled workers workers Negro Negro of of tion tion to to situ the the explaining explaining them, them, to to made made promo and and advancement advancement for for fight fight be be appeal appeal the the in in special special a a lead lead the the that that take take rather rather must must but but unions unions the the struggle, struggle, the the for for won won be be can can who who ers ers occupations, occupations, unskilled unskilled to to stricted stricted work white white of of masses masses large large isolate isolate re are are but but employed employed are are Negroes Negroes as as way way a a such such in in raised raised not not to to is is where where and and shop shop closed closed no no is is there there demand demand the the that that taken taken be be should should where where shops shops organized organized In In 3. 3. care care workers, workers, Negro Negro for for ployment ployment discrimination. discrimination. em for for demand demand special special the the raising raising against against clauses clauses constitutions constitutions their their While While groups. groups. progressive progressive other other in in include include to to possible possible where where and and and and organizations organizations Negro Negro unions, unions, resolutions resolutions adopt adopt to to encouraged encouraged the the by by jointly jointly developed developed be be must must be be should should unions unions The The crimination. crimination. struggle struggle the the workers workers Negro Negro ploying ploying dis this this against against fight fight the the in in unions unions em not not shops shops unorganized unorganized In In 6. 6. the the of of support support the the winning winning of of aim aim industry. industry. particular particular the the to to applies applies the the with with approached approached should should ship, ship, be be that that demands demands of of program program positive positive a a leader the the as as well well as as unions, unions, the the by by supplemented supplemented be be and and etc., etc., hours, hours, of of membership membership the the jobs, jobs, unskilled unskilled wages, wages, work, work, of of type type the the clude clude to to restricted restricted are are but but employed employed are are in should should demands demands Such Such industry. industry. Negroes Negroes where where shops shops closed closed In In 2. 2. given given the the in in workers workers all all of of problems problems job. job. the the on on now now workers workers the the related related correctly correctly and and raised raised to to white white of of expense expense the the at at made made not not is is are are workers workers Negro Negro of of problems problems workers workers Negro Negro of of demand demand this this that that specifie specifie the the that that see see to to care care special special doubt doubt no no leave leave to to as as so so hirings, hirings, new new JOBS JOBS FOR FOR FIGHT FIGHT THE THE AND AND PEOPLE PEOPLE NEGRO NEGRO THE THE 816 816 THE NEGRO PEOPLE AND THE FIGHT FOR JOBS 817 out the agreement to hire Negroes. of a vigorous struggle against all 9. The unions should be won for anti-Negro elements who obstruct the support of the Marcantonio Bill the people's fight against fascism. H.R. 3994 now before Congress, It is a fight that must be placed which calls for the penalizing of as a central problem of the union managements recelVmg Federal and tackled consciously in the most money and pursuing a policy of dis serious manner. crimination toward Negro workers. The historic achievements of the 10. The unions must fight for struggle for independence in 1776, equal opportunity for the training the fight for the abolition of chattel of Negro workers for all categories slavery in 1861, and all the gains of work, through apprenticeship, of labor and the people in the en the Federal and state vocational suing period are at stake in the program and the National Youth present decisive democratic strug Adminiiltration. gle- for the defense of the nation 11. The unions and other progres from the Nazi menace. The Com sive movements should carry on an munist Party, in bringing forward aggressive educational campaign boldly the fight for Negro equality among the white workers, explain in the U.S.A., has made unique con ing to them the full significance of tributions to the advance of the the employment of Negroes. American labor movement and to Joint councils should be estab the extension of American demo lished, consisting of labor leaders cratic liberties. Greater tasks in the and representatives of the Negro struggle for the national liberation people, bringing these problems to movement of the Negro people face the very center of trade union ac the Communists today. The Com tivity, such as has been set up in munist Party, the Party of Browder Cleveland. Labor must help build and Foster, trained in the teachings and strengthen the progressive or of Marx, Engels, Lenin and Stalin, ganizations of the Negro people. fully confident of the realization of This fight for jobs, which demands a the national front for an aU-out consistent proletarian approach, can effort to destroy Hitlerism, will live be carried forward only on the basis up to these tasks. TWO QUESTIONS ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN UNDER CAPITALISM BY A. LANDY I rade Browder had noted that in a special speech to women during the F EVER women had need and Presidential election campaign of I cause to participate in the great 1940. It was only natural, therefore, historical struggles of society, it is that the discussion that developed today, when Hitler, the greatest at that time on certain questions af menace to the freedom and equality fecting work among women met with of woman, has let loose his hordes more than usual interest in our against the whole world. The his- ranks. That discussion narrowed it toric developments of ~e past few self down to a few abstract thea months, following Hitler's attack retical questions on the utility f1f against the Soviet Union, have pro- housework and the economic func duced vast new reasons for even tion of the housewife. But behind greater efforts to arouse the millions it was the bigger question of how to of women in defense of their inter- activize the millions of proletarian ests. It has simultaneously opened and lower middle-class housewives up even greater possibilities to ac- in the great historic struggles con complish this than ever before. fronting the American people. Today the women's movement has If, prior to June 22, the real ques broader issues and greater tasks tion requiring discussion was how than at any time-tasks common to to transform these millions of wo all sections of women in the United men into. an active political force, that States, the millions of employed question today assumes even greater women, the even greater millions urgency. If two months ago argu of working class housewives, the ments about the usefulness of work toiling women of city and farm, the in the home were hardly an ade professional and middle class quate basis for developing the mul women. tiple issues of struggle arising out Even prior to June 22, when the of the home, such arguments are whole world situation underwent even less helpful today when the a historic change, the war had dominant issues before all women given the question of work among are of the broadest political char women a particular urgency. Com- acter and the arena of struggle is 818 STATUS OF WOMEN UNDER CAPITALISM 819 as wide as the nation and as broad arise from mistaking the trend for as the whole world. the end result, from thinking that However, there can be no doubt the tendency to transform the that the first thing that has to be housewife into an industrial worker done in any serious effort to activ eliminates at one blow the status of ize the majority of women is to housewife and the problems con overcome the traditional underesti nected with the home. mation of work among the house The way to overcome this under wives. Despite the gratifying ad estimation is not by providing a set vances registered by the labor of arguments that appear to be movement in this respect during the more "friendly" to the housewife's past few years, this underestimation status, that seem to affirm and is so deep-rooted that only the most strengthen her position as a house conscious struggle against it can wife. The first requirement for help eliminate it. That struggle can overcoming this· underestimation is be won because life itself is pro to be absolutely clear as to what viding all the necessary conditions the basis is for such work. And the for its achievement. Events have basis for work among housewives is unquestionably prepared millions of to be found in the fact that they women in the home for eager and have real needs arising from the active participation in the soluion conditions imposed by capitalism of the political and social tasks be upon the workers' and toiers' fore the nation. homes. This basis is not to be found It is true that when you tell some in the housewife's alleged economic people that the usefulness of house function of helping to reproduce work is neither here nor there they labor power. It is not to be found will immediately seize on this as a in her usefulness to capitalism or in justification for underestimating the the dignity of her work in the home. need for work among the millions To look for it along that road is of housewives in America. But what useless and a serious mistake, the is the theoretical source of the dan roots of which lie in the failure to ger of such underestimation? Ob hold fast to the contradictions of viously it is not in the recognition capitalist society, to the material that capitalism is more and more factors of change and development taking women into industry. Such as the source of struggle. The only underestimation could only arise result of such an error is to glorify from a failure to understand the and exaggerate the social role of the process that is involved in any such housewife and substitute "symbolic" tendency, a process which still description for exact scientific de leaves millions of housewives who termination of the real relationships. will never be involved in industry It must be said that this is the road under capitalism, while at the same to Right opportunist mistakes and time the millions of women wage to a loss of perspective as to the earners are not freed from the primary role of the proletariat em chores of the home. It could only ployed directly in industry, and shoemaker. shoemaker. handicraft handicraft the the by by of of significance significance theoretical theoretical The The spent spent time time the the of of fraction fraction tiny tiny a a in in shoes shoes of of pair pair same same the the make make can can try try Approaches Approaches Two Two indus modern modern that that fact fact the the of of view view grow. grow. struggle struggle in in necessary necessary socially socially from from far far was was of of issues issues immediate immediate the the which which expended expended labor labor the the that that remains remains of of out out ground ground fact fact the the the the but but are are it, it, in in shoes, shoes, those those formed formed of of use use good good per work work the the of of dignity dignity or or fulness fulness make make certainly certainly can can Someone Someone hand. hand. use the the not not and and capitalism, capitalism, under under by by shoes shoes of of pair pair a a making making days days two two home home the the spent spent wih wih has has who who connected connected misery misery shoemaker shoemaker a a and and of of labor labor difficulties difficulties the the the the is is So So useful. useful. Similarly, Similarly, is is work work socialism. socialism. housewife's housewife's by by a a replaced replaced that that be be must must Granted Granted and and socialism. socialism. fulness fulness for for ment ment use its its argu outlived outlived an an has has as as capitalism capitalism uselessness uselessness that that utter utter its its of of evidence evidence further further only only is is it it from from speak speak to to not not demands, demands, practical practical of of her her freeing freeing of of program program a a of of possibilities possibilities formulation formulation material material the the for for or or the the despite despite society society in in drudgery drudgery to to position position demned demned housewife's housewife's the the con is is housewife housewife the the that that fact fact of of analysis analysis scientific scientific the the for for either either The The socialism. socialism. for for importance importance need need the the special special no no regards regards of of is is fact fact as as and and demands demands immediate immediate of of gram gram this this that that self-evident self-evident also also is is it it But But pro a a regards regards as as both both conclusions conclusions useful. useful. are are activities activities important important draw draw to to possible possible is is it it these these that that therefore, therefore, self-evident, self-evident, is is that that useful, useful, is is housework housework that that ment ment capitalism. capitalism. by by imposed imposed It It conditions conditions state inconsequential inconsequential and and bare bare the the the the under under family family the the of of functioning functioning from from not not and and fact, fact, this this from from is is It It the the to to contribute contribute which which tivities tivities ciety. ciety. ac certain certain performs performs housewife housewife the the so of of achievements achievements technical technical the the all, all, After After people. people. these these to to work work such such of of view view in in unnecessary unnecessary is is capitalism capitalism of of usefulness usefulness the the of of question question no no be be under under housework housework of of characteristic characteristic can can there there that, that, does does it it that that extent extent drudgery drudgery individual individual the the of of most most the the to to and and people, people, of of group group a a of of it it that that said said be be must must here here And And forces. forces. wants wants the the satisfies satisfies it it that that fact fact the the of of productive productive the the of of development development the the virtue virtue by by useful useful is is useful. useful. is is work work It It by by achieved achieved level level technical technical the the wih wih housewife's housewife's the the course course Of Of home. home. accord accord in in performed performed is is work work this this the the in in work work woman's woman's of of usefulness usefulness whether whether is is question question legitimate legitimate only only the the concerns concerns question question first first The The The The character. character. useful useful a a of of be be will will work work such such that that and and another, another, or or way way II II one one in in done done be be will will housework housework and and made made be be will will shoes shoes that that obvious obvious is is months. months. recent recent in in debate debate of of ject ject it it shoes, shoes, wear wear and and homes homes have have ple ple sub the the been been have have that that questions questions peo as as long long as as For, For, society. society. in in sary sary two two the the examining examining by by this this amplify amplify neces is is shoes shoes of of production production the the or or to to aims aims discussion discussion following following The The home home the the in in work work whether whether of of sense sense home. home. the the of of the the in in not not this, this, and and necessary, necessary, cially cially defense defense the the in in instrument instrument primary primary so is is performed performed work work the the whether whether the the as as class class working working the the of of tions tions is is therefore, therefore, question, question, real real The The organiza economic economic the the of of all all above above CAPITALISM CAPITALISM UNDER UNDER WOMEN WOMEN OF OF STATUS STATUS 820 820 STATUS OF WOMEN UNDER CAPITALISM 821 this is evident the moment we ex nurseries, free lunches for school amine into the nature of the two children and a host of other issues different approaches involved here. arising out of the maintenance of No one, of course, is merely inter the home. All these demands derive ested in establishing academically their force from the physical needs whether housework is useful or not. of the housewives and their fami The question is whether by empha lies, from the fact that society has sizing this fact and taking it as the the material resources to meet these point of departure in an approach demands, and from the even more to the housewives it will be possible vital fact that the capitalist produc to involve millions of housewives in tion relations stand between the the people's struggles. The answer toilers and these resources. It is ob to this is contained in the very vious that if, in their struggle to essence of Marxist theory, which live, there were no need for the teaches us that both the struggle for mass of the people to overcome cer immediate demands and the social tain restrictions imposed upon them ist reconstruction of society have a by the capital-wage labor relation common source in the contradictions ship, there would be no demands inherent in capitalist society. These and no struggle. If the millions of contradictions alone are the source housewives, as members of the of mass struggle and they rest on working class and toiling popula the solid foundation of the material tion, were not circumscribed by the productive forces of society. Thus conditions of the capitalist exploita to help the millions of women, the tion of labor-in short, if there were majority of whom are housewives, no contradictions between their to take part in the struggle for im struggle to live and the socio-eco mediate demands and to learn the nomic conditions in which this need for socialism from their own struggle takes place, there would be experiences in this struggle, we no need of activizing these millions must base our teachings and activity of women. It is only in this contra on the contradiction between the diction that the struggle for the material possibilities for their lib housewives' demands can be theo eration provided by modern indus retically or even practically try and the subjection imposed upon grounded. By the same token, how them by capitalist production rela ever, the very conditions that give tions. It is only along this road that rise to the struggle and impress we will find the answer to the really their specific nature on it make it a important question ·of how to ac struggle not to maintain the status tivize the millions of women. of the housewife (in effect the We can see this very concretely. status of a drudge and the "slave Any program of immediate demands of a slave") in bourgeois-imposed for the millions of housewives conditions of life, but to overcome would necessarily involve such these conditions as part of the basic issues as better housing, cheaper proletarian struggle. rents, the high cost of living, day Likewise, to convince the~ mil- 822 STATUS OF WOMEN UNDER CAPITALISM lions of housewives of the need for whole point to the argument about socialism, it is necessary to show the usefulness of housework is that them that socialism will liberate it is useful and necessary to the them in every respect--from functioning of capitalist society. the misery of capitalist life, from the How does it help the capitalist sys drudgery of housework, from the in tem function? It does this by help equalities and discrimination prac ing capital to reproduce labor ticed against them daily. In power as wage-labor! This "useful" other words, the argument for so contribution may be a source of cialism must also be based on the dignity to the housewife, as some irreconcilable antagonism between people prefer to believe, although the millions of housewives and the it is hard to see what dignity there consequences of the capitalist pro is in the role of helping capital to duction relations. It must be based reproduce the laborer as a wage on a rejection and not on an affirm slave; but it is certainly not a ation of these relations as material source of struggle. If it is anything, ly outmoded and unnecessary. it is a source of reconciliation with There is no other way of arguing the capitalist system. For it is ob for socialism. vious that in taking the emphasis on Now it is quite obvious that you the "usefulness" of the housewife as cannot ground the need for social the starting point of our tactics, we ism in the rejection of capitalism necessarily make the housewife's and at the same time ground the "contribution" the dominant fea program of immediate demands in ture of the relationship between an affirmation of the housewife's herself and the capitalist system usefulness to capitalism. Such a and not the antagonism, the contra procedure simply throws overboard diction and conflict between herself the scientifically established Marx and the capitalist system. If we in ist principle that there is the closest sist on assuring the housewife that organic connection between the she has a useful, dignified role to struggle :for immediate demands play in the capitalist system, what and the struggle for the ultimate logical obstacle do we put in the establishment of socialism. The way of the housewife's drawing the masses can learn the need for so conclusion that it is desirable to cialism out of their own experience perpetuate this role and of course only if that experience demon the system that goes with it? Sucli liitrates an irreconcilable antagonism an approach merely provides the and contradiction to capitalism. logical mood and atmosphere of ac But what is the nature of the commodation to the capitalist sys "usefulness" approach? Where does tem, if not to all of its daily condi it lead us? It leads us to look for tions. It is certainly not a revolu the source of struggle not in the tionary approach, to say the least. contradiction but in the contribu Generally, it must be said that the tion of the housewife to capitalism. Marxist social and economic theory This is necessarily so because the is a theory of the exploimtion of. STATUS OF WOMEN UNDER CAPITALISM 823 labor and not of the usefulness of in the spirit nor the tradition of labor to the functioning of the capi Marxism-Leninism. It is true that talist system. It is quite generally Marxism always takes the masses recognized that the labor of the as they are, but only as the start working class is very useful to the ing point of its tactics in order to be capitalists, but no Marxist would able better to conform to the objec ever dream of grounding the strug tive forces of development which gle between labor and capital in determine the course of all individ anything but the irreconcilable con uals, groups and classes in society. tradictions between the two classes. The second argument, the ethical Is there any scientific reason for argument, is even less acceptable treating the question of women's re and suffers from the same organic lations to capitalism in any other defect as the whole "usefulness" ap way? proach. The housewife does not The only apparent justification need any moral right grounded in for the "usefulness" approach is that some useful function in capitalist it is an effective way to rally the economy in order to be entitled to housewives, especially because it make demands upon the capitalist provides them with a moral right to class. Her "right" to make demands make demands in their own name does not stem from her "usefulness" upon capitalist society. It need not but from her character as a human be emphasized that neither of the being, a member of the working two reasons advanced here has class and toiling population who is anything in common with Marxism. oppressed and subjugated. It is this The first argument consists in oppressed and subjugated status urging the recognition of the use that is the sole source of her "right" fulness and dignity of the house to make demands. That certainly is wife's work on pragmatic grounds, reason enough for demands on so that is, on the ground that "it ciety! That is why Marxism can works." But this is tantamount to rightfully claim to stand for the a surrender of any basic theoretical emancipation of .all women, regard analysis of the position of women less of class or occupation. under capitalism and the tactics However, emphasis on the useful that necessarily flow from such an ness and dignity of housework also analysis. Marxism bases its tactics suffers from another fatal theoreti not on temporary appearances but cal shortcoming as a point of de on the scientific foundation of ma parture for tactics. By grounding terialist analysis; otherwise they our approach in the contradictions cannot be reasoned tactics; they between the housewives and their cannot have the certainty of science social conditions, we ground it in if they are based on anything but the source of change and develop the real contradictions of capitalist ment in society, in the dynamic, ac society. The cunning, clever utiliza tive elements, the elements of tion of the "sentiments," prejudices movement. On the other hand, by or illusions of the masses is neither grounding our explanation in the 824 STATUS OF WOMEN UNDER CAPriALISM useful function of housework, we source of social consciousness, or ground it in a relatively static ele ganization-mindedness or generally ment which obviously has no con of advanced thought. The great con nection with the generation of tribution of the C.I.O. to the wom movement. And just as the first re en's movement in the last few years quirement of Marxist-Leninist consists precisely in its organiza analysis is to uncover the contra tion of auxiliaries that have served dictions in society, so the second to bring the proletarian housewives requirement is to base ourselves on out of the home into the main the forces of development and stream of the social struggle. Any change and not on the static ele approach to work among women, ments. It is obvious that these and especially among the millions forces of development and change of housewives, that does not take are to be found only in the contra this as its starting point not only dictions of society. deprives itself of the objective After all, the mere fact that foundation of materialism and the housework is useful does not make certainty of objective reality, but it a source of development or of automatically condemns itself to social progress. On the contrary, it hopeless subjectivism in tactics and is in the nature of housework un politics. der capitalism to remove the house It is no accident, therefore, that wife from the main stream of social the "usefulness" approach lays change and development. The stress on the wrong task. Un source of that development is to be avoidably it imposes on us the task found only in the productive forces of "proving" to the housewives that embodied in modern industry, which their place in the home is useful and provides the primary channel for dignified. Actually, however, our involving masses of both men and task is just the opposite of this. To women in the historical struggle. activize millions of housewives, it is And this is so for the simple reason necessary to take them out of the that only here are they brought face home into the broad arena of the to face with the main struggle of class struggle, even when using the modern society, the struggle be issues created by the home. Our tween capital and labor, thanks to task is to convince them that their the central determining role of the place is in a greater arena than material productive forces on social just the four walls of their kitchens, development. By being absorbed the arena of the great social strug into :Industry, women are trans gle, and that they will improve their formed from a relatively dormant home conditions and ultimately section of the working class into achieve complete emancipation an active proletarian force. No mat from misery by participating in this ter how useful the woman's work is struggle. Naturally that task re in the home, it is common knowl quires that we approach the women edge that the drudgery of house in the home, raising the demands work is not the most productive connected with the problems of the STATUS OF WOMEN UNDER CAPITALISM 825 home, but in order to take the and for the eventual transformation women out into the arena of the of society into socialism. . . . Our historic process and ally them with foundation and starting point is the driving forces of that process. among the industrial wage workers, For, in the last analysis, there is no men and women, and from these we recruit the vanguard, the backbone, other way to defend the interests the leaders, of our movement. . . . specifically associated with the But we must never lose sight of our housewife, the family and the home. task to win the majority, and the This means that we must recognize majority also among the women, the primary role played by the em that means the women in the homes ployed working class and its organ of America, the housewives. . . . izations. By the same token, the [However] only a small minority of factory and the trade union and the women have sustained experience mass movements take precedence as workers in modern machine in dustry. Yet it is such experience over the home as the main location alone which educates, drills and of the arena of that struggle. disciplines the masses engaged What has been said so far is ex therein in such a way as to create actly what Earl Browder pointed that class solidarity, class con out, only much more simply, con sciousness and class experience cretely and clearly, in a special which is the foundation of the labor speech to the women during the movement in general and of the 1940 Presidential election campaign. Communist movement in particular. If we quote Comrade Browder's re . .. Only a small minority of women gain this education directly by their marks at great length it is because own experience; most of them can they indicate the main outlines of absorb it only vicariously, through our approach to work among wom their fathers, brothers, husbands en and at the same time present in and sons; they are still excluded a concrete and living form all the from basic machine industry.... elements necessary for a theoretical "Look at the larger number of analysis of the question under dis women whose principal occupation cussion. is managing the homes, whose men The ruling class of the dying comprise the eight million trade capitalist system, Comrade Browder union members today. Are the more than eight million wives, mothers, declared, is driving the women out daughters of these trade union of the seclusion of their homes and members anywhere near an equal is "roughly thrusting women by the source of strength to the labor millions into the great social movement as the men? We know struggles." they are not; but we also know that they could be! And precisely there is the problem which sets the "The Communist Party," he said, main task of our work among "sets itself the task to mobilize and women.... win the leadership of the over "For as long as the mass of whelming majority of the people, women are not drawn in their in men and women, for the immediate terests and activities into the same protection of their living standards, stream as their men, just that long 826 STATUS OF WOMEN UNDER CAPITALISM also are the masses of men not pull First, they recognize the home as ing their own full weight in the a retarding influence on the house movement, but are torn between wife due to the isolation of the two influences which should be di kitchen, as compared with the pro rected harmoniously to the same gressive influence of industry on end, but which are needlessly and harmfully antagonistic and at cross the men and women engaged in it. purposes .... For the great mass of The home as such is outside the working class housewives, even main arena of the historical strug when they have reconciled them gle and is thus a secondary even selves to the demands of the union though important source of strug upon their menfolk, there is still gle. In fact, the home places the more or less of conflict with those housewives outside of production demands, the feeling that the labor and its educating and disciplining movement is a rival to the home in influence. In order to win the its demands upon the time and thought of the menfolk. Indeed, this housewives and involve them in the problem is not entirely absent in the historical movement, it is necessary families of Communists in relation to depend upon the initiative of the to the Party.... forces that come from industry and "The problem of extending our the organized labor movement. work among the women is, there Secondly, they recognize the eco fore, first of all a problem for the nomic organizations of labor, that men, for them to assume the re is, the trade unions, as primary sponsibility to win over their wives, even in the struggle for the demands mothers, daughters and cousins and connected directly with the home. bring them into active organic par Without powerful trade unions the ticipation in the labor movement, in the work of the Party. The wom housewives cannot wage a success en already involved must become ful struggle in defense of their ever more adequate spokesmen for specific demands, because in the the needs and desires of their less last analysis these demands involve articulate and unorganized sisters a sum total of aspects that maka· and stir them to activity and self up the maintenance of the home, expression. This advance guard of first of which are wages and living women, by their increasingly effec standards, and concessions on other tive participation in the general so demands can hardly be won if the cial and political life . . . will in spire by example the great masses organized labor movement is weak. of women to overcome the inhibi For this reason, winning the house tions and difficulties which hold wives for the struggle acquire~ them back in their old narrow strategic importance as a means of grooves, and release a great flood strengthening the unions, while of new and fresh forces for the failure to do this only constitute~. common cause." an element of weakness for them. There can be no doubt that this. For the purpose of our discussion is a line for the defense of the home it is sufficient to note two basic against the destructive effects of · features of these remarks. capitalist economy. But the defense' STATUS OF WOMEN UNDER CAPITALISM 827 of the home as Comrade Browder enables us to develop still further projects it is something entirely dif the discussion regarding the useful ferent from defense of housework. ness of housework, for it is essen It is in essence a defense of the tially an elaboration of this first right to live and not of the function question from a more specific eco of the housewife imposed upon her nomic angle. The economic argu by capitalism. This whole line ment for the usefulness of house therefore moves in an entirely dif work is that capitalist industry can ferent realm and depends upon al not exist without the domestic . together different elements from economy represented by the wo those involved in the "usefulness" man's household duties; for fulfiling approach. It bases its defense of this economic function the house the home on the struggle of the wife is supposed to get a subsistence whol~ toiling population, grounds it wage. in the struggle against the exploita Let us begin with the first part tion of ·wage-labor as the ultimate of this argument. Marxism has al source of the housewife's problems, ways maintained that capitalist in and gives primacy in this struggle dustry cannot exist without wage to the militant movement and eco labor; that is the distinguishing nomic organization of labor pro feature of capitalism. But Marxism duced by the operation of modern never found in the work of the industry. In the last analysis, there housewife a particularly character fore, it rests the defense of the istic feature of capitalist society. It home on something much more sub has certainly never made the exis stantial than the utility of house tence of capitalism dependent upon work or the function of the house the woman's housework. If there is wife in capitalist economy, useful or anything characteristic of capitalism otherwise. It rests it on the class in relation to housework it is that it struggle arising from the ownership tends to divorce it completely from and development of the social pro the process of social production. ductive forces. It is thus one thing When it wants to involve women in to rally the housewives around de production, it takes them out of the mands connected with the home; it home and puts them into the fac is another thing to eulogize house tory, since modern industry is not work, which for the majority of carried on in the home and the time women under capitalism can only is gone when domestic work consti be a source of domestic slavery, in tuted the foundation of social tellectual stultification and economic economy. What is therefore essen dependence. tially a process of divorcing the housewife from any role in produc III tion, inasmuch as she is confined We now come to the second ques exclusively to the duties of the tion: Do housewives get paid for home, is erroneously advanced as their work, that is, do they receive evidence of a vital economic fu.nc wages? The answer to this question tion. Actually this function begins 828 STATUS OF WOMEN UNDER CAPITALISM again only when the woman is primacy of production and not on drawn into industry. the primacy of consumption. Here To determine the economic char we see another aspect of the theo acter of the tasks performed in the retical reason why, in working out a home, we have to look outside of program of struggle for the home, the process of production. Economi we must tie it up closely with the cally, they are part of the process of elements and forces connected with consumption. True, even this proc production, as already indicated in ess cannot take place without an ex the answer to the first question. penditure of energy; but it is obvi Even from what has been said ously a crude economic fallacy to thus far, it is evident that the identify the work entailed in the housewife does not get paid wages, process of individual consumption unless she is directly employed as a with the labor involved in the housekeeper or works otherwise for process of production, just as it is an employer. There is certainly no equally fallacious to identify con economic reason for contending that sumption with production on the the fact that the husband receives ground that in the last analysis con wages transforms his wife into a sumption is only a preliminary to wage worker of his employer. If all the renewal of production. The one the employer had to do to make is the basis of the worker's exis profit out of his worker's wife was tence; the other is the basis of capi to pay her husband wages, there talist exploitation. Thus, unless we would be no point in taking her out hold fast to this distinction, we not of the home into the factory. Obvi only make any kind of scientific ously, therefore, the housewife can analysis impossible but we throw be said to be paid wages only if we overboard the whole concept of ex abuse the strict meaning of that ploitation and surplus value in term. And here it must be said cate herent in the wage form of capital gorically that there is absolutely no ist society, as we shall see shortly justification in economics, politics or in the examination of wages. To as tactics for using terms that have a sign the housewife a role in social strictly scientific meaning in a free production, therefore, when it is and "symbolic" sense. The indis only her husband who is actually criminate use of the terms "paid involved in it, is simply to confuse and unpaid labor" and "wages" sim all economic categories, obliterating ply deprives them of all exact the source of surplus value and meaning and consequently of any profit. scientific validity, and if they lack The tactical significance of this that they are utterly worthless in economic characterization of house the formulation of any scientifically work is immediately apparent to grounded and reasoned tactics. It every Marxist. Both in its sci.entific must not be forgotten that Marxism analysis of social development and has had to wage a serious scientific in the determination of its political struggle to lay bare the significance tactic:!, Marxism bases itself on the of the wage form, and we cannot STATUS OF WOMEN UNDER CAPITALISM 829 afford to fall below that scientific family, the capitalist certainly has level of struggle. no reason for paying wages to the Wages by their very nature rep housewife who is not even engaged resent the price paid for labor in his own personal service, his power expended in the process of only "connection" with her be capitalist production under condi ing that he employs her husband. tions that result in a profit for the This does not mean that the hus employer. In those types of employ band need not fight for a wage ade ment where wages are paid for per quate to support himself, his wife sonal services, the wages come out and family, but it does mean that of the employer's consumption fund the relationship of the proletarian and not out of his production fund housewife and the capitalist is not -a distinction the importance of that of wage-earner and employer. which the capitalist class fully un In capitalist society it is only that derstands, since all its funds have work which is performed for the their ultimate origin in the process capitalist that brings in wages. of production. Work performed for oneself is not The housewife is not engaged in a source of wages, and housework, production, and her only con after all, is only work for one's own nection with it, economically speak family. And since the capitalists pay ing, is through the consumption of wages primarily with the object of its products made possible by the making profit, they certainly do not expenditure of the wages paid for use the term wages indiscriminate the labor power of her husband. ly or rush to pay out wages to any The housewife is engaged in help body and everybody. They are very ing to consume the wages brought careful to distinguish between that home by her husband. Even where labor which is productive of profit housework is actually performed by and that which is not. And in the a paid domestic worker, the wages eyes of the captalist only that labor received stem from the consumption which results in a profit is produc fund of the employer and not from tive. That labor which only satisfies his production fund, as we have al his personal consumption is unpro ready noted. Where the employer ductive to him. of a housekeeper is himself a wage Now if the capitalist justifiably worker, it is immediately obvious refuses to regard work performed that he has no production fund. All for his own personal consumption as he has is his wages from which .he a source of profit-even though he pays for all services. In neither has to pay wages for it-he certain case, therefore-whether in that of ly will not pay wages for work per the hired housekeeper or that of the formed for the personal consump housewife-are the houseworkers tion of someone else, in this case engaged in the surplus-value creat the housework of the proletarian ing process, that is, in the produc family. What he is ready to pay for, tion of profit for the capitalist class. aside from direct personal service, In the case of the working class is that type of labor power which 830 STATUS OF WOMEN UNDER CAPITALISM produces surplus value for him and capitalist provides the precondition such labor power he cannot gain for the performance of this house fully employ on the chores of the work. It is therefore not the house worker's home but only at the ma wife that has the relationship to chines in his own factory. the employer, but the husband; it is It is significant that even the not housework, but factory work working class is compelled by the that is the source of wages. If it is wage system to regard all of its true that it is only through the housework as "unproductive" work husband and his wages that the for itself. The wife may work like housewife has access to the prod a horse in the house, but economi ucts of social production, it is not cally she is said not to be working true that the relationship between because she isn't working for a the husband and the wife is one of capitalist; in plain words, she hasn't an intermediary between her and got a job. In speaking of just this his employer. type of housework, Marx said in his One might of course try to con "Theories of Surplus Value" (Vol. vince the capitalists that the house I, p. 271): wife is really an unsung and un heralded worker whose labor is an "The overwhelming majority of unrecognized source of surplus society, that is, the working class, value and profit to them. But the must perform this kind of work for capitalists apparently don't believe themselves [i.e., they cannot em it and they are perfectly capable of ploy anyone to do it for them recognizing a source of profit when A.L.]; but they can only do it if they see it, as indicated by their they have worked 'productively' very strict distinction between pro [i.e., have worked for someone else for wages-A.L.]. They can only ductive and unproductive labor, be cook meat if they have produced a tween wages paid out of their pro wage with which to pay for meat; duction fund and wages paid out and they can only keep their fur of their consumption fund. As ex niture and houses clean and pol perienced appropriators of surplus ish their shoes if they have pro value, they know that when they duced the value of furniture, rent lay out capital for labor power, the and shoes. This class of productive only way it results in a surplus for workers therefore regards that work themselves is when they put the as unproductive which they must laborer to work at their means of do for themselves. This unproduc production and compel him to ex tive work never enables them to re peat anew this unproductive work pend enough of his personal physi if they have not previously worked cal and mental energy to reproduce productively [that is, for wages not only his own wage but a profit A.L.]." for them. They know, of course, that back home the worker has a wife In other words, housework is and children and possibly a family not a source of wages, is not pro doctor and music teacher for these ductive, and only employment by a children, all of whom depend upon STATUS OF WOMEN UNDER CAPITALISM 831 his wages for their subsistence. But To illustrate this with an example lilince they are interested only in from Marx, everyone knows how their profits, they are concerned only important the soldier can be in pro with the direct use of the labor tecting the labor of the producers power of the man they have em against foreign invasion. Production ployed and not with the wife, the would be impossible without the children, the doctor or the teacher, contribution of the soldier. And yet all of whom undoubtedly have a everyone can see immediately that place in the physical and mental it is not the soldier who takes part in life of the worker. the actual process of production, but It is of course possible to say that on the contrary is maintained by its the capitalist couldn't exploit the products. It is also obvious that worker if back of him there were even though production could not not his wife, his doctor, etc., to help go on without the protection of the maintain and preserve his labor soldier, production is still primary power. That is true enough, but the and the sole source of all members same is true of the sun and the air, of society. In other words, the without which the worker would process of production involves many certainly not be able to reproduce more elements than those required his labor power. In fact any and all for its technical operation and yet elements without which the capital it is precisely this technical process ists would have no worker to ex that is the basis for the maintenance ploit may be regarded as contribut of all these other elements. ing to the capitalists' profit. That is It is clear, therefore, that to un why, if we are going to speak of the derstand the precise nature of the wife as receiving wages from the process of exploitation involved in capitalist class, we shall also have the wage system it is necessary to to say that the family doctor, for be much more accurate in our dis example, also gets wages from the tinctions, establishing the real re capitalist class, for no one will deny lationship between the various ele the important and useful role the ments that enter into the total doctor plays in helping to keep the picture. In the last analysis, dom laborer alive. However, the moment ination of society by the capitalist we start doing this with the concept class enables it to exact a tribute of wages we immediately obscure from all other members of society, the role of the laborer, that is, the and, in this sense, everybody may be actual producer as the source of the said to be "working for" the capi capitalists' profit; we distort the re talists, but if that is all we can say lationship between the producers of about the matter, we are no further the actual goods consumed by so advanced than the French petty ciety and the various individuals bourgeois writer Proudhon, who de that take part in the consumption, clared that "property is theft," and and perpetuate the illusion that Marx might just as well never have capital is really the provider for all written a word. Such a generaliza sections of society. tion may be useful for agitational 832 STATUS OF WOMEN UNDER CAPITALISM purposes but it is worthless for any worker and pays for her labor scientific analysis of the capitalist power at a given rate. system and the process of exploita The housewife does not produce tion on which it is based. a single commodity in the home, not What then is the actual relation even the commodity labor power, ship between the housewife and her even though she helps to maintain wage-earning husband? Economi it, just as the doctor does not pro cally that relationship is that her duce any commodity when he helps domestic activities enter into the the worker to maintain his labor cost of production and reproduction power. And yet, only when the of her husband's labor power-but commodity labor power is sold are do not themselves create the fund wages received. To speak of paid from which her sustenance derives. labor in the case of the housewife That means that the husband's can only mean that her husband is wage must be enough to provide for her employer. This is obviously a the existence of his wife, but the distortion of the family relation value of the means of subsistence ship, and, instead of convincing the represented by that wage is the housewife that she is also a victim product of the husband's labor and of the exploitation suffered by her not of the wife's. Her economic rela husband at the hands of the capi tionship to her husband is substan talist, it only transforms the hus tially the same as the relation band into an employer of his wife! ship of the family doctor to the hus In other words, instead of husband band: both help to maintain the and wife appearing as joint victims husband's labor power, but, in doing of the capitalist class, the "woman that, neither of them thereby sells question" emerges as a challenge to his own labor power to the hus the whole conception of exploita band's employer and consequently tion as a class phenomenon. neither of them gets wages from him. It can, of course, be argued that The mere fact that the wife does to deny that the housewife is paid physical work at home for herself for her labor is to place her in the and family makes her activities use position of living ol:'.f her husband's ful to them, but that is all. Th.e use labor in a state of economic depen fulness of housework does not de dence. Whether we like it or not, pend on its being paid. On the that is exactly the case under capi contrary, it is useful despite the fact talism, and any "theory" that the that in capitalist economy house housewife is paid for her labor only work is not paid work. It is not in serves as a gratuitous whitewash its paid or unpaid character that its of one of the unmistakably reaction economic essence lies, but rather in ary aspects of capitalism. It is cer its being work for th.e family and tainly not our job to come to the not for a capitalist, and when the rescue of capitalism by trying to work is not for a capitalist it pro "argue" this basic economic and,so duces no wages unless the husband cial fact away. After all, it is not directly htires his wife as a domestic we who are responsible for this STATUS OF WOMEN UNDER CAPITALISM 833 state of affairs, which only provides of concepts that do not correspond one more reason why women should to reality and actually falsify the want socialism and which can only real relationships. That is not be combated if we recognize its Marxism. That is the syndicalist existence. Sorel's "myth" theory according to It may also be argued that by which a concept need not be true making the housewife feel that she as long as the masses believe in it helps to produce her husband's and will act on it. Actually, it is wages she will more readily join because the husband has part of his him in the struggle for better con labor unpaid and not that the ditions. But that is hardly a justi housewife's labor is paid- in a fication for telling the housewife word, it is because the husband is that she also gets paid for her labor. exploited that the housewife's posi It is not necessary to resort to tion is wretched and miserable. myths to convince housewives that Here we have the substance of the they belong to the working class. answer to both questions posed ill To do this is to "legalize" the use this article. BOOK REVIEWS DIALECTICS OF NATURE, by he not only criticized the views of Frederick Engels. Translated and philosophers such as Mach and edited by Clement Dutt, with a Pearson, but also analyzed the gen preface and notes by J. B. S. eral philosophical significance of Haldane, F.R.S. Marx~t Library, the discoveries of physicists such Vol. XXVII. International Pub as Hertz, J. J. Thomson, Bequerel lishers, New York. and Curie. Warmly recommending Engels' N HIS brief but very pertinent book, Haldane emphasizes its im I preface, which is intended pri portance at the present moment. An marily for the English and Ameri acquaintance with this book, he can intellectuals and advanced says, is needed for a proper ap workers, J. B. S. Haldane describes proach not only to phenomena of the essence of the Marxian method. nature, but also to the complicated He cites numerous interesting events of social life. He draws at examples to show that Marxism tention to the fact that in Dialectics does not confine itself only to the of N at.ure Engels "lays particular investigation of social phenomena emphasis on the interconnection of (as many people abroad believe to all processes, and the artificial this day). As an integrated world character of the distinctions which outlook Marxism includes the study men have drawn, not merely be of nature as well. In combating the tween vertebrates and invertebrates arguments of those who think that or liquids and gases, but between scientific problems, like the problem the different fields of human knowl of tautomerism in chemistry or edge." (p. xv.) intiividuality in biology, are no con Referring to the method of the cern of Marxists, Haldane cites the Marxist philosophy, Haldane points example of Lenin. He relates how out that "a very careful and con in 1908, when the first Russian densed summary" of this philosophy Revolution had ended in defeat, is given in Chapter IV of the His Lenin fought to safeguard the tory of the C.P.S.U., which he rec theoretical foundations of the Bol ommends as a source of study shevik Party and wrote Materialism alongside other works of the classics and Empirio-Criticism, * in which of Marxism-Leninism. "Just because it is a living philos- • v. 1. Lenin, M 4 terialism and Empirio-Crit· ophy with innumerable concrete ap- hism, International Publishers, New York. plications," he writes, "its full power 834 BOOK REVIEWS 835 and importance can only be grad up the publication of the English ually understood, when we see it translation of Dialectics of Nature applied to history, science, or what with the present world situation, ever field of study.... " (p. xv.) At showing the reader what a power the same time he points out: "But ful theoretical weapon it provides, it must not be thought that Dia and how important this weapon is lectics of Nature is only of interest in our days. He winds up his pref to scientists. Any educated person, ace with the following words: and, above all, anyone who is a student of philosophy will find much "At the present moment, clear thinking is vitally necessary if we to interest him or her throughout are to understand the extremely the book." (p. xiv.) complicated situation in which the And further he says: "A reader whole human race, and our own whose concern lies primarily in the nation in particular, is placed, and political or economic field will to see the way out of it to a better come back to his main interest a world. A study of Engels will warn better dialectical materialist, and us against some of the facile solu therefore a clearer-sighted politi tions which are put forward today, cian or economist, after studying and help us to play an intelligent how Engels applied dialectics to and courageous part in the great events of our own time." (pp. xv nature." (p. xv.) xvi.) "One reason why Engels was These lines were written at the such a great writer," says Haldane, very beginning of the present world "is that he was probably the most widely educated man of his day. war (the preface is dated Novem Not only had he a profound knowl ber, 1939). They show that the pro edge of economics and history, but gressive intellectuals abroad are he knew enough to discuss the fully aware that only the method meaning of an obscure Latin phrase of revolutionary dialectics-the only concerning Roman marriage law, correct scientific method-provides or the processes taking place when the key to the solution of the prob a piece of impure zinc was dipped lems of the day, helping people to into sulphuric acid. And he con realize what is the way out of the trived to accumulate this immense indescribable horrors and torments knowledge, not by leading a life of cloistered learning, but while play into which imperialism has plunged ing an active part in politics. . . . the majority of the human race. The "He needed this knowledge be call of' J. B. S. Haldane, the promi cause dialectical materialism, the nent English scientist, to all the philosophy which, along with Marx, progressive sections of present-day he founded, is not merely a philos capitalist society to study the ophy of history, but a philosophy classics of Marxism-Leninism, if which illuminates all events what they are to understand the events ever, from the falling of a stone to and find their place in the impend a poet's imaginings." ing social battles, chimes in with His profound appreciation of En the sentiments that inspired the gels' book enables Haldane to link People's Convention held in Lon- the the essays essays dissociated dissociated that that make make into into up up Engels' Engels' atoms, atoms, and and the the science. science. The The to to .interest .interest of of some some of of in in its its outer outer layers) layers) all all matter matter is is which which Engels Engels the the so so sun sun masterfully masterfully (save (save for for applied applied a a few few compounds compounds the the Marxist Marxist dialectical dialectical method method Haldane's Haldane's comment comment follows: follows: "In "In and and that that tion tion substance substance in in their their is is action." action." contained contained in in of of Engels' Engels' brilliant brilliant book, book, substance substance are are dissociated dissociated and and without without distinc question question is is in in not not the the of of sun sun details, details, the the different different but but of of the the substances substances But, But, as as trate trate Haldane Haldane Engels' Engels' points points statement statement out, out, the the that that "even "even living living cell. cell. from from modern modern astrophysics astrophysics to to illus ture ture which which is is the the property property of of the the Professor Professor Haldane Haldane cites cites facts facts protein protein devoid devoid of of the the 170.) 170.) organic organic struc (p. (p. those those days days as as a a simple simple granule granule of of phorous phorous atoms atoms with with the the blood." blood." nera," nera," regarded regarded are are constantly constantly by by the the biologists biologists exchanging exchanging of of phos the the theory theory of of the the so-called so-called "Mo the the bones, bones, which which appear appear so so solid, solid, sequent sequent research. research. been been shown shown One One that that of of these these during during was was life life even even have have not not been been confirmed confirmed by by sub strated strated afresh. afresh. For For example, example, it it has has discoveries discoveries to to which which Engels Engels referred referred ment ment is is constantly constantly being being demon structure structure of of matter. matter. Some Some of of the the comment: comment: "The "The truth truth of of this this state taken taken place place Equilibrium" Equilibrium" in in the the theory theory he he adds adds of of the the the the following following Still Still stance, stance, greater greater to to the the changes changes note note on on Nature. Nature. have have "Motion "Motion and and when when Engels Engels some some wrote wrote of of Engels' Engels' his his ideas. ideas. Thus, Thus, for for in Dialectics Dialectics of of changed changed considerably considerably since since the the days days interesting interesting examples examples to to illustrate illustrate origin origin of of the the solar solar system system have have dane dane cites cites fresh fresh and and extremely extremely quated. quated. The The views views concerning concerning the the ous ous internal internal motion." motion." (p. (p. 36.) 36.) Hal natural natural sciences, sciences, zero zero of of have have heat heat atoms atoms become are are anti still still in in vigor lating lating to to the the various various neighborhood neighborhood branches branches of of of of the the the the absolute absolute some some of of the the by by the the recent recent in in the the discovery discovery book, book, re that that even even details details in in had had not not read read Engels Engels made made were were great great startled startled progress. progress. That That is is why why ago, ago, and and since since then then science science has has statement statement he he writes: writes: "Physicists "Physicists who who without without motion. motion. In In a a the the footnote footnote book book to to was was this this written written sixty sixty years years ment ment that that matter matter is is Professor Professor unthinkable unthinkable Haldane Haldane points points out out that that with with material material by by Engels; Engels; on on natural natural for for science. science. instance, instance, the the state dialectical dialectical materialism materialism interest interest formulated formulated for for scientists, scientists, since since it it deals deals has has corroborated corroborated the the propositions propositions of of of of special special Dialectics Dialectics of of Nature Nature is is Modern Modern science, science, Haldane Haldane shows, shows, * * * * * * 1924. 1924. with with the the submitted submitted practical practical to to struggle. struggle. him him for for his his opinion opinion in in section section of of Engels' Engels' manuscript manuscript Marxist Marxist philosophy philosophy was was is is associated associated how how closely closely physicist, physicist, theoretical theoretical failed failed work work to to discern discern on on the the when when a a His His is is a a that that concrete concrete Albert Albert instance instance Einstein, Einstein, showing showing the the famous famous Convention. Convention. lems." lems." (p. (p. x.) x.) is is this this substance substance It It tional tional Committee Committee elected elected at at the the gels gels grappled grappled with with intellectual intellectual prob ment ment and and is is a a member member of of the the Na portance, portance, but but in in showing showing how how En in in the the People's People's of of which which Convention Convention have have ceased ceased move to to be be of of im detailed detailed criticism criticism of of Professor Professor theories, theories, Haldane Haldane many many was was very very active active work work "lies "lies not not so so much much don don in in in in January, January, their their 1941. 1941. As As we we know, know, BOOK BOOK 836 836 REVIEWS REVIEWS BOOK REVIEWS 837 atoms may lose some electrons. Thus regarding the repulsion exercised all kinds of matter have the same by light. (p. 48.) Engels likewise mechanical properties, those of hot anticipated the discovery of the fact gas." (p. 158.) that the heat of the sun is trans He cites the very simple and at formed into electricity or magnet the same time very profound ism. This has been subsequently example of the rubbing of a match, corroborated, for, as Haldane points to illustrate Engels' idea of the out, "huge magnetic fields have been transformation (at a definite stage discovered in the sunspots, and it is of quantitative change) of mechan also known that the matter shot out ical motion "into a permanent in solar prominences is electrically molecular change, a chemical charged." (p. 15.) "It is astonish change." Indeed, as Haldane points ing," he remarks in his preface, out, "if a match is rubbed lightly "how Engels anticipated the prog it is warmed and then cools down ress of science in the sixty years again, if rubbed harder it lights which have elapsed since he wrote." up." (Ibid.) Engels' statement that (p. xii.) the so-called physical constants Haldane's remarks dealing with "are for the most part nothing but biology are of particular interest. designations of the nodal points ..." Biology is Haldane's specialty. In he illustrates with the example of one case he makes the interesting the visible spectrum. (p. 30.) attempt to link up Engels' state Very interesting are the numerous ment that "life is the mode of exis notes in which Haldane cites facts tence of protein bodies" (pp. 195-6) to prove how the brilliant predictions with Stanley's recent discovery made by Engels sixty years ago that "viruses" are large protein have been fully confirmed by sub molecules. Engels' statement that sequent developments. In his essay non-cellular organisms "begin with on electricity Engels foresaw the a simple granule of proteiri"-the general main line of the develop Monera-has turned out to be out ment of physics and chemistry; he of date only inasmuch as the very wrote that a closer investigation of discovery of the Monera has never the connection between chemical been corroborated. But Engels' bril and electrical actlon "will lead to liant idea that some intermediate, important results in both spheres of transitional forms must exist be investigation." "This prophecy," tween the cell and the mere chem writes Haldane, "has of course been ical structure of protein has now, amply fulfilled. Arrhenius' ionic in Haldane's opinion, found cor theory has transformed chemistry, roboration, even though not quite and Thl!lmson's electron theory has complete, in Stanley's discovery. revolutionized physics." (p. x.) Haldane points out that "some of Haldane shows how Engels was the ultra-microscopic viruses turn ahead of his time when he spoke out to be single protein molecules. of the sun's heat as a form of "re That is to say, they have no struc pulsion," thus anticipating the dis ture except the chemical structure covery made by Lebedev in 1900 that belongs to them as protein." like like Ralph Ralph Harlew, Harlew, V. V. Avery Avery gro gro writers writers have have brought brought light light to to of of "chauvinistic, "chauvinistic, reactionary reactionary writers writers myth. myth. Dr. Dr. Woodson Woodson and and other other Ne One One group group of of historians historians consists consists ists ists have have ever ever dared dared dispel dispel this this ~ro." ~ro." Only Only Negro Negro historians historians and and Marx in in common: common: both both 'forget' 'forget' the the Ne Negro Negro has has always always been been "docile." "docile." treatment. treatment. Yet Yet these these have have one one thing thing the the utterly utterly baseles baseles slander slander that that the the received received two two dominant dominant types types of of ers ers for for freedom, freedom, thus thus perpetuating perpetuating of of slavery slavery in in the the United United States States has has seriously seriously with with the the great great Negro Negro fight "The "The crusade crusade against against the the institution institution historians historians have have neglected neglected to to deal deal geois geois histories histories of of abolitionism: abolitionism: sent, sent, all all schools schools of of white white bourgeois bourgeois with with the the following following criticism criticism of of bour Truth. Truth. As As though though by by common common con Aptheker Aptheker commences commences his his account account Harriet Harriet Tubman, Tubman, and and Sojourner Sojourner has has been been so so disgracefully disgracefully neglected. neglected. Abolitionists Abolitionists as as Frederick Frederick Douglass, Douglass, history history which, which, more more than than any any other, other, tion tion of of such such outstanding outstanding Negro Negro emphasis emphasis that that phase phase of of American American white white Abolitionists, Abolitionists, yet yet has has no no men All All bring bring to to light light with with necessary necessary which which mentions mentions scores scores of of obscure obscure and and The The Negro Negro in in the the Civil Civil War. War. made made to to a a recent recent work work by by Dumond Dumond gro gro in in the the American American Revolution, Revolution, olent olent association." association." Reference Reference is is Slaves Slaves Revolts: Revolts: 1526-1860, 1526-1860, The The Ne movement movement as as a a "white "white man's man's benev Negro Negro history, history, including including Negro Negro manner, manner, yet yet consistently consistently treats treats the the addition addition to to his his series series of of booklets booklets on on merely merely in in a a liberal liberal or or humanitarian humanitarian is is a a significant significant tionist tionist Movement, Movement, thetic thetic to to the the Abolitionist Abolitionist cause cause work, work, The The Negro Negro in in the the Aboli H and and Dwight Dwight L. L. Dumond, Dumond, is is sympa ERBERT ERBERT APTHEKER'S APTHEKER'S recent recent Albert Albert B. B. Hart, Hart, Gilbert Gilbert H. H. Barnes, Barnes, group, group, embracing embracing such such writers writers as as vous vous fanatics fanatics at at best." best." The The other other 1941; 1941; lishers, lishers, New New York, York, 15 15 cents. cents. people people in in every every case) case) as as mischie bert bert Pub Aptheker; Aptheker; International International damned damned the the Abolitionists Abolitionists (white (white TIONIST TIONIST MOVEMENT, MOVEMENT, btl btl Her Craven, Craven, and and Arthur Arthur Y. Y. Lloyd, Lloyd, who who THE THE NEGRO NEGRO IN IN THE THE ABOLI heartedly heartedly the the publication publication of of an an B.KEDROV B.KEDROV ing. ing. therefore therefore welcome welcome whole I I lectics lectics to to the the study study of of nature. nature. certain certain amount amount of of muddled muddled think the the application application of of materialistic materialistic dia for for one one would would have have been been I I saved saved a a ment ment regarding regarding the the importance importance of of Darwinism Darwinism been been generally generally known, known, firmation firmation of of Engels' Engels' famous famous state "Had "Had his his [Engels'] [Engels'] remarks remarks on on These These words words are are a a brilliant brilliant con preface preface are are very very noteworthy: noteworthy: thought." thought." xiv.) xiv.) (p. (p. The The following following lines lines in in Haldane's Haldane's it it helps helps them them to to elasticity elasticity of of as as yet yet been been fully fully established. established. erations erations of of scientists scientists will will find find that that properties properties of of the the viruses viruses have have not not and and hope hope that that future future Nabure, Nabure, gen (p. (p. 179.) 179.) must must be be noted noted that that the the It It English English translation translation of of Dialectics Dialectics of of 838 838 BOOK BOOK REVIEWS REVIEWS BOOK REVIEWS 839 much material on the role of the Negroes became more actively in Negro in the anti-slavery move volved in anti-slavery agitation. ment. Now Herbert Aptheker for In the great work of building the the first time brings together in one "Underground Railway," it was the single pamphlet significant data on Negroes themselves who took the this phase of their achievements. first steps and who always did the Moreover, he demonstrates with major portion of the work. It was great clearness the fundamentally primarily in the homes of the free revolutionary character of the Negroes of the North that fugitives Abolitionist movement, which "had found refuge. Aptheker lists the as its aim the overthrow of a vested names of many who were outstand interest representing billions of ing in these activities. There were dollars' worth of private property, others who "carried the war into and the realization in life of the Africa" by going into the South to Declaration of Independence, with raid plantations and assist escapes. its promise of equality and brother While some whites, such as the hood for millions of dark-skinned great John Brown, engaged in this people whose condition had made work, the overwhelming majority of a mockery of that declaration." those who undertook this most dan Before dealing with the role of gerous of all struggles were Negro, the Negro in the organized Aboli the greatest among them being the tionist movement, Aptheker touches famous Harriet Tubman. upon the long history of more or A glowing account is given of the less spontaneous struggles. After effect of direct contact with fugi liome reference to the many insur tives and of arrests under the Fugi rections and to the innumerable tive Slave Act in arousing anti heroic escapes to the North and to slavery sentiment in the North. De Southern swamps from which fugi scriptions are given of the skilful tives defended themselves against ways in which Negroes i.n the North raids and conducted guerrilla war organized to prevent arrests or to fare, stress is laid on other phases rescue Negroes already seized by of the struggle. the officials. Special vi&"ilance com Vast numbers of Negroes engaged mittees, both Negro and white, were in heroic labors to accumulate funds formed after the passage of the in with which to purchase either their famous Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. own freedom or that of their rela :Methods of rapid communication tives and friends. Some idea of the were worked out for sending warn extent of this effort is indicated by ings to communities on which raids the account of how, in 1834, 75 per by Federal deputy marshals were cent of the free Negroes of Cincin expected. nati had "worked out their own Such was the resistance to the freedom," while many others were Act of 1850 that only "At rare in "toiling to purchase their friends." tervals in these cases," according to Through such direct, personal en Aptheker, "the slaveholders, backed deavors the horror of slavery was by the might of the Federal govern brought home tQ many and fne ment, won, and the slaves were re- 840 BOOK REVIEWS turned. But these were Pyrrhic eral emancipr,tionist movement victories, because the commotion founded in Philadelphia in 1775 and excitement attending the return under the presidency of Benjamin of every slave meant that t.Q.e ques Franklin. tion of slavery had been brought Aptheker continues to record the before the minds of tens of thou work of Negro Abolitionists in the sands of people." early eighteenth century - again In dealing with the organized without indicating their relation to Abolitionist societies, Aptheker cor the national federation of anti-slav rectly emphasizes that of all the ery groups which, during this pe Abolitionists, the Negroes were the riod, had organizations in both most consistent. North and South and held national Evidence is given of organized conventions regularly until the late Abolitionist activity on the part of 1820's. Negroes, dating from 1760, when Negroes paved the way for the slaves in New England challenged emergence of the American Anti the legal concept of slavery through Slavery Society in 1833, many Ne bringing an action of trespass groes who had been active for years against their masters. From that in earlier movements becoming na time on, there are records of peti tional and local leaders of that or tions submitted by Negroes to pro ganization from the beginning. By vincial and state governing bodies; 1831, fifty Negro Abolitionist organ one such petition was submitted in izations existed, ready to join the 1775 to a Committee of Correspon broader movement as it arose. These dence and was followed by a con societies had for years maintained vention of many citizens which a determined opposition to the pledged to work consistently for American Colonization Society.* abolition. Throughout the remain An account is given of the emer der of the eighteenth century, rec gence of a Negro anti-slavery press, ords are extant of petitions by Ne dating from the appearance in 1827, groes, of contributions to the in New York City, of Freedom's extensive anti-slavery literature of Journal, a weekly, with agents the time, and of the emergence of throughout the North and South, Negro organizations for emancipa as well as in Haiti, Canada and tion. Articles by Negroes appeared England. The Boston agent of this in the American Museum, pub paper, David Walker, in 1829 pub lished in Philadelphia in 1788. And lished his famous Appeal, which, by in 1787 Philadelphia Negroes organized effort, was circulated in formed the Free African Society. the South. In that same year, two Similar societies later appeared in other pamphlets were published by Newport, R. I., in New York City Negroes, The Ethiopian Manifesto and in Boston. by Robert Alexander Young of New It might have been well for Ap * This society W2S founded by slaveholders and theker to have examined more fully had as its fundamental purpose the colonizing of what connection existed between free Negroes whose presence within the South consistently. disturbed the equanimity of the bour· these Negro societies and· the gen- bo-. BOOK REVIEWS 841 York and The Hope of Liberty, con Slavery Society. In its early years, sisting of poems by a North Caro the overwhelming majority of the lina slave, George Moses Horton, subscribers and supporters of Gar and printed in Raleigh, North Caro rison's Liberator were Negro, only lina. one-fourth of the subscribers being In discussing the period from the white in 1834. Many contributions formation of the American Anti by Negroes appeared in the Liber Slavery Society until the Civil War, ator and other Abolitionist papers. Aptheker indicates that, side by The organizational activity of side with the societies embracing Negroes in the Anti-Slavery So both Negro and white, there existed ciety is emphasized. The Declara many all-Negro societies, such as tion of the Convention which the Massachusetts General Colored founded the Society in Philadelphia Association. It was these Negro so in 1833 was written by Garrison, cieties which undertook the most John Greenleaf Whittier and Sam dangerous wclrk, such as penetra uel J. May in the home of a Negro, tion of the South itself for raids Frederick A. Hinton, and was and rescues. Among these were signed by three Negroes. Four of secret societies, such as the Order the original members of the Board of the Twelve of the Knights and of Managers of the Anti-Slavery Daughters of Labor in Cincinnati Society were Negro, while there and the Knights of Liberty in St. were five Negro members of the Louis, which aided the flight of hun Board of the later American and dreds of slaves. Foreign Anti-Slavery Society. Key The pamphlet takes note of the figures in the local vigilance com first national Negro convention, mittees were frequently Negroes, held in Philadelphia in 1830, which and Frederick Douglass, in 1847, formed the American Society for became President of the New Eng Free Persons of Color. land Anti-Slavery Society. This Annual national, as well as state,. work of Negro abolitionists was conventions were held by Negroes found both in the leadership and from 183Q on. Invariably these among the rank and file. staunchly denounced colonization In the work of agitation, the most schemes. All manifestations of effective of all speakers, as recog Jim Crowism, disfranchisement nized by the Abolitionist leaders, and chauvinism in the North were were Negroes-especially fugitive denounced in conjunction with the slaves. Scores of these toured the primary struggle against slavery. country and also Europe. The Such meetings pledged their sup greatest orator of them all, as well port to Garrison's Liberator, and as undoubtedly the greatest Aboli the general Abolitionist movement. tinonist in general, was the heroic While stressing the independent Frederick Douglass. activity of Negroes, Aptheker also emphasizes the extensive and out * * standing work of Negroes in the Aptheker has assembled in his joint activity of the American Anti- pamphlet data on the role of the BOOK REVIEWS 843 from this conflict and remained work from Aptheker in solving the with Garrison, why was this the problem posed here, namely, on the case? These are questions to which role of the Negro in the building we need answers. of an anti-slavery party, analyzing Aptheker has given us sufficient the role of the Negro at the time of material to prove beyond the the split in the American Anti shadow of a doubt that Negroes Slavery Society, in the Liberty and were involved actively and on an Free Soil Parties, and finally in the extensive scale in the Abolitionist emergence of the Republican Party movement. He has shown us that from the time of the statewide Peo they were organizers, editors, jour ple's conventions in the Northwest nalists, orators. But it is not enough in 1854 until the crystallization of for a Marxist to show us that Ne the Radical Republican group dur groes were in these struggles. It is ing the Civil War, would be a con important to know where they stood tribution of outstanding importance, -and why-in relation to the ideo which would bridge the gap be logical and political currents so tween the present work and his decisive in the actual mobilization notable pamphlet on The Negro in of the American people in the di the CiviL War. rection of carrying through the second American ReTolution. A FRANCIS FRANKLIN EASTERN WORKINGMEN AND lia or pre-Civil War America. The NATIONAL LAND POLICY, existence of this virgin, unappro 1829-1862, by HeLen S. ZahLer. priated territory, relatively easy of Columbia University Press, 246 access for the poor of the settled pp. 1941. $2.25. districts, made possible, in the words of Marx, the "continuous ~E first volume of CapitaL ends transformation of wage workers .1. with these words: " ... the capi into independent producers who talist method of production and ac work for themselves instead of cumulation, in short, capitalist working for capital, and enrich private property, demands as its themselves instead of enriching his fundamental condition the annihila worship the capitalist." This pos tion of self-earned property, in sibility "has an injurious reaction other words, the expropriation of upon the state of the labor market. the worker." Not only does the rate of the ex Marx penned these words in ploitation of the wage worker re connection with a consideration of main indecently low. In addition, the labor-supply problem facing a the wage worker, since he is no bourgeoisie established in undevel longer in a relation of dependence, eped and vast areas, such as Austra- ceases to have any feeling of de- 844 BOOK REVIEWS pendence as regards the abstemious contemporary obervers, referred to capitalist." (Capital, International the "Agrarian Reformers in Amer Publishers, p. 853.) ica" as a working class party (The The greatest natural resource of Communist Manifesto, International nineteenth-century America was its Publishers, p. 43) and, indeed, put tremendous expanse of unoccupied forward, as the first of the transi public land. And the issue of the tional measures toward the new so methods of disposal of this treasure, ciety which they envisaged, the calling into conflict, as it did, the "Abolition of property in land and rulers of the North against those application of all rents of land to of the South, and the masses of peo public purposes." (Ibid., p. 30; see ple versus the propertied interests also Marx to Sorge, London, June -land speculators, slaveholders, 30, 1881, in The Correspondence of railroad titans, robber barons-was Marx and Engels, International a basic force in American history. Publishers, pp. 394-95.) This is a Dr. Zahler's work offers some in precise formulation of the most ad teresting data on the sectional con vanced demands of the American flict, but it is particularly concerned working class prior to the Civil with the efforts of the workers to War. bring about the distribution of the Dr. Zahler demonstrates that an public land on the freest and widest important fighting and organizing possible basis, thus providing them demand of that class was for the with an effective weapon to with securing of the people's ownership stand the bosses' attempts to drive of the state lands, and a policy of down their wages, and, in this way, disposal of that land which would as well as by cutting down unem have made it available free of ployment, giving added strength to charge to all landless citizens. This attempts at unionization. demand accompanied other an This is an important contribution nounced workers' objectives, such to American historiography; for, as the right to organize, a shorter hitherto, the idea has been fostered working day, and free universal that the movement culminating in education. It played a significant the liberalization of the land laws part in American political history, came-to quote a recent textbook and was one of the leading factors on the subject (I. F. Woestemeyer in calling into being the progresive and J. M. Gambrill, The Westward Republican Party.* Indeed, as the Movement, N. Y., 1939, p. 46)-"in response to constant agitation from * In noting the connection between the Agrarian Reformers and the foundation of the Republican the frontier, and from farmers all Party-the party, too, of the rising industrial over the nation" with not a word bourgeoisie-is to be observed Marx's comment in his polemic against Proudhon (1847) that many being mentioned concerning the in early radical followers of Ricardo, as Cherbuliez. I-Iilditch, and the elder Mill, nd~manded that dependent and persistent demand rent should be paid to the state in order that it for agrarian reforms coming from may serve as a substitute for tans. This is a frank expression of the hatred which the indus· the mechanics, artisans, and fac trial capitalist dedicates to the landed proprietor, tory workers. who seems to him a useless and superfluous ele· ment in the general total of bourgeois production," Marx and Engels, however, as Dr. Zahler misses this point. BOOK REVIEWS 845 author points out, it was a promi any other single book, the mass of nent National Reformer, Alvan E. evidence demonstrating the active Bovay, who pioneered in organizing participation of that class in the ef and who actually named that fort&--partially successful---,.to ob party. tain a land policy favorable to the This work represents a contribu needs and aspirations of the com tion to the history of the American mon people. working class in that it makes readily available, more fully than HERBERT BIEL. LABOR FACT BOOK 5, prepared Labor's efforts to limit prices, by Labor Research Association, prevent defense profiteering, ex New York, 1941, 224 pp., $1. tend wages and social services and preserve trade unions and civil HE new Labor Fact Book 5 of rights will be amply fortified by the Tfers valuable background facts wide range of relevant topics at this time when the poople of the covered compactly in the short United States are joining hands space of 224 pages in Labor Fact with the people of the Soviet Book 5. Approximately one-fourth Union, Great Britain and China in a of the book is devoted to the effect decisive struggle for the destruc of the war situation on American tion of fascism. The participation economy, and particularly on labor of American labor in all phases of at home and in other countries. defense and in the extension of full The curtailment of government aid to the anti-fascist struggle needs spending for welfare services to the to be guided now more than ever people is effectively traced in a by knowledge of recent events and section entitled "From Depression by the experiences of labor in the to War Boom." The sharp increase United States and abroad. With its in the production of capital goods is usual high standard of objectivity, contrasted with a lowered t"ate of accuracy and inclusive treatment of increase in the production of con vital facts of concern to labor, this sumers' commodities. The corre fifth issue of Labor Fact Book, pre sponding rel!ltively slight increase pared by Labor Research Asso in the consuming power of the peo ciation, reports the events of the ple is shown to be the result of the last quarter of 1938 and the epochal slow advance in employment and years of 1939 and 1940. Once again payrolls in this period. A vigorous it furnishes a lucid record of the answer to those who are trying to political and social movements of defeat the campaign of the trade the period and a sharply focussed unions for wage increases is afford mirror of recent developments. ed in the figures on the huge profits 846 BOOK REVIEWS reported by corporations derived to assure the enforcement of the from reports of the National City Wage-Hour Law, and to reinvigor Bank and the Standard Statistics ate the struggle for national health Company. insurance and a broad housing pro Material pertinent to the struggle gram. The highly competent review against the rising cost of living is of the situation confronting farmers contained in the discussion of bud and agricultural labor provides the gets for decent living, of prices in key to a better understanding of wartime, of the wages of labor, in the farmers' plight in the face of cluding the discriminatory wage rising living costs and the need for levels of Negro and woman labor, stronger farmer-labor unity. and the important problems of An excellent chapter surveying health and unemployment. These the developments in the A. F. of L., are given in the setting of the Na C.I.O. and railroad labor summar tional Resources Committee report izes the convention decisions on the on consumers' incomes in the significant issues before the labor United States, a summary of which movement. Statistics on union reveals the gross disparity of the membership and the continuation distribution of income in the class of the earlier Labor Fact Book list structure of American society. ings of strikes are valuable. The discussion of the manner in The ample evidence given by the which the war has affected labor in Labor Fact Book on the drive of the European countries and in Canada reactionary forces in America to warrants careful reading. The facts crush labor's rights and deprive the about suppression of liberties in people of their civil liberties should Canada and the effort to destroy the stimulate increased vigilance and freedom of the trade union move activity on the part of unions and ment there, as detailed in the Labor progressive organizations to protect Fact Book, present an important our democratic rights. The balance challenge to American labor in the sheet, according to the Labor Fact common struggle of the peoples of Book, indicates clearly that certain Canada and the United States real gains in the maintenance of against the fascist menace. The civil rights have been offset by value of the book would have been serious and far-reaching losses. enhanced if similar material were Defense pr~parations have offered presented on the labor movement in pretexts for Red-baiting, for at Latin America. There is also a re tacks on religious and political grettable absence of material on minorities, for the persecution of labor conditions in China and the unions under the anti-trust laws Soviet Union. and for the arrest and imprison The comprehensive treatment of ment of leaders and active workers the gains and retrogressions in leg of trade unions and progressive or islation revealed in a long chapter ganizations. Especially striking is on legislation reaffirms the impera the review of the union-smashing tive need to safeguard and extend activities of governmental agencies the National Labor Relations Act, such as the Federal Bureau of In- BOOK REVIEWS 847 vestigation and the Dies Committee. ment of anti-fascist leaders like There is irrefutable proof that the Earl Browder, Oscar Wheeler and offensive of the reactionary inter the Oklahoma Communists. ests of America in the last year and The Labor Fact Book is more a half imperils all progressive than a reference book, it is a vital forces, in the documentation given document of the role of workers on the anti-labor tactics of employ and farmers in the dynamics of ers' associations, on the murders of present-day capitalism. Together active trade unionists, on the with the correct working class po growth of anti-Semitism and of litical theory, it provides a sound vigilantism and terror against the basis for action to check fascism. Negro people, and on the imprison- C. T. LATEST BOOKS AND PAMPHLETS RECEIVED Communism and CuLture, by Earl Browder, Workers Library Pub Browder, Workers Library Pub lishers, 5c. lishers, N. Y., 5c. La Libertad de Browder Es la Nu Communism Versus Fascism, by estra, by Juan Marinello, Comite William Z. Foster, Workers Li Pro-Libertad de Presos Politicos brary Publishers, 5c. de America, La Habana, Cuba. The Fight Against Hitlerism, by' The American Review on the Soviet William Z. Foster and Robert Union, Vol. IV, No. 3, August, 1941, American Russian Institute, Minor, Workers Library Publish-· ers, 5c. N.Y., 25c. Arrows for the Enemy, by Maurice Wages and Profits in Wartime, by Chanis, Brief Books, Chicago, Ill Labor Research Association, In inois, 50c. ternational Publishers, N. Y., 5c. Pacific-Philippine Affairs, No. 1, America Needs Earl Browder, by July, 1941, Kalayaan Publica A. B. Magi!, Workers Library tions, Manila, Philippine Islands, Publishers, 1c. 10 centavos. 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I 19 17} • It e.laborates and develops the essential prin .., ' ciples of Mart.isrn-Leninisrn in terms of the . pra~tica l and the<;>reltical problems which confram+ed the -workers and ~toiler of ~ussia at every stage of the struggte for liff~ration from c~pitali~ ' exploitation and fo r> - ,.,.-: ~~ Soviet power. • . The volu~e includes a .se0"ion, written : 1 - ent)rel,y by St.a-lin, on dialectical and historical ma teri-alism. It also contains a' profo1.1nd analysis of inter- ;' ' national relationships ard forc~s .wh ich provides ~?1- . ""' \o ¥ invaluable materia !\for a better understanding of the ..__ ~ historical backgrou.nd of the present1 worl d war: 364 pages. Order from: _ ' L I B RIA R Y P lf B l I S H E R & "' 148, Station D, New York, N.Y. A · Selected List ol Hew· Pampblet. 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