The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-09-20
large and influential bodies Of men who

large and influential bodies OF men who
believe that the political movement which
Is already III progress in Great Britain
should be q straight socialist movement,
and have nothing to do with such ex-
5ped!ents as labor politics. In all CIR
clcs is heard the statement that socialism
means somethiSg historically and renlly;
that labor means nothing, and a victory
gained under Its banner would leave the
common people no furthers On ,tha now *.
In addition to the otilers cansds that
urge tho workinsmen to socialism. the
great victory In Germany has made a
profound impression. The Englishmen
are asking themselves why they should
be bohind In the only interna tlonal
movement for the elevation OF the work.
Ing people, and they confess their position
with humility and regret.
In the present and In the past Eng
land has not been wanting in great names
I In tho socialist ranks, and the attain.
ments Of these men, II nothing else. has
given the movement substance and re-
spoct In England which 1t has never had
with US. Unfortunately. the socialists
have tor years been much divided In Eng
land. OF the political movement would
doubtless be more advanced
Socialists are vcry independent and
self-contained paople; they have their
own views and OPINIONS and do not
takc kindly to the rule Of caucus and
convention. Every socialist believes that
his Judgment is Just as good as, and
considerably better than, that OF any ono
else. and he, therefore. has the right to
lead and the rest cnn do tho following.
Tho English socialists are split into fac-
tons and fragments. Years ago, In the
days Of its greatest vlgor, one party went
away under the leadership OF the poet
lsAl Ito Ia NVh{fe.tI n.
other followed NJ. II. I1yndman, Although
this was LONG ago. and the great artist
has been dead for seven years, tho spll'
has never yet healed up.
The strongest Of tho sociallsts' polltl-
cal leaders living to-day Is probably Mr.,
M II. Hyndman, a man Of great learning
and culture, a graduate OF Cambridge,
a successful business man and a person.
age of much influence In Europe; besides
this, he is one OF the abest speakers In
England. This year he Is standing for
Parliament on tho socialist ticket and the
party looks to the coming election to
demonstrate that at last socialism has
taken hold on English politics ~ sub
stantial way. But even In this ease
with their strongest man as 9 cah ,i1,.
the radicals are not content TO llye IA
peace There are many radicals and labor
leaders in England who will not support
IIyndman, who in fact desire his defeat,
although all admit that In learning and
natural ability and devotion to popular
rights. he Is the peer Of any man IN any
party In England,
The Socialists here, as In America. have
hcen split over the old question OF party
platform. Whether they shall announce
in every instance tho full national pro,
gramme OF revolutionary socialism, ecf
be content with this, or whetler they
shall declare for the principles OF So
ciallsm, and then In addition adopt a more
Immediate platform, calling for reforms,
that this or the next generation might
possibly, reach, Is the question that has
divided the camp. 1t is safe to say that
nearly all Socialists In England arc nov
agreed OH the latter course. Even Mr..
Hyndman who stands for the staunchest
and most uncompromisIng demands, an,
nounces his belief that this IS the wisest
course. The great vote In Germany has
done much ia bring the Socialists to this
Giew. Tho German party while declaring
for the full programme still wero not 50
far in tho clouds az cfrefuse any tenn,
moral aid to the present generation who
must bear the burden OF the battle, and
who feel that the living as well ~ the