The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1904-06-09
Cooperation.

trend toward international co-opera-
ton of phiIanthropic and political
agencies, so generally conducive 10
the brotherhood and advancement OF
humanity, has found new and hopeful
exemplification in the address recent
ly issued by the socialists of Japan
to their brethren in Russia. The adj
dress, as reported by the press, was
as follows:
Dear Comrades: For many years
we have heard of you and thought Jf
you, although up to this time we nave
not had chance to shake your hands
and hold intercourse with you, as we
are separated by thousands of miles.
Twenty years have passed since you
began to proclaim noble principles OF
humanity under the socialists BAN
ner. Undaunted by the serious tr1a
OF hunger, poverty, and transporta-
ton to Siberia, you have not become
discouraged Dear comrades, your
government and ours have recently
plunged into war to carry out their
imperialistic tendencies, but for us
socialists there are no boundaries,
race. country, or nationality We ale
comrades brothers and sisters. and
have no reason to fight. Your enc
mics are not the Japanese people, but
our militarism and so-called patriot
ism. Patriotism and militarism ae
our mutual enemies. We are neither
nihiIists nor terrorists, but socialists,
and fight for peace We cannot for
see which Of the two countries viii
win, but the result of the war will be
the same-general poverty, new and
heavy taxes, the undermining OF NOR
atty, and the extension OF miiitafisin.
Therefore 1t is an unimportant ques-
ton which government wins"
The undersigned is not socialist
nor is he in sympathy with all the
socialist demands. But there Is one
universal and perhaps dominant char
acteristic OF all socialistic propaganda
which Is so distinctly and powerfully
operative for the well-being of the
race. that all lovers of their fellow
men must give 1t their unhesitating
and unqualified support. The refer
ence Is to the socialistic insistence
upon the cultivation Of the arts OF
peace as opposed to the arts of wal.
Militarism and imperialism, whether
exemplified at home in compulsory
military duty, or standing armies, or
great navies, or censorship Of the
press, or the subordination Of women,
or In any of the other relics of semi
barbarous age, or whether manifested
abroad in lust of land and trade. with
the exploitation OF weaker peoples, at
the sacrifice of domestic interests and
the national honor-all these eyi-
dences of an uncivilized civilization
have no more uncompromising foe
than the international socialist party.
And amid all the congratulations
shOwered upon Japan by reason Of
her rapid strides In civilization, more
are more deserved than those due to
her alliance, In some measure, with
that better thought of the times which
sees in militarism a standing menace
to human progress. 1t Is fortunate
that people so lately emancipated
from arbitrary, government should
have in their midst political party
which sets it's face against every ten
dency ministering to the pride of
k1nBS, anu WHICH VuFSueS the SuDSIdH-
tial and enduring interests Of the peo-
pie at large. The presence Of such a
party in Japan is particularly well
come because there are indications
that Japan, exhilrated with her rapid
advances and her entrance into the
arena of world-power, may be led by
the unfortunate spirit OF the passing
age to the pursuit of military achieve
ment and territorial ACKNOWLEDGMENT,
SO inimical to the highest and most
permanent interests of any people.
The profoundest sympathies OF all
lovers OF humanity go out to the COM
mon people of every age and cline
who have been sacrificed to the
slaughter and desolation of war by
the vanity and ambition of reckless
rulers. To fight for national indepen-
dence, or to repel foreign invasion
this Is the patriotism OF war. and no
sacrifice In too great in this sacred
cause. hut Ia wage war for the ex-
tension of territory. or the increase
of trade. or the augmentation of on
cial patronage such war Ii born OF
hell, whether Il originates with rob