The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1904-12-10
Che Dlversltls$ Of Socialism,
Chicago Tribune.)

Chicago Tribune0
There are several principles for the adoption
of which practically all the socialists in the
world contend They all want absolute democ-
racy. They all stand for thorough and COM
prehensive system of public education. They all
demand public ownership and management of all
the instruments of production and distribution.
They denounce as wholly unjust the division OF the
aggregate income of capital and labor which is
made under the existing industrial system, and de-
mand unanimously the adoption of more equita-
bic basis of distribution.
But, despite the general harmony of view re-
garding these leading principles, there is much dis
cord within the socialist camp. Most of ii arises
over minor points, but much of it is due to differ
ences over matters of fundamental Importance The
German social democracy is menaced with bad
split England and her Social Democratic fedora
ton" her Socialist league" her Fabian society"
her christian Social society" her Guild of ST
Matthew'S" and any number of lesser socialist or
carnations. In France there are "colIectiyists."
'Blanquists." Broussst "possibts" AlIcmanst
'possibilists." independents: and one of these
parties can hardly meet without being rent asunder
The socialists of the United States are fairly har-
monious now. but their past history Is largely
history of splits. Each of the numerous factions in
the various countries represents different shade of
doctrine. It would take book to el,cidatc all the
diversties of socialism.
Running through the socialist ranks everywhere.
however is one line of cleavage which stands out
most distinctly. This is the line which in every
country divides the "opportuiiist." or "reformist"
from the Scientific" ''leyolutionary8 socialists
The revolutionary socialists are led in Germany by
Bebe and Liebknecht. in France b. Gresde and
Lafargue. in Italy by Ferr III England by Hynd-
The opportunities led in Germany by
Bernstein and Vollmaar. in France by Jaures and
Merand. in Italy by Turati. in England by kier
Hardie. The socialist party in the United States
is dominated by revolutionary sentiment and by
revolutionary leaders, such Eugene V. Debs and
a. NJ Simons of Chicago. the able editor of the
International Socialist Review.
The revolutionists, who are usually devou be
levers in the entire gospel according to Marx main
tain that the socialist propaganda is war of the
laboring class proletariat. against all other
classes of society. They would, therefore organ
ize the proetarians into a partY from which all
other persons were barred so that when in the
course of industrial evolution. the capitalistic sys
TEN breaks down the proetarians will be ready to
seize the instruments of production and distribution
and begin managing them in the interest of the
whole people Meantime, they would have socialists
accept no favors from or offices7-except for pur-
poses of agitation--under governments which thev
regard as capitalistic, but would have them stand
aoot and wage Jmrelenting war against established
institutions. Opportunists believe, the contrary
that the interests OF all classes pretty much the
same. They deprecatc class war. and would debar
nobody from socialist ranks The revolutionists
would accomplish the change to socialism, without
violence. if possible. but quite suddenly The op-
portunist~, as their name implies. would welcome
every gain, however slight for socialism and
would bring the new regime to pass by slow. almost
mpercepfble degrees.
As would naturally be expected England the
classic land of liberty practical philosophy and OPP
portunism, IS the happy hunting ground of the re-
fomists. There is less socialism in theory and
more in practice i'll that country than in any other
in the world. The English national and municipal
governments do everything, from delivering the
mails and operating street railways to running
pawnshops and meadows and furnishing mid
wives. The revolutionary socialists as would also
be anticipated are strongest in Germany whose
has always been theoretical and ideal
istie. and whose government mas always been des-
potic