The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-08-07
SOCIALISTS FOR
PEACE IN SWEDEN
Organized Workingmen of the
Country Take Prominent Part
in Politics.
Peasant Vote the One Thing
Standing in the Way of So
cialist Domination.
By w. 3. CHAMBERLAIN.

Stockholm, Sweden, July 10.-The
workingmen Of Stockholm, or at least
the organized workingmen, are very
much in politics. Their political. activi-
ties are conducted under the direction
of the social-democratic party, while
their relations with their employers are
in the hands of the trades-unions. These
two forms of organization are practl-
cally identical in membership and work
along parallel lines. The trades-unions,
of course, are chiefly interested in estab-
fishing a higher wage level: 1t Is an an
level means greater political influence
for the labor element, because the right
to vote rests entirely upon the amount
of income. AS wages go up-and their
tendency at this time is upward in
comes increase and thus more. workmen
get above the 800 kronor minimum and
attain the right to vote. Thus politics
and wage-increase go hand in hand in
Sweden.
Four Socialists in Riksdag.
AS yet the socialists have been I'M
able to elect many members of the rlks-
dag. At present they have but four, all
in the second chamber. But one OF
these is from Stockholm, Hjalmar Brant-
ing, editor of the daily Social,Demo-
KRAFT. If the liberals ever succeed, how
ever, IN bringing dpouU I'LL ~
frage or anything approaching IT. the
socialists will become a factor Of i'm
mense Importance. Stockholm, Tor in
stance, has twenty-five members OF the
second chamber and it is estimated that
with manhood suffrage the socialists
would elect their candidates in seven
teen of these, Districts. Largo delega-
dustrial centers and while it is improb.
able that the socialists could ever get
control of the government, or even OF
the second chamber, it might easily
come about that they would hold the
balance of power between the Liberals
sympathies would, naturally, be with
the liberals, who share with them the
demand for universal suffrage. But the
| exigencies Of politics make strange al
, liances necessary sometimes, and the
brainy men of the liberal party are, If
the truth be, told, somewhat apprehe?n..
sive about the growth Of the socialist
party.
Peasant Vote in Way.
Theron thing that stands in the way
Of socialist domination in the event OF
or what we would call in America thu
farmer vote. In Sweden as in the United
States there is very little sympathy be
tween the industrial classes in the grea
: manufacturing centers and the farming
; class. Their aims and ideals and view
points are different. If com binatiol
could be effected between them, it woul
sweep Sweden. That is the dream O
the socialists, as it has been of many la
Dor leaders in the United States. In tn
= recent May day demonstration, tn
! workingmen of Stockholm turned out e.
masse and each wore on his coat lapel
little paper shield on which was printe
picture of farmer with a scyth
a shaking hands with workman Of tn
!, city. Behind them rises the red sun o
~ socialism. Above them entwined in tn
!. foliage of tree is this legend:
-, "Arbetare stad och land foene
Or in English: eye who labor i
y city and country, get together'
d These political demonstrations Of tn
J. labor men are unique. They are COZ
g Quoted with that sense of order and fl
l. ness that is so characteristic Of til
s Swede. There is never by any chanc
e any disorder or any attacks on MOI
n union men. In the May day processio
e Just spoken of, there was banner wit
l. the legend. "Down with the Uppf
=, Chamber!'' This is the division Of tt
IL riksdag which stands most in the way {
l. extension of suffrage and other reform
d The police did not altogether like tn
u legend and demonstrated with the labo
y ing men. But those in the parade wei
: - calmly on their way, carving the bal
u u, ner aloft, and the police decided not
;ez interfere.
C. The Political Strike.