The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1911-08-17

had 1~.sSz,146 members and S3.o0O,-I
000 marks in their treasury. It is
difficult to get a ~clear-concept of the
magnitude and intensity of this
press propaganda; it must be seen,
especially in the large Industrial
centers, to be fully realized.
Perhaps the most fearful feature
Of German Socialism is the astound-
ingly rapid and almost meteoric
growth of its Frauenbewegung its
female propaganda. Since the first
conference of Social-Democratic
women in Mainz, in 1900, it has ad-
vanced with leaps and ounds The
German female Socialists are YER
liable in the cause.
In 1908 $1,000 women were mem
bers of the party organization; one
year later they numbered 2O,Ooo
more, n to-day they loudly claim
70 have a hundred thousand men,
bers.
The official Journal of the women
Is Die Gleichheit equality, which
enjoys an ever increasing popular
ity (77,G00 subscribers in 1909;
$4,000 in 1900
Nor have the Socialists been un-
mindful of the aphorism, Whoever
has the youth has the future.
Their acknowledgements simply
amazing in its extent III variety;
no means is left untried in the effort
TO capture the coming generation.
beginning in 1904 with societies ana
journals nominally Indifferent, they
have gradually developed a propa-
Ganda as in s%inuating as it is effec-
tive. This propaganda includes the
youth of both sexes, and its in
iuence finds its way into the reno
test country school.
But beneficient Socialism is not
content to supply the mind OF youth
with nourishment; the body, too,
must receive it's attention, and hence
sports and entertainment play an
important part in the winning of the
younger generation to the cause.
Clubhouses lave been established in
los places, 20 of which are provided
with free libraries and-a point to
be noted these c1ubhouses are
open to both sexes, certainly equal
ity with a vengeance. In connection
with this uplifting of the youth
the annual report for 1910 chronic
les 1874 lectures and entertain
SAS 90 SoulSeS vi luSIEuCllOH
259 theatricals, 215 visits to muse
ums, LAG outings. etc. Here, too,
printers ink is not spared.
German Socialism through check
ed by the might of monarchy and an
opposition ministry, has not worked
altogether in vain in its efforts to
seize the reins of government.
Thanks to class elections and other
lDOlltlca1r agencies IFS nnraS0ntntinn
in parliament is in no proportion to
its political strength. This fact fills
the Socialists with wrath, and they
are promising themselves an ulti-
mate victory and an awful day of
reckoning. Nevertheless, in 1909,
they held in ninteen of the provinces
nearly two hundred seats in the re-
spective diets, while in the various
city and town councils they were rep
resented by no less than 1888 men,
bers ave been increased by the last
elections.
This is German Socialism in the
year of grace 1911 1t is a giant
octopus, extending its feelers into
every corner of the empire. to be
seen with the naked eye or deciphe/
ed in tho columns of Unconditional
statistics. 1t has grown thus in
forty years, in prosperous times. and
in a land economically the best
situated on the continent, and
among a people hitherto regarded
for their Intelligence aud conserva-
tiveness. Could history thus re.
peat itself in our lane of freedom
and plenty? Would a change OF
check in our good times"-for
they cannot continue forever
preclpiate such a movement and
lead to like results?
A few years ago, Professor Wern,
er Sombart, the well-known German
soc1ologist, came to America to
study its conditions, and on his re
turn to Europe he published his re
suits in Il work entitled why Is
There No Socialism in the United
~States?' The book discusses the
economic. political and social condi-
tons which have thus far made i'm
possible the successful
OF continental Socialism in the
United States, and yet Sombarr
closes his volume with his remark
able sentences: "All the factors that
IhaVe mp to this time retarded the
evolution of Socialism in the United
states are on the point of vanishing,
or of changing into their contraries,
land. as "A cnDSpOuonra co,;,1;.,,