The Washington socialist. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1914-1915, 1914-05-14
PROCLAMATION ON THE MEX
ICAN WAR
BY the Socialist Party of America

by those who pqofit from war.
Capitalist drums are beating, trump.
cts blaring and forces recruiting
All this that the nation may be
goaded into war and the workers made
TO consent to shoot and be shot
For centuries the resources of Mex
leo have lain dormant OF late that
country has been touched by the
magic wand Of capitalism and the
same development is taking place
there that always takes place when
modern capitalism clashes with back
ward feudalism
Ninety per cent of her population
is still landless and propertyless. For
hundreds of years her people have
struggled against almost insurmount-
able difficulties to overthrow tyrants
who have ruled and ruined men.
For hundreds OF years the Mexican
people have been in a state OF con
tinuous revolt because the great ma
jority are in a condition of peonage.
Robbed of their land in an agricul-
tural country, the change from the
Spanish rule to an independent repub-
lie avails the Mexican people little or
nothing. SO long as peonage remains.
revolt must follow revolt.
In vain did the Mexican people ele-
waite Madero to the presidency Their
hope that he would recognize their
need and restore the land to the peo-
pie was not fulfilled. They are still
fighting to win Mexico for the Next
cans
In Sonora, Durango and Chihauhau,
where the revolutionists are in con
troll the people are taking possession
of the land Now, when the revolu-
tionists believe that victory is in sight.
the great American republic controlled
by sinister capitalist interests ana
without declaration of war. lands an
armed force on Mexican soil. No ma
ton in modern times has ever begun
hostilities upon a pretext so shallow
as the flag incident at Tampico.
The war will inevitably unite all
factions in Mexico against the invad-
ers of their country. Their resistance
to the forces of the United States must
fail, yet it will cost thousands of lives
through bullet, bayonet and disease.
In order to subdue Mexico, the
American army must march across
that country like Sherman marched to
! the sea. Our army will leave behind
a path of desolation, ruined homes and
health
And finally. when American arms
have triumphed, who will be the win
ners? The American people will not
win. The Mexican people will not
win. German, English and American
capitalists, backed by our army, will
exploit Mexico and the Mexican peon
as capitalism always exploits the work
ing people everywhere.
Moreover, the effect of the war on
our own country will be deplorable
War strengthens every force hurtful
to civilization, every force hurtful to
labor While war lasts there will be
no social legislation. Enough money
will be used up in dealing death to
human beings to provide old age pen
sions, accident, sickness and unem-
ployed insurance for every worker in
America for.
Every piratical power will seize this
opportunity to prey upon our people
Exploiting capitalism will meet every
attack by wrapping the American flag
around its plumber
Remember that the capitalist class
in Colorado, destroying with machine
guns American workers struggling for
better conditions, is the very same
class that seeks to rule Mexico.
The Socialist party is opposed, as a
matter of principle, to every war of
aggression. We believe that there is
but one justification for war, and that
! is to fight for freedom. Our freedom
, has not been assailed by the Mexi-
cans. There is no reason why Ameri-
can workingmen should leave their
homes and families to have their
bodies mangled on Mexican battle
fields.
In the name of two million Ameri.
can Socialists, in the name of thirty
million Socialists throughout the
world, in the name Of humanity and
civilization, we protest against the
war with Mexico.
BY THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEE OF THE SOCIALIST
PARTY.
Victor Berger