davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Northwest worker. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1915-1917, 1915-08-19
Suppresssing Socialist
uttsrance in Germany

More and more it is being disclosed
that the Socialists of Germany are
not unit behind the acquiescence of
it's leaders in agreeing to the program
of Emperor william. Whole organiza-
tons, such az those of Leipzig, Bruins
wick and Solihgef, have declared
against the official policy of the Social
Democratic party. In two weeks 700
leading members of the party signed
an opefi letter for a revision of the
party's attitude in regard to the war,
and this document was widely dis
tributed among the public until the
authorities suppressed it.
The German government suppressed
Vowarts because it in an academic
way discussed the proposition of
peace, which, it was contended, might
be seized upon as proof of Germany
being weary of the war.
1t is predicted by the Swiss Tag
wacht that "the battleline of the Off
cial German Socialist Democratic
party, the battleline against the in
terests of the international proletar-
lat, has been broken up, and white
The Northwest worker. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1915-1917, 1915-08-19

upon precept, it must teach the world
of men higher ideal than patriotism.
And this ideal must be backed up by
program for concerted action, a
program so well understood that the
next tibe the diplomats and military
men shall call upon the people to de-
fend the unholy treaties and alliances
that they have made the Socialists of
Germany shall clasp hands with the
Socialists of every other nation and
shall say, and, if necessary, shall lay
down their lives saying: "The only
treaty we are bound to respect is that
which binds us to the human race"
-International-Soc Review.
The Northwest worker. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1915-1917, 1915-08-19

the pronunciamento of Messrs. Haase,
Bernstein and Kautsky will probably
fail to induce any great number of
the Socialist leaders to join the ranks
of the opposition, it will have the ut
most effect upon the masses.
Feeling among the working
classes of Germany is such that
the government fears to have dis
cussed even platonic desires for
peace. The working classes are
such Indifferent diplomatists that
it was possible that they would
begin to agitate for peace, with
the result that the program of
the government might be seriously
organized.
ut is impossible to serve imperial
ism in deed, and combat it in word"
says the Swiss newspaper. The sit
uaiton offers two alternatives to the
Social Democrats of Germany: ITO
resume the fight against the govern
ment or to return unreservedly to
the yoke. 1t Is impossible not to see
that the leadership of the German So
cial Democracy is already sadly dis
organized"
The Northwest worker. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1915-1917, 1915-08-19
BY Carrie w. Allen

| The European war has proven that
resonant resolutions are not enough
to prevent war. To found an Inter
national" that will endure the shock
OF a war crisis the Socialists must be
prepared with plan of action-inter.
national action--to be used in advance
Of an outbreak of war.
With this thought in mind, I cross
ed the Place de la Concorde and went
over the Seine to the Chamber OF
Deputies to have talk with Jean
Longuet. deputy from the district OF
the Seine.
Longuet happens to be grandson
of Karl Marx. father of the "interna-
tional," and is one of the most able
Of French intellectuals. That he is a
popular member of the Chamber could
scarcely be doubted, for when the SER
geant called his name 1t was evident
that half the visitors in the ante room
were waiting TO see him. l vas ush-
cred into the reception room with
convalescent soldiers, women in deep
mourning and others. AS soon as
Deputy Longuet had given attention
to his visitors, he turned to give cor
dial greeting to the woman from
America.
Before beginning the interview he
called my attention to large paint
ing which occupied the space on one
side Of the reception room. Curiously
the only painting that has ever been
made of the French Chamber of Depu-
ties shows Jean Jaures in the speak
er's stand in the midst Of one Of
his impassioned utterances-Jaures,
whose matchless oratory so often held
the Chamber spellbound; Jaures,
whose life went out because of his
anti-militarist principles; Jaures,
whose last public speech was marked
by these words: "The only treaty we
The Northwest worker. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1915-1917, 1915-08-19
Who Is Exploited?
Ole X. Fingarson Explains His Posi-
ton and Refers to Text Books.

Ole X. Fingarson Explains His Posi-
ton and Refers to Text Books.
Dear Bill: Pleased to hear from
you and delighted that you differ 8,
much from the usual ideas set fortl
in history, socialist authors, etc.
and that you take the popular" So
cialist position. Perhaps we can botf
learn something But, this is friendly
remember.
L.. The wages system is admittedly
a failure, and unionism Is nearly al
much Of a failure, say you. Correct
What portion Of the working class are
in unions? If all these got $40 day
would they get any more of labor's
product and would it raise the average
wage Of the entire working class?
think not Unionism reached its
height of control, in the first, second
and third centuries A. d. and, from
then on, labor has taken the losing
side Of the class struggle. Unionisn
beats nothing, and it does not and can
not free the worker. It is part Of the
class struggle, but acting somewhat In
discriminatory against other workers
as we'll as the masters. 1t will take q
longer pole to knock the persimmon.
2. would respectfully refer read
ers to Marx, on value, Price and
Profit" for the basic explanation OF
these terms. Also Boudin's Theoreti
cal System. The value of all com
modities, including labor, is the so.
cially necessary labor which must be
spent in it's REPRODUCTION, at the
time the value is stated. AS land is
not subject to reproduction, it neces.
sarily follows that something in con-
nection with land, and not the land
itself, has value. Price attaches to
land. One may purchase an annuity,
receiving certain income on payment
of fixed sum. Virgin soil is not
bought and sold. Only after it has
been husbanded and raped and has
produced the bastard rent, does even
price appear. Any well-posted real
estate operator today can explain to
you that the price of land is dis
count of the rent, a mere banking
operation. Value" of land (forget
use-values altogether) is fiction of
capitalism and will only disappear
with it. A deed to land today classes
with stocks and bonds based mostly on
water. If you will read over your own
statements you will see that you agree
with me and disagree with your open
ing sentence under No. 2, LAND HAS
NO VALUE, but the right of exploita-
ton through land ownership has
value" without foundation in justice.
3. Then you insist that if one does
not get wages, he is not exploited
Elmer Eddy always insists that he is
The Northwest worker. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1915-1917, 1915-08-19

rimental to society. Hundreds of thou
sands of liberty-loving men and WON
en-, too sensitive to stand the bigotry
and carping and backbiting of Y. M
c. A. graduates in the Socialist Party
have left us and believe themselves tc
be anarchists, because anarchism very
frankly stands for personal liberty
even if it has no practical ways and
means to offer for its accomplishment
am not defending this super-sensi
tiveness and lack of practical logic
and moral courage, but l do hold that
we would be better off preaching un
adulterated truth and inviting liber
tarians than trimming our philosophy
to satisfy narrow-minded religionists
and prudish puritans.
We are neither fish nor fowl today
If office-seeking is our goal, we are
too radical We drop all truth except
what little religion has been forced
to admit, and we should pander to ig
norance, prejudice and stupidity in or
der to be popular,
If revolution, the overthrow OF Capt
taIistic barbarism, is what we stand
for, then let us make war to death
on all lies, all sham and all humbug
and take the consequences. Truth il
bound to win in the end and he is &
poor revolutionist who has not the
courage to struggle patiently against
overwhelming odds, when he knows
to an absolute certainty that his worl
helps to bring about victory.
/ am tired of apologizing for apollo
gists.
Yours for the revolution,
The Northwest worker. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1915-1917, 1915-08-19

no "wage-slave," though he may be q
slave under the system, for he
doesn't get his wages or anywhere
near the equivalent of wages for farm
ing. He pays the money lord a good
ly share of his product for the priv
ilege Of calling himself a landowner
and then sells his product at the whole
sale price, buying everything at re-
tail. BY the closest of economy and
the work of the whole family, he
hasn't starved yet; but he is not over
two or three weeks from the poor
house, if there came sudden stop
of the credit system that takes some
what greater share of his labor's prod
uct than is taken from the average
worker. You had not better tell him
he is not exploited! Your opening
sentence. No. 3 is pretty good, but
you seem to fly in the face of facts
when you say that the farmer and the
hired man are not both exploited
Many an abandoned farm in the east
and even some in almost any part of
the country, testify that the wage
worker is better paid than the average
farmer.
Let us suppose that the farmers
have paid off most of their mortgages
and that the banks have money not
readily loaned at the prevailing rates,
as often happens in the middle stage
Of the development of new country
Then the banker BUYS land. At as
low jrice as he can, true, but he then
sells the land ON TIME. AT interest.
For part if possible, and at still
higher price. This very process has
increased the price of land continually
and will increase it until the limit Of
exploitation is reached.
The working farmer is in exactly the
same place in the capitalist system
that the wage worker is, with some
variations Of the process Of exploita-
ton. When he exploits the hired man
he is but the agent Of the capitalist
class and really pays two to five days
of his labor in spring for one day OF
hobo harvest help. The average farm
er does not get much over FIFTEEN
CENTS day for HIS LABOR. What
property he may accumulate comes
from speculation, rise in price Of land,
trading, etc.
repeat, SOCIALISM HAS EXACT
LY THE SAME THING TO OFFER
TO THE ENTIRE WORKING CLASS.
Because of the difference in process,
as to farmer and wage worker, we
sometimes forget that and we do not
know how to state it. The real reason
I did not state what Socialism has to
offer, in detail, is because l don't
know how. I'm asking!
4. You missed the point altogether
Farm production is individual and
will so continue for many years. In
cooperation farm production is hum
dred years behind the rest of our de-
velopment. Allow me to remark that
the farmers wages HAVE disappeared
already, so it is not exactly abolition
of the wage system you want, is it,
friend Bill?
The farmer does not organize be-
cause the evolutionary process has
made and keeps him an indiyidualisti
WE must take him as he is and free
him from exploitation and the right
TO exploit. / said BEGIN with these
taxes, but did NOT say to omit any
CONTINUED on Page A.
The Northwest worker. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1915-1917, 1915-08-19
jim LARK|N COMING
TOEVERETT IN AUGUST

Larkin's conduct of the labor forces
in the lockout of 1913 brought him
afoul of the law, the fate of many a
striker before and since. He was SEN
fenced to a long term of Imprisonment,
although the sentence was never
served, the British government grant
ing him a full pardon when the labor
vote protested against the verdict at
the polls. Another encounter with the
British government came when Lar
kin's paper, "The Irish Worker" the
official weekly organ of the Dublin
Labor Party, was suppressed on De-
cember 9th, 1914, its printing rooms
having been dismantled and the
presses seized. Since the war began
its editorial policy has been fiercely
national and equally fiercely anti
recruiting and anti-imperialistic,
Editor Larkin advocated that the place
for Irish workers was not in the
trenches numbering or being murdered,
a policy with which few labor writer's
will disagree.
Larkin's appealing oratory and liter
airy ability used on all occasions in an
insistent demand for the rights of
labor in Ireland have fairly earned for
him the popular title THE Idol of the
Irish Workers" He is touring this
country in the interest of the working
class and will lecture at the Peoples
Theatre Tuesday, August 81.
The Northwest worker. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1915-1917, 1915-08-19
iBy Frans Bostrom.)


have been told that at one of David
Goldstein's lectures on Socialism, the
Nation of Fatherless Children" held
at Vancouver. B. c., certain comrade,
in answer to Goldstein's challange. got
up on the platform and spoke some
thing like this: you have heard Mr..
Goldstein's eloquent attempt to prove
us, the Socialists. Goddess bunch of
freelovers. He had shown conclusive
ly that we are hostile to religion. He
has quoted Engels and Bebel and other
great authorities to show our disre-
spect for Capitalistic morality and has
held up for your inspection the pri.
vate life of many prominent Socialists,
who put the philosophy of these great
teachers to practical use. He now
asks us what We have to say to this.
In answer, let me ask Mr.. Goldstein
this question. Suppose that We plead
guilty, what then? Are you ready sir,
to debate with me on the subject of
the existence of God and an immu-
table law of morality?"
We may differ in our opinion about
the diplomacy of thus dazzling the
eyes of blind faith and prudish puri-
tanism with incandescent truth. 1t
may be true that it does no good to
stun the sensibilities of the super
stitious religionists with thunderbolts
of logo, it may be an impolitic as well
as unpopular task to tear off the rags
from that old scare crow Madame
Grundy and wash off the paint that
covers her ugly wrinkled visage. But
is there anything more disgusting to
the true revolutionist than the Inning
and Having of the apologist. who is
not only satisfied with showing that
Socialism is an economic question,
which does not concern itself with
what gods Tor how many confused
minds need to keep themselves suffi-
GENTLY doped, but also consider them
selves obliged to deny materialism, the
foundation of Socialism. because for
sooth there is no place in science for
anything superhuman? Is there any
thing more disappointing than to hear
our ablest speakers use the words
"God,' Supreme Power" or "Provi-
dence" even metaphorically, just be-
cause they have the notion that
rhetoric needs support from falsehood
to make it sufficiently poetical and
charming? How can any one be of
any real use to the cause of truth by
lying?
But if some of our public speakers
are guilty Of playing hide-and-seek
with theology, there are few if any of
them who can be charged with moral
hypocrisy. To the honor of all of
them be it said that they despise puri-
tanism; to most Of them that they
fearlessly assert the right of man to
live his life as he sees fit, as long as
he does not interfere with the right
of others to do likewise, and to the
infinite glory of some few of them,
that they actually dare to live happy
The Northwest worker. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1915-1917, 1915-08-19

James Larkin of Dublin, Ireland,
president of the Transport and Cen
eral Workers Union, who has
achieved international fame as labor
leader, is coming west and will be in
Everett Tuesday, August 31st. His
coming is awaited with interest in
Irish and labor circles. Larkin came
into prominence as leader when
from the unskilled and semi-skilled
workers Of Dublin previously grouped
into small weak unions he welded the
powerful Transport and General Work
ers' Union.
In the seven years of it's existence
this organization has acquired owner
ship of it's headquarters, Liberty Hall,
Bedford Place, Dublin, and has de-
veloped many activities for the welfare
of it's membership. 1t sponsors all
forms of social relaxation, dancing
billiards, provides instrumental and
vocal music as well as gymnasiums for
boxing, swimming, etc, and classes
of all kinds, Gaelic, French and Ger
man included. Members have theiI
dramatic and choral societies, theil
own recreation park of Is acres just
outside the city limits where they
meet for boxing and for athletic
tournaments; they manage a co-opera
tive distributing society and a co
operative restaurant, as well as sew
eral other beneficial organizations, al
built up in few short years.
The Northwest worker. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1915-1917, 1915-08-19

are DOuuu W IcbpCSu 10 tnuL WhlCl
binds us to the human race"
The spirit of Jaures seemed to be
upon Jean Longuet, as he spoke most
earnestly to be of the present neces
sity of laying the groundwork IL we
are to have an international after the
war Is over. As Longuet's position is
that of most of the Socialists whom
met in Europe, and Of many German
Socialists, also, shall give both ques-
lions and Longuets replies in order to
make that position quite clear:
"Mr Longuet, do you consider that
the fact that Germany alone was ready
for the war is proof OF the guilt OF the
Prussion dictators OF Germany's for.
eign policy?"
Longuet replied: THE fact that Ger
many was more ready than any Of her
opponents is, to large degree, a
proof of the guilt OF the powers that
be- in Germany. They had for long
time made up their minds to make
war, having, as Bernhard puts It, the
right and the duty to make war
do you believe that Germany today,
under the domination OF the Prussion
Junkers. is the most powerful autoc-
racy in the world?"
81 do not know II Germany is the
most powerful autocracy in the world.
Russia may be a more autocratic coun-
try, but her governmental machine has
not reached the perfection of Ger
many's."
do you think that the Social-Demo-
cratic members of the Reichstag be-
trayed the principles of International
Socialism when they voted the war
credits?"
Mr.. Longuet said slowly and with
elaboration: 81 think that when the
war came the Social-Democratic men,
bers of the Reichstag were desperately
weak, If not traitors to Socialism. We
all understand that they may have
been deluged by the artfui talk OF the
government about defending the
But, at any rate, they
ought to have raised an energetic pro-
test against the violation OF Belgium's
territory, against the secret diplo-
macy's tricks and the whole criminal
business. Unfortunately, they have
not done it,"
do you think the Socialists Of
France and of England would have
fought as unit against the war If
the German Social-Democrate had
fought against the ruling class in
Germany making WARP"
Longuet replied quickly: Naturally,
if the Socialists of Germany had tried
a revolutionary movement--say a gen.
eral strike-against war and it's pro-
moters, similar movements would have
broken out all over Europe and in the
allied countries, especially in England
and France The greatest difficulty to
such a movement Gas was embodied in
the Kier Hardie-Vaillant resolution at
the Copenhagen International Con-
gress in 1870 hal always been the op-
position Of Germany's Socialist party"
do you think victory for Germany
would mean a setback for all demo-
cratic movements in Europe?"
Very decidedly the answer came: IL
think, with the London Conference of
the Socialists of the Allied countries,
that "a victory for German imperial
ism would be the defeat and destruc-
ton of democracy and liberty in Eu-
rope"
do you not think that In case the
war lasts two or three years the Ger.
The Northwest worker. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1915-1917, 1915-08-19
THE new INTERNATIONAL

man proletariat will start revolution
in Germany"
jumping to his feet and with swift
movement of his hands peculiar to the
French, Longuet said: 1T is absolute
nonsense to speak of the war lasting
two or three years. Before six months
all Europe will be exhausted. I think
that a revolutionary movement will
most probably begin in Germany after
the war is finished, not before, as the
people will think that such a move
ment is impossible so long as the coun-
try's safety may be jeopardized."
do you think that IL the masses
in Germany should start a revolution
now that the masses in France and
England and Russia would also revolt
to end the war;"
Longuet replied regretfully: "If only
there was strong democratic move
ment in Germany acting against the
government, not speaking of purely
revolutionary movement, 1t would be
possible for the Socialist and advanced
people in France and England to act
in favor Of peace"
III there Is no revolution, and the
war goes on until poverty Is intense
all over Europe, do you not think that
progress will be checked for many
years."
81 think that, whatever may be the
result of this abominable war, the
prosperity Of the nations will be
checked for years"
"Since the war has shown how
strong the nationalist spirit is in all
peoples, what can we do to build an
international that will not again fail?"
With wide sweep Of his hands,
Longuet quickly said: "The interna-
tional has not failed as you say, but
was not strong enough, more especial
ly in Germany, even with it's huge
army of voters. The German Social
Democracy's lack of a revolutionary
spirit has been the great misfortune,
while the revisionist wing, with men
like Sudekum, Wolfang Heine and Le-
glen, had lost all notion of real inter-
nationalism and had become National
list Soctal Performers
"Do you think the German Social
Democratic party should be given seats
in the new International if it contin-
ues to support the action of it's mem
bers who voted the war credits?"
Very definitely and decidedly Lon
guet replied: 81 think that before
meeting again the International move
ment will demand from the German
Socialists serious washing of its
dirty linen. 1t may be that division
will come inside the German move
ment If it does, the International
movement will recognize as being the
only bona fide German Socialists those
of the Leibknecht, Ledebour and Clara
Zetkin wing"
Jean Longuet is not the only Social
list who continues to assert that the
International did not fail. They may
assert this over and over again, but
the fact remains that the nationalist
spirit is hideously triumphant in Eu-
rope today, and Socialists of every
one of the warning nations are at the
front fighting against their comrades.
The International failed! 1t is neces-
sary for Socialists to bravely recog-
nize that fact if they would build a
New International that will not again
so ANONYMOUSLY fail. q
Not only must the New Internation-
al be founded upon revolutionary
platform, but line upon line, precept
The Northwest worker. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1915-1917, 1915-08-19
Socialist Hypocrisy

lives despite the frantic protests OF
pharasaical stupidity.
But few of them have the courage
to teach that monogamic marriage is
a Capitalistic institution, like wage
slavery, war, murder for gain. re-
ligion. dishonesty, etc. and. like
Capitalism itself. n temporary and
necessary evil, for which there will be
no use in civilized system of society.
Few OF them dare to teach that the
family is a futile attempt to do away
with or at least ameliorate that fright
full loneliness which nobody escapes
in society where every mans hand is
forced to be raised against his fell
lows: that the universal failure Of
marriage is caused by that instinct Of
liberty and individuality inherent in
all life) which cannot endure the
tyranny involved in compulsory CO.
habitation: that when private owner
ship Of public necessities is abolished
and predatory man has become
worker. we will no longer have any
need for offensive and defensive al
liances in the shape of marriages, fra
ternal orders or other conspiracies
against the rest of mankind. And
that nothing can long survive the need
that called it into existence.