TaÌˆgliches Cincinnatier volksblatt. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1885-1919, 1915-05-05
KEIR BARDlE SAYS BRITISH GREED
CAUSED WAR.

New York. May. = Protests against
the war by the labor leaders in Eng
land are steadily growing. In tue first
months OF the conflict the British work,
man, dazed and deceived, did not ap
preciate the significance of England
entering the strife. But the increased
cost OF living, the falling of in employ
ment and the scandals In the army
supply contracts have at last roused
him to the understanding that this war
is for England a capitalistic enterprise
In copy Of the Labor Leader, the
powerful union labor organ in England
just receiyeds here, Kair Hardie, tn,
great English labor leader and member
.ci parliament, writes as follows:
Empire Britain's Aim.
Bit by bit the British people will be
taught by grim experience the real rea-
son for Britain being at war. nEmpirer
is a phrase OF comparatively recent
growth. la The first half OF last century
both Liberals and Tories regarded Ca
NADIA, New Zealand, Australia and South
Africa as mere millstones round the
neck of the mother country. But now
all that has changed. Empire. and
extension OF colonial possessions, eepc.
eially among the colored peoples, who
are helpless against modern armies and
whole races OF whom have been exter-
minated by force OF arms, have become
msigly ...e leading article In the poll.
cies OF both parties Because OF this
Great kritain was spending fl000D0,-
900 year on our army and navy be-
fore the war broke out. What she
shall be paying after the war is over
no man can say.
For the first three quarters of the
last century Britains one concern was
trade that is, tn export OF goods. TX.
pcrience taught The manufacturer that
a foreign country bought bis goods just
a- freely ~ did British colony. and
80 lie had no concern about extending
the empire. II was said over and over
again In those DAYS that 1t would be
we'll for the homeland II the four prin.
cipal colonies would cut the painter and
become independent states. az had the
United States of America.
Capital Seeks New FieidA
New and good interest paying out
cts for capital were necessary II the
wealth OF the nation was not TO decline
in value. A vain, weak ruler Of Egypt
rad a700ooOO0 imposed upon his eoun.
Try by British and French financial
sharks by methods that did not fall
hort Of swindling other equally help
ESQ victims were ileeced after the same
ashton, Tho colonies began 10 borrow
,n rather big scale. and now the
result is before Us Cur whole policy
naval, foreign and domestic
s under the control and shaped for the
benefit OF those who own the growing
millions which labor creates year by
year for the high priests OF finance.
Dur capitalist owned daily and evening
,ress teens with ciilogies OF imperih.
Ism, mlitarism aud loyalty.
what are British interests In Per.
ia, Egypt, India. Africa or even our
,versea dominions' Certainly not the
Welfare Of the people Of those lands.
he Interest with the security ani
extension OF which the diplomat must
,e mainly concerned 10 not the deyel.
'pment Of the native population, but
he huge sums which have been loaned
n invested by his. copntrymen. The
roioction OF the interests OF the finan.
iers and the trader Is the main rea
on Tor the creation OF great armies
nd navies, and these make war inevi.
able.
GermAu Rivalry Feared.
"Germany's great crime in the eyes
4 our trading classes has been her
uccess ia the worlds trade. One Of
he most offensive and degrading as.
ects OF the war has been the press
ampaign demanding war on German
rnde |,
Tho experience Of the attempt. richly ,
acked by the government, to produce
nilinr dyor in England has had
uieting effect on many Of this soulless
rev, though the hope still abides that
hen German skin and ability have been
'ushed by the war the British trader
.ithout improving his inefficieney viii
, able to capture the rich German
arket.
"And the workingmen-where does
Ia interest come in, in either war o.
plomacy, His toll, his low wages, his
gh cost Of living, his rack rented AMI
ten in.anitary house, his periodic
nompioy mcnt, his poorly edueated
lildren, his self sacrificing wife--
iese thIngs abide with him, and war
NJ diplomacy aeeentuate them. AMI
Il his toll and sacrifice are the foun
ltlon- upon wbirl, all the glittering Z,
low Of Imperialism. with lie inevitable
ilitarism, is raised. Ia
Workmen Are Losers
The present war will add at least .
30 100000 year to the already swo'.
=. III