The Washington socialist. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1914-1915, 1915-03-04
EXPLAINING WHY WORKERS
WAGE WAR ON ONE
ANOTHER
And Why Closer Organization Is
Now Imperative
"UNCALLED-FoR CRITICISM"
SAYS ENGELDRUM
To the Editor:

SAYS ENGELDRUM
To the Editor:
Much unjust and uncalled.for crlti-
cism Is made of the German Social
lists, because, contrary to the anti
military principle of their political
party. the Socialists of Germany are
today, to man, fighting in the armies
of their country for their fatherland.
/ Invariably, this adverse criticism
comes from two sources-the ignorant
and unthinking and the pro-allied
sentimentalists.
On the moments intelligent reflec-
ton, without bias or prejudice 1t must
be seen that not only Is criticism of
the military activity of the German
Socialists, unjust and unfair, but that,
on the contrary, such activity Is both
commendable, patriotic and heroic.
Under the existing conditions in which
their country-"Their fatherland''-
Is placed. submit that. First and
above all, In the estimation of every
thinking and worthwhile mainland
for that matter, woman also--comes
the consideration of race: secondly,
that of nation; third and last in rela-
tive importance, enters the question of
political party. From this, the nat
ural and logical point of view, have
the German Socialists acted, promptly
and vigorously, so that today, every
mothers son OF those who subscribe
and believe in the Socialists economic
principles. Is vigorously defending his
race, his nation and his political insti-
tuition; to the end that he, the pains
taking and thoroughgoing German
may solve, in his own way, and In his
own time, work out for himself his
political and Industrial problems.
| want to ask why is 1t, that those
who criticize the German Socialists
for their military activity, do not like
wise, criticize the Socialists who are
fighting in the ranks OF the allies?
For there are many of that political
faith in England, in France, in Bel.
GUM, and even a few in Russia. Is
such partisan criticism due to the
thoughtlessness ignorance. or hatred ?
Let those who are so sensed, answer
the question.
No, indeed. The position taken by
the Socialists of Germany is unassail.
able. Blood is thicker than water"
and there are some things even worse
than war. In proof thereof, let me ask
another question: What would the
Socialists or the members of any po-
litical party here in the United States,
do, II our country, their country, were
engaged in war with foreign nation
To even ask the question, is, l take it,
a reflection on every man in the
United states. The answer to the
question in regard to this country, is
the answer to the position taken by
the Socialists of Germany.
Those who are imbued with the
cause of Socialism, need not worry,
for, as soon as the war is over and
Germany is successful, the Socialists
there will again take up the political
industrial problems in their own way,
and will be heard from in no uncer
tain manner. It is not far-fetched
thought to predict that in few years
after the close of the war, in the event
that Germany is successful, that that
country will be republic-not in
name only, but in fact and in truth,
and should the German emperor live
to that day, he will, in all probability,
be elected the first president of the
United States of Germany.
! Unstinted credit and support should
be given by the Germans everywhere,
to the German nation, which is so
sorely pressed at this time, by enemies
on all Sides for the reason that the
stigma of defeat may not be theirs or
their descendants, for 1t is a matter
of recorded history that the Teuton
race, of which every German is a de-
scendant, never was conquered.
J. ]. ENGLEDRUM,
Member Socialist Party.
Los Angeles, Cal