The Gem worker and the Idaho labor herald. (Boise, Idaho) 1914-1917, 1916-05-04
CROOKED INTERESTS
Workers Should Oppose Appeals to Patriotism
That Means Privilege

I graves of weak and defenseless peo-I
pies in every part of Africa, in Asia,
in Turkey, Persia, Asia Minor and the
Balkans; it is story that would have
been written in the subjugation OF
Mexico, in Central and South America,
had not the Monroe Doctrine inter
vened.
1--WE should be slow to accept the
statement that this is movement for
the promotion of foreign trade, as the
organizers of these corporations de-
clare and as patriotic business men
have been led to believe. As has
been seen, none of the countries of
Europe have materially advanced their
trade and commerce by the organiza-
zion of banking institutions for that
alleged purpose, Rather the foreign
banking agencies are engaged in OBJ
tanning concessions, building. railroads,
securing mining, land, and oil grants,
in the making of loans to weaker pow
ers, and in cooperating in the sale of
munitions.
"And an examination of the inter
ests of the banking institutions that
are promoting new corporation shows
that their relations are not in the field
of manufacturing, trade and commerce
at all They are in the field of mono
poly, finance and speculation
AS happened in Europe, it is nee
cssary to give patriotic sanction to
financial Imperialism to identify the
nation with its program. Wall street
can easily finance dozen $50,000,
600 corporations. But that would leave
them Wall Street corporations. The
flag would not willingly follow their
investments, the nation would not be
complacent collection agency for
such questionable claimants: so the
new international corporation is to in
c1ude as many other interests as pos
sible. Such strength is needed, the
announcement says. as can only be
found by arousing the interest and Sc
curing the cooperation of the entire
country 1t is necessary to make IT a
: national undertaking and appeal to
the confidence, enterprise and patriot
ism of the American people.
NO element is lacking in this new
, imperialism of finance, which under
the glamor of patriotism aims to eXalt
America OF the dignity of Great
Britain, Germany. Russia and France
as a world power Line by line the
history of the exploitation OF defen-
= seless people is foreshadowed in the
program that privilege would have us
enter upon. High finances, the max
ing of munitions at colossal profits
overseas exploitation, dollar diplo
II macy, and great navy ready and will
ing to demand the open or the closeC
{ door as the immediate advantage ma,
! dictate, these are the elements of Fl
nancial Imperialism that have brough
Europe to its present end.
"Only a chance election Of Presi
d dent might determine the uses t
y which this preparedness would be put
: with the power of high finance, tn
IS control OF the press, and the invisi
TX bic powers of privilege ready at
n moments notice to urge the unleasin
OF Of guns in the name OF dignity an
d. national honor
ie "This is the program of prepared
ness offered by those who have mono
ne polized the railroads and public sci
at vice corporations, who have seize
n the iron-ore, coal and copper deposit
of the nation, who have enclosed til
IT. public domain and laid their hant
an upon the banks and credit resourc'
ce of the nation, and who, having e.
~, plotted PROSTATE America, are no
ed turning wistful eyes to the virgin ol
lal portunities of weak and defensele
W peoples in other parts of the world.
mt "Yet these same classes are unwi
TO- ing to bear their share Of the cost
'ur preparedness: they cry confistifati'
roi when taxes are suggested on t
'e- things they own no heavier thi
England and Germany were carryii
he in times of peace. They suggest tn
he the cost should be borne by high
ng tariff and by indirect taxes on t
est things the people consume.
-it- "Denocracy has a right TO ins
he that preparedness is not merely 4