New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-12

part from the legal and political ae-
ton principles of the party.
Party Has Become Militant
Mr.. Hillquit acknowledges that the
party has become more militant, but
that il has become so naturally in the
course Of the intensified struggle OF
the past three years, and that the war
has not brought about any funda-
mental changes in Socialism, except
giving il new strength.
The dropping Of the anti-ssbotage
plank from the constitution must not
be construed as indorsing sabotage,
said Mr.. Hillquit. The opposite IS
the fact. The anti-sabotage plank was
dropped on the recommendation OF
committee well known to be opposed
70 sabotage. On the committee were
U. Solomon, secretary OF the New York
State Socialist party; W. K. Gaylord,
of Wisconsin,; John c. Kennedy, OF
Illinois. and Anna Naily, OF Minnesota.
The anti-sabotage paragraph was
dropped because there was no further
need for retaining it, since there IS at
this time no tendency or danger OF a
Nk0OlCdllsL
The paragraph was adopted IN 1912,
when syndicalism, direction action ara
sabotage threatened 70 disrupt the or
panized labor movement as well as
the Socialist movement. The object OF
the clause has been fully accomplished
within the past five years, and there
is no need for legislation against non
existent practices.
Saws Its Aims Are Unchanged
ut must be remembered thst the So.
c:alist party is primarily a political
party, and its constitution deals with
matters of political procedure. II a
determined effort should be made 20 IN
iect into the party, for instance, anti
religious propaganda or advocacy OF
birth control the party might agar be
compelled TO leglslate against such at
tempts.
"The programme Of political and
social reforms advocated by the Social
ist party is substantially the same as
ever. We seek 10 accomplish our aims
primarily through political actisn. Bill
Haywood could hardly become a memI
Der OF our party under these circum7
stances. lie would have to subscribe
TO our political programme and 10 our
methods for achieving our political
aims. The party has never approved
OF the guerilla warfare IN labor strug-
giles which sometimes characteries the
!. W. W. movement.
although strenuously opposed to
war. the Socialist party is now more
militant than ever. There is really no
paradox in shat. Socialism is not
4 IL -. 80
a PHILOSOPHY OF non resistance. The
Socialists hope TO achieve their aims
bv peaceful methods. but If that is
made impossible by the powers that be
the Socialists will fight for their
rights.
"Our opposition 10 war is not based
primarily on sentimental grounds, but
on a deep conviction that wars are in
eYectual in promoting social progress;
that they serve 10 strengthen the hand
Of international reaction; that at the
bottom they are in most cases caused
by capitalstic interests. and carried on
for commercial advantages of the rul-
ing classes; that the heaviest burden
falls upon the workers. bringing them
death, impoverishment; weakening
their organization and sidetracking
and social Justice. That is why the
Socialists are militantly against war"
Mr. Hillquit said the Socialists here
would fight the draft in the courts Of
law and the court of public opinion.
To any one outside the Socialist
party who counts himself a loyal
American the attitude of Mr.. Hill
quit and other champions Of Socialism
toward the Russian and German So
cialists looks like a model example OF
sophistry.
They proclaim the Russian revolu-
ton as a great triumph for human lib
erty. Yet, on the other hand, they OPP
pose the war, the prosecution Of which,
in view of the fact that Prussian mill
tarism is still triumphant, seems TO
be the only means Of establishing
firmly Russia's freedom.
Faith In German Socialism
Men representing such divergent
views in the party as Mr.. Hillquit and
Mr. Eastman profess a naive faith
in German socialism and German radi-
calism. which actually has accom-
plished very little in the course of this
war except TO deceive the Russian rsdi-
calls. Mr.. Hillquit believes that a revo-
luton in Germany is both possible and
probable, and yet he announces that
he knows the German people well. Mr..
Hillquit is a native OF Russia
Speaking for myself. and ! believe
for the vast majority Of the American
Socialist party" said Mr.. Hillquit, 81
can say that I am entirely opposed 10
the extremists among the Russian So
cialists who are now agltating against
the Provisional Government, foment-
ing mutinies and bringing about de-
moralizaton in the Russian army.
THE American Socialists are on the
whole in thorough sympathy with the
vast body Of Russian Socialists now
seeking TO maintain order and preserve
the newly won liberties Of Russia, and
would employ all the powers OF tho
country. including its military strength,
TO bring about a speedy, just and gen
cral peace. I am absolutely opposed
20 separate peace for Russia.
81 also believe that there is 2 gen
eral sympathy among the American So
cialists Of this country for the minority
of the German Socialists, that wing Of
the German Socialist party headed by
Haase, Bernstein and Ledebour.
"This section Of the Socialist party
was always opposed 70 the war and 10
the German imperial government.
Lately, however, all wings Of the So
cialist party in Germany have Joined
the majority bloc in the Reichstag in
support Of peace resolutions on the
terms outlined by revolutionary Russia.
"Now, while the powers Of the Reichs-
tag are limited, nevertheless IT can
place the government in this position:
that il will either have to bow TO popu-
lar desire for peace without annexation
or indemnities, or face a revolution.
"A revolution in Germany is more
likely now than it seemed in Russia