The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-05-13
Charles Russell Discusses
Present War and Socialism
Noted Writer Believes Conflict Will Strengthen Cause Of
Advanced Democracy-Wil Make 1t Definite
Policy Of Civilization

all the rest OF recorded history tOEefH-
cr. Hut all Of these transformations.
even these, will not be so great as we
shall see Mt the end Of this war. For
now 1t is certain that this war is Ia
end right, the last mouldy old king is to
be pushed from the last mouldy old
throne. and around this world there
viii be no power acknowledged but the
power of the people.
Trueis ii not? There is Russia, for
instancc--and China!
And do not know but that China is
even more wonderful. We paid very lit
tie atten ton TO il, although it was one
of the most significant events OF n CEN
tury Yuan shin kai and an American
college professor thought it would be
nice and easy to establish the Chi
nose monarchy. So they tried it. Then
the people arose. the plain, I'm suspected
people in remote places, and kicked the
whole thing over What did they know
about dnmocracNH They knew enough
To know that they wanted it. they would
have It, and they never ceased 10 fight
for 1t until the carrion of monarchy was
thrown upon the other orslurcs of time
and the republic emerged secure AMI
triumphant.
Yes hut how does this apply to us"
Like this The present war is tho
last greatest, deadliest combat between
democracy and autocracy. between two
ideas in human affairs utterly irrccon-
cilablc that for centuries have strue.
gled for the empire of the worlds mind
This time it is for life and death and to
the finish. Germany represented autoc-
acy-political, social. industrial OPP
posed to her was all the democracy OF
Europe. II Germany should win. autoc-
racy would be the fashion of the world
God knows how long-perhaps to the
end of time.
Fighting for Mankind.
The United States has now cast in its
lot with the dcmoCracios of Europe that
ar" fighting to save mankind from such
an illmitablc disaster 1t will make
sacrifices for that cause. it will give to
1t blood and money. il will undergo for
1t hardship. Having done an this for
democracy, ii can mover again tolerate
aul"rrarN IN any form. 1t has
committed itself absolutely, unrcsery-
cdly, with all its might and all its soul,
forever and forever to the cause of do
mocracy. and it cannot turn back from
that ideal. Democracy from this time
en- Is not merely word or a cold stor-
Az" creed; IT is a faith and n passion.
And not the democracy of times dead
'and ron" from MS: the democracy of the
new day, which must be industrial no
loss than political. completes, perfected
and all embracing.
And where will that land us? Think
tn" condition in industry under which
millions OF men do All the work and
scores Of men gct all the profits there
Of that IL no more nearly democratic
than Was tn" now discarded nbsolutism
Of Tia" car is ii" 1t Is no less a relic of
saNagery and despotism than mon
arChy. with all the world sweeping to
political democracy, there viii be no
way to avoid or to prevent a similar
emancipation toward industrial de-
moCracN.
This is no matter of argument, and
there Is no choice about it. Evolution
las already appeared on the scene to
decree IT. The war. to start with re-
N'als in big red and black smcars the
terrible nature of commercialiSm run
to its limits. But it also reveals Mt the
! same time the ineNita BILE substitute
ana cure for that commercialism Not
only reveals and makes sure, hut can
! now he discerned taking this substitute
H. one hand and the tools of fate in the
other and welding it upon the practices
of all the world.
Thnt is to say, the supremacy, I'M.
questioned and unuuestionable of tho
common good over all the interests or
All prlFat" gain is being explicitly ac-
kn"W'edg"d everywhere
Government Ownership.
TN" next thing the British c,hip,,
H'd that night Of August 4. 1914 after
II had declared war, was to take over
ia" British railroads and operate them
Ion the general welfare. The first thine
. Ia" French government did when u
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