Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-04-15
Socialism and Americas Peril

Socialism and Americas Peril
WHILE the German government is auto
w cratic in theory and practice, it knows
how to avail itself, on occasion. OF some of
the methods of democracy. When the .astute
leader OF political organization in this
country has fought proposed reform until
ii has grown too powerful for him, it is his
custom calmly to take 1t over. off and OH,
German autocracy has been treating German
socialism in this fashion for more than forty
years.
1t is the inventor and patentee OF what is
known as state socialism. which consists i'm
giving the people as much of their own de-
mands as is necessary to keep them from put
ting their program into effect by their own
efforts. Bismarck eXcelled at this sort of
thing, and his successors as German Chan
cellor and the present Kaiser also have be-
traycd real talent.
In the present history has repeated
itself Socialism. which was international in
It's aspect and pacifst in it's creed became in
Germany. under the slkilful direction of the
bureaucracy. violently patriotic and violently
militant Only few reca lctrants like
Licbknecht maintained their old principles.
The party in the Reichstag has approved war
credits and war policies with heartness not
often eScellcd by the Center or the Right.
Occasional criticism there has been, but it
has been mild Norwaerts, the party organ,
SODDfeSSOnS
minor punishmcnts. has become in effect an
organ of the government. In leading
article it attacked the other day the plan to
put electoral reforms into effect at once find
ING in this proposal a sort of disloyalty to
Kaiser and Chancellor.
And so, when the Socialists of Russia show
signs of weakening, the Socialists OF Germany
arc set to work to encourage this detection.
There arc meetings on the frontiers Russian
tod
through Germany, and there is talk of Il
meeting in Pctrograd 10 consider the terms
OF Il separate peace Behind the scenes
pulling the wires again, is the same autoc-
racy which plunged world into war.
Meantime Germany begins to look to
America to pay her war costs I'VE are
entitled to humping war indemnity" says
the Koclnischc Volkszeitung in the midst of
volley Of abuse Of President Wilson, "and
we do not care who pays it, Those states
"hich nave sacrificed immense sums will not
be able TO pay it. Therefore, America. which
has earned thousands of millions through
munitions and supplies, will have to unbut-
ton her pockets
Who avoid the lesson of these two
concurring circumstances--thc efforts TO use
the Socialists to make a scpa rate peacc with
RUSSIA and the boldly announced purpose TO
collect indemnity from the United States?
II Is that we must prepare, and prepare at
once Russian patriotism may have to yield
10 Russian pacitsm and Russian adherence
Oh lurthcr sacrifices. 1t will be our turn
then. either to take Russia's place and play
Russia's part in the great struggle OF to
accept Illuminating and costly peace
Financial demands we are we'll on tho way
TO meeting, and VIC arc taking steps to supply
other auxiliary needs, but our great aud press
ing need is an army Only universal service
applied through the principle Of the sclcctivc
~ nc hat
plan, fair plan. an absolutely essential plau
1t has the earnest approval Of the President
ana the Secretary Of War, and they arc as
far from being militarists as men can be.
1t should be adopted by Congress without
delay.