New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-12
Socialist Party in y. S.
Made Militant by the War
Gains Thousands of Members by Fight Draft Demand
for Peace Made in Germany, Removal of the Anti
Sabotage Clause and Approval of Mass Action
By JOHN G. HOLME

National Executive Committee and
secretary of the American Interna-
tional Socialist branch. and one Of
the principal spokesman of American
Socialism, claims that American So
cialists are on the whole pro-Ally in
their sympsthies. Tr. Solomon esti-
mates that 90 per cent Of American
Socialists are pro-Ally, and that rs per
cent Of the members of German birth
and German descent are pro-Ally and
have been since the war began.
German Members Resign
"And that is not all" said Mr..
Solomon. Since the war began about
IS per cent Of the active members Of
German birth and descent have re-
signed on the ground that the party
was anti-Gernan. In fact, there have
been more designations FOR this than
any other cause"
All Of which hardly bears out the
testimony Of men who have resigned
or have been expelled from the Social
Isl fold during the past few months be-
cause they favored participation in the
war BY the United States. Among
these are Upton Sinclair, J. G. Phelps
Stokes, John Spargo, w. r. Gaylord,
a. ". Simons and Charles Edward Rus
sell. The last three were expelled,
Mr. Gaylord and Mr. Simons from the
Wisconsin branch. and Nr. Russell
from the New York State party. VIII
/ lam English Walling left the party
, about three years ago.
These men were numbered among
the intellectuals Of the party, and all Of
them have charged American Socialism
with being impregnated with pro-Ger-
man sympathies. Mr.. Gaylord and Mr.
Simons were leaders of the party in
Wisconsin, a state largely settled by
Germans.
Victor Berger, an Austrian By birth
and former member of Congress, has
for years been TIE ruling force OF Wis
consin Socialism. He has been ac-
cused Of being pro-German ever since
the war started. In his paper, the "Mil-
waukee Leader" there has hardly ap-
peared a single editorial which the
Berlin censor might not have passed.
All Of the so-called intellectuals
have pointed out that the party
throughout the country was dominated
by foreign-born members, whose ale
glance to the United States is not only
diluted by internationalism, but di-
vlded by hyphenism to boot. Such
dilution and division leave little to
Uncle Sam. Moreover they see a de-
parture from the old principles of the
party in its recent actions.
Anti-Sabotage Clause Removed
At the st. Louis convention last
spring the Socialists removed the anti
sabotage clause from the party's con-
stitution, and approved of mass ac-
ton" against the government to secure
the repeal Of the CONSUMPTION act and
compel this country TO make peace with
Germany.
In both these measures some Social
ist leaders discern a conscious trend to
fill the breach which has heretofore
existed between the Socialist party and
such radical movements as the Indus
trial Workers of the World. The anti
sabotage paragraph was adopted in
1912 to expel and keep out Bill Hay
wood and his followers, who preached
syndIcalism, direct action and sabo-
tage in industrial fights.
They advocated violence as a means
to coerce employers into granting the
demands Of organized labor. The So
clalist party, being a political party,
refused TO countenance such doctrines.
IL set forth that it would employ only
political and legal action in achieving
Its aims, and that any party that
sought by means Of violence to
accomplish its purposes ceased forth
with to be political party and became
revolutionary body.
Mr.. Eastman, who is regarded as
something of a half-breed BY his So
clallst comrades, contends that the old
Socialist party had become too respect
able. There were too many lily-white
neckties at its councils. Il was be-
coming, he states, a hereto hunting,
purltanical, political congregation, dot
ing on details and accomplishing little
or nothing. If the party proclaimed
mat IN the Utopia Of Socialism apple
pie should be eaten for breakfast, any
member who favored cheese-cake in
stead of apDle-pie was bounded out.
But now change has come over
the party" declared Mr.. Eastman. "Bv
removing that silly anti-sabotage
clause and adopting the plan for mass
actlon TO annul the CONSUMPTION act
and compel the government TO move
Tor peace, the party seems 10 be pre-
pairing to align itself with other radi-
cal movements. This indicates that
there Is life in the old boss. BY drop-
ping the anti-sabotage clause, the
party has evidently determined TO mind
It's own business and not concern It.
self with eXtraneous matters.
THE party might as well decree that
all its members be Catholics or nom
Catholics as TO dictate how labor or
CARNATIONS should conduct their
strikes. | also believe that the adop-
tion OF resolution urging the labor
unions 70 throw open their doors 70 all
workers Of their respective trades and
industries IS a step in the same direc-
ton as already advocated by the /. ".
W., who do not aim to establish a
hierarchy Of craft unions. but try to
unionize all trades, from the humblest
and least skilled 10 the highest paid.
This reveals at least a disposition
OF the party to discuss matters that are
OF interest TO the organized labor
movement, and not merely solicit their
vote Tor a cooperative commonwealth"
Sinclair Opposed "Mass Action
Upton Sinclair, in his letter Of resig
nation from the Socialist party,
dwells on the mass action" resolution,
evidently recognizing a militaRcy in
tn!s measure which could only affect
the United States and hamper its
movements in the course Of prosecut-
ing the war.
"On the other hand" said Mr.. Sim
clair, such movement could not and
would not affect our enemies, whose So
cialist leaders with very few exceptions
have proven themselves willing tools Of
autocracy."
While Mr.. Hillquit and Mr.. Solomon
declare that the party has not the
slightest intention Of departing from
us former course IN employing nothing
but political and focal oc+io, -