New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-02
The Flag the Issue
It's Time to Hit Pro- German Socialism
and Hit 1t Hard

nv previous letter, believe further state.
ment from me is in order.
II is regrettable that some persons have
attempted to so distort my statements q.
70 make IL appear that bore a grudge to
any particular class or race OF people. IL
was nv intention to indict the New York
TYNE of socialism. Let me disavow any slur
I NAV have cast upon the Jews as a race
| would like to say, however, that the first
argument put forward by the Socialists when
brought face to face with facts is that of
"race hatred"
There are proportionately few Socialists in
the volunteer forces of the country True,
their number runs high in the National Army.
The reason is patent. The rank and file
Of the Socialists are foreign born. They are
enjoying greater freedom than would be
Granted them anywhere else on earth and
they proceed to abuse that freedom. They
are unwilling 20 put their shoulders to the
wheel in this fight we're in. They say they
want peace. If this be so, let them pitch in
and help attain it. Peace can be possible
only through victory, and victory may be had
tho sooner by having the support OF the
whole country. The Socialists do lot OF
talking about their rights; they pirate Of
Interests" and privilege" But when It
comes TO fighting an enemy without they
become enemies within. The great body OF
the Socialist party is made up of men belong
ing TO the Jewish faith. Their religion
teaches them TO respect and obey existing
government Therefore, the jew who be-
comes the sort of Socialist we see in New
York repudiates his faith.
One correspondent hopes for new spirit
ual equilibrium and changed social and
political conditions. Surely no intelligent
man in these days can hope for perfect world
administration under the Kaiser. We arc
Americans. Let US be good Americans. Ia
this country are men Of all classes, all oeeu-
patons, all social ranks. We seem TO and
ourselves merged in one homogeneous type
the American. Corners are rubbed of,
prejudices disappear, fancied wrongs fade.
We should be one in aims and ideals. The
Socialist, as We see him, becomes an out
slider. Let more Of them get TO the canton
nents. This is the cure. Some of the most
effective work on behalf Of The war might
be done by "soap-box' Socialist orators at
Yaphank. They are naturalized citizens Tor
the most part, who, with the inspiration OF
a little American army life, would come back
to tell their foreign brethren that this IS
in reality the promised land of their dreams.
They could explain that the selective service,
so much feared, is the salvation of their
hopes that the American army itself IS
living example of what socialism is hghtinS
fcr-world democracy.
Hillquit Unfit
Morris Hilquit is representative New
York Socialist Would this man, who dis
couraged subscriptions TO the second Liberty
Loan, be fitting head for our municipal gov
ernment? Emphatically, no. Hillquit's poll
ccs and practices are blatantly pro-German.
We are in the war; why be in it half-heart-
edly? Fight this man Hillquit with all you
have. Elect a man who is proud to be an
American and proud of his government and
its policies. Let's get the political mists out
Of our eyes here in New York City, and
quickly Let's sweep aside from our line
of vision all the smoke and poison gas placed
by the friends Of the Kaiser and the enemies
Of Uncle Sam. This is the time to see
clearly and gee American. No other thing
IN all the Dnlted CtabeS - ~ DiS 40 'ii~ mo-
of this country and things for which the flag
stands. That is what we will vote for in
this city-whether We shall have the flag OF
the United States or the made-in- Germany
flag Of the Socialist
The country may have its faults and I'M.
projections, and we may talk or cavil freely
Of them in times of peace. But these things
should be laid aside by the true patriot now
that we are in the war.
The Socialist platform, whose ill-concealed
pro Germansm drove John Spargo, Charles
Edward Russell and others from the party
leaving the Kaiser clan in control, openly
denounces the war. The Socialist propaganda
frankly seeks 10 hamstring our government
in the greatest crisis Of its history. Tho
Socialist leaders are going just as far in
their pro-Germsn attacks fear Of jail and
the gibbet will allow them. They are making
big effort for votes. Every Socialist vote
poled will be German triumph. So, Amer
leans, | appeal TO you, when you 90 20 the
balot-box to vote for the next Mayor, say
as Lincoln said when he first saw negro
slavery: "Ill strike it, and, by God, III strike
il hard"
The majority of Socialists in this city are
Russians. Look at Russia to-day. The Rus
SLAMS are so busy discussing war aims" for
themselves and their allies that they neglect
70 keep the war itself going.
The question of whether we should fight,
now that we are in this war, is aridly aca-
demic to anybody outside the professional
pacifists, pro-Germans and Socialists. Dis
loyal takers abound here in New York
through the infinite patience of the Federal
authorities Most of them let their jawbones
work because they have no other ambition IN
life. Some Of them. however, deliberately
spread sedition, and this is the sort OF people
the country were better rid OF.
In view of the above. hardly think i
necessary to further disayow any personal
feeling against the Jews. do admit. how
ever. strong dislike for anything and every
thing connected with the socialism of Morris
Hilquit and his crowd L. 7. HEATLEf.
New York, Oct. 29, 1917.
Which Methodo