New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-26
By John SPARGO

tality."
By JOHN
The Russian Council of Workmen's
and Soldiers Deputies gives proml-
nent place in it's widely published
peace programme to the demand that
the Allied nations shall require from
the enemy nations neither "indemni-
ties" nor "annexations Of territory"
The phrase "No indemnities and no
annexations" has been seized upon by
all the peace-at-any-price pacifsts,
German sympathizers, anarchists, syn
dicalists and other opponents Of the
nations war policy and made the basis
of a very plausible appeal to the
democratic sentiments of the Ameri-
can people.
Wisely relying upon the generous
impulses of the laboring masses, the
leaders of this propaganda have ad-
dressed themselves to the sympathy Of
the toilers for the toilers of the en-
envy countries, saying:
"If indemnities are imposed upon
Germany the burden will fall upon
the German working people, who did
not make the war. 1t will not fall
upon the capitalists and military mas
ters of Germany. Moreover, no ad-
all 4a1 Of
any of the Allied nations, not even Of
Belgium. Only the capitalists Of the
conquering nations will gain any
thing
Arguments German-Made
Sometimes the phrase is qualified as
though it's users were ashamed Of the
original formulation, and we are told
that there must be no punitive in
IDENTITIES and no forcible annexa-
tons" Close observation soon reveals
the fact that the change in form does
not imply any important difference OF
meaning. The same people use both
forms, according as it suits their pur-
pose; they are silent upon the same
points and they use the same German
made arguments.
Two full years before the Russian
Council of Workmen's and Soldiers
Deputies came into existence the ma
tonal committee of the Socialist party
of America adopted the simple formula,
"No indemnities." 1t is worth while
remembering that this was adopted at
a time when ten months Of warfare
had shown that it was impossible for
Germany TO attain her ends, when the
majority Socialists Of Germany, with
full official sanctions, were urging that
peace on the basis Of the status quo
ante was desirable.
Paradoxcal as il may seem, the de-
mand of the Russian Council of Work
mems and Soldiers Deputies merits the
full support Of the workers of this
country and of all forward looking
men and women, while that Of the lead
ers OF the American Socialist party is
utterly repugnant to the moral sense
of all intelligent believers in intelli-
gent democracy.
Mean Something Different
Although the majority Socialists OF
the United States, in harmony with
their colleagues the majority Socia /
lists of Germany, use the same formula
as the Russian democratic leaders, they
mean something quite different.
The term "indemnities' has always
been understood to mean the imposi-
ton of heavy financial obligations
upon defeated nations by their con-
ouerors, as a means Of further sub
iecting the vanquished nation and
making its subjects pay the victorious
nation a large part Of its war costs.
Such was the indemnity imposed upon
France at the end Of the Franco
Prussian war in 1871.
When the term "indemnities" is
thus sharply defined every sincere be-
lever in social democracy will gladly
subscribe to the demand that there
shall be no indemnities in the peace
terms of the Allied nations. In his
memorable address 10 Congress on
April 2. 1917, President Wilson proud
ly declared: ave have no selfish ends
70 serve. We seek no indemnlties
for ourselves. no material compensa-
ton for the sacrifices we shall freely
make" We are already pledged TO the
principle Of mo indemnities," as the
term is ordinarily understood.
Condemned by Moral Law
This is something quite different
from reparation by aggressive nations
for damage done TO innocent and neu-
trail nations. Payment by such aggres-
sive nations 10 their victims for dam
acc done by the violation of their
sovereignty. damage 20 their territory
and destruction of the property and
LEES of their citizens. is very differ
emit thing. The same moral law which
condemns the imposition OF crushing
indemnities upon vanquished nations
nv greedy conGuerors requires that
ali possible reparation of damages IN
fieted upon innocent victims shall be
made by the aggressors. whoever they
may be.
The leaders of the Russian den.oc-
racy clearly understood this; they are
too sincere and genuine in their de-
mocracy TO be capable of misunder-
standing il. They made it quite clear
that thew did not mean their demand
that there be mo indemnities" TO pre-
vent the payment Of material compen-
sation to Belgium, for example, for
,bo violation of her sovereignty, the
damage done TO her territory, the
destruction Of the lives and the prop
ertv of her nationals, the seizure OF
ber foodstufrs and the robbery of her
people by the levying Of enormous
fines and impo5itions.
To make peace with Germany
without imposing upon her the
duty Of making every possible
restitution and reparation TO Bel
eium would be an act as revolt
irg in its immortality as were the
original crimes of Germany.
The German View
Finding II impossible to attain the
ID for which abe began the war