The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-04-07
NEW PRINCIPLES ENUNCIATED

| American Socialists who have the welfare OF the
movement at heart. we have watched with anx-
iety the world events OF the last two years and a
half. and their reaction upon movement. We
have learned much in this period, which has been
one of the most momentous in human history. We
consider it the business of Socialists to adjust
| themselves to events. To stand immovably by ones
opinions may be sign of heroism. but 1t may also
be sign of slohfuness and it is necessary to dis
| criminate between the two
First We declare it conviction that there is
| a difference, even from the point of view of revo
| mtionary Socialism. between democratic and
| tocratic governments. To refuse to recognize the
difference is to be idcalis in the bad of
| the word-to take formulas and abstract ideas in
| place of realities We believe that liberal nstitr
lions have their value making it possible agi-
| tate for Socialism and to progress toward Social
ism without destructive internal conflict. Social
| lists have proven this attitude in Europe by
| binng with bourgeois parties in order to obtain
| democratic reforms. AS political party, relying
upon the vote, necessarily believe in. support
and defend constitutional government: leaving 1t
to anarchists and anti paramentarian syndcal-
lists to proclaim the unreality of any distinction
among capitalist governmental systems.
Second: We declare it impossible for demo-
cratic nations to dsarm, to weaken their
defenscs in the presence of autocratic nations.
If could have the full revolutionary Socialist
upon to defend it against nations which were or
ganzed for aggression under military and aristo-
cratic rules; precisely revolutionary France
was called upon to defend her ideal against the
rest of Europe 1t is futile to talk of appealing
the workers in countries where the workers
unorganized and without power. and would not
even be permitted to know of appeal
Third: We declare that the proper aim of So
ciast world politics at the present time is an al
|
defense of the democratic principle throughout the
world IT, at the conclusion of the present war.
any of the autocratic nations should become demo-
cratic. they would. of course. be welcomed into
such an alliance. Thus only can progress toward
world peace be secured and gradual disarmament
made practicable
Fourth AS a to the working out Of this
program declare for the characterization Of d.
plomacy. We would have the world policies of
America precisely declared. We would provide
that Diplomatic communications should be pub
lshed. and more immediate control of foreign e.
atons insisted upon by the people.
Fifth: Pending the securing of world peace by
an alliance of democratic nations, it is necessary
that the United States should maintain an army
and navy. We Socialists not sentimental
religious non -resistants. We willing to fight
for democracy, and we prove it by the instant SYM
pathy we give to people who fighting for de-
mOCracy whether in PetrOgrad Colorado To
refuse under any circumstances to vote for military
supplies, has been required by recent party
decree is to be sentimental rather than scientific.
Tolstoyan rather than MARKHAM.
Sixth: If We must have army and navy, the
question becomes. what kind of army and navy
shall We have? We declare that the proper pro-
gram for the American Socialist movement is the
common ownership and democratic control of the
instruments and means of defense. We believe
that there is danger to democracy in citizen
army and navy, controlled by the people. The dan
lies in an incompetent army and navy,
trolled by grating politicians and a munitions
lobby; a hired army of wage slaves, offered by a
class and serving as a support to the aristocratic
tradition.
Seventh The true Socialist formula Is: No pri-
waite profit from military supplies. In times of
emergency, Of course munitions must be bought
wherever they can be found But under ordinary
conditions Socialists should favor the nationaliza-
ton of munitions manufacture. One of the prin-
cipal menaccs of militarsm lies in the lobby.
Eighth We declare for the characterization Of
the military service. We would democratize West
Point and Annapolis by providing that admission
to government military and naval schools should be
through the ranks, as reward for physical mental
and moral efficiency demonstrated in the service
We would have social equality the ideal in both
army and navy; there is reason why that spirit
of comradshp which is found in the trenches should
not be practicable in the training camp
Ninth: We declare for the modernization Of the
military service. Military training is of ne
Cessy futile- is only stupidity and traditionalism
which make 1t so. The ability to march in series
of perfectly straight lines which is an important
end of the present West Point system. has nothing
whatever to do with efficiency in modern warfare
The first essential is that the should be part
of an organized body feeling and acting as an or
ganiSm he ha phvci rallx, OIL
march long distances and to stand the rgors of out
door life; and that he should understand the use,
not merely of weapons but of all kinds of machn-
cry Training to these ends be obtained in
the forestry service, in railroad work in the harvest
fields in the police and fire departments in emer-
gency work in floods, storms and accidents: it carr
be obtained in football, polo and other organized
games, in gymnastc work. manual training and
campfire-life. Our military training should be
made the physical culture part Of public schoo,
education. 1t should be begun in childhood
through the work of the Boy and Girl Scouts; 1t
he fhrou