Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1917-04-06
PROMINENT SOCIALISTS
MAKE POSITION PLAIN

of Socialists to adjust emselves to
events. To stand immovably by
ones opinion may be sign of hero
ism but it may also be sign Of
slothfulness, and it is necessary to
discriminate between the two.
First: We declare it our convic-
tion that there is difference, even
from that view of revolutionary
Socialism, between democratic ard
autocratic governments. To refuse
to recognize the difference is to be an
idealist in the bad sense Of the word
ITO take formulas and abstract ideas
in place of realities. We believe
that liberal institutions have their
value, as making it possible to agi-
tate for Socialism and to progress to-
ward Socialism without destructive
internal conflict. Socialists have
proved this attitude in Europe by
combining with bourgeois parties in
order to obtain democratic reforms.
AS political party, relying upon the
vote, we necessarily believe in, sup
port, and defend constitutional gov
ernment; leaving it to anarchists and
anti parliamentarian syndicaists to
proclaim the unreality of any d stinc-
ton among capitalist governmental
systems.
Second: We declare it impossible
for democratic nations to disarm, or
even to weaken their defenses, in the
presence of autccratic nations. If
we could have the full revolutionary
Socialist program in America tomor-
row, we might be called upon to de-
fend it against nations which were
organized for aggression under mil
itary and aristocratic rulers; precisely
as revolutionary France was called
upon to defend her ideals against the
rest of Europe. 1t is futile to talk
tries where the workers are morgan
lied and without power, and would
not even be permitted to know Of our
appeal.
Third: We declare that the proper
ann of Socialist world politics at the
present time is an alliance of the
politically advanced nations for the
defense of democratic principle thru
out the world. If, at the conclusion
of the present war, any of the auto
cratic nations should become dem
ocratic, they would of course be
welcomed into such an alliance.
Thus only can progress toward world
peace be secured, and gradual dis
armament made practicable.
Fourth: As means to the work.
ing out of this program, we declare
for the characterization of diplomacy.
We would have the wor ID policies of
America declared We would pro-
vide that diplomatic communication
should be published, and more i'm
mediate control of foreign relations
insisted upon by the people.
Fifth: Pending the securing of
world peace by an alliance of dem
ocratic nations. it is necessary that
the United States should maintain an
army and navy. We Socialists are
not sentimental or religious nom
residents. We are willing to fight
for democracy, and we prove it by the
instant sympathy we give to people
who are fighting for democracy
whether in St. Peters burg or Col
To
stances to vote for military supplies,
as has been required by recent party
decree, is to be sentimental rather
than scientific, Tolstoyan rather than
Marian.
Sixth L. we must have an army
and navy, the question becomes, what
kind of army and navy shall we have?
We declare that the proper program
for the American Socialist movement
is the common ownership and dem
ocratic control of the Instruments and
means of defense. We believe that
there is no danger to democracy in a
citizen army and navy. controlled by
the people. The danger lies in an
incompetent army and navy, con-
trolled by grating politicians and
a munitions lobby; hired army
of wage slaves, differed by class,
and serving rs u support to the aristo-
cratic tradition.
Seventh: The true Socialist for
mula is: No private profit for mil
itary supplies. In times of emer-
gency, of course, munitions must be
bought wherever they can be found.
But under ordinary conditions Social
lists should favor the natl ona lizatior
of munitions manufacture. One OF
the principal menaces of militarism
lies in the lobby.
Eigth: We decalre for the DEM
ocratization Of the military service.
We would democratize West Poin,
and Annapolis by providing that ad.
mission to government military and