New-York tribune., 1918-03-12

Next to this we learn that he is Marx
ist which means two things: A man who
traces all human differences to the in
equality of their purses, and that the
luton of all problems lies in internation-
alsm.
The beliefs of a man often characterize
his aspect of life, as we'll as his acts in
the affairs of the world. We will there
fore continue to enumerate some of the
beliefs of Leon Trotzky, who Is now play
ing a prominent part on the stage of hu-
man drama and is on the verge Of bowling
himself out both 10 the applause and jeers
of an interested public.
Leon Trotzky believed that the only fit
ruler of the human race at the present
time was the proletariat, the highly dis
satisfied workers Of che world They were
the only representatives of the various
nations to be intrusted with the manage
ment of vital affairs until matters would
be straig ightened out and would assume a
normal condition.
Men who belonged to his party, and
even others who disagreed with him, are
of the opinion that he is a giant in intel
lect and is conversant with all political
Unhesitatingly, we admit that this last
assertion is true. We also concede that
Leon Trotzky is courageous and honest
man. He is known as such even among his
worst enemies. But a Jew he does not
belong to the Lord Beaconsheld or the
Lord Reading class.
\ Product Of Israel
Leon Trotzky belongs to that peculiar
product of Israel called the Dreamers of
the Ghetto Those drcamers have always
made themselves conspicuous with their
dcluson that they represent the Messiah
who is to bring about the millennium Their
names in Jewish history are legion, and
Leon Trotzky is exception
Trotzky lived in New York for but n
short time and those who came in close
contact with him and were not intoxicated
by socialism have had the opportunity of
studying this remarkable type.
Above all, Trotzky believed that he was
destined to play the greatest role in the
history of the Russian revolution. How
ever, while analyzing in mastery man.
ner the political, diplomatic and economic
situation of the warning nations, he would
suddenly forget concrete facts and plunge
into prophesies.
A cynical Jew of New York who heard
him deliver himself of such outbreaks re-
minded him once that the Talmud said:
Ever since The Temple of Jerusalem was
destroyed the gift of prophecy was given
only to infants and fools" And whereas
Trotzky as a prophet is no infant, what,
then did this Jew imply?
But Trotzky was undaunted His con-
vincing tone, mis- thunderous dcnunciations
OF tho bourgcoisie and capitalism, re-
minded one of The prophets OF ancient
days. However, one could not help MOTTO
ing Trotzky's speculative philosophy and
hair-splittng explanations. reminding one
Of the sophisn Of the Tamudical scholar
The Russian ignorant workingnlan. and
even the more ignorant mouzshik, who
yesterday were the tools of the Car in
making pogroms, would be tomorrow the
standard bearers of the liberties Of the
human race. Here he denied the law cf
evolution and preached the miracle Of
overnight Transformation. He maintained
that a little propaganda alone was suffi-
cicnt to invite the proletariat Of the world
to overthrow tyranny and autocracy and
presto! the thing would be ACCOMPLISHED.
All this seemed 20 him as clear as day
light, and he pitied those who expressed
their doubts about it.
Didn't Want to Be a Dlettante
He left the United States fully convinced
that George Washington, Thomas Jcffer-
son and Lincoln were dilcttantcs in the
struggle for human liberty. He was deter
mined that should fate place him at the
head of the Russian PEOPLE he would prove
to the world the falacics of the leaders
Of the past
Some of the visions the dreamer real
lzed. Fate placed him at the head Of the
gramme he did not accomplish; he made
miserable failure
Trotzky is to-day probably the most dis
appointed man in Europe. He awoke to
cruel reality. He discovered that the Rus
sian workingman and peasant of the revo-
luton dld not cease to practise their old
hobby OF making pogroms against the
people; that the blood of the innocent was
being shed Of yorc. He found out that
those so called meek and submissive prolc-
tarans were no better than the ravcnous
beasts bent on destruction only He dis
covered that socialism theory which
looked attractive on paper and sounded
pleasing from an oratorcal point of view.
But coming down to practical life if
ceased to hold charm when the Kaiser
ordered his Socialists to fight for conquest
And so the illusions Of this dreamer of
the ghetto gradually fed and left him to
confront cold reality
Imagine Trotzky, the frcbrand of inter
nntionalism, congratulating England for
the promise she gave to the Jews to revive
jewish nationaism the soil of old
Judca! Socialists in this country are still
astonlshed at Trotzky's act in this respect.
But those who are not blinded by fanati-
clsm find the Interpretation for this in the
continued massacrcs Of Jews in revolution
ary Russia.
If Leon Trotzky does not become n victim
OF the revolution or of pogroms, we NAV
soon expect his admission of the Illusion
that he had; for Leon Trotzky is an honest
and courageous man, and such admit ttcir
mistakes.