The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-01-08
! ADVISED IsSIE|:I)
USE OF RIFLES LES
Pro-German Congressman Has
Record as Apostle Of Anar-
chy and Crime.
HE CONTRIBUTED TO The
7. w. w. DEFENSE FUND
HE CONTRIBUTED TO THE
He Opposed War With Germany
and Still Asserts That Sink
inc of Lusitania Was Justified

tion today Congressman -elect Victor
l. Berger OF Milwaukee, ct tie tia
of five Socialists leaders charged with
violation of the espionage Jaw, was
confronted with an article printed
over his Signature N the Socialist
Democratic Herald O. Milwaukee July
81. 1909, in which he advised work
ing men 70 use rifles i necessary to
obtain their rights.
On direct examination Berger has
repeatedly declared that he was q
conservative and constructive Social
;st and that1he never advised the use
of violence. The article in question
was reed to the jury by Assistant Dis
,rict Attorney Fleming. It contained
among otter things, the following.
Every working man ought to have
q. eood rife with plenty of amrnuni-
ton at horne so as to be ready when
the time comes to take up the battle
for his rights. I deny that any change
can ever be brought about by q
peaceable means. 1t can not be done
by the ballot alone. Working men
must be prepared to back up their
ballots with bullets
Questioned about the sentiments eX-
pressed. the witness said ne meant
shat if O. majority Of ballots did not
set the desired results that force
might be necessary.
After Berger had testified that he
was opposed to this country's going to
war with Mexico, Assistant District
ATTORNEY Fleming produced a tele-
gram which Berger had sent. to the
editor of a New York Socialist paper
in March, 1916, Insisting that the
United States send an army into Mex
leo to punish Villa.
Counsel for the government reac
70 the jury an editorial written ',S
Berger in the Milwaukee Leader, de-
c!ar:ng that capitalism was only one
cause cf the war and that the princiz
pal cause was nationalisrn and class
fa-red
BERGER admitted that in 1915 he IA
vored a genera. strike to prevent this
country entering the war. He said he
was opposed to the principles OF the
I. W. W. despite the fact that he con-
trjbuted SO to the defense fund OF
the leaders Of the organization when
.hey We're on trial in Chicago. He SAID
the I. ". ". had stood the test as
class organization and was superior to
the American Federation OF Labor.
..T have fought Sam Gompers for 80
! years" SAID Berger. The American
FED Grafton OF Labor has always sod
out to capital"
Berger admitted that he was op-
posed to the war, even after this co.1:.-
try entered it. Al the st. Louis con-
vention Of the Socialist party Berger
said there were only five delegates
who favored the war. He admitted
| having voted for the anti-war procla-
nation Of the party end Of having
used his paper to urge its adoption by
the membership OF the party at a ret-
erendun vote.
Ee admitted that Charles Z. Rus-
sell. John Spargo. Wiltshire GAYLORD
\. ~. Si,nrlonds and other leaders
severed their connection with t.le s.
c;al:st party after the adoption Of t?ae
aat:-5Yar proclamation at St. Louis IN
1917.
attorre. F'1cn,:nc read on edi+orial
IN which he iemande., tnet e<eT>
| member Of the party stand sGuare!>
or tho ant:-wac platform OF the So
| aia.3ists or get out of the PARTY. who'll
er ne be mayor Or constable. 'ii':.e
witness said he had Mayor Hoan Of
NIiIvaukea. a Socialist, IL ;clind wfe?
he wrote the article arc added thfit
Hoan had been wotb.i9g about On tic
question Of the war Berger said tltat
finally Mayor Hoan took definite
stand on the way b. approvng the St.
Louis platform.
..Did you believe that American
tights had been violated By the sink
ing CT the Lusitania ?" asked the Ged-
eral attorney.
'sNo, did not replied Bersec.
"It was an English vessel and she
was carrying war munitions. I think
= was beastly thing to do. but not
sufficient reason for this country -
get into the w;ar''