New-York tribune., 1919-02-10
Mternnti0nulists Victory in
America Predicted bv Lee
Socialist Alderman Attacks Prosecution of [. W. W.
Sells 'sDefence Stamps'' to the Audience

Socialist Alderman Algernon Lee
preicted last night the ultimate
triumph Of internationalism and the
Revolutionary probetariat" in the
United States
"Capitalistc governments always
imagine, he said, "that if they use
enough force they can keep the sun
from rising. AS a matter of fact, they
may raise gunpowder smoke enough to
darken the suns face for awhile, but
it will rise just the same. Interna-
tionalism had ADLER reactionaries to
contend with in Russia and Germany
than it has here"
meeting in Forward Hall at IT'S East
Broadway
He spoke on "The Immediate Future
of the Socalistic Party in the United
States" The doors were closed as he
spoke, and he said in part:
mo government in modern history,
except probably the Russian govern
ment under the Czar, has been as saw
age and cruel as this government has
been to internationalists.
"Yet the proletariat here is progress
ing toward organization. 1t is true
that sentences aggregating thousands
of years have been given our comrades
Of the I. w. w. and similar organiza-
tions. 1t is true that many quit the
Socialist party because they thought
it should have supported the war. 1t
is true that our publications are ham
pered in their circulation.
Not as Strong as Believed
l. c%~
than we have ever been before; not
as strong as the capitalists believe, it
is true. They overestimate the power
Of Bolshevism in the United States at
present. but l hope that we will grow
strong enough to Justify their estimate.
"The Seattle situation is encourag
ing. 1t is revelation. When the
workers begin to organize as thor
oughly as those out there real prog
ress is being made. Even though they
decide to retreat from their plans for
the present. the very fact of such a
strikes existence is a proof of the in
creasing boldness of the American
proletariat."
Mr.. Lee also said during the course
of his address that the death of Lieb-
unfortunate; that Belgian and French
Socialists would have to get away from
their hatred of the Germans, and that
the new national Labor party "might
conceivably become the central instru-
ment Of Bolshevsm in this country"
eve may decide" he said. "to let
the Socialist party become back eddy
and concentrate in this new channel.
Asks Difference Between Parties
"Just what is the difference between
the Socialist party and the new Labor
party?" the speaker was asked.
"The difference is," Mr.. Lee explained,
"that the Labor party does not 60
quite SO far as the Socialist party in
its conception Of radicalsm. How
ever, there is not room for both parties,
and, as they seek to gain the same
end, one of the two will become the
political representative Of the inter
nationalists and the other will fade"
"Why are some Socialists being
quoted as against the Soviet govern
ment of Russian" Mr.. Lee was then
asked.
What you see in The World,
The Tribune, The Times and
other such papers is not always true"
Mr.. Lee replied. "For instance, when
you see in The Tribune that Social
ism is prof. rman, you know that is a
lie. Frequently the capitalist press
misquotes or twists the utterances of
Socialists.
Believes Soviets a Success
"However, I can conceive of Social
ist who was skeptical of the Soviets,
as they are just tool of Bolshevism
and not the essence of it. Personally
think they have already proved their
success as instruments Of social revo-
luton"
Before Mr. Lee spoke pamphlet by
Nikolai Lenine and one by Albert Rhys
Williams were offered for sale. An
other salesman distributed the very
latest thing in "war stamps" a pink
square of paper costing 10 cents, bear
ing the picture of man behind bars
with the inscription Hundreds of
workers are in here for you; you are out
there to help them. Defence stamp
10 cents. Remember"
The stamp salesman kept up a lively
monologue, of which this is a verbatim
sample;
"The !. W. W. and the other political
prisoners fought your war. You can't
help them physically just now, so helI
them financially. Pm for militarism
myself. We have to get ready to over.
throw the capitalists"