Arizona republican., 1919-01-03
Berger Admits Writing Bellicose Edi- torial- Attempts Explanation Also Favored Strike to Prevent Entering War Fought Gompers for Thirty Years Says Big Men Left Socialist Party in 1917.
Republican A. p. Leased Wire]

CHICAGO, Jan. 2-On cross exam ination today, Congressman elect Vic tor l.. Berger of Milwaukee, at the trial of five socialist leaders charged with violation of the espionage law, was confronted with an article printed over his signature in the socialist, demo- cratic Herald of Milwaukee. July 3l. 1909, in which he advised working men to use rifles if necessary, to obtain their rights.
 On direct examination. Berger had repeatedly declared that he was a con- servative and constructive socialist. and that he never advised the use of violence. The article in question was read to the jury by Assistant District Attorney Fleming, after Berger had been questioned in regard to his rela- tions with Johan Most, the anarchist leader.
 Berger admitted having presided at a Milwaukee meeting, at which Most spoke, two years after the Haymarket anarchist riot in Chicago in 1886. Der ger declared that although he consent ed to preside at the meeting, he never approved of Most's teachings and all ways opposed the use of violence in every form.
 Admits Bullet" Editorial Assistant District Attorney Fleming then read the article from the Mil waukee paper which contained among other things the following: Every working man ought to have a good rifle, with plenty of ammuni- tion at home. so as to ready, when the | time comes, to take up the battle for his rights. I deny that any change can ever be brought about by peace able means. It cannot be done by the ho1l la+ .,1@ | prepared to back up their ballots with i bullets
 Questioned in regard to the radical 1 sentiments expressed, the witness said l that he meant that if a majority Of 1 ballots did not get 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 telegram which Berger had sent to the editor of New York socialist paper. in March. 1916, insisting that the United States send an army into Mexico to punish Villa.
 Counsel for the government read to the jury an editorial written by Berger in the Milwaukee Leader, in which the defendant declared that capitalism was | only one cause of the war, and that the principal cause was nationalism and class hatred.
 Favored War Prevention | Berger admitted that in 1916, he fla vored a general strike to prevent this country from entering the war. He said he was opposed to the principles of the I. w. w, in spite of the fact that he contributed s10 to the defense fund of the leaders of the organiza . tion, when they were on trial in Chi cago for violation of the espionage law. He said the I. w. W. had stood the test as a class organization and was superior to the American Federation of Labor.
 '-I have fought Samuel Gompers for thirty years" said Berger. The American Federation of Labor has al- ways sold out to capital.'
 Berger admitted he was opposed to
 the war, even after this country en-
 tered it At the St. Louis convention
 of the socialist party, Berger said there were only five delegates who favored the war. He admitted having voted for the anti-war proclamation of the ' party. and of having used his paper tt
 urge its adoption by the membership oi the party on a referendum vote. Says Others Left Party
 He admitted that Charles Edward Russell, John Spargo, Wiltshire Gay,