The Wrangell sentinel., 1920-04-22
Shall Chaos or Reconstruction in Europe Follow the Great
 World War;
RADlCALISM IN THE SADDLE
Without a Definite Program, People Everywhere Are Demanding Change In Present Conditions
 Threat of "Direct Action"
Article xl.
By FRANK coMERFoRD.

By FRANK COMERF ORD.
 RadicaliSm In Europe Is rampant. The workers are active. the middle class sympathetic. The industrial centers are hotbeds. The conservatism of the farmers and peasants Is break Ing down. It Is hard to define this Iadicalism-tt Is without form. It isn't definite program, 1t isn't even political. The people are dissatisfied. The red flag Is popular. It promises a short cut. It answers the cry of the impatient. was surprised to see many of the very men who fought so gallantly under their country's flag and who but yesterday would have torn the red flag from the flagpoie, now defending 1t, carrying It and fol- lowing it. l am sure they do not know what the red flag stands for. To them 1t represents a protest against things as they are. Summed up in word the attitude of mind of the workers of Europe is eagerness for change some change-any change. Every one knows the symptoms, understands what Is wrong. but the remedy Is only vaguely discussed.
 attach much significance to the new attitude of organized labor in Europe. Labor unions formerly con- cerned themselves with wages. terms of employment shop conditions. safety appliances, recognition of their right of collective bargaining. Since the war the labor movement has taken up questions entirely outside of its field. questions properly the concern of all the people. questions of government policy. have in mind recent de- mands made by the working men in England, France and Italy. These de- mands were addressed to the regularly and properly elected representatives of the people. the governments. They were accompanied by threats of gen eral strikes if they were not acceded to. This step is an innovation; 1t is revolutionary.
 The working men are citizens and have voice in the government equal with all other citizens. After the peo- pie have selected their representatives, the men chosen should be responsible to all of the people without regard to class or station. A government by one portion of the people is autocratic. Government of the people, for the peo- ple and by the people, means all of the people. The effort on the part of minority in the labor movement. ,ho aI, 1la,, ,ui, ,u1x cialists, to dictate to the state, repre- senting all of the people, Is an attack upon democracy. If successful it would destroy the state and leave the great majority of the people. including the workers. less free than they are now What sane man, whether he is a working man or not, Is in favor of minority government?
 Demands Hard to Understand.
 witnessed many demonstrations in Europe under the red flag, in which the leaders demanded three things from the government.
 First, they demanded the release of all the men In jail who were held for political crimes. These included men found guilty of sedition and treason during the war. cannot understand this demand. Why should men be re- leased from jail who sought to stab in the back the men who went to the trenches to fight and die for freedom I should much prefer to see all of the burglars released. If am compelled to choose between the traitor and the burglar. will have no trouble in mak- ing my decision.
 Second, they demanded that no sol- diers be sent to Russia. The agitation on this point was so strong that when the British government attempted to send soldiers to Russia last summer (1919), the soldiers mutinied, and so far as l am able to learn the feeling was so strong, the situation so critical, the government did not dare court martial them.
 Third, they demanded that all con- scription laws be abolished.
 It is apparent that these demands. coming from minority. backed by a threat. constitute an invasion of the rights of the people. The question isn't whether or not one believes these things should be done the issue Is the method resorted to. Personally I do not believe soldiers should be sent to Russia. In my opinion allied inter- meddling has been stupid and harmful, but If these matters of general public policy are to be decided. all of the people should have vote in making up the verdict.
 When you consider this new atti- tude of labor in conjunction with the growing popularity of direct action." 1t indicates that the labor movement is losing faith in law and political &C., tion. am not saying that their ex- perience with politics. their betrayal by men they have supported. the de- fault of political parties to carry out prediction pledges. may not be re- dictr fn rn1itfOQl