The New York herald., 1921-01-02
Reviewed by
STANTON A. COBLANTZ.

Karl Marx martyr and
sage the emperor In the realm
of mind, the Prometheus foredestined
to lead the human race toward the
brilliant goal which awaits II In a
future not perhaps immeasurabIy re-
mote"-such are the words In which
Professor Loria OF Turin pays tribute
to the great apostle of Socialistic
thought. In brief but compact mono-
graph the author outlines the life Of
Marx, summarizes his contribution to
economic thought and comments criti-
cally upon his work. He makes II
evident that behind many of the great
social movements agitating our times
is to be discerned the gigantic form Of
Karl Marx. a seer. an oracle and a
prophet pointing with uneaualied in
sight to the inner workings of our So
ciety, tracing the basic currents Of
economic growth and describing the
course of evolution tending toward
social rebirth. And though Professor
Loria's reverence for Marx is un-
doubted. though he says that Marks
Capital will remain for all time one
OF the lofdest submits ever climbed
by human thought" still he does not
fall into blind worship of his hero nor
hesitate to bare the huge limita-
tions as well as the vast range Of
Marks accomplishments.
Professor Loria's biographical ac-
count Of Marx recalls the fact that by
q strange Bit of irony the great enemy
Of capitalism belonged to an ancient
stock devoted to the accumulation of
wealth. while his marriage united him
TO the race of German feudatories"; ;
that as the young editor Of the Rhen-
I h Gazette he declared himself OPP
posed 10 French Socialism, and that
later. when he became heart and soul
the advocate Of Socialism. he endured
every variety OF ignominy, want and
suffering in his fervent devotion to
the cause. There is something pathetic
In the spectacle Of the greatest eco
nomist Of the age. poverty stricken and
In enforced exile in London, battling
almost without recognition for the
faith destined TO alter the course Of
human evolution. Or, 20 let Professor
Loria tell the story: "One after an
other his children died in the 1nwhole-
some dwellings OF his exile and he
was forced to beg from friends and
comrades the scanty funds needed to
pay for their burial; he and his fam
| lily had TO make the best OF a diet OF
bread and potatoes: ne was forced to
pawn his watch and his clothing. to
sell his books. to tramp the streets In
search Of any help that might offer;
the day camo when. under the lash
OF hunger. he was forced TO contem-
plate seeking work as railway clerk.
OF placing his daughters out to service
Of making them governesses or
actresses while himself retiring with
his unhappy wife TO dwell In the prole-
tartan quarter Of Whitechapel."
Is II any wonder then that the
author terms Marx a ""martyr"7 Is
n any wonder that his work giows
with genuine admiration for the man
who fought his way through such
trials 10 a universal hearing7 IL does
not matter what we think OF the doc-
trines OF Marx--we are led with Pro-
fessor Loria to revere him as a man:
we are led TO recognize that IN this
Hercules who took up the sword
against the dragon OF the economic
order there In the stun out OF which
supreme heroes are made.
In regard TO Marks doctrines Pro
fassor Loria has many instructive
things to say. He exposes huge flaws
In the theory Of value. one OF tho
corner stones Of Marks thinking, and
comes to the remarkable conclusion
that MARI. whose primary aim Il was