The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1924-11-22

Britain fell because 1t could not recon
cile its actual devotion to the cause
of capitalism with its pretended de-
votion to that Of the working class.
Why Macdonald Came to Power.
Ten months ago capitalism in Eu-
rope was facing problems that had be-
come desperate. The whole economic
situation of Central Europe was only
hanging by thread, and that thread
was the faint hope that American
finance would come in and take con-
troll before the renten-mark collapsed.
Ruhr industry lay in ruins. Yet
France was no nearer to working
agreement with the German capital
lists, and every one realized that if the
position Of January, 1924, continued,
both French and German capitalism
we're in danger Of an economic dis
aster
America did come in. AS the labor
government was preparing to take Of
flee, and the new ministers of King
George v. we're buying the silken
kneebreeches needed at court, a GER
tain General Dawes, closely con-
nected with j. P. Morgan and the or
ganizer of the Minute Men of the Con
stitution (the Fascist of America)
was debating to a committee of ex-
perts the terms on which American
finance capital would intervene to
stabilize" Europe.
Americas terms included provisions
which made certain very drastic
lowering of the standard of living of
the German workers, and therefore of
all the workers of Europe.
Americas terms had been known in
outline for months and even for years
British Imperialism had been unwill-
ing to accept them, but there was no
alternative. The conservative party
had thought at one time that it was
possible to withdraw from Europe, to
concentrate on the exploitation of the
colonies, and to guard British economy
from European competition by means
of tariffs. The complete unreality of
this program was so thoroly shown up
at the general election of 1928, that
the British bourgeoisie discarded Bald
win and refused to consider his "alter-
ative"
The majority that resulted from this
election was majority for the accept
ance by British capitalism of Ameri-
cas- terms. There was no other bond
between the diverse elements contain
ed in it. Lloyd George, who returned
directly from America to make peace
with the official liberal party and fight
with them in the election, could not
have been got to support a labor-liber-
al alliance by anything except the
pressure of the real rulers of modern
Morgan and his ascot
ates.
The labor government was put in
to power in order to carry thru the
Dawes plan.
Used Macdonald Against Labor.
There were other reasons which
made the capitalist classes of Britain
willing to use these agents. The most
important reason was the steady
movement Of the masses of the Brit
ish workers towards an industrial at
tack.
Strikes were steadily increasing;
some agent was needed in order to
check the revolt of the rank and file
trade unionists against the dictation
of capital.
The political labor movement was
growing strong without having yet
clearly reached the stage when the
banalities Of reformism. so useful TO
capitalism, are differentiated from the
advocacy of working class socialism.
Amy acute observer could see that
most of the advocates Of socialism IN
Great Britain could be tanned. and
used as domestic animals to do the
more unpleasant parts Of capitalism's
homework, IL only they were caught