The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1927-10-21
ELEMENTS OF POLITICAL EDU-
CATION
(Continued -.
HContlnued from last week.
Is. WHAYT MEANS IS THE BOI1RGEOISIE
STRIVING TO MASTER TuE f,RISIS7

at the expense of its neighbors-frends or enemies
FIRST OF all they put internal, domestic measures
into operation. They lengthen the working day.
lower wages, and increase the intensity of labor.
Ihls IS done both IN the countries with underpro-
duction and in those with overproduction 1t would
seem absolutely senseess to increase the intensity
of labor and lengthen the working dav at time
when there are millions of unemploved. and when
the crisis is chiefly manifested in the fact that
the commodities find no sale on the world market
Inc capitalists OF England and America by their
policy directed towards diminishing the crisis only
render II stlll more acute. But the capitalists of
these countries consider that their commodities
llhu no SAFE because the expenses of their produc-
lion are TOO nigh IN comparison with the produc-
'ion expenses OF The industry of Germany, Austria
OF roland Inc lengthening of the working day
or the decrease of wages means for them an in
crease OF their ability to compete on the world
market. That the frightening Of the working day
and the raising of the intensity Of labor NAV brino
about still greater unemployment and sharpening
OF the crisis in the countries of overproduction2
this does not bother the capitalists
Thus the first path-to master the crisis at the
expense of the proletariat leads only to the aug
mehtlng OF the crisis and is bound up with the
continually growing opposition of the working
class
BESIDES this the capitalists carry on a struggle
Tor the strengthening of their positions outside
'Wh. countries. Within, they carry on policy
Of economy at the expense of the living forces of
the working class; beyond the borders of the
country they carry on an active (up to a certain
time, dplomatlc) struggle for the extension of
their mastery over the world.
One of the examples of this postwar struggle
Is Che struggle Tor the world sources of OIL Amer
ica' VINO before the war was almost monopolst
IN the production and distribution of oil, fell be-
hind England after the war After the victorious
war England succeeded in securing the right to
the exploitation of the richest sources of oil in
Asia Minor and besides that by uniting with
Dutch firm controlling the sources of oil In all
the other parts of the world, England strengthened
its role as an oil power exceedingly, dreaming al
ready of Selling the mastery the worlds oil.
Since the consumption of oil in America has in
creased extremely, and its own sources are weak
ening, a silent struggle is now going on between
them, in which France is also joining.
This struggle is carried on between the four
biggest imperialist powers-America, England, ia
pan and France, which form various groupings.
Owing to the isloation of Russia and the decline
of Central Europe the division of the spheres of
domination between these imperialist powers, in
particular between the first three, becomes more
and more difficult matter. This struggle has al
ready begun, the attacking country being America,
try in the world.
What is the cause of the Anglo-American rival
ry? First of all comes the question Of the war
debts America with great foresight g1ss1p money
for carrying the war directly to- England, and
the supplying of the other allied countries took
place through the latter. Thus England and not
America, is the creditor of Europe, l. e. the credi-
tor OF the usound debtors, France, Italy, Bel
GUM, etc. But the debtor of America is England
Not counting on getting any payments very soon
from her Debtors England semi officially proposed
to America to annul her obligations to America,
so that England could annul her obligations to
America, so that England could annul the obliga-
tons Of the European countries to herself. and
France could decrease her demands from Germany.
Inns measure might have somewhat revived Eur
opean capitalism for time but America was not
interested IN this and refused the proposition Of
England.
Another Anglo-American knot is tied around Mes
opotama and the countries rich in oil America
is dissatisfied with the fact that the League of
Nations, which is simply tool in the hands of
England, gave the right of exploitation of Meso
potamla to England, preparing by this England
world monopoly in the oil business This dissatis
faction becomes augmented under the Influence Of
the Anglo-Japanese treaty. On the other hand
America is dissatisfied with the fact that the
the possession of the former German cable station
on the Island OF zap in the Pacific Ocean. Be
SIDES this, America is trying to secure exclusive
influence IN China, but strikes on Japan for whom
emma Is lar too necessary and dainty morsel to
renounce IN favor of America Contradictions are
forming and sharpening upon this basis The pro-
posal OF America to stop naval construction for a
year was declined by Japan, and America is con-
tnulng the execution of its shipbuilding PROGRAM
with great intensity. Towards the end of 1924 the
american fleet must have preponderance over the
naval forces both of England and of japan.
leVerlsh preparation of the army is also going for
warn IN winch America is attempting to catch up
WIN Japan Finally feverish construction of the
military air fleet is being carried on in which each
De oI the countries is trying to surpass all others
Inc forces OF aerial militarism are thus growing
which is an Unprecedented threat
LOT the world to which in the case of war; it will
Orlng still greater destruction than the last war
Of 1914-18. wal
10 tne extraordinary growth of aerial militarism
'nlce 1ne late war to end war" should now be
auued the tremendous expenditures of the great
capitalist powers in developing the deadly means
OF chemical warfare. Poison gases, poison bombs
hfOwn from aeroplanes etc., are being produced in
arge quantities and perfected in anticipation of
nC