Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-22
ny WILLIAM RUFUS SCOTT.
ABoRING masses the world O.

by WILLIAM RUFUS SCOTT.
Y ABORING masses the world over
are watching with fascinated in
terest the race for the approval
~ of the masses between Ramsay
Macdonald premier Of Great
Britain, and Joseph Stain, iron man
o. the Soviet regime in Russia, the one
using the orderly processes of demo-
cratic constitutionalism and the other
the radical methods Of communism.
Macdonald has been scoring heavily
since his recent accession to power. The
victory of his chancellor, Snowden, IN
winning a better deal for England in
the division of reparations, and now
the achievements of Macdonald at the
League Of Nations meeting in Geneva
and through the expected agreement
with the United States on naval limita-
ton, have turned the proletarian eye
from Moscow to London.
If the Labor government in England
can add to this brilliant start real
improvement in business and sub
stantial reduction in unemployment, the
already tottering radicalism of Sec
ton of English labor will take the
count for a long time to come. Since
nothing succeeds like success" and
Macdonald he's created the impression
of being successful, the economic gains
have better than even chance OF at
tainment
Follow Marks Teachings.
It has been the Russian idea, derived
from Karl Marx. German Socialist
philosopher, that all existing economic,
political and social structures must be
completely destroyed before the new
ideal, proletarian state can be erected
In the first years of the Soviet expert
ment in Russia, or Immediately after
. the 1917 revolution, the Communists
ing every vestage of the former gov
eminent and economic and social Or
der, this effort being attended by a
ruthless killing off of opposition far
more savage than anything recorded
in the reign of terror in the French
Revolution.
For the last half dozen years the
Soviet has been in what is called the
constructive phase of communism, or
in building up on the ruins of monar-
chical and capitalist Russia the first
socialist nation, or workers republic,
with the proletariat as the ruling class.
But 1T is only in the last three or four
years that this constructive process
has made visible Roadway. Today the
visitor to Russia finds signs of stability
and improved economic conditions In
comparison with what Russia previously
knew. though far behind the standards
known in America or Europe generally.
See Good Times Ahead.
Soviet leaders today believe the road
has been turned toward comparatively
good times. The f1ve-year' economic
plan described in ,th preceding article
carried through, Russia by 1888 will
be able to supply It's great population
with most of the commodities enjoyed
in other nations, though even then not
in anything like the quality or quantity
now consumed in the United States.
Against this record is that of the
Labor government in England, which
had brief tenure of power in 1924,
followed by a Conservative reaction and
now return to power again of Labor.
Moscow asks, why do not English
working classes emulate the Russian
example by first violently overthrowing
all existing institutions and then build
ing working class government which
would not tolerate. or be hampered by,
middle or upper classes? English labor
has answered the query by deliberately
rejecting the Russian method and stick
ing to conStitutionalism involving also
as emphatic rejection of the MARKHAM
thesis that one must first destroy before
one can create better social systems.
In other words, English labor, having
watched the agonies of the Russian
masses through IL years of communism.
prefers to hold on to what Is good and
capable of being salvaged in existing
society and to advance from that stand
point to something better. Nor did
English labor make this decision by
long distance view of Russia. Delega-
lions of English workers have visited
Russia in recent years and what they
saw cooled of the first enthusiastic i'm
pressions Of workers republic, or
revolution.
Price Is Too High.
Russia in time may attain a high de-
gree of prosperity and approximate the
socialist ideals, but the price in human
wretchedness paid by Russians to reach
that goal has made English and other
the same path. That is the explanation
Of the subsistence of radicalisrn through
out Europe. Doubtless Russia was the
only country in Europe capable either
of going through such revolution or Of
bearing the hardships afterward.
And so the workers of the world are
watching to see If English labor can in
crease human happiness without whole
sale killing, virtual or actual Starva-
ton. distressing lack of the most ordi-
nary necessities of existence, drastic
upheavalS in family life, and other
accomplishments of the first phase of
Russian communism.
The traditional good Sportsranship
Of the English people never had a more
striking exemplification than In giving
to Macdonald the opportunity to try to
find better way than the Russian way.
Labor did not win clear majority in
the election. King George could have
retained BaldwinS Conservative party in
power, or called Liberal, or some in
between leader to form a coalition gov
eminent; but MacDonald's party had
made the largest gains in the House OF
Commons of any of the parties and with
fine craftsmanship Baldwin resigned
and the King, taking the trend rather
than the net results Of the election as o
guide, gave the premiership to the
leader whose party had the best rela-
tive score.
Kings Move Commendable.
History we'll may give this decision by
King George heavy rating. Had he
with stubborn allegiance to Conservative
party politics insisted on barring Labor
from the government until they had
won in an election q clear majority
the effect surely would have been to
create a resentful, revolutionary mood
in English labor, which radicals would
have been quick to fan into flame, If
possible.
At any rate, Macdonald was given his
, chance and in a short period the lib
eralism Of King George has been vindi-
Gated, for II Macdonald had to retire
now his fame would be secure. The
ending of naval rivalry alone, if con-
summated, will be a monumental
achievement. But beyond that the
working classes of the world will get a
new inspiration, with the conviction
that it is not necessary for mankind to