The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1930-03-25
Some Lessons in Strategy

ner Sporadic fights would take place, where
groups would resist the attacks of the police
on some worker. If we had had groups of Eek
perienced and diligent" comrades they could
have succeeded to larger extent to bring out
the militancy of the masses and resist the pol
ice attacks more effectively.
Workers Defense Corps
We have spoken considerably, and written
even more, on the question Of Workers Defense
Corps. Yet, we must record that insufficient
work has been done in this field, This DEM
onstration has shown a lack, Of resistance to
the police attacks. Wherever workers did
fight, it was done in an unorganized manner.
Of course, we must take many factors into
consideration Firstly, this was the first time
that we participated in such large demonstra-
ton, and secondly, the inexperience of the
masses in resisting police brutality. Yet the
newspapers here admit that the police were
unable to cope with the situation. The Detroit
News OF March 6 gives the strategy Of the pol
ice. 1t writes: 1.-THE big cars and buses scat
tered the crowds as no number Of police could
have. Almost at once the mass was split in
twain and the danger was over" In other
words, it was the running of street-cars through
the crowds of workers that did the trick.
We must therefore be prepared in such con-
tingency An organized workers defense corps
in this case would have given leadership to the
masses and stopped the cars which would have
tied up traffic and would have made it even
more difficult for the police to handle the stu
alton. As it was, the police succeeded in carry
ing through their plan.
The organization Of Workers Self-Defense
Corps must be done with the initiative Of the
Party and League. In every sympathetic or
are suitable for this purpose and train them
for effective work. They must. be prepared to
act during demonstrations for defense of shop
gate meetings, and in all other cases. We have
seen, for instance, in Hamtramck where an or
ganized group of workers were able promptly
and effectively to stop hoodums from breaking
up our hall there. These groups must receive
regular training of work for demonstrations
and how to defend our speakers and placards
during the demonstrations
With the crisis developing rapidly, bringing
an increased rehabilitation of the masses. we
g, will have more and more demonstrations. Nav
First as has already been pointed out, is very
short time away. These demonstrations will
more and more take on political character
and the workers. will rally not only on the
immediate demands, but on the slogans of the
Party for struggle against imperialist war pre-
the whole capitalist system, and for the rev.
dictionary workers government.
Great tasks are therefore placed upon II.
We must quickly learn to respond to new stu
atoms as they arise. Understanding the
tempo OF rehabilitation of the masses can no
longer be tolerated as it can become serious
error in this period for which the Party will
have to pay big price. We must proceed
with preparations at more rapid tempo for
May First and carry through the following
imme Hate tasks:
l.. theological preparation of the PARTY and
the masses for May First.
2. Organize groups of comrades that have
the Qualities and initiative to lead the demon
stration.
B. Organize workers. self-defense corn. n
all workers organizations, and on the basis Of
the experiences aleardy gained, prepare to re-
sist the attacks Of the police, organized fascist
gangs and thugs.
From the attacks against our PARTY follow.
ing the March Demonstrations. we can nj.
ready foretell the actions of the enemy for Nav
FIRST. In New York, where the workers for
many years have gathered on Union Square.
we find Whalen organizing the fascist Amer.
lean Legion and Veterans Of Foreign Wars to
organize a bloody attack against the workers
on May First. In other cities, similar problems
ARISE. ms means effective organization Of
the Party to lead the tens Of thousands Of
workers that will respond to our call against
these attacks, which will train us to lead the
workers in the final struggle against can;tsi-
ism.
This article dealing with some of the ex-
periences of the Detroit demonstration points
out the necessity of thorough discussion on
this question. We expect in the near future
to deal with many other problems such as the
calling OF strikes, organization in the factories
the work Of the nuclei, etc. This article is
written with the hope of stimulating more dis
cussion by the Party members, especially those
that were active in preparation for the March
6 Demonstrations, IL
: =