The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1932-03-24

winch were considered to be led by the Commute
nists, then the workers Of Finland would I'M
doubtedly have been able to fight more strongly
against hte fascist attack. But in that postwar
period of growth in the working class movement
opportunism had again been able to injure the
workers class struggle movement. There were
too strong illusions of legality, and when they
built the workers mass movement under the
influence OF these illusions the structure OF the
illegal Communist Party proved to be too weak
For this reason the workers of Finland were
unable to put up any serious opposition to the
rise of fascisrn without even talking OF being
able to prevent It,
Only after the rise Of fascism was the Party
purged of opportunists and placed on clear
cut class struggle line. After that it has pro-
crossed rapidly in difficult conditions.
The social-fascist leaders aided fascisn rise to
power in the hope that they would obtain prop
critics owned collectively by workers and their
organizations when hte Communist movement is
suppressed by fascist terror Their hopes we're
realized, but in order to become the self-ap-
pointed leaders of the entire legal working class
movement in Finland they have done their all
to make the workers of Finland submit to the
fascist dictatorship. But in spite OF this they
have not been able to lessen the discomfort Of
the masses in fascsm, instead it has continually
grown. There is a severe crisis in the country,
and in order to place the entire burden on the
shoulders of the workers, the wages of workers
have been steadily decreased In addition, I'M
employment has grown in an unheard-of de-
gree. The masses are in exceedingly great pow
erty mad distress.
And this discomfort is not restricted to in-
dustral workers, but it has invaded the coun-
try-side. Government taxes are so high that
the peasants are becoming bankrupt. During
the last few years thousands Of poor and middle
rich peasants have lost their properties. This Is
the cause Of the growing discomfort OF the
peasants.
When it instituted the fascist rule In Finland,
the bourgeoisie had told the peasants that as
soon as Communism is crushed there will be
model conditions in Finland There will be no
more strikes and rebeions, but there will be
peace and love between the masters and the
workers But the more that fascisrn has de-
veloped the worse conditions have become. Even
masses that aided in establishing the fascist
dictatorship are now affected by unemployment,
and are becoming sympathetic to Communist
slogans.
The Weak Foundations Of Fascism in Finland
But although the Lappos attempted march to
Helsingfors caused the strengthening Of the fas.
cist power, still it rests on weak foundations.
The growth of fascism generally is not a sign OF
the strength of the bourgeoise, but sign Of its
weakness The discomfort of the masses towards
fascism is growing. This discomfort may at any
moment burst into an open flame under this
leadership Of the Communist Party Of Finland.
For the Finnish proletariat Is whole -heartedly
preparing for a proetarian revolution. 1t Is now
building an illegal party and trIde union or
ganization that are as free as possible from op-
portunism, and it is rejecting the leadership Of
the social-fascists. 1t means that the Finnish
proletariat will not, as Comrade O. w. Kuhsinen
says happened in November, 1917, leave the spirit
of revolt hover above Finland without rising on
It's wings. No, the proletariat will rise this
time. and 1t means the end Of fascism In Fin
land and the laying Of foundations for SOVIET
FINLAND.