The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-09-21
The Most Burning Question -
Unity Of action

BY BHrck
BY Bella KUN

posals was most clearly expressed by the former
Social Democratic Rechstag President Loebe, when
he declared:
I'VE Social Democrats will not undertake any
thing long the government lie. the Hitler
gOvernment-B. K.) remains on a constitutional
basis"
Hitler has "constitutionally" thrown the const-
tuition to the four winds The refusal of the lead
of the Social-Democratic Party of Germany and
of the German General Confederation of Trade
Unions to the general strike against Hitler to
establish the unity of action of the German working
class against the German bourgeosie paralyzed the
forces OF the German labor movement at the cri-
tical historical moment and aided Hitler to get
into power
SOCIALIST PARTY LEADERS REJECTED UNITY
If Vandervelde has forgotten it, we can remind
the Socal-Democratic workers of how some So
cia-Democratic Parties and Party leaders rejected
the united front proposals OF the Communist Par
ties which were made on the basis of the appeal
of the Communist International of March S, 1888
The leaders of the British Labor Party answered as
follows in reply to the proposal for united front
against Hitler and against the offensive of capital
in March, 1888
"The workers must everywhere strengthen the
Labor Party-this spearhead of political power
directed against fascist Communist dictator
ship-with the firmness and enthusiasm of the
INDUSTRIAL, economic and political movement; with
the strength of their democracy the English work
ers protect their rights against the ambi-
tious designs of various dictators who may ap-
pear in our country, and give fresh courage
to the forces of democratic socialism throughout
the whole world"
In order to obtain an idea of how the forces
OF democratic socialism" have been strengthened by
the policy of the English Labor Party of how they
have fought against Hitler, should read the
organ of German Social-Democracy, Deutsche Fret
heit Dune Is, 1934), where the following comment
is made on the policy of the Labor Party in regard
to Germany
For some time past it has been a part of the
more incomprehensibIe foreign policy of the
labor paper lie, The Daily HeraId-B K.) to offer
its assistance to the fascist governments in Ger
many and Italy. MIR. Ever foreign political editor
of this paper, after short journey through Ger
many and Italy has been singing hymns of
praise in honor of Mussolin and pledged himself
for Hitlers true love of peace. Even the Storm
Troops described by him as perfectly HARM
less and peaceful organization 1t would seem
that the Labor Party does not yet recognize the
great dangers involved in such delusion by its
paper. In foreign politics at the present time
it is unfortunately more or less leaderless."
The other Social Democratic Parties have also
rejected the united front proposals of the Com
munist Parties the basis of the decision of the
sion says that the Democratic Parties should
not conduct any negotiations with the Communist
Parties in individual countries.
More than year of struggle was required be-
fore the Social Democratic Parties in France in
Austria and in the Saar region declared themselves
ready for common action with the Communist Par
ties against fascism.
Can it then be regarded as an astounding vote-
face in Communist tactics" if, after the new les
sons which the international working class has re-
ceived, above all by the defeat of the Austrian
workers in February 1884, the Communist Parties
have renewed their proposals to the Social-Demo-
cratic Parties for a united front against fascsm
Instead of fostering mistrus against unity of ac-
ton, the Social-Democratc workers would do bet
ter to study the question of why the united front
was not Immediately established at any rate after
Hitlers advent to power. They would do well to
examine the reasons why the establishment of the
united front against fascism was completely frus-
trated in 1888 and why the struggle for this united
front in 1884 has produced some successes if only
initial ones
ITO Be ContinueL)