Evening star., 1947-06-22
Test
Britain
Fabian Society Likely
to Put Up Battle
Next Fall
- ~fFt
By Hal OFIoherty


for theoretical debate, is rapidly
nearing the point of practical ap-
plication in the United Kingdom.
| The gaps that exist between theory
and practice will soon be evident.
The Fabian Society, which has
numbered so many of Britain's great
intelIectuals, takes its name from
the old Roman Gen. Quintus Maxi
mus Fabian who distinguished him.
self as statesman and soldier in
the era of 200 BIC. This ancient
one was noted for evading direct
engagements in battle and using
military tactics wherever possible.
First Effort Premature
True to tradition, British Socialists
have dallied with their theories and
stretched their debates over three
generations always planning the
first cautious steps toward their
ideal of a complete Socialist state.
They have evaded, in the past, any
direct engagements with their op-
ponents, the capitalists.
After World War I, Ramsay Mac
Donald came into power at the head
of the first Labor government. 1t
was an il1-fated and premature
effort of the Fabians, and all seemed
to recognize that the time was not
yet ripe for socialism.
Then, in 1945, the Labor Party
won an overwhelming victory giving
it a huge majority in the House OF
Commons and the theorists of the
Fabian Society agreed that the time
had come to engage the enemy
Delaying action was replaced by
frontal assault and by next autumn
the real battle to make Britain
over into a Socialist state will be
in full heat.
These British Socialists are, in the
main, intellectuals. They are ut
terly sincere in their belief in gov
ernment ownership of all sources
of wealth. But they are impractical.
+ 1t is said that a large group of
oxford and Cambridge Fabians at
one time joined in studying the best
way to get along with the working
classes.
Have Pushed Ahead
From such debates over the years
have emerged the politicians who
now enjoy power in Britain. Intel
lectually convinced that only gov
ernment is able to solve the intri-
cate problems of production, they
are banking on their book learning
and their long-debated theories to
carry them through.
And they have made great strides.
Before another year has passed the
Fabian Socialists intend that all nat
ural resources such as coal, all trans
port, all sources of power shall be
owned or controlled by their gov
ernment.
Such is the dream of the Fabians.
In actual practice, the government
operation of mining has been halt
ing but not unsuccessful. The Ma
tional Coal Board runs the whole
business. In all likelihood, this
first step will prove to be one OF
the most encouraging to socialism
But, when a board of governors
takes over all transport, including
railroads, with their hotels and
varied sidelines, some beautiful
theories are liable to be murdered
by a gang of facts. 1t will require
something more than intellectual
conviction to move the nation
goods and operate It's lines Of COM
munication.
May Be Early Deficits
If things do not go well at first
say the Socialists, the government
can always foot the bills. There
may be early deficits. Public funds
can make up the difference. There
may be ineficiency. The govern
ment is strong enough to throw ir
the forces to close up the gaps.
! Eventually, the Fabians hope, pri-
vate enterprise will dwindle to mere
traffic and trade. Government will
be the all-pervasive force, the out
right owner of wealth and power
and every one will be well fed. vel
clothed and properly sheltered
therefore happy.
! A dark suspicion has been grow
| ing that when this gladstone enc
has been attained, men will nc
longer be free.