BULLETS OR BALLOT?

Evening Star, Issue 18032, 28 July 1922, Page 2

BULLETS OR BALLOT?

* A STRIKING ARTICLE. WHY I AM FIGHTING THE COMMUNIST MENACE, I —— “COMRADES” WHO DISAGREE. [By the Right Hon. J. H. Thomas, M.P.] Those not in close contact with political movements must have been amazed at the bitterness shown by the Communists of this conn try from time to time, not only to their pronounced opponents, but even to men and' women within their own ranks. I-n their weekly journal they address everybody as “ comrade,” and when one listens to Communist at street comers one hears “comrades” like Clynes, Henderson, and myself assailed in the strongest possible language such as cannot ho misunderstood. In fact, this is how they treat any Labor leader who ventures to ignore or 'disagree with them. If it were not so serious it would really be amusing. Every time there is an industrial dispute. whether, it ho with the miners, railwaymen, engineers, or any important section of the workers, the Communists come along with a contribution towards tho “ settlement.”

Invariably it is tho stock phrase, “Watch your leaders.” which they brandish th.roui'hnnt their journal in bold headlines, a.nd they shout it from the street corners. The Communists believe that the representatives elected by the workers are frauds who will seek every opportunity to sell and betray those whom they represent. PRIVY COUNCILLOR'S OATH. Tho capture of tho railwayman's union is one of their special hopes, -and therefore they reserved some special “blessings” for me. However, they made their chargee so strong and direct that I was compelled to; lake note. I accordingly decided to give them an opportunity of producing proof of their charges in tho public 'law courts. Apparently this step, they did not welcome, as they declined to appear in the witness box. I imagine that they considered that British legal procedure was not quite the same as that which exists in Russia.

Having failed ignominiously to sustain charges when provided with the opportunity of doingiso, they are now resorting to other methods of attack, all directed' with the ono object of undermining my position and' influence with the railwavmen. RUINOUS AIMS. This new line of attack takes on. different forms. For example, they have circularised branches of ray union; they have taken ©very opportunity, of suggesting to members that the oath of a Privy Councillor is incompatible with the office of a Labor leader; and they have even gone the length of searching the records at Somerset House for information as to whether I have any savings or possessions, and also the position of my wife in this respect. Not satisfied' with what they found, they multiplied their discovery many times over. Tho cold 'calculation through it all is the shattering ox the confidence of my members. Of course, I am not so foolish as to believe, that the Communists arc seriously concerned' about myself alone, and that, having accomplished my overthrow, they would consider their work done.

What they are concerned about is the fact that I have prevented their using and influencing the railwayman's organisation. If only they could drive things to such a pass as to render it impossible for me to retain office, or could get me cast adrift, then, they think, the course might be clear for the capture of the union. So long ae I am at tho head of affairs I am determined that they shall not he allowed to interfere with the proper constitutional procedure of the National Union of Railwaymen.

Well-meaning people sometimes advise mo not to fight the Communists, but simply to let their charges pass unchallenged and to treat them with contempt.. My reply is: I not only believe that the Communists are a real danger to the people of this country, but also that their policy and methods are ruinous to the objects and purpose of the trade union and Labor movement.

In tho early days the Labor leader had to teach the workers tho need for organisation. Unity was necessary in the industrial field to enable the workers to negotiate and settle terms of employment. United political action was necessary in the political field in order to enable tho workers to exercise a voice in government and to secure legal safeguards and protection. LABOR’S FUTURE, Who would question our success in Ijieso directions? Indeed, it has been so pronounced that a Labor Government is spoken of as a certainly in the very near future. But the Communists come along and say that tho duty of a trade union loader is to smash the industry, tho duty of a Labor representative on a local body is to smash the local -authority, and the duty of a Labor M.P. is Ip smash Parliament. In other words, let us have anarchy and chaos, a blind, bloody revolution for the sake of destruction.

The public must be given to understand that the Labor movement is not identified in any way with the Communists, and docs not by any means stand for their principles and methods. The sooner this is appreciated the better it will be. Needless to say, my attitude and policy towards society and industry has nothing in common with theirs. As against their doctrine of force, I believe in,the power of the ballot box, which can give democracy the form of government it desires, and which, combined with collective bargaining, can shape industry according to tho ideas of the workers.

In a- few words, my policy against, the Communists may be contrasted as the difference between the ballot and the bullet.