ASPECTS OF FASCISM

Grey River Argus, 8 October 1941, Page 7

ASPECTS OF FASCISM

(By

F. G. Thomson)

It will be realised by readers that a detailed examination of Fascism would make heavy demands on space. It will also be realised that in an article of such brevity some aspects of Fascism are not dealt with. For instance the international character of Fascism, and the position of women in a Fascist order are not discussed. Books to read on the subject are Prof. Brady’s “Spirit and Structure of German Fascism, n and Simon Haxley's “Tory M.P.,” also Salvemini’s “Italian Fascism.”

“Well What the Blazes is Fascism ?” How often have we heard that question asked ? It is as well in these days of “new orders” for us to gain a thorough understanding of this thing called Fascism. Some of us think that Fascism is something that is peculiar to Germany and Italy only, while some say Fascism differs from Nazism. Quite incorrect. Does capitalism in Britain differ fundamentally from capitalism in America ? No. And the same with Fascism. Under any flag—German or Italian, Fascism has the same characteristics, and holds the same menace towards the working-class. And Fascism administered by the blask-shirts is no less vicious than Fascism administered by the brownshirts. Rugged Individualism:

What then is Fascism ? The social structures of the Fascist States answer this question. Briefly it is capitalism that has passed from the persuasive to the coercive stage. “Capitalism with the gloves off.” Reaction, no longer able to hold the working-class in check with promises about prosperity being “just around the corner,” goes over to strong-ana methods and bloody gangsterism.

Looking at the German system we see a similar picture to the one we see in our own country, insofar as we see the exploited and the exploiters. But differing from the capitalist countries, in Fascist Germany, the Trade Unions, the Socialist and Communist Parties and all Individuals known to have actively opposed capitalism have disappeared. So we must come to the conclusion that there is some connection between ,the exploiters and Fascism. For we still see in Fascist Germany the big industrialists (Siemens, Krupps, etc.) whose names were to be seen in German financial papers before Hitler was even a shadow on a beer-house floor. Government by the Elite:

But couldn’t Fascism get along alright if the Trade Unions and political parties remained in society ? It may be asked. What do the Fascists say in deeds if not in words ? The owning class has been born to rule, and the workers’ part in the scheme is to work and make profits for the few. Sounds familiar doesn’t it ? Trade unionism gives him bargaining power, and that means profits must suffer, and Fascism doesn’t tolerate such goings on. Political parties, particularly the Communist Party educate the workers, giving them a sense of direction and an understanding of capitalist exploitation. It is significant that the Fascists (not only in Germany) see in the Communist Party their most uncompromising foe and to discredit the 'Reds.’ Fascism goes to any lengths. Remember the Communist Dimitroff’s exposure of the Fascist racketeers at the Reichstag fire trial ? So we see that Fascism 'cannot tolerate the - exploited class indulging in independent thought and the Reds, or to use a term coined by Mr Doidge, M.P., the “mental blowflies,” are silenced. Fascism demands a servile working-class, thinking only in terms of service to the master. In Germany, to deceive those being exploited, it is called National Service. Putting the Clock Back:

But why then the departure from “peaceful” capitalist methods of exploitation ? To answer this question fully would be to make heavy demands on space. But we must go back a number of years to when German capitalism had been given a severe battering at the' hands of British and French capitalism in World War 1., and had emerged somewhat groggy, still having the war to pay for and with its markets taken away.

This meant that German capitalism w'as hard-put to find work for its working-class, and by the time the world slump was under way conditions in Germany were chaotic. Out of this chaos grew strong Communist and Socialist Parties. And we know that Communist and Socialist Parties, talk in language that the master' class doesn’t like. The German bosses didn’t like it either. Something had to be done. Even Whitehall could see that and loans were advanced to German capitalism, or in better language the helping harfd was extended to the vanquished. History tells us that at about this time there appeared in a beer-house in Munich an individual capable of much noise, preaching a new doctrine about racial superiority, and the evils of German capitalism. He had already written a book called “Mien Kampf,” which.people of average intelligence laughed about. But our subtle wind-bag tricked many unthinking workers with his oratoriai brilliance and his following grew. It was called the Nazi Party.

■ The Nazi Party, although it talked much of the evils of capitalism, had no intentions of abolishing it, declaring that capitalism could be made to work and that it was the Jews who couldn’t run it properly. As for the ‘Red’ idea of a new social order, theirs was most un-German and advocates of Socialism were tinged with a foreign philosophy. A Friend in Need:

Big business soon saw that this National Socialism, about which the Nazis talked, didn’t in any way threaten its position, and financed the new party. Lots of little business people were unwary enough to think that way too, but they were soon to discover that Fascism benefits the big boys only. Too late, however, for these saviours of tottering capitalism had introduced their “new order,” trickery, deception, betrayal and the use of highsounding slogans had played their part. “Fascism”, said Huey Long, the now dead American Fascist, “will arrive in America on an anti-Fascist platform.” And for obvious reasons ! But once in power Fascism drops its democratic tinsel, and comes forward in its true form, sweeping aside all obstacles, such as political parties, and workers’ organisations that lie in the way on the road to unrestricted exploitation of the masses.

Qnce in power —and be it remembered power was seized —the German Fascists, aided in the first stages by acquiescing tories, and those leaders in the Socialist Party who couldn’t stand the sight of blood (?), proceeded with the job of making capitalism work. Big business standing by with its factories and time books ready.

The first step towards “efficiency” was the silencing of all those who had ideas that freedom and democracy meant working-class control of industry, finance, etc. These were foreign ideas declared the Fascists, and people with such notions were carted away to concentration camps.

The wheels of industry began to turn, reaching as time went on a higher and higher tempo.

Everyone worked in the new Germany (parasites excluded). Hansie Dubbs after years of idleness, or intermittent work thought this much better than what had been, and went about his work making bombs, guns and tanks, while the master rubbed his hands, and extended his plant, at the same time thanking God for his "salvation” from the Reds and Jews.

Now it didn’t take those who made the tools of war long to find out that a bomb or spoonful of cordite isn t very fattening. In fact. hjad they wanted to eat them the master had a say in that, and a big say. The bombs and cordite were stored away for use against “appeasers”, and others, as laid down in “Mien Kampf.”

With German economy on a war basis, -the “guns before butter boys” were driven by the old urge of the profit system to find further fields and pastures new. The Ruhr was occupied, then Austria. We know the story from there on.

Meantime what of the German worker, the victim of the “new order” dope? He has found out that large-scale production of war materials by private industrialists doesn't make for peaqe—but for war. He has also found out that conquests by his lords and masters does not in any way benefit him. Watching the Thyssens and other magnates grow fat on war profits the older workers will hear again Carl Liebknecht saying—“The enemy is at home.” He will see why it was his Trade Union was smashed when he opens his pay envelope, and when his working day creeps up to 12 or 14 hours. The policemen, watch-dogs for the owning class round about the pit-mouth, factory and mill, will endeavour to discourage him from thinking too long about the ‘red’ idea of a 6 or 7hour shift. Profits First: Fascism means the complete surrender of working-class gains and interests to the boss. To these ends the master class is driven by the spectacle of a fast-awakening working class. The German Socialist and Communist Parties with their ideas of equality, offered a serious threat to the profit system. And so we see German reaction drowning German workers in their own blood so as to maintain the system of privilege and profit. Let workers the world over beware of this Fascist beast, stealthily sharperting its claws for the finial blow at trade unionism, freedom of speech and thought, and workingI class liberties, whilst it purrs softly of new and better orders.