The Workers and War.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 57, 12 April 1912, Page 12

The Workers and War.

An Indictment of Modern Capitalism.

(Specially translated for ''The Maori land Worker' , from the Hamburg '■JOclto," of November 5, 1911.) By T. GUTHBERT and H. CARLL,

In response io tin; summons of the International Socialist Hurvaii, the Socialist Democratic Associations of all lands in all the populous centres united last Sunday in onler to give expression to thoir abhorrence of the rapacious Imperialistic policy of so-called civilised states, which has again been manifested in tho Turkish-Italian war. The work«rfc t<l tho inunber of many ttriorisanrtS' —tfiw great c*»g«OJal Saal was filled to overflowing—responded to the call. They have thereby show.v that the sublime Socialistic gospel of peace in all its considerations is better understood by them than by a certain reactionary press, which uses every independent political movement of the people as an occasion for sneering comment. In spite of tlfe inclement weather, thousands attended the meeting, which was extraordinarily enthusiastic. Comrade Adler, of Kiel, who was received with hearty applause, first gave a detailed representation of tJio development which Capitalism has undergone in recent yearg, and in all lands industrially developed has carried its operations into the sphere of colonial politics. Everywhere Capitalism has created a like situation. That beaped-up capital in the hands of a few ie a product of a protective policy, and within the confines of a country has become an assured monopoly which cries oijb after profitable (invcst)ment ; it thrusts itself, therefore, upon defenceless lands, rends its territory, just where development \9 backward and the consequent gain greater. That is the source of Imperialism, which again is closely united to that madness which buries the people's well-being under a policy of preparedness for war, into which all the masses of the great states are driven in order to give capitalistic expansion pressure its competitive outlet. Tho modern phases of Capitalism nob only impose great burdens on the workers', but they constitute a standing menace to tho world's peace. The history of the past year, above everything thj colonial wax's, clearly prove this. At tho present time North Africa in particular is the scene of strife. England has for years been in unlawful possession of Egypt, and has therefore given France the right to steal Morocco. France has thrust herself upon Tunis and Morocco. That does not suit the German capitalist at all. Hβ also wishes to steal. So German Capital has for years set out to prepare for war. Only fear of a world war led f,o the Algcciras Treaty, which gave French Capital in a decent sort of way the right to take advantage of Morocco. Fresh friction rose, however, when a German firm heavily engaged in Morocco put forth valid claims. So followed the Panther spring, whereby Germany declared she required compensation for allowing France to steal. This occurrence, as is well known, imperilled the world's ueace. Now, when the tension between France and Germany had concentrate's the attention of the world, the ruling class of Italy believed the moment had come to secure a piece of booty in North Africa for themselves. In this endeavor, the Italian modern Capitalism and a feudal priesthood (otherwise bitter enemies) go brotherly hand-ki-hand. Their differences disappear in a common interest. Italy had previously attempted to secure a footing in Nortju Africa, particularly in Abyssinia. This project ended in disaster, and the speculation was abandoned. She then cast her eyes on Tunis, but here France forestalled hor. So there remained only Tripoli. Italy considered the right moment had arrived to wrest this from Turkey. The latter Power, although strengthened of late years, had bo much internal trouble, so many difficulties in Crete and Arabia, that she apparently had not noticed the growth of Italy. It so happened that Tripoli was denuded of Turkish troops. Tho capitalisticclass iv Italy now baited the people into a mad war mode, and in tho midst of peace an ultimatum was sent to Turkey. Italy did not think it nsccßsary to allow ma usual 24 hours' respite, but her ships shot sharp at Turkish torpedo craft, and they returned the salute in the usual manner. Formerly, one called this piracy. To-day it is called the deed of civilisation. That is the consummation of capitalistic education. The bombardment or Tripoli was followed by the conquest of the adjacent defenceless harbors. In Italy there wag great rejoicing over thin "great victory." It was passed over to the unsettlement of the Dalmatian coast. But here Italian and Austro-Hungariaa capital came into conflict, and the latter Power immediately gave Italy to understand she would suffer no violation of iher interests, and for good or bad Italy must confine herself to North Africa, and there carry out her heroic And how has she done it? Hardly in the annals of war has a campaign been conducted in so brutal a manner. Defenceless Arabs, men, women, and children, hare been outraged and shot down in their homes. Italian sources give the number as 4000 that have been executed a3 rebels. By these means the Italians have not gained their ends. They do not find them-;' selves advanced in their project, but' are cooped up behind their defences. It is a consequence of the rising of the people of Tripoli. The masses havse risen «gamst> Italian barbarity and Italian Capitalism, which have made Tripoli bankrupt. The Italjfaa Soc&lut, araeefar as he is conscious, has had no hand in these

brutalities. Great masses of Italians aic not oiiligliioued—a consequence of priestly stupidity. In ilio south of Italy we have an intellectually stunted class who havo done nothing the war. Hut the more enlightened clashes of middle and north Italy answered the Italian declaration oi' war with a demonstration which said tlioy had nothing to do with this act of robbery. Thlat is a glorious pasjc iv the lii.story of the Italian worker. The Turkish workers of Salonika Ijavo I uttered just such an emphatic protest.j It is self-evident that the international! worker cannot abandon his brother. The: cause of the Italian and Turkish workwl is our cause. The same murdering C:ip- j italism prevails by us no less than else-1 where, and it has sot itself, beforo j everything else, to bait the public to; ; a war with France. Capital requires | oven war. . . . Therefore have we nil | IiCTo cause to statuify an example. Wo ;| must do all in our power to keep t lie world-flames under, to hinder all that; tends to war, and to brand the be- ; : haviotir of the pance-breaker. | But this is not the only aspect of, the question. The whole world groans;! under the burden of the blood-sucking ji Capitalism which declares ev-ery aboni-ij ination good. We must declare that war must be abolished. That war and all the consequences that follow war are only outgrowths of Capitalism, which everywhere o_xecutca its supremacy. Iv the nature of things, our fight must be against it. Capitalism; is now in the last stages of its develop-'. ment. It signifies war, barbarity, and ; uncirilisation for mankind. Wo protest! against war and against that international Imperialism and Capitalism which is the motiher of war. We would lead mankind to a true civilisation. In tihis mind we say, ''Down with war, down with barbarity and hurrah for Socialism." (Long and storm.v apylause.l) The President (Comrade Hoffmann) then read the following letter from the Italian workers of Hamburg: "The Italian Socialistic Democrats of Hamburg support the protest against tho war in the name of Justice and Humanity. They ask the German workers not to confouud the Italian Government with, all Italy. Outside tho Social Democrats, there are in Italy not a few wfli/o arc- opposed to tho war. Tho So- ■ cialists of that country have frequently ' shown, their sympathy with the Turkish, workers. Unfortunately, they ivero not in a position to prevent this barbarous war. But the rights of the people and international brotherhood live. Down with the intrigues of Capital! Down with militarism!" This declaration was greeted with thunderous applause. The following resolution was then read: "On Sunday, November 5, 5000 persons, assembled in SagebieJ, affirm that danger of war is inseparable from the capitalistic policy of all states. The prevailing protective policy endeavors to exclude every nation from a portion of the world's markets. Tiioroby arises that competition between the capitalistic states, driving them to powerful expansion and colonial politics, which multiplies the chances of war. This policy further imposes gigantic and hastily-increasing burdens, without, however, adding to budget expenses for till© necessities of a civilised state. "This policy has occasioned all over the world an era of colonial ware. The danger that the European nations will be drawn into the final decision for colonial possessions presses ever nearer. "If the Morocco question brought France and Germany to the verge of war, so now the frivolous action of Italy has kindled » ilame between two European Powers. The fear is that this war may draw other nations into it» destroying eddy.. "This meeting denounces tho recklesi disturbing of the peace by the Italian Government, ... it recognises tdi« people's rights, tind it takes cognisance of the scornful cruelty and barbarity of the Italian commanders, and designates the shooting of Arab prisoner! as cowardly murder. "This meeting offers its warmest sympathy to the victims of the war. It sends its fellow workers in Turkey and Italy its heartiest greetings, and recognises that in the relentless fight against war they arc one with millions of the Socialistic army. "This meeting thanks in particular their comrades of Salonika for their courageous protest and the Italian Socialists for their demonstration, which clearly proves them to have no hand in this barbarous method of settling international disputes.' The resolution (which was unanimously adopted) closed by declaring Capital incapable of longer controlling the powerful powers of production; that famine and war are permanent da-ngers utterly incompatible with mankind's uplifting; warned the ruling class of the danger underlying warlike exploitation, and impressed cm the worker to use every endeavor to control the political machine, which is the first condition to tiie erection of that Socialistic society which means peace for mankind instead of war.