LONDON'S BOLSHEVIKS

Waikato Times, Volume 92, Issue 14256, 6 January 1920, Page 7

LONDON'S BOLSHEVIKS

SOME WILD SPEECHES. CHEERS FOR INTERNATIONAL SOCIALISM. (The following is a sample of what England’s Bolsheviks arc capable of when they are aroused Our report is taken from The Times.) A demonstration under the auspices of the British Socialist Party was held in Kingsway Hall to celebrate the second anniversary of the Russian Socialist Republic. The ball was crowded. Mr A. A. Watts, London County Council, presided, and among the speakers were Mr J. G. Butler, London County Council, Mr J. F. Hodgson, Mr Robert Williams, Mr F. Willis, Mr Torn Mann, Mr John Maclean, Mr W. H. Ryde, Mr G. T. Cramp, Mrs D. B. Monteflore, and Mr H. Dawson Largo. In front of the platform was a banner bearing the inscription, “Greetings to the Soviets,” while underneath appeared the words, “No smoking," an admonition that was honoured more in the breach than in the observance. At the outset the chairman said they were to have had an organ recital, hut ns they were charging for seats that would mean the payment of an entertainment tax to the Government to help them carry on the war against Russia, so they had decided to do without the recital. 'He went on to say they were there to celebrate one of the most wonderful events in the history of mankind. The success of the Soviet Republic in Russia spelt the end of capitalism all over the world. At last the working class was beginning to awaken; the workers were coming to the top to have control of their country and their destinies, and to promote the well-being of the whole community. They would be kinder to the other classes than the other classes had been to them, while the workers were the Bolshevism practically meant only Socialism, and they must help their comrades in Russia to the best of their ability. Mr J. G. Butler, London County Council, moved the following resolution; — This meeting of London workers, assembled to celebrate the second anniversary of the Socialist revolution in Russia, expresses its admiration of the boundless courage and glorious achievements of the Russian workers and peasants, who have set an example to the world by the establishment of a Socialist republic, and have thus realised the dream of ages for the first time in history. It congratulates the Soviet Government on its resistance to the combined forces of woild capitalism, and rejoices in the continued military success of the Red Army: it condemns tlio British and Allied Governments in unmeasured terms for the help given by them in men, money and munitions to the Tsarist generals and counter-revo-lutionary capitalists; and it calls upon the organised workers of this country to enforce the raising of the starvation blockade of Russia and the establishment of diplomatic relations with the Soviet Government. This meeting further pledges itself to help forward, by all the means in its power, the worldwide Social Revolution of which the Russian workers and peasants arc the gallant pioneers. An Irish Bolshevik. Mr Butler said he was an Irishman, and an Irishman usually found himself against the Government. The resolution ought to Have said they condemned the British and Allied Governments for using the name of the British people in carrying on a dastardly act. Mr Lloyd George ' (boohs) might say he represented public opinion, but he did not represent public intelligence. They in the Socialist movement had not only public opinion but also public intelligence on their side. What they had to do was to hasten on a Socialist republic in England and use every means to bring It about, The day of protest was past, and they must make preparations /or the coming struggle. A Voice: You had the Gth of May, Why didn’t you take the chance then? Mr Butler said that he was telling them what they had to do now. Mr J. F. Hodgson seconded the resolution. He said that Bolshevism could never be broken by military or intellectual means, but was destined to march from triumph to triumph the whole world over. The names of Trotsky and Lenin were greeted with cheers, while those of British statesmen, M. Clemenceau and President Wilson were received with groans. Mr F. Willis supported the resolution, and maintained that a far better Government had come about in Russia by the abolishing of the Duma. The rule of the many had taken the- place of the rule of the few. In Soviet Russia the first care was for the children and nursing mothers. He asked what had become of the children here, and received the reply, “Murdered.” Mr Tom Mann. Mr Tom Mann said that in pre-war conditions in this coantry millions of children had been starved, millions of mothers never had adequate nourishment, and millions of men had never been decently fed, decently clothed; or decently housed. The workers had (determined to uproot the economic causes that led to such conditions, and had organised for that purpose. Russia had done an inestimable service by teaching the world that Parliaments were nothing hut decadent Chinese josshouses. Not from a bourgeois Parliament above, but by building up from below, could they alone get a remedy for old ills, and the rank and file must teach the executives- of their trade unions that they were not placed where they were for the purpose of becoming dictators. He rejoiced because Russia was showing the way of (rue peace so effectively, and he would do his best to imitate Russia and get others to do the same. (Cheers.) Tyrants Doomed.

Mr John Maclean referred to three of their comrades who were in prison— Billy Watson, Jim Larkin and Eugene Dabbs —and said they must secure the freedom of those who had been fighting for the rights of the working classes. They must do their best to emulate Russia by overthrowing tlie tyrants at home. For two years now the red flag had waved high in Russia. German, British, American and Japanese capitalism had made their united effort to crush the working class triumphant in Russia, but it had failed and would fail. The doom of capitalism was sealed two years ago. This country was moving towards the rapids of revolution. He had been in the midst of the mining areas, and had seen the intensity of spirit shown by the rank and file. The Miners’ Federation had so manoeuvred as to involve the whole working class, and the day had come when there must be a general advance of the working class army. The greatness of the tactics of Smillie had been in his attempt to unite the workers. If they were ready for a Labour offensive in this country they could foil any attempt to break their movement on the Continent. The tight for the world’s markets was driving (lie capitalists of Britain headlong to the capitalists of America. The British Government had failed to gain what it had striven for, and, afraid of a Labour offensive, had turned on the railwayman to break thorn. The railway strike was a class war m its First stage and Labour had won, in spile of the fact that Mr Lloyd George had sent out his "5.0.5.” (Save Our System) and asked the Lords Lieutenant to call up the blackguards.

"Twrlflod Capitalists.” His attention had been drawn to a statement in The Tim is, on November Gth, that five tradesmen in Barrow were fined because they refused to be - come special constables. Had the tradesmen got a fright because of the railwayman's strike? It was his opinion that they were already striking terror into the hearts of the propertied classes. Away with everything, he cried; on with the claas war I They had the ball at their feet. The Government had been compelled to raise the bank rate to 6 per cent., which showed the tightness of the position in which the capitalists found themselves. That should urge the workers to action. They were out for socialisation, not nationalisation, and full control, not joint control. The class war had begun in the States; it was going to spread to Japan; it was coming here. Lot them get their guns ready. (Cheers.) If they could not get guns, then let them get behind the guns of the soldiers and the sailors. The doom of capitalism was at hand; Labour would be free, armies and navies would no longer be necessary, and there world be peace on earth and goodwill to all mankind. The resolution was carried, and the Proceedings closed with three cheers for International Socialism.