Pioneer

Long Live the International Tur logical outcome ot a. protae.t<*d world strug- gle such as it has been our fate w> live through during the past three and a half year* is rapidly developing. Its convumm.tt.iori, which last week 's inter-Allied Socialist Conference's unanimity of ailll, nwthod and outlook make, practically cer- tain spells the end of war for all time and -oiinds with the sunness of a scientific demon- stration the death .-sentence of' Capitalist Society. Sin.("t. the middle 'nineties the organisation on the basin of. the perception of the reality of the class domination 01 Society, has proe<,edod throughout, the nations of civilisation: the re- approadunen t, of the workers of the different nationalities has grown on an elementary found- ation. however vaguely adumbrated, of the one- ness of the workers' problems, and the saneness of their enemies no matter what language they spoke in. or what governmental form they in- habited. The. class-struggle, however, va.ryingly criticised or recognised,*has by the very dynamic of its reality drawn the Frenchman, the Russian, the. Briton, the German, and the [talian to adopt, the same political a.nd industrial weapons and to ally those weapons in the Intel-national. The first stage of the organised development that e.\pnesssed itself so well I;i-t week was marked by the establishment of the International, with wbid) the pro!?t?"'ia.; or Europe expressed its unity: and I:?ipii<-d iT< ?opin?s towards a soh)- t?<n of the economic proM?n that uncon?eiousty cvnfronted it. as the victim of an universal n ethod of exploitation. Unfortunately, the In- ternational could not. live in advance of its day, and though its leaders were the cream of the in- telligence of their rime, they lived, even more than we live, in t,h{. hoy-dey of that purblind patriotism and capitalist internationalism that we call Imperialism; a system that starts a-wrong on the assumption that the effete geographical demarcations that ,.ervod well enough for a d0a(1 system was in essence right, a.nd that sought to express its internationalism by the stretching of ilt; geographical borders, a. historical process per- fect in the days of the CVesers, but impossible when Capital had called into being the machine a.nd the factory, and had flowed in ever widening circles round the world. The rank-and-fib be- hind the International Socialist and La bour Movements lived ia the tacit acceptance of tlic, geographically arbitrary borders, to which they opposed conceptions of ideal justice as between man and man, state and state, that were only realisable when they should have marched on and conquered the world to the fulfilment, of their historic mission. The pohtieaJ. phenomena of the nation had no place in the International, which concerned itself with the economically uni- versal problem, and refused to recognise that the political problems which was taboo were a direct outcome of that economic problem, and, tfMTetore, the legitimate subject matter for an international pronouncement, Of course, the discussion of the Home Rule problem by a com- posite assembly of Russians, Germrus, Austrians, Latins and Britons, on the face make an Inter- national impracticable, sinef its discussion de- rrand as a consequence the airing of opinion on the question of the internal politics of Italy, the determina-tion of t,he French problems, the dis- cussion of Czar is t. politics, and the active parti- [ cipation of the world\s workers in the break-up of the Autocracy of the Kaiser-Junker domina- tion of the German state*. Vaguely opinions were expressed on these things, because it was j recognised th-at they were not independent of the welfare of humanity, but part of it; but the workers of the world behind the minds of the International had not even national political knowledge ind sagacity. and so the International was far from evolving to that perfection of ex- pression that would have made it. an active par- ticipant in the nations' policies so long as ruc- tions stood. But tho war came, a.nd the slow emyon of the geographic lines have been swept away by the tidal wa'-? of international disaster. Tho problems of the nations are seen to be in reality the concern of tho whole. Pohuid and Belgium, and Courland and the Ukraine, Ger- man Militarism, and the British hold on the water-ways of the work!; French greed for ven- geance: Italian national avaricaousuess and the Capitalists' grabbing policy in the '()Iitkinds of the ea.rth, are found to bo but expressions of the narrow national desire to exploit still ntore. The national politic is recognised as a concrete out- come of the International ox-oiioiili(i problem which nothing but Social Democracy can solve. Tho statesmanship which had to be tacitly ad- mitted and recognised because the peoples were too ignorant to know better, which regarded its state as a separate entity, st,ruggling for the subjugation of the other members of the family of nations, has failed utterly and hopelessly at the trial, and from itfoi inevitable failure the folly of its pretensions is being enlightened to the common folks of earth. And the new wine is breaking: the old bottles; the ferment of In- ternationalism is upon us; the proletariat is gathered in serried ranks that are beginning to group into a disciplined army, speaking many tongues, but at one in its politics, supreme in its statesmanship because unfettered oy the narrow effete views that eeonomio devopment has su- perseded. The remnants of illusion are being swept from the eyes of the world, and to-day the nations are near peace because the peoples' will to peace is become articulate; Socialism is near because Socialism is proving the only statecraft capable of handling the problems that are bigger than the bourgeoisie state--because it is the ex- pression of humanity as a while, and not of a section, a class, or a nation of men. Long live the International.

The Radical Co-Partnery. However much our doctrinaire friends may be inclined to Leibkneeht's cry of No Compro- mise—No Political Trading," it is still an ex- perience of political life that a working arrange- nient with kindred spirits in other parts is the easiest road to effective action. From this point of view, one purely of expediency, and one en- tirely alien to the sacrifice of any real principle of Social Democracy, the prospective alliance be- tween a strong Radical section of the Liberal Party and the Labour forces of the country is to be welcomed. But even more than the pros- pective strengthening of the Labour Party by the co-operation of a group suoh as was repre- sented at Tuesday night's gathering in London, and is crystallised in the Radical Committee that is to meet the Labour Party representatives in the House on Tuesday, is the indication that the movement displays of an appreciation of the Statesmanship and sane political endeavour that Labour stands for. It may be that the working agreement will entail occasional friction amongst the Bolshevik left wing of British La- bour, by a lack of appreciation of the fundamen- tals that actuate a left wing on the part of the Radical right; but in the main the presence of men of public worth. of sincere desire to work' with Labour in the task of social emancipation must, be to the inuiKHjiate good. No piirjwise is .served by reviling a Bourgeoisie section," and alienating its interests and co-operation until the circumstances that make further co-opera- tion have arisen. It may lie that the Radical co-partTiers will refuse to go an the way that- Labour want*. but for the present they a.re pre- t,o come a put of the journey. Let us welcome them as travelling com pan ions so far as they will come and probably when we have arrived as far as they at first intended to trave [ we shall ha\e persuaded litem to come the whole way. That conception of Socia lism that demands of tbe 'Uovit.ia.te that he should take "Das Capital in his hand, and with head uncovered swear by the Clas*-Struggle, the Materialist Conception of History, and the Marxian theory of Wage-Labour, is too narrow to be practicabl e in this world. It is enough if those of us who believe in the faith hold that faith aright, and endeavour to spread the go-pel by all the means in our power. Until th? day when our educa- rional dfons are much more productive than thcv ha\< ?-cn in the past, we shall have to en- H'r tn?o aiha-necs with sympathetic Radicals who are prcpar??t to oattle th(? pr??'ni. with us for opposed to us will 1)4, a word division in politics that only serves to hide a compa<t more binding than either we or our Radical helpmate* are likely to adopt.

I Parliamentary Representation. Tfn: splendid majority which our Comrade .las. iiistone scored n tli(, Miners' ballot Ia*t wee k renders it certain !)thind whom we shall be called upon to fight in the first, general election for tbe representation of the new Merthyr Parliamen- tary Borough: and. also, we think proves a- good augury tor W'instone's success in the fight. !*•- fore us. No one can deny the splendid work- that WiriKtone fia.s done for the I.L.P. in vears that a.re past, no one can help admitting the courage of his attitude on trie Executive of tbe S.W.M.F. during the years of the w-ar. and whilst. many of us have at times differed from him. ha\e questioned the exp<>dieney of his ac- tions, we have still ielt that he was one of us. that, however annoying he may have s<>enied :11 the moment no action of hi- ha.s ever induced the, possibility of regarding him a.s an apostate! f.L. Wo have never lyen able to question the thoroughness his adherence to our Socia l- ist prineipk's. never conceived him anything byt. one of us. and it will fie. easily to fight, behind him with the. vigour that made Meithyr the Socialist stronghold for "0 many years. In A berdare it look* extremely probable that our candidate and Comrade Nicholas, fietter known as Glais, will go before the electorate as jhe champion of our cause, and it could be left ui the hands of no better man. Aoeravon will, we feel sure, rally strongly round Bob Wil- liams, and, notwithstanding tht> very heavy blow it has received in recent days, stand N-,il.iziitil v for labour and Socialism, returning that, splen- did fighter, hast Rhotulda ofio.rs a strong pos- sibility of f/ringing T. I. Mardy Jones out in the Labour interests, and here again we have a Socialist of conviction, wide experience and gen- 111no fervour. It would have l)of"C'n nicer to have had AmTtillery lought by Geo. Barker, than by the Right. Hon. Will. Brace, if only because one cannot esca}>o the feeling that ho has acquu^ci-d too easily on the unnecessary punishment of C.O.'s — a policy that certainly is not in accord- ance with Democratic tradition or .Federation interest*—but. unfortunately the scale has gone against us. In Ca?-phUty d? position Is by no means clear, but tJi? possibility of carrying the nomination of Mo?-?an Jon?s through the L.R.A. is not. a weak one. and it is to be hoped that the. outstanding merit and ability of our Com- rade will ix* recognised as it. deserve*, and that he will head the poll for that division.

I Coming Our Way. IMPORTANT CONFERENCE IN LONDON. EARL BEAUCHAMP THANKS PHILIP SNOWDEN. A oonterenco of well-known public men was held in London on Tuesday in sopport. of Lord Lansdowne's policy. A lettter was read from Lord Buckmaster, in the course of which lie said We want by all clean means to obtain a clean peac<«. To those who say that, the only Jlwan are those of military success we roply that no others have ever been pmperlv tried. It is true that the European Allies a.rp snr- rounded by difficulties in which President W ilson is not involvini, and it M* consequently to him and to hi* utterances that the hopes of millions of people a.r\* turned. A definition from him of the few clear, undisguisable aims for tho attainment of which the war must con tinue, separated from the far larger and more general questions of those tl at must be dis- cussed. would make plain to the German peo- ple and to ourselves what is the essential char- acter of our pea.ee aims, and from this basis negotiations might, ip-oeet-d and the end '00 near. But if it, failed, we should at least be able to suffer with the consciousness that we had taken all steps consistent with OUT honour to avert the ruin of the world. The conference was presided over by Earl Beaucharnp, who said that we went into war with the idea of restoring Belgium. Our peace aims had been mis.statoo by Mr. Balfour in the House of Commons, and he (the speaker) was pleased that Mr. Snowden had pointed out where he was wrong. When it came to a. discus- sion of peace aims it ippea-red that Mr. Balfour had never read the speeches to which he pre- tended to make reply. NO DISLOYALTY TO ALLIES. I Lord Lore-burn -aid there was no question of surrender or infidelity towards our allies or our -pallant .soldiers and sailors, but a desire to meet bur enemies or to find out, if we could, the terms we could make with them. Mr. Ramsay Macdonald said we must have a change of Government,, and have a. Government that would prep-are the way for peace. Mr. Robert Smillie declared that war had not been started on behalf of democracy, and that it was not being carried on behalf of democracy. A i-esolittion was unanimously adopted thank- ing the Labour Party for their war aims memo- randum, which, with' that of President Wilson, the resolution declared, formed the basis of a speedy and righteous settlement acceptable to all nations. Another resolution noted the peace overtures made by Count Czernin and their friendly reception by President Wilson, and called upon British statesmen to explore every avenue leading to honourable peace. The Conference, we are told by the Lobby Correspondent of the Daily News," is con- nected with the new Radical move to co-operate with the Labour Party, in connection with which several meetings have been arranged, and the fir st, of which will take place in the House of Commons on Tuesday next.

Correspondents are requested to condense their letters as much as possible.

RECOGNTtON OF BOLSHEVIK PLENIPOTENTIARIES. term EOITOK. Sur.—I am instructed by a. mass meeting of Russian and Scottish Workers (1600) held on Monday. February 18th, in St. Mimgo Halls. South oi k Street, Glasgow, to forward to you tor publication, the following unanimously car- ried resolution — That ttii- mass meeting of Russian work ers res ident in Glasgow, recognise* the present Government of the Russian Republic as the one alone worthy of the working class support; h;¡,il", with delight the appointment of .Mr. John Maclean, a* representative of the said Government in Scotland, and calls upon the workers of Great. Britain to support the ap- [►ointment by urging the British Government to recognise the Russian Bolshevik Govern- ment. YOll truly, L. SHAMMER. Clia.iiTuan. -4. A del phi Street. Glasgow, S.S., February L'L'nd. HHR.

j MARK STARR'S REPLY TO QUERIST. TO THE EDITOR. Sir.— Probably the authors of The Miners* si, xt a r-(- t,(,o busy denying by their lives tlie implications contained in the questions of your last wee k s querist to fully explain the passage quoted. Therefore, may I attempt a reply y (1) Progn is not the result of laws, for laws in the scientific sense are explanations and not causes. As explained by the laws of heat it is inevitable and unavoidable" that water must be brought into contact, with heat- before it, boils and pass degree by degree from normal tempera- ture to 212 deg. falir. In just the same way ]■ cuda.!isrti could not come before Chattel Slavery 'or after ( apitalisrn—hence, in ordinarv develop- ment '• the three phases of slavery." (2) Re excuse for inactivity: the answer is No. See page of A Worker Looks at History. Economic tore* work through us and not in a metaphysical world apart. Knowing the law of development, the fire will he poked more effec- tively till the jHiirit ot revolution is I (3) Re jxxssibilitv of retrogression. Reply is here again m negative. The Merthyr allotment holders will nevei use the primitive pointed stick. Hundreds of other instances spring to the mind to illustrate iiiall progr<«sive tion- trol over his environment- And this is true pcogress despite man 's many temporary misuses or the tools. Per;haps individuals may retrogress; trii-y attempt to cut coal with a flint, but in this ease pmgr<>ss of a sort would soon occur—t<o Bridgend. Hoping this reply, though brief, will be satis- I M.S.

WAKEN UP! TO THE EDITOH. Dear Sir,—W ill you kindly draw the attention of Trade Union renders of the Pioneer to t he hyiKXTiticnl conduct of certain trade unionist-, who the war-wage of Is. fkl. per day granted to tricet, the increased cost of living'' to their employees, i.e., Institute workers. In our case- Wp be< n fighting -vrrttroilt .-ac- si no- Uiist. September. The THaill opposi- tion has come from trade unionists, and mony of our opposers label themselves as advanced thinkers, whilst a few are readers of the Surely, the mentality of half-baked revolutionaries is something to marvel Thev prattle glibly that the cost of living should re- gulate wages, then they calmly it on us for daring to put their theories to the test. Some thf- t* t of the gentlemen were iwilling to relieve us of our anxiety by offering to do our work for less than wo now rec-eivo. Here, at least, we are progressing—backwards. Thanking you in an- ticrijxation,—I :1m, Si. Yours, etc.. r/mvAiti) Rixs. Librarian. Tydraw Workmen's Institute. TneherbfTt, February 25th, PUS.

The March Plebs. The March Plebs opens w ith a review of "fr..1. A. Hobson's Democracy After the War." by W: Paul, in which some of the A-ell- known Liberal writer's criticisms of Socialism n,ro j challenged and discussed. Edeu and Cedar Paul contribute a. summary of an article by Clara Zetkin on the Russian Revolution, and Mark Starr write* a brief notice of Mr.. Hartley Withers' International Finance," and a1,O [continue^ his answers to queries in the Students' Page. (WTo note that the first edition of hit- "A WTorker Looks at History has I)o,(,n sold out within a few weeks of publication, and that a second edition is in preparation). In the Plebs "Bookshelf" various book s and pamphlets are discussed, including Paul's "Scientific Socialism and Newhold's Capitalism and the War"; and there aro some useful notes by a South Wales Bookworm" on sundry points of. interest to working-class student*. (Postpaid 2 d., from Secretary. Plebs League, 127 Hamlet Gardens, Raven scour t Park, London. W. (6); or from numerous agents in South Wa]æ).

u H V H uman Vampire. ALLEGATIONS OF REVOLTING CRUELTY AGAINST A DOWLAIS WOMAN. Allegations of terrible cruelty were made against a Dow la is woman, Frances Powell, of Roes-street, at Merthyr, on Friday, when she was committed for trial at the Glamorgan As- s izes on a charge of wilful ill-treatment of her seven-year-old illegitimate child, Irene. Mr. Griffith Lleweilvn, prosecuting solicitor for the National Society for the Prevention of eiuelty to children, described the woman as nothing but a human vampire and stated that the allegations made against hoi- were a systematic course of ill-treatment" upon the little girl, including the following acts of cruelty Tying the child around the waist by a rope to a bed, compelling her to stand on one leg with arms stretched aliove the head and a weight in each hand. Beating her with a brush, stick and cane and kicking her on the floor. Forcing her to stand all night by the bed-side clad in nothing but a chemise; and refusing to allow her to get into bed. The iittle girl, in evidence, stated that she 1-ad begged of necessity as her mother had kept her without food for three days and in cross- examination by Mr. I. S. Simons (solicitor for the defence) admitted stealing sweets and coins from accused's shop, and borrowing money from the neighbours.