The Daily Worker Newspaper, September 3, 1925, Page 4

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ry } i ; } producers and distributors carry out their intended boycott of Connecticut, thus throwing over 500 workers out of jobs. Eugene Trieber, head of the New OPERATORS MAY ANSWER BOYCOTT THE DAILY.W ER the boycott of Connetticut “as an | . object less0ifPgi other states not to | Y.W.L. De tration pass movie) fiNtlaws.” The moving Against rialism , picture indus is virtually a trust controlled: by five big producers, in- cluding Metro-Goldwyn, Lasky-Famous in Détrait, Sept. 6 4 Nou ) On the Youth Day lebration in| barbecue lambs on the grounds. / Detroit, the Young WoFkers’. League | doll rack with caricatures of the prin has enlisted the aid of the Negro, Chi-| cipal imperialists will be on hand and nese, nad Hindu youth, in-a monster every one will have the opportunity demonstration against, imperialism.) to take a shot at them. At 1:00, a full WITH STRIKE |ry out their. boycott of the state be- Connecticut Movies to Be Closed by Trust NEW HAVEN, Conn., Sept. 1—A national walkout of all members of *'the International Alliance of Theatri- cal Stage Employes and Motion Pic- ture Operators employed in moving picture houses is threatened if film Haven local of the union and state secretary, says that the national or- ganization will back up the Connecti- Players, Universal, etc. Many moving picture theaters thruout the country cut locals if, distributors actually car-| Pe controlled by the producer-distri- cause of its $10-per-10,000-feet tax on all movies. Most of the 15 film exchanges in New Haven are closed and thruout the state the distributors are prepar- ing not to release further films after present contracts are fulfilled. The film distributors and producers are in the same organization under direction of Will Hays, who ordered butor combine, Postal Veteran Kills, WASHINGTON, Sept. 1. — R. L. Maddox, for ‘forty years an employe and official of the postoffice depart- ment, committed suicide by shooting himself thru the head an hour after he had registered at a hotel under an assumed name. DETROIT, Mich,, Sept. 1—In all im- perialist ventures, yin, every orgy of militarism, it is the, youth who must bear the brunt of the destructive hand of war. The youth tiruout the world | is beginning a mighty struggle against imperialists, which shall not cease un- til they and all that they stand for are wiped off the face of the earth. In China, in India and North Africa the war is now going on. The Young Communist League is increasing in numbers and will be in the forefront in this struggle now being waged. Barney Mass, secretary of the Y. W. L, will tell of the struggle the Y. W. L, is carrying on against imperialism. Negro, Chinese and Hindu speakers will tell of their struggle against this common enemy. The Y. W. L. of Detroit has engagéd Campbell’s grove at the end of the Mack Ave. line for Youth Day, Sept. 6. The celebration will start at 12 o'clock. The bar and dining room will be opened with a varied line of food and drink, to satisfy the tastes of all. The South Slavic organization will program of races has been arranged and prizes will be awarded to the win- ners. Dancing starts at 2:30, speak- ing starts at 3:30. After the speaking the dancing will continue until dark. Every one at Camplwll’s grove on Youth Day, September 6, That worker next door to you may not have anything to do to- night. Hand him this copy of the DAILY WORKER. (Continued from Y esterday’s Daily Worker ) SYNOPSIS.—The official report of the British trade ‘union delegation to Soviet Russia described the workings of foreign trade, transportation, industry, finance and agriculture in the Soviet Union. The trade union leaders-concluded that foreign trade is increasing, and that in agriculture and industry the level of production is being raised. The finances have been placed on a sound basis, the report showed. Harm is being done to Eng- land by the absence of full diplomatic relations, the union leaders: stated. Schools and universities, and literature, music and opera and the theatre were then discussed. Art collections,censorship, newspapers, wall news- Papers, and freedom of the press were explained, with the conclusion that “the results of education are astounding.” The report then took up hospitals, welfare work, sanitation, birth control, abortion, cleanliness and housing, rent regulations, family life, and prisons. “The Soviet government is achieving most remarkable results in respect to public health, housing, and the prison system,” says the report. Regarding the trade unions and labor conditions, the report states, “The Delegation were much impressed by the position and activities of Trade Unions under the Soviet system.” ‘The report then described labor regulations, co-operatives, wages, and told of visits to various industrial works. The general conclusion on labor con- ditions reached by the commission was that, “The U. S. S. R. is a strong and stable state. The government is not only in every way better than anything Russia has ever yet had, but it has done and is doing work in which other older state systems have failed and are failing.” Ss: @ * Menshevist Party Dissolved The Menshevist or Social Democratic Party at one time in- cluded a very large majority of the politically conscious popula- tion. The upper classes in Georgia under Tsarism had been more inclined to socialism and democracy than anywhere else in the Empire. With power put in its hands by the Revolution the party membership grew to 60,000, and with supporters could count on a vote of 80,000, the active membership being about 15,000. With loss of power in 1921 the party rapidly fell in num- bers and divided into a “constitutional” opposition and an “‘l- legal” organization. And the position of the “constitutional” opposition became more and more impossible between the Bol- _ shevist Government and their “illegal” colleagues; so that the question of voluntary liquidating the party gained favor. In the autumn of 1923 a party Congress representing 12,000 members voted by majority in favor of liquidation, an example followed by the Young Marxians with 5,000 members, A minority of Con- stitutionalists decided to carry on. But after the collapse of the insurrection there has been a final liquidation of the constitu- tional Menshevists, who have either become Communists or as non-partisans co-operate with them, as elsewhere in Russia. There remains a residuum of “illegal’’ Menshevists of not more than 2,000 members, who continue to conspire with the help of the Menshevist emigres* Elections The elections are conducted by show of hands as elsewhere in Russia, and what is said in the report on Russia about them is applicable to Georgia. With the addition that, no doubt, in Georgia fear of another race and a ruling class, and above all, of the Tcheka does count for a good deal. Under Menshevist rule the average attendance at elections was about two-thirds of the electorate. It now seems to be about three-quarters. The dis- franchisemems under the Soviet system are about 2 per cent. And if the elections were a mere farce, it is difficult to see why they, should be So well attended. The Tcheka The least satisfactory feature of the Trans-Caucasian situa- tion is the maintenance of the “Tcheka” or Extraordinary Com- mission abolished in Russia itself at the close of the civil wars. There is a Trans-Caucasian Tcheka for the whole Federation, and under it a Georgian Tcheka run by Georgian Bolshevists. . Moscow disclaims any responsibility for either, but the Trans- Caucasian Tcheka was not long ago in charge of the man who ran the Russian Tcheka during its greatest activity.’ It is the Georgian Tcheka that has been “liquidating” the August insur- rection and that is responsible for the numerous executions and exiles. The severity of the suppression of a revolt that was never formidable is justified by Tchekist officials with the ar- ~ allicinepintiniacimaninits * On this point an extract is given from the shorthand ‘report of evi- dence given to the Delegation by a Menshevist, who opposed Bolshevism until last autumn. “At the present time the position of the members of the .Menshevist , Party is this—the leaders are remote from the working class, and do not realize what has been happening in Georgia. They continually assured the peasants and workers that the Soviet power in Russia was yery temporary. Bach day they said-‘ft-could last only one day more. And when it didn’t fall they said it would last only another week, and when the week was over they said it would last only another month, and finally it became years, and still the Soviet power in Russia lasted: The reason the Geor- gian Menshevists kept on working so long was because they were relying on foreign help. They believed that any minute the Soviet power in Russia would fall, and then Georgia would be in the power of the foreign capitalist States. And they preferred an independent State under the protection of foreign countries. The Menshevists were afraid that they would lose all they had gained by the February Revolution if they allied themselves with the Soviet Government and relied on the Russian workers instead of on foreign Governments. The Committee abroad was receiving help from foreign Powers. The Committee in Georgia, which is now liquidating the party, is sending a special Commission abroad to Comrade Jordania to ask him to re- frain from destructive agitation and to co-operate with the Soviets,” Mr. Purcell: “When was Jordania elected for the last time to represent Goorgia in the Second International; when was the last time that Georgia paid affiliation dues to the Second International; and who authorized the Second International to raise the question of Georgia with the League of Nations?” The Witness: “Jordania has never been elected to represent the Men- shevist Party in the Second International. Four members were delegated in 1918 by the Central Committee—Tseretelli, Akhmedishvili, Tchkhelli, and Tcheidze—to serve as a liaison between the Second International and the Central Committee. No elections since that time have taken place. The last time affiliation fees were paid was in, 1920. “While I was a member of the Central Conimiltee it never did anything to raise the question of Georgia in the Loague of Nations, The ‘illegal’ Central Committee asked Jordania to raise the question in the League of Nations, but no one here and no one on tho Presidium in Georgia ever authorized such an act. The question was not even discusssed by the real Central Committee of the Party,” apete nyeanecnumate sya Bald pi as Na Res WS eae eae eaten ateenraats THE OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE BRITISH TRADE - UNION DELEGATION TO SOVIET RUSSIA \ Thru, Courtesy of the Intennational Pub- 7 dishers Co. ae guments usual in such cases. And these severities have been so exaggerated and embroidered that it is almost impossible to arrive at any real facts from opponents of the Government with which to check official information. Some of these stories were inquired into, but no real evidence could be got of wholesale ter- rorism. Since the fighting finished there is a diserimination be- tween those responsible and the ignorant; and there seams no reason to suppose that the innocent are suffering: But undoubt- edly the name of Tcheka alone would create an atmosphere of terrorism. Army i ‘ i As a National Republic incorporated in the Union, Georgia has its own army or militia. This has been overlooked, partly becausé the uniform of the infantry is the same as that of the Red (Union) Army—though the cavalry has a uniform of its own. 4 As to the total strength of the troops in the Caucasus, the authorities were naturally reticent for reasons of foreign policy. But it was not difficult to ascertain that it was less than half that of the Tsarist garrison. The Red Army in Georgia is less than the British Army of occupation, and is on better terms with the population, The Caucasus is one of the very few places abroad where stories are told of misbehavior of British troops; and though no doubt untrue this shows the temper of the population to that occupation and to occupations in general. Georgian Language and Customs ie An unmixed asset accruing from the present position is the complete cultural liberty enjoyed by Georgia after a century dur- ing which its language and literature were practically, proscribed. The delegation attended some interesting plays in the na- tional language, in which Tsarist Russia was mercilessly guyed. The publication of books in the Georgian language has gone up. » Under three years of Menshevism, althogether 162 Georgian books were published. Under three years of Bolshevism, 505 books were published by the Commissariat of Education alone. Moreover, there were published ten Armenian, seven Turkish, and ten other books in minority languages, as against four only under Menshevism. The total copies issued undér Menshevism were 405,000; under Bolshevism, 3,500,000." In’ other words, there has been a great impetus to national culture,” The Delegation in Georgia q en wr Re This was the situation on the arrival of the Delegation in Trans-Caucasia. And even before leaving Moscow it*was evident that the atmosphere in Trans-Caucasia would be different from that in the rest of Russia; more resembling, in fact, in its un- rest that which was found in Russia in 1920. For,example, the Delegation was warned that the Union Government, would not be responsible for the safety in Trans-Caucasia of.one of the advisory delegates who had been associated in an official cap- acity with the British armed occupations. But thé delegate in question was prepared to take the risk, and the Delegation did not wish to lose the advantage which his exceptional‘local know- ledge and personal connections afforded them in atriving ata just estimate of the situation. On arrival in the Caucasus this delegate moved freely among his former aequaintances without interference and without untoward results), ; During their stay in Tiflis delegates were constantly receiv- ing communications from the “illegal” Menshevistorganization. Most of these were found to be of no value. One of*them, how- ever, contained a statement that a porter of the hotel and a servant there had been arrested for- trying to convey a Men- shevist letter to the Delegation. The Delegation* having ascer- tained that this was so, the Chairman, accompanied by two ad- visory delegates, visited the Georgian Tcheka and without great difficulty secured the release of these men. This was the only incident of the kind. And members of the Delegation in Tiflis, as elsewhere, visited persons of every point of view without ob- stacle or observation. f The Titlis,Citadel Most of the lurid stories circulated in the Georgian capital have their scene in the citadel. This mediaeval fortress is perched on precipitous rocks over the gorge of the Koura. It is the political prison, garrisoned by Russian troops, where several hundred prisoners were still awaiting trial for participation in the insurrection. Daily executions were said tobe still taking place there, and undoubtedly convicts wefe ’ sfill’ being sent thence to prison camps in Siberia. The advisory delegates took an early opportunity of visiting the citadel without notice and unaccompanied. On the bridge over the gorge they were warned by a passer-by ‘not to point at the scenery or loiter, as the sentinels shot at everyone supposed to be signalling to the prisoners. They penetiited. however, without difficulty into the interior of the citadel aiid talked to the young Red Army guards. These did not know Who they were talking to, and described with great freedom all the doings in the prison. In no country are such doings pleasant and each coun- try thinks those of another worse than its own, Tt will be en- ough to say that the sensational stories circulating in Tiflis were clearly untrue. They then asked to see the poll ical prisoners. This rather cool request led to the Governor being fetched up from the town, who explained that this could not be done with- out a governmental order. As a visit to the “pdtiticals’ ” quar- ters under such conditions would be of no particular interest the matter was not pursued further, Delegation’s Reception The reception given to the delegates and the numbers that marched in the public processions convinced them that a large portion of the industrial population of the capital were enthu- siastic supporters of the present Government. situation in Georgia, in fact, seems to be essentially the same as in.,Azer- baijan and Armenia—that is, a majority of the #idustrial work- ers with a nucleus of Russians are prepared to lay down their lives for the present Government. © small minority that re- mains in opposition are not now red to la wn their lives to overthrow it. re ad 7 Delegation’s Recommendations On its return to Moscow the Delegation, put before the nion Government its view of the aeorehitrs i jo { i = Copyright by the Trades Union Congress General Council in Great Britain. Copyright in the United States by the International Publishers Co, Ali Rights Reserved. out the great advantage that would accrue to the prestige of the Union of the Sovietist Socialist Republics if the ““Tcheka” were now abolished in Georgia as elsewhere and the Red Army with- drawn, say, to Baku—Georgia being left to its local militia like other Autonomous Republics. . This was fully admitted, and it was indicated in reply that these two measures were only a question of time. In fact, that in the interests of economy it had been suggested to the Trans-Caucasian Federation that the Red Army should be withdrawn, but they had asked that it should be left until the situation was clearer. As to the “Tche- ka,” it was pointed out that it was not only a question of the in- ternal position in Georgia, but of the international situation also. The Caucasus under Tsarism was garrisoned by a very large force. It was now practically held by local militia, but was still an object of foreign intrigue, and might possibly become an ob- jective of foreign intervention. The frustration of such intrigues in the interests of peace required special precautions. In fact, the Delegation was left with the impression that adoption of the two measures recommended depended mainly on the international situation. General Conclusion e The mediaeval independence of Georgia has never been for- gotten by its people, and in spite of compulsory incorporation in the Russian Empire for over a century, they continued to strug- gle for full sovereignty. While the time at the disposal of the Delegation did not make it possible for extensive inquiries, the conclusion reached by the Delegation as to the Georgian situation was that for the Georgian workpeople the advantages of inclusion in the Union were many, among them the assurance it gave them of peace and prosperity. The gudrantee secured of peaceful.enjoyment of a “Dominion” autonomy only falls short of complete sover- eignty. The practical advantages of inclusion in the Union might be considered on material grounds as outweighting the disadvantages. z With respect to the national minorities in Georgia there can be no doubt at all that the present system. by which they secure Home Rule gives the best practical; possibility of satisfactorily securing their lives and liberties. f J Finally, that it is in the interests of the workers and peas- ants of Caucasia and of the world that the inclusion of the Trans-Caucasian Federation in the Union of Sodialist. Russia should continue, and that the Caucasus should not again be- come the scene of rival miliary occupations and race wars. Herbert Smith. ‘ Ben Tillett. John Turner. John Bromley. Alan’ Findlay. Albert Purcell (Chairman). Fred Bramley (Secretary). Harold Grenfell. R. R, McDonell. George Young. CHAPTER Iil Armenia The Delegation did not have time to visit the neighboring Republic of Armenia, and therefore does not report on it. But it is in possession of information from various sources showing that this State has made even more remarkable progress than Georgia and Azerbaijan. The Soviet social system seems to have been accepted whole-heartedly by the Armenians, and this very industrious and intelligent race is making full use of the liberty the Union Constitution gives to national culture and the help it gives to economic development. The Union of Sovietist Socialist Republics can justly be proud of the work that is being done in saving the relics of this most ancient and oppressed of the Christian races, for whose fate Western Europe and North America have so melancholy a responsibility. And it is pleasant to note that the British people are joining with the Russians in this humane undertaking. The 10,000 and more Armenian refugees now being forced to leave Greece can be received by the Armenian public—which has already provided for 300,000 reugees—it £a a head be sub- scribed for transport and settlement. And it is much to be hoped that Great Britain will by providing this money make a small recognition of the Treaty responsibilities it has repeatedly undertaken in respect of this long-suffering race. CHAPTER VI Azerbaijan The Delegation visited Baku, the capital of the Mahomedan Republic of Azerbaijan and the center of the Caucasian oilfields. Changes in Baku be In outward appearance there is a considerable improve- ment in the town itself. The old horse trams have been re- placed by a very extensive system of electric tramways, which connect all parts of the town with the Bibie Bybat oilfields, |ities. and the refining districts outside the town itself. Large spaces of waste ground have been planted with shrubs and trees and util- ized as public gardens. Most of the houses are stone built, there- fore the necessity of a coat of paint is not so obvious in the gen- eral appearance of the town as elsewhere in Russia. It was, however, in the population itself that the transfor- mation was most surprising. Formerly in Baku large fortunes were amassed or lost several times in a generation, Huge sums were spent on dress, entertainment, and gambling. At the same time Baku was socially as democratic as: any town in Europe. Social distinctions among the middle class. hardly existed at all. Nobody knew whether a millionaire might not be living on credit to-morrow or a beggar be driving in his own motor-car in the following week. Two of Baku‘s greatest millionaires had never taken the trouble to learn to read or write. For this reason per- wealth did not create sp much hatred, > and | Ree eA nT LL RTE WACHINISTS ON - COAST WELCOME THE COMMUNISTS Condemn Johnston and Fitzpatrck Tirade By TOM LEWIS (Special to The Daily Worker) SAN FRANCISCO, Cal., Sept. 1— At the regular meeting of Machin- ists’ Local Union No. 68, a com- munication was read from the Inter- national Executive Board calling upon all Communists, T. U. B. L. and Young Workers’ League members to sever their connections with those or- ganizations or stand expelled from the union after October 15, A communication was also read rom President John Fitzpatrick and Secretary Ed. Nockels, of the Chicago Federation of Labor attacking the Communist Party and its kindred or- ganizations. Refuse to Expeli Militants, After the communications were read a motion was made to resist the In- ternational Executive Board and af- ter considerable discussion took place in which none favored the tactics of “B, & O.” Johnston and his satellites, the motion was carried unanimously. Each speaker expressed his view of the acts of the organizations ‘atid members attacked. The red séate was sneered at by nearly all present, and it was stated in plain English that the T. U. BE. L. was an educa- ‘tional organization and not a dual tn- ion as asserted in the communication. Speakers also stated that all mem- bers had a right to their political views whether Communist, republican or democrat. Further, that making such silly charges against the Reds was tend- ing to destroy the unions, was all bunk as the Machinists’ Union had lost over 250,000 members or thete- abouts since the war period. “Can that be charged to the Communists?” they asked. -“On {the contrary, it must be charged to the failure’ of our own leaders.” It was also stated that the Com- munists were few in number, com- paratively, and if they could capture the union, or break it up, as féearéd by the leaders, then the sooner it hap- pened the better, “because, as we stand at present, we can take no pride in our organization.” “Sinée the war, we have been continually on the down road. Therefore, if the Communists can infuse new life into the union, rather than expell them, we should welcome them.” Fitzpatrick Supports K. K. K. It was brot out in the discussion that the Internation Executive Board and the Fitzpatrick and Nockels com- munications were consciously or un- consciously supporting the K. K. K. when they opposed the organization of Negro workers into the unions and tho they may not have meant it that way, the fact they are opposing the Negro Labor Congress, places them in the light of siding with the K. K, K. As no one took the occasion to at- tack the Communists, the Young Workers’ League members or the T. U. E. L., Mr. “B. & O.” Johnston had better learn from his colleague, Mr Sigman, now of nowhere, that the day of peddling the “Red Scare” is past in the unions, The rank and file dre learning fast who the fighters are and how théy are struggling to build the unions against the fakers who have sold them out or are selling them out with their quack nostrums. The awakening spells a wonderful change in the unions in the near future, so the fak- ers had better be preparing them selves for the inevitable downfall of the whole brood including the two “white feather dusters” of Chicago, Fitzpatrick and Nockels. After the meeting adjourned, sever- al unionists were heard to remark, “If they are going to expell the Commun- ists, then, we will walk out too.” Mussolini Organizer Here to Recruit Fascists WASHINGTON, Sept, 1—Commen- datore Bastianini, director and secre- tary of foreign organizations of the Italian fascisti, is due to arrive in New York in mid-September, to en- gage in an organizing and inspection tour among fascist groups thruout the United States. He is a member of the inner council which surrounds Mussolini, and represents the militant policy of spreading the fascist sys- tem thruout the world. No objection to his mission has ,” been raised by the state department, altho it is known that Bastianini ha organized a special bureau for trol of Latin- rican fascist fe —__ Moscow's Population Grows. MOSCOW.—According to -the data of the Moscow administration of real estates the number of inhabitants of Moscow is estimated at 1,754,752 per- sons by the beginning of the present year. If compared with the census of 1923, the population of Moscow has increased more than 13 per cent. * Layoff “Gift” of Boss, WORCESTER, Magss., Sept. 1— A week's shut down is the Draper Corp. of Hopedale’s gift to its workers, A five-day week will be in force whén employes return from their enferced bo ary

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