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Show I75 ‘74 man committed to a policy against militarism and war, and fig struggling;r for a philosophy whose very purpose is to put an end to war in the world and establish peace on earth, we shall begin to appreciate what a force for peace international socialism has air ‘ady become. The socialist movement has already actually prevented war, Wt twoauw mum not once. but in many cases. and as it grows its force in this direction will increase. Socialism strives everywhere for the thorough organization of the workingr classes. not only on the lines of trades unionism, but also on the economic tic-id. and chief of all upon the political field. And besides it seeks to organize the working cla not only in one country, but internationally. it seeks to organize all classes of the workers in all the lines that concern them. The socialist movement seeks to co-ordinate the trades union movement with the political organization of the working class. and to reinforce these by the economic orn'anization in the various forms of insurance era-operative societies and the like. And where the socialist movement has become mature it has co-ordinated all of this organized power of the working; class and brings it to bear in combined strength against the forces of war. The effect of this sort of organization on the matter of war and militarism can of course l)C much better judged in the countries. where it has been more perfected than here. In litirope the power of the working)r class is much more feared and respected than in this country. And this is because the American socialist movement has not yet succeeded in developing the form of co-ordinatcrl organization which it has secured in the European countries. The working classes in this country are held in contempt, not only by the courts, but by the political parties. In England the power of the working class is respected. And that is because the socialist movement has finally prevailed upon the working classes to organize their political power independently. They have thirtyfivc socialists in the national parliament. And there are no injunc- tions to l.c imued against the labor unions in England any more. There are old age pensions beingr established, and the impoverished childrtn in the public schools are being fed at public expense \\ here necessary. A beginning has been made, the polit- ical power of the working; class is being felt. The same is true in Germany. 'l‘hree million workingcclass men in Germany means three million trades unionists, and it also means three million socialists. And when the working class of Germany move they move together, not only on the trades union field, but also on the political field. And one helps the other. Thcv are a solid phalanx. And their force is becoming resistless. it is the same in Belgium, in France, in ltaly, in Norway and Sweden and l.)cnmark. The workers of the world are being organized. And when political power like this sets itself against a proposal for war, the nations dare not act without them. This solid and co-ordinate form of labor forces in the European countries makes it possible for them to use successfully in enforc‘ in}; their demands what is known as the general strike. 7 That is, when there is a universal feeling amongr the working.Y class, against a proposed war for example, the representatives of the trades unions in the national congress inform the authorities who are seeking to precipitate war that if the war is declared a general strike will be ordered. This, will mean that the coal for the ships will not be handled, that the munitions oi war will not be transported, that trains will not run, and thus the nation's arins would he paralyzed. it can be readily seen that here is an economic power that can absolutely render war impossible. it is only a question of the degree of labor organization. Thus, where the representatives of the working class are sure of the solidarity of labor they are able to absolutely prevent war. \Vhenever a labor movement arises sufficiently organized to command its following, and that lahor movement realizes that it has everything to lose by war and nothing to gain. then that labor movement will make war impossible. And the socialist realiz‘s that the interests of labor are Opposed to war. It is, the working class that in the last. analysis bear all the burdens of war. The It]on-‘trott< L‘ch‘iltitilirt'li'Ut‘ militarism is impoverishing the people: is keeping our Cities cursed with the slums and our homes blighted Wit tenementi-i and hovel dwellings. It; is the expenditure upon _ \var. present. "l past and to come. that prevents our tit-\'t'l"l""l§1_ "1" ""11"" uni 111* resources which would give employment to the millions ol |