Socialism Is Goal of New French Youth Movement
Socialism Is Goal of New French Youth Movement Reorganization of Society on Cooperative Basis, With Work and Freedom for AH, Is Demand of Growing Numbers of Young Men and Women in Revolt Against...
...4) This new phase of civilization is to be characterised as follows: «'t4*"The new society is to be one in which wealth will be produced to the greatest possible extent for distribution among all, in exchange for work, which all are to be obliged to perform in the measure considered necessary...
...achieve liberty* social equality and happiness for all who toil with brgin,ctnd brawn...
...Bat we, the youth, are ready to face everything because there is nothing, to lose today and we will gladly sacrifice our lives knowing that in doing so we are destroying the foundations of the citadels of death...
...Today it is necessary to have a majority as the only real power...
...Side by side with tee unheard of level in productivity due to great technical progress we have the nightmare reality of unparalleled moral and material destitution...
...Indeed, under the pressure of unemployment, the middle class youth ef France is giving expression to truly revolutionary se n t i m en te...
...For many centuries humanity fas struggled with hand and brain to conquer scarcity and achieve an abundance of goods...
...Work animals are being fed adequately even when jfcpy' are not working, and inaninune machinery receives the greatest of care even when it is not functioning, for machinery is invested capital...
...Repeatedly I have heard at meetings of this youth flaming demise iations not only of the madness of capitalism but also of the madness of dictatorship...
...The daily drama of this youth, doomed .to prolonged idleness ana moral suffering, cries to heaven...
...The government* ant tear experts and the national ana intonations...
...The left wag of the Radical-Socialist Party favors the "People's Front" with the working class parties and a radical program of action against the ruling financial oligarchy...
...In France, too, the government is gravely concerned with the "food problem," i. e. the problem of what to do with the vast quantities of foodstuffs on hand, while the growing army of unemployed continues to starve...
...j. That is why we v.:SSa rtteat here what we hare already tamjt Geneva: "Eonagh of andy...
...T.U...
...ratal exchange and the economic syaaa generally...
...In the early post-war years, the International Federation of Trade Unions was compelled to deal with questions which it had hitherto regarded as purely political, since very important questions, such as the reconstruction ef the devastated areas, war debts, peace and disarmament, international financial and monetary problems, international social legislation, permanent official co-operation with the International Labor Office all came to the fore and demanded attention in addition to normal trade union activities...
...The citations from the two manifestos just quoted reveal the ideas and aspirations of the best elements of middle class youth of France...
...Included in the ranks of workers wham capitalism regards as superfluous U a growing number of the young generation...
...By Judith Gruenfeld *|*HE~%prkj is stiffing in an un* precedented abundance oi foodstuffs and essential commodities...
...We are not affiliated with any Socialist group because the atruggfesf tsansaciss within the Social...
...It is particularly encouraging because it shows that increasing elements of the french middle class youth are embracing the fundamental conception of that mm hung class Socialism which looks to the emancipation of mankind wot through civil war, violence and dictatorship hut through organization of the HMSiJM behind a program of "creatine collective...
...Another organization of French youth, calling itself Dinamo, recently made public a similar program...
...And Ihat * why the London Congress of tjsj International Federation of Taji...
...authorities ci *-ae...
...But today, when this aim has been attained, Siey are being told, in the interest of those who extract profit from scarcity, that it is nac«ssery to fight against abundance, to reduc* the production of wheat, throw huge supplies of coffee into the ocean, curtail the production of, sugar, wine, flax, hurl fish back into the sea, etc "There can be no overproduction when throughout the world there are more then 100 million human beings (the unemployed and their families 1 deprived of the necessities of life...
...If the prwaili an nomie and political tension asasues unabated, ther* .«¦ • -very jsj...
...In this maimer, as a result of the unprecedented economic crisis, the sons and daughters of the ruined middle class elements and peasantry, deprived of the means of existence by the present social order, are, in turn, becoming "the undertakers of capitalism...
...The world today stands on the brink of inextricable chaos and mankind is surrounded by the wildest paradoxes...
...effort" designed to...
...Anticapitalist tendencies are Trinity...
...Nor is the political face of the world more hopeful, because the ineptitude and inefficiency of the world's capitalist rulers is, if possible, even more glsring in politics than in economics...
...There is no Uck^^MssMe Mstions...
...Through the new economic order, huilt by creative collective effort, we will give a real meaning to political liberty...
...Let us leave the doctrine of violence to the conscious and unconscious enslavers of the people...
...Conditions More Critical But conditions today are more critical than ever before...
...the workers and to bring influence to bear, on their behalf, on the solution of the most lu-gsat question...
...it is not our fault that capitalaha has demonstrated its failure...
...But this mad policy is being applied only to human beings...
...Thanks to the very rapid reconstruction of the European trade union movement immediately after the war, It was able right from the outset effectively to defend the interest...
...THE tremendous revokrtion in * mentality, policy and etpnomic relationships since the war has not only a&eted the wbjpje face of the world, and especially that of Europe, out has1 also completely changed the tasks of the labor movement...
...we read, among other things: "We dedicate this work to that great majority of human beings Who regard the present world ef misery, violence and destruction as a scandal, and who seek a free life, a life of truth and peace...
...themselves felt also in the left wing of the Radical-Socialist party, liberal-democratic party in France, These anti-capitalist^tendencies are confirmed by the withdrawal of Harriot as chairman of this party sad the election in his place of Daladier, the spokesman of the party's left wing...
...lajg Movement have all studied aa compared and investigated, at plans and solutions ir, plenty mm been thought eat and «**» .as the situation woaM St aSa »« unproved if only one-tenth pat el them were put inti wroeeikW application...
...Thus, the young, talented economist, Jacques Duhoin, writing in L'Oeuvre, orjgan of the Radical-Socialists, continually assails the madness of capitalism and demands the most radical readjustments of the prevailing economic system...
...It s| mere coincidence that efiorafst* being made to settle the psjlt m disarmament question and a a tablish order in *rar...
...But it has contributed unquestionably te the formation of the "People's Front" and has influenced considerably the Radical-Socialist Party ef Herriot and Daladier...
...How wonderful it would be if together, hand in hand with you, we would undertake to build a bridge-over the abyss which separates the old world from the new...
...They see clearly the mountain which is about to fall upon them but they fail to perceive Behind it the limitless valleys which are already opening up te their furtive eyes...
...Fascism, too, has inssaasaniny increased the chances oi o^afsH conflagration, and no one use) dare to assert that pases-is imt on firmer foundations than iMSs before 1914...
...In this program entitled "Revolutionists, Whither Are You Going...
...They are unquestionably revolutionary, not in a vulgar sense, but in their dear and bold conceptions of democratic SecialJaaa -For this Socialism the elements in question are earnestly striving...
...It demands also the development of a concrete social-economic program and establishment of a "People's Front" government Program ef L'Oeuvre The French fascists refer ironically to Dawdler's foiiewers as "Young Turks...
...danger of irreparable castaiS overtaking humanity...
...Driven to despair by endless unemployment, with no apparent prospect of improvement in its position, the unemployed youth of Germany directed all its blows not against capitalism but against democracy...
...The measure of work will he.continuously reduced, in accordance with improvements in the technical means ef production...
...We have accepted Socialism net cases everyday facto have convinced as that it must become a reality...
...The wondrous productive instruments of economic and industrial technique have bean transformed into an instrument ef torture not only for millions of workers hut also for men and women of the socalled liberal professions, for middle class youth who are denied an opportunity for the employment of their productive powers...
...He is head of the "League for the Sight to Work and Social Progress,'' which recently issued a manifesto with the following demands: "1) The right to work must be secured to all by means of the shorter workday, "2) 'Legislation ef abundance* to make paaahlt the unrestricted production af wealth commeasaiato with technical development and in disregard of the profit motive...
...Youth, which cannot wait any longer and is perishing fur no guilt of its own, calls upon all those dissatisfied with the existing order to unite into a mighty army which would utilize the marvellous progress of technology to assure us in the immediate future an economy of abundance, reasonable leisure and liberty...
...As a matter of fact, street fighting and even the general strike are methods of agitation upon which it is difficult to rely today...
...Life.has moved forward in recent years with giant strides and has overtaken, even the most daring modernisers...
...social and even cultural, have already matured...
...However, the peoples, if thfj^ak only strong enough sue teamined enough, can fer.ee i|sjaja> ernments to do so...
...The machinery of the International Fain rati*- of Trade Unions was naturally farced to adjust itself to this rapid growth hi its responsibilities, but the claims of its -new-tests did not prevent the LF...
...In depriving millions of human beings of an opportunity to work and of their purchasing power, capitalism is carrying out in Us own way the principle "he who does not work shall not eat," preferring to destroy huge quantities of foodstuffs rather than give them to the hungry...
...World Congress of Labor Summoned to Meet in July I.F.T.U...
...It is already here...
...The best representatives of this youth are reviving the democratic traditions of the great French Revolution snd its slogan, "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity" for the purpose of achieving a radical reconstruction ef society on the basis ef social justice...
...Matt Wis Majority "Some so-called revolutionists are still devoted to the -idea of "forcible seizure of power' which nurtured their early illusions...
...Before the war, the duties of the International Trade Union Movement consisted in maintaining relations between National Centres, in developing these contacts by the exchange -of information on wages and conditions of work, and in providing, on occasion, mutual financial assistance in great labor disputes, bat since the war its sphere of action has been extended beyond recognition...
...Against them we must take certain definite measures of prevention...
...The unfortunate peoples who have been mesmerized or coerced into fascist art toutr only too well aware that van aa desperate attempt of cap...
...Aa a consequence, the victims of unemployment in Germany fell into the double slavery of a bloody dictatorship, which deprived them of all liberties, and capitalist exploitation at wages even lower than the dole received by the uri- j employed under the democratic republic In addition, by his mad expenditures on armaments in preparation far a new war, Hitler has, stripped the masses ef the most essential articles of food, such as milk, butter and fats...
...has been successful in getting enforced all its demands in the way of social and economic policy, we may say with truth that at critical moments it has been able to intervene with some, success...
...that gsuMan doctrine itself must be adjusted to present day reality...
...the aMcle by David Shub, svintsi in this issue, this has become the dominant conception of the international Socialist and labor movement...
...SB we want is Scene...
...It was this very youth which played such » fata...
...As shown in...
...As a consequence, large masses of this youth, suffering bitterly from miemployment, are directing their blows, with increasing energy, agsiast capitalism, sad are mobilizing their forces for the defease of democracy and the reconstruction of society upon a new social and economic foundation This dnaaairatu- anti-capitalist movement of the middle class youth ass lent great strength to the People's Front in France in the struggle against fascism...
...Ak tkatSpMa af the working class whiei Jbwvt what it wants, the srganisMt aari era ssuat lead the pec ft* a tew effort and carry H 1 hi IjjV> success...
...tela in the triumph of fascism is Germany...
...And you, our fathers, you may be sure of the victory of our common cause if you would only exhibit the courage, to abandon your little habits and turn resolutely to our future...
...a) Redistribntion ef wealth designed to satisfy the needs ef human beings regardless ef their capacity to pay...
...In the following article Walter Schevenels, general secretary of the IJ'.T.V., discusses the pirns te of the congress and the problems with which it will dsaL By W*Jt~e7 SciieveneU •General Secretary, International Federation of Trade Unions...
...At a time when the revolution has already taken place in the sphere of things, human beings continue to be moved not by dynamic forces but by the forces of conservatism...
...The years which have gone by since the war have shown conclusively that capitalism is unable to re-establish on firm foundations s social system which -has received so many rude shocks from war and revolution and from economic and financial mismanagement...
...France is in the grip of a most serious economic and political crisis, the outcome of which will decide the facts of Europe...
...tenia a establish its domination rrieanra practice, in spite of »a.- itnufi' promises of economic islTaioaasf" social equality, the complete aa, slavement of mankind by taS and brute force and its esgagja steady depression to s suh-haaat standard of existence...
...6) All power must be vested in ing itself upon all the people, responsible to the people during the transition period, snd which would ¦aasrtshf to carry out aa seem as possible the task of organizing the economy 0( abundance...
...We need organisers and technicians...
...We see before us mountains of accumulated wealth, capable of being increased indefinitely by means <5f the marvels of production...
...Calls Member Organizations to Devise Program of AcQei to Deal with International Crisis—'What We Want Is h^sikf —Schevenels Explains the Purpose of the Meeting in LonMM The International Federation of Trade Unions, embracing the labor organizations of virtually all free, countries, will hold a congress in London in July to discuss the critical world situation, and map a pre--, grata of action, .?he congress will be the most momentuout meeting of world labor held since the war...
...Te Build, Mot to Destroy "5) There mast be no resort of methods of compulsion, which would only aggravate the misery and.by im11saint disorder would only delsy the hoar of emancipation...
...Socialism Is Goal of New French Youth Movement Reorganization of Society on Cooperative Basis, With Work and Freedom for AH, Is Demand of Growing Numbers of Young Men and Women in Revolt Against Bankrupt Capitalist Order The following article written by a distinguished Social Democrat long'a resident t» France and now on a visit to thim country offer* snusuraging evidence of the progress of *s\e idea of democratic Socialism m the French Republic...
...Deeds Demanded ^; But it is exceedingly Qfleetia able whether the responsiblerjjkg will show the laajant and~JBm minetion necessary te apply » »)» tion acceptable to the wa^af...
...The powerful financial oligarchy of France, which controls virtually the entire bourgeois press, has mobilised all its forces net only against the labor organizations but also against the middle class parties and groups of Preach youth who have declared war against Hie industrial barons aad kings of finance...
...Abundance is no longer a dream...
...More than 26,000.000 people are still seeking work in vain, and 90,000,000 hardly know where to turn for their next meal...
...from suceessfuly extending its propaganda at the same time to the meat remote corners of the earth, so that by now the free trade union movement has made its influence felt te no small degree in all the countries of the workL Although we cannot claim that, during the seventeen years since the war ended, the LF.T.U...
...It is difficult te measure the political significance of this youth movement...
...We do not need insurrectionists...
...The Tragedy of Touts Young workers, technicians, doctors, teachers, architects, just en* terJAg upon life, find themselves standing before a closed gate upon which is written, as on the gate to heQ, the words of Dante: "Abandon hope all ye who enter hare...
...French for Democracy All these "achievements" of fascism in Germany, as well aa in Italy, have opened the eyes of flu m^Adim class youth In France...
...We declare that all the prerequisites ef revolution, teshnjjgl,.eepnentic...
...Are not governments destroying daily huge supplies of goods, depriving the consumer af these supplies We know from the studies of our technicians and economists that we can increase our wealth while decreasing the hours of labor...
Vol. 19 • May 1936 • No. 18
