euge Four BSG WEOCREKGE RES: - NEWS } December 13, ig. BC WorKERS NEWS Published Weekly by THE PROLETARIAN PUBLISHING ASS’N Room 10, 163 West Hastings Street - Wancouver, B.C. a — Subscription Rates — @Qne Year —__-=-31.80 Half Year -—__-11.00 Three Months __$ .50 Single Copy 205 Make All Checks Payable to the B.C. WORKERS’ NEWS Send All Copy and Manuscript to the Chairman of the Editorial Board —- Send All Montes and Letters Per- taining to Advertising and Circulation to the Business Manager. Vancouver, B.C., December 13, 1935 DEFEAT THE SALES TAX! peer? on the promise of providing Work and Wages, the Pattullo govern- ment for over two years used the existence of a Gonservative government at Ottawa as an explanation of their failure to implement their election promises. , If only a Liberal government ruled at Ot- tawa, they said, they would be able to get the financial assistance necessary to provide Work and Wages. Now that there is a Lib- eral federal government, the Pattullo crowd are not so sure that they will be able to bor- row the needed millions. Needing more money to meet expenses, including the added cost of maintaining ex- tra police to terrorize workers, they have sent out feelers from Victoria on the ques- tion of another sales tax. Such a tax, if carried through, would im- pose a greater burden on the poor, for it would mean higher prices for the necessities of life. It would be the equivalent of a wage cut for the workers in industry, because the wages received would not buy aS much as formerly. The imposition of Such a tax instead of taxing the rich, must be resisted by the gen- era] public. The trade unions, the C.C.F. and the Communist Party can lead the fight against this new attack on the standard of living of the public. These organizations, working together, can rally the support of wide sections of the population, can build a real People’s Front which can not only de- feat the sales tax schemes of the Pattullo government, but can defend the interests of the people in other ways. IMPERIALIST DUPLICITY £ (eae delay in the application of sanctions 5 with regard to oil, coal, iron and steel against Italy shows the duplicity of the preat powers, especially Great Britain. It is now clear that the repudiation of Dr. Rid- dell, Dominion representative at Geneva, by the Canadian government, was inspired by the British government, to give the appear- ance of a divided Empire on the question of stricter application of Sanctions and to en- able Britain to keep up its hypocritical pose as a champion for world peace. While all this dilly-dallyinge and postpone- ment was going on, Hoare and Laval were working behind the scenes to effect the dis- memberment of Ethiopia, with Italy to have a good Slice of Ethiopian territory and the other big imperialist robbers getting a chunk as well. Only the Soviet Union, supported by a group of small nations, stands solidly for sanctions against Italy in defence of Ethi- opia. Among the great world powers the Soviet Union is the only one that has no im- perialist interests to serve. The offer to Italy by Britain and France for settlement of the conflict was quite prop- erly turned down by Ethiopia, for it con- templated the absorption of the ancient inde- pendent nation by the great imperialist powers, The weakness of the League of Nations as an instrument for the localising of war or for the prevention of war is becoming more apparent every day. The reformist policy of refusing an international united front, and placing ful] confidence in the League, instead of mobilizing and uniting the anti-war forces of the world to enforce an embargo on Italy and for support of Ethi- opia, stands exposed as objectively playing into the hands of Mussolini and the imperi- alist governments. The proposal of the Communist Interna- tional to the Labor and Socialist Interna- tional for unity and the similar proposal of the Red International of Labor Unions to the Internationa] Federation of Trade Unions if accepted would have accomplished the defeat of fascism in Africa, would have delivered a blow at international fascism, prevented the spread to a world war, and wrecked the plans for the long-contemplated attack against the Soviet Union. THE CITY ELECTIONS HE election of C.C.F. candidates Miss Mil-- dred Osterhcut and R. P. Pettipiece to the School and Parks Board respectively, is a matter of great encouragement to all who desire the curbing of capitalist reaction rampant in the city. The single Labor candidate in the alder- manic race, J. T. Giddings, was defeated by the small margin of 13 votes, while the come- back attempt of the reactionary ex-mayor Taylor failed miserably. While the C.C.F. made a good showing, it was slight as compared with the success of= Labor in the Regina municipal elections. And the cause is plain. In Regina the anti-capi- talist forces, the C.C.F., the Communist Party and the trade unions were united, whereas in Vancouver the C.C.F. went it alone, despite the earnest efforts of the Com- munists to form a united front. The partial success of the C.C.F., “going it alone,” shows what could be done were the C.C.F. to accept affiliation of the trade unions, the Communist Party and other: workers’ organizations, that is, if the C.C.F: would become what its name implies — a real federated party. There is urgent need for unity of all anti- capitalist forces. Conditions cry for such unity, and results show the gains that can Be taade when and where unity has been ef- ected. B.C. Workers’ News Radio Broadcast FRIDAY—8:45 to 9:00 P.M. WEDNESDA Y—9:15 to 9:30 P.M. CKMO 999990900900 OO 1990 9O999009O04 ing, burning feet think desperately how they can stretch out the slend- er, weekly pittance to cover, besides In a very short time, the people of Vancouver will be celebrating Christmas. Is it not strange that the eapitalists should celebrate the birth of a2 man whom they put to death? A man who was a political prisoner, a demonstrator, a leader of mass meetings, a friend of street women, the kiddies ! In Birks the Christmas And Business ing up skimpy hampers. keep the parents quiet during Give a Diamond sumptious. Arch on arch of boughs to give an impression of en- tering a holy church. In the show- cases are trinkets, priced at two or the sheer necessities of life, the yearly tribute to the god Capital. Cheer for] Lhere is, of course, one way out. “Bread and games” to | They can resort to that ancient 1936. | profession, the privilege of the sweated Slaves of the system. “Cheer for the poor,’’ tinkle of bells, blazine of radios, “‘Peace on Earth,’’ *“‘Chris- tians awake !” When will the work- ers awake? The “Best”” People decorations are cedar a hater of the rich, and last, but not least, an attacker of organized | three hundred dollars, to adorn the Up in Shaughnessy, the houses religion. They do not celebrate the | ft pink fingers of the pampered) laze with light, the decorated birth of this man! They celebrate | darlings of the capitalist class. Dia-| Christmas trees are a show. The the birth of a child of their own creation, a well fed, respectable, do- eile, bourgois child. How useful is Christmas to capitalist society ! The bankers who sweat blood out of the Cuban workers, issue speacial cheques, decorated with holly and bells, to be sent as Christmas gifts. Hampers In the Province building overfed busy ladies are hastily sorting old clothes and discarded toys and mak- the African monds grubbed out of the earth by slaves—zold—wrung from the ground by the half-starved miners in the horror of the pit. We Sell Everything In Woodwards, a gleaming, ine star tops the streaming garlands and calls to the desperate parents, to the “under-privileged” come to pay tribute to the capital- ists. Imside the store and the tired girls standing on ach- B.C. Electric is haying a good Christ- mas ! Down in the east end a family goes to bed in the dark—the light has been cut off. In Shaughnessy, far into the night a wild drinking party ends in a wilder orgy of in- toxicated men and women. This is the “best society,” the upholders of the institution of marriage, the staunch supporters of the home that the Communists seek to destroy ! On Christmas morning, peace and joy euid- ehildren to lights blaze, >reign in the holy churches. RED ARMY FARM TRACTOR SOLDIERS ENJOY OPERATING Somewhere else in the world armament factories work over- time, men shoot each other, and bombs explode on hos- pitals, and Fascists, drunk with blood, plan bigger and bloodier wars for the near future. What a picture of Christmas cheer! Unite the Workers’ Ranks Let us come together this Christmas and swear that we will unite and fight shoulder to shoulder Against the com- mon oppressor, that we will no longer be duped by ‘Christ- mas Cheer, by ‘bread and games,’ for one day, to be starved and exploited for three hundred and sixty-four days in the year. Watch for the FIRST ANRIVERSARY ISSUE of The B.C. Workers’ News early next month. Order extra copies now! The Only Safeguard Against War Is Unity By F. BIGGS It is generally conceded now that the last world war was a war for markets, a commercial war, one that was inevitably produced by the pre- sent capitalist system. Groups of capitalists seeking to dispose of the surplus products of their industries come into conflict with other groups doing exactly the same thing. The world today being pretty well all divided between rival groups, and there being no further markets in sight, a new world war is threaten- ing for a re-division of the world’s markets. Many people who agree that the last world war was a product of the Capitalist system, claim that another world war must come because the capitalist system will produce wars as long as it lasts. This is a fatalis- tie attitude which if not corrected ean only result in a giving up of the struggle to keep Canada out of an- other war. J¢t is quite true that capitalism produces war, there can be no argu- ment on that, but it is just as true that the masses of the people can be aroused to the point where they can bring all war plans of the capitalists to a sudden halt. But the stopping of war by the masses of the people pre-supposes that they have been sufficiently awakened to the war menace to sink all their political, religious and other differences and unite on a common anti-war pro- gram. Such a unity has already been established in France, where the capitalists have been unable to in- troduce fascism, and as long as this unity remains unbroken the people of France can ward off both fascism and war, because they are so numer- ous and powerful, they are so arous- ed to the immediate dangers, that their refusal to participate in pre- parations for war will leave the war- machine helpless to carry on. And it should never be forgotten that in all capitalist countries moves towards a similar unity are well under way The initiative towards unity must be taken by the working class: It is from the ranks of the workers that armies are formed, not only to fight but to operate the complicated war implements, it is the workers who produce all the materials of war, and it is the workers who are in the most strategic position—in industry—to hinder war plans. Middle class people tend to hane back until somethin= has been accomplished, but once the workers unite against war thousands of members of the middie class, thousands of intellectuals who hesi- tate to appear openly while the movement is weak, will welcome such unity and gladly become part of it, because it, and it only, can give them protection. Many middie class elements have learned a great lesson from fascism in Europe, that fascism will wipe out the middle class and throw large numbers of them into the already swollen ranks of the unemployed workers. Unity is the only safeguard against war, it is the only protection against fascism, and, faced with it the war machine of the Ganadian capitalists will never get started through lack of man- power and woman-power to make it run. There are others who voice words something like these: ‘Let the war come. Lhe sooner it comes the bet- ter, because it is sure ti end in the social revolution.’”’ Statements like these no doubt arise through person- al impatience with the speed of the revolutionary movement, and also from a weariness of the struggle, a weariness that asks to be refreshed by something else, even the horrors of war. Peace-time capitalism is horrible for the mass of the people, ac- companied as it is by unemployment, uncertainty of the future, lack of in- terest, lack of incentive, hopelessness and despair. But bad as are these features the horrors of another world war will be many times worse, for the destructiveness of military Science is so unlimited as to be are most incredible. To the mass Slaugh- ter on the actual fighting fronts would be added the annihilation of civilian populations. the widespread destruction of the machinery of pro- duction and distribution of the means of life. Millions of people would be driven insane, famine and pestilence would stalk the earth. And is another world war absolute- Iy sure to end in successful reyvolu- tions? There is no Suarantee of this. There is a possibility that the masses would become so weary of frightful- ness that they would accept social peace on any terms, with the capi- talists still on top. In this period of capitalism a revo- jJutionary movement has been slowly maturing in every capitalist country. This is happening during “peaceful” capitalism, and this movement is be- coming so strong that in some coun- tries, Italy for example, the capita- lists are turning to war as an escape from revolution. Germany is ap- proaching the same point. Irance and Japan are not far behind. Because the capitalist system is decaying it would be an error to be- lieve that the power of the capitalist Class, the state organizations, is crumbling and rotting. As they reach the danger point the capitalists strengthen greatly their repressive forces. With their exclusive control of the press and radio, with their great financial resources, they will try and swine over to their side the majority of the population and iso- late the militant labor elements and anti-war sections of the people. The people opposed to war can adopt a Similar policy, and use the present to build up such a powerful front against war that the capitalists with their numerous militarists, heelers, hangers-on and adventurers will be rendered powerless through being isolated. Tf this is not accomplished the Canadian capitalists will succeed in enterine another war. As to how longs the war would last, as to whether it would end in the end of capitalism and the emancipation of the working class, depends upon the preparatory work now being done. This work consists in arousing the greatest number against war, in stimulating all struggles of the exploited classes for an adequate standard of living, and for the right to organize, for these peace-time struggles are direct- ly strugeeles against capitalism, the system that produces war. They are milestones on the road to Socialism. The World The power of censorship is great. Since the first announcement in the eapitalist press about the uprising in Brazil there has been practically nothing disclosed. If the extent of the uprising is to be judged by the strength of the people’s movement it must have been very widespread and power- ful enough to tax all the resources of the capitalist government to sub- due it. Brazil is far ahead of Can- ada in many respects. There they have trade union unity, they have a people’s front known as the WNa- tional Liberation Alliance. Inelud- ed in it are large numbers of peas- ants groaning under the exploita- tion of great Jand-owners, intellec- tuals, trade unions, and the Labor, Sociaist and Communist parties. In Brazil there is a middle-class counter —- revolutionary organization known as the Trotzkyist League, which since the formation of the Alliance has been totally discredited and exposed as an enemy of the people. The National Liberation Alliance was getting so strong through lead- ing struggles of workers and peas- ants that in July last the govern- ment declared it illegal. Its meet- ings were prohibited, trade union meetings were raided by fascist bands, offices of various workers’ organizations were smashed, and many arrests were made. This is the background of the struggle in Brazil, and whether it is a self-defence measure of the AlL- ance, or a real counter-offensive against Brazilian capitalism, re- mains to be seen. < * * * = The present naval agreement be- tween the great powers expires in 1936, and just now representatives of the respective governments, of the armament industry of their re- spective countries—are meeting in London to prepare plans for a new naval agreement. Disagreement marked the open- ing conference, which was not un- expected as ever since the last world war disarmament conferences have a way of breaking down. But this conference is for armament; there is to be no question of scrap- ping armament discussed. For a number of years there has been a naval building ratio of 5-5-3 be- tween Britain, United States and Japan; that that Japan was al- lowed to possess three nayal units for every five granted to each of the other two. Japan is no longer satisfied with this arrangement and demands complete equality. This would automatically bring about a weakening of the Gritish navy as it has to cover all portions of the world, and Japan’s interests are mainly in is, the Pacific. It would also endanger American naval superiority in the Pacific. So it is likely that this naval armament conference, like so many disarmament conferences, will break down. Premier Baldwin appears to expect this for at the opening con- ference he emphasized the “need to relieve the public mind of the threat of a general race in naval arma- ments.’ There is another aspect to the conference. Premier Baldwin ex- pressed pleasure that some of the governments had accepted rules governing vessels in event of sub- marine attack. The conference looks like camouflage behind which to agree on conditions under which naval warfare shall be conducted in This Week In an effort to stall off the imposi- tions of oil, coal and iron sanctions against Italy, Great Britain with the connivance of France has drawn up chief concern is to bolster up the tottering capitalist system in Italy, and Ethiopia has as much chance of surviving aS an independent state as a sheep surrounded by a pack of ravenous wolves has of escaping With its life—E.B. peace proposals to submit to Mus- solini, whose airplanes .meanwhile continue to bombard defenceless Ethiopian villages. Britain proposes that Italy be given the major portions of three Ethiopian provinces, with what League of Nations. does not care a fig about the wishes of the Ethiopian people. point of view they are only fit to b in spite of the fact that Britain dom- inates more backward people than any other Imperialist power, get their cut of the when the natural resources of Ethi- opia are finally divided up. A press dispatch states that Mus solini is willing to accept these pro posals for peace. has proclaimed on several occasions that he will not surrender a foot of territory to foreign powers. The ob- jective of the British-French plan is plain, to throw the onus of the con- tinuance of the war on Haile Selas- sie, and to have a seemingly plaus- ible excuse for refusing to impose the sanctions on Italy. Was a more perfidious plot ever concocted? It is easy to understand why these terms would be acceptable to Mussolini. He would have a breath- ing spell before annexing further territories, and time to re-establish his foreign credit. If Selassie re- fuses to throw up the sponge the war would last at least another year in which event Italy’s diminishing financial resources would be in an exhausted condition with the pros- pect of the country going bankrupt, bringing unavoidable repercussions throughout capitalist Europe. ~ This is what English and French capitalists want to avoid. Their practically amounts to international § exploitation of the rest of the coun -f be modernized under control of thef From herg converted into cheap.labor when the country becomes industrialized, and {Bm her f capitalists are hungry as gluttons tof concessions § But Haile Selassie} ARTHUR EVANS eraprecernery ves SHORT JABS By OP Bill In 1920, before the Fascist pla] descended in italy, there were 70 revolutionary working papers published in that coun dailies, weeklies and monthlies, 3 The leading srean, “Avante” 33 isSued daily in three _ editions, Milan, 200,000 copies; Turin, 801 and Rome, 90,000. The reaction hirelings of the bourgeoisie raj and set fire to the head offices” the paper. The Ttalian workers © lected one and a haif million lirs a few weeks to repair the dama_ In the recently conquered territg at Trieste, “Ml Tayoratore” hac circulation of 80,000 cop! “TT; Avanguardia,” the organ of | Young Socialist-Communists 7 lished in Rome, had a circulag of 40,000. Eyery province had quota of workers’ papers, Ver 7; Emilia and Romagna, ii; ecany, 7; Lombardy, i4; Piedmg 7, and so on, even Sicily, haying papers. The names of these pa indicate the political temper of | Italian workers of that time—J New Order,” ‘““The Labor Strugel “The Proletariat,” “The Works “The Struggle,” ‘‘The Class Sty gle,” “Spartacus,” “The Red Banner,” ‘The 3] Guard,” “The Dictatorship,” “Vj geance,” and so forth. Amongst | Hames of the editors were Gra achi, Bordigo, Serratti. Where are they now? In If today there is no avowed work class paper, reformist or | tionary. The castor oil hordes” Fascism, greater forces of dest tion than the Huns and the als, have made a thorough j wiping out that well organi functioning weapon of the ia working class. Today the press opposing the capitalist © in that country-is the illegal pa : of the Communist Party, like Pe saw a few days ago that circulat among the soldiers “Grigio Ver (Gray and Green) the colors of ¢ Italian soldiers’ uniforms. During our present “B.C. Wor ers’ News” drive we should ¢ the preceeding facts great sideration. We are building a in Canada that will play its lifting the working class out slavery, and not only must we m vide the necessary financial su port but we must exert every eff to weld ali the elements opposed fascism into a solid fighting bp that will destroy fascism before destroys our press as it did in It and also in Germany. In the me time, while we are working on t United Front, send in the nicks : It is thus apparent that Britain} Evans will speak on the Regina Probe at the Moose Hall, in Van- couver, Sunday, Dec. 15th at $ p.m. MILL CHILD One of the children on the looms Was quick Of step; she learned that, chasing butterflies When she was young It’s a trick That serves her well, old and wise. and foolish. now she is SHAWN, THE BRILLIANT INTERPRETIVE DANCER TELLS OF HIS ART Ted Shawn, in a ten-minute in- terview told a B.C. Workers News reporter that he was working on a huge production which will interpret war. The talented artist told of how in order to develop his art he found it necessary to withdraw from New York studios and the turmoil of fin- ancial worry and went along with his ensemble of dancers to his aban- doned farm in Massachusets. There they cut timber, tijl the land, and are thus better able to interpret labor on the land and in the forest. Wot only that but they live a com- munal life. The proceeds from their engagements are pooled. They are able to live 52 weeks a year in such condition that they can continue their art. When asked if the dance could interpret unemployment and social changes, he readily explained that he has a repertoire on such a theme. One is “‘The March of the Proletari- at’: others are “‘The Vagabond” and “The Miller.’”’ In the latter he shows workers the second world war. thrown out of employment; their ‘‘Miarch Of The Proletariat’’ smouldering resentment; and with a finale of revolutionary upsurge and march of the proletariat. Shawn is an idealist. He consid- ers that when his art is used purely for propaganda purposes, the content of his art suffers. When asked if he had visited the Soviet Union, he told us he had not. He told us that his close friend of the art, Ruth Page, had visited the U.S.S.R. and had come back en- thused. However, Shawn is not so enthused since he has not played there. It is safe to say that Shawn would be more than welcome to the masses of builders of Socialism, yes, a hun- dred times more than he is here, and would quickly form favorable opinions on the development of art and eulture in the Soviet Union. With such a marvellous interpre- tation of the labor theme we hope that Shawn and his comrades will come back to Vancouver and dance under circumstances that will admit ten thousand lofeers, fishermen, maritime workers, miners and others to witness his interpretation of the “March of the Proletariat.” Shawn’s dancers are highly tal- ented and finished artists. Shawn himself is a genius.—G.D. dimes and dollars. It is all part the same task. ; = * * Many years ago £ heard old J 3 McLachlan, the fearless, incorru 7 ible leader of the Cape Bre | miners, say that the coal mines S| Vancouver Island were the m dangerous in the world. Figu published in The Province in & nection with the Coalhurst disas bear this out as far as Canada concerned although there is ¥ | little difference between them < | Cape Breton. Seven major min disasters are registered for ¥ couver Island since 1887. A ma } disaster in a mine field is one ft gets on the front pages of the ne papers, one that holds up the «¢ rations and stops production. Mi disasters, which are much 7 common, are accidents where @ ers are snuffed out without iil fering with the production of To the 265 miners killed in th seven murder festivals of pr should probably be added at k as many more who never had | snivelling, hypocritically se mental] stories told of “disaster the capitalist press. Nobody ¢& heard of their passing but t wives and children and the a! victims of coal-company greed? worked beside them. Always the first statement in press regarding such calamitie} } Coalhurst is, “What caused the plosion may never be known.” cause is already known to miners — mine-owners’ greed profit, Explosions are due tc. of proper ventilation becaus means the outlay of money © the avarice that sends mi down into pits that should be se up. An excuse is always found an explosion. After the last on Cumberland, in 1923, when 232 3 ers were slaughtered, the Ww washing government investiga committee said it was caused | Chinaman smoking—‘they i the remains of the match.” How many Col. Villiers or Hunts have ben killed in mine asters? Damn few, and the was really an accident. Because of the nature of 1 calling, the social character of life and the undisguised rob shown in the difference in price the miner gets for diggi ton of coal and what is paid f by the consumer, miners hav ways taken a leading plac working class struggles. striking mine-slaves at Larium Bohemian silver miners in Communist armies of the Tabo! the Bavarian miners in the Pez war in Germany; Scots, En and Welsh miners among Chartists; the struggles of Western Federation of Mine home here and not so long the gold miners of Hull, Lewis Long, sinigng “The Red Flag the scaffold at Johannesburg a instances to prove this. West Fife is maintaining the dition. The Fife miners weré first workers in Britain to sé Labor man to Parliament, MacDonald. Judged by our dards he didn’t amount to 3 but at that time it was a Té tionary move. Today the sons grandsons of the men who ~ for MacDonald send Willie lacher, the Communist, to Pi ment to carry on the age struggle of the workers.