THE PEOPLE’S ADVOCATE

February 24, 1939.

THE PEOPLE’S ADVOCATE

Published Weekly by the Proletarian Publishing Association, Room 10, 163 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, B.G. Phone Trinity 2019.

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Vancouver, B.C. - Friday, February 24, 1939

A Starvation Budget

(Ce aes JONES has brought down a “preliminary” budget to the mayor and City Council. This budget esti- mates revenue at $13,943,570 and expendi- tures at $14,576,390, an unfavorable “balance” of $632,820, to remedy which he makes the reactionary proposal to cut down on appro- priations for social services and impose further charges on that large section of the people of Vancouver who are least able to

pay-

He proposes, among other measures, to in- erease the tax rate generally, increase water rates, make a charge for sewer services, in- augurate a charge for scavenging services, and effect further economies in every branch of the civic service. But he is careful to de- mand that the sinking fund be taken care of and in other ways make sure that the bond- holders get their pound of flesh from the harassed taxpayers.

These proposals, it will be readily seen, will work additional hardships on the already overburdened small home owners. On top of all this there is nothing in the estimates for financing relief works projects, nothing for even a partial restoration of the civic pay scales which are still 7134 percent below normal, nothing for increasing relief rent al- lowances, nothing for taking up the city’s option on a False Creek park site which is so much needed by the people in that area of the city. But there is something substantial to blow on entertainment during the royal visit, and an increase for maintaining the police.

The unfair taxation of the small property owner as compared to the taxation of the rich already has resulted in thousands of small home owners losing their homes through the city’s tax sales. This has brought about a situation which, besides rendering the small house owner homeless, has left the city with some 9000 pieces of property on its hands valued at about $5,000,000, unredeemed from the 1936 tax sale, thereby losing to the city nearly $200,000 in tax money.

Any further increase in taxes whether on the mill rate or for services will not only work a further hardship on those small home own- ers who are striving to hold on to their mod- est homes, but will also result in the city having more non-revenue producing property on its hands.

There are many ways to balance the bud- get, and without any reduction in services or increased taxation or charges for services against persons of small means. The interest payments to the bondholders can be cut drastically. Large property holdings of the rich and of corporations which now are ex- empt from taxation can be taxed and taxed heavily; taxes can be graduated accordins to ability te pay, so that the chief burden can be placed where it properly belongs — on the rich.

It might be that the “preliminary” budget may be a trial balloon, sent up to find out how much more the long-suffering people of Vancouver will stand for. If so, or if it is not so, the cheese-parers and starvers of the poor in the City Hall should be made to know that the poor people and people of moderate means will stand for no such reactionary measures as those proposed by Comptroller Jones who is the agent and mouthpiece for the big in- terests and large property holders, resident and absentee.

Meanwhile, what has Mayor Dr. Telford to say about the business? The people of Vancouver who placed confidence in him and made it possible for him to be mayor of the city are becoming weary of his incessant gen- eralities, of his warmed-over radio speeches. They want action. While it is true that the fools of big business have a majority on the city council, that cireumstance by no means absolves the mayor from making a fight on behalf of relief recipients and the impover- ished small taxpayers and exposing the scoundrels in the City Hall who have the ef- frontery to make such reactionary proposals as those so cynically set forth by Comptroller Jones.

Ratepayers’ associations and all progres- sive bodies in the city should pick up the gauntlet thrown down by Jones; or if it is merely a trial balloon they should at once puncture it with mass protests.

Barcelona set the stage, recognition of Franco raised the curtain—and the treacher- ous old man with the umbrella is about to go into his Munich act again.

22 Years Of Struggle

By MALCOLM BRUCE

February 22 of this year marked the seventeenth anniver- sary of the founding of the Communist Party of Canada at a constituent convention held in the Labor Temple, Church Street, Toronto. At that convention the semi-legal Communist groups which existed in Canada as affiliated bodies with the Communist parties of the US organized openly as a distinctive Canadian party, united with the other Communist parties of the world in the Communist International which was founded

in 1919.

The need for really Marxist revolutionary parties in Canada and throughout the world can be seen by examination of the role ef the Social-Democratic parties when put to the supreme test at the outbreak of the imperialist world war in i914. These par- ties which had been corrupted by revisionism of Marxism and viti- ated by opportunism betrayed the internatonal working class at that time and went over to their respective capitalist governments.

Only the Bolshevik (Conimun- ist) party of Russia, led by Lenin, and revolutionary minorities in other countries, remained true to the class they represented and refused to sanction or support the imperialist war, but instead issued a clarion call for the trans— formation of the war into a strug- gle for the overthrow of capital ism in all countries.

The success of the line followed by the Communist Party of Rus- sia, the existence of the Soviet Union today with its crowning victory of sociplism and its lead- ership of the world forces for democracy and peace, is living procf of the correctness of the Marxist-Leninist policy and tac- tics, while the existence of fas- ecism in Germany, Italy, ete., and the terrible conditions in the en- tire capitalist world shows the utter failure of the reformist line of social-democracy which re- fused to take advantage of re- volutionary situations to follow the lead given by the Bolsheviks, but chose rather the line of co- operaton with the capitalist elass.

@ HE overthrow of capitalism and the establishment of a Soviet government in Russia made a tremendous impact on the peoples of the world. In the post war years this impact, with its imparting of hope and confidence in the workers, was reflected in the waves of mass struggles which swept over the world in 1919 and 1920. Im i919 there was, on this continent, the great Boston police strike, the fSeneral strikes in Seattle and Winnipeg, as well as numerous smaller but militant struggles. in Ganada it became apparent to the most advanced workers that proper leadership was lack-— ing, that situations advantageous to the oppressed people were not taken advantage of. The disease of secessionism in the trade union movement was as prevalent as it was malignant. Disgusted witn the betrayals of reactionary trade union officials, workers were withdrawn from the established unions and organised into “pure,” “ideal” unions instead of remain- ing within those organisations where the great mass of the or- ganised workers were, and work- ing for the replacing of those officials by militant, fearless, in- corruptible leaders.

On the political field the lead- ing working-class political parties were the Socialist Party of Can- ada (Western Canada) and the Social-Democratic Party and the Socialist Party of North Amer- ica (Eastern Canada). All three sarties were reformist, havine= been infected with the reformism ef the Social-Democratie parties of Europe and the Second Inter- national.

The SP of © was extremely sec- tarian and doctrinaire; it boasted of its aloofness from the day-tc- day struggles of the workers. It confused the struggle for reforms with reformism. The class strug-

gle found expression only at the ballot box The struggle for bet- ter conditions and higher wages was contemptuously regarded as “commodity struggles.” This sec- tarianism, doctrinairianism and revolutionary phrasemongering served as a cloak for the crass- €st opportunism. e INTO this welter of theoretical chaos and false Marxism, the first translations into Emeglish of the works of Lenin, the world’s greatest Marxist and the one leader who had been able to lead the masses to the overthrow of capitalism, came as a refreshing and cleansing breeze. His “Left

Wing Communism, an Infantile Disorder,” “State and Revolu- tion,” “Proletarian Revolution

and Kautsky the Renegade,’ his “etter to the American Work- ers,” and other works were tre- mendous factors in clearing away the fog of confusion which en- veloped the working class move- ment in Canada at that time.

im such a situation the organ- isation of the most advanced workers of Canada into a politi- cal party OF A NEW TYPE was an imperative necessity. A Dew type of party meant a Marxisi- Leninist party—something that had never existed in Canada be- fore; a mass party which would be a party of action, and the leader of the masses in their Gaily struggles against monopoly capital, for a better living—all as a part of the creation of the conditions _. necessary for the eventual establishment of social- ism; a party which would not dis- dain the immediate needs and strugeles of the people, but, re- ecognising the value of these struggles in organising, mobilis- ing and training the workers for the greater struggle for social- ism to come, combined the great— est firmness of principle with the greatest flexibility of tactics; a party free of opportunism and capable of uniting the basic masses of the working class and attracting to its side as allies op- pressed nations and enslaved colonial people, allies from amonz the farmers, the midde class and the professions; a party capable of using the possibilities of every situation for the organisation, mobilisation and advancement of the masses and of leading them to the storming of capitalism, fighting as it learns, and learn- ing as it fights.

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fe establishment of such a

party was not a “Russian” affair, and neither does it mean that the Communist Party of Canada is “national’’ in the nar- row sense of the term. The CPC arose out of the needs of the Ganadian people and grapples with the problems facing the people as a whole. It also recog- nises that the struggles of peoples in other countries against fas- ecism and for peace is the con- cern of the people of Canada who must not and cannot pursue a suicidal policy of isolationism toward them. The CPC is inter national in the true, the Marxist, sense.

The Communist parties of the world have proven their worth in countless struggles on greater as well as lesser issues. We have only to point to the work and leadership of the Communist par- ties of Spain and China, and while the CPC has not had to face such’ issues as ciyil war and armed in-

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vasion, it nevertheless has proven its usefulness, its indispensibility, on Many occasions in its seven- teen years of existence.

Tt has been the leader in bring- ing about unity of the trade union movement. Though often

sneered at, its motives impugned, its Sincerity questioned, and often rebuffed, it continues the strug— gle for a democratic front to re— sist the onrush of reaction which is leading fascism in Canada, while vigilantly combating any attempt of those who, with “re— volutionary” phrases on their lips about preserving their ‘“socialist’”’ purity, reject proposals for a de- mocratic front while seeking to establish a coalition with the re- actionary section of the capitalist elass.

The Communist Party of Gan- ada is the leader in our_country of support for loyalist Spain and for the Chinese people; it is the leader in the struggle for econo- mic security, for jobs for our people and for peace. It is the leading defender of the democra-= tic rights, privileges and institu- tions which our forefathers fought so hard to gain. It is the preserver and custodian of the best of all] that is worth while, of the traditions of Canada. It is the implacable foe of reaction and the stoutest champion of the interests of the masses of which it/is &% part.

@ HIiLE the CPC does not claim to have reached the Marx- ist-Leninist ideal which is the ob- jective of its leaders membership generally, nevertheless it can be Said truthfully that in the seven- teen years of its existence—from the first years of its comparative immaturity, through the years when it was proscribed (1931- 1935) and driven into illegality— it never faltered and is becoming steeled by experience. By its realistic policies, flexibility of tac- tics and devotion to the interests of the people, it has already won a growing recognition as a con- structive force in the life of the

Canadian people.

And just as the enemies of the people are compelled by reality erudgingly to accord that place to it, and are laying new plans to destroy it, so all progressive per- sons, all who would strive to work most effectively for a bet-

ter living for the Canadian people, all who would struggle against reaction and fascism

without and within, all who are desirous of achieving world peace, should become members of the Communist Party of Canada, the Party of the Canadian people. For the people of Canada need the GPC, and the Party, to be even more efective, needs more class fighters in its ranks.

The Pack Closes In

ONCLUSIVE proof that Ger- many is preparing bases in Spain for an attack on France, and to wrest French colonies from the Paris government, was published in the newspaper of the Basque government, Euzko Deya (Voice of the Basques) issued in Paris. ae The newspaper declares that “fully equipped airdromes,” of which some are not in use at the present, have been constructed and are under German control in the following towns:

Biota and Berdun province);

Castejon, Bunuel, Ribadjorado, Woain, Fustinana, Tudela, Corella Abilitoa, Caparroso (Navarre);

Lasarte and Saint-Sebastian (Guipuzcoa)-

Vitoria (Alava);

Ochandiano, Sondica, Lamiaco, Somorostro (Biscay).

This newspaper continues: “A perfected system of underground hangars has been introduced in the Vitoria airdrome.

“It is to be noted that all these airdromes are situated within a short distance of central] Prance.

“The German technicians have equally realized a considerable strengthening of defensive and of

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fensive artillery in three centres: Fontarrabia, Irun and Saint- Sebastian.

“At Fontarrabia, apart from the reorganization and strength- ening of the Guadelupe batteries, 155 mm. batteries have been in- stalled at Mont Jaizquibel, A bat- tery has been installed between Guadeliupe and the first fortress of Mont Jaizquibel. A second is at Mirandarona, a third at Polonia Navarra and a fourth at Txaka- rienea.

“At Irun, a battery has recently been placed on Mont Erlaiz near Peneasd e Aya. At Saint-Sebas tion the defenses of Mont Ulia have been strengthened by three batteries.

“The air defense batteries have equally been reinforced, principal-— ly at Guadelupe, San Marcial, Pampelune, Ulia and Oyarzun.

“All these defensive and of- fensive preparations have been earried out since the war ended on Basque territory and they have been carried out under the direct control of German technicians. It is also confirmed that the port of Pasajes, which is only 442 sea miles from Portsmouth and 352 sea miles from Brest, is heing transformed into a naval base by

German technicians. Dredging has also been undertaken at Lozo.”’

@

ie FURTHER confirmation

were neded it is to be found in the columns of the Italian, German and French press in the last few days.

Franco’s Saint-Sebastian paper comments: “France will be the victim of a new Munich in the

sprins.” The Norte de Castilla, of Valla- dolid, writes: “This question

(Tunis) must be settled in a def inite and final way, taking into account imperial positions and the ever-growing importance of Italy.””

Fe, of Seville, has the following prophecy: “Mussolini will ‘settle’ things in France.” d

The Voz de Espana says: “Dji- bouti is only an instrument of French bad will, an obstacle to Italian imperial aims. The preci- pitate decision of France to send naval and military reinforcements to Djibouti is unjustifiable.”

Finally, the German paper Pommersche Zeitung gives a de—- tailed account of Germans fight ing in Spain, saying they are do- ing it as part of the struggle against “Bolshevism.”

SHORT JABS

A Weekly

Commentary

By Ol’ Bill

Everyone who has travelled by side-door pullman knows what a sealed boxcar is, but a sealed pas- senger car is something different. When Lenin and

his comrades, exiled in Sealed Switzerland, were permitted = to pass through Germany in Trains “ 14917, all the ae one aents were made through the Social Democratic Party of Switzerland. Qne condition was imposed on them. They must not attempt to communicate with or speak to any one but military officials on their journey through Germany. The Eaiser’s govern- ment agreed-to that journey hoping that the exiles: would cause disruption and disorganization in the new Russia which would be to their own advantage So was sent off on its journey, the first passenger train with political seals on it.

When the Mac-Paps returning to Canada from Spain travelled through France they did so under Similar conditions to these in which Tienin and his comrades travelled through Germany, And when they landed at Newhaven on the Sussex coast, they again travelled in a sealed train, Fhese boys who had been fighting to stem the onward march of fascism were herded into a train guarded by police. They were shunted around the outskirts of such towns as might have given them a welcome, not allowed to contact anyone; segrepated as though they were bringing the plague. The train only stopped long enough to change engines as they were speeded across the land where democracy is Ssup- posed to have had its birth. Although they had been kept loafing in Spain by Chamberlain’s “evacuation” committee for four months after de- mobilization, they were spirited across England be- tween one dawn and the next.

They left Spain according to the international agreement made by the Spanish government with the “non-intervention’” committee. Although they volunteered to return to defend Barcelona the Spanish government declined their offer. It had made committments which it refused to break. It was a question of honor. :

a While the Mac-Paps were Fascist leaving Spain, Italian con- Henor seripts were entering Barce-

lona. The Italian government had also entered into an international agreement to withdraw its troops from Spain. But since Mus- solini and his murder-gsane have no sense of Honor, the troops are still there. As the foreign friends of the democratic government of Spain, the Interna-— tional Brigade, were leaving Spain, a trainload of them was bombed by the foreign friends of the Butcher Franco (and of Chamberlain), and eight hundred of them murdered.

~Many of these murdered heroes were from fas- cist countries, Italy, Germany, Hungary, Yugo- slavia, who were to find a haven of refuge in Mexico. They were to have sailed on a Spanish ship from a French port but were held up by the gang of fascist scoundrels whose policies are at the moment selling France to her enemies, when the Daladier government turned the ship over to the agents of Franco.

The murder of these eight hundred members of the International Brigade is as much the work of the “non-interyvention” which kept them in Spain for four months after their work was done and of the Daladier-Bonnet clique which prevented them sailing as it was of the German and Italian flyers who dropped the bombs on the train.

The Spanish people, like the Paris Communards, are too much influenced by feelings of common decency; they try to be human. Their enemies in both cases displayed only the ethics of the jungle

Wews from Perpignan about A True Spain is almost entirely les

but when it is about Franco Press Story it has the hallmark of truth on it. From there comes an AP story that a French ecourt has solved the problem of how France is going to care for Spanish refugees. This court has confiscated millions of dollars worth of Spanish jewels and fined the Spanish officers who brought them into France, 18 million francs.

This is how the traitorous government of demo- cratic France deals with the democratic govern- ment of Spain. With the Nazi fascist government ef Germany it deals differently. Im conjunction with the other fascist gang that is selling the British Empire, France recently advanced to Czecho- slovakia, 80 million frances, allegedly to alleviate the lot of refugees from the German Nazis. (it has already been reported that Hitler intends to use it to build military roads towards the Soviet Union).

The money that has to be found to shelter and feed the victims of Hitler has to come from the democratic countries. Lhe Jewish people throughout the world have to find the price to care for their own Jewish people among the victims who have been despoiled by the Nazis.

Althougfh the democratic people have to foot the bill for the damages caused by the Nazi pogroms, neither French nor English courts have proposed to confiscate German property as they have already done with Spanish property. The value of German ships in the ports of the world would not begin to pay the score but it would help some. And if con- fiscation is a good way to settle for Spanish refugees, why not for German refugees?

An Englishman who revisited Good Germany a couple of months Description

ago after an absence of a

year, wrote the following pungent deseription to a friend: “Find conditions here much changed. Cost of living seems to have soared during the past year. People only seem really friendly when drunk. An unnatural reserve Seems to have descended on them.’ (Gondon Tribune, December 30, 1938).

In the dig-ups of the past in An Untrue the Wancouver Province is evidence sufficient to prove Press Story the statement we consistently make that the capitalist press is firstly an instru- ment for doping the workers.

On February 14, “TIwenty Years After,” for in- stance, Dr. E. J. Dillon, one-time specialist on Rus- sia for the London Times and the Vancouver Prov- ince, is quoted as writing: “The Bolshevists, authors of free love, butchers of thousands of innocents and socializers of all women are frenzied fanatics be— yond the pale anid cannot come into the company of decent people.’

Dillon started that lie about the socialization of women in Soviet Russia but he was compelled him- self to deny it three months later in the same year- Tt had a good start, however, and is still doing valiant service for ignorant and illiterate pen- pushers who need the money. Dillon is dead but the Soviet Union has gone from victory to victory in every field of human endeavor that makes for human progress.

And the Province re-publishes the story without shame, without any explanation of its falsity and without a word of regret for the harm done to the Soviet people.

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