WHAT WE SAID (2)

The Socialist Party affirms its allegiance to the principle of working-class solidarity the world over, and proclaims its unalterable opposition to war. Modern wars have been caused by the commercial and financial rivalry and intrigues of the capitalist interests in the different countries. Whether they have been frankly waged as wars of aggression or have been hypocritically represented as wars of “defense,” they have always been made by the ruling classes and fought by the masses. Wars bring wealth and power to the bosses, and suffering and death to the workers. War breeds unreason and national race hatred. War obscures the struggles and bonds of solidarity between workers in other countries, destroy their organisations and  curtails their political rights and liberties.

The Socialist Party is unalterably opposed to the system of exploitation and class rule which is upheld and strengthened by military power. We therefore call upon the workers of all countries to refuse support to their governments in their wars. The wars of the contending national groups of capitalists are not the concern of the workers. The only struggle which would justify the workers in taking up arms is the great class war  of the workers of the world to free themselves from economic exploitation and political oppression.  In support of capitalism we will not willingly give a single life.

The mad carnage of death and destruction which convulsed Europe was caused by the conflict of capitalist interests. The ghastly war in Europe was not caused by an accidental event, nor by the policy or institutions of any single nation. It was the logical outcome of the competitive capitalist system. The millions ruthlessly slain in the war, the millions of others who have been crippled and maimed, the untold misery and sufferings, have not been sacrifices for worthy ideals, but wanton offerings upon the altar of profit.

The Greater War: Our Appeal For Recruits

To the members of the working class:

“...For the moment the anti-Socialists have triumphed, and Europe is plunged in anarchy and bloodshed, while over the seas pillage and death have spread their wings. The much vaunted "intellectual development of society," the great "progress of capitalist civilisation," the "directive ability" and the "administrative powers" that the master class are supposed to monopolise, have resulted in a vile and vicious struggle between them as to which can murder most of OUR class—the WORKING CLASS.

This is your reward for trusting your enemy; for when either or both sides become exhausted in this conflict, the master class will patch up their little difference, but will continue the Greater war—the subjection and robbery of the working class.
"Peace, perfect Peace," sing the churches; but "pieces, golden pieces," chirp the masters, and in their fight for markets in which to realise the wealth stolen from the workers...

...But meantime the workers have suddenly become important, and particularly the strong, young men. To them appeals are being made; threats even, and hints of probable unemployment are given; while the "superior persons" vie with each other in flattering the possible recruit to their murdering machine. "Your country is in danger, fight for it and maintain your liberties!" Such is now the cry of the masters to the young men of the working-class. Strange, is it not, that the masters should now be so concerned with our country and our liberties? The perjured, lying hypocrites! It is their own country and their own interests that are threatened. The working class have no country (they must go where they can get a job), nor have they any liberties it would hurt them much to lose...

...Under the Union Jack or other national flag the workers are the slaves of those, who own and control the means of life. Here, in times of peace, THE GREATER WAR still rages: the relentless, bitter struggle against poverty and starvation. Here we have sweating, low wages and brutalising toil, child-labour and cheap female-labour, unemployment, shoddy clothing, slum dwellings, and adulterated food. Here we have strikes and lock-outs, and the military machine used in the interests of the masters when the workers, fighting for a living, are batoned, shot, and starved into subjection. Poverty and prostitution ever increasing—degradation ever deepening : such are the liberties, such is the system you are asked to risk your lives in defence of. But a far better thing to do is what we ask of you—that is to stay at home and think.

Realise that the only party of the workers in this country is the Socialist Party of Great Britain—all other parties have misled and betrayed you—all other parties are at present betraying you. Get to understand the economic enslavement of your class. Enlist in the army of the Social Revolution. Your OWN class needs you, let the master class see to itself.
Rouse ye!

THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
OCTOBER1914