Workers Press no. 159

workers press The daily organ of the Central Committee of the Socialist Labour League PRICE 6d.

SATURDAY, MAY 9, 1970

PUBLISHED FROM TUESDAY TO SATURDAY •

NUMBER 159

INCORPORATING THE NEWSLETTER

Labour's Cammell Laird Cambodia and Vietnam Important rescue operation Corporate Trade union announcement ¡to revolutionary! state action is socialists threat I THE SUMMER months are already showing signs

BY DAVID MAUDE

I of being politically more important for the working | 'IS IT a bird? Is it a plane? No

IT S

class than even the memorable May-June days in Superman', burbled one of the more absurd tele- | France 1968. vision sagas to come out of the United States of essential America some years ago. st une new alterna- , nationalization?' tive More ports I revolutionary caron, actor enoug essential Ingredients tor / asked The Times' Busi- ness News in an equally speed-up ludicrous comparison yes terday. report says work overre Press remo lay a leading role in this be General Harold Lever What THERE IS A grave danger that

ASE

we the gigantic movement building skill think up against the Vietnam war will Pan from the industrate Poned sunday. report be diverted into new liberal pro- Workers test channels dug by the pacifists, shipbuilding rested so like Pacif and one show their centrists and revisionists.

complete more mar The purpose of all paci- fist

STAVE OFF

protest and pseudo- U.S. voting revolutionary phrase.- mongering on Vietnam—

SOLDIERS

and there will be plenty strengti Please fill in the subscription form if page tour.

weekend-is 16 separate ine problem

REFUSE

- - deepening economic Italy: Union the Cocast abou THE bon th results crisis, which is radicalizing League and

TO FIGHT

millions of workers, from to Labour by work- Young Socialists ing-class the problems of war and leaders prepare peace which have far

LENIN

MOKHI

than Datington and been monopolized by the 40,000 Us troops now

CENTENARY

middle class. Cambo- fighting inside The Newcastle. EADERS of Italy's thr retreat i Sheffield, dia, sections of the army will be ain national trade unic

MEETING

The fear of which ousessive rank and file are openly bodies have cancelled the by only one seat in 1967. une macle-class protesters in revolt against Nixon's

BY DAVID BARNES

Birmingham planned regional strikes Britain and the USA seat ric. victory war for reforms pending Is unal me workine Class Sunday, May 17 The house in Sewell Road 're-taken' by the GLC with police meeting with Prime Mini- will begin to see the con- aid was boarded up yesterday.

7.30 p.m.

THIN COVER

ster Rumor next Wednes- inflation between necuon day to discuss their de-

DIGBETH CIVIC

and elaborate buys, Brutal eviction unempioyment bation to be lyce! saison's snot capitu- mands.

HALL

home and militarism and myt quelle abroad-and colonlalsil *Besid in ge popiat Tories in the for line act on it. by Tories commons on important Wilsoh sphipopularity of class ter kne

• PAGE FOUR COL. 4. →

Admission 2s movement it communis ramy Leadershi

INDEFINITE

middle class

BY JOHN SPENCER

Lie sense or their ропы. ANGRY neighbours protested bitterly yesterday at the Lenin Centenary brutal police action which evicted Mr and Mrs Norman from rotests Whitmee and their five children from their home in cautious Sewell Road, Abbey Wood, SE London.

Two lectures to mark the Lynch and Devlin hundredth anniversary oppose working- other aid very rapidly no of Lenin's campaign i gearer line-up or lace birth class action

FRAUD

Vietnamization to placate 'Good will' Tection Which 4 a General the Having the eviction attempt a to complet hat lecisive Monday, May 11, 7.30 p.m.

"Ministe 'Theory-practice and the revolutionary party' Branch was Monday, May 18, 7:30 p.m.

according to pres But the ams buying on ' Lenin and the coming continent. English Revolution' and waymen ter atten Transport tide kele Both lectures will be given by services during the stop G. HEALY, national secretary of the ton page. Socialist Labour League Strikes hande the seren

BEAVER HALL

Garlick Hill, London, E.C.4 (Near Mansion House tube station) strike cut or about he had ho intention of esta We sides feet o improvement Admission two shillings Toil for Socialipt police course payven the higher civil ser city centre.

• PAGE FOUR COL. 6 →

workers press The daily organ of the Central Committee of the Socialist Labour League INCORPORATING THE NEWSLETTER • PUBLISHED FROM TUESDAY TO SATURDAY • NUMBER 159 • SATURDAY, MAY 9, 1970 PRICE 6d. Cambodia and Vietnam Labour's Cammell Laird Important rescue operation Corporate Trade union announcement state ito revolutionary; action is socialists threat THE SUMMER months are already showing signs

BY DAVID MAUDE

I of being politically more important for the working 'IS IT a bird? Is it a plane? No ..

it's class than even the memorable May-June days in Superman', burbled one of the more absurd tele vision sagas to come out of the United States of | France 1968.

essential America some years ago. he great weakness offrate to stalinist sial Is it the It is sull the male weaknes nev nanonanation l I rev lary elion, But or sentat ingrediente 1o | More ports asked "The Times' Busi- 5222223 equally ness News in an speed-up ludicrous comparison yes- terday.

BY MICHAEL BANDA

report says Superman won or Pete trenden to play a leading role in thi Paymaster What General THERE IS A grave danger that consist of entirel Brew we the gigantie movement building ait Britare think alter up against the Vietnam war will Notebook, be diverted into new liberal pro- New features will include a Workers 1, together with a featu on the fuel main to provide nore test channels dug by the pacifists, cent repor centrists and revisionists.

show their The purpose of all paci- round protest and pseudo- prepare reader do the the mor

STAVE OFF

1ISt U.S. voyage ships uneconomic. voting revolutionary phrase- Workers Press is a must for every serlous revolu mongering on Vietnam— say have toe opportunity to study this vial new series

SOLDIERS

and there will be plenty strength Pléase Ill in the subscription fornt dis page tour.

wee ens to would be preferable. separate the problem or

REFUSE

--—— the deepening economic Socialist Labour Italy: Union THE borough election results crisis, which is radicalizing League and

TO FIGHT

millions of workers, from Young Socialists leaders prepare the problems of war and • The Faies boat peace which have so far

WITH

MORE

than

LENIN

40,000 US troops now been monopolized by on and Newcas

CENTENARY

middle class. fighting inside Cambo- LEADERS of Italy's three retreat dia, sections of the army main national trade union

MEETING

fear of _the obsessive rank and file are openly bodies have cancelled the the middle-class protesters in revolt against Nixon's

BY DAVID BARNES

planned strikes Birmingham recional ontain and the

UDA

pending is that the working class Wal i rerorIs 16 member eman Sunday, May 17 meeting with Prime Mini- The house in Sewell Road 're-taken' by the GLC with police w vermo see mie con would b 7.30 p.m. aid was boarded up yesterday.

THIN COVER

ster Rumor next Wednes inflation and for pay Thad abstar necuon between day to discuss their

DIGBETH CIVIC

de Brutal eviction ana unemployment mands. ation to policies home and militarism and

HALL

capitu- the concern colonialisin abroad and social TV news team by Tories act on it. ine ved bront Time? rom popularity of wilson s policio When the enter the accords

• PAGE FOUR COL. 4 →

Admission 2s • or the movem which movement it

INDEFINITE

reflects the wed test nored last alle banner odohe middle class

BY JOHN SPENCER

the Guard wak ANGRY neighbours protested bitterly yesterday at the as use the on and the woole Lenin Centenary brutal police action which evicted Mr and Mrs Norman A joint statement issued ol mailmen's Whitmee and their five children from their home in Hang pressine penne of ing then Sewell Road, Abbey Wood, SE London.

Two lectures man when The Tond solae succestly in • the invasion to mast that to mark the or intentes, ny break vl th of th Lynch and Devlin Plater hat fo marine hundredth trikes The aak already anniversary oups like Scotti legislatures in America. oppose working- for the resona decions on three ationali of Lenin's fore stater lineup of dis cert birth class action

FRAUD

'Good will' ing that they will de othe

TEE

the ed sun a tempt. - re pick tianar xon Agnehrowing men 4 Social Demot Injured 1 and Catholic Sinister

LETE

latest thrust into NE ixon desirate the do not mean to Monday, May 11, 7.30 p.m.

on support the arice nd the band "Theory practice and memo support i Confidence workers' ded trans, the revolutionary party' return Amy based cambodeli crisis are clear

" PAGE FOUR COL. 1 F

Monday, May 18, 7.30 p.m.

invasion force. But the main questio workin 'Lenin and the coming -hich it is how thrust Sheffield students call English Revolution' A 1-day strike

SHEFFIELD

Both lectures will be given by tor ionist lopportunities Con scies dup the stop students' G. HEALY, national secretary of the evel the election or not vhethes the rade unt. to for toch Socialist Labour League Those May or, in solidaritightin on the disret an e Strikes sode the secre the vietn Shocked

BEAVER HALL

leco teachers poison aller Mr hitmee was not ava Garlick Hill, London, E.C.4 during 208₴ weegricultural (Near Mansion House tube station) comed Lyi work May 20 about had Admission two shillings to Callaghen, part has paymen the higher civil ser-

• PAGE FOUR COL. 6

nd revolutionary leadership.

Kremlin launches anti- Trotskyist campaign

PAGE TWO

THE TEXT of Leonid Brezhnev's speech of April 21 to the Central Committee of the Soviet Commun- ist Party contains an ominous warning that must be heeded and countered by Trotskyists through- out the world. Below Robert Black analyses the speech. THE KEY passage of venting communists from making full use of the pos- Brezhnev's speech, osten- sibilities of the revolutionary sibly on the theme of the struggle. Lenin centenary, reads: Adventurism .. we have to say today that certain weaknesses and difficulties have manifested "This refers to the policy of the "left" opportunists, includ- themselves in the communist ing Trotskyists, seek to who movement over the past few sub- replace the scientifically stantiated Marxist line of the years, disrupting its unity in revolutionary movement by a number of links and pre- One of the adventurism

ITV

BBC 1

9.35 Square 10.00 11.05 a.m. RAC road report.

a.m. two. Repondez s'il 10.30- vous plait. 11.10 Talies North tales: In 12.40 11.00 Wie bitte? p.m. American Indians. 11.35 Casting Weather. 12:45 Grandstand fea- around. 12 noon Better driving.

turing the Rugby League cup 12.25 Thunderbirds. 1.10 1.00 final: Castleford v. Wigan. News. 1.20 World of sport. 1.25 Amateur boxing. 1.20, 1.50, 2.25 They're off! 1.30, 2.00, 2.30, 3.00 Kempton Park racing. 1.35, 2.05, Chepstow racing. 1.45, 2.15, 2.45 3.45 Athletics: Oxford v. Cam- 3.10 Inter- Newcastle 2.40 Rugby League bridge. Cup racing. special: Speed- 5.15 national sports final. 5.05 Results service. 5.40 way. 3.50 Wrestling from the Who. New Dr adventure. 5.00 Royal Hall, Harrogate. Debbie Reynolds show. Results service. 5.15 Voyage to News and weather. 6.05 the bottom of the sea. 6.15 Dad's Army. 'Room at the Bottom'. 6.10 News. 6.45 High adventure. 6.15 H.R. Pufnstuf. 'Yellow Sky' with Gregory 'The Horse With The Peck and Richard Wid- Golden Throat'. mark. Outlaws on the run 6.45 Dear Mother Love encounter rich prospector.

Albert. 8.20 Black and white minstrel 'Hearts and Flowers'. show. 9.05 A man called Ironside. 7.15 Des O'Connor show. 'A World of Jackals'. 8.15 'Sea Fury'. 9.55 News and weather. With Stanley Baker, Vic- 10.00 Football champions of the tor McLaglen and Luciana world. Palazzi. France and England V. Portugal v. North Korea. 10.00 News. Flash back to 1966 World 10.10 Saturday night theatre.

Cup. "The Family is a Vicious 11.00 Whatever next? Circle'. New -familiar and 11.10 Department S. unfamiliar 'doing faces 'The Man from X'. their thing" 12.05 a.m. Ideas in print.

11.30 Weather.

BBC 2

'Is That Your Body, Boy?'

3.00-4.20 p.m. Cinema. Ron PT Jumping For Joy' with Moody as strict Frankie Howerd and teacher. Stanley Holloway. Frankie 10.30 Review. trains a greyhound. Anthony Rossiter, Rebuffed Lover and Lotte 7.30 News, sport and weather. Reiniger. 7.45 Westminster. 11.20 News. 8.05 Gardeners' world. 11.25 Disco 2. 8.20 Yesterday's witness. 11.50 Midnight movie. "The Battle of Cable 'Violent Saturdav' with Street'. October 1936. Victor Mature, Richard Mosley thwarted. Egan, Marvin and 9.05 Young generation. Lee Guests include Paul Jones.

Stephen McNally. Three 9.45 Now and then. gunmens lives change bank robbery 'Insidious Playthings'. during 9.55 Thirty-minute theatre.

operation.

REGIONAL

BBC 1

9.00 Nai zindagi- All regions as BBC I excent: a.m. naya jeevan. 9.30 Repondez s'il vous Midlands Fast Anglia, N storth.47 Wie bitte? plait. 10.00-10.30 analand. Weather 11.00-11.30 Seeing and believing.

4.25-4.50 The Wales: 3.95.3.45

DOC

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ITV

A survivor of the Titanic disaster talks about her memories of that voyage. 3.00 Monaco Grand Prix.

11.00 a.m. Church service. 12.10 3.25 Film: "Sunday Dinner For A Casting Sunday session: p.m. Grand Soldier'. 4.50 Monaco driving. around. 12.40 Better Prix. 5.10 Going for a song. 5.35 1.05-1.30 Judo. 1.50 All our yes- Hobbyhorse. 5.55 Shari Lewis 2.45 terdays. 2.15 Sports arena. show. Highlights of the five major cup 6.05 News and weather. finals of the year. 3.15 Do your own London. 3.45 Survival.

4.15 6.15 Fact or fantasy? 4.45 Golden Faith-healing and miracu- Man in the news. lous cures. shot. 5.30 Catweazle. 6.00 Barney Bear. 6.50 Songs of praise. 6.05 News. 7.25 Paul Temple. 6.15 What's in a game? 'Antique Death', part one.

6.35 Beyond belief. 8.15 Sunday film. Stars on Sunday. 7.00 'Away All Boats' with "Tiara Tahiti". 7.25 Jeff Chandler. Including James Mason and With battle spectacular scenes John Mills. of Kamikazi fighters. 9.10 Hawaii Five-O. News and weather. 10.05 10.10 News. 10.15 10.25 Engelbert Humperdinck Omnibus. Hollywood 'The Image': show. 11.25 Simon Dee show. From the talkies Part 2. 12.15 a.m. What's in a game? to the Second World War. 11.15 Monaco Grand Prix. Late night discussion on 11.45 Weather. 6.15 programme.

BBC 2

production halted by last 1.50-6.30 p.m. Cricket. year's destruction of the Player's County League-, Snape Maltings. Somerset v. Essex. 7.00 News review and weather.

10.15 The spoils of Poynton.

'Trial of Strength'. 7.25 Music on 2. 'Idomeneo' by Mozart, an 11.05 News summary and cricket opera in three acts. Benja- scoreboard. Britten conducts the 11.15 Line-up: film night.

min

WORKERS PRES

features of the present stage 'In the present epoch, when the international class struggle of the revolutionary struggle is that in many cases both a dan grown extrem a acute, the right and "left" opportunism danger of right intertwine with nationalistic deviations and of nationalism trends. in the communist movement.

REGIONAL ITV

CHANNEL:

1.15 5.15 9.00 pes 6.Connor Connor S. 10. 0 LOt.

Garri- o Londo AS l don. il.10 Simon Dee show.

7.15 Film троно? a.m. Faith for Ate 12.1 Water: 12.05 PS Better astin; around. _p.m. Garrison's Tough guys WILl 8.00 8.30 2.00 squad. 10.00 Il.10 Simon Dee show. bullios SIlUW in Hood 340 get o std. per. 545 S 4s: 3:50 Ladeno Daredo. 6145 Flip- West- Love Black per. ber Michum Lon Dakotas' with •The and Stanle Hills' O'Connor show. with Key Man' with Lee Patterson. 12.20 Weather.

Baker. Des 10.00 11.10 Name ondon 01tne 12.35 'The Call' HTV (Cymru/Wales) colour channel 41 7.15-7.45 Hyde a lled. except

BORDER:

our 6.15 Joker's weld. London with Tony Curtis and Houdint anet 8.30 O-Connor show: 10.00 London.

9.00 Des heroes.

ANGLIA: 1.10

London. 5.15 are os gorillas. 6.10 6.45 on ortune London Dead Jockey' WItN Dord: 9.00 Gia OlIC

SCOTTISH:

12an a 6. Po London. 1.10 Lon Des 10.00 Lord. O'Connor show. Bonanza. London. 11.10 12.05 CourT marual. the house nelecuoll. North' with stewart Charisse. Wendell Mother Albert. 9.00 LUYt show 10.00 Des London • Connor

ATV

MIDLANDS:

Call. 11.15 London. 5.15 Julia. Captain *The Late News. People Against O'Hara' 5.50 Dear Mother Albert. Tracy. 7.45 6.20 Cane Spy Killer' Horton, The St ohr Debastiall and 10.00 Lon 9.00 don. Belo i Spy, weather O'Connor snow.

GRAMPIAN:

12.50 Fantastic P5.15 London. four Bonanza 1.13 6.10 Dr the London 6.15 rouse Ice Richard Bur- on and zabet place Taylor. ane ULSTER: 1.15 London. 6.15.

O'Connor Take time London. 11.10 showe Love Albert. 11.40 Ders wear Ryan and Jan Sterling. God's word. with Kobert

REGIONAL BBC

All regions as BBC 1 except: Scotland: 11.32 News, weather.

Midlands and East Anglia, North of Wales: 9.15-9.35 a.m. Cadi ha. 5.40- England, N Ireland and South and Disc a dawn. 11.32 6.05 p.m West: 11.32 Weather. Weather.

REGIONAL ITV

7.25 Place. 8.15 Movie: "The Crowded with Dana Andrews 10.10 London. 11.25 Fleming. ( Ballet for all.

YORKSHIRE:

ort. X26 1.30 Madness Paul угол. 5.00 Bx5 Hawai room of Montana' Richard Boone make Skies As Channel 2. 0x Farm and Jeffrey All Farm and Boone and yeslerudys nichara 11.25 Men who matte 11.40 Weather. y callici

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N2.12. 00n2on o.ndoA 12.09

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London. All 12.35 Yeather 2.30 London. 1.27 resLer 2.00 esterdays 3.00 Films: Interpol calling. 2.25 Au adys. *Force preview. rugby Custer. 4.15 OrIU

LUD

reatue. 3.2U William 4.45 Olson with 6.00

AIMS

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London. Julia. 1U.10

TYNE TEES: 11.00

London. 12.15 All 11.00-1.30 2.15

HARLECH:

sest 1.05-1.30 Judo. 12.40 4.15 Sur- our Witn London. court marnal. purpose. 4.45 1.25 vival. outlook. 2.20 Australian rugby league. Screen: 3.20 Matinee: Run' with Farley with and 1.45 London ain rain' Granger Zimbalist 17.25 г rade report. 8.25 Walkero. 0 Directed Alfred Kobert Strange report. 2.20

HITCACOCK.

LONGO

"No film: of Her Own' with Weather. Stanwyck and John Lund. 10.10 12.10 *St. Bartin and HTV (Wales) colour channel 41 as the Beggar'

BORDER:

11.00-1.25 London. 1.45 2.20 Austration HTV (Cymru/Wales) black and white except: 1.45-2.15 Porthi'r praidd 1.30 11.00 Farm-

ANT LA

2.00 Weather. 2.05 Cartoon ing trends. 2.15 Show 3.15 jumping. Depart- time. ment S. 8.05 cor 4.45 Lon- 4.3 don. Weather. Their Secret with KIrk las and Susan Hayward. y. angelberi lumperdincl show. Lon0.55

SCOTTISH:

120 230 Loreton 2 11 All Bygones. 11.10 London. London. Reflection. Survival. 6.05 London. Horns tra six: Come six: Blow with London. TOUr Sport from Frank 7. LA Midlands. Lezena of desse ames. 1v.lv London Kirk, a Petula 12.10 Late call. Clark. A Brother 1.30-1.50 Popeye. London. 1z.lU LonGon "Crash Dive' with aron Prewer A9.10 Brother vesterovs. Matinee 4.15 wali Fae-o. Do London: Baxter 6.00 day. Bugs tine's London. bunny. 6.05 Cinema: orse Winner. 7.25 Engle- Rocking 9.10 CHorse

ULSTER:

n7. 2.430 London. 3.15 bert Humperdinck show 10.10 Lon- MD. 11.20 Sports 455 Carvezzle. a As London. don. Marcus Welby Saint. King of kings.

WORKERS PRESS

has grown more tangible than before. The ever struggle against right and "left" oppor- tunism and nationalism can- not, therefore, be conducted as a campaign calculated only for some definite span of time.

of oppor- The denunciation tunism of all kinds has been and continues to be an immutable law for all Marxist- Leninist parties? (Soviet News', April 28, p. 46. Emphasis added.) These carefully measured words mean only one thing.

Not only is the struggle against Trotskyism 'immutable an law' for all Stalinist parties that has been the case for more than 40 years. Challenge What is new-and recog- nized as such by Brezhner-- is the growth of the world Trotskyist challenge to Stalin- ism for the leadership of the international working class.

Brezhnev's public admis- sion that the activities and growth of Trotskyism have caused the world • Stalinist movement to encounter 'cer- tain weaknesses and difficul- ties' is truly historic. Pretiously, have attacks on Trotskyism combined slander with references to the insignificance of their influence and forces. , Now the emphasis is chang- ing. Trotskyists are now able weaken to the work of the so-called 'world communist movement', with all its re- sources of state power, daily press and deep roots in the workers' movement of the capitalist world. Threatens The movement Brezhnev, Stalin and company believed had been crushed by the purges and trials of the 1930s has not only survived - it grows and threatens the grip of Stalinism on the working class. That is the real meaning of Brezhnev's words. The slanderous references to 'adventurism' are routine Brezhnev. They are used to divert attention away from the utterly counter-revolutionary line pursued by Stalinism in- workers' side the movement in the main struggles of recent years. The claim that Trotskyists Above: France, May 29, 1968. The Stalini: elections which kept de Gaulle in power.

have prevented the Stalinist parties from 'making the full use of the possibilities of revolutionary struggle' is barely worth refutation. If the French Stalinists had managed to carry through their chosen line in March and April of 1968 of walling off working class from the the revolutionary students, there would have been no May-June general strike, no wage creases and no defeat of de Gaulle in the referendum a year later. Right up to the one-day strike of May 13, they were denouncing Trotskyist and other student militants as fascists. It was precisely the ability of the numerically small forces of the Trotskyist movement mobilize the youth and to sections of the working • class independently of the Stalinist bureaucracy in France that forced the CGT leadership's hand and compelled them, against their wishes and in- terests, to call a token strike in defence of those they had previously been slandering as fascists. ( Alarm It is this 'weakness' and 'difficulty', , as much a product of working-class militancy as the direct work of Trotskyists, that forces Brezhney to sound the alarm. May-June 1968 was a close call for both French capitalism and the Soviet bureaucracy.

For after May-June came the offensive of the Czecho- slovak working class against Stalinism, an offensive that could only be crushed by the use of Soviet tanks and infantry. Trotskyism can no longer be presented as isolated from the workers' movement. Its programme now takes on real and for meaning relevance thousands of workers pre- viously dominated by either the social-democratic or Stalin- ist bureaucracies. Significantly, there has been scant reference in any of the 'Lenin centenary' meetings in Moscow to the role of the reformists. The main fire has been directed at Trotskyism. That is both a tribute - and a warning to the Fourth Inter- national. 968. The Stalinist led CGT demonstrate for a popular Brezhnev Brezhnev and company mean what they say when they slander Trotskyism. That is the one part of their speeches that we must take seriously.

The witch-hunt against the Socialist Labour League, aided and abetted by the Stalinists, and the new offensive against the left in France-—also con- nived at by the Stalinists there has its counterpart in Brezhnev's warnings slanders. 'Difficulties' We can be sure that despite all their internal problems and leaders of differences, the British Stalinism will take

DUR UN

OPULAIRE

te for a popular government only a few days before th Saturday, May 9, 1970 Brezhnev's words to heart.

Measured in terms of the success of Trotskyism, they have experienced more thar their fair share of 'weaknesses and difficulties'. Many more We must see to it that they have many more. Stalinism constantly pro- claims its desire to co-exist peacefully with the enemies of the working class and the colonial peoples. For the real Leninists of today, the Fourth Inter- nothing national, they have but fear and hatred. w days before they agreed to the

Saturday, May 9, 1970

THE DEVELOPMENT

of independent action by German the working class in the strikes of last September had profound significance for the build- ing of the Fourth Inter- national. Betrayed in 1933 by Social Democracy and Stalinism, the German workers' movement was chained down by the Nazi dictatorship. Then, from 1945, the twin bureaucracies took control of the labour movement again.

This was a key factor in the maintenance of international capitalism. The beginnings of the break of German labour from bureau- cratic control signified most clearly the revolutionary nature of the present period and the tremendous opportunities for revolutionary leadership.

The history of Germany from 1933 to 1945 is usually presented on the basis that the of the German mass nation were loyal supporters of Hitler.

The German working class, which up to 1933 voted for the Communist and Social-Demo- cratic Parties by the million, 1s supposed suddenly to have been hypnotized by Hitler, and Nazi "ideology' swallowed whole. According to this story, re- sistance to Nazism was fined to the churches and a few aristocrats and generals.

These sections of the ruling class are depicted as paving the way for the 'democratic' Bonn regime after 1945. To 'explain' how an entire nation can have gone through such sociological a process, analysis of 'authoritarianism', national or racial character- istics of the and Germans psycho-analysis have all been called upon. Marxists, of course, know this picture to be entirely false.

The most highly-developed labour movement in the world was destroyed only because of the treachery of its leadership.

In the depths of the eco- nomic crisis, only workers' revolution could have resolved the contradictions of German society and, in doing so, trans- formed the international situa- tion completely. But neither of the workers' parties could or would prepare the class for power. For Social Democracy, which had been the main political prop for the German capitalist state since 1918, the question did not even arise. The Stalinized Communist Party (KPD), subservient to the needs of the Soviet bureau- cracy, had from 1929 covered up its opportunism with ultra- the Social- left attacks on Democratic workers as 'social- fascists' and savagely opposed all calls for united class action.

Instead, it hailed the victory of Nazism as a step towards its own victory. middle class, The German driven into a frenzy by the crisis, swung by default behind racialism, Nazi demagogy and and while the industrialists that Hitler bankers decided provided the only answer to the threat from the working class. And so, explains the Tran- of the sitional Programme Fourth International: 'Both these parties, with millions of voters behind them, were morally paralysed before capitulated the battle and without a battle. History has recorded no parallel catas- trophe. The German proletariat was not smashed by the enemy in battle. It was crushed by the cowardice, baseness, per- fidy of its own parties. Small wonder that it has lost faith in it had everything in which been accustomed to believe for almost three generations?

In view of the collapse of the workers' leaderships, it is not the weakness of the oppo- to Nazism which sition surprising, but the fact that it did develop was main- " and tained right up to 1945. Thousands of workers con- tinued the attempt to organize most brutal and under the effective terror machine the world has seen. Each time an underground organization was broken up by the Gestapo, new layers of socialists and com- munists came forward to re- arrested and place those murdered. But the political and theor- which weapons with etical were fought these struggles were rotten to the core. They represented the ideas of the very bureaucracies which had allowed the victory of Hitler to take place. The book under review gives only a pale academic reflection of these struggles. However, the four essays by German historians provide some useful factual material on the move- ments in Germany during the 12 years of Nazi rule. German Socialists, Communists, trade THREE of the contributions deal with aspects of the bour- geois opposition to Hitler and only one to the labour move- ment. Hermann Graml, writing on 'Resistance Thinking Foreign Policy? and Hans Mommsen on 'Social Views and Constitutional Plans of the , whatever their in- Resistance', tentions, in demon- succeed that the resistance' strating the ruling class within was hardly less reactionary than the regime it opposed. Many of these conservative politicians had been sympa- thetic or acquiesced in to Hitler's policies, but later saw the dangers to German im- perialism arising from them.

Barrier The diplomat von Hassell and the civil servant Goerdeler wanted a strong German capi- talism to act as the barrier to the Russian Revolution, but in with British and co-operation French imperialism. The 'Kreisau Circle' around which included von Moltke, the former Social Democrats Leber and Haubach, dressed their policies in 'progressive' phrases about European feder- and ' restructuring ation society' Von Stauffenberg But they were all convinced of the need for a strong state machine run by an elite. Their fear of the working class was far more powerful than their disagreements with the Nazis, and this accounts for the inffectiveness of their opposition. When, in the face of military defeat, the plot to kill Hitler was finally set in motion, it was the more 'non-political' soldiers, like Stauffenberg, who acted. The incredible paralysis of the conspirators on July 20, 1944, when they might have even after the succeeded failure of the assassination it- self, is explained only by their class hatred of the masses.

nmunists, trade unionists: First victims of the Nazi ERNST WOLF, writing about 'Political and Motives Moral behind the Resistance some- what reluctantly demolishes the myth of the Churches' opposition to Hitler. As Professor F. L. Carsten says in his introduction to the book: 'On the Catholic side, the conclusion of the Concordat with the Holy See in the spring of 1933 proved an effective barrier to any opposition.'

Individual Catholics and Protestants fell foul of the regime and some were martyred for their refusal to accept Nazism. But Wolff shows how the traditional nationalism and anti-Semitism of the Lutheran churches inhibited opposition to the regime, even when they conflicted with it on church matters. The Confessing Church' which arose in opposition to the Evangelical Churches' sup- port for the regime, was never opposed to Nazism as such. Its leader, Niemoller, had been an enthusiastic Nazi and even in prison in 1939 applied for permission to rejoin the navy.

HANS - JOACHIM REICH-

HARDT contributes the most important essay in this book, in the Labour 'Resistance Movement'. Von Goerdeler Despite all the attempts to build up the legend of a bour- geois resistance, it was only in the working class that active work against Nazism took place. Confining himself mainly to Berlin, Reichhardt has exam- ined the court records and official reports dealing with working - class underground organizations as they were dis- covered by the Gestapo. He begins by describing the re- fusal of the leaders to mobilize workers who were waiting for the call to fight in January 1933. Reichs- Members of the banner, the workers' defence organization, gathered at their assembly points. Mass demon- place in the strations took main cities. But the leaders

WORKERS PRESI

ms of the Nazi concentration camps.

were silent and 'the will to slowly languished'. (p. resist 154.) Retreating step by step, the Social-Democratic and trade union leaders sought by grant- ing concession after concession to the Nazis to maintain their legality. The result was de- moralization and the destruc- tion of the workers' organiza- tions. Resistance groups formed, but only locally and without national guidance. Only gradually were illegal methods of work learnt, at and heavy cost in arrests these murders. Even where organized by groups were they Social Democrats, were based on an attempt to break of the dis- with the past credited Social - Democratic Party (SPD). One such group described by Reichhardt was the Roter Stosstrupp (Red Shock Troop).

This had its origins in Berlin University in 1932. Like some other left-wing SPD tenden- cies, these students had begun to prepare for illegal work be- fore Hitler took power. They were therefore better prepared than the official leaders. The duplicated paper they put out circulated up to 3,000 copies. Its first issue de- clared in April 1933 : 'We no longer bear allegi- ance to any party dogma, any party banners: we know only one battle flag: the red flag of socialism. We know only one goal: the proletarian revolu- tion' (p. 169.) Determination How clearly this expresses the determination of the wor- king class to fight-and the terrible effects of Stalinist de- generation. For under condi- tions of illegality, these wor- kers were cut off from the theoretical conquests of the Communist International de- stroyed by Stalin. To understand the defeat and build a new party on the basis of this understanding was terribly hard. The Transitional Programme says: 'A programme is verified by experience. And it is precisely experience in mass movements which is lacking in countries of totalitarian despotism.'

Fourth Inter- Only the national, basing itsell on the experience of the Third Inter- national, could draw the les- sons of 1933. That is why Hitler's victory made the of the Fourth foundation International vital. By December 1933, the penetrated and Gestapo had destroyed the Roter Stosst- rupp. Meanwhile an émigré SPD to operate from had begun •Prague, later moving to Paris.

A section of the SPD leaders had opposed even the slightest

/ORKERS PRESS

degree of illegal work, but now SPD literature began to be dis- tributed. But what effect could this have but to demoralize work- ers, for one of the main prob- lems for the working class was to grasp the treachery of this Party itself. Reichhardt reports that an illegal Berlin Regional Com- mittee of the SPD was arrested and further committees operated until the beginning of 1936. But further opposition activity was not conducted by the SPD as such. Turning to the Stalinists, Reichhardt remarks that 'in contrast to its repeated pro- nouncements, the KPD offered than half-hearted no more resistance to the events lead- ing up to the National Socialist assumption of power'. (pp.

164-165.) He correctly attributes this to the policy of the Soviet leaders. 'In fact Soviet official policy was characterized by a tem- porizing, if not a positive attitude, as is evident from the marked failure to break off the close economic and mili- tary relations then existing between the two countries' (p.

165.) He explains how calls for a front with the Social united Democrats could not get response in view of the previ- 'social-fascist' line. Even ous more important, their own members were utterly unpre- pared for the victory of Hitler and the persecution that began. arrest of Thaelmann, The KPD leader, on premises that were supposed to be secret, in March 1933, showed how unprepared the Stalinists were.

The heavy losses of the KPD by murder and arrest were increased when Alfred Kattner, arrested with Thael- mann, gave assistance to the Gestapo and was released. He was shot in his home by a

KPD

member in February 1934. (See Reichhardt's note on p. 263.) Ulbricht took the over leadership in emigration later line in 1933. The Comintern was still that 'in spite of the fascist terror, Germany's revo- lutionary will con- upsurge inexorably. ... The tinue establishment of open fascist dictatorship which destroys all the democratic illusions of the masses and frees them from the influence of Social Democracy speeds up the pro- of Germany's evolution towards the proletarian revo- lution.' (Executive Committee of the Comintern, April 1, 1933.) • As a result of this policy, KPD members went out sell- ing literature openly right through 1933. Thousands of Party members were rounded up in such work. Is it not surprising that some sections of the KPD went over to Nazism? Reichhardt quotes an account by Gustav Regler of a meeting in the Saar between a Party official and members of the underground in 1934, which heartbreakingly illum- inates the relationship between the heroism of the rank and file and the treachery of Stalin- ism. 'I came in just in time to hear the final remarks of a young man who had been making a report on the Reich.

He took a pamphlet from his pocket and threw it down at the official's feet. "We've been distributing that for months, he said, almost revelling in his scorn. "We've put up with a lot from you people, but this is too much. What's that be for?" He supposed to indicated the despised book- let with his foot and, speaking with the utmost firmness, con- cluded: "None of us is going to risk the chopper for that tripe." ' (p. 171.) Thaelmann It is unlikely that this unnamed critic of Stalinism lived to read the Transitional Programme which says: "The Moscow radio station, combin- lies with ing Thermidorian stupidity and insolence, has become the most powerful factor in the demoralization of workers in the totalitarian states. In this respect as in merely as others, Stalin acts Goebbels' assistant.' However, the line of the literature sent from abroad did not change as a result of demands from workers like this. Only when Stalin's foreign policy shifted at the end 1934 did 'Popular Frontism' become the basis for anti- fascist propaganda. Now, it was not a matter

PAGE THREE

lead the German WOrKers ll united struggle against fascism but saw this only as a matter of organization, not of theory.

IT IS only Trotskyism, the struggle to reso ve This crisis. which can grasp signifi- the

BY JOHN CRAWFORD

of the facts reported by maintained the struggle ency LO1 internauonal sondarily

'THE GERMAN RESISTANCE TO HITLER'

with the German workers dur- ing the 1939-1945 war. By H. Graml, H. Mommsen, H-J. Reichhardt It was German Trotskyists and E. Wolf. exile France Illega B. T. Batsford. London 1970. 56s. Porker and Soldier) and dis- und Soldat' hi beller tributed it in the wehrmacht.

over 1.000 people (They caught by the ot attacking the social bemo sale that crats the main enemy and were involved and had Gestapo and killed.) 40( demanding death. Even At that time, the Allied then, ately, abandoning all groups continuer all and above propazallulsus. conception of revolution the stalinists. were pouring described The new policy is anti-German (not anti- ine Wal •History of by the Transitional Programme Nazi) | material that Accordine to the as follows: the German Anti- Fascist Re- quently reached the level sistance Movement' 340,000 racialism. This, together longing coalition

KPD

members had been impotent sen- anuary with liberal 1943 Germany's aemanding surrender, bour geolsie. between unconditional sees 1939. Fifty-seven strengthened support for Keichnarat. however. ana Popular Frontism only of KPD members Parliament were Hitler. meaning joint action the Nazis that Kulled hu intended to do so. and SPD remarks: period. The which deter- lilalli lallus Reichhardt does not Even Uced (men- minea Doncies Tne of the sional instances of co-operatior and non une most ramous Alled Imperialist The KPD groups, the 'Rote Kapelle' bureaucracy that between social Democrats and Stalinist KPD, and although the latter's (Red Orchestra). time was desire Led instructors the Schulze-Boysen, defeat Germany- the fear import- German workers' factories, carried tion such a from emerging that Allals espionare work. acreal. August 1936. with their shame.

propaganda The rape of Berlin by the well activity. ful spectacle of the liquidation Over 100 of its members were Soviet Army in 1945 was also the old tortured and executed when it planned followed by the Russo-German was broken up in 1942. combat the of inde- danger Berlin: An anti-fascist demonstration July 1932.

shortly The final section of Reich- pendent class action. When non-aggression Dact before the despite this 'Anti- nutbreak ot the harat's essay is devoted to the destroyed centrist group 'Neu Beginnen'.

Fascist Committees sprang often organized by hopes

KPD

former front of Social Democrats and Ulbricht members. inside communists in wermany. smasneo them un. was major stalinism Reichhardt does factor in holding back not men- Its leaders tried to analyse tion that many leading KPD German working class when the failure of workers' refuge Nazism rose to power. members Russia vanished in the purges; partes ana work lor a Then it did its utmost united socialist party. the inal some or nose arrestea m aestroy and Gemoralize Because of even this lim- fighters Moscow were nanded over heroic the Gestapo in 1939; and that ited preparation • and necause it was less publicly known than respon- reporty nationals in 1941.

fairly Stalin-Hitler Paper During period of the successionl leauers ership and allowing the utterly bankrupt regain virtually all were Inen arrested and ImDrIs- SPD to work went oned. hut further Ar acuvily cease. olorical on until 1944. and the Moscow members Reichhardt appears to fay- the But today, Trotskyism grows Central Committee natu- rally applauded Stalin's policy.

our the record or such tend- bringing new encies. "But Paity Socialist like the forces trom Workers'

(SAP)

Decapitation battle for the German

WOTK -

Brandler, like Neu roe based arming ers revolution anci Reichhardt quotes Dengel as seginnen were them with the theoretical and cally on historical lessons Moscow!) that 'the all evasion sayıng (ill crisis of leadership in the struggles organize comrades workine in DerlI working class. the workers' movement against need no longer tear decapita• They condemned the KPD tion since Stalin would make Nazism will not have been in that Hitler and SPD leaders for failing to terror 177.)_ The official Stalinist 'History the German Anti-rascist Resistance Movement' has following cynical senten- their release from 'Atter Special 64 page issue concentration camps in 1939 comrades ot the communist Party joined together again to groups against Hitler's dictatorship. • a result of the entry into war ol me sover umon. une A Journal of International Marxism became convinced that it was necessary to restart with their Communist work! Published by the International Committee of the Fourth International And, despite every effort by 186a Clapham High Street, London, S.W.4 the disrupt this Editors: Tom Kemp, Cliff Slaughter Reichhardt reports the zation of Saekow and Unrig.

PRICE 7s. 6d. y the time of their arrest i 944, they had built a natio wide organization. The Gestapo

PAGE FOUR

Brutal A chen • shitien brutality the polic continue € Greater Tory to evict

CANADA:

FIRMS FAIL

ter failed i of 69.5 million million aunals. Trade union action

• FROM PAGE ONE

mobi ver the injured the negotiated suld the House to the tories its with an pliment to appea its fangs and as and er and change moose and n shakes traumatic events Cover-up 1 that after Stewart's Approvingly, "Tribune' com * the feeling of those 'sacking Stewart. A sop working the bulan inst Pare Morning seve Polish c generosity to unta. visefused which Nilson's US and the

WORKERS PRESS

Saturday, May 9, 1970 As biggest class confrontation nears in United States LESS THAN a fortnight Derore nixon unvaded Lam Doala ana orutaly muraereq ine lour Kent University students la onlo, tne us ıauonal Moratorium Florida. S tet at a shut up shop for the last time in Washington. A he morenesit vas $100,000 Natiombers debver and had iad up their issued by the g supertens sokeman, hablo Casteloss haracterized the the Castre Tegite utuma ( whes

FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT

5] has néver returned nched from Miam WAGE CUTS of up to £I0 a week have led to a has bean reachedectiveness Characteristic: 2,000-strong unofficial hosiery strike in S York- armed groups the leader annot hor ene tore the decline n- tori nar popule cinary army

PROM JACK GALE

shire. Women from nine hosiery and knitwear the Moratorium factories are demanding a 20 per cent pay rise.

purge leadership Bot torde some As the Struggle grows 18), Yvonne anu starts in militancy, conndence event tono deny the union ofhcials meh be ab co ol thny iNational Union

THE STALINIST

purge Hosiery Workers) Semeon. in Czechoslovakia rolls on rapidly delining. from calling for a return to friends Desperate appeal into the army. "Instead until use u yas the move At a mass meeting in Cudworth on Thursday sone orters bounds hopelessn some 500 workers, main- strike and others work- cle mentese young womnenang acnouncea union's chief officials. Tot Cred tor ib tade shi.

Pickets alleged, that has esti no y esa ped un veran ded leadership THE Socialist Labour League, in common with n bit several other political and trade union organiza- speaks - ai keis tor ti when it in the metine and urgés unio deldership was passed tions, this week received correspondence from marde the shird world ear a shadowy body describing itself as the 'Militant No provocation Class action shackle calition of Liberals Trade Union Committee'. clearly Stalinists chos not to A covering letter accom- worker.

BY A WORKERS PRESS

ohich was maniye anarad - andi the mas and depolitic of be- in proceded miad panying three documents- trayat ae

CORRESPONDENT

Grosvenor road Committees a students pursersities nus tin Die make dea Horechatows against ete we mus ant a zu per cent increa Lackie ror poliga perspec- Strikers od commede oymen's fecine hal bea reiore se ios cing cans setting hrst poster was sent out, as against the reported in 'The Newsletter' class. ine moraty spre tom Ivemoer 17oo we nave aone a great return with lees Vital demand insisted that deal ol preparatorv under- ground work .' among a all, e son lees eet of leading trade Zur as higued fis ahay that mich clared: Weve number Dzur union members the was bere dropred tike ik We daren't go Labour Party and we have Sovie ante

• FROM PAGE ONE

grown in Binds Husak even mo e ote a Mr be dingh da pany trom oo talanle tota scribe not and enders of, he Brish to his protectors in the Krem overment The class from • pLuto e entorts Assurance? Post- Gưnn thế mest conid forms reponden Manchester FIVE MAJOR wheat the inducron oo to reduce the tory sead out a ferter ron tineat in the orld for camital- lization of this tact, and to Narin on Deceraber exporters ended their ists to make a good profit out redent or the of growing it. 'Conspiracies' an ternece conference in Ottawa enink bely not on Wednesday. ti ns wil d Diless incener- Profit Ihe nve - (anada. the B aro trey no was ot United States, Australia, inception. and countries ethe Cambodian if Argentina n their jooses communique, can they ware and the com- renders it even Market mon or noro os tion of this statement is reha • ISSued chel the exporters stated : mUs imperialisr enent mankın can and been writte communique recoraing be defeated in Labour leaders "made by Test itine ind be mAde Parai Branch d i S otland their satisfaction with the Reduction Wages an internatin alist th the minior expoe talks. £3000 rise tinase pr m Mer Port man told of the "Stalin- subject ruling class. 1 ne Doners As the communique puts it: sales. for PIB cise carenim itspl should two-thirds on four-fitths Tory heat mark the international care

BUFFER

ansi vite a campaign, čarning to unions mass starttion in do, ole coit Merryl said that crudest torm co provo- were stimulating herm ar 05 4 d to do (pcd concelned mational one-day stoppage.

cation. production? iclon lesders ond the onece an ni the ceonunc producl soo n as Mrs na bara Casti their conn- Teo conths- we. mend sifon rande fish polin

• FROM PAGE ONE

liste so tacy pay using come law. must con- s are whoie tinue to starve. 28 p.c. of Cynicism Devinw, wan we have come The depths of cepiri mare baby deaths con abut orain to discuss the noti Canadiar

• FROM PAGE ONE

avoidable tions deltat the labour move- this week sestes that the meeinct ente de ont the sures outd Be acn m a On ba natoned ot Nedussndy internaichi marke? irths in th monins to a vear atte birth. 'healthy Thẹ report- connaenta nd in Milan sata tibe er cent of e de THE School of Oriental and cavid bee tacye icabse ato suco 3. in reise wey are paming Alrican studles, University or War lessing London, was almost empty ecete are not yet sure of reallty yesterday as about 800 stud-

BY A WORKERS PRESS REPORTER

strike ents staged a one-day Moste for Whe Caradia

WEA THER

in protest against Us inter- Ai notuded the Two editlons vention in Cambodia. ton commented. rull subscripuion today in London undern, Sm, N and centra iwo day8 centra OR polig on Cambadother animal Yi tor three months Canteen staff and workers Realiy came out in sympathy and a set was an ex camel tell tu {4 a year place at lunch- neting bu 'I Ye- Payea Whll redection Dunlop strikers kick lime outside the college.

I would like to subscribe to Workers' Press for Ana may Ba ist produ the reality of capital- Iso sCdsve c muae Aber Warm. Max. 19C (6). School in tt onince to be dead Name ENGINEERS at Birmingham's crease without Dunh Etyre ea-teste offered oniy ra see pam s Vierian. shooting of the "Ohio n inland. this offer out of hand rejected Thi ion by the gizer coasts. Post to: Circulation organızer, workers rtess, loda and hotes!? Clapham High Street, London, SW4. (Tel: 01-720-2000) unday and Mor are de- ayi Litte hang A number of London offices made