Pattern of World War III

[p018] PATTERN OF WORLD WAR Til Korea has afforded a preview of what a third world war would be like. That country has not yet been “‘liberated”’ —but it has certainly been decimated. Over two millions of its inhabitants have been killed, maimed, or rendered homeless. All that without using A or H Bombs. Remem- ber that Korea is about the same size as England. The scale of the destructiveness of a third world war will be far greater than the second. But a third world war would differ from the second in many other important respects. The first two world wars began, and were fought to a finish, between two rival groups of imperialist powers, contending for the privilege of exploiting the weaker peoples and mastering the world. The impending world war will be imperialist in leader- — ship and objectives on only one side. Imperialist America is already embarked upon organizing and mobilizing a ' gigantic coalition of states to wage war upon the U.S.S.R. and the colonial freedom movements. Korea presented a — _ preview of the probable alignment of forces in such a con-_ flict. In one camp are imperialist America and its allies, _ cheered on by all the cohorts of reaction. In the other camp are the workers and peasants of the Far East fighting for their national unity and independence and for an end to their degradation. They have the sympathy of the ~ _ oppressed on all continents and have secured aid from the ~ Soviet Union. . : Where does British Labour belong in such a contest? It is out of place with Churchill, Eisenhower, Franco, Syngman Rhee, Chiang Kai Shek. It must find its place in the camp of the international struggle for socialism along with all those other countries and peoples who have either rid themselves of capitalism or are fighting to do so. From the working class point of view, there would be ; another crucial difference between a third world war and its predecessors. The outbreak of the first and second a 15

[p019] world wars either took the labour movement off guard, or found it in a prostrate condition. By 1939 fascism had conquered large sections of the European working class. Next time it will be different. The working people are alerted in advance to the meaning of such a war. Ona _ world scale the anti-war forces in the anti-capitalist and the anti-imperialist camp are stronger than ever. The heroic resistance of the Chinese and Koreans which has - amazed the world, and the reverses suffered by American arms, show what can happen to imperialism if it unleashes a new slaughter. _. This war would be an admission of weakness by capital- ism, not an expression of strength on its part. It would represent a last-ditch effort to push back the rising tide of anti-capitalist revolt by atom bombs and armed force, and testify to its incapacity to rule by peaceful means. _ Many realistic observers have predicted that the peoples of Europe and Asia will not only fiercely resent a new world war but resist its instigators. It would very likely give the signal for new Resistance Movements, directed this time not against the fascists, but against the capitalist war- coalition. If the second world war provoked worker and peasant revolts in numerous countries, a third would call forth resistance on a broader scale throughout Europe and Asia. This most counter-revolutionary of world wars would engender the most revolutionary events in world history. No one can foretell what the outcome of clashes between such gigantic forces would be, because that depends upon the developments of the struggle itself. But certain things are clear, so far as Britain is concerned. What hope is there for England if imperialism should win and capitalism continues to rule over a ruined world? Two world wars have come close to bankrupting our coun- try. A third would finish the job. This is apart from the colossal destruction caused by atom bombing. Even some Conservatives understand that Britain could win nothing in such a war. Professor Arnold Toynbee 16

[p020] told us on his return from a visit to the United States that Britain’s slogan must be “No Annihilation Without Representation.” But what good is “‘representation’’ in the American Alliance, if it means ‘‘annihilation? ”’ But there is a future for Britain and it depends upon the Labour Movement to achieve it. It can do this only under two conditions. First, Labour must pursue the correct. policies to prevent the outbreak of a new world war. Second, if, despite its efforts, war does come upon us, Labour must do its best to ensure that the world working class comes out the victor and Socialism emerges stronger’ and not weaker from the strugele. Although international capitalism is equipped with powerful engines of destruction, it is a dying and a doomed: system. Although Labour may suffer grievously from the _ mistakes and inadequacies of its leadership, it is the only creative force in our country and it has powerful allies in the working masses throughout the world. Another world war can destroy many things . . . but it can also be the: tomb of capitalism.