SOCIALISTS AND WAR 92 THE CLASS STRUGGLE 93 And the United States. The war with Spain and the acquisition of the Philippines are characterized by Walter Weyf in American World Policies, as an experiment in unripe Imperialism. This country financial penetration of Mexico and Venezuela and the growing demand for the acquisition of American control in Mexico are expressions of a developing aggressive Imperialism. The Carribbeans and Central America are a satrapy of American capital, political vassals of this country and what is it all but Imperialism?
La Monte accepts the theory that the production of iron is the driving force behind Imperialism. Well, the United States produced twice as much iron as Germany in 1912. This tremendous production of iron is going to bulk large in the events of the immediate future. Moreover, what has restrained our Imperialism was the fact of America being a debtor nation. To day, because of the war, this country is a creditor nation, and is accumulating a vast mass of surplus capital. This accumulation of capital and the tremendous production of iron and steel will inevitably make the export of capital the distinguishing economic feature of American Capitalism, as it is today and that means Imperialism. The Monroe Doctrine is already being transformed into an Imperialistic instrument for the financial and political domination of the American continents by the United States.
Imperialism, accordingly, is a phenomenon characteristic of all economically highly developed nations. It is only by bearing this fact in mind that we can safely traverse the events and problems of our day. International Imperialism must be fought by the international action of the proletariat. The proletariat may fail, but it may try again. To participate in a war with our government against the Imperialism of another nation simply strengthens our own Imperialism. Has not America participation in the war already strengthened its Imperialism and reactionary character? Against all Imperialism, because all Imperialism is alike the apparent differences disappear as events shape themselves more definitely.
The general idea that animates La Monte argument is that America and its allies are fighting to make the world safe for democracy. might rest my case on the analysis of the Imperialistic causes of the war, but the issue is vastly important and deserves fuller analysis.
The democratic claims of none of the Allies are more contemptible and less worthy of credence than the claims of the United States. great nation that is systematically and brutally suppressing democracy and the rights of small nations in Central America and the Carribbeans pretending to be waging an unselfish war for democracy and civilization against Germany! The brutal facts of America deeds answer the hypocrisy of America words. The attitude of America toward the war has been brutally selfish throughout. Scan the diplomatic record of President Wilson and the fact stands out clear as a pike that his animating purpose was to maintain a benevolent neutrality that brought great profits to America; that the President refused to organize a League of Neutrals to protect all neutrals rights because it was considered inimical to America selfish purposes; that as long as our trade with the Allies was considered safe, America through its official representatives cared not a snap of the fingers what happened to other neutral rights, cared nothing about the menace to democracy and the rights of small nations; and that it was only when the criminal desperation of Germany threatened American trade and American prestige beyond diplomatic redress that this country went to war against autocracy. nation may have the right to wage a war to protect its trade, but do not call it an unselfish war for democracy!
At this point might again rest my case. But shall not.
La Monte is as aware as am of the facts in the preceding paragraph. Neither of us, take it, are interested in scoring points, but in discussing the larger aspects of the subject. And the problem of the relations between Socialism and democracy is vitally important. It is a crucial problem.