e 4, rejoices that the
reformists of the Socialist Party, whose policy it is to pay more
attention to the immediate demands than to the principles of Socialism,
have now a serious rival in the New Labor Party:

"Now that the New Labor Party is established (and in Chicago
recently they polled more votes than the Socialists), we wonder
what the old machine will do to combat this new octopus that
threatens the big vote that used to belong to 'US.' Answer: Teach
the working class real Socialism, the Socialism of Marx and
Engels."

The millionaire Socialist, William Bross Lloyd, of Chicago, has a very
interesting article on "Socialist Platforms" in "The Communist,"
Chicago, April 1, 1919:

"Confession is good for the soul. Let the Socialist Party of the
World now stand up and confess that it bears a close resemblance to
other political parties in that, like the others, its platforms are
mostly bunk.

"The difference between its platforms and others is that the others
mean nothing while its platforms mean anything. The difference
between Socialists and other politicians is that the Socialists
mean what they think their platforms mean while the others mean
only to get office.

"This follows from the state of affairs we have had in the world
since 1914, when Socialists became so diverse in words and deeds.
Most of those on both sides are honest. The trouble is the
vagueness of the words of the Socialist propaganda.

"Socialist thought should be so clearly stated in its platforms
that no one can doubt its meaning. This will eliminate from the
party the reformers and compromisers who are such a source of
weakness to the movement. It will also make clear to the workers
that the movement really means something.

"Take, for instance, the case of the party's attitude toward war.
Socialists are said to be opposed to all wars--then come the
exceptions: wars of 'defense,' 'invasion,' 'emancipation,'
'liberation,' and all the meaningless tribe. Confusion results. We
have the German Majority Socialists, i.e., so-called Socialists,
supporting their government in a war of 'defense' against
'invasion' and of the maintenance of their 'liberties'--God save
the mark--against Russian autocracy....

"Without knowing the precise intention of those who drafted the St.
Lo