uis platform, I infer that it was partly written in the hope--if
not belief--that the American workers would rise against their
oppressors and the situation to which they have been subjected. It
was a ringing declaration--a 'mass movement' of the delegates to
the convention, later endorsed by the party membership. And as
these delegates separated hot-foot for home, they got cold feet as
they dispersed into the cold-footed isolation of the individual
Socialist scattered here and there throughout this land. The
platform contained no statement of individual duty, no individual
program of action Each Socialist began to ask as his feet got
colder and colder: 'Where are these "mass movements;" what are the
others going to do?' The situation was made worse by the action of
the National Executive Committee which told every Socialist to read
the St. Louis platform and then act as his conscience dictated.
Fine business for a revolutionary mass movement seeking to
establish the co-operative commonwealth. No anarchist could be more
individualistic.

"The party's attitude toward war should be cleared up. It should
definitely provide for mass action, and bind the individuals of the
party as units of the party mass. This war platform should be
followed by a Workers' Mobilization plan carefully worked out in
detail and laying down action in response to each step taken in
approach to war. For instance, on the introduction of the War
Declaration in Congress, a one-day general strike just to show the
rulers what was in store. On passage of the War Declaration a
general strike, refusal to serve in the military forces, and such
other measures as may be effective."

"The Appeal to Reason" some years ago was the leading Socialist paper of
the United States. In 1917 it came out in favor of war with the Central
Powers. Either because of this, or because it violently assailed
Bolshevism for a long while, it is now outlawed by the greater part of
the Socialist Party.

On the editorial page of "The Call," New York, April 24, 1919, we read:

"Instead of the 'Appeal to Reason' asking for a pardon for Debs, it
should ask a pardon from Debs."

In "The Bulletin," Chicago, March 24, 1919, there appears on page 12 a
bitter attack on "The Appeal" by no less a personage than Adolph Germer,
National Secretary of th