Page:The Commonweal (IA 0544678.0001.001.umich.edu).pdf/14

12

All literary communications should be addressed to the Editor of, 27 Farringdon Street, E.C. They must be accompanied by the name and address of the writer, not necessarily for publication.

''Rejected MSS. can only be returned if a stamped directed envelope is forwarded with them.''

All business communications to be addressed to the Secretary of the Socialist League, 27 Farringdon Street, E.C.

Subscriptions for, free by post: For 12 numbers, 1 copy, 1s. 6d.; 3 copies, 4s.; 4 copies, 5s. Parcels of a dozen or a quire, if for distribution, will be sent on special terms.

This journal can be obtained at 27 Farringdon Street, E.C. (offices of the Socialist League); Progressive Publishing Company, 28 Stonecutter Street, E.C.; Edward Truelove, 256 High Holborn, W.C.; Freethought Publishing Company, 63 Fleet Street, E.C.; Cattell and Co., Bouverie Street, E.C.



attention of Branches, Members, and Foreign Socialist Bodies is directed to the report from the Central Office of the Socialist League. Exchanges are asked to copy the resolution on the Soudan War.

by the Socialist League on the Soudan War will be issued on March 1. Copies will be sent to anyone on receipt of stamp for postage.

(Cantab).—We never notice anonymous letters. Forgive us for saying that the tone of yours makes it difficult to believe that your nom de plume is genuine.

—Your letter is not of sufficient interest for publication. We by no means admit “that the English-speaking people are by far the most advanced in both political and social forms.” And even if they were, “leadership” of nations is as objectionable to the Socialist as leadership of individuals. This however does not prevent us from saying with you “any changes effected here will doubtless have a very powerful effect upon all the other nations of the civilised world.”

—Whoever stated that any one of the members of the Socialist League had offered to give lessons in dynamite was either unwittingly or willfully telling an untruth.

—Christian Globe—Defense des Travailleurs (organ of the Socialist and Revolutionary Workers of the north-east of France)—Co-operative News—Liberty (Boston)—Cri du Peuple (daily)—La Revue Socialiste (Paris).

following resolution has been unanimously passed: “That the Provisional Council of the Socialist League is convinced that the invasion of the Soudan was undertaken with the covert intention of exploiting that country for commercial greed, and that therefore the check inflicted on the British invaders should be hailed by all supporters of the Cause of the People as a triumph of right over wrong, of righteous self-defence over ruffianly brigandage.”

—The Socialist League has heavy expenses—rent of offices, halls for meetings and lectures, printing of hand-bills, and so forth; it is necessary also that it should at once set about publishing pamphlets and leaflets setting forth the principles of Socialism, and that it should engage in organising Socialism in the provinces. Many of those who are giving the most valuable personal help to the propaganda are not in a position to give money-help of it; we therefore ask those who can afford to give money to do their best in that way also. It is most desirable that the League should have a steady income, and we ask therefore that where possible the subscriptions should be regular, weekly or otherwise. Names and subscriptions should be sent to the Treasurer, William Morris, Kelmscott House, 26 Upper Mall, Hammersmith; they will be acknowledged through the post.—, Treasurer.

WILLIAM MORRIS.

years ago England stood face to face with a crisis, solvable to all appearances by force only. The immense and rapid development of manufactures had outstripped the extension of foreign markets and the increase of demand. Every ten years the march of industry was violently interrupted by a general commercial crash, followed, after a long period of chronic depression, by a few short years of prosperity, and always ending in feverish over-production and consequent renewed collapse. The capitalist class clamored for Free Trade in corn, and threatened to enforce it by sending the starving population of the towns back to the country districts, whence they came: to invade them, as John Bright said, not as paupers begging for bread, but as an army quartered upon the enemy. The working masses of the towns demanded their share of the political power—the People's Charter; they were supported by the majority of the small trading class, and the only difference between the two was whether the Charter should be carried by physical or by moral force. Then came the commercial crash of 1847 and the Irish famine, and with both the prospect of revolution.

The French Revolution of 1848 saved the English middle class. The Socialistic pronunciamentoes of the victorious French workmen frightened the small middle clas of England