Correspondence
Our comrade Hawkins forwards a copy of the following letter which he has received:
“Draviel, 15.11.04
Dear Comrade,—I have just received No. 3 of THE SOCIALIST STANDARD, containin your interview, and I am glad to find that you have given a very full and faithful account thereof.
Trusting that the paper will be successful and with my best wishes and our kind regards to Mrs Hawkins and yourself.
Yours fraternally
PAUL LAFARGUE.”
12, Shelgate Road,
Clapham Junctn., S.W.
14.11.04.
Comrades,—Just a few lines of congratulations. I am glad to see that a straight, uncompromising Socialist party has at last entered the political field. If ever there were need of such party it is at the present time. When one looks around and sees the so-called Socialist parties wobbling about, advising the workers to do one thing one moment and the opposite the next, it is no wonder that the workers are in a chaotic state. It is no wonder that they are apathetic. Therefore, when almost at the last moment as it seems, a straight party springs into existence, I cannot but feel that every success should meet its progress. I think that if you con¬tinue as you have begun, the workers will wake up from their apathetic mood and support you wherever you lead. I am heartily pleased with the SOCIALIST STANDARD, and wish it every success. I, at any rate, will do my best to .advertise the paper and forward the Cause.
I remain, yours fraternally,
H. T. DAVEY.
F. M. (Hamburg). — Your note to hand. Shall be pleased to hear from you further at any time.
C. F. (Kentish Town). — Hardly suitable, but try again.
H. C. (Canning Town). — You are quite mistaken in supposing that we should not welcome the provision of adequate maintenance of all school chil¬dren. Nothing which we have ever said or written could bear any such construction. What we do be¬lieve is that nothing in the shape of adequate free maintenance will be given by any section of the capitalist party, and that anything short of adequate maintenance is not worth fighting for. When we have the working-class of this country organised on a Socialist basis and as a Socialist political party, we shall deal with all these matters as part of a regular revolutionary programme, but at present we can gain nothing by soliciting reforms and favours from a class against whose material inter¬ests it would be to grant them. We shall treat of this matter fully in a subsequent issue.
A. M. (Manchester). — 1. We think you will find the matter discussed at length in Giffen’s “Essays on Finance.” 2. Mulhall covers too short a period. We hope to be able to furnish the figures in some future issue when we have time to work them out.
J. C. T. (Birmingham). — The facts may be as stated but the source is so very unreliable that you cannot quote without some independent evidence. 2. We can afford to display indifference.
J. B. (Plymouth). — We shall consider the matter.
R. T. (Newhaven). — Anyone can join The Socialist Party of Great Britain by signing our Declaration of Principles as shewn on page 7. We can send form to anyone who wishes to join. It is, of course, more interesting to have a Branch in the locality to which you can belong, but failing this, you should belong to the Central organisation pending the formation of a Branch. We shall be pleased to furnish any further information either direct or through our columns.