Page:The Czechoslovak Review, vol4, 1920.pdf/368

That a return of the pre-war conditions and times is never to be realized is the consensus of judgment of competent observers. They forever belong to the by-gone past. He who basks in the rays of the hope that once again all those things which were here then will ever return misleads not only himself but even those sorrounding him. The great war reached too vigorously into the intricate machinery of the whole world, into lives, into all matters of the people and left deep and unhealing scars. New mottoes and ideas were heard. Then began a contest of mighty forces and vast resources. All these, naturally, have a certain influence on the new order of things, both political and social. He who refuses to give due weight to these facts and deceives himself with thoughts of times now past naturally must fall under a spell of incurable pessimism. Only people who are able to adjust themselves to new conditions are the ones who may reckon with success. Weighing new forces with lamentations and light judgment accomplishes nothing. The principal task of our politicians and leaders is to keep these new forces in their proper channels.

For a nation, a most important thing is to survive the transition period—probably five or six years—which will be fraught with ferment, seething, reeling, various surprises, difficulties and crises. Whichever state manages to weather this era without bloody revolutions will fare best.

Political leaders must not give consideration exclusively to local questions or only to problems of the state, but must constantly solve them with due appreciation of prevailing world conditions. Never was production and spiritual effort of every state so dependent on external conditions as at this particular time.

“Do not promise labor more than can be given,” is the initial world problem. This does not imply that social reforms should not be undertaken, but all these must be tempered with common sense, treated as an actuality and not effected by fear on the one side or as a result of a fanatic attack of the other side. From the ranks of labor men of signal courage must rise; men who are able to tell the working classes that a government by the proletariat is nonsense and that it must seek a common ground on which it is possible to meet with other classes.

It is essential to point out that even this problem cannot be solved except simultaneously in all states, if for no other reason than that it is world-wide.

No politician believes Bolshevism can take root in cultured states. To transfer Russian programs and methods to some other countries is an utter impossibility, as all attempts thus far undertaken in that direction have failed. In enlightened states the working classes soon would reject Bolshevik principles and most particularly their practical application. Naturally, everywhere there is a group of idiots who believe that they might overthrow the government after the Russian fashion. It is significant that particularly, these individuals, because of the hue and cry they raise—that they bring forth something new—receive more attention than voices from sensible circles. Nevertheless, this does not imply that anywhere they are in the majority.

The most effective antidote of this disease is employment and sufficient food supply. But this medicine cannot be administered in some states, and right here mutual assistance and cooperation is necessary. Therefore, even here it is demonstrated that to-day all pressing questions must necessarily be solved with regard to world-wide conditions.

On the sound solutions of the labor problems hinges the question of state finances.

To gain financial soundness even the greatest nations must attain it through intensified work. Striking must not become a “daily occupation”. Labor must be made to realize that constant interruption in the production of coal, industrial articles and agriculture hurts, in the final analysis, only the laboring classes. Eventually, if the strike ailment becomes chronic, the other classes would be forced to seek safety against it—and necessity would force them to find a device to meet or counteract it.