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of destroying the present type of worker of the white races。 He
will drive him off the face of the earth。 The Socialists； who
preach equality to the labourer； are far from thinking what would
be the practical result of carrying out their theories。 Is it；
then； the destiny of the white races to disappear in the long
run？ In my humble opinion this destiny depends upon one
single factor： Shall we or shall we not have the good sense to
close our ears to speeches which present war and preparation for
war as a useless evil？
‘‘I believe the workers must choose。 Given the present
constitution of the world； they must cultivate in their children
the military ideal； and accept gracefully the cost and trouble
which militarism entails； or they will be let in for a cruel
struggle for life with a rival worker of whose success there is
not the slightest doubt。 There is only one means of refusing
Asiatics the right to emigrate； to lower wages by competition；
and to live in our midst； and that is the sword。 If Americans
and Europeans forget that their privileged position is held only
by force of arms； Asia will soon have taken her revenge。''
We know that in America the invasion of Chinese and Japanese；
owing to the competition between them and the workers of white
race； has become a national calamity。 In Europe the invasion is
commencing； but has not as yet gone far。 But already Chinese
emigrants have formed important colonies in certain centres
London； Cardiff； Liverpool； &c。 They have provoked several riots
by working for low wages。 Their appearance has always lowered
salaries。
But these problems belong to the future； and those of the present
are so disquieting that it is useless at the moment to occupy
ourselves with others。
2。 The Evolution of the Working…Classes and the Syndicalist
Movement。
The most important democratic problem of the day will perhaps
result from the recent development of the working…class
engendered by the Syndicalist or Trades Union movement。
The aggregation of similar interests known as Syndicalism has
rapidly assumed such enormous developments in all countries that
it may be called world…wide。 Certain corporations have budgets
comparable to those of small States。 Some German leagues have
been cited as having saved over three millions sterling in
subscriptions。
The extension of the labour movement in all countries shows that
it is not； like Socialism； a dream of Utopian theorists； but the
result of economic necessities。 In its aim； its means of action；
and its tendencies； Syndicalism presents no kinship with
Socialism。 Having sufficiently explained it in my Political
Psychology； it will suffice here to recall in a few words the
difference between the two doctrines。
Socialism would obtain possession of all industries； and have
them managed by the State； which would distribute the products
equally between the citizens。 Syndicalism； on the other hand；
would entirely eliminate the action of the State； and divide
society into small professional groups which would be
self…governing。
Although despised by the Syndicalists and violently attacked by
them； the Socialists are trying to ignore the conflict； but it is
rapidly becoming too obvious to be concealed。 The political
influence which the Socialists still possess will soon escape
them。
If Syndicalism is everywhere increasing at the expense of
Socialism； it is； I repeat； because this corporative movement；
although a renewal of the past； synthetises certain needs
born of the specialisation of modern industry。
We see its manifestations under a great variety of circumstances。
In France its success has not as yet been as great as elsewhere。
Having taken the revolutionary form already mentioned； it has
fallen； at least for the time being； into the hands of the
anarchists； who care as little for Syndicalism as for any sort of
organisation； and are simply using the new doctrine in an attempt
to destroy modern society。 Socialists； Syndicalists； and
anarchists； although directed by entirely different conceptions；
are thus collaborating in the same eventual aimthe violent
suppression of the ruling classes and the pillage of their
wealth。
The Syndicalist doctrine does not in any way derive from the
principles of Revolution。 On many points it is entirely in
contradiction with the Revolution。 Syndicalism represents rather
a return to certain forms of collective organisation similar to
the guilds or corporations proscribed by the Revolution。 It thus
constitutes one of those federations which the Revolution
condemned。 It entirely rejects the State centralisation which
the Revolution established。
Syndicalism cares nothing for the democratic principles of
liberty； equality； and fraternity。 The Syndicalists demand of
their members an absolute discipline which eliminates all
liberty。
Not being as yet strong enough to exercise mutual tyranny； the
syndicates so far profess sentiments in respect of one another
which might by a stretch be called fraternal。 But as soon as
they are sufficiently powerful； when their contrary interests
will necessarily enter into conflict； as during the Syndicalist
period of the old Italian republicsFlorence and Siena； for
examplethe present fraternity will speedily be forgotten； and
equality will be replaced by the despotism of the most powerful。
Such a future seems near at hand。 The new power is increasing
very rapidly； and finds the Governments powerless before it； able
to defend themselves only by yielding to every demandan odious
policy； which may serve for the moment； but which heavily
compromises the future。
It was； however； to this poor recourse that the English
Government recently resorted in its struggle against the Miners'
Union； which threatened to suspend the industrial life of
England。 The Union demanded a minimum wage for its members； but
they were not bound to furnish a minimum of work。
Although such a demand was inadmissible； the Government agreed to
propose to Parliament a law to sanction such a measure。 We may
profitably read the weighty words pronounced by Mr。 Balfour
before the House of Commons：
‘‘The country has never in its so long and varied history had to
face a danger of this nature and this importance。
‘‘We are confronted with the strange and sinister spectacle of a
mere organisation threatening to paralyseand paralysing in a
large measurethe commerce and manufactures of a community which
lives by commerce and manufacture。
‘‘The power possessed by the miners is in the present state of
the law almost unlimited。 Have we ever seen the like of it？ Did
ever feudal baron exert a comparable tyranny？ Was there
ever an American trust which served the rights which it holds
from the law with such contempt of the general interest？ The
very degree of perfection to which we have brought