How did early U.S. Marxists react to the ‘Spanish-American War’ and the entrance of U.S. imperialism onto the global competitive stage? Passed just before the April 21, 1898 outbreak of war, here is the address from the Minneapolis Section of the Socialist Labor Party to their fellow workers on the nature of the conflict.

‘Address Of Section Minneapolis on the Cuban Question’ from The People. Vol. 8 No. 4. April 24, 1898.

Cuba, Still a Possession of Spain, Thanks only to our American Capitalist Government’s Conduct, is Now to be Used as a Pretext for Spoliation and Further Capitalist Investments.

Fellow Workers: In the midst of the present clamor of jingoes and self-styled patriots, we ask your candid attention to a few words on the question of the Cuban war agitation from the standpoint of the wage-working class.

Cuba has been held and ruled by the Spanish government for the benefit of Spanish capitalists. This rule has been oppressive to the Cubans, and a part of the Cuban people have risen up in arms to establish their independence. Let no one, however, be deceived into thinking that the success of the insurrection would bring freedom to the Cuban workers. The insurgents have not proposed to abolish capitalism. They have promised to “respect the sacred rights of property.” The insurrection, if successful, would result in freeing the Cuban workers from thraldom to Spanish capitalists, only to make them the servants of capitalism in their own island. So far the struggle is one in which the class-conscious workers of the United States, of Spain, or even of Cuba have no direct interest.

But American capitalists have an interest in the conflict. Their insurrection. Therefore, when the Cuban insurgents asked, not for aid, not for recognition even, but merely that the United States should remain neutral, this government, servile to capitalistic interest, answered their plea by sending revenue cutters to prevent the insurgents from buying arms or enlisting men in this country. Thus, by American aid, Spanish rule in Cuba has been maintained.

But the situation is now changed. The organs of capitalism are demanding war against Spain. What is their motive? Is it sympathy for Cuba? This is but a pretense, for the jingoes of today were but yesterday holding up the hands of Spain. Is it devotion to the flag and indignation at the destruction of the Maine? The destruction of the Maine was an atrocious crime. But capitalism daily commits equal at ties against the workers, under the very flag it calls on us to worship. The flag which was polluted at Homestead, at Coeur d’Alene, at Chicago, and at Hazleton is no longer the emblem of liberty.

A part of our capitalists, led by Mark Hanna, still desire peace for the sake of their bonds. The rest are ready for war for the following reasons:

First: A part of them wish for annexation, that they may extend their field of exploitation.

Second: A, part of them hope to fill their purses by rich contracts and profitable speculation in case of war.

Third: Others wish to force a new issue of United States bonds.

Fourth: All agree in wanting a strong navy to protect the foreign interests of American capitalism.

Fifth: All agree in wanting a strong army to keep down the workers at home.

Sixth: All agree in wishing to cultivate a sentiment of jingoistic patriotism; and

Seventh: All agree in welcoming any agitation which will distract the attention of the workers from their real interests.

Such are the motives of our capitaiistic jingoes.

Such can never be the motives of the wage-workers.

We as, proletarian revolutionists, hold the following position:

The Cubans have a right to independence; but war is not necessary to secure this: Cuba would already be independent if the government had held off its hands. As for the war now proposed: If war comes, its burden will fall upon the workers in this country and in Spain. Its fruits will be enjoyed by the capitalists in both countries. Our Comrades, the Socialists of Spain, have denounced war. Let us join hands with them. Let us avenge the crimes of capitalism at home. Let us establish real liberty, not only its forms. And let us not be led into battle to shoot each other for the glory and profit of our masters.

By order of Section Minneapolis, S.L.P.

April 10, 1898.

New York Labor News Company was the publishing house of the Socialist Labor Party and their paper The People. The People was the official paper of the Socialist Labor Party of America (SLP), established in New York City in 1891 as a weekly. The New York SLP, and The People, were dominated Daniel De Leon and his supporters, the dominant ideological leader of the SLP from the 1890s until the time of his death. The People became a daily in 1900. It’s first editor was the French socialist Lucien Sanial who was quickly replaced by De Leon who held the position until his death in 1914. Morris Hillquit and Henry Slobodin, future leaders of the Socialist Party of America were writers before their split from the SLP in 1899. For a while there were two SLPs and two Peoples, requiring a legal case to determine ownership. Eventual the anti-De Leonist produced what would become the New York Call and became the Social Democratic, later Socialist, Party. The De Leonist The People continued publishing until 2008.

PDF of issue: https://www.marxists.org/history/usa/pubs/the-people-slp/980424-thepeople-v08n04.pdf