December 18th, 1949
Dear Comrade Klugmann,
I would like to draw your attention to an article by Comrade Hilary Mine which appeared in the November 18th issue of the publication, “For a Lasting Peace, for a People’s Democracy.” This article deals in some detail–and most clearly–with the problems of the present transition period to full socialism now being worked out in the New Democracies.
You may recall that following Comrade Derek Kartun’s article, “Poland: Problems of Unity,” in the October 1947 issue of Communist Review, I sent you a letter protesting against Comrade Kartun’s distortion of basic Marxist teachings. For example, Kartun’s belief that “They (the New Democracies, A.H.) may well be able to avoid the phase of dictatorship of the Proletariat... to move peacefully toward Socialism,” p. 288, loc. sited. Kartun’s belief that: “A new working class theory on the economic character of the new type of State is being established.”
Unfortunately, I think, instead of printing my letter–a short and clear statement on fundamental Marxist principles, a copy of which I append–you sent me a transcript of an article written by Comrade Mine which you intended to publish, and about which you and other leading comrades were eagerly speculating. The result of this speculation was obviously the article I have referred to by Derek Kartun.
Comrade Mine’s article has been mauled in translation, nevertheless its meaning is quite clear: Poland was passing through a phase in its historical development, of socialist development, quite similar to that gone through in an earlier period by the Soviet Union, the N.E.P. period. In a short note to you I pointed this out. It would now appear, comrade, that I was substantially correct all along the line, while you and other leading comrades, putting forward a line through the mouth of Derek Kartun, were wrong all along the line.
I re-emphasise: It goes without saying that such an article as Comrade Kartun’s, challenging Marxist theory and practice from top to bottom, could not have appeared without the approval of leading elements within the Political Committee, specifically, such comrades as Palme Dutt, Emile Burns and J. Campbell. Allow me to quote briefly from the present article of Comrade Mine’s which substantiates–if you concede that words make sense –what I have just stated: “But if we take Soviet planning in its historical development we shall see that, apart from the class essence, there are many common practical features and analogies between present planning in the People’s Democracies and Soviet planning during the New Economic Policy.” My emphasis.
It seems strange, comrade, that a person like myself, a worker by origin and habit, a member of the U.S. and British Parties since 1927, is unable to command a hearing before the Party membership, while people who have repeatedly proven in practice inability to grasp what is fundamental–essential–to Marxism, the question revolving around the State and the question arising from this concept, the dictatorship of the proletariat, continue to press very successfully their theory and practice on the Party without a ripple of opposition!
For example, I have just received notification from an “economic sub-committee,” that a discussion of “Keynesian economics” is to take place under the guidance of Comrade Campbell, this same comrade who openly, without shame, defended the petty bourgeoisie theories of Professor Varga–by disagreeing with him on the exact date when the U.S. depression would break out, but remaining silent on the attitude of Varga to Nationalisation, and to the question of the State! This is the same Comrade Campbell who has openly stated within the last nine months his belief that Capitalism is capable of genuine National Planning–at his celebrated Beaver Hall lecture, and who retains the important post of being the responsible Editor of the Daily Worker. What a wretched idea of Marxism we possess!
Is it not high time, Comrade Klugmann, that we stopped playing around with so-called Keynesian-economics and got down to the job of debating among ourselves like honest people, as Communists, the reasons why ideas such as Comrade Campbell and Kartun possess are not rooted out of our midst?
With fraternal greetings,
A. H. EVANS.