THE CAMPAIGNS OF THE COMMUNIST INTERNATIONAL OF YOUTH

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90-01226R000100040008-1
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 30
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 1, 2010
• Sequence Number: 8
• Content Type: REPORT

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COMP'' ... $ _ f
4s
SOURCE:
THE COMMUNIST INTERNATIONAL OF
YOUTH FOR FOUR YEARS. A Review
of the Activity of the Communist
International of Youth and Its
Sections During the Period Between
the IV and V World Congresses.
State Publishing Office, Moscow,
1928, Leningrad.
THE CAMPAIGNS OF TH: COMMUNIST INTERNATIONAL OF YOUTH.
International campaigns. Week for the Struggle Against
the danger of War and the Intervention in China.
In 1927 the correlations between England and the
U.S.S.R. were infallibly becoming aggravating, while the
situation in China grew still more and more serious. The
danger of an imperialist war acquired a sharp character.
The Executive Committee of the Communist International
of Youth resolved to conduct from March 10 to 18, 1927,
an international campaign and a week for the struggle
against the danger of war and the intervention in China
and the U.S.S.R.
This campaign was conducted under the following
slogans:
Against the imperialist policy of the United States
League
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League for. Combating Colonial Oppression.
At the Congress which took place in Brussels and
consisted of representatives of various m tional-revolu-
tionary organizations of colonial and semi-colonial
countries - with the participation of delegates of the
English and French Communist Union of Youth - was arranged
a conference of the national-revolutionary youth organi-
zations which participated in the Congress. The confer-
ence adopted a declaration which called upon all the
revolutionary youth of the world to join the League.
Having acquainted itself with the report and resolutions
of the Brussels Congress, the Executive Committee of the
Communist International of Youth proposed that the
Executive Committee of the League recognize the decisions
of the Youth Conference at the Brussels Congress as the
decisions and documents of that Congress and incorporate
into the Executive Committee of the League Comrade Si-
ting (3) in the nature of a representative of the youth.
With a view to mending and intensively developing the
activity of the League among the youth of Europe. America
and especially the East, it was proposed that the League
organize
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organize a Bureau of Youth assigning to it the rights
of a section of the League. Within the task of the
Bureau of Youth should fall the organization of juvenile
sections of the League in individual places, increased
propaganda of the ideas of the League among the youth
of all countries, arrangement of a youth conference in
countries and. the study of the situation of colonial
studentry and working youth, as well as the protection
of its interests. It was proposed that the sections of
the Communist International of Youth take an active
participation in the organization of sections of the
League in individual places.
THE ROLE OF THE COMMUNIST UNION OF YOUTH IN INTER-PARTY
DISCUSSIONS.
* * * * * *
In the United States of North America our Communist
Union of Youth actively partioipated in inter-party
discussions; after some opposition it adopted the line
of the Communist International and was one of the defenders
of this line. ...............
IN
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IN THE STRUGGLE WITH IMPERIALIST WAR AND MILITARISM.
In the period after the IV World Congress of the
Communist International of Youth the danger of a new
world war became real. There occurred a whole. series of
petty imperialist wars against the revolutionarily arisen
oppressed colonial and semi-colonial peoples - in Morocco
and Syria, in China and Nicaragua, et cetera.
The increased danger of war placed a seal on the
work of the Communist International of Youth and its
sections. The work of the Communist International of
Youth was conducted under the banner of a struggle with
the danger of an imperialist war and militarism, under
the banner of defense of the U.S.S.R. and the revolution-
ary movements in the colonies and semi-colonies. .........
Two years ago the American Communist Union of Youth
began to conduct planned work in the army and navy.
The center of gravity was transferred to propaganda
among the troops departing for China. Since the commence-
ment of American intervention in Nicaragua, the Communist
Union of Youth openly conducted a wide detrimental propaganda
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in the army. Its slogans in the struggle with the attack
on Nicaragua declared:
Down with American imperialism.
Long live the uprising in Nica,ra.gua.
Soldiers and sailors, refuse to shoot at the rebels
in Nicaragua.
Soldiers, fraternize with the rebels.
As a result of this propaganda several soldiers from
the American army crossed to the side of the rebels in
Nicaragua and are now fighting with American imperialism
in the ranks of Sandino. The Communist Union of Youth
press joyfully greeted this news and openly invited the
sailors and soldiers to follow this example.
Another large field of anti-military work is the
OMTC* (bourgeois camp for pre-conscription training of
the youth), toward which of late a large number of the
working youth is aspiring. The Communist Union of Youth
is conducting revolutionary propaganda in this camp.
Frequently it was possible to enlist the fosterlings (7)
of the OMTC* in the Communist Union of Youth.
American
* The Latin letters "CMTC" are given. Presumably-w-CMTC"
(( i + i oonc AKil i+nr-Nr Trpin-incr (:AITi is meant.
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American class justice sentenced several comrades,
including soldiers, for anti-military propaganda to many
years of prison.
The perspective of revolutionary propaganda in the
army is developing comparatively well. Considering that,
according to statistics of the Ministry of War in 1927,
13,000 soldiers deserted the army, thanks to poor treat-
!Went and tiresome service, it is not difficult to compre-
hend that even in the American army there is favorable
ground for revolutionary propaganda, decomposing the army.
The American Communist Union of Youth is still con-
fronted with a serious work in the province of ideological
crystallization and eradication of pacifist tendencies. .....
The Communist International of Youth and the Red International
of Trade Unions.
Collaboration between the Communist International of
Youth and the Red International of Trade Unions during the
period under review assumed a more satisfactory character.
In the beginning of 1927 there was created by the Communist
International of Youth and the Red International of Trade
Unions
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Unions jointly a youth commission attached to the Red
International of Trade Unions. To this commission were
delegated three representatives of the Communist Internation-
al of Youth and. three representatives of the Red Internation-
al of Trade Unions. This commission set itself the task of
conducting work among the youth, which until this time found
itself at a sufficiently low level. Reports were demanded
concerning the work among the youth in the red trade unions
of France and Czechoslovakia and at a whole series of meet-
ings theses concerning the forms of work among the youth
and concerning the organization of this work were worked
out.
The IV Congress of the Red International of Trade
Unions in March, 1928, placed for consideration as the
second point of order of the day the question concern-
ing "youth and. the trade unions". A resolution was
adopted on the question concerning work among the youth;
in this resolution the role of the youth in the economic
struggle is characterized and the question concerning
the forms of organization of the youth is analyzed.
In
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In fact, there was worked out a program of struggle of
the toiling youth which contained actual, international
demands of the toiling youth. The Congress decided to
appoint a special secretary for the youth who must work
in closest contact with the Youth Section, which contin-
ues to exist; it was also decided to publish an informa-
tion bulletin for the youth. Into the General Soviet
of the Red International of Trade Unions were elected two
representatives of the youth.
THE COMMUNIST UNION OF YOUTH AND NON-PARTY MASS ORGANIZATIONS.
* * * * * *
Workers' Sport Organizations. .....
The American Communist Union of Youth works in the Workers'
Sport Alliance (R.abochem Sportivnom Soyuze), founded in
1926. Since 1926 this Alliance progressed numerica.lly
from 1,500 to 4,000 members. Two central sport campy ns
took place in 1926 and 1927, one is also planned for 1928.
The Communist Union of Youth is obliged to fight within
the sport organization against national-chauvinistic
influences of various national groups (chiefly, the Finnish).
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Other Forms of Mass Work. .....
The American Communist Union of Youth works in the
youth sections of various national workers' clubs and
mobilizes the youth for the support of the struggle of
the working youth (the miners' strike, et cetera). Fur-
thermore, the Communist Union of Youth is conducting cer-
tain voo rk in student organizations. In the latter part
of 1927 a Student Conference, consisting of 80 delegates,
occurred; it carried out a resolution against militarism
and the danger of war.
The South American Communist Union of Youth also
works in clubs of the working youth and. in student organ-
izations. A whole row of,Com:lunist Unions of Youth - in
the Balkan countries, in Mexico, et cetera - works in
peasant youth organizations.
THE COMMUNIST INTERNATIONAL OF YOUTH AND ELECTIONS.
In 1928 in various countries - France, Germany, Poland,
Japan, Latvia - elections took place. In addition, in the
same year primary elections are still pending in America
and elections in Latvia and Finland, while in 1929, elec-
tions in England. .....
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The United. States of North America.
Elections in North America. will take place in July,
but the Communist Union of Youth the first of March already
issued a program of social legislation for the youth. The
program contains a short introduction in which is set down
the position of the Union with respect to the two large
bourgeois parties - the Republican and the Democratic -
and with respect to the petty bourgeois policies and
leaders of the American Federation of L-,bor, who conduct
a policy of assistance to the candidates of both capitalist
parties, depending on the personal sympathies of the
leaders. Further in the program of the Com!aunist Union
of Youth it is stated:
"The Communist Union of Youth calls upon
the young workers to support the independent
political campaign of the working class (single
list of workers' candidates of the Labor Party)
against the capitalist parties and to rally for
the support of the following demands: 1) The
youth demands elective right. Every youth and
girl over 18 years of age should enjoy elective
right. 2) Six-hour working day and five-day
working week. 3) Abolition of child labor.
4) A minimum wage in the proportion of twenty
dollars (at the present time the wages of young
industrial workers in America are under fifteen
dollars
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dollars a week, and. this is by no means suf-
ficient in order to live in conditions worthy
of man). 5) Protection of the youth. 6) Annual
month's vacation at the expense of the employer.
7) Defense of apprenticeship (apprenticeship
does not appear as an important factor in
American industry in general, but it is important
in the building business, in the polygraphic in-
dustry and in several other smaller industries).
Against the system of individual contracts with
apprentices! For the increase of wages and for
the shortening of the period of training. 8)
For preparation for the technical trades (the
existing.preparation for the technical trades
signifies partly a desire to replace training by
means of apprenticeship, and partly is an attempt
to prepare highly qualified technicians,
experts and machinists). Training for the
technical trades is utilized in order to unite
a definite class of young workers with the in-
terests of industry, at the same time giving
them no industrial preparation. At the present
time training for the technical trades either
bears a commercial character (typewriting, sten-
ogrr=.phy, accountancy) or, equally, that of manual
training. We are against the present system of
instruction for the technical trades, which appears
to be nothing other than a deception. We are
for the creation of factory-mill schools in
enterprises
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enterprises after the pattern of the schools
of the factory-mill apprenticeship in the
U.S.S.R. All young workers from 15 to 18
years of age are obliged to attend these
schools. The hours of instruction are
compensated for as hours of work at an
enterprise and are counted during working
hours. In the course of time the number of
hours of instruction are diminished.
Factory schools must be found under the
control of the trade unions, young workers
attending these schools, and factory com-
mittees.
"In order to mobilize the youth for
participation in independent political
campaigns, the Union will support the
organization of youth clubs attached to the
Farmer-Labor Party and youth clubs attached
to the Workers$ Party wherever their sections
exist."
THE ACTIVITY OF THE PRhSIDIUM OF M. EXECUTIVE COMIITTEE
OF THE COMMUNIST INTERNATIO1"AL OF YOUTH.
The activity of the Presidium of the executive
Committee of the Communist International of Youth, as
the directiig organ of the international communist move-
ment of the youth, consisting of representatives from
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the more important unions, was concentrated on the
following:
a) Bringing into effect the decisions of the
Congresses, and especially of the IV Congress of
the Communist International of Youth.
b) International exchange of experience in all
fields of work of the Communist Unions of Youth.
c) Detailed study of the situation of the work-
ing youth in all countries and the rendering of support
to the unions in the matter of the application of
their tactics and activity to the concrete conditions
of life and the struggle of the worker-peasant youth.
d) Rendering of concrete assistance in the matter
of the working out of the political line and in the
practical activity of individual Communist Unions of
Youth by means of taking advantage of the experience
of other unions, by means of giving information at
the expense of errors and mistakes and by means of
a positive collaboration.
e) Organization of international movements and
campaigns.
The
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The entire activity of the Presidium was real-
ized on the basis of an unreserved and strict carry-
ing out of the political line of the Communist Inter-
national and an unsparing struggle in the international,
as well as in the national, scale with all errors and
views deviating from this line. ..........
The Trade Union-Economic Commission
* * * *
During this period the Trade Union Commission
considered questions of trade union work in individ-
ual countries, namely:?... in America - at 2 (sessions).
.............
Information Section
The Information Section of the Executive Committee
of the Communist International of Youth was organized
soon after the IV World Congress. Its task consisted
of regular and systematic informing of the Executive
Committee, and also the unions and newspapers. The
section is made up of three sub-sections; 1) the
archive of clippings, 2) the newspaper and journal
archive and 3) the library. .........
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The Information Section regularly receives and
scrutinizes information and communications of the
Communist International, the Red International of
Trade Unions, the Sport International, the Peasant
International, the International Red Aid (MOPR) et
cetera. A close contact is maintained with the
Information Section of the Communist International.
PLENUMS AND ENLARGED PLENUMS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
OF THE COMMUNIST INT-,RNATIONAL
OF YOUTH
A great instance in the interval between world
congresses is the plenum of the Executive Committee
of the Communist International of Youth. Forty-six
members comprise the Executive Committee of the
Communist International of Youth. The majority of
the members of the Executive Committee work in the
unions represented by them. Plenary sessions of the
Executive Committee occur, in fact, once in 6-8 months.
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At then there is introduced the balance of past work
of the Presidium and the unions, and new tasks are
formulated. Customarily the plenums of the Executive
Committee are arranged imrnediately after the plenums
of the Executive Committee of the Communist Inter-
national. On certain occasions, especially in con-
sidering important questions, representatives of the
more important unions are invited to the plenary
sessions of the Executive Committee, in consequence
of which from 10-15 delegates more than is customary
participate at the plenum.
Since the time of the IV World Congress 5 plenary
and enlarged plenary sessions of the Executive Committee
of the Communist International of Youth have occurred:
the first in the beginning of April 1925, the second
in March 1926, the third in November-December 1926,
the fourth in June 1927, and the fifth in February-
March 1928. ...............
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THE COMMUNIST INTTRNATIONAL OF YOUTH IN FIGURES
Dynamics of the Membership of the Communist International
1)
of Youth and Its Sections
Legal Unions Regarding Which Definite Data Are Available
Communist
March
March
November
June
End of
Middle
Union of
1925
1926
1926
1927
1927
of
Youth
1928
North
American
(?)4,000
1,085
1,712
1,900
1,950
2,480
The Social Composition of Individual Communist Unions of
Youth.
Approximate Data in Percentage
Communist Large Youth Agricul- Peasant Servants Students Percen-
Union Works in tural Youth and tage
of and Trades Working Others of
Youth Facto- and Youth these
ries Small Unem-
Enter- ployed
prises
* * *
North 2)
America 50 10 2 - 15 23
1) In all cases where data for the corresponding period
is not available, the last figures available are cited. In
places where we do not know whether the Communist Union of
Youth exists in general, a question mark appears.
2) Including the unemployed.
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Per Cent of Members in Factory Cells at the Beginning of 1928
* * * * * *
North America ................0.76
Per Cent Organized in Trade Unions at the Beginning of 1927
North America .................. 29 per cent
* * * * * *
The Press of the Communist Unions of Youth in Capitalist
Monthly Organs
Countries
Year of Publication
Country 1925 1926 1927 1928 Remarks
Circulation
"Young Worker" America 4,000 4,000 6,000 7,000 Until
1927, a
b i-
monthly
International Communist Child Movement
Organizational Situation
March 1926 May 1927 May 1928
United States
2,500 3,000 4,000
International Child Press
January 1927 May 1928
United States "Young Comrade" 8,000 copies 6,500 copies
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THE COMMUNIST UNION OF YOUTH OF THE UNITED STATES OF
NORTH AMERICA
The General Position of the working Youth
During the elapsed period the number of working youth
in industry was gradually increasing, so that at the present
time it amounts to 11 million, i.e., one fourth of the
entire working population. Its general economic position
is extremely difficult and considerably worse than the
position of adult workers, while the wages are even lower
the+n the minimum cost of living, fixed by the government
and bourgeois statistics.
In a political respect, a considerable part of the
youth finds itself imrnied.iaitely under the influence of
bourgeois youth organizations. Notwithstanding this,
under the pressure of social forces the youth is begin-
ning more and more to respond to events and is becoming
an important factor in the life of the country. The
chief revolutionizing factors are: the restriction of
immigration, thanks to which the youth is becoming one
of the principal sources of unqualified labor; the
uninterrupted
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uninterrupted crisis of farm economy, which sent forth
a considerable number of the youth to the city market
of labor; the enforced rationalization of American indus-
try, commenced in 1922, which increased the percentage of
working youth in industry and even lead to the formation
of a number of branches of industry in which only the
youth works; the sharp crisis in individual branches of
industry, such as the coal and textile, during which the
youth moved upon the first plan of struggle as the fight-
ing vanguard of workers of these branches of industry,
and, finally, the present day unemployment, also evoked
by rationalization, which blocked up a portion of the
working youth.
The Characteristics of the Past Four-Year Period
At the moment of the convocation of the IV Congress
of the Communist International of Youth, the Communist
Union of Youth of America already had adopted a general
program of communist activity. During this period until
the present time, may be noted the following four charac-
teristic moments in the work and life of the Union:
a)
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a) The concretization of the resolutions concern-
ing mass work by means of enhancing the participation of
the Union in the everyday struggle of the working youth.
b) Organizational enforcement of the Union, thanks
to the organization of better working apparatus, the
liquidation of antiquated national unions, and also the
drawing out of new directing forces.
c) The operation of our political activity by means
of reaction and practical direction at all current politi-
cal events.
d) Periodic fra.ctionization and. the resulting in-
ternal crisis, which appeared, principally, to be the
rejection of an unwholesome position in the Party,
served as a considerable hinderance on the road to fur-
ther development of the Communist Union of Youth.
The Organizational Situation
During the elapsed. period the organizational
apparatus was enforced and improved, thanks to the
liquidation of antiquated national unions and the
organization
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organization of coordinating district apparatus on a
national scale. The Communist Union of Youth, as such,
is still a small group, distinguished from the masses
of working youth of America, although in the field of
numerical strength certain successes were attained. From
1,700 members at the time of the IV Congress, the
Communist Union of Youth at the present time has in-
creased to 2,400 members. A considerable variation
took place in the composition of the Union, evoked,
chiefly, by the internal situation. The social composi-
tion changed for the worse. Until 1927, there existed
a. tendency to increase the proletarian elements in the
Union. In 1927, they, not including students, con-
stituted 77 per cent, at the present time they con-
stitute only 64 per cent, which discloses a considerable
increase of student elements in the Union. Likewise,
the Communist Union of Youth has still insufficiently
penetrated the chief branches of industry. A decided
improvement is disclosed in the national composition of
the Communist Union of Youth, numbering at the present
time 66 per cent of native Americans in comparison with
approximately
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approximately twenty to twenty-five per cent in 1924.
In the field of reorganization the Communist Union
of Youth acquired considerable and various experience,
but has attained comparatively small practical results,
with the exception of the above-mentioned liquidation
of national unions and the acquired experience and
knowledge. The organization of factory-works cells,
as the indispensable preliminary condition for further
final reorganization, still remains the chief task of
the Union.
Economic and Trade Union Work
In the field of mass work the Com__iunist Union of
Youth attained greatest results in the economic work of
the trade unions. The Communist Union of Youth participa-
ted in all large strikes and in some of them, as, for
example, the strikes in Passaic anc miners' strikes, it
was extraordinarily active. During these strikes the
Communist Union of Youth, thanks to its slogans, demands
and activity, frequently won the confidence and direction
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of the working youth which participated in these strikes.
Certain deficiencies in this work consisted of setting
forth general demands instead of concrete, in masking
the true face: of the Communist Union of Youth and in
deriving insufficient organizational results from the
acquired influence.
The chief activity of the Communist Union of Youth
during this four-year period was concentrated on the
coal industry. In the beginning the Communist Union
of Youth in this activity disclosed tendencies toward
abstractness and journalism, afterwards gradually with
the development of the crisis in the coal industry,
and later during the strike, already lasting an entire
year and leading to treachery of the trade union bureauc-
racy and, in fact, decomposition of the trade union, the
Communist Union of Youth became an important factor in
the struggle for bringing the strike to a victorious end
and for the restoration of the miners' trade union with-
out traitors to the working class. This activity mani-
fested itself during, the trade union elections and
conferences of trade unions, and also during the strike
by
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by its struggle with mine owners, with traitors to the
working class and with the armed forces of the State,
as well as during the present campaign for the welfare
and reorganization of the miners' trade union. Simul-
taneously, the Communist Union of Youth conducted work
for the organization of the unorganized. In each dis-
trict, and also on a national scale, members of the
Communist Union of Youth were to be found at the head
of the left wing during the struggle of the miners. In
connection with this the Communist Union of Youth success-
fully organized conferences of youth organizations of
the united front in defense of the miners.
One of the chief campaigns of the Communist Union
of Youth, naxiely, the drawing of the youth into trade
unions, was closely united with our strike activity. It
has a special. importance in view of the unwillingness of
the existing trade unions to organize the working youth.
In certain localities the Communist Union of Youth
successfully reorganized new trade unions, chiefly, in
the branches of industry where the youth predominates.
Experience
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Experience was also acquired in convoking youth confer-
ences, only four of which have been convoked up to this
time: three in the coal industry and one general con-
ference.
Although work is being conducted at enterprises
;,nd a number of factory-works newspapers are issued,
this work is still weak because of the insufficient activ-
ity on the part of each member of the Union.
Unemployment
The Communist Union of Youth quickly reacted to the
increase in unemployment and frequently assumed the
leadership of the struggle of the unemployed, although
it permitted certain serious errors in the formulation
of demands set forth.
Anti-Militarist Activity
The Union conducted a. campaign for the struggle
with "citizens' military training camps," both within
these camps and outside. This popularized the Communist
Union of Youth, as a fighter against imperialist war.
In
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27.
In 1926/27 many errors were permitted during the
carrying out of the united front tactics, chiefly, of
a pacifist character. An error, expressing itself in
the organization of the united front with the participa-
tion only of -petty bourgeois and liberal groups, was
acknowledged ,and to a considerable extent corrected.
Previously, the activity of the Union was limited chiefly
to general propaganda, recently concrete work was carried
out in the anti-militarist field, such as, for instance,
the demonstrations and distribution of literature among
the marines and soldiers despatched to Nicaragua and China.
It is necessary to considerably improve and develop
the weak beginnings of work among the armed forces.
Snort
Recognizing the important role of sports in America,
as the instrument of the bourgeoisie, and also the absence
of any workers' sport movement, the formation of the
workers' sport union must be acknowledged as a positive
fact.
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28.
fact. However, this union is still too closed and does
not include typically American sport organizations of
the working youth. The extension and development of
this organization is one of our chief tasks.
General Mass Work
Success may also be noted in the field of the forma-
tion and activization of the organization of young pioneers;
the attempts to organize farmer-labor youth clubs for
penetration into the agricultural youth; the commencement
of a serious elective campaign with a special electoral
platform, including a program of social legislation for
the youth, and, finally, the organization of annual
district and national schools for assets. (?).
Appraisement of the Elapsed Period
Although during the elapsed period considerable
progress has been made, it did not carry a permanent
character, and successes were attained, only in those
cases when the efforts of all the comrades were applied.
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29.
In the mass struggle of the working youth, confidence
and leadership were won by individual members of the
Oommunist Union of Youth and in an insufficient degree
by the entire Communist Union of Youth, as an organization.
The Communist Union of Youth, as such, is still
isolated from the masses of typically American youth,
which is apparent from its small numerical strength,
from its social and national composition and from the
small percentage of members engaged in the basic branches
of industry and in large enterprises.
Our work does not grasp a sufficient flexibility
and breadth of the horizon, and also the proper attention
to particulars and new methods applicable to America.
Organizationally the Communist Union of Youth is
much weaker than in its general influence. The strength-
ening of this influence in organizational forms is a
problem which until now it has been impossible to solve.
The chief wea.:kness of the Communist Union of Youth is
in the absence of factory-works cells and in an in-
sufficient development and training of native Americans
for leadership, both on a local and district scale.
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30.
Within the ranks of the Com:mnunist Union of Youth may
also be noted a definitely insufficient comprehension of
the present danger of war. This leads to many errors,
because of which some, as, for example, pacifism, have
already been subject to condemnation on the part of the
Executive Committee of the Communist International of
Youth.
Such important branches of work, as work among the
negroes and in the colonies, struggle with the opponents,
and also agrarian work, were found in full neglect, and
only in the field of work among the negroes did the Union
show certain activity, although very unsystematically and
weakly.
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