This issue of The Masses, Vol. VIII, No. 8, published in June 1916, reflects the growing tension between Mexico and the United States, with a particular focus on the interventionist desire for military action against Villa and other Mexican rebels. The magazine warns against the exploitation of American business interests abroad, as well as the potential damage to U.S.-Mexico relations that could result from such intervention.
The issue also contains articles addressing the ongoing struggle for workers’ rights and social justice in America. One piece explores the materialist perspective, advocating for a direct pursuit of concrete, tangible goals rather than intangible ideals such as honor. This echoes the magazine’s long-standing commitment to working-class issues and its belief that the pursuit of material interests is essential for social progress.
Artwork in this issue includes drawings by K. BR. Chamberlain and Boardman Robinson, reflecting the visual engagement with the themes of war, exploitation, and social unrest that permeate the magazine’s content. Overall, The Masses continues to serve as a platform for progressive voices advocating for workers’ rights, social justice, and anti-imperialist perspectives in the United States and abroad.