revolutionists of the end of the eighteenth century would never
have been able to have overcome the enemy, attacking France on all
sides, had they not adopted such tactics only when the popular
movement against the old regime became mature enough to render
their efforts effective.

Furthermore, you must not be embarrassed by the arguments of those
who believe that every one who defends his country refuses thereby
to take part in the struggle of the classes. These persons do not
know what they are talking about. In the first place, in order
that the struggle of the classes in Russia should be successful,
certain social and political conditions must exist there. _These
conditions will not exist if Germany wins_.

In the second place, if the working-man of Russia cannot but
defend himself against the exploitation of the Russian landed
aristocrat and capitalist it seems incomprehensible that he should
remain inactive when the lasso of exploitation is being drawn
around his neck by the German landed aristocracy (the _Junker_)
and the German capitalist who are, unfortunately, at the present
time _supported by a considerable part of the German proletariat
that has turned traitor to its duty of solidarity with the
proletariat of other countries_.

By striving to the utmost to cut this lasso of German
imperialistic exploitation, the proletariat of Russia will
continue the struggle of the classes in that form which at the
present moment is most appropriate, fruitful, and effective.

It has been our country's fate once before to suffer from the
bloody horrors of a hostile invasion. But never before did it have
to defend itself against an enemy so well armed, so skilfully
organized, so carefully prepared for his plundering enterprise as
he is now.

The position of the country is dangerous to the highest degree;
therefore upon all of you, upon all the politically conscious
children of the working-people of Russia, lies an enormous
responsibility.

If you say to yourselves that it is immaterial to you and to your
less developed brothers as to who wins in this great international
collision going on now, and if you act accordingly, Russia will be
crushed by Germany. And when Russia will be crushed by Germany, it
will fare badly with the Allies. This does not need any
demo