U.S.S.R. is of Great Britain and the S.S.S.R. (b) for the purpose of rati- (b) S.S.S.R. fication. The fierce campaign raised by the British bour- is never used geoisie around the question shows that the majority of the in English; same, together with reactionary circles, are against the Treaty for the purpose of breaking off an agreement consolidating the ties between the proletariats of the two countries leading to the restoration of normal relations between England and the S.S.S.R. The proletariat of Great Britain, which pronounced its weighty word when danger threatened of a break-off of the past negotiations, and compelled the Government of MacDonald to conclude the Treaty, must show the greatest possible energy in the further struggle for ratification and against the endeavours of British capitalists to compel Parliament to annul it. It is indispensable to stir up the masses of the British proletariat (to bring into movement the army of unemployed proletarians) (5) whose position can be improved only after a loan has been granted to the S.S.S.R. for the restoration of her economics and when business collaboration between the British and Russian proletariats has been put in order. It is imperative that the group in the Labour Party (6) sympathising with the Treaty should bring increased pressure to bear upon the Government and Parliamentary circles in favour of the ratification of the Treaty. Keep close observation over the leaders of the Labour Party, because these may easily be found in the leading strings of the bourgeoisie. The foreign policy of the Labour Party as it is, already represents an inferior copy of the policy of the Curzon Government. Organise a campaign of disclosure of the foreign policy of MacDonald. (7) The I.K.K.I. (Executive Committee, Third [Communist] International) will willingly place at your disposal the wide material in its possession regarding the activities of British Imperialism in the Middle and Far East. In the meanwhile, however, strain every nerve in the struggle for the ratification of the Treaty, in favour of a continuation of negotiations regarding the regulation of relations between the S.S.S.R. and England. A settlement of relations between the two countries will assist in the revolutionising of the international and British proletariat (not less than a successful rising in any of the working districts of England) (8) as the establishment of close contact between the British and Russian proletariat, the exchange of delegations and workers, etc., will make it possible for us to extend and develop the propaganda of ideas of Leninism in England (9) and the Colonies. Armed warfare must be preceded by a struggle against the inclinations to compromise which are embedded among the majority of British workmen, against the ideas of evolution and peaceful extermination of capitalism. Only then will it be possible to count upon complete success of an armed insurrection. In Ireland and the always used. -A.MCM. Colonies the case is different; there there is a national question, and this represents too great a factor for success for us to waste time on a prolonged preparation of the working class. But even in England, as other countries, where the workers are politically developed, events themselves may more rapidly revolutionise the working masses than propaganda. For instance, a strike movement, repressions by the Government, etc. From your (10) last report it is evident that agitation= propaganda work in the army is weak, in the navy a very little better. Your explanation that the quality of the members attracted justifies the quantity is right in principle, nevertheless it would be desirable to have cells in all the units of the troops, particularly among those quartered in the large centres of the country, and also among factories working on munitions and at military store depots. We request that the most particular attention be paid to these latter. war. In the event of danger of war, with the aid of the latter and in contact with the transport workers, it is possible to paralyse all the military preparations of the bourgeoisie, and make a start in turning an imperialist war into a class Now more than ever we should be on our guard. (11) Attempts at intervention in China show that world imperialism is still full of vigour and is once more making endeavours to restore its shaken position and cause a new war, which as its final objective is to bring about the break-up of the Russian Proletariat and the suppression of the budding world revolution, and further would lead to the enslavement of the colonial peoples. "Danger of War"; "The Bourgeoisie seek War, Capital (12) fresh Markets"-these are the slogans which you must familiarise the masses with, with which you must go to work into the mass of the proletariat. These slogans will open to you the doors of comprehension of the masses, will help you to capture them and march under the banner of Communism. The Military Section (13) of the British Communist Party, so far as we are aware, further suffers from a lack of specialists, the future directors of the British Red Army. It is time you thought of forming such a group, which together with the leaders, might be in the event of an outbreak of active strife, the brain of the military organisation of the Party. Go attentively through the lists of the military “cells” detailing from them the more energetic and capable men, turn attention to the more talented military specialists who have for one reason or another, left the Service and hold Socialist views. Attract them into the ranks of the Communist Party if they desire honestly to serve the proletariat and desire in the future to direct not the blind mechanical forces in the service of the bourgeoisie, but a national (14) army. Form a directing operative head of the Military Section. Do not put this off to a future moment, which may be pregnant with events and catch you unprepared. Desiring you all success, both in organisation and in your struggle. With Communist Greetings (15), (5) An interpolation as is obvious from sense and syntax.- sky was funcT.U.C. Delegation. (6) Not the Communist secret organisation. It is obviously constitutional agitation that is contemplated. (7) This could obviously find no place in a speech to the Executive and an explanation here of I.K.K.I. (which would in a real letter have been E.C.C.I.) is of course absurd.-T.U.C. Delegation. (8) Another interpolation which makes the sentence almost nonsense.-T.U.C. Delegation. (9) Another interpolation interrupting the argument which makes nonsense and shows tampering.-T.U.C. Delegation. (10) Here the style and character of contents changes to secret instructions to a Communist conspiracy.-T.U.C. Delegation. (11) The rest of this paragraph is taken from the anti-war propaganda.-T.U.C. Delegation. (12) "seeks" omitted-showing hasty preparation of the document.-T.U.C. Delegation. (13) An absurdity.-T.U.C. Delegation. (14) Should be "People's Army." This mistranslation of "narodny" would be impossible to any Communist. "National" is "nazionalny," and makes nonsense here.-T.U.C. Delegation. (15) These signatures are of course, incorrect in many respects.-T.U.C. Delegation. tioning in his place. A.MCM. (d) This covering letter had reference to an entirely A "COVERING different No. 180. matter, and (Annexe II. in T.U.C. Delegates' Report.) Secret. September 12th. is given as a To the Central Committee of the British Party. document for the purpose Dear Comrades,-Herewith I am enclosing a copy of the of comparing speech of Comrade Zinoviev delivered to the Enlarged the signa- Plenum of the Central Committee of the Russian Communist tures.- Party. A,MCM. Its contents are strictly confidential, and it is only to be read by members of your Central Committee. The Secretary is charged to attend to this matter and to report confirming the strict attention to these instructions. With Communist greetings, For the Secretariat, (16) Note the Signature MacManus which is the form him in Russia, not McManus as in the "Red Delegation. Dear Coues,-On the basis of materials which are as yet incomplete, we may conclude that the "anti-war week" has provided some of our sections a considerable field for agitation against imperialist wars. The week of agitation against imperialist war should be made the starting point of permanent anti-war propaganda. It was our intention in the "anti-war week," by means of agitational slogans to draw the attention of the masses to the inevitability of new imperialist wars, and to the new betrayal of the Second International which finds its expression in its "anti-war policy." Nevertheless the war policy of the imperialists is far too complex a problem to be disposed of by purely agitational means, by merely pointing out to the masses the need for our revolutionary anti-war policy as distinguished from that of the pacifist elements of the bourgeois and of the Second International. It is, therefore, necessary to con tinue systematically to deal with the popular issues that were raised during the anti-war week on the subject of imperialism and in imperialist war. It seems to us that the most efficacious means for this purpose would be to make use of the party press. We suggest to our sections to inaugurate regular anti-war propaganda pages in their newspapers. The anti-war pages should comprise the following features: 1. Constant unmasking of the pacifism of the bourgeoisie 4. Articles exposing international diplomatic confer- 5. Exposure of the chauvinist-militarist propaganda conducted by the official educational establishments (schools, theatres, cinema, etc.). 6. Propaganda of the policy of the RC.P. during the 7. Reports on anti-war feelings among the masses of With Communist greetings, Secretary of the E.C. of the C.I. |