that was in power; afterwards they betrayed the Soviet Republic. IN A WORD, IN ALL COUNTRIES ALIKE, THE JINGO SOCIALISTS ASSUMED THE ROLE OF EXECUTIONERS AGAINST THE WORKING CLASS.
When Plekhanov was still a revolutionist, writing in the Russian newspaper “Iskra” (published in Switzerland) he declared that in the twentieth century, which was destined to witness the realisation of socialism, there would in all probability be a great split in the socialist ranks, and that a fierce struggle would ensue between the two factions. Just as, in the days of the French revolution (1788-1793), the extremist revolutionary party (nicknamed the Mountain) carried on a civil war against the moderates who were later organised as a counter-revolutionary party (spoken of as the Gironde) so — said Plekhanov — in the twentieth century, those who had at one time been brothers in opinion would probably be split into two warring sections, for some of them would have taken sides with the bourgeoisie.
Plekhanov’s prophecy was fulfilled. But when he wrote he did not foresee that he himself would be among the traitors.
In this way the jingo socialists (sometimes spoken of as opportunists) are transformed into the open class enemies of the proletariat. During the great world revolution they fight in the ranks of the Whites against the Reds; they march shoulder to shoulder with the military caste, with the great bourgeoisie and with the landlords. It is perfectly clear that we must wage as relentless a war against them as against the bourgeoisie, whose agents they are.
The remnants of the Second International, which the members of these parties have endeavoured to revive, form merely a branch office of the League of Nations. The SECOND INTERNATIONAL IS NOW ONE OF THE WEAPONS USED BY THE BOURGEOISIE IN ITS FIGHT WITH THE PROLETARIAT.