Part 1

The second kind of opponents of bolshevism are the moderate and reformist social-democrats. These were, in the first place opponents from the start to bolshevik revolutionary tactics, i e. of the bolshevik approval of the dispersion of the Constituenl Assembly by the anarchists (the bolsheviks were, to some extent, implicated in this dispersion) ; in the second place, they latei became opponents of the anti-democratic and anti-humanitariar measures of the bolsheviks, such as, the suppression of the freedom of the press and assembly. They were also opponents bj principle to the immediate and absolute expropriation of the capitalists and of the land owners without compensation. According to their opinion the bolsheviks should have sought co-operation with the democrats of the West. They invoked the aid of Marx and said that socialism could only come about by a development through capitalism. Politically, there should first have com(. democracy in Russia after the overthrow of czarism, and economically, capitalism. Thereupon, after this development had slowly taken place, Russia would be ripe for socialism. Socialism must come through a progressive development; it is a product of evolution. Russia was not yet ripe for socialism. They also oppose the liberty-crushing tendencies of the bolsheyiki, their extraordinary commissions, etc. But when they are in power, they by no means allow themselves to be guided by humanitarian viewpoints in their policies. A Noske, who is one of this group, as minister of defense, has not behaved more humanely, but perhaps more hypocritically, than the bolsheviks. On the whole, this group of social-democrats, social patriots and reformists, or whatever you call them, turn down the principles, methods and tactics of the bolsheviks, because the bolsheviks are too radical for them. These social democrats, furthermore, combat the bolsheviks secretly or openly — mostly secretly — with all the means of force. They help the armed counter-revolution, support the blockade against Russia, etc. During the social democratic reign in Germany that government did all it could against bolshevik Russia.