Page:Emile Vandervelde - Three Aspects of the Russian Revolution - tr. Jean Elmslie Henderson Findlay (1918).djvu/266

 The greatest danger of the present moment is the danger of the free countries giving way to war weariness and accepting a precarious peace, a peace which would not solve the vital problem that is before us.

We feel that we could not become a party to it without betraying in the deepest sense our Socialistic convictions.

As for peace with the peoples of the Central Powers, the day that they are delivered from their rulers, be it by their own effort or by ours, we have already stated our views on this subject to the Council of Workmen and Soldiers' deputies at Petrograd.

The Council of Workmen and Soldiers' deputies at Petrograd had drawn up in their appeal to the Socialists of all countries the essential conditions for a general peace. A peace without annexation or indemnities, on a basis of the right of all nations to dispose of themselves.

In the name of the Belgian Socialists who have deputed us to represent them abroad, we have declared that we associate ourselves unreservedly with the sense of democracy and justice which has inspired