Page:Grigory Zinoviev - Twelve Days in Germany (1921).pdf/41

 trumpeting all over Germany that Enver Pasha has joined the Third International, and that we fraternised with him at the Baku Congress of Eastern Peoples. This legend was reprinted in nearly all the papers of the world. In the pre-congress electioneering campaign this legend played a very important part. We saw an electioneering leaflet from Frankfort signed by Mrs Tony Sender and some other leaders of the Right Independents, in which it was stated: "Enver Pasha, the executioner of the Armenian people, is admitted into the Third International, but Ledebour the old revolutionary fighter is refused admittance."

We had to start by telling the truth about Enver Pasha's visit to Baku. Enver Pasha, as is well known, was never there as a delegate. He came as a guest. He asked to be allowed to address the congress, and met with a refusal. Then he asked to be allowed to read a declaration, which was read. In this declaration he stated that he and the other representatives of the present Turkish Government are on the side of the Soviet Government, and that they have become convinced that they will find no salvation in alliance with the bourgeoisie of any country.

What did we do in reply to this declaration? Did we receive him with open arms? Not at all. Bela Kun and I moved a resolution, which was carried at the congress, stating most emphatically that "we warn the Turkish people against those leaders who are responsible for the imperialist war, and that we invite these leaders to prove their present, loyalty to the people by deeds and not. by words; that we call on the Turkish workers and peasants to fight not only against the foreign oppressors, but also against their own capitalists. We call on them to organise soviets, where none but the poor could be admitted," etc. From this fact alone the Independents, with a dexterity worthy of the late reactionary journalist, Burenin, and Martov, the Menshevik, wove a legend of our alliance with Enver Pasha and of his joining the Third International. However, this was only a detail. It is very interesting to note the view taken by the Right Independents on the national question as a whole. They affirm that a follower of Marx can have nothing in common with the national movements of oppressed