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 to us, precisely because we can attract the backward workers to them. We said the Soviets are the best universities where the backward labouring masses can best outlive their lack of faith in the proletarian revolution. All the workers must be admitted to the Soviets. And for that reason that, the party must possess its own organisation within the Soviets in order to guide all the Soviets.

The first to speak on the chief question of the day was Crispien, the second was Daumig, the third Dittmann, and the fourth Stocker. Then I was allowed to speak. Dittmann's gang was only waiting for an opportunity to shout, me down. This opportunity came very soon. When I analysed the part played by the Yellow leaders of the Amsterdam Trade Union International, I stated that some of the yellow leaders were far more repulsive and far more dangerous to the working class than the outspoken white guards of the "Orgesch" organisation. At this statement Dissmann and Co. attempted to create an uproar, to show how deeply I offended their assumed dignity. They said that I insulted 28 million Trade Union members. Dittmann pathetically brandished his membership card, crying that he had been a member of a trade union for the last 22 years, and that he would not allow trade unions to be insulted, etc. However, these gentlemen did not succeed in shouting me down. The speakers of the Left Independents at the pre-congress debates allowed themselves unfortunately to be driven to the defensive. In my speech, of course, I at once assumed the offensive. Crispien dubbed the Left Independents—"disguised Communists" (verkappte Kommunisten). Crispien and Co. attempted to prove in their spechesspeeches [sic] that the Left Independents are in fact Communists, but do not dare to own themselves as such. The whole of the Left Wing of the Congress met my words with a storm of cheering when I said that we on this side are not disguised but open Communists. I then asked Crispien and Co., "If you are such irreconcilable enemies of Communism, who do you seek to enter the Communist International, what do you expect to find there?"

And the Congress gave a hearty cheer. At first the Right, did not give up all hope of shouting me down. But after a