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 a rigorous control. This much is proved by the history of the organisations and of the food policy of the "Democratic" regime, which never wearied of complaining about the sabotage of the capitalists; to which it only opposed tears and supplications.

There is no force in the world, save that of the victorious proletarian revolution, which is capable of passing to revolutionary action, instead of being restricted to weeping and prayers. And the more the proletarian revolution is postponed, the more prolonged are the hesitations of those who are in perplexity and disarray—the more this revolution will exact great sacrifices; the more difficult will it be to organise the marketing and distribution of bread.

Slackening down in the revolution means death—this is the answer to those who, in face of growing disorganisation and the increasing famine, have the mournful courage to dissuade the workers from rising in revolt: (that is to say, to advise them to wait and to put their trust once more in the bourgeoisie).

"… The situation on the front no longer involves danger. Even if the soldiers conclude an armistice on their own initiative there will be no great harm done. …"

But the soldiers will not conclude an armistice. To conclude an armistice State power is necessary, and it is impossible to obtain this without insurrection. The soldiers will run away—that is all. This much is indicated by all reports coming from the front. It is impossible to wait without running the risk of helping Rodzianko to come to an understanding with Kaiser Wilhelm and without contributing to the complete disorganisation of the army. For if the soldiers are reduced to despair (and they are not far from it) they will run away in a body and abandon everything.

"… But if we seize power and do not obtain either an armistice or democratic peace, perhaps the soldiers will not consent to a revolutionary war. What could we do then?"

This is an argument that recalls the proverb: that an idiot can ask ten times more questions than can be answered by the concerted wisdom of ten wise men.

We have never denied the difficulties which proletarian power will be up against during the imperialist war. Nevertheless we have given our sanction to the dictatorship of the proletariat and the poor