Page:Vladimir Ilyich Lenin - Lenin's Views on the Revolution.djvu/4

 work and mission of the Soviets on a world basis can we find our way amid the details of their internal workings and be able to adjust them at the right moment.

Reconstruction in Russia is absolutely dependent on the progress of the revolution in the powerful nations of Europe. Only as these revolutions succeed shall we be able to concentrate on internal reconstruction. The "Socialist Revisionists" in Berne described us as "terrorists." But they absolutely shut their eyes to what is going on in their own bourgeois countries. When we seized the reins here the "bourgeois compromise" clique had come to the end of its resources; but the problem of bringing about the world revolution is much more difficult. Acts of revolutionary terrorism from the world standpoint seem very small; they require not only much preparation, as was the case in Russia, but a far longer period must elapse before success is attained.

The mood of the Parisian masses is that of a crowd possessing an extremely keen sense of hearing and prompted by instinct. To-day it will not permit a word to be uttered against the Bolsheviki, whereas six months ago it listened quietly to those who maligned us. At one time the disintegration of our army was attributed to the instability of the Russians, but now it is understood that disintegration is the ultimate fate of all armies which enter upon the path of revolution. The eyes of the French masses are being opened by the brazen acts of robbery in which the French Government is taking a hand; and they will be still further enlightened by the quarrels which will develop over the division of the loot.

In spite of the unfavourable conditions under which we in Russia are at present forced to exist, we possess one advantage, which has been pointed out by the London "Times." Its military correspondent admits that, whilst rapid disintegration is manifest in all other armies, the army of Soviet Russia, on the contrary, is improving. Hemmed in on all sides by our enemies, we are defending ourselves, and every foot of our soil, whilst every month of the campaign brings us nearer and nearer to the world revolution,

We have been the world's pioneers in seizing power for the workers, and to-day the classes which formerly were oppressed are ruling Russia by their Soviets.

Shall we retain this power? Even if it is snatched from us, its acquisition was an historic deed which has no rival!

Even now we are justified in pride that we stood the test, that we defended the rights of the oppressed masses in spite of every hardship.