Page:Theses Presented to the Second World Congress of the Communist International (1920).pdf/55

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The Congress of the Communist International denounces as traitors those Socialists—unfortunately there are such not only in the yellow Second International but also among the three most important European parties who have left the Second International—who are not only indifferent in regard to the strike struggle in the country but who oppose it (as does Kautsky) on the ground that it might cause a falling-off of the production of foodstuffs. No programs and no solemn declarations have any value if the fact is not there in evidence, testified by actual deeds, that the Communists and the labour leaders know how to put above all the development of the proletarian revolution and its victory, and are ready to make the utmost sacrifices for the sake of this victory. Unless this is a fact, there is no issue, no escape from starvation, dissolution and new imperialistic wars.

It is also necessary to mention in particular that the leaders of the old Socialism and the representatives of the "Labour aristocracy", who are making now verbal concessions to Communism and pass even nominally into its ranks to preserve their popularity in the working masses, which are becoming rapidly revolutionised, that these all are to be tested in regard to their allegiance to the proletarian cause, and their ability to take responsible posts in a work where the development of revolutionary consciousness and the revolutionary