Page:Solomon Abramovich Lozovsky - The World's Trade Union Movement (1924).pdf/106

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WORLD'S TRADE UNION MOVEMENT

that all the armament under the control of the bourgeoisie shall be turned over to the hands of the working class. Therefore, the whole ideology of pacifist disarmament is aimed completely against the interests of the working class.

We are categorically opposed, not only to the pacifism of the reformists, but also to the pacifism of the anarchists. In connection with that, at the last session of the Executive Bureau of the Profintern, we had to adopt a decision in connection with the action of the French anarchists. The story of it is as follows: In France there exists a so-called Committee for the Fight against Imperialism and War, in which are participating representatives of the parties, C. G. T. U., and also the anarchist federation.

When the Anglo-Russian dispute began, in the Committee of Action this question was put on the agenda in the sense of mobilizing the French workers for the defense of the Soviet Republic. At this point the anarchists brought in a special resolution in which it was stated: "The working class has no business with any military conflict, it is against the defense of any country, and therefore it should not mix in any commercial squabble between England and Russia. By our mixing in we may set the Russian people against the English, or vice versa."

What is the essence of this small but typical resolution? Here are, firstly, the anti-soviet character of the anarchist declaration. The French anarchists as well as others have an anti-soviet position, because the soviets are a state power, and the anarchists are against all kinds of states. Secondly, they are against every kind of army.

"Let us assume" said I, in a personal discussion with the French anarchists, "that the bad Communist Party does not exist, that the Communist International has been exiled to the devil's islands, or even to Mars; that in France there are only such trade unions of which you alone are the head, and, one fine day, you will overthrow the bourgeoisie. What will you do next? You will agree that the counter-revolution will not at once lay down its arms?"

The anarchists answered, "Of course."

"That means that it will be necessary to fight against them."

"Yes," they agreed, "it will be necessary."

"Are you sure that when the revolution will occur in France, the United States fleet will not bombard your ports?"

"No," they replied, "we are not sure."

"The French bourgeoisie will have its regiments and battalions?"

"Of course."

"That means that you will have to create something to fight against your own and the foreign bourgeoisie? It matters not if you call them