Lenin CW-Vol. 23.pdf - From Marx to Mao

FAREWELL LETTER TO SWISS WORKERS373The future belongs to the trend that has given us KarlLiebknecht, created the Spartacus group, has carried onits propaganda in the Bremen Arbeiterpolitik. 163The objective circumstances of the imperialist war makeit certain that the revolution will not be limited to thefirst stage of the Russian revolution, that the revolutionwill not be limited to Russia.The German proletariat is the most trustworthy, the mostreliable ally of the Russian and the world proletarian revolution.When, in November 1914, our Party put forward theslogan: “Turn the imperialist war into a civil war” of theoppressed against the oppressors for the attainment of socialism,the social-patriots met this slogan with hatred andmalicious ridicule, and the Social-Democratic “Centre”,with incredulous, sceptical, meek and expectant silence.David, the German social-chauvinist and social-imperialist,called it “insane”, while Mr. Plekhanov, the representativeof Russian (and Anglo-French) social-chauvinism, of socialismin words, imperialism in deeds, called it a “farcicaldream” (Mittelding zwischen Traum und Komödie*). Therepresentatives of the Centre confined themselves tosilence or to cheap little jokes about this “straight line drawnin empty space”.Now, after March 1917, only the blind can fail to see thatit is a correct slogan. Transformation of the imperialistwar into civil war is becoming a fact.Long live the proletarian revolution that is beginningin Europe!On behalf of the departing comrades, members of theR.S.D.L.P. (united under the Central Committee),who approved this letter at a meeting held April 8(new style), 1917.N. LeninWritten on March 26 (April 8) 1917Published in the magazineJugend-InternationaleNo. 8, May 1917Published according tothe manuscript* Something between a dream and a comedy.—Ed.