Collected Works of V. I. Lenin - Vol. 31 - From Marx to Mao

LETTER TO THE BRITISH WORKERS143British labour “leaders”, who are captives to bourgeoisprejudices, are afraid even to ask, namely, which class theterror is directed against—the oppressed and exploited,or the oppressors and exploiters? Is it a question ofthe “freedom” of the capitalists to rob, deceive and dupethe working people, or of the “freedom” of the toilersfrom the yoke of the capitalists, the speculators andthe property-owners? Comrade Sylvia Pankhurst representsthe interests of hundreds upon hundreds of millionsof people that are oppressed by the British and othercapitalists. That is why she is subjected to a White terror,has been deprived of liberty, etc. The labour “leaders”who pursue a non-Communist policy are 99 per cent representativesof the bourgeoisie, of its deceit, its prejudices.In conclusion, I want to thank you once again, comrades,for having sent your delegation here. Despite the hostilityof many of the delegates towards the Soviet system andthe dictatorship of the proletariat, and although many ofthem are in the grip of bourgeois prejudices, their acquaintancewith Soviet Russia will inevitably accelerate the collapseof capitalism throughout the world.N. Lenin30.5.1920Pravda No. 130,June 17, 1920Published according tothe newspaper text