448 THE CLASS STRUGGLE it must suffer and tolerate unspeakable exploitation and oppression in the interests of the capitalist class or revolution.
There is no other answer to the situation as it exists today.
Revolution and fraternization with the Soviet Government of Russia, or hunger, want and industrial and political slavery. few days ago the Ebert government replied with a refusal to the proposal of the Entente to establish a blockade against Russia.
Such a measure would be, in the opinion of the German government, entirely ineffective. Moreover the German Republic would, under no circumstances tolerate intercommunication with its Russian neighbor. Finally the Entente was assured that the German government was prepared, at any time to lend its full support to any effective measure against the Workmen and Peasant Republic of Russia. To this infamy the German working class can find but one answer a union with the Russian revolutionary government. The capitalist counter revolution of the golden International must be met by a united International of the revolutionary proletariat. The German working class must be taught to understand that its only salvation lies in their active support of and co operation with the Soviet Republic. The fact that this was not generally realized at the time of the November Revolution is in a measure responsible for the failure of the German Revolution.
Our German comrades have, of late, concentrated their energies upon a campaign of education and organization. Industrial organizations in opposition to the existing labor unionsare being organized. They are creating newspapers, organizing political units and are pursuing a course of obstruction against the capitalist system by encouraging and fomenting strikes for higher wages and shorter hours. Without paying the slightest attention to the helpless rage of capitalism and its servant, the social democracy, it is using its strongest weapon, its industrial power to fight against the counter revolutionary actions of its rulers, and to enforce political demands. This activity is not very spectacular, it is true. But it is the surest and best way to prepare for a victory of the proletarian revolution that will have to come.
The German Revolution of 1918 is lost. The Communists of Germany are girding their loins for the final struggle.