in these serious times, the task of working in the spirit of Socialism for the high ideals of humanity, so that a repetition of this dreadful catastrophe may be averted, and this war may be the last.

“The stern regulations of martial law strike the workmen’s movement with terrible force.  Imprudent actions, useless and falsely-conceived sacrifices, damage in this moment not only the individual, but also our cause.

  “Comrades, we appeal to you to persevere in the unshakable confidence
  that the future belongs, in spite of all, to nation-binding Socialism,
  to justice and humanity.

      “DER PARTEIVORSTAND. 
      (The leaders of the party.)

  “Berlin, July 3ist, 1914.”

With these words, millions of German Socialists, represented by four and a quarter million voters and a hundred and eleven members of the Reichstag, tacitly denied their previous protestations, that Austrian Imperialism was letting loose the war-fury on Europe.  There are rumours of a secret consultation with the German Chancellor, but that is of little import in this place.  The leaders of this huge party proclaimed on July 25th that Austria was the blood-guilty power and maintained this attitude in spite of bloodshed till 11 p.m. on July 28th.  By what lightning-change Austria’s original guilt was transferred to Russia by July 31st is not recorded.

With regard to the text of the above proclamation, there are variations to be noted.  In the Vorwaerts it runs “within and without our frontiers” in the second paragraph; the text as I have given it is taken from the Leipziger Volkszeitung.  In the fifth paragraph the Nuremberg Fraenkische Tagespost gives “capitalistic” for “fatalistic.”

A few extracts from Socialist newspapers will suffice to illustrate the complete change of front which happened in three days: 

“We Social Democrats in this solemn hour are at one with the whole German nation, without distinction of party or creed, in accepting the fight forced upon us by Russian barbarism, and we are ready to fight till the last drop of blood for Germany’s national independence, fame and greatness.” Der Folksfreund (Karlsruhe), August 1st.

“We desired peace and we have done everything humanly possible to secure that end.  But when war is forced upon us by Russian Czarism, then, whatever the final decision may be, we must drop all class distinctions and differences of every kind, to form a single, determined people, prepared to defend Germany’s independence and greatness against the enemy—­even to the last drop of blood.” Volksstimme (Mannheim), July 31st.

“A defeat would mean collapse, annihilation and horrors most dreadful for all of us.[72] Our imaginations revolt at such a possibility.  Our representatives in the Reichstag have unanimously declared on innumerable occasions that the Social Democrats could not leave their Fatherland in the lurch when the hour of destiny strikes; the workmen will now redeem the promise given by their representatives.  The ’Fatherlandless fellows’[73] will do their duty, and in doing it, will allow themselves to be surpassed in no wise by the patriots,” Muenchener Post, August 1st.