“We hold firmly to the contention that the German Socialists could have done nothing except what they did.  My presence here is a proof that we Germans are aware of our duties towards internationalism.[82] We believed that the German Government had given proof of its peaceful tendencies and was forced into war against its will.  Therefore, the Social Democratic Party supported it.

[Footnote 82:  There is no evidence to show that Suedekum’s Italian visit had any other purpose than winning over the sympathies of Italian Socialists and with them, the whole Italian nation for the purposes of German nationalism.—­Author.]

“Delia Seta answered that this was no justification for giving their support.  The Italian Socialists would not have given their assistance under the same circumstances, just as they had refused to vote in favour of the Libyan war.

“Dr. Suedekum replied that the German Socialists were compelled to defend their Fatherland against Czarism.  Further, he repeated Haase’s declaration in the Reichstag and continued:  ’I am astonished that the Italian Socialists are able to believe, that so strong a party as the German Democrats, had denied their ideals, and been untrue to their task.  You must admit that no other way was open to us, except to grant the credit demanded.’

“After this, he asserted the nationalist Press of France and Italy was working against Germany, and it seemed as if the Italian comrades were in agreement with Italian nationalists in endeavouring to maintain the existing condition of affairs[83] in Italy.

[Footnote 83:  “The existing condition of affairs” seems to mean Italian neutrality.—­Author.]

“Finally Suedekum concluded by pointing out that the German Democrats had neither the intention, nor the right, to influence the attitude of the Italian Socialists, but were merely endeavouring to link up hearty international intercourse again.

“In reply Delia Seta said he found it remarkable that the German Socialists had appealed to their Italian comrades in this solemn hour, all the more remarkable because intentions might easily be ascribed to this intervention.  ’This is a serious motive which impels us to state our opinions with unreserved frankness.’

“He continued:  ’Your defence does not convince us.  You speak of France being allied with us, and of England, Germany’s enemy.  But we speak of our France, revolutionary France, Jaure’s France.  The French Socialists opposed the military preparations made by France, you Germans did not do the same in your country, or at least, only up to the point where the imperialistic feelings of the Kaiser and his party might be hurt.

“’The point of view of German Democrats coincides with that of German imperialism.  German predominance means for us a far greater danger than Czarism, because Czarism prevents the German army from marching on Paris, and thus protects the banner of France, which in spite of all mistakes and errors, is still the most revolutionary.