wrongs inflicted upon Belgium, or to the fact that Germany’s victory over Russia would make it possible for her to crush the western democracies, France and England.  But neither to save Belgium nor to prevent German militarism crushing French and English workers under its iron heel would they have the Russian workers make any sacrifice.  They saw, and cared only for, what they believed to be Russian interests.

IV

But during the first months of the war the Porazhentsi—­including the Bolsheviki—­were a very small minority.  The great majority of the Socialist-Revolutionists rallied to the support of the Allied cause.  Soon after the war began a Socialist Manifesto to the laboring masses of Russia was issued.  It bore the signature of many of the best-known Russian Socialists, representing all the Socialist factions and groups except the Bolsheviki.  Among the names were those of George Plechanov, Leo Deutsch, Gregory Alexinsky, N. Avksentiev, B. Vorovonov, I. Bunakov, and A. Bach—­representing the best thought of the movement in practically all its phases.  This document is of the greatest historical importance, not merely because it expressed the sentiments of Socialists of so many shades, but even more because of its carefully reasoned arguments why Socialists should support the war and why the defeat of Germany was essential to Russian and international social democracy.  Despite its great length, the Manifesto is here given in its entirety: 

We, the undersigned, belong to the different shades of Russian Socialistic thought.  We differ on many things, but we firmly agree in that the defeat of Russia in her struggle with Germany would mean her defeat in her struggle for freedom, and we think that, guided by this conviction, our adherents in Russia must come together for a common service to their people, in the hour of the grave danger the country is now facing.

We address ourselves to the politically conscious working-men, peasants, artisans, clerks—­to all of those who earn their bread in the sweat of their brow, and who, suffering from the lack of means and want of political rights, are struggling for a better future for themselves, for their children, and for their brethren.

We send them our hearty greeting, and persistently say to them:  Listen to us in this fatal time, when the enemy has conquered the Western strongholds of Russia, has occupied an important part of our territory and is menacing Kiev, Petrograd, and Moscow, these most important centers of our social life.

Misinformed people may tell you that in defending yourselves from German invasion you support our old political regime.  These people want to see Russia defeated because of their hatred of the Czar’s government.  Like one of the heroes of our genius of satire, Shchedrin, they mix fatherland with its temporary bosses.