but merely of the All-Russian Central
Executive Committee, from which the former body derives its powers,
and which itself is subordinate to the supreme executive
legislative judicial organ, the All-Russian Convention of Soviets.
Thus, while the role allotted to him on the administrative stage is
really as prominent as that of any of his fellows, short of Lenine
and Trotzky, Zinovieff can legitimately claim to be without voice
in the actual administration of the Soviet Republic....

"The first point that Zinovieff made clear to me in our talk was
that the Third Internationale is not comparable to the League of
Nations.... The Overlord of Petrograd affirmed, ... 'The Third
Internationale ... is a purely political group. It is a
confederation of the world's Communists, an international coalition
of the Communist Parties already existing in their respective
countries.... The Third Internationale is a going concern, with
some 8,000,000 members.' ...

"'But,' I asked, 'how is your aim of a European world republic of
Soviets to be realized unless there is some international
governmental machine?'

"'There will be some such machine,' Zinovieff replied, 'but
probably it will take the form of a new organization along Soviet
lines. In my view, the revolution will follow the same general
channels it has taken in Russia, with alterations of detail, of
course. Should France overthrow capitalism, for instance, she will
at first establish Sovietism, and subsequently combine with us. To
foresee the mechanical angles of such combination, however, is too
early.'

"'And your propaganda programme,' I ventured, 'is as strong and
far-reaching as ever?'

"The prompt reply was: 'The Third Internationale is primarily an
instrument of revolution. It reunites at Moscow the intelligence
and energy of all the Communist groups the world over. Delegates
from the various national organizations come to us and give and
take knowledge about the cause and return to their respective home
countries refreshed and invigorated. This work will be continued,
no matter what happens, legally or illegally. The Soviet Government
may pledge itself to refrain from propaganda abroad, but the Third
Internationale--never!'"

Let us ponder this description of the Third International