d be cleared from the present population for the
greater convenience of German settlers. Never before have
plunderers, dreaming of despoiling a conquered people, displayed
such cynical heartlessness!

But for our vanquishers it will not be enough to exact an
unheard-of enormous contribution and to tear up our western
borderlands. Already, in 1904, Russia, being in a difficult
situation, was obliged to conclude a commercial treaty with
Germany, very disadvantageous to herself. The treaty hindered, at
the same time, the development of our agriculture and the progress
of our industries. It affected, with equal disadvantage, the
interests of the farmers as well as of those engaged in industry.
It is easy to imagine what kind of a treaty victorious German
imperialism would impose upon us. In economic matters, Russia
would become a German colony. Russia's further economic
development would be greatly hindered if not altogether stopped.
Degeneration and deprivation would be the result of German victory
for an important part of the Russian working-people.

What will German victory bring to western Europe? After all we
have already said, it is needless to expatiate on how many of the
unmerited economic calamities it will bring to the people of the
western countries allied to Russia. We wish to draw your attention
to the following: England, France, even Belgium and Italy, are, in
a political sense, far ahead of the German Empire, which has not
as yet grown up to a parliamentary regime. German victory over
these countries would be the victory of the old over the new, and
if the democratic ideal is dear to you, you must wish success to
our Western Allies.

Indifference to the result of this war would be, for us, equal to
political suicide. The most important, the most vital interests of
the proletariat and of the laboring peasantry demand of you an
active participation in the defense of the country. Your watchword
must be victory over the foreign enemy. In an active movement
toward such victory, the live forces of the people will become
free and strong.

Obedient to this watchword, you must be as wise as serpents.
Although in your hearts may burn the flame of noble indignation,
in your heads must reign, invariably, cold political reckoning.
You must know that zeal without reaso