New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-06

the ouiuiou of Che council. would great
Is strengthen tho revolutionary Gle
mcnfs in Germany. The leaders OF the
Russian revolution have appealed Sow
cral times 20 the Social-Democracy OF
Germany to rise and overthrow the
Kaiser as the only means TO the estab-
lishment of peace and the union OF the
European prolotariat in n social revo-
luton.
Tins is the attitude Of tho Russian
masses toward the question OF peace
They do not want separate peace.
Also. they do not want the overthrow
OF Prussianism for the same reasons
pc the governments OF the Entente wish
IL Tho ultimate aim OF the Socialist
Labor Council is social revolution. To
achieve this revolution IL Is necessary
10 dcthrone Tie political autocrats first
thcv say. Then the captalistic system
must be attacked by the working
classes Of all nations as their common
enemy.
Council Well Organized
The Council Of Labor Deputies is q
we'll organized and well disciplined
body Its stand on any question IS
binding on its followers. The talk o.
separate peace between Russia and
the liohenZollerns is. therefore. mere
bugaboo. The only section Of public
opinion that favors such a move is the
insignificant minority led by Nlkolal
Lcnin.
No Russian leader has been more
misunderstood in this country than
Lenin. Because he passed through
Germany on the way TO Russia he -
painted as German agent. Nothing
can be more absurd than such an ac-
cusation. Lenin, whose real name rs
Ulyanov. suffers from too much sim
cerity and fanaticism. The leader OF
the Russian Socialist party for almost
twenty years. the author Of brilliant
economic works, Lenin's only fault -
his violent but honest eXtremism.
To Lcnin a capitalist il worse than a
king. An industrial magnate or lead
ing banker is to him more perllous than
a car or kaiser. The working
classes. ne says, have nothing 70 lose
whether their rulers are German, French
or British. The imperative thing Tor
them 90 do is to prepare for a social
revolution. Meanwhile, breaches Lenln'
the Russian or any other labor class
may os well live under the rule oil the
Hohenzollerns as be governed by cap
italistic organization.
Lenin has been thoroughly discrcdited
after his arrival from Switzerland some
weeks ago Ills large following has
dwindlcd into small group. AS
factor in the life of Russia to-day
Leninism is practically nil. The Coun-
ell of Labor and Soldiers Deputies has
L. -
any such peace arrangement.
One Way TO Separate Peace
But while q separate peace between
the New Russia and the present Prus-
sian government is out Of the question,
the possibility of separate peace be-
tween Russia and Germany is by no
means eliminated. As a matter of fact,
such a peace would follow instantane-
ously in case the German proletariat
overthrow the imperial rulers. In that
case the Slav and Teuton worker would
combine .u an effort TO cause a general
social revolution.
"Thc entire efforts Of the working
classes of Europe must be directed TO
4 the task Of compelling their rulers
declared the official organ Of the Coun-
I ell Of Labor and Soldiers Deputies. Ito
relinquish their desires for conquest
+ and OF dcposing- them, as Russia has
done. if they refuse to yield. The rul-
ing classes. on the contrary viii en-
deavor to carry the war on to tho de-
sired end. We are ready to stretch out
a fraternal hand 20 the peoples Of Ger
many and Austria If they will compel
their rulers to abandon their conquests.
But we shall fight against INVASION"
That the Russian masses mean social
revolution is shown by a further eN-
tract from the Councils official organ
This is a plain challenge to the pro-
fesScd aims Of the Allies.
I've are ready 70 support with armed
force the masses Of England, France
and Italy" read the statement. III they
compel their rulers to relinquish tho
policy Of conquest and yet are obliged
TO defend themselves against Germany.
But we shall decidedly protest against
continuance Of the war for the sake
Of the interests Of capital whatsoever
national flag it may hide"
Russia has already been forced by