New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1918-04-24
MY LIFE
By Leon Trotzky.

l was porn ChlrCy-elgnC years ago
in a little Jewish colony in southern
Russia, in the government of Kher-
age I entered the gymnasium of Cher
nigov, and like most of the impress
sionable youth of Russia soon became
Interested in the revolutionary move
ments. Here in America school boys
seem to spend most of their time in
sports, baseball and football. In Russia,
the boys-and the girls too, for that
matter-use their leisure for reading
books like Buckles History of Civiliza-
tion," Marks "Capital', Kautsky'sg ''The
Social Revolution" and our own great
classics that throb with the passion of
revolt. Our pastime is chiefly attending
underground Socialist meetings and
spreading the propaganda among work.
inemen in the city and peasants in the
country.
Cripped by Revolutionary Cause
I was no exception to the rule. The
revolutionary cause gripped me early
in life and has never relaxed it's hold.
There was indeed a great deal of work
to do. When 1 was little more than
twenty years old, the Russian Revo-
luton blazed up into mighty fame.
Most of the young people of Russia
with any education were enlisted in
the fight against the unspeakable Czarist-
ic system, determined to put an end to
the wrongs it inflicted upon the long
suffering Russian people.
My university education was inter-
rupted, for I soon plunged deep in the
work of propaganda, which left no
time for anything else. I continued,
however, to apply myself to the study
of sociology, political economy and
history and soon became a Convinced
MARKHAM Socialist. When the Russian
Social Democracy split up into two
sections on the issue Of tactics [ did
not identify myself with either the
Mensherviki or the Bolskeviki, hut
continued to work for the general cause,
for the overthrow of Czarism and the
cause of Socialism, Since the division
in the Party was not based on funda-
mentals, but only ON a difference OF
opinion as to the method to be appl ed
in gaining the same ends, used all my
efforts to- effect reconciliation between
the two WINGS However, l leaned
strongly to- TIE radical side In other
words, I was Menskevik OF the extreme
left. or a near-R oshevik-
My ability as speaker and as a
writer soon drew me into the very center
Of Socialist activity. I wrote for tie
party press, composed pamphlets, and
carried on personal propaganda chiefly
among the city populations.
Arrested and Imprisoned.
Naturally, did not escape tt G eneral
fate of Russian Revolutionists. l was
arrested and imprisoned, and as I did
not give up my work for the cause after
my release became what the Russian
authorities called an illegal person,
and had to live under an assumed name
My first jailer was called Trotzky, and
the idea occurred to me to take his name.
Wien the Revolution broke out in
full force in 1905 I was made pref
dent OF thef first Soldiers and Working
mems Council in Petro2rad to succeed
the first incumbent to that position.
remained president until the defeat OF
tk e Rev olution, when I was ARE ted and
ert to in prisonment and exile in S.
teria. From here I succeeded in
making my e-care, and went to live in
Sw.tze land. -
IN Switzerland I founded a Social
ist paper called "Prada" (The TRUTH
which was published both in Russian
j; nd in German. I also established al,
Int irrational ews' service for the dis
semination of truthful news of cur
rent political and revolutionary events
in Russia.
In 1910 I went to Germany, where
my revolutionary activity incurred the
dispieasure OF the Prussian author.
tiles. l was arrested and sentenced tc
impris onment, but escaped. Three days
before the outbreak OF the present
war found me in Vienna. On the ad,
vice Of DR.. Adler, the Austrian Socialist
leader, | left Austria Hungary, anc
was in Servia when that country was
invaded by the Austro -Hungaria troops
and was pre,en at the Servian Parlia
NJ ent, the Kuptchina when the vote TO
Tie first war credits was taken.
Ordered Out of France
! returned to Switzerland, and wa
later summoned to Paris to edit tn
Russian Socialist paper there. Il Whel
a Russian division Of troops mutiniet
and killed the general, / addressed
.Isevere letter Of criticism Of the Frenc