The toiler. [volume] (Cleveland, Ohio) 1919-1922, 1921-05-07

has OF course made many mistakes, Dut CnaI lLS
leaders are acting not under the pressure of the
masses, but in accordance with their own convic-
tion The masses elect these leaders because they
trust them, because they know them, and know
them not only by their words but also by their
Deeds
The composition Of the Independent Party is
proetarian and not petty bourgeois as is that Of
the followers of Scheidenlann. ave ourselves under
stood,' says Comrade Crispien "that schism was
necessary, that among US there were elements which
should not be with us; but a schsm is bitter
necessity, and we must take this necessary step
only with the greatest caution 1t is necessary to
remember that the revolutionary elements Of Ger
many are now still scattered in four parties: In
dependents, Spartacides, the Communist Labor
Party, and one party with anarchist tendencies"
In conclusion, Comrade Crspen expresses con-
fidence that the Congress will take the point Of
view Of reunitng sincerely revolutionary elements,
as otherwise the revolution in Germany will find
itself face to face with new and very serious OBJ
stacles. However, whatever your decision" con-
cludes Comrade Crispien, 1--WE shall leave this Con-
gress with feeling of sincere conviction that we
are comrades no matter how we look on each other.
Of course, the millions Of workmen who are
not be deprived of the right to participate in in
ternatonal activity and to have international con-
nectons. If the Congress does not admit us to
the III International, then we shall be obliged to
create our own international organization.
Comrade Dittmann then speaks, explaining in
detail the role of the German Party Of lndepen-
dents in those organizations which established
as links between the Russian Soviet Republic and
the Republic of Germany from the very first day
of the revolution.
He says that Haase in his conversation with
Comrade Radek about the two trains with grain
which the latter proposed to send in the name of
the Russian Soviet Republic, Immediately declared
that he saw that this proposal was first of all
symbol of the international solidarity Of the prole
tariat. From this point of view the further line
of conduct of Haase is in part to be explained
when he refused to take the grain from the
starving Russian worknen, being able to do this
on the account of the captalstic United States Of
America.
The expulsion of Comrade Joffe was decreed be-
fore the Independents became members Of the Gov
ernment German; they Immediately demanded
his return, but were not successful.
The arrest of Comrade Radek took place mainly
because of the threats of the Right Socialist Sec
ton of the government which acted on the basis
of the possibility of breaking off of the armistce
with the English and French, whose interests were
affected by the activity Of Comrade Radek.
As for the conduct of the Independent Party in
the recent period it is sufficient to note Of those
great demonstrations which took place in Berlin
under the slogan "Hands off Soviet Russia"
Comrade Dittmann insists that the Independents
r =. ~ III IL
Russian proletariat and with the Russian revolu-
tion. Individual statements of individual members
of the party perhaps compromised the latter, but
they were not able to alter its attitude and the
general political line, or even becloud these. At
the present moment, with the struggle against the
bourgeoisie and the Right Socialists becoming very
acute, it is necessary that the proletariat should
close up its ranks on an international scale.