STRANGE APPEAL BY RUSSIAN ARMY COMMANDER.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 January 1918, Page 4

STRANGE APPEAL BY RUSSIAN ARMY COMMANDER.

HOLY WAR AGAINST BOURGEOISIE DECLARED. (Published in the “Times.” London, Jan 12.

Ensign Krylenko lias issued a manifesto, in reply to the German peace condition, stating that peace is endangered. “ The Germans,” he says, “ definitely demand annexations and occupations, and in the event of a separate peace their conditions may cause; us to become Hie victims of the German Bourgeoisie. The Republic is surrounded by enemies on all sides. American and French financiers are lending money to equip Kaledin, whom the Germans are prepared to use as an ally, to stifle the Revolution. • “ These conditions raise lor the Russian peasants and workmen the whole question of defending the Revolution, and a holy war against the Russian, German, French and British Bourgeoisie. If victorious they will replace the lost autlioritv, drenching our land with blood, and inflicting terror and torture, putting into the shade the torments inflicted by the Czar’s satellites. The prospects of a holy revolutionary war 011 the front as well as behind the lines is a terrible but unavoidable fate. We must organise a force for well-armed resistance The old army is tired and exhausted and unfit. A people’s army must be created of workmen with the Red Guards as a nucleus.

“ I appeal to all Holding liberty dear. Our comrades 111 Italy, Spain, France, Austria and Switzerland await the call to battle against the Bourgeoisie, and to show the world the inexhaustible strength of the revolutionary proletariat and the poor peasants. There must be 110 compulsion. Those not feeling strong enough had better not join. We want an army of fighters, and everybody with a revolutionary heart in his breast should enrol.”