THE ZINOVIEV LETTER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2833, 13 January 1925, Page 4

THE ZINOVIEV LETTER.

A LITERARY BOMB. The following is the full text of the letter wjiieh created such a deep impression during the recent British general elections. It was published in the “Daily Mail” of November Ist. — Executive Committee Third Communist International: Presidium, September 15, 1924. Moscow, Very Secret. To the Central Committee British Communist Parly. Dear Comrades. —The time is approaching for the Parliament of England to consider the Treaty concluded between the Governments of Great Britain and the S.S.S.R. for the purpose of ratification. The fierce campaign raised by the British bouTgeoise around the question shows that the majority of the same, together with the reactionary circles, are against the Treaty for the purpose of breaking off an agreement consolidating the ties between the proletariats of the two countries leading to the restoration of normal relations between England and the S.S.S.R. The proletariat of Great Britain, which pronounced its weighty word. vvhen danger threatened of a breakoff of the past negotiations and compelled the Government of MacDonald to conclude the Treaty, must show the greatest possible energy in the further struggle for ratification and against the endeavours of British capitalists to compel Parliament to annul it.

It is indispensable to stir up the masses of the British proletariat, to bring into movement the army of unemployed proletarians, whose position can be improved only after a loan has been granted to the 'S.S.S. R. for the restoration of her economics and when business collaboration between the British and Russian proletariats has been put in order. It is imperative that the group in the Labour Party sympathising with the Treaty should bring increased pressure to bear upon the Government and Parliamentary circles in favour of the ratification of the Treaty. Keep close observation over the leaders of the Labour Party, because these may easily be found in the leading strings of the bourgeoise. The foreign policy of the Labour Party as it is already represents an inferior copy of the policy of the Curzon Government. Organise a campaign of disclosure of the foreign policy of MacDonald.

ARMED INSURRECTION. The IKKI (Executive Committee, third Communist International) will willingly place at your disposal the wide material in its possession regarding the activities of British imperalism in the Middle and Far East. In the meanwhile, however strain every nerve in the struggle for the ratification of the Treaty, in favour of a continuation of negiotiations regarding the regulation of relations between the S.S.S.R. and England. A settlement of relations between the two countries will assist in the revolutionising of the international and British proletariat not less than a. successful rising in any of the working districts of England, as the establishment of close contact between the British and Russian proletariat, the exchange of delegations and workers, etc., will make it possible for us to extend and develop the. propaganda of ideas of Leninism in England and the Colonies. Armed warfare must, bo preceded by a struggle against the inclinations to compromise which are embedded anfong the majority of British worktpen, against the ideas of evolution and peaceful extermination of capitalism. Only then will it be possible to count upon a complete success of an armed insurrection. In Ireland and the Colonies the case is different; there there is a national question, and this represents too great a factor for success for us to waste time on a prolonged preparation of the working class. But even in England as in other countries, where the workers are politically develojred, events themselves piav more rapidly revolutionise the working masses than propaganda. For instance, a strike movement, repressions by the Government, etc.

From your last report, it is orient that agitation propaganda work in the Army is weak, in the Navy a very little better. Your explanation that the quality of the members attracted justifies the quantity is right in principle, nevertheless it would be desirable to have cells in all _the units of the troops, particularly among those quartered in the large centres of the country, and also among factories working on munitions and at military store depots. We request that the most particular attention he paid to these latter. A CLASS WAR. In the event of danger of war, with the aid of the latter and in contact with the transport workers, it is possible to paralyse all the military preparations of the bourgeoise, and make a start in turning an imperialist war into a class wan Now more than ever we should be cur guard. Attempts at intervention in China show that world inqperialism is still full of vigour and is once more making endeavours to restore its shaken position and cause a new war, which as its final objective is to bring about the breakup of the Russian proletariat and the suppression of the budding woild revolution, and, further, would lead to the enslavement of the colonial peoples. “Danger of War,” “The Bourgeoise Seeks War; Capital fresh Markets”—these are the slogans which you must familiarise I he masses with, with which you must go to work into the masses or the proletariat. These slogans will open to you the doors of coinpre-

hension of the masses, will help you to capture them and march under the banner of Communism.

The Military Section of the British Communist Party so far as we are aware, further suffers from a lack of specialists, the future directors of the British Red Army. It is time you thought of forming such a group, which, together with the leaders, might be, in the event of an outbreak of active strife, the brain of the military organisation of the party. Go attentively through the lists of the military “cells,” detailing from them the more energetic and capable men, turn attention to the more talented military specialists who have for one reason or another left the Service and hold socialist views. Attract them into the ranks of the Communist Party if they desire honestly to serve the proletariat and the blind mechanical forces of desire in the future to direct not the service of the bourgeoise but a national army. Form a directing operative head of the Military Section. Do not put this off to a future moment, which may be pregnant with events and catch you unprepared. Desiring you all success, both in organisation and in your struggle. With Communist Greetings, President of the Presidium of the IKKI, ZINOVIEV. Member of the Presidium, McManus. Secretary, KUUSINEN.