Communism -- Soviet Union; Soviet Union -- History -- Revolution, 1917-1921
“The Mayor,” he continued, “tells us that we must not make political
meetings out of the Duma. But every Menshevik and Socialist
Revolutionary here talks nothing but party propaganda, and at the door
they distribute their illegal newspapers, _Iskri_ (Sparks), _Soldatski
Golos_ and _Rabotchaya Gazeta,_ inciting to insurrection. What if we
Bolsheviki should also begin to distribute our papers here? But this
shall not be, for we respect the Duma. We have not attacked the
Municipal Self-Government, and we shall not do so. But you have
addressed an Appeal to the population, and we are entitled also to do
so….”
Followed him Shingariov, Cadet, who said that there could be no common
language with those who were liable to be brought before the Attorney
General for indictment, and who must be tried on the charge of
treason…. He proposed again that all Bolshevik members should be
expelled from the Duma. This was tabled, however, for there were no
personal charges against the members, and they were active in the
Municipal administration.
Then two Mensheviki Internationalists, declaring that the Appeal of the
Bolshevik Councillors was a direct incitement to massacre. “If
everything that is against the Bolsheviki is counter-revolutionary,”
said Pinkevitch, “then I do not know the difference between revolution
and anarchy…. The Bolsheviki are depending upon the passions of the
unbridled masses; we have nothing but moral force. We will protest
against massacres and violence from both sides, as our task is to find
a peaceful issue.”
“The notice posted in the streets under the heading ‘To the Pillory,’
which calls upon the people to destroy the Mensheviki and Socialist
Revolutionaries,” said Nazariev, “is a crime which you, Bolsheviki,
will not be able to wash away. Yesterday’s horrors are but a preface to
what you are preparing by such a proclamation…. I have always tried to
reconcile you with the other parties, but at present I feel for you
nothing but contempt!”
The Bolshevik Councillors were on their feet, shouting angrily,
assailed by hoarse, hateful voices and waving arms….
Outside the hall I ran into the City Engineer, the Menshevik Gomberg
and three or four reporters. They were all in high spirits.
“See!” they said. “The cowards are afraid of us. They don’t dare arrest
the Duma! Their Military Revolutionary Committee doesn’t dare to send a
Commissar into this building. Why, on the corner of the Sadovaya
to-day, I saw a Red Guard try to stop a boy selling _Soldatski Golos_….
The boy just laughed at him, and a crowd of people wanted to lynch the
bandit. It’s only a few hours more, now. Even if Kerensky wouldn’t come
they haven’t the men to run a Government. Absurd! I understand they’re
even fighting among themselves at Smolny!”
A Socialist Revolutionary friend of mine drew me aside. “I know where
the Committee for Salvation is hiding,” he said. “Do you want to go and
talk with them?”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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