The Communist Party of Italy was alert enough to break on time with the vacillating elements which, under the guise of maximalism, carried out the tactics of indecision and compromise, going so far as to conclude a year ago a peace agreement with the Fascist bandits. To-day, the Communist Party firmly holds aloft the Red Banner in its hands. The Communist Party issues a call to all Socialists who are in favour of revolutionary action and to the entire working mass and the class-conscious peasantry to rally their forces round the banner of revolution!
It must be acknowledged that if the forces of revolution in Italy are not so weak as presented by the panic-mongers, on the other hand the forces of the Fascisti are much weaker than their friends and followers claim, because in the camp of our class enemies there 1s a lack of unity.
The Fascisti are first of all a tool in the hands of the agrarians. The industrial commercial bourgeoisie observe with fear the experiment in unbridled reaction which they designate black Bolshevism.
On the other hand, in addition to the politically immature elements which are actually in the struggle, such as the reactionary students, demobilised officers, and ordinary hooligans, the Fascisti counts in their ranks certain elements of the rural proletariat and a section of the peasantry. These elements will soon realise by what deceptive promises they were carried into the counter-revolutionary adventure, which is converting them into an army of the landlords to fight against their own brothers.
Finally, Fascism 1s the policy of international adventurers. Grandiloquent, but without a definite programme and definite ideals, without a firm and united class basis, Fascism 1s bound to arouse against itself a broad movement, even among the urban and rural petty bourgeoisie.
The entire Comintern is behind you, dear Comrades. It is very closely watching the unfolding of your strenuous and responsible struggle. It points out to the proletarians of all countries the lesson of the Italian events as an illustration of the consequences of the terrible tactical mistakes of opportunism. It will be only too glad to point to the further history of your movement as an illustration of how such mistakes can be rectified. The Communist International stands ready to lend its utmost support in your bitter struggle.
Long live the unity of the workers of Italy in the struggle against reaction!
Long live the persecuted but courageous Communist Party of Italy!
Long live the unity of the workers of the world in the struggle with capitalism! (Applause.)
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