Page:Karl Kautsky - The Social Revolution and On the Morrow of the Social Revolution - tr. John Bertram Askew (1903).djvu/8

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PREFACE.

reasons, I was induced to take up the subject of the Social Revolution also because of the preponderatingly academical composition of my audience. For are not the "Intellectuals" precisely those among us, who—at least in Germany—find it most difficult to reconcile themselves to the idea of revolution? However, in Holland things appear to be in a sowewhat different position, and the temper of my Dutch audience was an agreeable surprise to me. My lectures met with no opposition whatever, and found only sympathy. I hope that that is not to be placed wholly to the credit of international courtesy, for does not Marxism count quite a number of its best representatives among the "Intellectuals" of Holland?

I cannot wish for anything better than that my remarks may find the same favour with our German comrades as they did with the Dutch. To warmly thank here the latter once more for the friendly reception they gave me is really a pleasant duty to me.

K. KAUTSKY.

Berlin, Friedenau, June 2nd, 1902.