Page:Left-Wing Communism.djvu/78

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76

the members of the British Socialist Party—"the right wing of the Communist parties in England," according to the editor's way of looking at it.

Thus the principal division here is the same as in Germany, notwithstanding the enormous differences in the way in which these differences manifest themselves, and a whole series of other circumstances. In Germany this form much more nearly approaches the Russian than in England. Let us have a look at the arguments of the "Left."

On the question of participating in Parliament, Comrade Sylvia Pankhurst refers to an article of Comrade W. Gallacher, printed in the same issue, who writes in the name of the Scottish Workers' Committee of Glasgow:

"This Committee (S. W. C.) is definitely anti-Parliamentarian, and has behind it the Left wing of the various political bodies.

"We represent the revolutionary movement in Scotland, striving continually to build up a revolutionary organization within the different branches of industry, and a Communist Party, based on social committees, throughout the country. For a considerable time we have been sparring with the official parliamentarians. We have not considered it necessary to declare open warfare on them, and they are afraid to open an attack on us.

"But this state of affairs cannot continue long. We are winning all along the line. The rank and file of the I. L. P. in Scotland is becoming more and more disgusted with the idea of Parliament, and the Soviets or Workers' Councils are being supported by almost every branch.

"This is very serious, of course, for the gentlemen who look to politics for a profession, and they are using any and every means to persuade their members to come back into the Parliamentary fold. Revolutionary comrades must not give any support to this gang. Our fight here is going to be a difficult one. One of the worst features of it will be the treachery of those whose personal ambition is a more compelling force than their regard for the revolution.