The First Congress of the Amsterdam International made an impression of a meeting of vicious and unleashed nationalists, every one of whom tried to prove that his "fatherland" was "right" during the war, and that their conduct should, therefore, be approved by the workers of all other countries. The representatives from the Allied countries presented an ultimatum to the trade unionists of Germany and Austria, demanding that the latter should in an official declaration admit that Germany was guilty for the war and also recognize the injustice shown by the German trade unions toward the Belgian proletariat. It can be imagined what an impression this made on the German social patriots who were convinced of the correctness of their own point of view just as the French were in theirs.
This demand was put in the form of an ultimatum, refusal of which would prevent the Germans and Austrians being admitted to the International. After long discussions and quarrels, and nationalist contradictions, very sharp in fact but not in form, at last the representatives of the Germans assembled, made a somewhat similar declaration: "We recognize the guilt of Germany in occuping Belgium, and, as it is now shown, we did miscomprehend the general situation; but this is explained by the fact that the working class has to defend its "fatherland" as long as it is in danger."
This explanation is very vague, but the problem of the Allied trade unionists was to get, at any cost, an official document of repentance. These tactics were used by the trade unionists of the Allies parallel with the international diplomatic conference where it was demanded of the German diplomats to admit their guilt. The only difference is that it was done there without any pretense; there they presented the Versailles Treaty and said—"Sign!"
The declaration by Sassenbach, which was a very careful one, brought forth a storm of protest and resentment from the trade unions of Germany. When he returned from the Congress, the whole German Federation of Trade Unions adopted a resolution in which it stated that it took no responsibility for the declaration made by Sassenbach. Thus, on one hand, the guilt was admitted; and, on the other hand, officially repudiated. The question was "decided" for the time being.
Even this one episode characterizes the composition of the Amsterdam International and foretells the possibilities of its future organization. And, in fact, the Amsterdam International was constructed as an international with hegemony of the trade unionists of the Allied countries. In this respect a very curious scene took place at the same Amsterdam Congress. The leader of the international trade union movement was Legien; but the victory of the Allies which brought about the collapse of Germany, brought about the downfall of Legien. Not only was another elected as Chairman, but Legien was not even elected
