Mother Earth Magazine |
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and well-being than he has the power and courage to take;
in further consideration that the defense of boundary lines involves greater misery and destruction than no defense, and that demonstrative refusal to defend would probably result in a more powerful inspiration toward peace;
that in any case the insignificant material possessions and the petty political liberties which the Holland worker enjoys are not worth the shedding of human blood,
and that under a different government the struggle of the proletariat, even if possibly made more difficult, must at the same time also be furthered, and in no case hindered,
and considering, finally, that to defend boundary lines, under whatever pretext, would henceforth preclude and make impossible agitation against any form of militarism,
and that the struggle against militarism is of the utmost importance, because militarism, as an organized power, is the strongest weapon in the hands of the bourgeoisie.
This gathering declares itself ready to continue its struggle against every economic and political oppression, and energetically to further the cause of liberty and well-being with the old tried methods, but protests emphatically against the spilling of human blood in defense of nationality, by leaving each one free to act according to circumstance.
DOWN WITH NATIONAL HATRED!
AWAY WITH BOUNDARY LINES!
DOWN WITH WAR!
LONG LIVE THE INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF WORKERS!
F. DOMELA NIEUVENHUIS.
* * *
6 Argyle Place,
Carlton, Victoria, Australia
November 12th, 1914
Dear Comrade: I was pleased to hear from you. I like your clear, fearless, uncompromising articles on the war. Your answer to Comrade Kropotkin is honest. We are either Internationalist Revolutionists or Authoritarians. To face both ways is impossible. I regret to think that after all these years, having accepted Kro-
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