The New Government
J. V. Stalin
July 26, 1917
Works, Vol. 3, March - October, 1917
The Ministerial shuffle is over. A new government has been formed. Cadets, pro-Cadets, Socialist-Revolutionaries, Mensheviks—such is its composition.
The Cadet Party is satisfied. Its major demands have been accepted. They will serve as the basis of the activities of the new government.
The Cadets wanted the government strengthened at the expense of the Soviets, and they wanted it to be independent of the Soviets. The Soviets, led by "bad shepherds" from the Socialist-Revolutionaries and Mensheviks, have conceded this, thus signing their own death warrant.
The Cadets demanded "restoration of the army's morale," that is, "iron discipline" in the army, and its subordination only to its immediate commanders, who, in their turn, would be subordinate only to the government. The Soviets, led by the Socialist-Revolutionaries and Mensheviks, have conceded this too, thus disarming themselves.
The Cadets have got what they wanted: the Soviets deprived of the army, and the army subordinated only to a government made up of pro-Cadet elements.
The Cadets demanded unconditional unity with the Allies. The Soviets have "resolutely" accepted this course in the interests of . . . "national defence," forgetting their "internationalist" declarations. And the so-called program of July 8 has become a dead letter.
The Cadets have got what they wanted: a war "without mercy," a "war to a finish."
Listen to the Cadets themselves :
"The Cadets' demands have undoubtedly been accepted as the basis of the activities of the whole government. . . . Precisely for this reason, its major demands having been accepted, the Cadet Party thought it unwise to prolong the dispute because of specifically party disagreements." For the Cadets know that under present conditions "very little time or opportunity will be left for the democratic elements of the notorious program of July 8" (see Rechh).
That's clear enough.
There was a time when the Soviets were building a new life, introducing revolutionary reforms and compelling the Provisional Government to confirm these changes by its decrees and ukases.
That was in March and April.
At that time the Provisional Government followed the lead of the Soviets and lent its non-revolutionary flag to the Soviets' revolutionary measures.
A time has now come when the Provisional Government has turned back and is introducing counter-revolutionary "reforms," while the Soviets find themselves "compelled" tacitly to endorse them in their milk-and-water resolutions.
The Central Executive Committee, the representative of all the Soviets, is now following the lead of the Provisional Government and is masking the latter's counterrevolutionary physiognomy with revolutionary phrasemongering.
Roles, evidently, have changed, and not in favour of the Soviets.
Yes, the Cadets have reason to be "satisfied." Whether for long, the near future will show.
Rabochy i Soldat, No. 3, July 26, 1917
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