V. I. Lenin

Source: ru:LS/v40; en:MT; es:MT
Translated: machine translation (DeepSeek) from the Russian; AI-translated.

EDITORIAL CORRECTIONS
ON THE FRANCO-GERMAN DECLARATION ON PEACE 1
[Between September 26 and October 6, 1915]

See overleaf *

To be set in the Central Organ 2

/

Joint declaration of the French and German delegations at the International Socialist Conference in Zimmerwald (Switzerland).

* These words were written by Lenin on the first page of a "Separate reprint from No. 15 (77) of the newspaper 'Zhizn'", on the reverse of which the declaration was printed.

its
P
war
| The imperialist
character of the war | and | after a year | of bloodshed | becomes ever more |
tin | | has become extremely | evident].
This | p | shows that its causes are rooted in the imperialist and colonial policy of all governments, which bear re-
this terrible sponsibility for | unheard-of | bloodshed.
Thanks to the civil peace, proclaimed in all countries by the defenders
| hangers-on |
of capitalism, the popular masses found themselves
| tied |
drawn to the side of the war | to the war chariots of their governments!, which | tried to give the war itself |
impose upon it not | a racial, | not | a liberating character.
thus
Under the pressure of feelings aroused | by all this confusion! in each country
a very | small part of the organised and conscious proletariat found
itself caught up by the nationalist wave. The press, subordinated to the
| possessing | power, never ceased to trumpet about the allegedly liberating
character of this | tasks | war.
Now the chauvinists of each nation | openly | speak | already | of the conquest of entire countries or parts of them as the aim of the war.
The realisation of these claims would bear within itself the seed of new wars. In opposition to these plans, resolute minorities have organised themselves in all countries, which | try |
to fulfil the duty imposed on socialists of all countries by the international congresses in Stuttgart, Copenhagen and Basle 3.
Their task is the most resolute struggle against all annexationist claims, for a speedy end to the war, which has already claimed millions of lives | given birth to an incalculable number of cripples, created | unheard-of | want among the working people! of all countries.
Therefore we — German and French socialists and syndicalists declare:
This war is not our war!
We condemn in the most resolute manner the violation of Belgian neutrality, which was solemnly guaranteed by the belligerent countries. We demand and will not cease to demand that Belgium be restored in all its integrity and independence. We de-
thus clare that we strive to put an end to this war as soon as possible,
which | should not! commit violence against any people, nor against
any nation, that we will never support the plans of conquest
—plans, of our governments, leading | this peace | to new wars, that we —
each in his own country — will carry on work in favour of peace, which
must destroy the seeds of international enmity and open anew the road for joint work.
Such a peace is possible only with a complete renunciation of violence against peoples.
Occupation of entire countries or parts of them must not lead to their forcible annexation. No annexations! Neither open nor disguised!
No forcible economic incorporations, which | even more |
| inclusions, | become quite | unbearable owing to the deprivation
of the population of their lawful rights. The right of peoples to self-determination must be inviolably safeguarded.
unremittingly
We take upon ourselves the definite obligation to work — each
in his own country — in this spirit, striving | to impart | to the movement
such | strength | in favour of peace as would prove sufficient to compel
these
the governments to put an end to | the world | slaughter.
faithful
Renouncing civil peace, remaining on the basis | of class
e
basis of war struggle|, which is the 'prerequisite! for the creation of the socialist
international — we, German and French socialists and
firmly continue | syndicalists, | are in continuous
struggle| with the terrible evil of war, with the mutual extermination of peoples, which dishonours humanity.

On behalf of the German delegation:
Adolf Hoffmann '
Georg Ledebour 4 On behalf of the French delegation:
A. Merrheim
A. Bourderon 5

Partially published in the book "V. I. Lenin's Library in the Kremlin, Catalogue". Moscow, 1961.