**Source: PSS vol. 26**

The social-chauvinists of the triple (now quadruple) Entente{219} (in Russia, Plekhanov and Co.) love most of all to refer to the example of Belgium. But this example speaks against them. The German imperialists shamelessly violated Belgian neutrality, as warring states have always done and everywhere, trampling upon all treaties and obligations whenever necessary. Suppose that all states interested in observing international treaties had declared war on Germany with the demand for the liberation and compensation of Belgium. In that case, the sympathy of socialists would certainly have been on the side of Germany's enemies. However, the point is precisely that the war is being waged by the "triple (and quadruple) Entente" not because of Belgium: this is perfectly well known, and only hypocrites conceal it. England is plundering German colonies and Turkey, Russia — Galicia and Turkey, France is pursuing Alsace-Lorraine and even the left bank of the Rhine; a treaty has been concluded with Italy concerning the division of the spoils (Albania, Asia Minor); with Bulgaria and Rumania there is haggling likewise over the division of the spoils. On the basis of the present war of the present governments, it is impossible to help Belgium except by helping to strangle Austria or Turkey, etc.! What has this to do with "defense of the fatherland"?? Therein lies the peculiarity of an imperialist war — a war between reactionary-bourgeois, historically obsolete governments, waged for the oppression of other nations. Whoever justifies participation in the present war perpetuates imperialist oppression of nations. Whoever preaches the utilization of the present difficulties of governments for the struggle for social revolution thereby defends the genuine freedom of genuinely all nations, realizable only under socialism.