Bernstein (July 14, 1919)
The German Dr. Bernstein30 has said in a speech, “The conditions of the peace
agreement are the result of a barbaric war, for which it is most fit that Germany
assume responsibility. Article 19 of the peace treaty is necessary.”31 To be sure, we
oppose the oppressive treaty imposed by the Allies, but these words of the doctor
regarding a barbaric war are refreshing to hear.
30 Samuel Gompers was, of course, the president of the American Federation of Labor, not of a
party. Perhaps Mao’s sources did not make this clear, or perhaps he did not at this time regard the
difference as very important.
31 For details on Eduard Bernstein, see the note to Mao’s article of July 21, 1919, “For the Germans,
the Painful Signing of the Treaty.”