861.00/4–2347: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Smith) to the Secretary of State
1515. 30th anniversary of Lenin’s April theses1 was marked by considerable [Page 554] press comment (Embtel 1516, April 232) including pointed observation by Pravda that theses are applicable to current world situation, a comment which Communist Party leaders abroad will take as an injunction.
What Lenin said in April 1917 may be divided into 3 parts. (1) Analysis of situation: Russian revolution was in transitional stage between bourgeois and proletarian rule. Two powers existed—provisional government representing bourgeoisie and Soviets of workers deputies representing masses. But masses, influenced by capitalist promises and concessions, were backsliding from revolution. And workers Soviets were being disrupted by Social Democrat inclinations toward nationalism and moderation. (2) Program: Repudiating a parlimentary republic Lenin demanded republic of Soviets of workers and peasants deputies. He called for nationalization of land, banks and syndicates. He demanded creation of a new international. (3) Tactics: As revolution had bogged down and party was too weak immediately to seize power, tactics were to intensify propaganda against Social Democrats, fight by conspiratorial means for control of Soviets, undermine government and thus lay groundwork for overthrow of government and seizure of full power.
In current world situation April theses appear particularly applicable to France and central European states, countries in which Communists are poised between capture and loss of power. By transposing certain phrases—“trade unions” or “democratic organizations” for “Soviets”—Lenin’s analysis, program and tactics can be applied to these states. His insistence that “true internationalism” consists of “relentless war against one’s own imperialist government—one’s own imperialist bourgeoisie” can today be pointedly applied to French Communist Party strained by issues of nationalism and empire interests.
April theses can also be applied to general world situation in two respects. (1) New American policy of extending aid to peoples threatened by Communist revolutionary tactics, whether in Greece or Korea, may be interpreted as capitalist attraction and deception of masses described by Lenin, must therefore be countered by concentrated propaganda attacks. (2) AFL, right-wing CIO, British Labor Party and similar bodies are successors to “Social Democrats” and “The [Page 555] Center” whom Lenin denounced as “class enemies”. Not being strong enough to resist these forces by direct action, Communists are enjoined to intensify propaganda and political tactics against them. Latter includes not only illegal infiltration and machinations but also setting up of international organizations, such as WFTU and international women’s organizations, which if they do not constitute a new international, at least in case of WFTU represent a new and more effective Profintern.3
In overall appraisal we would say that revival of April theses line seems to indicate that Kremlin views present world situation less with confidence than with concern. Issue in Kremlin’s mind during this period of political warfare is: Which will capture allegiance of ordinary people of world—communism or democracy?4
Two main obstacles to ideological capture of world masses by Communists are (1) new American policy, and (2) activities of Social Democrats and non-Communist liberties [liberals] throughout world. It is against these two forces that Kremlin will most directly intensify its ideological offensive.
Full comment follows by despatch.5
Department repeat Nanking, Tokyo.
Sent Department 1515, repeated London 182, Paris 170, Berlin 321, Rome 47.
- Lenin’s famous statement proclaimed on April 17, 1917, in Petrograd the day after his return from exile, published on April 20, wherein he opposed the continuation of the imperialist war and support of the bourgeois Provisional Government in Russia, and advocated the establishment of a Soviet republic.↩
- Not printed. This telegram summarized the article “Historical Significance of April Theses of V. I. Lenin,” which appeared in Pravda for April 17, 1947, written by Boris Nikolayevich Ponomaryev, a propagandist and theorist of the Communist party.↩
- The Red International Council of Labor Unions created by the Bolsheviks.↩
- In despatch 1180 from Moscow on April 23, not printed, this comparison of the situations was expressed: “As in the summer of 1917, tactics now being pursued are those designed to build up party strength to the point where it can seize power. Pravda concludes its comment on the Theses by referring to present ‘productive anarchy and deepening crisis’ of capitalism and then pointed out that in 1917, by following Lenin’s tactics, the party gained sufficient strength by November to undertake the overthrow of the Government and successfully to seize power.” (861.9111/4–2347)↩
- Not printed; copies of this despatch (1180) were sent to 41 missions, and 30 copies were sent to the Department.↩