ABSTRACT
In the German Socialist Party desertion and treason on the part of the leaders have been rare. This is conspicuous in contrast with what has happened in the French Socialist Party, especially as regards the parliamentary group of the latter. In contrast with this, the German Socialist Party shares with the Italian and the Belgian parties the good fortune of possessing faithful and devoted leaders. Even the subordinates in the leadership of the party, those whom we may speak of as the non-commissioned officers, have usually proved altogether inaccessible to the blandishments of the police. The unshaken fidelity of the German socialist leaders rests upon powerful reasons, and some of these are ideal in nature. The French Socialist Party has been forced to recognize the danger involved in the existence of leaders who are not economically dependent on the party.
