ABSTRACT
It must be added that the civic spirit to which the Communist appeals is of a more advanced kind than much of what we usually call ‘public spirit.’ The true Communist is to regard himself as a citizen of the world, and the service which is expected from 73him is for the world of workers anywhere, regardless of nationality. In Communist teaching a big step, in fact, is taken towards a genuine recognition of the unity of mankind. The advance may be compared to that made by primitive man when his fear of a multitude of devils becomes narrowed down to the fear of one devil! Inherent in the nationality feeling, as usually fostered, is the readiness to identify any alien nationality with the devil, according as the exigencies of any particular quarrel may demand it. No army and no public nowadays could respond whole-heartedly to the clarions of war unless inspired with a sense of incarnate evil to be overcome. Idealism must be dragged in somehow. But there is nothing fundamental in the causes which may at any time, e.g., for the Britisher, dress up German or French, Turk or Russian, in the guise of devil. There is at least something more consistent in the reasoning which for the Communist assigns to the capitalist class throughout the world the role of devil; and the believer can feel that matters are in question of fundamental importance to mankind as a whole. The innumerable and constantly changing vertical divisions of humanity, as split up on the nationality basis, are replaced, in the eyes of the Communist, by just one horizontal cleavage. Moreover, this one devil of capitalism, which splits up the world and destroys man’s sense of brotherhood, is represented to the Communist as nearing the end of his reign; 74the final goal of universal peace and good will is one for which every Communist must work, and can work with faith and hope. It is part of the training of every soldier in the Red Army to imbue him with a great idea of service and of internationalism. 1 It is part of his oath not only “to protect the interests of the workers and peasants of our Socialist Republic,” but also “the rights and interests of the workers of the world.” The motive appealed to in the Red soldier is, in fact, a lofty one (although, unfortunately, it makes him an object of horror to the Foreign Offices of the rest of the world!). The severe régime of discipline, with its brutal physical punishments, which prevailed in the Tsarist Army has disappeared. The Red soldier is no longer inspired by dread, but by idealism.
