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Militarism, the intolerable burden oi which had prevented Europe from breathing freely for so long, had collapsed covered with mud and blood. A hope was suddently realised which during four and a half years had not failed to sustain me in moments of weakness and anxiety, and it had been realized thanks to the combined effort of, the stoic resistance of the French people and the audacious offensive of ideas and of revolutionary propaganda on the part of the proletariat of Russia. Far from betraying the cause of justice and truth, the Russian people had, on the contrary, devoted to it all its resources and all its energies. Isolated, without aid, unrecognized and combatted by all, it had unfalteringly supported the terrible burden of Brest and, amidst famine, privations and epidemics (thanks to the parallel efforts of German Imperialism and the deplorable attempts of the Allies), it rose up, strong with the invincible principles proclaimed by it, in face of an enemy who had not had time to enjoy the fruits of his victory, as insolent as it was ephemeral. But all these sufferings, all these trials belonged now to the past. From now onwards we had at last awakened from the horrible nightmare of crime and blood into which German Imperialism had plunged us. We were going to be present at the reconstitution of a Europe on the basis of the wide principles of humanity and human solidarity, for the realization of which so much blood had been spilt. This hour so long awaited, the hour that at times one almost despaired of, had struck, had at last arrived!
Days, weeks and months have passed. A self
