DEFENCE OF THE REVOLUTION counter-revolution, against all active enemies, against any attempt to defeat or sabotage. it by forcible invasion or violence. That is the right of the revolution and its duty. But it will not persecute the conquered .foe, nor wreak vengeance .upon an entire social class because of the fault of individual members of it. The sins of the fathers shall not be visited upon their children. , "What will you do with counter-revolutionists? " 0Actual combat and armed resistance involve human sacrifices,and the counter-revolutionists who lose their lives under such circumstances suffer the unavoidable consequences of their deeds. But the revolutionary .people are not savages. The wounded are not slaughtered nor those t~en prisoners executed. Neither is practiced the barbarous system of shooting hostages, as the Bolsheviki did. " How will you treat counter-revolutionists taken prisoners during an engagement?~• · ' The revolution must find new ways, some sensible method of dealing with them.. The old method is to imprison them, support them in ,idleness, and employ-numerous men to guard and punish them. And while the C\!lprit remains in prison, incarceration and brutal treatment still further embitter him against the revolution, strengthen his opposition, and nurse thoughts of vengeance and new conspiracies. The revolution wili regai;d such methods as stupid and detrimental to its best interests. It will.try instead by humane treatment to convince· the defeated enemy of the error and uselessness of his resistance. · It will apply liberty instead-of revenge. It ·will take into consideration that most of the counter-revolutionists are dupes rather than enemies, deluded victims of some individuals seeking power and a1,1thority. It will know that they need enlightenment rather than punishment, and that the· former will accomplish more than the latter. Even to-day this perception is gaining ground. The Bolsheviki defeated the Allied armies in Russia more effectively by revolutionary propaganda among the enemy soldiers than by the strength of their artillery. These new methods have been recognised as practical even by the United States Government which is making use ·or them now in its Nicaraguan campaign. American aeroplanes scatter proclamations and appeals to the Nicar,1.guanpeople to persuade them to desert Sandino and his cause, and the American army chiefs expect the best results from these tactics. But the Sandin9 patriots are fighting for home and country against foreign invaders, while counter-revolutionists wage war against their own people. The work of their enlightenment is much simpl~r and promises better results. 101 Bibhoteca G.no Bic.nco
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