The Question of Guerrilla Warfare

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This note was printed in the form of a comment “from the editorial board” on the resolution of the Moscow Committee of the RSDLP on guerrilla warfare. The Moscow Committee adopted the resolution in September 1906. Point 3 of the preamble of the resolution pointed out that “the revolution, while not being powerful enough to smash the regime by a simultaneous action of the people is, however, strong enough not to remain passive and is spontaneously passing to guerrilla attacks against the enemy, which are especially to be expected in the villages where recruitment is beginning”.

We consider this resolution sound in principle and note its agreement with the points we developed in our article “Guerrilla Warfare”. We would suggest only a few minor amendments and additions to the text of the resolution. In Point 3 of the preamble we would say: “the revolution not being strong enough at the present time”, etc. In the resolution proper we would add repudiation of “expropriations” in agreement with the decision of the Congress, and then a statement to the effect that guerrilla actions must conform to the temper of the broad masses and the conditions of the working-class movement. It is clear, however, that our Moscow comrades take this for granted.