Denis Nowell Pritt: What are the Communists? Our capitalist Press and propaganda has for so many years built up a "Communist bogey" that for most non-political people a Communist is a mythical monstrosity. He is either just a man who is born lazy, or an agitator paid by foreign gold, who is remarkably successful in persuading honest and intelligent workers to strike for no reason; he is in any case anti-social and unpatriotic. The real truth is very different; the Communists in every country have numbered in their ranks some of the most highly skilled and conscientious workers, scientists, teachers, and writers; they are on the whole well informed and read The Times and the Financial News assiduously! They spend a good part of their leisure in mastering the intricacies of Marxist philosophy, in studying and seeking to improve social conditions, and in Trade Union and political activities. They include people of wide general culture and lively intellect. And above all, they are international in their outlook, sympathy, and philosophy. All the gangsters and fools who were welcomed into the Nazi party are assiduously excluded from the Communist ranks. Their professional politicians live on limited salaries and must maintain a high standard of personal conduct; (this rule is particularly strict in the Soviet Union). For a practical example of the difference between a Communist and a Nazi, one may recall the superb contrast of Dimitrov and Goering during the course of the Reichstag Fire Trial in 1933. wordsmith.social/protestation/…