The air was full of rumours8 about Kerensky, who was said to have raised the Front, and to be leading a great army against the capital. Volia Naroda published a prikaz launched by him at Pskov:
The disorders10 caused by the insane attempt of the Bolsheviki place the country on the verge11 of a precipice12, and demand the effort of our entire will, our courage and the devotion of every one of us, to win through the terrible trial which the fatherland is undergoing. . . .
Until the declaration of the composition of the new Government-if one is formed-every one ought to remain at his post and fulfil his duty toward bleeding Russia. It must be remembered that the least interference with existing Army organisations can bring on irreparable misfortunes, by opening the Front to the enemy. Therefore it is indispensable to preserve at any price the morale14 of the troops, by assuring complete order and the preservation15 of the Army from new shocks, and by maintaining absolute confidence between officers and their subordinates. I order all the chiefs and Commissars, in the name of the safety of the country, to stay at their posts, as I myself retain the post of Supreme16 Commander, until the Provisional Government of the Republic shall declare its will. . . .
In answer, this placard on all the walls:
FROM THE ALL-RUSSIAN CONGRESS OF SOVIETS18
“The ex-Ministers Konovalov, Kishkin, Terestchenko, Maliantovitch, Nikitin and others have been arrested by the Military Revolutionary Committee. Kerensky has fled. All Army organisations are ordered to take every measure for the immediate19 arrest of Kerensky and his conveyance20 to Petrograd.
“All assistance given to Kerensky will be punished as a serious crime against the state.”
With brakes released the Military Revolutionary Committee whirled, throwing off orders, appeals, decrees, like sparks. (See App. V, Sect21. 1) . . . Kornilov was ordered brought to Petrograd. Members of the Peasant Land Committees imprisoned22 by the Provisional Government were declared free. Capital punishment in the army was abolished. Government employees were ordered to continue their work, and threatened with severe penalties if they refused. All pillage23, disorder9 and speculation24 were forbidden under pain of death. Temporary Commissars were appointed to the various Ministries26: Foreign Affairs, Vuritsky and Trotzky; Interior and Justice, Rykov; Labor27, Shliapnikov; Finance, Menzhinsky; Public Welfare, Madame Kollontai; Commerce, Ways and Communications, Riazanov; Navy, the sailor Korbir; Posts and Telegraphs, Spiro; Theatres, Muraviov; State Printing Office, Gherbychev; for the City of Petrograd, Lieutenant28 Nesterov; for the Northern Front, Pozern. . . .
To the Army, appeal to set up Military Revolutionary Committees. To the railway workers, to maintain order, especially not to delay the transport of food to the cities and the front. . . . In return, they were promised representation in the Ministry29 of Ways and Communications.
Cossack brothers! (said one proclamation). You are being led against Petrograd. They want to force you into battle with the revolutionary workers and soldiers of the capital. Do not believe a word that is said by our common enemies, the land-owners and the capitalists.
At our Congress are represented all the conscious organisations of workers, soldiers and peasants of Russia. The Congress wishes also to welcome into its midst the worker-Cossacks. The Generals of the Black Band, henchmen of the land-owners, of Nicolai the Cruel, are our enemies.
They tell you that the Soviets wish to confiscate30 the lands of the Cossacks. This is a lie. It is only from the great Cossack landlords that the Revolution will confiscate the land to give it to the people.
Organise31 Soviets of Cossacks’ Deputies! Join with the Soviets of Workers’ and Soldiers’ Deputies!
Show the Black Band that you are not traitors32 to the People, and that you do not wish to be cursed by the whole of revolutionary Russia! . . .
Cossack brothers, execute no orders of the enemies of the people. Send your delegates to Petrograd to talk it over with us. . . . The Cossacks of the Petrograd garrison34, to their honour, have not justified35 the hope of the People’s enemies. . . .
Cossack brothers! The All–Russian Congress of Soviets extends to you a fraternal hand. Long live the brotherhood36 of the Cossacks with the soldiers, workers and peasants of all Russia!
On the other side, what a storm of proclamations posted up, hand-bills scattered37 everywhere, newspapers-screaming and cursing and prophesying38 evil. Now raged the battle of the printing press-all other weapons being in the hands of the Soviets.
First, the appeal of the Committee for Salvation39 of Country and Revolution, flung broadcast over Russia and Europe:
TO THE CITIZENS OF THE RUSSIAN REPUBLIC!
Contrary to the will of the revolutionary masses, on November 7th the Bolsheviki of Petrograd criminally arrested part of the Provisional Government, dispersed40 the Council of the Republic, and proclaimed an illegal power. Such violence committed against the Government of revolutionary Russia at the moment of its greatest external danger, is an indescribable crime against the fatherland.
The insurrection of the Bolsheviki deals a mortal blow to the cause of national defence, and postpones41 immeasurably the moment of peace so greatly desired.
Civil war, begun by the Bolsheviki, threatens to deliver the country to the horrors of anarchy42 and counter-revolution, and cause the failure of the Constituent43 Assembly, which must affirm the republican régime and transmit to the People forever their right to the land.
Preserving the continuity of the only legal Governmental power, the Committee for Salvation of Country and Revolution, established on the night of November 7th, takes the initiative in forming a new Provisional Government; which, basing itself on the forces of democracy, will conduct the country to the Constituent Assembly and save it from anarchy and counter-revolution. The Committee for Salvation summons you, citizens, to refuse to recognise the power of violence. Do not obey its orders!
Rise for the defence of the country and Revolution!
Support the Committee for Salvation!
Signed by the Council of the Russian Republic, the Municipal Duma of Petrograd, the Tsay-ee-kah (First Congress), the Executive Committee of the Peasants’ Soviets, and from the Congress itself the Front group, the factions44 of Socialist46 Revolutionaries, Mensheviki, Populist Socialists47, Unified48 Social Democrats50, and the group “Yedinstvo.”
Then posters from the Socialist Revolutionary party, the Mensheviki oborontsi, Peasants’ Soviets again; from the Central Army Committee, the Tsentroflot. . . .
. . . Famine will crush Petrograd! (they cried). The German armies will trample51 on our liberty. Black Hundred pogroms will spread over Russia, if we all-conscious workers, soldiers, citizens-do not unite. . . .
Do not trust the promises of the Bolsheviki! The promise of immediate peace-is a lie! The promise of bread — a hoax52! The promise of land — a fairy tale! . . .
They were all in this manner.
Comrades! You have been basely and cruelly deceived! The seizure53 of power has been accomplished54 by the Bolsheviki alone. . . . They concealed55 their plot from the other Socialist parties composing the Soviet17. . . .
You have been promised land and freedom, but the counter-revolution will profit by the anarchy called forth56 by the Bolsheviki, and will deprive you of land and freedom. . . .
The newspapers were as violent.
Our duty (said the Dielo Naroda) is to unmask these traitors to the working-class. Our duty is to mobilise all our forces and mount guard over the cause of the Revolution! . . .
Izviestia, for the last time speaking in the name of the old Tsay-ee-kah, threatened awful retribution.
As for the Congress of Soviets, we affirm that there has been no Congress of Soviets! We affirm that it was merely a private conference of the Bolshevik faction45! And in that case, they have no right to cancel the powers of the Tsay-ee-kah. . . .
Novaya Zhizn, while pleading for a new Government that should unite all the Socialist parties, criticised severely57 the action of the Socialist Revolutionaries and the Mensheviki in quitting the Congress, and pointed25 out that the Bolshevik insurrection meant one thing very clearly: that all illusions about coalition58 with the bourgeoisie were henceforth demonstrated vain . . .
Rabotchi Put blossomed out as Pravda, Lenin’s newspaper which had been suppressed in July. It crowed, bristling60:
Workers, soldiers, peasants! In March you struck down the tyranny of the clique61 of nobles. Yesterday you struck down the tyranny of the bourgeois59 gang. . . .
The first task now is to guard the approaches to Petrograd.
The second is definitely to disarm62 the counter-revolutionary elements of Petrograd.
The third is definitely to organise the revolutionary power and assure the realisation of the popular programme . . .
What few Cadet organs appeared, and the bourgeoisie generally, adopted a detached, ironical63 attitude toward the whole business, a sort of contemptuous “I-told-you-so” to the other parties. Influential64 Cadets were to be seen hovering65 around the Municipal Duma, and on the outskirts66 of the Committee for Salvation. Other than that, the bourgeoisie lay low, biding67 its hour — which could not far off. That the Bolsheviki would remain in power longer than three days never occurred to anybody-except perhaps to Lenin, Trotzky, the Petrograd workers and the simpler soldiers. . . .
In the high, amphitheatrical Nicolai Hall that afternoon I saw the Duma sitting in permanence, tempestuous68, grouping around it all the forces of opposition69. The old Mayer, Schreider, majestic70 with his white hair and beard, was describing his visit to Smolny the night before, to protest in the name of the Municipal Self–Government. “The Duma, being the only existing legal Government in the city, elected by equal, direct and secret suffrage71, would not recognise the new power,” he had told Trotzky. And Trotzky had answered, “There is a constitutional remedy for that. The Duma can be dissolved and re-elected. . . . ” At this report there was a furious outcry.
“If one recognises a Government by bayonet,” continued the old man, addressing the Duma, “well, we have one; but I consider legitimate72 only a Government recognised by the majority, and not one created by the usurpation73 of a minority!” Wild applause on all benches except those of the Bolsheviki. Amid renewed tumult74 the Mayor announced that the Bolsheviki already were violating Municipal autonomy by appointing Commissars in many departments.
The Bolshevik speaker shouted, trying to make himself heard, that the decision of the Congress of Soviets meant that all Russia backed up the action of the Bolsheviki.
“You!” he cried. “You are not the real representative of the people of Petrograd!” Shrieks75 of “Insult! Insult!” The old Mayor, with dignity, reminded him that the Duma was elected by the freest possible popular vote. “Yes,” he answered, “but that was a long time ago-like the Tsay-ee-kah— like the Army Committee.”
“There has been no new Congress of Soviets!” they yelled at him.
“The Bolshevik faction refuses to remain any longer in this nest of counter-revolution — ” Uproar76. “ — and we demand a re-election of the Duma. . . . ” Whereupon the Bolsheviki left the chamber77, followed by cries of “German agents! Down with the traitors!”
Shingariov, Cadet, then demanded that all Municipal functionaries78 who had consented to be Commissars of the Military Revolutionary Committee be discharged from their position and indicted79. Schreider was on his feet, putting a motion to the effect that the Duma protested against the menace of the Bolsheviki to dissolve it, and as the legal representative of the population, it would refuse to leave its post.
Outside, the Alexander Hall was crowded for the meeting of the Committee for Salvation, and Skobeliev was again speaking. “Never yet,” he said, “was the fate of the Revolution so acute, never yet did the question of the existence of the Russian state excite so much anxiety, never yet did history put so harshly and categorically the question-is Russia to be or not to be! The great hour for the salvation of the Revolution has arrived, and in consciousness thereof we observe the close union of the live forces of the revolutionary democracy, by whose organised will a centre for the salvation of the country and the Revolution has already been created. . . . ” And much of the same sort. “We shall die sooner than surrender our post!”
Amid violent applause it was announced that the union of Railway Workers had joined the Committee for Salvation. A few moments later the Post and Telegraph Employees came in; then some Mensheviki Internationalists entered the hall, to cheers. The Railway men said they did not recognise the Bolsheviki and had taken the entire railroad apparatus80 into their own hands, refusing to entrust81 it to any usurpatory power. The Telegraphers’ delegate declared that the operators had flatly refused to work their instruments as long as the Bolshevik Commissar was in the office. The Postmen would not deliver or accept mail at Smolny. . . . All the Smolny telephones were cut off. With great glee it was reported how Uritzky had gone to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to demand the secret treaties, and how Neratov had put him out. The Government employees were all stopping work. . . .
It was war-war deliberately82 planned, Russian fashion; war by strike and sabotage84. As we sat there the chairman read a list of names and assignments; so-and-so was to make the round of the Ministries; another was to visit the banks; some ten or twelve were to work the barracks and persuade the soldiers to remain neutral — “Russian soldiers, do not shed the blood of your brothers!”; a committee was to go and confer with Kerensky; still others were despatched to provincial85 cities, to form branches of the Committee for Salvation, and link together the anti-Bolshevik elements.
The crowd was in high spirits. “These Bolsheviki will try to dictate86 to the intelligentzia? We’ll show them!” . . . Nothing could be more striking than the contrast between this assemblage and the Congress of Soviets. There, great masses of shabby soldiers, grimy workmen, peasants-poor men, bent87 and scarred in the brute88 struggle for existence; here the Menshevik and Social Revolutionary leaders-Avksentievs, Dans, Liebers, — the former Socialist Ministers–Skobelievs, Tchernovs, — rubbed shoulders with Cadets like oily Shatsky, sleek89 Vinaver; with journalists, students, intellectuals of almost all camps. This Duma crowd was well-fed, well-dressed; I did not see more than three proletarians among them all. . . .
News came. Kornilov’s faithful Tekhintsi15 had slaughtered91 his guards at Bykhov, and he had escaped. Kaledin was marching north. . . . The Soviet of Moscow had set up a Military Revolutionary Committee, and was negotiating with the commandant of the city for possession of the arsenal93, so that the workers might be armed.
15 See Notes and Explanations]
With these facts was mixed an astounding jumble94 of rumours, distortions, and plain lies. For instance, an intelligent young Cadet, formerly95 private secretary to Miliukov and then to Terestchenko, drew us aside and told us all about the taking of the Winter Palace.
“The Bolsheviki were led by German and Austrian officers,” he affirmed.
“Is that so?” we replied, politely. “How do you know?”
“A friend of mine was there and saw them.”
“How could he tell they were German officers?”
“Oh, because they wore German uniforms!”
There were hundreds of such absurd tales, and they were not only solemnly published by the anti-Bolshevik press, but believed by the most unlikely persons-Socialist Revolutionaries and Mensheviki who had always been distinguished96 by their sober devotion to facts. . . .
But more serious were the stories of Bolshevik violence and terrorism. For example, it was said printed that the Red Guards had not only thoroughly97 looted the Winter Palace, but that they had massacred the yunkers after disarming98 them, had killed some of the Ministers in cold blood; and as for the woman soldiers, most of them had been violated, and many had committed suicide because of the tortures they had gone through. . . . All these stories were swallowed whole by the crowd in the Duma. And worse still, the mothers and fathers of the students and of the women read these frightful99 details, often accompanied by lists of names, and toward nightfall the Duma began to be besieged100 by frantic101 citizens. . . .
A typical case is that of Prince Tumanov, whose body, it was announced in many newspapers, had been found floating in the Moika Canal. A few hours later this was denied by the Prince’s family, who added that the Prince was under arrest so the press identified the dead man as General Demissov. The General having also come to life, we investigated, and could find no trace of any body found whatever. . . .
As we left the Duma building two boy scouts102 were distributing hand-bills (See App. V, Sect. 2) to the enormous crowd which blocked the Nevsky in front of the door — a crowd composed almost entirely103 of business men, shop-keepers, tchinouniki, clerks. One read!
FROM THE MUNICIPAL DUMA
The Municipal Duma in its meeting of October 26th, in view of the events of the day decrees: To announce the inviolability of private dwellings104. Through the House Committees it calls upon the population of the town of Petrograd to meet with decisive repulse105 all attempts to enter by force private apartments, not stopping at the use of arms, in the interests of the self-defence of citizens.
Up on the corner of the Liteiny, five or six Red Guards and a couple of sailors had surrounded a news-dealer and were demanding that he hand over his copies of the Menshevik Rabot-chaya Gazeta (Workers’ Gazette). Angrily he shouted at them, shaking his fist, as one of the sailors tore the papers from his stand. An ugly crowd had gathered around, abusing the patrol. One little workman kept explaining doggedly106 to the people and the news-dealer, over and over again, “It has Kerensky’s proclamation in it. It says we killed Russian people. It will make bloodshed. . . . ”
Smolny was tenser than ever, if that were possible. The same running men in the dark corridors, squads107 of workers with rifles, leaders with bulging108 portfolios109 arguing, explaining, giving orders as they hurried anxiously along, surrounded by friends and lieutenants110. Men literally111 out of themselves, living prodigies112 of sleeplessness113 and work-men unshaven, filthy114, with burning eyes, who drove upon their fixed115 purpose full speed on engines of exaltation. So much they had to do, so much! Take over the Government, organise the City, keep the garrison loyal, fight the Duma and the Committee for Salvation, keep out the Germans, prepare to do battle with Kerensky, inform the provinces what had happened, Propagandise from Archangel to Vladivostok. . . . Government and Municipal employees refusing to obey their Commissars, post and telegraph refusing them communication, railroads roads stonily116 ignoring their appeals for trains, Kerensky coming, the garrison not altogether to be trusted, the Cossacks waiting to come out. . . . Against them not only the organised bourgeoisie, but all the other Socialist parties except the Left Socialist Revolutionaries, a few Mensheviki Internationalists and the Social Democrat49 Internationalists, and even they undecided whether to stand by or not. With them, it is true, the workers and the soldier-masses — the peasants an unknown quantity-but after all the Bolsheviki were a political faction not rich in trained and educated men. . . .
Riazanov was coming up the front steps, explaining in a sort of humorous panic that he, Commissar of Commerce, knew nothing whatever of business. In the upstairs cafe sat a man all by himself in the corner, in a goat-skin cape92 and clothes which had been — I was going to say “slept in,” but of course he hadn’t slept — and a three days’ growth of beard. He was anxiously figuring on a dirty envelope, and biting his pencil meanwhile. This was Menzhinsky, Commissar of Finance, whose qualifications were that he had once been clerk in a French bank. . . . And these four half-running down the hall from the office of the Military Revolutionary Committee, and scribbling118 on bits of paper as they run — these were Commissars despatched to the four corners of Russia to carry the news, argue, or fight-with whatever arguments or weapons came to hand. . . .
The Congress was to meet at one o’clock, and long since the great meeting-hall had filled, but by seven there was yet no sign of the presidium. . . . The Bolshevik and Left Social Revolutionary factions were in session in their own rooms. All the livelong afternoon Lenin and Trotzky had fought against compromise. A considerable part of the Bolsheviki were in favour of giving way so far as to create a joint119 all-Socialist government. “We can’t hold on!” they cried.
“Too much is against us. We haven’t got the men. We will be isolated120, and the whole thing will fall.” So Kameniev, Riazanov and others.
But Lenin, with Trotzky beside him, stood firm as a rock. “Let the compromisers accept our programme and they can come in! We won’t give way an inch. If there are comrades here who haven’t the courage and the will to dare what we dare, let them leave with the rest of the cowards and conciliators! Backed by the workers and soldiers we shall go on.”
At five minutes past seven came word from the left Socialist Revolutionaries to say that they would remain in the Military Revolutionary Committee.
“See!” said Lenin. “They are following!”
A little later, as we sat at the press table in the big hall, an Anarchist121 who was writing for the bourgeois papers proposed to me that we go and find out what had become of the presidium. There was nobody in the Tsay-ee-kah office, nor in the bureau of the Petrograd Soviet. From room to room we wandered, through vast Smolny. Nobody seemed to have the slightest idea where to find the governing body of the Congress. As we went my companion described his ancient revolutionary activities, his long and pleasant exile in France. . . . As for the Bolsheviki, he confided122 to me that they were common, rude, ignorant persons, without aesthetic123 sensibilities. He was a real specimen124 of the Russian intelligentzia. . . . So he came at last to Room 17, office of the Military Revolutionary Committee, and stood there in the midst of all the furious coming and going. The door opened, and out shot a squat125, flat-faced man in a uniform without insignia, who seemed to be smiling — which smile, after a minute, one saw to be the fixed grin of extreme fatigue126. It was Krylenko.
My friend, who was a dapper, civilized-looking young man, gave a cry of pleasure and stepped forward.
“Nicolai Vasilievitch!” he said, holding out his hand. “Don’t you remember me, comrade? We were in prison together.”
Krylenko made an effort and concentrated his mind and sight. “Why yes,” he answered finally, looking the other up and down with an expression of great friendliness127. “You are S-. Zdra’stvuitye!” They kissed. “What are you doing in all this?” He waved his arm around.
“Oh, I’am just looking on. . . . You seem very successful.”
“Yes,” replied Krylenko, with a sort of doggedness, “The proletarian Revolution is a great success.” He laughed. “Perhaps-perhaps, however, we’ll meet in prison again!”
When we got out into the corridor again my friend went on with his explanations. “You see, I’am a follower128 of Kropotkin. To us the Revolution is a great failure; it has not aroused the patriotism129 of the masses. Of course that only proves that the people are not ready for Revolution. . . . ”
It was just 8.40 when a thundering wave of cheers announced the entrance of the presidium, with Lenin-great Lenin-among them. A short, stocky figure, with a big head set down in his shoulders, bald and bulging. Little eyes, a snubbish nose, wide, generous mouth, and heavy chin; clean-shaven now, but already beginning to bristle130 with the well-known beard of his past and future. Dressed in shabby clothes, his trousers much too long for him. Unimpressive, to be the idol131 of a mob, loved and revered132 as perhaps few leaders in history have been. A strange popular leader — a leader purely133 by virtue134 of intellect; colourless, humourless, uncompromising and detached, without picturesque135 idiosyncrasies-but with the power of explaining profound ideas in simple terms, of analysing a concrete situation. And combined with shrewdness, the greatest intellectual audacity136.
Kameniev was reading the report of the actions of the Military Revolutionary Committee; abolition137 of capital punishment in the Army, restoration of the free right of propaganda, release of officers and soldiers arrested for political crimes, orders to arrest Kerensky and confiscation138 of food supplies in private store-houses. . . . Tremendous applause.
Again the representative of the Bund. The uncompromising attitude of the Bolsheviki would mean the crushing of the Revolution; therefore, the Bund delegates must refuse any longer to sit in the Congress. Cries from the audience, “We thought you walked out last night! How many times are you going to walk out?”
Then the representative of the Mensheviki Internationalists. Shouts, “What! You here still?” The speaker explained that only part of the Mensheviki Internationalists left the Congress; the rest were going to stay — “We consider it dangerous and perhaps even mortal for the Revolution to transfer the power to the Soviets” — Interruptions — “but we feel it our duty to remain in the Congress and vote against the transfer here!”
Other speakers followed, apparently139 without any order. A delegate of the coal-miners of the Don Basin called upon the Congress to take measures against Kaledin, who might cut off coal and food from the capital. Several soldiers just arrived from the Front brought the enthusiastic greetings of their regiments141. . . . Now Lenin, gripping the edge of the reading stand, letting his little winking142 eyes travel over the crowd as he stood there waiting, apparently oblivious143 to the long-rolling ovation144, which lasted several minutes. When it finished, he said simply, “We shall now proceed to construct the Socialist order!” Again that overwhelming human roar.
“The first thing is the adoption145 of practical measures to realise peace. . . . We shall offer peace to the peoples of all the belligerent146 countries upon the basis of the Soviet terms-no annexations148, no indemnities150, and the right of self-determination of peoples. At the same time, according to our promise, we shall publish and repudiate151 the secret treaties. . . . The question of War and Peace is so clear that I think that I may, without preamble152, read the project of a Proclamation to the Peoples of All the Belligerent Countries. . . . ”
His great mouth, seeming to smile, opened wide as he spoke153; his voice was hoarse-not unpleasantly so, but as if it had hardened that way after years and years of speaking — and went on monotonously154, with the effect of being able to go on forever. . . . For emphasis he bent forward slightly. No gestures. And before him, a thousand simple faces looking up in intent adoration155.
PROCLAMATION TO THE PEOPLES AND GOVERNMENTS OF ALL THE BELLIGERENT NATIONS.
The Workers’ and Peasants’ Government, created by the revolution of November 6th and 7th and based on the Soviets of Workers’, Soldiers’ and Peasants’ Deputies, proposes to all the belligerent peoples and to their Governments to begin immediately negotiations156 for a just and democratic peace.
The Government means by a just and democratic peace, which is desired by the immense majority of the workers and the labouring classes, exhausted157 and depleted158 by the war-that peace which the Russian workers and peasants, after having struck down the Tsarist monarchy159, have not ceased to demand categorically-immediate peace without annexations (that is to say, without conquest of foreign territory, without forcible annexation149 of other nationalities), and without indemnities.
The Government of Russia Proposes to all the belligerent peoples immediately to conclude such a peace, by showing themselves willing to enter upon the decisive steps of negotiations aiming at such a peace, at once, without the slightest delay, before the definitive160 ratification161 of all the conditions of such a peace by the authorised assemblies of the people of all countries and of all nationalities.
By annexation or conquest of foreign territory, the Government means-conformably to the conception of democratic rights in general, and the rights of the working-class in particular-all union to a great and strong State of a small or weak nationality, without the voluntary, clear and precise expression of its consent and desire; whatever be the moment when such an annexation by force was accomplished, whatever be the degree civilisation162 of the nation annexed163 by force or maintained outside the frontiers of another State, no matter if that nation be in Europe or in the far countries across the sea.
If any nation is retained by force within the limits of another State; if, in spite of the desire expressed by it, (it matters little if that desire be expressed by the press, by popular meetings, decisions of political parties, or by disorders and riots against national oppression), that nation is not given the right of deciding by free vote-without the slightest constraint164, after the complete departure of the armed forces of the nation which has annexed it or wishes to annex147 it or is stronger in general — the form of its national and political organisation13, such a union constitutes an annexation-that is to say, conquest and an act of violence.
To continue this war in order to permit the strong and rich nations to divide among themselves the weak and conquered nationalities is considered by the Government the greatest possible crime against humanity; and the Government solemnly proclaims its decision to sign a treaty of peace which will put an end to this war upon the above conditions, equally fair for all nationalities without exception.
The Government abolishes secret diplomacy165, expressing before the whole country its firm decision to conduct all the negotiations in the light of day before the people, and will proceed immediately to the full publication of all secret treaties confirmed or concluded by the Government of land-owners and capitalists, from March until November 7th, 1917. All the clauses of the secret treaties which, as occur in a majority of cases, have for their object to procure166 advantages and privileges for Russian capitalists, to maintain or augment167 the annexations of the Russian imperialists, are denounced by the Government immediately and without discussion.
In proposing to all Governments and all peoples to engage in public negotiations for peace, the Government declares itself ready to carry on these negotiations by telegraph, by post, or by pourparlers between the representatives of the different countries, or at a conference of these representatives. To facilitate these pourparlers, the Government appoints its authorised representatives in the neutral countries.
The Government proposes to all the governments and to the peoples of all the belligerent countries to conclude an immediate armistice168, at the same time suggesting that the armistice ought to last three months, during which time it is perfectly169 possible, not only to hold the necessary pourparlers between the representatives of all the nations and nationalities without exception drawn170 into the war or forced to take part in it, but also to convoke171 authorised assemblies of representatives of the people of all countries, for the purpose of the definite acceptance of the conditions of peace.
In addressing this offer of peace to the Governments and to the peoples of all the belligerent countries, the Provisional Workers’ and Peasants’ Government of Russia addresses equally and in particular the conscious workers of the three nations most devoted172 to humanity and the three most important nations among those taking part in the present war-England, France, and Germany. The workers of these countries have rendered the greatest services to the cause of progress and of Socialism. The splendid examples of the Chartist movement in England, the series of revolutions, of world-wide historical significance, accomplished by the French proletariat — and finally, in Germany, the historic struggle against the Laws of Exception, an example for the workers of the whole world of prolonged and stubborn action, and the creation of the formidable organisations of German proletarians-all these models of proletarian heroism173, these monuments of history, are for us a sure guarantee that the workers of these countries will understand the duty imposed upon them to liberate83 humanity from the horrors and consequences of war; and that these workers, by decisive, energetic and continued action, will help us to bring to a successful conclusion the cause of peace — and at the same time, the cause of the liberation of the exploited working masses from all slavery and all exploitation.
When the grave thunder of applause had died away, Lenin spoke again:
“We propose to the Congress to ratify174 this declaration. We address ourselves to the Governments as well as to the peoples, for a declaration which would be addressed only to the peoples of the belligerent countries might delay the conclusion of peace. The conditions of peace, drawn up during the armistice, will be ratified175 by the Constituent Assembly. In fixing the duration of the armistice at three months, we desire to give to the peoples as long a rest as possible after this bloody176 extermination177, and ample time for them to elect their representatives. This proposal of peace will meet with resistance on the part of the imperialist governments-we don’t fool ourselves on that score. But we hope that revolution will soon break out in all the belligerent countries; that is why we address ourselves especially to the workers of France, England and Germany. . . .
“The revolution of November 6th and 7th,” he ended, “has opened the era of the Social Revolution. . . . The labour movement, in the name of peace and Socialism, shall win, and fulfil its destiny. . . .
There was something quiet and powerful in all this, which stirred the souls of men. It was understandable why people believed when Lenin spoke. . . . ”
By crowd vote it was quickly decided117 that only representatives of political factions should be allowed to speak on the motion and that speakers should be limited to fifteen minutes.
First Karelin for the Left Socialist Revolutionaries. “Our faction had no opportunity to propose amendments178 to the text of the proclamation; it is a private document of the Bolsheviki. But we will vote for it because we agree with its spirit. . . . ”
For the Social Democrats Internationalists Kramarov, long, stoop-shouldered and near-sighted-destined to achieve some notoriety as the Clown of the Opposition. Only a Government composed of all the Socialist parties, he said, could possess the authority to take such important action. If a Socialist coalition were formed, his faction would support the entire programme; if not, only part of it. As for the proclamation, the Internationalists were in thorough accord with its main points. . . .
Then one after another, amid rising enthusiasm; Ukrainean Social Democracy, support; Lithuanian Social Democracy, support; Populist Socialists, support; Polish Social Democracy, support; Polish Socialists support-but would prefer a Socialist coalition; Lettish Social Democracy, support. . . . Something was kindled179 in these men. One spoke of the “coming World–Revolution, of which we are the advance-guard”; another of “the new age of brotherhood, when all the peoples will become one great family. . . . ” An individual member claimed the floor. “There is contradiction here,” he said. “First you offer peace without annexations and indemnities, and then you say you will consider all peace offers. To consider means to accept. . . . ”
Lenin was on his feet. “We want a just peace, but we are not afraid of a revolutionary war. . . . Probably the imperialist Governments will not answer our appeal-but we shall not issue an ultimatum180 to which it will be easy to say no. . . . If the German proletariat realises that we are ready to consider all offers of peace, that will perhaps be the last drop which overflows181 the bowl-revolution will break out in Germany. . . .
“We consent to examine all conditions of peace, but that doesn’t mean that we shall accept them. . . . For some of our terms we shall fight to the end-but possibly for others will find it impossible to continue the war. . . . Above all, we want to finish the war. . . . ”
It was exactly 10:35 when Kameniev asked all in favour of the proclamation to hold up their cards. One delegate dared to raise his hand against, but the sudden sharp outburst around him brought it swiftly down. . . . Unanimous.
Suddenly, by common impulse, we found ourselves on our feet, mumbling182 together into the smooth lifting unison183 of the Internationale. A grizzled old soldier was sobbing184 like a child. Alexandra Kollontai rapidly winked185 the tears back. The immense sound rolled through the hall, burst windows and doors and seared into the quiet sky. “The war is ended! The war is ended!” said a young workman near me, his face shining. And when it was over, as we stood there in a kind of awkward hush186, some one in the back of the room shouted, “Comrades! Let us remember those who have died for liberty!” So we began to sing the Funeral March, that slow, melancholy187 and yet triumphant188 chant, so Russian and so moving. The Internationale is an alien air, after all. The Funeral March seemed the very soul of those dark masses whose delegates sat in this hall, building from their obscure visions a new Russia — and perhaps more.
You fell in the fatal fight
For the liberty of the people, for the honour of the people. . . .
You gave up your lives and everything dear to you,
You suffered in horrible prisons,
You went to exile in chains. . . .
Without a word you carried your chains because you could not ignore your suffering brothers,
Because you believed that justice is stronger than the sword. . . .
The time will come when your surrendered life will count
That time is near; when tyranny falls the people will rise, great and free!
Farewell, brothers, you chose a noble path,
You are followed by the new and fresh army ready to die and to suffer. . . .
Farewell, brothers, you chose a noble path,
At your grave we swear to fight, to work for freedom and the people’s happiness. . . .
For this did they lie there, the martyrs189 of March, in their cold Brotherhood Grave on Mars Field; for this thousands and tens of thousands had died in the prisons, in exile, in Siberian mines. It had not come as they expected it would come, nor as the intelligentzia desired it; but it had come-rough, strong, impatient of formulas, contemptuous of sentimentalism; real. . . .
Lenin was reading the Decree on Land:
(1.) All private ownership of land is abolished immediately without compensation.
(2.) All land-owners’ estates, and all lands belonging to the Crown, to monasteries190, church lands with all their live stock and inventoried191 property, buildings and all appurtenances, are transferred to the disposition192 of the township Land Committees and the district Soviets of Peasants’ Deputies until the Constituent Assembly meets.
(3.) Any damage whatever done to the confiscated193 property which from now on belongs to the whole People, is regarded as a serious crime, punishable by the revolutionary tribunals. The district Soviets of Peasants’ Deputies shall take all necessary measures for the observance of the strictest order during the taking over of the land-owners’ estates, for the determination of the dimensions of the plots of land and which of them are subject to confiscation, for the drawing up of an inventory194 of the entire confiscated property, and for the strictest revolutionary protection of all the farming property on the land, with all buildings, implements195, cattle, supplies of products, etc., passing into the hands of the People.
(4.) For guidance during the realisation of the great land reforms until their final resolution by the Constituent Assembly, shall serve the following peasant nakaz (See App. V, Sect. 3) (instructions), drawn up on the basis of 242 local peasant nakazi by the editorial board of the “Izviestia of the All–Russian Soviet of Peasants’ Deputies,” and published in No.88 of said “Izviestia“ (Petrograd, No.88, August 19th, 1917).
The lands of peasants and of Cossacks serving in the Army shall not be confiscated.
“This is not,” explained Lenin, “the project of former Minister Tchernov, who spoke of ‘erecting a frame-work’ and tried to realise reforms from above. From below, on the spot, will be decided the questions of division of the land. The amount of land received by each peasant will vary according to the locality. . . .
“Under the Provisional Government, the pomieshtchiki flatly refused to obey the orders of the Land Committees-those Land Committees projected by Lvov, brought into existence by Shingariov, and administered by Kerensky!”
Before the debates could begin a man forced his way violently through the crowd in the aisle196 and climbed upon the platform. It was Pianikh, member of the Executive Committee of the Peasants’ Soviets, and he was mad clean through.
“The Executive Committee of the All–Russian Soviets of Peasants’ Deputies protests against the arrest of our comrades, the Ministers Salazkin and Mazlov!” he flung harshly in the faces of the crowd, “We demand their instant release! They are now in Peter–Paul fortress197. We must have immediate action! There is not a moment to lose!”
Another followed him, a soldier with disordered beard and flaming eyes. “You sit here and talk about giving the land to the peasants, and you commit an act of tyrants198 and usurpers against the peasants’ chosen representatives! I tell you-” he raised his fist, “If one hair of their heads is harmed, you’ll have a revolt on your hands!” The crowd stirred confusedly.
Then up rose Trotzky, calm and venomous, conscious of power, greeted with a roar. “Yesterday the Military Revolutionary Committee decided to release the Socialist Revolutionary and Menshevik Ministers, Mazlov, Salazkin, Gvozdov and Maliantovitch-on principle. That they are still in Peter–Paul is only because we have had so much to do. . . . They will, however, be detained at their homes under arrest until we have investigated their complicity in the treacherous199 acts of Kerensky during the Kornilov affair!”
“Never,” shouted Pianikh, “in any revolution have such things been seen as go on here!”
“You are mistaken,” responded Trotzky. “Such things have been seen even in this revolution. Hundreds of our comrades were arrested in the July days. . . . When Comrade Kollontai was released from prison by the doctor’s orders, Avksentiev placed at her door two former agents of the Tsar’s secret police!” The peasants withdrew, muttering, followed by ironical hoots200.
The representative of the Left Socialist Revolutionaries spoke on the Land Decree. While agreeing in principle, his faction could not vote on the question until after discussion. The Peasants’ Soviets should be consulted. . . .
The Mensheviki Internationalists, too, insisted on a party caucus202.
Then the leader of the Maximalists, the Anarchist wing of the peasants: “We must do honour to a political party which puts such an act into effect the first day, without jawing203 about it!”
A typical peasant was in the tribune, long hair, boots and sheep-skin coat, bowing to all corners of the hall. “I wish you well, comrades and citizens,” he said. “There are some Cadets walking around outside. You arrested our Socialist peasants — why not arrest them?”
This was the signal for a debate of excited peasants. It was precisely204 like the debate of soldiers of the night before. Here were the real proletarians of the land. . . .
“Those members of our Executive Committee, Avksentiev and the rest, whom we thought were the peasants’ protectors — they are only Cadets too! Arrest them! Arrest them!”
Another, “Who are these Pianikhs, these Avksentievs? They are not peasants at all! They only wag their tails!”
How the crowd rose to them, recognising brothers!
The Left Socialist Revolutionaries proposed a half-hour intermission. As the delegates streamed out, Lenin stood up in his place.
“We must not lose time, comrades! News all-important to Russia must be on the press to-morrow morning. No delay!”
And above the hot discussion, argument, shuffling205 of feet could be heard the voice of an emissary of the Military Revolutionary Committee, crying, “Fifteen agitators206 wanted in room 17 at once! To go to the Front!“hellip;
It was almost two hours and a half later that the delegates came straggling back, the presidium mounted the platform, and the session recommenced by the reading of telegrams from regiment140 after regiment, announcing their adhesion to the Military Revolutionary Committee.
In leisurely207 manner the meeting gathered momentum208. A delegate from the Russian troops on the Macedonian front spoke bitterly of their situation. “We suffer there more from the friendship of our ‘Allies’ than from the enemy,” he said. Representatives of the Tenth and Twelfth Armies, just arrived in hot haste, reported, “We support you with all our strength!” A peasant-soldier protested against the release of “the traitor33 Socialists, Mazlov and Salazkin”; as for the Executive Committee of the Peasants’ Soviets, it should be arrested en masse! Here was real revolutionary talk. . . . A deputy from the Russian Army in Persia declared he was instructed to demand all power to the Soviets. . . . A Ukrainean officer, speaking in his native tongue: “There is no nationalism in this crisis. . . . Da zdravstvuyet the proletarian dictatorship of all lands!” Such a deluge209 of high and hot thoughts that surely Russia would never again be dumb!
Kameniev remarked that the anti-Bolshevik forces were trying to stir up disorders everywhere, and read an appeal of the Congress to all the Soviets of Russia:
The All–Russian Congress of Soviets of Workers’ and Soldiers’ Deputies, including some Peasants’ Deputies, calls upon the local Soviets to take immediate energetic measures to oppose all counter-revolutionary anti-Jewish action and all pogroms, whatever they may be. The honour of the Workers’, Peasants’ and Soldiers’ Revolution demands that no pogrom be tolerated.
The Red Guard of Petrograd, the revolutionary garrison and the sailors have maintained complete order in the capital.
Workers, soldiers and peasants, you should follow everywhere the example of the workers and soldiers of Petrograd.
Comrade soldiers and Cossacks, on us falls the duty of assuring real revolutionary order.
All revolutionary Russia and the entire world have their eyes on us. . . .
At two o’clock the Land Decree was put to vote, with only one against and the peasant delegates wild with joy. . . . So plunged210 the Bolsheviki ahead, irresistible211, over-riding hesitation212 and opposition — the only people in Russia who had a definite programme of action while the others talked for eight long months.
Now arose a soldier, gaunt, ragged213 and eloquent214, to protest against the clause of the nakaz tending to deprive military deserters from a share in village land allotments. Bawled215 at and hissed216 at first, his simple, moving speech finally made silence. “Forced against his will into the butchery of the trenches217,” he cried, “which you yourselves, in the Peace decree, have voted senseless as well as horrible, he greeted the Revolution with hope of peace and freedom. Peace? The Government of Kerensky forced him again to go forward into Galicia to slaughter90 and be slaughtered; to his pleas for peace, Terestchenko simply laughed. . . . Freedom? Under Kerensky he found his Committees suppressed, his newspapers cut off, his party speakers put in prison. . . . At home in his village, the landlords were defying his Land Committees, jailing his comrades. . . . In Petrograd the bourgeoisie, in alliance with the Germans, were sabotaging218 the food and ammunition219 for the Army. . . . He was without boots, or clothes. . . . Who forced him to desert? The Government of Kerensky, which you have overthrown220!” At the end there was applause.
But another soldier hotly denounced it: “The Government of Kerensky is not a screen behind which can be hidden dirty work like desertion! Deserters are scoundrels, who run away home and leave their comrades to die in the trenches alone! Every deserter is a traitor, and should be punished. . . . ” Uproar, shouts of “Do volno! Teesche!“ Kameniev hastily proposed to leave the matter to the Government for decision. (See App. V, Sect. 4)
At 2.30 A. M. fell a tense hush. Kameniev was reading the decree of the Constitution of Power:
Until the meeting of the Constituent Assembly, a provisional Workers’ and Peasants’ Government is formed, which shall be named the Council of People’s Commissars. (See App. V, Sect. 5)
The administration of the different branches of state activity shall be intrusted to commissions, whose composition shall be regulated to ensure the carrying out of the programme of the Congress, in close union with the mass-organisations of working-men, working-women, sailors, soldiers, peasants and clerical employees. The governmental power is vested in a collegium made up of the chairmen of these commissions, that is to say, the Council of People’s Commissars.
Control over the activities of the People’s Commissars, and the right to replace them, shall belong to the All–Russian Congress of Soviets of Workers’, Peasants’ and Soldiers’ Deputies, and its Central Executive Committee.
Still silence; as he read the list of Commissars, bursts of applause after each name, Lenin’s and Trotzky’s especially.
President of the Council: Vladimir Ulianov (Lenin)
Interior: A. E. Rykov
Agriculture: V. P. Miliutin
Labour: A. G. Shliapnikov
Military and Naval221 Affairs— a committee composed of V. A.
Avseenko (Antonov), N. V. Krylenko, and F. M. Dybenko.
Commerce and Industry: V. P. Nogin
Popular Education: A. V. Lunatcharsky
Finance: E. E. Skvortsov (Stepanov)
Foreign Affairs: L. D. Bronstein (Trotzky)
Justice: G. E. Oppokov (Lomov)
Supplies: E. A. Teodorovitch
Post and Telegraph: N. P. Avilov (Gliebov)
Chairman for Nationalities: I. V. Djougashvili (Stalin)
Railroads: To be filled later.
There were bayonets at the edges of the room, bayonets pricking222 up among the delegates; the Military Revolutionary Committee was arming everybody, Bolshevism was arming for the decisive battle with Kerensky, the sound of whose trumpets223 came up the south-west wind. . . . In the meanwhile nobody went home; on the contrary hundreds of newcomers filtered in, filling the great room solid with stern-faced soldiers and workmen who stood for hours and hours, indefatigably224 intent. The air was thick with cigarette smoke, and human breathing, and the smell of coarse clothes and sweat.
Avilov of the staff of Novaya Zhizn was speaking in the name of the Social Democrat Internationalists and the remnant of the Mensheviki Internationalists; Avilov, with his young, intelligent face, looking out of place in his smart frock-coat.
“We must ask ourselves where we are going. . . . The ease with which the Coalition Government was upset cannot be explained by the strength of the left wing of the democracy, but only by the incapacity of the Government to give the people peace and bread. And the left wing cannot maintain itself in power unless it can solve these questions. . . .
“Can it give bread to the people? Grain is scarce. The majority of the peasants will not be with you, for you cannot give them the machinery225 they need. Fuel and other primary necessities are almost impossible to procure. . . .
“As for peace, that will be even more difficult. The allies refused to talk with Skobeliev. They will never accept the proposition of a peace conference from you. You will not be recognised either in London and Paris, or in Berlin. . . .
“You cannot count on the effective help of the proletariat of the Allied226 countries, because in most countries it is very far from the revolutionary struggle; remember, the Allied democracy was unable even to convoke the Stockholm Conference. Concerning the German Social Democrats, I have just talked with Comrade Goldenberg, one of our delegates to Stockholm; he was told by the representatives of the Extreme Left that revolution in Germany was impossible during the war. . . . ” Here interruptions began to come thick and fast, but Avilov kept on.
“The isolation227 of Russia will fatally result either in the defeat of the Russian Army by the Germans, and the patching up of a peace between the Austro–German coalition and the Franco–British coalition at the expense of Russia— or in a separate peace with Germany.
“I have just learned that the Allied ambassadors are preparing to leave, and that Committees for Salvation of Country and Revolution are forming in all the cities of Russia. . . .
“No one party can conquer these enormous difficulties. The majority of the people, supporting a government of Socialist coalition, can alone accomplish the Revolution. . . .
“He then read the resolution of the two factions:
Recognising that for the salvation of the conquests of the Revolution it is indispensable immediately to constitute a government based on the revolutionary democracy organised in the Soviets of Workers,’ Soldiers’ and Peasants’ Deputies, recognising moreover that the task of this government is the quickest possible attainment228 of peace, the transfer of the land into the hands of the agrarian229 committees, the organisation of control over industrial production, and the convocation of the Constituent Assembly on the date decided, the Congress appoints an executive committee to constitute such a government after an agreement with the groups of the democracy which are taking part in the Congress.
In spite of the revolutionary exaltation of the triumphant crowd, Avilov’s cool tolerant reasoning had shaken them. Toward the end, the cries and hisses230 died away, and when he finished there was even some clapping.
Karelin followed him-also young, fearless, whose sincerity231 no one doubted-for the Left Socialist Revolutionaries, the party of Maria Spiridonova, the party which almost alone followed the Bolsheviki, and which represented the revolutionary peasants.
“Our party has refused to enter the Council of People’s Commissars because we do not wish forever to separate ourselves from the part of the revolutionary army which left the Congress, a separation which would make it impossible for us to serve as intermediaries between the Bolsheviki and the other groups of the democracy. . . . And that is our principal duty at this moment. We cannot sustain any government except a government of Socialist coalition. . . .
“We protest, moreover, against the tyrannical conduct of the Bolsheviki. Our Commissars have been driven from their posts. Our only organ, Znamia Truda (Banner of Labour), was forbidden to appear yesterday. . . .
“The Central Duma is forming a powerful Committee for Salvation of Country and Revolution, to fight you. Already you are isolated, and your Government is without the support of a single other democratic group. . . .
And now Trotzky stood upon the raised tribune, confident and dominating, with that sarcastic232 expression about his mouth which was almost a sneer233. He spoke, in a ringing voice, and the great crowd rose to him.
“These considerations on the dangers of isolation of our party are not new. On the eve of insurrection our fatal defeat was also predicted. Everybody was against us; only a faction of the Socialist Revolutionaries of the left was with us in the Military Revolutionary Committee. How is it that we were able to overturn the Government almost without bloodshed?. . . . That fact is the most striking proof that we were not isolated. In reality the Provisional Government was isolated; the democratic parties which march against us were isolated, are isolated, and forever cut off from the proletariat!
“They speak of the necessity for a coalition. There is only one coalition possible — the coalition of the workers, soldiers and poorest peasants; and it is our party’s honour to have realised that coalition. . . . What sort of coalition did Avilov mean? A coalition with those who supported the Government of Treason to the People? Coalition doesn’t always add to strength. For example, could we have organised the insurrection with Dan and Avksentiev in our ranks?” Roars of laughter.
“Avksentiev gave little bread. Will a coalition with the oborontsi furnish more? Between the peasants and Avksentiev, who ordered the arrest of the Land Committees, we choose the peasants! Our Revolution will remain the classic revolution of history. . . .
“They accuse us of repelling234 an agreement with the other democratic parties. But is it we who are to blame? Or must we, as Karelin put it, blame it on a ‘misunderstanding’? No, comrades. When a party in full tide of revolution, still wreathed in powder-smoke, comes to say, ‘Here is the Power-take it!’ — and when those to whom it is offered go over to the enemy, that is not a misunderstanding. . . . that is a declaration of pitiless war. And it isn’t we who have declared war. . . .
“Avilov menaces us with failure of our peace efforts-if we remain ‘isolated.’ I repeat, I don’t see how a coalition with Skobeliev, or even Terestchenko, can help us to get peace! Avilov tries to frighten us by the threat of a peace at our expense. And I answer that in any case, if Europe continues to be ruled by the imperialist bourgeoisie, revolutionary Russia will inevitably235 be lost. . . .
“There are only two alternatives; either the Russian Revolution will create a revolutionary movement in Europe, or the European powers will destroy the Russian Revolution!”
They greeted him with an immense crusading acclaim236, kindling237 to the daring of it, with the thought of championing mankind. And from that moment there was something conscious and decided about the insurrectionary masses, in all their actions, which never left them.
But on the other side, too, battle was taking form. Kameniev recognised a delegate from the union of Railway Workers, a hardfaced, stocky man with an attitude of implacable hostility238. He threw a bombshell.
“In the name of the strongest organisation in Russia I demand the right to speak, and I say to you: the Vikzhelcharges me to make known the decision of the union concerning the constitution of Power. The Central Committee refuses absolutely to support the Bolsheviki if they persist in isolating239 themselves from the whole democracy of Russia!” Immense tumult all over the hall.
“In 1905, and in the Kornilov days, the Railway Workers were the best defenders240 of the Revolution. But you did not invite us to your Congress-” Cries, “It was the old Tsay-ee-kah which did not invite you!” The orator241 paid no attention. “We do not recognise the legality of this Congress; since the departure of the Mensheviki and Socialist Revolutionaries there is not a legal quorum242. . . . The union supports the old Tsay-ee-Kah, and declares that the Congress has no right to elect a new Committee. . . .
“The Power should be a Socialist and revolutionary Power, responsible before the authorised organs of the entire revolutionary democracy. Until the constitution of such a power, the union of Railway Workers, which refuses to transport counter-revolutionary troops to Petrograd, at the same time forbids the execution of any order whatever without the consent of the Vikzhel. The Vikzhel also takes into its hands the entire administration of the railroads of Russia.”
At the end he could hardly be heard for the furious storm of abuse which beat upon him. But it was a heavy blow-that could be seen in the concern on the faces of the presidium. Kameniev, however, merely answered that there could be no doubt of the legality of the Congress, as even the quorum established by the old Tsay-ee-Kah was exceeded-in spite of the secession of the Mensheviki and Socialist Revolution arises. . . .
Then came the vote on the Constitution of Power, which carried the Council of People’s Commissars into office by an enormous majority. . . .
The election of the new Tsay-ee-kah, the new parliament of the Russian Republic, took barely fifteen minutes. Trotzky announced its composition: 100 members, of which 70 Bolsheviki. . . . As for the peasants, and the seceding243 factions, places were to be reserved for them. “We welcome into the Government all parties and groups which will adopt our programme,” ended Trotzky.
And thereupon the Second All–Russian Congress of Soviets was dissolved, so that the members might hurry to their homes in the four corners of Russia and tell of the great happenings. . . .
It was almost seven when we woke the sleeping conductors and motor-men of the street-cars which the Street–Railway Workers’ union always kept waiting at Smolny to take the Soviet delegates to their homes. In the crowded car there was less happy hilarity244 than the night before, I thought. Many looked anxious; perhaps they were saying to themselves, “Now we are masters, how can we do our will?”
At our apartment-house we were held up in the dark by an armed patrol of citizens and carefully examined. The Duma’s proclamation was doing its work. . . .
The landlady245 heard us come in, and stumbled out in a pink silk wrapper.
The House Committee has again asked that you take your turn on guard-duty with the rest of the men,” she said.
“What’s the reason for this guard-duty?”
“To protect the house and the women and children.”
“Who from?”
“Robbers and murderers.”
“But suppose there came a Commissar from the Military Revolutionary Committee to search for arms?”
“Oh, that’s what they’ll say they are. . . . And besides, what’s the difference?”
I solemnly affirmed that the Consul201 had forbidden all American citizens to carry arms-especially in the neighbourhood of the Russian intelligentzia. . . .
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hissing
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| n. 发嘶嘶声, 蔑视 动词hiss的现在分词形式 | |
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swells
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| 增强( swell的第三人称单数 )； 肿胀； （使）凸出； 充满（激情） | |
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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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prudent
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| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
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astounding
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| adj.使人震惊的vt.使震惊，使大吃一惊astound的现在分词) | |
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vitality
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| n.活力，生命力，效力 | |
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calamities
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| n.灾祸，灾难( calamity的名词复数 )；不幸之事 | |
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rumours
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disorder
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| n.紊乱，混乱；骚动，骚乱；疾病，失调 | |
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disorders
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verge
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precipice
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organisation
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morale
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preservation
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supreme
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Soviet
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soviets
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immediate
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conveyance
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sect
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imprisoned
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pillage
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24
speculation
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| n.思索，沉思；猜测；投机 | |
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25
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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26
ministries
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| （政府的）部( ministry的名词复数 )； 神职； 牧师职位； 神职任期 | |
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27
labor
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| n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦 | |
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28
lieutenant
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| n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员 | |
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29
ministry
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| n.(政府的)部；牧师 | |
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30
confiscate
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| v.没收(私人财产)，把…充公 | |
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31
organise
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| vt.组织，安排，筹办 | |
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32
traitors
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| 卖国贼( traitor的名词复数 )； 叛徒； 背叛者； 背信弃义的人 | |
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33
traitor
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| n.叛徒，卖国贼 | |
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34
garrison
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| n.卫戍部队；驻地，卫戍区；vt.派(兵)驻防 | |
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35
justified
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| a.正当的，有理的 | |
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36
brotherhood
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| n.兄弟般的关系，手中情谊 | |
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37
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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38
prophesying
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| v.预告，预言( prophesy的现在分词 ) | |
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39
salvation
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| n.（尤指基督）救世，超度，拯救，解困 | |
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40
dispersed
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| adj. 被驱散的, 被分散的, 散布的 | |
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41
postpones
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| v.延期，推迟( postpone的第三人称单数 ) | |
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42
anarchy
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| n.无政府状态；社会秩序混乱，无秩序 | |
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43
constituent
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| n.选民；成分，组分；adj.组成的，构成的 | |
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44
factions
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| 组织中的小派别，派系( faction的名词复数 ) | |
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45
faction
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| n.宗派，小集团；派别；派系斗争 | |
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46
socialist
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| n.社会主义者；adj.社会主义的 | |
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47
socialists
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| 社会主义者( socialist的名词复数 ) | |
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48
unified
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| (unify 的过去式和过去分词)； 统一的； 统一标准的； 一元化的 | |
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49
democrat
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| n.民主主义者，民主人士；民主党党员 | |
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50
democrats
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| n.民主主义者，民主人士( democrat的名词复数 ) | |
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51
trample
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| vt.踩，践踏；无视，伤害，侵犯 | |
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52
hoax
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| v.欺骗，哄骗，愚弄；n.愚弄人，恶作剧 | |
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53
seizure
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| n.没收；占有；抵押 | |
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54
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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55
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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56
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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57
severely
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| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
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58
coalition
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| n.结合体，同盟，结合，联合 | |
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59
bourgeois
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| adj./n.追求物质享受的(人)；中产阶级分子 | |
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60
bristling
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| a.竖立的 | |
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61
clique
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| n.朋党派系，小集团 | |
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62
disarm
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| v.解除武装，回复平常的编制，缓和 | |
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63
ironical
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| adj.讽刺的，冷嘲的 | |
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64
influential
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| adj.有影响的，有权势的 | |
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65
hovering
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| 鸟( hover的现在分词 )； 靠近（某事物）； （人）徘徊； 犹豫 | |
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66
outskirts
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| n.郊外，郊区 | |
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67
biding
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| v.等待，停留( bide的现在分词 )；居住；（过去式用bided）等待；面临 | |
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68
tempestuous
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| adj.狂暴的 | |
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69
opposition
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| n.反对，敌对 | |
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70
majestic
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| adj.雄伟的，壮丽的，庄严的，威严的，崇高的 | |
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71
suffrage
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| n.投票，选举权，参政权 | |
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72
legitimate
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| adj.合法的，合理的，合乎逻辑的；v.使合法 | |
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73
usurpation
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| n.篡位；霸占 | |
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74
tumult
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| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
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75
shrieks
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| n.尖叫声( shriek的名词复数 )v.尖叫( shriek的第三人称单数 ) | |
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76
uproar
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| n.骚动，喧嚣，鼎沸 | |
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77
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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78
functionaries
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| n.公职人员，官员( functionary的名词复数 ) | |
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79
indicted
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| 控告，起诉( indict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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80
apparatus
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| n.装置，器械；器具，设备 | |
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81
entrust
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| v.信赖，信托，交托 | |
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82
deliberately
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|
| adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地 | |
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83
liberate
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| v.解放，使获得自由，释出，放出；vt.解放，使获自由 | |
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84
sabotage
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| n.怠工，破坏活动，破坏；v.从事破坏活动，妨害，破坏 | |
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85
provincial
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|
| adj.省的，地方的；n．外省人，乡下人 | |
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86
dictate
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| v.口授；(使)听写；指令，指示，命令 | |
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87
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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88
brute
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| n.野兽，兽性 | |
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89
sleek
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|
| adj.光滑的，井然有序的；v.使光滑，梳拢 | |
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90
slaughter
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|
| n.屠杀，屠宰；vt.屠杀，宰杀 | |
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91
slaughtered
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| v.屠杀，杀戮，屠宰( slaughter的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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92
cape
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| n.海角，岬；披肩，短披风 | |
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93
arsenal
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| n.兵工厂，军械库 | |
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94
jumble
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| vt.使混乱，混杂；n.混乱；杂乱的一堆 | |
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95
formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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96
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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97
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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98
disarming
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|
| adj.消除敌意的，使人消气的v.裁军( disarm的现在分词 )；使息怒 | |
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99
frightful
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|
| adj.可怕的；讨厌的 | |
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100
besieged
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| 包围，围困，围攻( besiege的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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101
frantic
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| adj.狂乱的，错乱的，激昂的 | |
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102
scouts
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| 侦察员[机，舰]( scout的名词复数 )； 童子军； 搜索； 童子军成员 | |
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103
entirely
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|
| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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104
dwellings
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| n.住处，处所( dwelling的名词复数 ) | |
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105
repulse
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| n.击退，拒绝；vt.逐退，击退，拒绝 | |
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106
doggedly
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| adv.顽强地，固执地 | |
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107
squads
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| n.（军队中的）班( squad的名词复数 )；（暗杀）小组；体育运动的运动（代表）队；（对付某类犯罪活动的）警察队伍 | |
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108
bulging
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| 膨胀； 凸出（部）； 打气； 折皱 | |
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109
portfolios
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| n.投资组合( portfolio的名词复数 )；（保险）业务量；（公司或机构提供的）系列产品；纸夹 | |
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110
lieutenants
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|
| n.陆军中尉( lieutenant的名词复数 )；副职官员；空军；仅低于…官阶的官员 | |
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111
literally
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|
| adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实 | |
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112
prodigies
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| n.奇才，天才（尤指神童）( prodigy的名词复数 ) | |
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113
sleeplessness
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| n.失眠，警觉 | |
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114
filthy
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| adj.卑劣的；恶劣的，肮脏的 | |
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115
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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116
stonily
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| 石头地，冷酷地 | |
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117
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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118
scribbling
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| n.乱涂[写]胡[乱]写的文章[作品]v.潦草的书写( scribble的现在分词 )；乱画；草草地写；匆匆记下 | |
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119
joint
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| adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合 | |
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120
isolated
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| adj.与世隔绝的 | |
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121
anarchist
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| n.无政府主义者 | |
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122
confided
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| v.吐露（秘密，心事等）( confide的过去式和过去分词 )；（向某人）吐露（隐私、秘密等） | |
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123
aesthetic
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| adj.美学的，审美的，有美感 | |
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124
specimen
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| n.样本，标本 | |
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125
squat
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| v.蹲坐，蹲下；n.蹲下；adj.矮胖的，粗矮的 | |
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126
fatigue
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| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
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127
friendliness
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| n.友谊，亲切，亲密 | |
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128
follower
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| n.跟随者；随员；门徒；信徒 | |
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129
patriotism
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| n.爱国精神，爱国心，爱国主义 | |
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130
bristle
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| v.（毛发）直立，气势汹汹，发怒；n.硬毛发 | |
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131
idol
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| n.偶像，红人，宠儿 | |
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132
revered
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| v.崇敬，尊崇，敬畏( revere的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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133
purely
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| adv.纯粹地，完全地 | |
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134
virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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135
picturesque
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| adj.美丽如画的，（语言）生动的，绘声绘色的 | |
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136
audacity
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| n.大胆，卤莽，无礼 | |
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137
abolition
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| n.废除，取消 | |
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138
confiscation
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| n. 没收, 充公, 征收 | |
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139
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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140
regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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141
regiments
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| （军队的）团( regiment的名词复数 )； 大量的人或物 | |
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142
winking
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| n.瞬眼，目语v.使眼色( wink的现在分词 )；递眼色（表示友好或高兴等）；（指光）闪烁；闪亮 | |
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143
oblivious
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|
| adj.易忘的，遗忘的，忘却的，健忘的 | |
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144
ovation
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| n.欢呼，热烈欢迎，热烈鼓掌 | |
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145
adoption
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| n.采用，采纳，通过；收养 | |
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146
belligerent
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|
| adj.好战的，挑起战争的；n.交战国，交战者 | |
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147
annex
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|
| vt.兼并，吞并；n.附属建筑物 | |
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148
annexations
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| n.并吞，附加，附加物( annexation的名词复数 ) | |
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149
annexation
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| n.吞并，合并 | |
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150
indemnities
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| n.保障( indemnity的名词复数 )；赔偿；赔款；补偿金 | |
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151
repudiate
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|
| v.拒绝，拒付，拒绝履行 | |
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152
preamble
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| n.前言；序文 | |
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153
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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154
monotonously
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| adv.单调地，无变化地 | |
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155
adoration
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| n.爱慕，崇拜 | |
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156
negotiations
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| 协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过 | |
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157
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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158
depleted
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| adj. 枯竭的, 废弃的 动词deplete的过去式和过去分词 | |
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159
monarchy
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| n.君主，最高统治者；君主政体，君主国 | |
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160
definitive
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| adj.确切的，权威性的；最后的，决定性的 | |
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161
ratification
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| n.批准，认可 | |
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162
civilisation
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| n.文明，文化，开化，教化 | |
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163
annexed
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| [法] 附加的，附属的 | |
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164
constraint
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| n.(on)约束，限制；限制(或约束)性的事物 | |
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165
diplomacy
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| n.外交；外交手腕，交际手腕 | |
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166
procure
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| vt.获得，取得，促成；vi.拉皮条 | |
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167
augment
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| vt.(使)增大，增加，增长，扩张 | |
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168
armistice
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| n.休战，停战协定 | |
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169
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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170
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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171
convoke
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| v.召集会议 | |
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172
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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173
heroism
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| n.大无畏精神，英勇 | |
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174
ratify
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| v.批准，认可，追认 | |
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175
ratified
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| v.批准，签认（合约等）( ratify的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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176
bloody
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| adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染 | |
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177
extermination
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| n.消灭，根绝 | |
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178
amendments
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| （法律、文件的）改动( amendment的名词复数 )； 修正案； 修改； （美国宪法的）修正案 | |
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179
kindled
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| （使某物）燃烧，着火( kindle的过去式和过去分词 )； 激起（感情等）； 发亮，放光 | |
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180
ultimatum
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| n.最后通牒 | |
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181
overflows
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| v.溢出，淹没( overflow的第三人称单数 )；充满；挤满了人；扩展出界，过度延伸 | |
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182
mumbling
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| 含糊地说某事，叽咕，咕哝( mumble的现在分词 ) | |
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183
unison
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| n.步调一致，行动一致 | |
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184
sobbing
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| <主方>Ⅰ adj.湿透的 | |
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185
winked
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| v.使眼色( wink的过去式和过去分词 )；递眼色（表示友好或高兴等）；（指光）闪烁；闪亮 | |
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186
hush
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| int.嘘，别出声；n.沉默，静寂；v.使安静 | |
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187
melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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188
triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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189
martyrs
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| n.martyr的复数形式；烈士( martyr的名词复数 )；殉道者；殉教者；乞怜者（向人诉苦以博取同情） | |
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190
monasteries
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| 修道院( monastery的名词复数 ) | |
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191
inventoried
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| vt.编制…的目录（inventory的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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192
disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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193
confiscated
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| 没收，充公( confiscate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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194
inventory
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| n.详细目录，存货清单 | |
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195
implements
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| n.工具( implement的名词复数 )；家具；手段；[法律]履行（契约等）v.实现( implement的第三人称单数 )；执行；贯彻；使生效 | |
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196
aisle
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| n.（教堂、教室、戏院等里的）过道，通道 | |
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197
fortress
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| n.堡垒，防御工事 | |
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198
tyrants
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| 专制统治者( tyrant的名词复数 )； 暴君似的人； （古希腊的）僭主； 严酷的事物 | |
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199
treacherous
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| adj.不可靠的，有暗藏的危险的；adj.背叛的，背信弃义的 | |
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200
hoots
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| 咄，啐 | |
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201
consul
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| n.领事；执政官 | |
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202
caucus
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| n.秘密会议；干部会议；v.（参加）干部开会议 | |
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203
jawing
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| n.用水灌注 | |
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204
precisely
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| adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地 | |
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205
shuffling
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| adj. 慢慢移动的, 滑移的 动词shuffle的现在分词形式 | |
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206
agitators
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| n.（尤指政治变革的）鼓动者( agitator的名词复数 )；煽动者；搅拌器；搅拌机 | |
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207
leisurely
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| adj.悠闲的；从容的，慢慢的 | |
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208
momentum
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| n.动力，冲力，势头；动量 | |
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209
deluge
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| n./vt.洪水，暴雨，使泛滥 | |
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210
plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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211
irresistible
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| adj.非常诱人的，无法拒绝的，无法抗拒的 | |
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212
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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213
ragged
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| adj.衣衫褴褛的，粗糙的，刺耳的 | |
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214
eloquent
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| adj.雄辩的，口才流利的；明白显示出的 | |
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215
bawled
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| v.大叫，大喊( bawl的过去式和过去分词 )；放声大哭；大声叫出；叫卖（货物） | |
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216
hissed
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| 发嘶嘶声( hiss的过去式和过去分词 )； 发嘘声表示反对 | |
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217
trenches
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| 深沟，地沟( trench的名词复数 )； 战壕 | |
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218
sabotaging
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| 阴谋破坏（某事物）( sabotage的现在分词 ) | |
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219
ammunition
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| n.军火，弹药 | |
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220
overthrown
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| adj. 打翻的，推倒的，倾覆的 动词overthrow的过去分词 | |
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221
naval
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| adj.海军的，军舰的，船的 | |
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222
pricking
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| 刺，刺痕，刺痛感 | |
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223
trumpets
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| 喇叭( trumpet的名词复数 )； 小号； 喇叭形物； （尤指）绽开的水仙花 | |
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224
indefatigably
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| adv.不厌倦地，不屈不挠地 | |
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225
machinery
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| n.(总称)机械，机器；机构 | |
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226
allied
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| adj.协约国的；同盟国的 | |
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227
isolation
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| n.隔离，孤立，分解，分离 | |
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228
attainment
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| n.达到，到达；［常pl.］成就，造诣 | |
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229
agrarian
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| adj.土地的，农村的，农业的 | |
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230
hisses
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| 嘶嘶声( hiss的名词复数 ) | |
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231
sincerity
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| n.真诚，诚意；真实 | |
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232
sarcastic
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| adj.讥讽的，讽刺的，嘲弄的 | |
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233
sneer
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| v.轻蔑；嘲笑；n.嘲笑，讥讽的言语 | |
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234
repelling
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| v.击退( repel的现在分词 )；使厌恶；排斥；推开 | |
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235
inevitably
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| adv.不可避免地；必然发生地 | |
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236
acclaim
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| v.向…欢呼，公认；n.欢呼，喝彩，称赞 | |
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237
kindling
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| n. 点火, 可燃物 动词kindle的现在分词形式 | |
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238
hostility
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| n.敌对，敌意；抵制［pl.］交战，战争 | |
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239
isolating
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| adj.孤立的，绝缘的v.使隔离( isolate的现在分词 )；将…剔出（以便看清和单独处理）；使（某物质、细胞等）分离；使离析 | |
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240
defenders
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| n.防御者( defender的名词复数 )；守卫者；保护者；辩护者 | |
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241
orator
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| n.演说者，演讲者，雄辩家 | |
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242
quorum
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| n.法定人数 | |
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243
seceding
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| v.脱离，退出( secede的现在分词 ) | |
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244
hilarity
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| n.欢乐；热闹 | |
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245
landlady
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| n.女房东，女地主 | |
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