Bridging the Divide
“Representative Emilia Heinz? Might I have a word with you?” Someone called out to me once again.
“Yes…?”
As he politely removed his hat, his white hair came into view.
“Pardon the interruption. I’m Arthur Crispien of the Social Democratic Party.”
Crispien. I had heard the name before. He had been one of the leading figures in the German anti-war left during the final years of the war.
“Ah, hello.”
“Don’t be too alarmed just because I’m from the SPD. I know exactly how you and your communist comrades see us.”
He must have noticed the flicker of unease in my eyes.
“No, I—I’m not alarmed, it’s just…”
“Just what?”
“It’s… an honor, I suppose.”
“Oh? So you know who I am?”
How could I not?
“Of course I do. Weren’t you active alongside Luxemburg during the final stages of the Great War?”
“That’s right. I’d heard you respected Rosa, but I didn’t expect it to be this much.”
“Ah, well… Luxemburg was something of a benefactor to me.”
Of course, Rosa Luxemburg had never known I existed until the day she died. She had simply left an indelible impression on me eleven years ago, at that place.
“Hah! Well, I’m sure Rosa would be delighted to see you from wherever she is now.”
I had only heard that they worked together in the Spartacus League, but I hadn’t realized they were close.
“I heard your speech yesterday. How old are you, exactly?”
“Born in 1906. I’m twenty-four.”
“Young. Yet your speech had a depth that couldn’t be dismissed as mere youthful fervor. You pinpointed the very core of the left—something even seasoned leftists often fail to grasp.”
…Good grief, that was high praise. And standing before me wasn’t just any senior; this was a true elder of the movement.
“Our SPD and the communists have been at odds precisely because we’ve both missed that core. Wels sees you lot as reckless destroyers of democracy, while from your perspective we’re nothing but defenders of the status quo who obstruct revolution. Am I wrong?”
“N-not entirely! I actually believe the SPD’s efforts within the system are important too.”
“I appreciate you saying that, but it’s also true that the SPD has been drifting further to the right. Our goal is reform, yet without power reform is impossible. We’re forced to struggle within a democracy that isn’t truly democratic.”
Clearly… there were factions within the SPD as well. Or perhaps I had simply stirred up divisions that had always existed. Either way, Representative Crispien was almost certainly part of the radical wing.
“Ever since democracy was introduced in Germany and Ebert and Scheidemann became the first chancellors, the SPD seems to have confused equality of the people with preservation of the system. But my colleagues and I also pursue equality and prosperity for the people under the red flag. In the end, we’re all walking the same path. And I think you, Representative Heinz, could become the bridge that reconnects our divided sides. Now is the time to end this wasteful antagonism and work together for the working class and the people’s democracy, don’t you think?”
Even Crispien—one of the highest-ranking elders of the German left—was reaching out first. When I thought about it, it really was absurd. Then again, Germany wasn’t exactly at peace right now; the question was whether we could block the cabinet’s austerity measures. Cooperation with the SPD, the largest party in the Reichstag, would not only stop austerity but also pave a shortcut to revolution…
“Um… first of all, thank you for your words, Representative. In the end, what matters is the liberation of the workers and the people. But as you know, my opinions are my party’s opinions, and the communists we cooperate with in the Labour Party have somewhat different views.”
Obviously, they would all oppose the very idea of cooperating with the SPD.
“Comrade Thälmann and the others still see the SPD as part of ‘social fascism,’ after all.”
Social fascism referred to the view that socialists who pursued reform within the system—social democrats and the like—were nothing more than fascist obstacles blocking the people’s revolution. It wasn’t entirely wrong, either. In 1919, it had been the military and police acting on SPD orders who blocked Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg’s revolution and murdered them under the guise of an assassination attempt.
“Honestly, I sometimes feel I have to walk a different path from the reformist SPD as well.”
“I see. Rosa must have left quite a mark on you.”
“I told you—she was my benefactor.”
“Understood. A pity, then. But at least remember that there are those within the SPD—like myself—who still desire the transformation of the system and the liberation of the workers. If the Social Democrats cling to the existing order to the very end, then we will no longer be the left, and I will leave the party.”
“Ah, I’m not saying it’s completely impossible! I’d love to work with people like you, Representative, but with party lines and all…”
“Haha, don’t worry. I have no intention of treating you harshly. Shall we say the possibility remains open?”
“Yes, of course!”
“Good. That attitude alone has made today worthwhile. Don’t let the right’s attacks discourage you—keep that stance going forward.”
“Yes, thank you for your time, Representative!”
He seemed to like me quite a bit. Cooperation with the SPD. Of course there were party lines on both sides, and since I pursued a revolutionary line, full cooperation would be difficult. But perhaps I could draw in the radicals like Representative Crispien.
“There must be some way…”
“Heinz!”
“Whoa?!”
The moment I finished the conversation and returned to my seat at the back of the chamber, a chorus of voices erupted.
“Yesterday was truly magnificent. Let’s keep it up just like that!”
“Hey, that’s way too much pressure. Just do what you always do, Heinz! You’re doing great!”
“Both of you, out! What are you doing?! Don’t mind them, Heinz!”
Good grief, these men.
“I’ll handle it myself, so please back off~”
“You heard her. Everyone, move.”
“You too, Konrad. Ah, seriously, get out! This is my seat!”
The young communist representatives were being especially bothersome. And since they had known me for years, they had no sense of shame left.
“Huh? You’re all over thirty, not kindergarteners.”
“Alright, alright.”
Still, they were good people. I remembered how, when we first met, I had flatly refused their request to call me “noona.” They were all at least ten years older than me, yet they acted so childish that I hardly knew what to say.
“Haa…”
Still, having such cheerful people around was what made party work enjoyable.
“You’re not thinking of doing that again today, are you?”
“I would if I could.”
“If I get the floor, I’ll yield it to you.”
“What are you even saying? Just focus on your own work.”
Honestly, the meddling…
-----
“Arthur!”
Otto Wels barked the moment Arthur Crispien returned to his seat.
“What on earth were you thinking?”
“About what?”
“Heinz! Why were you speaking with that dangerous young woman?”
“She is not dangerous. I saw in her the soul our party lost long ago.”
“She’s an agitator, Arthur. Did you not see the square outside packed with her supporters? Are you planning to fall for that agitation and betray the party as well?”
Crispien sat down as if he had only half-heard Wels.
“This is the time to defend the constitution and democracy amid this chaos—not to consort with radicals like her… Arthur! Are you listening?!”
“A constitution that cannot guarantee the people’s livelihood is nothing but an enemy.”
“Arthur. Must you keep this up?”
“Then what will you do, Otto? And what if you don’t? What we want—is it the eternal empire, or the people’s lives? If the chancellor’s austerity is killing the people, then finding a way to save them is the very reason the SPD exists, isn’t it?”
Crispien replied in a sharp voice.
“I already told you. We must pass the people’s will through votes and resolutions—repeal austerity and expand national welfare—in parliament!”
“I doubt it can be achieved in a parliament without a majority. Especially since we’re not even part of the cabinet right now.”
“Even so, it is what the German people decided. If we respect democracy, we must follow it.”
“If capital is cunningly blinding the people and leading them to choose their own starvation, then that choice must be changed.”
“You’re becoming more and more like them, Arthur.”
“Let me be clear. I have no intention of cooperating with the cabinet, Otto.”
“G-gentlemen, why are you fighting? Please, take your seats, Representative Wels. Representative Crispien, please calm down as well.”
The other representatives barely managed to separate the two as the atmosphere grew hostile once more.
“I don’t want to see the party split again.”
“And I don’t want to see the party defend only the privileged to the very end.”
“We have no choice, Arthur! How hard-won was Germany’s democracy? We have a duty to protect it!”
“Well, it seems your democracy and mine are somewhat different.”
“The plenary session is about to begin. Both of you, please calm down.”
Hans Vogel, who had been trying to mediate, pressed a hand to his forehead and sighed.
“How did it ever come to this…”