PREFACE
Since the early 1920s, numerous pamphlets and articles, even a few
books, have sought to forge a link between "international bankers" and
"Bolshevik revolutionaries." Rarely have these attempts been supported
by hard evidence, and never have such attempts been argued within the
framework of a scientific methodology. Indeed, some of the "evidence"
used in these efforts has been fraudulent, some has been irrelevant,
much cannot be checked. Examination of the topic by academic writers has
been studiously avoided; probably because the hypothesis offends the
neat dichotomy of capitalists versus Communists (and everyone knows, of
course, that these are bitter enemies). Moreover, because a great deal
that has been written borders on the absurd, a sound academic reputation
could easily be wrecked on the shoals of ridicule. Reason enough to
avoid the topic.
Fortunately,
the State Department Decimal File, particularly the 861.00 section,
contains extensive documentation on the hypothesized link. When the
evidence in these official papers is merged with nonofficial evidence
from biographies, personal papers, and conventional histories, a truly
fascinating story emerges.
We find there
was a link between some New York international bankers and
many revolutionaries, including Bolsheviks. These banking gentlemen
— who are here identified — had a financial stake in, and were rooting
for, the success of the Bolshevik Revolution.
Who, why — and for
how much — is the story in this book.
Antony C. Sutton
March 1974