154 
THE SOCIALISM OF TO-DAY. 
lish, in each country, a National Association of all Societies 
existing therein.” 
Thus the International was to be constructed like a pyramid, 
founded on the territorial division of existing Society : at the 
base of all was the commune ; then, from the grouping of com 
munes, the province ; from the grouping of provinces, the 
nation ; and, to crown all, from the grouping of nations, 
humanity. It was a grand idea, recalling that of the Catholic 
Church ; but for want of the principle of authority and 
obedience, the national grouping of sections was never accom 
plished, even in France or Germany. 
Each section and each federation names a committee, 
which is connected with the General Council. Every month 
each committee sends a report on the position of the Associa 
tions within its jurisdiction. The General Council is elected 
by the representatives of the federations. Each congress 
determines the time and place of the next congress, while the 
General Council settles beforehand the questions for discussion, 
and presents a report on the proceedings of the year. It also 
issues a circular concerned with everything likely to interest 
working men : offers of, and demands for, labour ; wages ; the 
progress of co-operative societies ; the situation of the working 
classes in different countries. It is in permanent relation with 
local societies. It chooses from its members the president, 
the secretary, and the treasurer of the association. To meet 
the ordinary expenses of the staff and of publications, a sub 
scription is called for. The members pay, in the first place, 
from the time of joining, half a franc a year for the general 
fund, and, in addition, from one to two francs for the local 
section or federation. To assist strikes, further resources must 
be obtained. By a very cleverly conceived rule, every society 
that wished to affiliate itself was allowed to retain its own 
organization. In this way working men’s societies of all kinds 
could be absorbed, provided they simply declared their 
adhesion to the principles of the International. 
The debates and the resolutions of the first congress were 
moderate. The more radical motions were not carried. The 
French group represented “ the left,” and the Germans “ the