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THE SOCIALISM OF TO-DAY. 
tion of the decisions of the association is the penalty of death. 
The association is essentially secret. Whoever reveals, through 
imprudence or bad faith, any of its acts within his knowledge, 
is held in suspicion for an unlimited period or put to death, 
according to the gravity of the matter revealed. Every order 
given to a member must be performed, and whoever avoids 
any work entrusted to him is looked upon as a traitor. Every 
member must regulate his public conduct so as to conceal his 
relations to the association and his sympathies with it. Every 
member must undergo a noviciate, he must furnish positive 
proofs of his sincerity, and it is only after trial that he is 
allowed to present himself before the initiated of the group of 
which he is to form a member. All these precautions are 
taken to avoid treachery. After hearing the new member, the 
vote is taken. No one is admitted a member except on a 
unanimous vote. 
The statutes of the “ popular ” or secret tribunal resemble 
those of Nihilism. They commence with the following 
preamble :— 
“ Whereas bourgeois governments, by putting the Inter 
national beyond the pale of the law, have prevented the peace 
able solution of the Social question, it is advisable to establish 
a secret revolutionary organization. Victory is still far distant. 
The bourgeois continue to commit their crimes ; they must 
therefore be punished ; and as the confederates are determined 
to carry out this purpose, they have commissioned a popular 
tribunal to condemn and chastise the crimes of the bourgeoisie. 
The members of the revolutionary tribunal must belong to 
the International, and must be capable of carrying out the duty 
that they accept. The bourgeois shall be punished by all 
possible methods, by fire, sword, poison, or in any other way.” 
The ordinary meetings of the tribunal take place on the 
first of each month. Their object is to receive reports of the 
reprisals made by the several members against the bourgeoisie, 
and of the advantages offered by the several modes of execution 
adopted; to examine what reforms might be usefully introduced 
into the association, and to give instructions to the members. 
Every member of a group is bound to submit to it, without delay.