V. I.

Lenin

292

To:   L. B. KAMENEV

Dear L. B., Before we quarrel (which I hope we shall not)———I am
joking—over “a special and unpleasant” cause, let us chat about
something else.

I am enclosing a letter from the I.S.B. Will the C.O.A. undertake it or
not? If they do, let them inform me in a formal way . If not,
return the letter.

Tell the C.O.A.: a gendarmes’ report has been stolen (or otherwise
obtained), saying that a man named Polonsky , who left Russia
legally, is to be arrested on his return.

If possible, let the C.O.A. notify everybody and try to find
Polonsky. I know nothing more.

I wrote to Pravda about Alexinsky and asked them to send me
his letter. [1]

In regard to Bogdanov’s lie, I wrote a furious letter with an ultimatum
that it be published. We shall see. Otherwise I shall go to
Prosveshcheniye . ((I wrote to Prosveshcheniye about your
article too: I am wholly for it— re the meeting of liberals and Pravda with Luch .))

With regard to Alexinsky I advise putting the question straightforwardly and honestly, in a comradely way. You are going to
consult against Lunacharsky? Bon! Mais alors de deux choses
une [2]

:

either you revolt in print both against the philosophical (c’est déjà
fait [3]

)

and the otzovist wing of Vperyod and you declare that there were both a philosophically reactionary and a
politically anarchistic tendency in this group. I (Alexinsky) am
glad to be rid of both.

In that case we can accept an honest bloc. With old squabbles
forgotten, we shall welcome a contributor (a 100 times less valuable than Plekhanov) to both Pravda and
Prosveshcheniye .

Or you are shuffling? In that case go alone. You will be a
casual contributor, and we wash our hands.

No diplomacy. Speak straight out. That is essential.

Yours, Lenin

P. S. Some time after the 20th I am going to Berne with N. K. I
shall be there on 27.VI. There will probably be an operation.

P.S. Huysmans named the Polish delegates of the opposition without
mentioning that they were Poles!!! And he has listed you (+me+Plekhanov!!) as representatives on the I.S.B. (The
latest
Bulletin ! [5] )

P.P.S. I had already written to Pravda about your fee. [4]

Today I am writing about the 75 rubles, as per Grigory’s letter.

---
Notes:
[1]
See previous letter.— Ed .

[2]
Good! But then either the one or the other.— Ed .

[3]
That has already been done.— Ed .

[4]
See previous letter.— Ed .

[5]
Bulletin périodique du Bureau Socialiste International was
published in French, English and German in Brussels from 1910 to 1914.