To Comrade G. Gorter,
Dear Comrade Gorter!

Comrade Radek has shown me your letter.

It would undoubtedly be extremely beneficial if we could establish an international social‑democratic journal under the editorship of Pannekoek. We must wage a relentless struggle against the vile practice of “Neue Zeit,” which seeks to defend opportunism of the worst kind by means of sophistical arguments.

The only question is: do we have sufficient financial resources and literary talent at our disposal to launch such a journal without delay?

If not, then we must, without waiting for the end of the war, publish one—or perhaps two—brochures in German. The brochure should consist of articles contributed by Russian, Dutch, German (Radek), French (perhaps Mergheim), and English (perhaps Rotstein) comrades who regard it as absolutely essential to wage the most uncompromising struggle against the traitorous opportunists—including Kautsky himself.

In my view, we must not hesitate for a moment in undertaking this endeavor. It is imperative that we speak the whole truth now, while the war is still raging—not, of course, in Germany, but in Switzerland, where we will be free to discuss revolutionary struggle without censorship.

If we are unable to secure a French or English collaborator right away, then there is no need to wait; it is better to publish the first brochure ourselves (that is, without relying on French or English contributors). We can content ourselves with translating Mergheim’s position—that to speak of a “war of liberation” is nothing more than a deception.

Radek informs me that your brochure has been published in English. This fills me with great joy: I will now be able to read and fully comprehend its contents. I understand Dutch to the extent of roughly 30–40%. I congratulate you on your

To V. A. Karpinsky. May 1915.

excellent attacks on opportunism and on Kautsky. The fundamental error of Trotsky lies in the fact that he fails to strike at this gang.

Warmest regards,

Yours, N. Lenin

My address: Wl. Uljanow, Waldheimstrasse 66, Bern. Please send me a postcard when you arrive.

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Written on May 5, 1915.

Sent to Zwolle, Netherlands.

First published in 1960

in the journal

“Questions of the History of the CPSU,” No. 4.

Printed from the manuscript,