V. I. Lenin

Letter to Y. M. Sverdlov

To Comrade Sverdlov.

I learnt only last night that Zinoviev had issued a writ ten
denial of his participation in Kamenev’s statement in Novaya Zhizn .

Why then have you not sent me anything???

I sent all the letters about Kamenev and Zinoviev to C.C. members
only.—You know this; is it not strange then that you seem to doubt it?

It looks as if I will not be able to attend the Plenary Meeting,
because “they are looking for me”. If you (+ Stalin, Sokolnikov
and Dzerzhinsky) demand a compromise on the Zinoviev and Kamenev
affair, {1} enter a proposal against me, to have the case
referred to a Party court (the facts are clear that Zinoviev was also
thwarting it deliberately); this will be a postponement.

“Kamenev’s resignation has been accepted”? From the C.C.? Please let
me have the text of his statement. /p>

Cancellation of the Cossacks’ demonstration is a great victory . {2} Hurrah! If we attack with
allourstrength , we shall fully win out in a few days! Best regards! Yours.

---
Notes:
{1}
A reference to the speeches of Y. M. Sverdlov, J. V. Stalin,
F. E. Dzerzhinsky and G. Y. Sokolnikov at the Central Committee’s sitting
on October 20 (November 2), 1917, during the discussion of Lenin’s letter
to the Central Committee of the R.S.D.L.P.(B.)

(see present edition, Vol. 26, pp. 192–96)

in connection with the publication in the semi-Menshevik newspaper
Novaya Zhizn of an item entitled “Y. Kamenev on the
‘Uprising’\thinspace”, in which Kamenev, on behalf of Zinoviev and
himself, opposed the armed uprising. See Protokoly Tsentralnogo Komiteta R.S.D.R.P.(B.). Avgust 1917–fevral 1918 (Minutes of the
Central Committee of the R.S.D.L.P.[B.]. August 1917–February 1918), 1958,
pp. 106–08.

p. 450

{2}
The Cossack demonstration, or the Cossack “religious procession”, in
Petrograd was set for October 22 (November 4), 1917, and was regarded by
the counter-revolutionaries as a show of force in their struggle against
the mounting revolution. The Bolsheviks carried on extensive agitation
among the Cossacks urging them to refrain from taking part in the
demonstration. The Petrograd Soviet of Workers’ and Soldiers’ Deputies
issued an appeal to the Cossacks. Representatives of the Cossack regiments
were invited to a conference of regimental committees held by the Petrograd
Soviet in Smolny on October 21 (November 3). At the conference, the
Cossacks declared that they would not act against the workers and
soldiers. The night before the demonstration, the Provisional Government
was forced to call it off.

p. 451