Dear Citizens, The Editorial Board of "Prolétaire" has received today a telegram from Berlin. A comrade has asked us to inform the International Bureau that according to a private telegram from the "Berliner Tageblatt," the Russian government has requested the powers to send their warships stationed at Constantinople to Odessa to help it restore order.

It is quite probable that the Russian government, having lost all confidence in its own naval forces, will attempt to have the warships of European states fight against the Russian revolution under the pretext of defending foreigners residing in Odessa.

Thus there exists a grave danger that the European peoples may be reduced to the role of executioners of Russian freedom. This is why we ask you, dear citizens, to consider this question and to seek a means to prevent this eventuality. Perhaps it would be opportune to publish an appeal in the name of the International Socialist Bureau to the workers of all countries. In this appeal it would be necessary to emphasize that what is taking place in Russia is not rioting by the masses, but a revolution—a struggle for freedom; that this struggle aims at the convocation of a Constituent Assembly, demanded by all progressive parties and especially by the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party. Perhaps such an appeal, translated into all languages, published in all socialist newspapers throughout the world, disseminated by all means at our disposal, could influence public opinion and frustrate the liberty-destroying plans of the Russian government.

We hope that you will communicate your opinion to us on this subject.

Please accept, dear citizens, our most fraternal greetings.

In the name of the Central Committee of the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party

Written in French, June 21 (July 4), 1905

First published February 2, 1924 in the newspaper "Le Peuple," No. 33

Printed from the manuscript