V. I.

Lenin

1916

Dear Comrade, Comrade Radek has just shown us Comrade Pannekoek’s
letter and the “Introduction”.

This letter and the “Introduction” substantially change
the previously adopted constitution of
Vorbote . [2] It had been agreed that Vorbote would appear as the organ of
two groups, namely, (1) the Roland-Holst and Trotsky group (or Roland-Holst and her friends without Trotsky,
if Trotsky is unwilling to join); (2) the Zimmerwald Left
group (whose bureau consists of three comrades: Radek, Lenin and Zinoviev). Comrade Pannekoek was appointed
representative of the latter group.

Now the above-mentioned documents (the letter and the “Introduction”) change the constitution: Vorbote
appears as the organ of two comrades , Pannekoek and
Roland-Holst.

If Comrades Pannekoek and Roland-Holst have decided to make this change, we take note of it. The owner of
Vorbote had the full right to do so.

We do not refuse to co-operate in these new conditions,
but must require certain guarantees. Vorbote appears for
the first time as the organ of the Zimmerwald Left or “on
the platform of the Zimmerwald Left”. We were elected representatives of that Left by all the members of the
Zimmerwald Left attending at Zimmerwald (except
Platten). We think therefore—and in this respect we have all
three come to a unanimous decision—that this guarantee is self-evident, and will undoubtedly be given by you.

The guarantee consists in this, that if there are any differences of principle among us, the article which ... by the
Central Committee of the R.S.D.L.P. (representative ...),
the editorial board. ... [1]