V. I.

Lenin

719

TELEGRAM TO M. M. LITVINOV [1]

We should think that the generally unacceptable nature of the latest memorandum of the powers is a suitable
pretext for a break-off, but if you do not agree with this, we
consent, considering a break-up predetermined, to leave
it to your discretion to find the most suitable moment for
the break.

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Notes:
[1]
The telegram, adopted by the Politbureau of the R.C.P.(B.)

C.C. on May 8, 1922, was written in reply to M. M. Litvinov’s telegram of May 6, saying that the Allied memorandum of May 2 was not an ultimatum, but left open the possibility of continuing negotiations, and that the Soviet delegation at Genoa was making efforts to avoid a break-up of the talks, and spoke of the need to have Politbureau directives on the line the delegation was to take.