1. I am surprised and indignant that I have not heard a single word from you in reply to my telephone message about the joint conference with the Second and Two-and-a-Half Internationals. 259 Such matters should be answered with at least a couple of words without red tape.

2. Could you arrange for someone who regularly reads the European newspapers and those of the Second and Two-and-a-Half Internationals to compile for me the briefest list (in no case more than two pages for newspapers in each separate language) of the arguments they are using concerning our new economic policy. I would be satisfied with such a list separately from the German, French and English newspapers, but only, I repeat, in the most concise telegraphic style, no more than two pages for each of these languages.

I request a reply. 260

Lenin

Dictated by telephone

February 2, 1922

---

First published in 1959

in the Lenin Miscellany XXXVI

Printed from a typewritten

copy

To Comrade Bukharin

Since your letter now contains a reply, it is superfluous to argue that a reply was needed.

Lenin

Dictated by telephone

February 3, 1922

Printed for the first time,

from a typewritten copy