V. I.

Lenin

TO THE BORBA GROUP [1]

February 3, 1901

Dear Comrades, We are deeply distressed over your letter of refusal to
co-operate. Our letter to Nevzorov (a letter with a special
enclosure for you of the “statement,” the No. 1 of Iskra ,
and a proof of Ryazanov’s article) and your refusal letter
must have crossed, having been sent off at the same time.

This alone will show you how far it was from us to keep
you from taking part in our affairs. We ask you to excuse
the delay—that is indeed our fault, but you must bear in
mind that we suffer as much as you do from the “indefinite
state of relations”. We have strictly abided by our group’s
decision not to circulate the newspaper abroad before it is
circulated in Russia, making an exception only for our closest associates, including your good selves. Until quite
recently, we had been altogether uncertain as to whether
the paper would circulate in Russia (even today we cannot
vouch for it); we had our hands full in this matter in connection with some fresh negotiations (with the liberal
democrats—so far a big secret !), [2] and this delayed fulfilment of the decision adopted a fortnight or so ago to
send you the issue of Iskra .

Our statement has not yet been circulated in Russia but has only been shown to several persons.

We repeat that what has happened is the result not of any lack of concern but of the indefiniteness and bustle
from which we ourselves have not yet emerged. We should be very happy to see the misunderstandings produced by
this cleared up and find you taking your old attitude to our
common cause.

Comradely greetings, Petrov