Note: From 26 VII 1901.

58, 26/VII. 01 [Munich].
Dear P. B.! I received and carefully read your letter (Alexei [Martov] too). I was very glad that you explained your observations in such detail.
It is only in vain that you think that
I am excessively ("quite") "stubborn".
I took into account all your instructions to soften certain places (as well as all the instructions of G. V. [Plekhanov]),
i.e. softened it everywhere. "A kopeck per ruble" will unite all the workers: I added "in the opinion of economists"
in parentheses. Instead of "limitation of the autocracy" I put "destruction," as you indicated. Pp. 82-3, careless in terms of
our views on the use of liberals (i.e. carelessly expressed thoughts) I crossed out altogether, as you advised.
I also inserted a note with reference to your brochure "Historical Situation" indicating that the question little touched upon by me
is examined by you in detail.
I inserted a couple of words that one can rejoice at the great understanding by liberals (in the person
of P. N. S. [Struve]) of the labor movement.
I crossed out altogether the "regret" about the appearance of Witte's note with such a preface. I crossed out a few more sharp remarks in the first and second half
of the article *). In general, I am not at all that stubborn about softening
details, but in principle I cannot only abandon the thought
of our right (and our duty) to tear P. N. S. [Struve] apart
for his political juggling.
He is precisely a political juggler — the reading and rereading of the preface finally convinced me of this, and I introduced into my criticism everything that
the last months gave us (i.e. Verhandlungen with the "calf", attempt
at an agreement, etc.) 2), so to speak, I unburdened my soul, settling accounts with this
subject.
Clarification of the question of the constitutionality of the zemstvo
V. I. LENIN — P. B. AKSELROD*

<unclear>
I considered the center of gravity of the entire article.
"Zemstvo" liberalism this is — in the field of influencing society the same as economism— in the field of influencing the workers. We must persecute both narrowness.
Tomorrow, we will probably have a decision on the article. If
it goes to press now, I will try to send you one copy of the first proof: may be you will still indicate something
and then we will still have time to correct it (while the first and second proofs are being corrected).
’
I shake your hand firmly and wish you a good rest and a good recovery. May be for this it is better for you temporarily not to send anything?
Not to spoil the vacation and treatment?
Your Petrov.
Write to Herrn Dr. Med. Carl Lehmann
Gabelsbergerstr. 20 a/11.
München (für Meyer within).
*) The corrected places of the article are read as follows:
1) "Indeed
the slogan: "rights and authoritative zemstvo" will unite, perhaps, all liberals, just as the slogan "a kopeck per ruble" (according to economists) all
workers") (p. G6, Lenin. Collected Works, vol. U). Here the words in parentheses are inserted.
2) "II for what instead of the requirement
of destruction of absolutism is put forward as the final slogan
such a moderate and accurate wish" (p. G5, vol. V Collected Works.
Lenin).
The underlined word is put instead of the former "limitation" of Vladimir
Ilyich initially. 3) A note with reference to P. B. Axelrod's brochure "The Historical Situation and the Inter *
Relations of Liberal and Socialist Democracy in Russia" is inserted. Geneva
18118. The remaining corrections, in view of the absence of Lenin's manuscript at the Institute, cannot be established now.
2) Verhandlungen — trade, i.e. negotiations with Struve (the "calf") about joint literary and political work. (See letter 25, note 1.)