Date: 1901-12-18
Source: ru:PSS/v46
Source: CW vol 46

1) Yakov

2) Moscow Committee

3) SPB. + Nizhny

4) Bakunin?

5) "Letter to the Russian Social-Democratic Organs" 150.

We have just learned that the allies are organizing a conference of the most important committees to resolve the question of the conflict abroad 151.

It is necessary to make every effort to carry out the following measures in as many committees and groups as possible:

1) The conference must be postponed at least until spring (until Easter, etc.). Motives: a) It is necessary to have delegates from both "Iskra" and the Foreign League, which requires time and money. A conference without delegates from "Iskra" and the League is illegal and meaningless.

b) It is necessary to wait for the publication of pamphlets by both sides setting forth the essence of the disagreements. Until these pamphlets are published, the conference cannot judge with knowledge, and therefore its deliberations would be in the air. "Iskra" in No. 12 (December 5, 1901, to be published) positively promises to issue this pamphlet very soon (in about a month and a half). There, all the disagreements will be analyzed in great detail. We will show there the entire harmfulness of the "Rabocheye Delo" trend, revealing their shameful instability and helplessness in the face of Bernsteinism and Economism. This pamphlet is already partly ready and is rapidly nearing completion. At present (December 1/2, new style), lectures on the disagreements are being given abroad: one by a representative of "Rabocheye Delo," the other by a representative of the League. These lectures will also appear in print very soon, and calling a conference before they are published means wasting money and making sacrifices.

2) We will send a special representative to the conference if it takes place. Therefore, it is essential to immediately inform us: (1) whether the conference has been scheduled; (2) where; (3) when; and (4) the password and meeting place for the conference. It is necessary to formally demand that the committees and groups provide this information under threat of declaring the conference illegal and immediately publishing that they want to decide matters without hearing both sides.

3) If committees or groups select representatives to the conference who are favorably disposed toward "Rabocheye Delo," it is necessary to immediately and formally protest against this and demand representatives from both supporters of "Rabocheye Delo" and supporters of "Iskra" (respective*: from the majority and the minority).

4) In case the conference speaks out against "Iskra," it will be necessary to leave the committees and groups that do not agree to publicly protest against this—to leave and immediately publish in "Iskra" the reasons for this departure. Supporters should start discussing such a step immediately.

5) Immediately inform us of the result and report on all steps without delay. Make every effort to ensure that "Iskra" supporters everywhere coordinate and act in unison.

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Written in December, before the 18th, Sent from Munich

First published in 1928 in the Lenin Collection VIII

Printed from the manuscript

* - respectively. Ed.