V. I.

Lenin

July 2, 1902

Dear G. V., Excuse my writing in such a hurry. I have come here to
Brittany for a rest (I am awaiting my family here as well), [1]
but in Paris Berg gave me his item, and I have received the
article over the signature of Veteran which you sent.

I am completely in agreement with Veteran. On account of the note about Lekkert in Iskra I had a little battle with
Berg and Velika Dmitrievna, who both, as usual, had an attack of nerves, and began to talk about the inevitability
of terror, and the need for us to express this (in one way
or another). The item in Iskra was thus a compromise:
that was all I managed to secure . [2]

Now Berg himself has become more resolutely opposed to terror, even that of the Lekkerts.

But the question is whether it is all right to insert your
article with the Veteran signature. Of course, if you wish, it will certainly go in (and there is time for it to go into
the next issue)—but wouldn’t it be better for you to turn
it into a leading article for No. 22, combining it, so to
speak, with Berg’s article “How to Fight”? I enclose this
article which, in my opinion, contains passages requiring
corrections, passages which are undesirably evasive on the
question of Lekkert.

I also enclose an item about the priest’s letter. What is your opinion?

And so please reply as soon as possible, dear G. V., and
send all three articles straight back to London (J. Richter,
30. Holford Sq. 30. Pentonville: London W. C.). Write to
me at the same address.

I think a leader would be the best place to say what you
do say: the substance of the matter will be brought out
(the “objection” to Iskra will be smoothed out) and the
integral impression will be made stronger. You will find
it easy and natural to develop your article into a leader,
thereby substituting it for the article “How to Fight”.
Such a substitution would, in my opinion, be the best result.

All good wishes, Yours, Lenin