V. I.

Lenin

54

To:   THE NIZHNI-NOVGOROD COMMITTEE OF THE R.S.D.L.P.

To Nizhni

As regards the appeal, I (Lenin) find your decision reasonable
[3] —I have not had time yet (nor a chance) to consult my
associates. [1]

The courage of the Nizhni-Novgorod workers, who asked that their
personal well-being should not be taken into account, ought to be mentioned in
Iskra ; it would be desirable for you to write a letter about this to
the editors.

We received via Berlin the “Letter to the Iskra Editorial Board
from the Nizhni-Novgorod Committee”, a long letter, about terrorism, with
a defence (partial and conditional) of terrorism; the end is missing
(apparently). Write immediately :

1) Did the Nizhni-Novgorod Committee send this letter officially?

2) Repeat the end of it (the letter has seven paragraphs and ends with the
words: “They clear the atmosphere, which is often too heavy, they teach
the government to handle the revolutionaries more carefully”).

3) Let us know whether you allow stylistic corrections (in some places the style
is very bad, due perhaps to incorrect, hasty and unclear copying).

We shall probably publish the letter together with our reply.

We earnestly and insistently beg you to inform us in your letters
without delay of every official step taken by the Committee (dispatch of a
document for travelling warrants..., list of leaflets, answer to another committee or to a group abroad,
and so on and so forth). Otherwise there are bound to be
misunderstandings, [2] mistakes and bureaucratic delays. Iskrists should pull together and inform
Iskra speedily and comprehensively.

All the very best.