can do so with competence and the necessary experience for it) only editorial board members + individual outsiders for consultation, and to organize a Central Committee are competent likewise only experienced practitioners + individual people for consultation (if you know such people).

Or perhaps you know even such "four" who have experience and knowledge for all of this??? If yes, then name them — I say this not in jest, but seriously, for my letter is personal and it is important to me to clarify your thinking.

You are striving, if I am not mistaken, for sole authority and a "firm hand." That is a good cause, and you are a thousand times right that this is precisely what we need. But no one will achieve it so straightforwardly as it seems to you. For 9/10 of current affairs, 2 centers are absolutely necessary — they form themselves immediately, even if we did not want it. For order, one must strive for: 1) a formal path for uniting these 2 centers (for example, a commission with delegates from both), 2) reducing the number of members in both centers, or selecting executive commissions within both centers, and — most importantly — 3) strict and formal distribution of functions among individual members of the centers, so that the entire membership of both centers knows precisely which member is responsible for what, which member(s) (from both centers) is authorized to decide (and even speak) on each area of questions, and what is the path for transferring a matter to a full assembly of one or both centers.

I am confident that you will moderate even further your demands and agree that this is the maximum of immediate desires. And this is very, very difficult, and for this distribution of functions I do not see entirely suitable, knowledgeable, experienced people. Disorder at your place and at ours (you think not only of yourselves, gentlemen members of the Regional Committee, you are "organizing" the entire party) — there is an abyss, darkness, a chasm of it, and one must devise not *pia desideria*, but practical, firm, "first steps."

I have spoken to you frankly my view and would be very glad to exchange letters further. On such questions you, by God, ought to write more often and in greater detail. I have nothing against communicating this letter to the entire Regional Committee, *—pious wishes. Ed.

indeed I would desire this, but leave it to you to decide. You did well to note to whom your letter was addressed.

All the best. Moderate your demands and make haste, make haste and make haste with your "potent remedy." I shake your hand firmly.

Your Lenin

Written in May, after the 22nd, 1903

Sent from Geneva to Kiev

First published in 1928 in Lenin Miscellany VIII

Printed from the manuscript