V. I. Lenin

Source: ru:PSS/v46; en:CW/CW34;es:MT
Translated: machine translation (DeepSeek) from the Russian; AI-translated.

1/X. 03.

To the Odessa Committee

Dear Comrades, We, too, sincerely regret that a difference of opinion has arisen between the Odessa Committee and Iskra on the question of factory elders.[244]

Our delay in replying to the Odessa Committee’s letter was due mainly to the fact that the Editorial Board was away at the time. Generally speaking, the obstacle here was (strange as it may seem) the Second Regular Congress of the Party.

As to the substance of the matter, the Congress, among other things, adopted a resolution recommending participation in the election of factory elders.

I quote the text: Resolution No. 28.

This resolution was adopted by an overwhelming majority, and we think that the matter can be rectified, though not immediately. The Odessa Committee should at once circulate (without publishing) the text of this resolution among all organised workers, together with an explanation of it. Then, when the resolution is published, it would be desirable to issue a leaflet over the signature of the Odessa Committee, setting forth the Party view on the question and calling upon the workers to adopt the tactics approved by the entire Party.

As to the substance of the matter, we consider that constant agitation on the subject of the election of elders would have far greater educational and organising significance than a single agitation on the subject of refusing to elect them. Your own reports of patriarchal practices confirm this, pointing to the need for a constant struggle against spy laws and spy practices.

We fully share your desire for a more frequent exchange of views in order to avoid differences and discrepancies in agitation. Write more often, not only for the press, and see that the addresses (for letters to you) are kept regularly in working order.

We shall try to write a leaflet on the connection between the economic and the political struggle, if other work permits.

We are printing the manifesto of Rabochaya Volya[245] in full, as you desired.

Lenin