Again and again I repeat: Hans's fundamental mistake is that he trusted his latest impression. Issue No. 53 should have sobered him up. The Martovites took over the Central Organ for war, and now war is raging on all fronts: baiting in *Iskra*, brawling at public lectures (the other day Martov gave a talk on the split in Paris before 100 people and fought with Lebedev 261), and the most shameless agitation against the Central Committee. It would be unforgivable shortsightedness to think that this cannot spread to Russia. Matters here have reached the point of a rupture of relations between the Central Organ and the Central Committee (the Central Organ's resolution of 22.XII, sent to you), and of printed lies by the Central Organ (No. 55 of *Iskra*), claiming that an agreement had been reached not to publish the negotiations.

Think it over properly at last, consider the entire political position, take a broader view, tear yourself away from the petty, everyday fuss over kopecks and passports, and figure out for yourselves, without hiding your head under your wing, where you are going and what you are dragging out the whole business for?

In our Central Committee there are two trends, if I am not mistaken (or perhaps three? Which ones?). In my opinion, they are as follows: 1) to drag out the affair, not to convene the congress, to keep silent as much as possible in response to the onslaught and insolent spitting in the face, and to strengthen the position in Russia; 2) to raise a rumpus with resolutions against the Central Organ, to direct all forces toward winning over the wavering committees, and to prepare the congress in two, maximum three months. And so I ask, what does your strengthening of positions consist of? Only in that you are losing time while the enemy is gathering forces here (and abroad means a great deal!), and you are postponing a decision until your own collapse. Collapse is inevitable and fairly soon—it would be sheer childishness to ignore this.

What will you leave us after your collapse? The Martovites have fresh and growing forces. We have shattered ranks. They have a strengthened Central Organ. We have a group that is doing a poor job of transporting this Central Organ which reviles them. This is a sure path to defeat; it is only a shameful and stupid postponement of inevitable defeat. You are simply closing your eyes to this, taking advantage of the fact that the war abroad is slow to spread to you. Your tactics literally

boil down to: after us (after the present composition of the Central Committee), let the deluge come (the deluge for the majority).

I think that even if defeat is inevitable, then we must leave directly, honestly, and openly, and this is possible only at the congress. But defeat is by no means inevitable, for the quintet has not united, Plekhanov is not with them but for peace, and the congress can cover both Plekhanov and them with their alleged disagreements. The only serious objection to the congress is that it will inevitably legitimize a split. And I reply: 1) even this is better than the present situation, for then one can leave honestly, rather than drag out the shameful position of being spat upon; 2) the Martovites have missed the moment for a split, and their withdrawal from the 3rd Congress is unlikely, for the present struggle and full publication remove the possibility of a split; 3) if it is possible to bargain with them, the best place to do so is precisely at the congress.

Discuss this matter properly and reply at last with the opinion of each (absolutely each) member of the Central Committee.

Don't pester me with leaflets: I am not a machine, and under the present disgraceful conditions I cannot work.

1904.

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Sent from Geneva to Kiev

First published in 1929

in the Lenin Miscellany X

Printed from the manuscript