This is an utter disgrace and the hundredth, if not the thousandth, warning to you. Either win over the committees and convene a congress, or retire in shame under a hail of vile attacks from the Central Organ, which refuses to let me into *Iskra*.

# 5) To talk about some conference of committees and an "ultimatum" (after they have already ridiculed our ultimatum!!) is simply laughable. The Martovites would only burst out laughing in response to this "threat"!! What are ultimatums to them, when they are directly holding back money, baiting the CC, and openly saying: "We are waiting for the first collapse"?

Has Lanya already forgotten that Martov is a rag in the hands of rogues?? And after this, to still talk about the attitude of Martov and Georges towards Lanya and Nil! It is offensive to read such naivety. Firstly, both Martov and Georges couldn't care less about all the Lanyas and Nils. Secondly, Georges is completely pushed aside by the Martovites and says outright that they do not listen to him (and this is clearly evident from *Iskra* anyway). Thirdly, I repeat for the hundredth time, Martov is a zero. Why did the most amiable good-natured Hans not strike up a friendship here with Trotsky, Dan, and Natalya Ivanovna? In vain, my dear fellow, did you let slip this "chance" (the last chance) for a "sincere", "good peace"... Would it not be wiser to write letters directly to these "masters" than to shed empty tears into the waistcoat of rag-doll Martushe? Try it, write to them, it will sober you up! But until you have written to them and personally received a spit in the face from them, do not pester us (or them) with "peace". We here see clearly who is chattering and who is the ringleader among the Martovites.

# 6) I already gave the arguments for a congress last time. Do not prevaricate with yourself, for Christ's sake: it is precisely our weakness that a postponement of the congress would prove. And if you continue to drag out this rigmarole about peace, the enemies will snatch more than just one Nikolayev from you.

It is one of two things: war or peace. If peace, then you are capitulating to the Martovites, who are waging an energetic and skilful war. Then you silently endure being drenched with filth in the Central Organ (= ideological leadership of the party!). Then we have nothing to talk about. I have already said in print, and will say everything, in the full sense of the word, everything.

It is clear to me that the persecution we feared, if I had taken *Iskra* alone, is now going on, but my mouth is stopped. And to rely on Andreyevsky's talk about the influence of Lenin's name is childishness.

Or war, and then I ask you to explain to me what means of real and honest war there is, besides a congress?

I repeat that now a congress is not pointless, because Plekhanov is not with the Martovites. The publication (which I will achieve at all costs) of document 263 will finally separate him from them. And he is already now in a quarrel with the Martovites.

The Martovites will not even talk about the Six on the 3rd Congress. A split would be better than what we have now, when they have befouled *Iskra* with gossip. But they are unlikely to go as far as a split at the 3rd Congress either, and we could hand *Iskra* over to a neutral commission, taking it away from both sides.

# 7) With the League, I will strive with all my might for a decisive war.

# 8) If Nil is still for peace, let him come and have a talk or two with Dan. That will be enough, by God!

# 9) We need money. Enough for two months, and then nothing. For we are now "supporting" scoundrels who spit and vomit on us in the Central Organ. This is called "positive work". Ich gratuliere!*

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Sent from Geneva to Kiev

First published in 1929

in the Lenin Miscellany X

Printed from the manuscript