V. I.

Lenin

105

To:   THE ISKRA EDITORIAL BOARD

To the C.O. of the R.S.D.L.P.

August 24, 1904

Comrades, Being rather far from Geneva, I learnt only today that the editors of the
Central Organ intend to publish a “declaration” said to have been
adopted by the Central
Committee. [2]

I consider it my duty to warn the editors of the C.O. that already on August 18,
1904, I made a statement contesting the lawfulness of this
declaration, [1] i.e., the lawfulness of the decision on this question allegedly adopted by a majority
of the C.C.

There are at present six members of the C.C. (owing to Comrade Mitrofan’s
resignation and, if the rumour is to be believed, the recent arrest of Zverev
and Vasiliev).

According to my information, it is even probable that only three members out of
the six had the audacity to speak for the whole C.C. and to do so not even
through the two representatives abroad, who are formally bound by the agreement
of May 26, 1904 (this agreement was signed by Glebov, Zverev and myself).

I enclose herewith a copy of my statement of August 18, 1904, and I must state
that the editorial board of the C.O. will be responsible for giving press
publicity to the whole incident and conflict in the event of the
“declaration” being published before the matter of my protest against the
validity of the decision has been settled within the C.C.

N. Lenin,
C.C. member and representative abroad

P.S. In any case I consider it absolutely obligatory that publication of the
“declaration” should be withheld until I have thrashed out the
matter with Comrade Glebov who, according to my information, is today leaving
Berlin for Geneva. Not even I, a member of the C.C., have any knowledge of the
latter’s decision concerning the publication of this declaration.

If, nevertheless, the editorial board decides to publish the declaration, then I
consider it is morally bound to publish also my protest against its lawfulness.

---
Notes:
[1]

“ To Five Members of the Central Committee” (see present edition,
Vol. 7)— Ed .

[2]
Lenin did not attend the Amsterdam Congress and transferred his mandate to
M. N. Lyadov and P. A. Krasikov, who were included in the delegation of the
R.S.D.L.P. to the Congress.