On the question of the budget, the conference considers that voting for the budget as a whole is recognized as inadmissible in principle.

Voting for individual items of the budget of a class state that legalize expenditures on the instruments of oppression of the masses (the army, etc.) is also recognized as inadmissible.

When voting for reforms or for items of expenditure on cultural needs, the principle of our programme should be placed at the forefront, according to which the Social-Democrats reject those reforms that are connected with police-bureaucratic tutelage over the working classes.

Therefore, the general rule should be voting against the so‑called reforms and items of expenditure on so‑called cultural needs carried out in the Third Duma.

In special cases when an improvement in the position of the working people, contrary to general conditions, appears to be no more than probable, abstention and a special statement of the reasons for abstention are recommended.

Finally, in exceptional cases when a direct advantage for the workers is beyond doubt, it is permitted to vote “for”, but consultation with representatives of the Central Committee and Party and trade union organizations is recommended.

Submitted 26 December 1908 (8 January 1909).

Published in 1909 in the “Report of the Caucasian Delegation on the All‑Party Conference”, published in Paris by the Central Bureau of the R.S.D.L.P. Groups Abroad.

Printed: first version from the text of the “Report”, second from the manuscript, checked against the text of the “Report”.