Vishnevsky’s report is the first positive report we have heard here.

As for not sending a delegate to the all-Party conference, Vishnevsky seems to be mistaken. Poletaev said that the deputies would come if Dan sent a telegram. Dan refused. The conference suffered greatly from the absence of a delegate{10}.

You speak of competent persons{11} and say they cannot be kicked out. The means of struggle against them is the path of publicity. We must supply more information about them. Divide them into groups and provide characterisations.

The question of the secretary of *Proletary’s* editorial board attached to the fraction. The secretary was not up to the task, he wrote in a very formal manner; Steklov is not the figure that is needed, what is needed is a labourer. One must provide information as thoroughly as possible, without this all the assistance groups will come to nothing.

The Paris assistance group{12} is a delicate matter. We shall support Plekhanov’s line, the other Mensheviks react very nervously to this. Rapprochement with Mensheviks of the Dan type is difficult. How to constitute the group? The Mensheviks will pack it with people. Nothing but squabbling can come of it. Would it not be possible, in order to avoid a clash, to create a corresponding group attached to the Central Organ?

Without competent persons from the Bolsheviks in the fraction, nothing can be done. We must, on this basis, legalise two or three people. Vadim is being considered, perhaps Kamenev.

On the participation of local organisations in the activities of the Duma fraction. It is necessary to develop a broad leaflet agitation. A certain model of leaflets on Duma activities must be provided. The revolutionary Social-Democratic use of the Duma will be neither revolutionary nor Social-Democratic without the influence of the organisations. Leaflets on the subjects of Duma speeches are needed. Such work will draw the organisations into activity and give an impetus. The deputies’ assemblies have so far been insufficiently utilised. Most of their time was spent on disputes with the otzovists! Leaflets are also needed on the Party grouping in the Duma and, finally, leaflets on the work of the Duma in general. Not only the Central Committee’s representatives, but the organisations too must direct the Duma fraction. Leaflets are needed on the significance of one or another speech in the Duma. For example, on the question of foreign policy. Only our deputies spoke out. This was not appreciated as it should have been. Leaflets with excerpts from the speeches are needed. I cannot imagine the participation of the organisations in any other form than leaflets. The disintegration is desperate, leaflet activity must be developed to the full. The criticism in the foreign newspapers comes too late. Parliamentary speeches will always leave things unsaid. Leaflets will dot the i’s.

The sending of representatives by the organisations is sometimes difficult to accomplish.

As for the newspaper, the sole condition is: securing a majority for us, but I do not believe in the possibility of realising such a newspaper{13}.

Printed from the text of the book, verified with the protocol record.