LETTER TO THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF THE RSDLP *
[September, prior to the 24th, 1909 – 1. Paris.]
In light of the circulation among overseas Social-Democratic groups of a printed leaflet signed “Sasha” (the leaflet is enclosed herewith), which contains accusations directed at the editorial board
* and at the Executive Committee of the expanded editorial board of “Proletariy.” Ed.
** Printed from a draft manuscript written in Lenin’s own ink,
with
amendments in Zinoviev’s hand. Ed.

THE STRUGGLE ON TWO FRONTES

“Proletariy” — moreover, given that certain opponents
of “Proletariy,” both from among those who were “removed” after the recent conference of Bolsheviks * and from among the ranks ** of Mensheviks, are using this leaflet to circulate among various groups *** a “sensational” “affair” that in no way ought to be subject to deliberation or scrutiny by any local party organizations whatsoever — hereby requests the Central Committee of the R.S.D.L.P. to take up the matter of the accusations leveled by “Sasha,”
[to] examine these accusations on their merits and to issue an official decision through the highest organ of the Party.
1 The date is established on the basis of an editorial note on the same subject at the end of the appendix to Nos. 47–48 of the newspaper “Proletariy,” dated September 24 (November 11), 1909. The note states that “the editorial board of ‘Proletariy’… has already petitioned the Central Committee to investigate this matter.”
233:>/
NOTES ON A LETTER FROM THE SCHOOL COUNCIL REGARDING CAPRIS.
[After September 28, 1909. Paris.]
Dear Comrades! The School Council deems it necessary to refute your assertion that the organizers of the school sought to exploit the school for the purpose of undermining the unity of the Bolshevik Fraction and of waging a campaign against the editorial board of “Proletariy”… The practical implementation of the move depends on the following essential conditions:
1) The School must relocate to Paris as a unified party institution—meaning that it should be maintained in its entirety, with all current students and lecturers remaining in place.
2) …The School must be established as a permanent institution… Consequently, the School Council requests that the editorial board of “Proletariy” inform them whether it considers it feasible and necessary to guarantee the School’s continued existence.
3) The School’s internal organization shall remain unchanged according to its previous principles, and the management of its affairs shall continue to rest in the hands of the Council, supplemented by new lecturers; the invitation of lecturers, however, shall remain the exclusive responsibility of the students themselves.
* In the manuscript, the words “‘removed’ after the recent conference of Bolsheviks” have been crossed out, and in their place, in Zinoviev’s hand, the words “overseas defectionists” have been inserted. Ed.
** Before the word “Mensheviks,” Zinoviev added the phrase “some.” Ed.
*** The words “for discussion among the groups” were corrected by Zinoviev to read: “for the purpose of establishing.” Ed.
**** In the manuscript, there was a typographical error: “deliberation.” Ed.

LENIN’S COLLECTION
As for the form of oversight exercised by the editorial board, the Council requests that the board clarify in advance its practical assumptions regarding this question.
4)
…The School Council deems it necessary for the editorial board to cover the additional expenses incurred by the relocation, according to the following calculation:
The relocation of fifteen students and those four lecturers who are unable to bear the costs of moving themselves—100 francs per person—amounts to 1,900 francs. For the purchase of clothing suitable for life in Paris—500 francs….
In total—3,000 francs, three thousand francs.
According to the established procedures within the School, these funds must be transferred directly
to the School Council, with 2,400 francs to be remitted without delay for the very purpose of carrying out the relocation.
Furthermore, the School Council requests that the editorial board inform it of which lecturers it has in mind, and in what subjects they might deliver lectures…
11 in favor, 2 abstained, 2 opposed the adoption of the proposed conditions.
Note.
The lecturers of the Party School, having heard the letter addressed to the students by B.C., which had been submitted to the School Council, and having learned of the proposal to relocate to Paris, declared that they had no fundamental objection to the School’s move to Paris….
September 28, 1909