Date: 1910-03-18
Source: ru:PSS/v47

Source: PSS vol 47

The ZBCK brings to the attention of all overseas groups the following letter it has received from the representative of the RSDLP at the International Socialist Bureau, Comrade Lenin.

March 18, 1910

“The Secretary of the International Socialist Bureau addressed a letter to the representative of the RSDLP at the International Socialist Bureau on the following matter:
The Russian government has requested that Belgium extradite a certain Gaivas,
who is accused, according to the Russian government, of having carried out an expropriation on May 16, 1907, near the Polubatovka estate (Sumy County, the village of Chernenchinskoye: la ferme de Poloubatovka, de la commune de Tchernetschinsky, du district de Soumi). This expropriation, it is claimed, was carried out with the participation of Mikhail Bryaskun, Mikhail Melnik, Sergei Nikiforov, and Pavel Demyanenko—individuals who had already been convicted by a military court in 1907.

The name of the person expropriated is a certain Golovin, a hereditary honorary citizen.

“The Russian colony in Brussels,” writes the Secretary of the International Socialist Bureau, “is convinced that the Gaivas case is a political matter—and that Gaivas must be saved, both in his own personal interests and in order to prevent his extradition from setting a precedent that would be extremely dangerous.”

The judicial hearing on the extradition of Gaivas took place in Brussels on March 17, 1910. The court hesitates, unsure whether this case is, in fact, a political one.

“The most influential member of the court—and its representative,” writes the Secretary of the International Socialist Bureau, “makes the decision hinge on whether it can be proven that the individuals involved were tried before a military court. If so, he would regard this as conclusive evidence of the political nature of the crime.”

The case has been adjourned for one week, so that Gaivas and his defense counsel may submit the necessary evidence.

It is therefore of utmost importance to gather, without delay, all available documents and information—so that, in the interest of speed, those who wish—

To K. GUISMANS, March 21, 1910

to deliver, directly to Gaivas’s defense counsel—

M. V. JOFE, Attorney

55 Rue Bosquet, 55

Brussels (Belgium)

The representative of the RSDLP at the ISB therefore requests that the ZBCK, as well as the executive committees of all Parisian RSDLP groups, immediately take steps to collect information and compile data—whether by means of hectographing and circulating this letter among the groups, or through other appropriate channels.

If time permits, group certifications may, where necessary, be sent to the ZBCK for signature by the ZBCK itself or by the representative of the RSDLP at the ISB.”

N. Lenin

With warm greetings to the ZBCK.

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Written in Paris

Printed as a separate leaflet

Reprinted from the text of the leaflet