V. I. LENIN — TO G. L. SHKLOVSKY IN BERNE.
[September 26, 1911, Zurich.]¹
Dear Comrade, — I have received your letter and replied by telegram.
*
The letter was written on a postcard addressed to G. Shklovsky: “Neggp
Schklowsky. 9. Falkenweg. 9. Bern,” with the sender’s address: “Absender.
G. Safarof. 18. Pestallozzistr. Zurich.” Ed.

To avoid any possible misunderstandings, I would like to add a few more details. We are talking about an open lecture (((Stolypin and
the Revolution))—with proceeds going to the Workers’ Newspaper (of course, there is no need—or at least no obligation—to specify in the announcements for whom the funds are being collected). The meeting’s bureau (or chairman) must absolutely be drawn from the local Bolsheviks; under no circumstances should it be “elected” (in order to prevent squabbles and scandals that the liquidators are so eager to provoke).
I agree to meet with party members (Plekhanovists), but not with the “Voice” faction. It is best to limit the discussion to the Bolsheviks alone.
I hope to arrive on Thursday; if I manage to do so, I will send you a telegram with my arrival time.
Please kindly forward this letter immediately
to Gorin [M. Gorine. Rue du Pont Neuf. 2. (Chez M-me Vire) Geneva]
— so that he may take steps to arrange a similar lecture
on Saturday in Geneva and reply to me via you by Thursday.²
With warm regards,
Lenin
For the lecture’s bibliography, I ask you to procure for me (a) the Complete Works of D. O. (R), 2 volumes; (b) the Diary; (c) Arkoméd’s work.³

The date is substantiated by the previous letter dated September 25
(Monday) (see p. 195) and by the promise to arrive “on Thursday”—September 28.
8 We are referring to Lenin’s lecture in Geneva, which took place
on Monday, October 2, 1911, on the topic: “Stolypin and the Revolution.”
*
By “Complete Works of the Social Democrat,” we mean: (a) the collection published by the editorial board of the Workers’ Newspaper, August 1911 (see Lenin’s Collected Works, vol. XV, notes 106 and 108, pp. 634 and 636); (b) L. Kamenev’s pamphlet “Two Parties,” with a foreword by N. Lenin; (c) the “Diary of the Social Democrat” by G. Plekhanov (see Lenin’s Collected Works, vol. XIV, note 86, p. 520); and (d) Arkoméd’s book “The Workers’ Movement and Social Democracy in the Caucasus,” Geneva, 1910.
V. I. LENIN — TO A. NEMETS¹
IN PRAGUE.
Paris, November 1, 1911.
Dear Comrade,
You would greatly oblige me if you could assist me with advice and action in the following matter. A number of

LETTERS FROM THE SECOND PERIOD OF EMIGRATION

Organizations within our Party are planning a conference (abroad—of course).² The expected number of participants is around 20–25. Would it be possible to organize this conference in Prague
(for roughly one week)?
The most important thing for us is the ability to conduct this affair in the strictest secrecy. No one—not a single organization—should learn of it. (The conference is social democratic, and thus legal under European law; however, the majority of delegates do not possess passports and cannot reveal their true names.)
I earnestly request you, dear comrade, that if it is feasible for you, you help us and inform me as soon as possible,

of the address of a comrade in Prague who—should the answer be affirmative—could practically carry out this undertaking.* Ideally, this comrade would understand Russian; but if that proves impossible, we can communicate with him in German as well.
I trust, dear comrade, that you will forgive me for troubling you with this request. I thank you in advance.
With party greetings, N. Lenin.
My address: Wl. Ulianoff. 4. Rue Marie Rose. 4.
Paris XIY.
[Translation.]
Paris, November 1, 1911.
Dear Comrade!
You would greatly oblige me if you could help me with both advice and action in the following matter.
Several organizations within our Party intend to convene a conference (abroad—of course).² The expected number of participants is around 20–25. Is it even conceivable to organize this conference in Prague
(for approximately one week)?
The most crucial consideration for us is the ability to conduct this affair in the utmost secrecy. Not a single person—and no organization whatsoever—should come to know of it. (The conference is social democratic, and therefore legal under European law; yet most of the delegates do not hold passports and cannot disclose their real names.)
I earnestly request you, dear comrade, that if it is within your power, you help us and, as soon as possible,

inform me of the address of a comrade in Prague who—should the response be positive—could practically bring this endeavor to fruition.* Ideally, this comrade would understand Russian; but if that proves impossible, we can also arrange to communicate with him in German.
I trust, dear comrade, that you will forgive me for troubling you with this request. I extend my gratitude to you in advance.
With party greetings, N. Lenin.
1 A. Nemets was one of three representatives of the Czech Social Democrats on the Central Committee;
he served as editor-in-chief of the Czech Social Democratic Party’s Central Organ.
2 We are speaking of the All-Russian Conference of the RSDLP, held
from January 18 to 30, 1912, in Prague (see Lenin’s Collected Works, vol. XV, note 167,
p. 651).