LETTER TO THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF THE SOCIAL-DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF POLAND AND LITHUANIA
To the Comrades of the Central Committee of the Social-Democratic Party of the Kingdom of Poland and Lithuania.
[July 19, 1911. Paris.]
Dear Comrades! We feel it our duty to tell you how we view the recent steps taken by Comrade Tyshka—steps that are aimed at overturning all the decisions adopted by the conference of Zetists.
At the very last moment, when the O.K. elected by the conference was about to be constituted, Comrade Tyshka suddenly decided to unlawfully overrule the conference’s resolutions. He did so not openly, but by attributing to the conference resolutions that it had never actually adopted. In doing so, Comrade Tyshka deemed it “proper” to interfere in the internal affairs of the Bolsheviks, to exaggerate the significance of that “opposition”** represented by a small group of Parisian comrades who styled themselves “reconciliators,” and to urge this group to present itself as a distinct current—and so on. As far as we know, having attended Bolshevik and “reconciliator” meetings without any formal invitation, Comrade Tyshka became so enamored with the task of inflating the Bolshevik “opposition” that he now—contrary to the conference’s decision (see the conference protocols)—has issued an ultimatum demanding that the “reconciliators” be admitted to all collegia in greater numbers than the Bolsheviks themselves.

We could not help but express our profound indignation at this petty attempt to play upon the “opposition” of a few comrades who possess no real influence whatsoever. We must characterize this endeavor as something altogether unusual—even for Comrade Tyshka.

We know, comrades, that not all of you sympathize with this kind of Tyshka-style maneuvering. On the contrary, some of you regard it as your direct duty to ensure that matters are arranged in such a way as to allow the Bolsheviks to work freely, rather than to tie their hands through petty tricks. And we ask you, comrades, to take measures to ensure that your representatives do not besmirch your organization with such despicable tactics.

On our part, we reserve the right to appeal directly to the Polish workers of the S.D.P.
With respect, N. Lenin.
Grigory.
1 The date is determined on the basis that the facts concerning L. Iogihes (“Tyshka”) mentioned in the letter occurred immediately after the conclusion of the June conference of Zetists—that is, around June 18–19.