V. I. LENIN — V. A. TER-IOANISIAN
TO BERLIN. *
5/V 12. [Paris.]
Dear Comrade!
I do not know whether you have already learned the sad news concerning our mutual friend—who introduced me to you in Berlin—
Suren Spandaryan. He has been arrested in Baku. His wife writes
to his father that there is no one to care for him; he has neither a bed,
nor anything at all. There is no one to bring him milk, and so on. His father told me
that he has many acquaintances in Baku and that he has written to one of them.
Why only to that one, I do not know.
Spandaryan’s father lives here (Hotel Nicole, 19 Rue Pierre
Nicole, 19 Paris). He looks very ill and aged. His son has promised him
he will do everything possible to secure his release from Baku—though
he was unable to do so because of the arrest. The father is penniless; they are about to evict him from his apartment. His situation is among the most sorrowful—and even desperate.
We have helped him with a small loan. But I have nevertheless decided
to write to you. You surely have acquaintances and friends of Spandaryan
both in Baku and in Paris. Spandaryan’s father has sent letters time and again,
forgetting to include the address. For this reason, I am deeply concerned that
his letters may never reach Baku. Do you happen to know anyone in
Baku whom you could write to about Suren and ask them to take care of him?
Furthermore, if you have common acquaintances, it would be of utmost importance
to look after the father as well. It is said that he has a wealthy son in Ekaterinodar. It would be most desirable if you could write to him with particular urgency,
urging him to send more money to the father—so that the father might settle his debts and make his way elsewhere.1
I hope you will do whatever you can for both Spandaryans
and let me know a few words about it.
How are things going for you? I have been waiting eagerly for some word from you. Have you managed to engage with
social‑democratic literature? Have you become a member of the Social Democratic Party—and later, a Bolshevik?2
With heartfelt best wishes, I send you my warmest regards,
Yours, Lenin
W. Oulianoff.
4 Rue Marie Rose. Paris. XIV.
1 Suren Spandaryan’s brother, Velizar, was in charge of the commercial
club in Tiflis—but he was unable to provide assistance to his father, since he died
in the summer of 1912.
2 Ter-Ioanisian, Voski Atanesovna, was a close friend of the Spandaryan family.
Beginning in the 1890s, she lived in Berlin under the name Boski, always lending her services to the Party, serving as one of the vital links in communications with Russia. When she returned to Russia in 1918, she joined the RCP(b) and lived in Baku and Pyatigorsk. In 1922,*
after a severe illness, she once again left for Berlin.