V. I.

Lenin

251

To:   MAXIM GORKY [1]

I had hardly posted my previous letter when I received yours about the
library. The plan to collect material on the history of the revolution is
magnificent. I welcome it with all my heart and wish it success.

As for Bebutov, he told me when I met him in May in Berlin that he had
given the library to the Vorstand (the C.C. of the German Social-Democrats)
in such a way that he could not take it back . I have his
letter saying that this library was to be donated to the Social-Democratic
Party when it was united, etc. I’m afraid that means there’s nothing to be
done. But all the same you ought to try to get in touch with
Bebutov.

Vl. Ilyin