Dear L. B.! I am forwarding Troianovsky’s letter No. 210.

In my view, it is worth responding to that scoundrel Semkovsky—whom “Kampf” has sent you, Grigory—with a full-throated rebuttal, not in the manner employed by Steklov in “Neue Zeit.”

Write briefly, yet firmly and resolutely, about the traitors—and about socialism and democracy; about the strikebreaking newspaper “Luch”; about the majority of workers who are aligning themselves with “Pravda.”

If the Austrian opportunists refuse to publish our statement, then we will include it in the report for the Vienna Congress of 1914, No. 211. I am categorically opposed to writing in a way that “applies to the baseness” of the opportunists in “Neue Zeit” or in “Kampf.”

What is your opinion?

Yours, Lenin

I am in favor of addressing “Kampf” independently of Ryazanov. This “honest broker” will only muddle matters, complicating things through outward obsequiousness while engaging in underhanded tactics behind the scenes. It is better to go straight to the point and secure a clear, direct response. And if Ryazanov wishes to lend a hand from the sidelines (hmm, hmm)...*

* The manuscript of this document is partially damaged; several words remain illegible. Ed.

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Written earlier than May 20, 1913.

Sent from Poronin to Paris.

First published here, based on the manuscript.