V. I. Lenin

Source: ru:LS/v13;es:MT
Translated: machine translation (DeepSeek) from the Russian; AI-translated.

V. I. LENIN — S. G. SHAUMYAN
IN KAK.V.
19/V* 1914. [Poronin]

Dear Suren! I received your letter of 17.IV.¹ I hope you will answer me when you have read the end of the article on the self-determination of nations (I am writing it now) in *Prosveshcheniye*.²

As for your pamphlet against An, you must certainly give a Selbstanzeige* or a summary in *Prosveshcheniye*.³

I suggest to you the following plan. To combat the stupidity of the “cultural-national autonomists”, the Russian Social-Democratic Labour Group in the Duma should introduce a bill on equality of nations and on the protection of the rights of national minorities.

Let us draft such a bill.⁴ A general provision on equality;—division of the country into autonomous and self-governing territorial units on the basis, among other things, of nationality (the local population to define the boundaries, the central parliament to confirm them);—the limits of competence of autonomous regions and districts, as well as of self-governing local units;—the illegality of any departure from equality of nations in the decisions of autonomous regions, zemstvos, etc.;—general school councils, democratically elected, etc.;—freedom and equality of languages—the choice of languages by municipal institutions, etc.;**—protection of minorities: the right to a proportional share of expenditure, to school premises (free of charge) for pupils of “other nationalities”, to teachers of “other nationalities”, to “other-nationality” sections in museums and libraries, theatres, etc.;—the right of every citizen to seek annulment (through the courts) of any departure from equality of nations resp.*** any “trampling” of the rights of national minorities (quinquennial censuses of the population in mixed areas, decennial in the state)**** etc.

It seems to me that in this way we could popularise an explanation of the stupidity of cultural-national autonomy and finally kill the supporters of this stupidity.

The bill could be drafted by Marxists of all, or very many, of the nations of Russia.

Write at once whether you agree to help. In general, write more often, at least once a week. It is unpardonable not to answer for a long time, bear that in mind, especially now!!

I press your hand
Yours, V. I.

[Postscript by N. K. Krupskaya.]
Because of the “bill” the letter lay unsent for two weeks. Did you receive the previous letter sent to the same address? Why don’t you answer anything?

Warm greetings!