V. I.

Lenin

406

To:   G. Y. ZINOVIEV

Ludmila is staying with us (she is going to Russia). News from Paris:
Trotsky & Co., soon after the international conference of the Leftists,
want to hold a conference of the Russians (i.e., apparently the
O.C.+C.C.+ Nashe Slovo ). First, at the Leftist conference, to
adopt a “general

Left” resolution, then (having thereby proved the Leftism of Nashe Slovo and the O.C., which is expected to vote for anything—Mädchen für alle) to offer us (“in front of
everybody”?) to join them in a general conference of Russians and to use
our refusal against us....

Not a bad intrigue! Make a copy of Radek’s draft [2] for yourself at once (return the draft to me
immediately!) and we shall carefully consider our tactics.

Should we propose amendments to Radek right away? (+an all-out struggle against the opportunists;+civil war; +a split
with the opportunists). Or should we propose our own draft, and after it
has been turned down, vote for Radek’s? Or both?

A protest in writing to be lodged against the participation of
Nashe Slovo (two reasons: 1)
parties—they are not a party—or “sections of a party” are
allowed. Let them say they are part of the O.C. 2) double representation:
Martov in both the O.C. and Nashe Slovo ).

This—without fail./*//

Or attend with 3 delegates from the C.O.A. (apart from the 3
from the C.C.) and demand a vote for them . Aren’t they as good as
the Nashe Slovo group? The same applies to the women’s organisation.
\\*\\

The C.C. delegation should be got ready. All languages needed:
Inessa for French and English. And for German? If Kinkel has gone away,
perhaps we should take Kharitonov from Zurich? (Ludmila, apparently, would
like to go, but....) Expenses? Where will the conference be held? For how
long? Let’s think this over beforehand.

All the documents concerning Chkheidze & Co. (against them) should
be carefully collected. Should the Leftists (Radek+Thalheimer+Wijnkoop+??)
ask for a private meeting to have a “talk” with Nashe Slovo , it may not always be possible to refuse them. (The same applies
to all and every document. We shall settle this beforehand by letter.)

Ought we not to start preparing our own draft manifesto, as detailed as
Radek’s, but with a declaration of war against opportunism? Or should we
accept Radek’s as a basis?

I have written to
Kollontai [1] and Blagoev. I am writing to Wijnkoop: if he doesn’t do it, it’s his lookout—I will have done my
duty.

Write to Grimm he should notify you by wire if there is to be
another Vorkonferenz (they may engineer one, for otherwise who,
where, and when will determine the composition and so forth?). Perhaps we
should also write Grimm that he is obliged to notify (just in
case) the Norwegian and Swedish Leftists immediately? We should!! (Address:
c/o Fru
A. Kollontay. Turisthotel. Holmenkollen. Kristiania . Norwegen).

Regards, Yours, Lenin

P.S. The conference is likely to be a “packed” meeting of Kautsky and
Renaudel for “making peace”?? In that case we’ll kick up a row and walk
out, after lodging a protest.

Send all my paragraphs (for Kommunist ) to Yuri. Send me
Kamenski. I advise No. 1 (96 pp.), August
1915. [3] No. 2 (September 1915)—also 96 pp. Gorter in No. 2. I stood
up for Varin, made him nine-tenths safe: they have to be threatened, then
they backtrack. This is for No. 3.