V. I.

Lenin

425

To:   DAVID WIJNKOOP

Dear Comrade Wijnkoop, Radek writes me he had informed you that the conference (not the
Vorkonferenz but the conference itself) was to be held on 5.IX. You, too, probably are already familiar with Radek’s
draft. This draft seems to me rather academic (this objection, of course,
is unimportant) and—what is far more important—unsatisfactory in regard
to the most important point, which is driven home so well, for in stance,
in Gorter’s pamphlet, namely: a decisive struggle against opportunism. If
we are silent about this before the workers, we shall be hushing up a
circumstance without which nothing real can be created.

Will you please let me know your opinion and the opinion of your
Central Committee. Also, whether a representative of your party is coming
for certain (and if not, would you give Radek a mandate or send a
declaration, etc.). If possible, write to England, to the minority of the
British Socialist Party; let this minority send either a representative, or
at least a declaration. If, as a result of this conference, we receive not
only diplomatic conjuring tricks of the leaders (so well ridiculed by
Pannekoek), but also a Left Marxist international declaration of
principles, it will be a very useful thing.

The group of Belgian internationalists, of whom you know, should also
send a declaration or give you a mandate ( sections of parties will
certainly be admitted too). An anti-chauvinist opposition to
Vandervelde—however small—would be extremely important. It is the first
step that counts!

Awaiting your reply, With S.D. greetings,

N. Lenin

P.S. I enclose the draft declaration (in French)—I have not yet had
time to discuss it with my friends. Tomorrow I shall send this draft to
Comrade Radek.

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