...the mass movement can and should derive benefit from individual terrorist acts as well. In Russia, the terrorists (against whom we have always fought) committed a series of individual assassination attempts, but in December 1905, when the matter finally came down to a mass movement, to an uprising—when it was necessary to help the masses apply violence—it was precisely then that the "terrorists" were absent. This is the error of the terrorists.

Adler would have brought far greater benefit to the revolutionary movement if, without fearing a split, he had systematically proceeded to illegal propaganda and agitation. It would have been very good if some left-wing group had been found that would have published a leaflet in Vienna and communicated to the workers its viewpoint: condemning in the most severe manner the lackey-like nature of the Viennese *Arbeiter-Zeitung* and *Vorwärts*, justifying morally Adler's act ("killing is no murder"), but as a lesson for the workers declaring: not terrorism, but systematic, protracted, selfless work of revolutionary propaganda and agitation, demonstrations, and so on and so forth against the lackey-like, opportunistic party, against imperialists, against their own governments, against war—that is what is needed.

Please inform us also whether it would be correct to regard Adler's act as an act of desperation? I believe that politically it is so. He has lost faith in the party; he could not bear the fact that it is impossible to work with this party, that it is impossible to work together with Victor Adler; he could not reconcile himself with the idea of a split, to take upon himself the heavy task of struggle against the party. And as a result of desperation—an assassination attempt.

An act of desperation of a Kautskyist ("Volksrecht" writes that Adler was not a supporter of the Zimmerwald Left, but rather a Kautskyist).

But we, revolutionaries, cannot despair. We do not fear a split. On the contrary: we recognize the necessity of a split; we explain to the masses why a split is inevitable and necessary; we call for work against the old party, for revolutionary mass struggle.

What currents (resp.* what individual nuances) exist in Vienna and in Austria in the evaluation of Adler's act?

I fear that the Viennese government will declare Friedrich Adler insane and will not permit a trial. But if the matter reaches trial, then it will be absolutely necessary to organize the distribution of leaflets.

Write more and in greater detail and observe precisely all technical precautions.

Best regards!

Your N. Lenin

Translated from the German

Sent from Zurich to Vienna

First published March 1, 1932 in the newspaper *Pravda* No. 60

Printed from the manuscript