товов") — is "unity" with the CC, and through it with Potresov and Co., i.e., in fact lackey-ism before the social-chauvinists. If Trotsky and Co. have not understood this, so much the worse for them. № 1

The "Delo" and — most importantly — the participation of workers in the military-industrial committees prove that this is so.

Not only in the elections to the Duma the day after peace — but in general on all questions of party practice, "unity" with Chkheidze and Co. is the crux of the matter now. We can rely only on those who have understood the whole deception of the idea of unity and the whole necessity of a split with this lot (with Chkheidze and Co.) in Russia. Belenin ought to rally only such people for the role of leaders.

By the way: a split on an international scale has also matured. I consider it fully timely now that all conscious, leading workers of Russia understand this and adopt resolutions in favor of an organizational break with the II International, with the International Bureau of Huysmans, Vandervelde and Co., — in favor of building a III International only against Kautskyites of all countries (Chkheidze and Co., like Martov and Axelrod, = Russian Kautskyites), only in rapprochement with people standing on the position of the Zimmerwald Left.

On point 3. The most sore spot now: the weakness of links between us and the leading workers in Russia!! No correspondence!! No one except James, and now even he is gone!! This cannot go on. Neither the publication of leaflets, nor transport, nor coordination regarding proclamations, nor the sending of their drafts and so forth and so on — none of this can be arranged without proper conspiratorial correspondence. This is the crux!

This was not done (then perhaps could not be done) by Belenin on the first trip. Convince him, for Christ's sake, that this must absolutely be done on the second trip! Absolutely!! The success of the trip must be measured by the number of links, truly!! (Of course, Belenin's personal influence is still more important, but he will not be able to remain anywhere for long without ruining himself and harming the cause.) The success of the trip is measured by the number of links in each city!!

At least two-thirds of the links in each city with leading workers, i.e., so that they themselves write, themselves master conspiratorial correspondence (it is not the gods who fire the pots), themselves prepare for themselves each one or two "successors" in case of a collapse. Do not entrust this to the intelligentsia alone. Do not trust. This can and must be done by leading workers. Without this it is impossible to establish continuity and integrity of work, and this is the main thing.

I think that's all?

Regarding legal literature I will add further:
it is important to clarify whether my articles will be accepted in "Letopis'" (if it is impossible to drive out the Okists with the help of a bloc with the Machists)? with restrictions? what kind?

It is necessary to clarify in more detail regarding "Volna."

About myself personally I will say that income is needed. Otherwise I will simply waver, truly!! The devilish dearness, and there is nothing to live on. One must forcibly extract money* from the publisher of "Letopis'," to whom two of my brochures have been sent (let him pay; at once and more!). The same — with Bonch. The same — regarding translations. If this is not set up, then I, truly, will not hold out, this is perfectly serious, perfectly, perfectly.

I shake your hand firmly, a thousand best wishes to Belenin, and write back upon receipt even just two words.

Yours Lenin

P. S. Write frankly, in what mood is Bukharin departing? Will he write to us or not? Will he fulfill requests or not? Correspondence (with America) is possible only through Norway: tell him this and arrange it.

1916

* Regarding money, Belenin will speak with Katin and with Gorky himself, of course, if it will not be inconvenient.

Written after October 3

Sent from Zurich to Stockholm

First published in 1924 in Lenin Miscellany II

Printed from the manuscript