# TO A. M. KOLLONTAI

JULY 25, 1916

Dear A. M.! Because of the move to the mountains, caused by Nadya's illness, I have delayed answering your letter. I completely agree with you that the role of the left person at the conference with Huysmans will be mainly informational. This is the most important thing. Making notes right then and about everything—this is the main thing. Collecting all sorts of documents; not forgetting for a moment the necessity of complete information. Writing everything down (even if briefly) right then, on the spot, in a special notebook—this is the only means. Grimm is not going: they didn't give him a passport. So the left person will be alone. All the more responsibility for him. To conduct the line alone, great decisiveness and complete conscientiousness are needed: you will know better whether these qualities exist. If they do, it would be good to "set" a couple of questions with the respective votes: to endorse Zimmerwald; the same for Kinthal; to condemn the social-patriots, Hyndman and Co.; Samber and Co.; Legien and Co.; Plekhanov and Co. The same can also be in the form of questions. You will know better whether this is feasible.

Please write a couple of words confirming receipt of this postcard.

Alexander probably has taken all the addresses and will try to find out whether anything has been published in America about the Zimmerwald Left; to obtain it; to get in touch with "Socialist Propaganda League"; the same with the Socialist Labor Party; the same with "International Socialist Review"; the same with "Appeal to Reason." If you receive this postcard and answer, perhaps we can still correspond about what exactly it is convenient to entrust to him there.

One personal request: do you have publishing connections? I don't. For income, I would like to have either a translation or pedagogical-literary work for Nadya (since her illness requires a long life in the mountains, and this is expensive).

I firmly press your hand and wish you all the best. Nadya sends her regards.

Your V. Ulyanov

Sent from Flums (Switzerland) to Christiania (Oslo)

First printed in 1924 in Lenin Miscellany II. Printed from the manuscript.


I am sending an article by Engels. There's no need to return it yet.

I am sending an article on Junius's pamphlet. I am finishing on self-determination.

Won't you write for the collection about the conference of German and Austrian social-chauvinists? (protocols that you sent me).

In my opinion, a brief note is needed.

Why are you silent about:

1) Bukharin (and your letter to him)?

2) The same about Varin.

3) Did you send "Under the Old Banner" to Usievich? (Send me a list of articles for our collection).

4) About "Questions of Insurance."

5) About "Volna" collections. Write (and what?) or wait?

Do you have "Berner Tagwacht"? I don't have it. Won't you send clippings (Grimm's resignation and so forth)?

Salut. Your Lenin

P.S. Why not commission something to Safarov for "Miscellany of 'Social-Democrat'"?

P.P.S. How weak Gilbo is in the last No. of "Berner"! Did you see?