V. I.

Lenin

497

To:   G. V. CHICHERIN

4/1. 1920

Comrade Chicherin, Please forward to Litvinov (and if possible, transmit
in abridged form by telegraph in code):

I have received from him a small batch of pamphlets and
newspapers and am extremely disappointed. The selection
has been utterly casual and careless. Obviously, no one has
shown the slightest care in such an important matter as
supplying Russia with Western socialist literature.

There are no pamphlets and books by the socialist leaders (although their titles and the names of the authors
can be found in the Austrian, German, French, Italian and
English newspapers).

The newspapers have been so poorly selected that 9/10 of them is rubbish, while, for example, out of a heap of
issues of
Freiheit , [1] the really important issues (even the most important, perhaps the only important ones) have been
left out , namely, the reports of the Leipzig
Congress [2] and the text of the resolutions.

Absolute carelessness, negligence or lack of understanding and unwillingness to understand what is needed.

We must have them (Litvinov and all members of the
R.C.P. abroad and all “bureaux” and agencies) see to it
that people conversant with the literature are engaged in each
country (to begin with, Denmark, Holland, etc., will suffice), their duty being to collect 4–5 copies of
||| N.B.

every socialist and anarchist and communist pamphlet and book, every
resolution, all reports and minutes of congresses, etc., etc.,
in all languages . All to be delivered to Copenhagen, Stockholm, Vienna, etc. (to Berlin as well).
N.B. |||

Messengers are available—infrequently, but they are available. The literature
must be collected in good time by employed persons (
Russians are slovenly and will never do this meticulously).

It is stupid to grudge money for this.

Ask Litvinov to tell this to
Abramovich
Kopp
Rutgers
Bronsky
Lyubarsky
Reich
Ström
Z. Höglund
Kilbom
Rothstein, etc.

Have 3–5 and more collectors, otherwise we shall never get what is absolutely necessary.

Lenin

P.S. Please send a copy of this (or this letter itself after
it has been dealt with) to Klinger.