## Remarks on the Draft Decree on Measures for the Proper Distribution of Housing Among the Working Population{163}

In my view, § 9 is unsuitable. The People's Courts are weak.

It is necessary to require local sanitary departments (+ labour commandants)

(a) to issue binding regulations (b) to punish, without trial, by arrest up to 1 month and compulsory labour up to 2 months for uncleanliness and the like.

(c) to organize mass supervision over cleanliness (through special detachments under the Soviets).

Written May 25, 1920.

First published in 1945 in Lenin Miscellany XXXV

Printed from the manuscript

## Draft of a Resolution of the Council of People's Commissars on Grain Resources{164}

26. V. 1920.

1) Express satisfaction concerning the increase in procurement

2) demand monthly data

3) distinguish what has been brought to the stations from what has been procured

4) assist the procurers (§ 4)

5) strengthen transport (§ 5)

6) gardens?

First published in 1945 in Lenin Miscellany XXXV

Printed from the manuscript

## Remarks on the Draft Resolution of the CC on the Tasks of the RCP(b) in Turkestan{165}

2. In order to eliminate the indicated relations it is necessary to adopt the following measures urgently: a) Confiscate from the settlers in Kirghiz districts all lands that were planned by the Resettlement Administration or that settlers arbitrarily took from the Kirghiz, leaving settlers only plots equal to a labour allotment.

v) In the course of redistributing party cadres, transfer to the disposal of the CC all Turkestani communists infected with colonialism and Great Russian nationalism, and simultaneously carry out mobilization in the centre of several hundred communists for work in Turkestan.

g) Request the Commissariat of Railways to carry out the displacement and replacement of several hundred workers of the Central Asian railway, the Tashkent workshops, and the Tashkent railway.

d) Carry this resolution into effect with unwavering firmness, suppressing all resistance to the organs implementing it, widely applying the system of deportation with respect to persons who in any way impede the practical implementation of this resolution.

## Organizational Relations Between the Centre and the Turkestan Republic

Turkestan Commission

1) It is necessary to have in Turkestan a permanent organ – a representation of the All-Russian CEC, the Council of People's Commissars, and the CC RCP – to which must be entrusted:

2) Exclusively to the competence of the all-republican authority belong:

a) matters of external relations

b) foreign trade

c) military affairs.

3) Commissars of railways, post and telegraph are appointed by agreement between the TurCEC and the respective people's commissaries to whom they are subordinate.

All decrees of the centre concerning these commissars are mechanically extended to the Turkestan forming railway and postal-telegraph district.

4) The Commissar of Finance is elected by TurCEC and confirmed by the Commissariat of Finance. In the field of budgetary law, a budget established by the Turkestan Republic and approved by the representation of the All-Russian CEC of the RSFSR is mechanically incorporated into the all-republican budget.

5) In the economic sphere, the Turkestan Council of the National Economy and food organs operate within the limits of plans established by the Supreme Council of the National Economy and the Commissariat of Food of the RSFSR.

6) In all other questions, supreme authority belongs to TurCEC and the Council of People's Commissars.

## Internal Organization of Turkestan

Considering it necessary to give national groups of Turkestan the possibility of organizing themselves into autonomous republics, and national minorities into communes, upon TurCEC falls the duty to convene a congress of Soviets of Uzbek, Kirghiz, and Turkmen working people to reach a final resolution of the question of the organizational forms of their existence.

Until the convening of these congresses, carry out regional divisions of Turkestan in accordance with its territorial-ethnographic composition.

=====

α

1) By agreement with TurCEC and TurCNK – the supreme body is the All-Russian CEC

2) the same (α)

3) the same (α).

It is necessary to add: a series of concrete, practical measures for the transition

In my view, it is necessary to reject comrade Ryskulov's{166} draft, to accept the commission's draft with the following modifications:

(α) Insert the obligation of the Turkestan Commission to systematically work together with TurCNK and TurCEC:

(1) to seek their opinion; (2) to gradually introduce them into the affairs of the Turkestan Commission; (3) to participate in TurCNK and TurCEC; (4) to "agree" with them, bringing all (or the main) disputed questions to the CC and the All-Russian CEC.

(β) Insert a series of practical measures ensuring the gradual expansion of the rights (participation in affairs, etc.) of the Turkestan Communist Party (conditions – supervision of its composition; measures of supervision and verification)

the same – of the Turkestan working masses of peasants, the same – of TurCNK and TurCEC.

+

1) Commission the drawing up of a map (ethnographic and other) of Turkestan with divisions into Uzbekia, Kirghizia, and Turkmenia.

2) Clarify in greater detail the conditions for the merger or division of these 3 parts.

First published in 1942 in Lenin Miscellany XXXIV

Printed from the manuscript

## Materials for the II Congress of the Communist International

### 1. On the Working Out of Theses on the National and Colonial Questions

Commission on the National Question (1/VI. 1920). Our Party Programme on the National Question (its sub-points).

Austrian experience.

Ukrainian experience.

Belgian experience.

Alsace-Lorraine.

Balkan experience.

Danish-German relations.

Eastern peoples:

Bashkirs

Tatars

Kirghiz

Turkish peoples struggle against Pan-Islamism

Colonies…

America and Negroes.

Be sure to request Stalin.

pt. 1 – Rapprochement… its forms…

Concrete proposals for how to bring closer.

One general organization (party?) with workers in several languages? or national sub-divisions?

Finance? appointments of officials?

2) Abolition of privileges.

(a) form?

laws?

administrative practice?

(b) "complete equality" in the constitution?

Cf. Constitution of the RSFSR other laws, etc.

(c) "recognition to colonies and unequal nations of the right to separation".

Real guarantees: not merely in words, but in fact (to detail and make concrete – the form of declarations in parliaments, etc.).

Namely: in fact assistance to revolutionary struggle and uprisings in colonies.

3) Federal union – as a form of transition to complete unity.

Experience of the RSFSR: concrete accounting of the content of federation (railways, post, military affairs, national economy, etc.).

Written in June, not later than 5, 1920.

First published in 1945 in Lenin Miscellany XXXV

Printed from the manuscript

### 2. Theses on the Fundamental Tasks of the Comintern{167}

I Essence of the Dictatorship of the Proletariat and Soviet Power (pp. 1–5) (§§ 1–4).

1. Introduction.

1. The principal conceptions and "essence," the soul of the III International: the dictatorship of the proletariat and Soviet power.

"Fashion," unconsidered enthusiasm, deception. False interpretation. Errors.

I

2. The "essence" of the dictatorship of the proletariat:

3. Soviets for this, in this struggle; outside of it

a dummy [only the exploited classes + a minority of neutrals etc. }

* Summa – the sum. Ed.

II. Verbal and Actual Recognition of the Dictatorship of the Proletariat.

II. What Must Constitute the Immediate and Universal Preparation of the Dictatorship of the Proletariat?

(pp. 5 – pp. 14) (§§ 5–13)

5. In the vast majority of countries the preliminary preparation of the proletariat for its dictatorship has not yet been completed (often has not even begun), not to speak of the preparation for the collapse of the upper classes.

On the other hand, verbal "recognition" à la II International.

6. § 8, + for the dictatorship of the proletariat is a struggle against reformism (exposure) not only by argument but also by force of arms

(Finland, Russia, Hungary, Poland, Germany).

* idem – the same. Ed.

11. § 12. connection with the masses

12. § 13. id. strikes

7. § 14. collaborationism ad § 8[44]

13. § 15. illegal organization

{ NB + Combination of legal + illegal work

II

174 This refers to the sabotage by opportunists of the international political strike of workers which was planned to take place on July 21, 1919 in support of the Russian and Hungarian revolutions with the demand for non-interference by imperialist governments in Russian and Hungarian affairs. The right-wing leaders of socialist parties and trade unions did everything to prevent the realization of the international strike. The behaviour of the French social-compromisers was treacherous. On July 20, the eve of the planned strike, the leaders of the General Confederation of Labour (Jouhaux, Merheim and others) proposed postponing the strike, although initially, in order to deceive the workers, they had spoken in favour of carrying it out. In this way the international strike was sabotaged, a unified action of the proletariat of all countries did not take place; on the scheduled day only isolated strikes took place in England, Italy, Germany, Norway, and some other countries.

* Anarchist strikes. Ed.

** Elite troops. Ed.

16. The principal enemy within the international workers' movement remains opportunism, principally among the upper strata and leaders, both among trade unions and cooperatives, etc., and among parties such as the German Independent Party, the Independent Labour Party of England, the French Socialist Party, the Swiss and American Socialist Parties, etc.

Their recognition in practice of the dictatorship of the proletariat has still not changed their opportunistic policy.

Therefore, their immediate adhesion to the III International is impossible. First it is necessary to:

(a) have them circulate all the resolutions of the I and II Congresses of the III International (b) have these discussed by all cells and organizations of their parties (c) give the Executive Committee of the III International the possibility of participating in this discussion for 2–3 months (d) convene emergency congresses of the respective parties (e) "purge" them of opportunistic leaders and correct their policy in practice.

18. With regard to the reformist wing of the Italian Socialist Party, especially in parliament (+ trade unions + cooperatives), purging is also necessary.

19. On the other hand, errors of the left, which are, however, less dangerous now and cannot prevent immediate adhesion on condition of submitting to the I and II Congresses of

the III International and correcting tactics.

These errors: (principally)

(a) party and "mass" (an idol)

(b) parliamentarism (c) trade unions.

Parties and groups (partly affiliés[45], partly not):

Holländische Kommunistische Partei "Kommunismus" Viennese.

NB The best in anarchism can be and should be attracted.

___

ΣΣ[46]

20. Revolutionary workers' movement is developing splendidly.

It is necessary to correct tactics and organization on the basis of all resolutions of the III International, – principally the following:

(a) communist groups + I. W. W. + left wing of I. L. P. + left wing of trade unions in England and America. Rapprochement and merger, (b) id. 2 communist parties + left wing of the "independents" (on the basis of C. P. D), (c) transformation of the French Socialist Party in the spirit of its communist fraction and the communist part of C. G. T.{168}, (d) purging of the Italian, (e) id. in small countries, (g) rapprochement and merger with the revolutionary movement of the East and colonies.

===

+ Addendum

On strikes: betrayals of leaders.

Reformists = agents of the bourgeoisie in the workers' movement.

Struggle against the bourgeoisie = struggle against its agency.

___

Add to section II

§ Freedom of the Press

Leaflets (50 lines)

several times a week.

Seizure of printing houses for this purpose

Replacement + supplement.

176 "De Tribune" ("The Tribune") – newspaper founded in 1907 by the left wing of the Social-Democratic Labour Party of the Netherlands. From 1909, after the expulsion of the left from the party and their organization of the Social-Democratic Party of the Netherlands, it became the organ of this party; from 1918 – the organ of the Dutch Communist Party; was published under this name until 1940.

III. Correcting the Line (partly also the Composition) of Parties Affiliated with and Wishing to Affiliate with the Communist International.

13. Unlike the II International, questions must be posed more directly and centralization must be strengthened.

14. Three important parties (the "independents" of Germany + England + France) + American Socialist Party + Swiss Socialist Party (if correct).

15. One cannot immediately accept the old composition and character of work of non-communist parties

(α) publication in all periodicals (β) discussion in all sections (γ) id. at a special congress (δ) purify (ε) party organs all in the hands of communists (ζ) prove by deeds.

16. Communists in these parties? Parts to remain,

18. Especially necessary is rapprochement of I. W. W. and Shop Stewards.

Written in July, not later than 4, 1920.

Published for the first time from the manuscript

### 2. Plan of a Resolution on the Content of the Concept of "Dictatorship of the Proletariat" and on the Struggle Against the "Fashionable" Distortion of This Slogan{169}

1. The singling out precisely of the revolutionary and only revolutionary part of the proletariat into a party and of such a part of the party into its leadership centres.

2. The systematic exposure of reformism and opportunism in the party and in the workers' movement before the masses.

3. The replacement of opportunistic leaders both in the sections of the party and in trade unions and in cooperatives and in clubs and in cultural-educational organizations, in short in all organizations of the proletariat, with revolutionary leaders.

4. The formation of communist cells in all and every kind of workers' and poor peasants' organizations to ensure the systematic leadership of the entire workers' movement (and the part of the peasant movement) by the party.

= 3? 5. The mandatory appointment of fully revolutionary workers who are completely free from the traditions, habits, and prejudices of peacetime work, parliamentarism, legalism – workers who may even be extremely inexperienced, but (1) who are capable of fighting against reformism and opportunism (2) and who are closely linked with the broadest mass of the proletariat and with the most revolutionary part of the proletariat – their appointment to the most responsible posts in the party in sufficient numbers, especially in the CC of the party, and in the parliamentary group, and in all the most important (for the party to win them) institutions.

6. Especially detailed subordination of the parliamentary fraction to the Central Committee of the party and especially strict supervision by it of the parliamentary fraction.

7. Collaborationists, supporters (and conductors) of a bloc of the proletariat with the bourgeoisie and proprietors must be considered not only those who conduct these ideas directly, for a bloc in government, etc., but also those who conduct them indirectly, for example, those who stand for equality of the working class and the class of small proprietors, for equal rights of their viewpoints, etc.

8. Organs of reformists (or those making peace with reformism)…[49] "L'Humanité," must be shut down. The party must have 1 central organ, fully in the revolutionary direction, – not such as "Populaire"{170} or "Freiheit". All the party press – one thought, one direction, preparation for the dictatorship.

9. Deeper into the masses. Not for the labour aristocracy, – but for the untrained masses. Not only for the city but also for the countryside. Agitation among the masses, not merely propaganda (contra British Socialist Party).

Free distribution of leaflets to backward workers at the expense of the contributions of advanced workers.

Proletarians – to the masses, to the aid of strikers, to farm labourers.

10. Open analysis before the masses of the errors and betrayals of opportunistic leaders

(strike 20–21/VII. 1919, etc.).

Analysis in the press of all opportunistic errors and weaknesses in the speeches of parliamentarians, etc.

11. Systematicity, on all occasions, in all respects, in application to all spheres of life; clarification of the concrete tasks of the dictatorship of the proletariat, viz.[50]:

(a) suppression of the resistance of exploiters (including kulaks and sabotaging intellectuals); (b) confiscations, for redemption is now, after 1914–1918, impossible; (c) special supervision over exploiters and bourgeois intellectuals; (d) immediate revolutionary improvement of the life both of workers and of all the exploited masses and of poor peasants at the expense of the exploiters; (e) neutralization of small proprietors that is, prevention of their going over to the whites; (f) determination, ability, skill, and special organization for suppressing resistance.

[1] ΣΣ =

(α) smash (β) win over (γ) neutralize.

12. Purging…[51]

13. "Freedom of the press"? – "of assembly"? – "of the person"?

Party = vanguard (αα) (1) revolutionary part (ββ) (2) linked with the masses.

Immediate preparation

Principal danger: the right, i.e., unreplaced leaders.

3 parties (+ American Socialist Party) (+ Swiss Socialist Party?). Immediate adhesion impossible.

The left. Their errors. Immediate adhesion possible.

Reformism in the Italian party (perhaps + B. S. P.?).

NB

Commission on the French party and press:

Written in July, not later than 4, 1920.

First published August 1, 1935 in the journal "Communist International" No. 22

Printed from the manuscript

### 3. International Situation and Fundamental Tasks of the Communist International

(Plan of a Report)

1. Imperialism as the fundamental feature of contemporary economy.

Division of the world as the fundamental feature of imperialism: monopolies, banks, financial oligarchy, international syndicates, export of capital, division of all land.

In 1876 > 1/4 billion inhabitants in colonies

1914 > 1/2 " " "

1 billion + semi-colonies (Persia, China, Turkey).

2. Gigantic intensification of all the contradictions of capitalism

(a) debts a1 1914 – 55 million rubles in gold (Braun)

1920 – 388 " " " a2 U. States +19 billion rubles

Keynes England

+ 171/2 (6 Russia)

– 81/2

France

+ 31/2

– 101/2 Σ = 40 billion rubles in gold.

a3

(b) Wages and prices (c) incomes: 40–50% incomes (Lapinsky, p. 14)

(d) coal production (Supreme Economic Council in "Times" 10/III. 1920):

England – 20%

France – 50%

Germany – 37% (1913–1919)

U. States – 4%

(e) currency: compare with U. States ("Times" ib.[52])

England – 30%

France and

Italy – 60–70%

Germany – 90–96%

3. ΣΣ = Ruin, poverty, enrichment.

Goals and character of war.

Keynes. His position.

4. Disintegration among the victors:

League of Nations?

Wars against Russia.

Division of Turkey, China?

5. ΣΣ = Revolutionary crisis, revolutionary moods, ideas.

Absolute hopelessness?

No.

Cf.[53] Ramsay MacDonald: "we know that all this will pass, will settle down".

6. Opportunism = the principal enemy.

Collapse of bourgeois democracy and social democracy.

Participation in government of Kerensky + Finland + Hungary.

Otto Bauer: "Vergewaltigung der sozialen Machtfaktoren"[54].

7. Roots of opportunism: bribery of the upper strata of workers

8. "Purging" of parties and the workers' movement, "removal from office"

in Russia 1903–1917–1920 in Europe and America 1915–1920 –

9. "Left Sickness". A sickness of growth.

11. ΣΣ = Not acceleration of revolution, but acceleration of preparation for revolution.

Detailed resolution and theses.

Not a society of propagandists, but the beginning of practical struggle by an army of millions and tens of millions of proletarians, led by the Comintern.

Written between July 10 and 19, 1920.

First published in 1959 in Lenin Miscellany XXXVI

Printed from the manuscript

### 4. Regarding the Speech of D. Tanner at the II Congress of the Comintern{171}

Tanner's speech (Shop Stewards) clearly confirmed that

1) it is necessary within the III International to create a place for sympathizers

2) that for England and America it is necessary to specially stipulate that, despite disagreements on parliamentarism, we propose:

(a) to the mass movement in the form of I. W. W. and Shop Stewards to remain affiliated with the III International (b) to discuss the question once more at length and to test in practice the improvement of socialist parties which conduct insufficient agitation among the masses and have been unable to establish connection with them.

Written July 23, 1920.

First published in 1959 in Lenin Miscellany XXXVI

Printed from the manuscript

### 5. Remarks on the Report of A. Sultan-Zade on the Perspectives of Social Revolution in the East{172}

1) Disintegration of the possessing exploiting classes

2) the greater part of the population – peasants with medieval exploitation

3) small craftsmen – in industry

4) conclusion: adapt both Soviet institutions and the Communist Party (its composition, its special tasks) to the level of peasant countries of the colonial East.

This is the essence. One must think about this and seek concrete answers.

Written between July 24 and 29, 1920.

Published for the first time from the manuscript

### 6. Remarks on Proposals by P. Lévi on Theses on National and Colonial Questions

1) Too broadly formulated, as if it applied to all peoples. And Persia today?

Pardon, you are falling into "National Bolshevism," regarding Germany as the only nation in the world.

2) And if the bourgeoisie (in Bulgaria, Germany, and other countries) begins war against England, France, or the like?

What should workers do?

Boycott? That would be completely mistaken. Participate, but maintain their independence and utilize the joint struggle in such a way as to overthrow the bourgeoisie.

ΣΣ = Either write only against German National Bolshevism, or not at all.

Written in German July 25, 1920.

First published in 1942 in Lenin Miscellany XXXIV

Printed from the manuscript

## 7. Remarks on Proposals by P. Lévi on Theses on National and Colonial Questions

1) Too broadly formulated, as if it applied to all peoples. And what of contemporary Persia?

Forgive me, you are falling into "National Bolshevism," treating Germany as the only nation in the world.

2) And if the bourgeoisie (in Bulgaria, Germany, and other countries) begins war against England, France, or the like?

What then should workers do?

Boycott? This would be entirely mistaken. Participate, but preserve their independence and utilize the joint struggle in such a way as to overthrow the bourgeoisie.

ΣΣ = Either write only against German National Bolshevism, or don't write at all.

First published in 1942 in Lenin Miscellany XXXIV

Translation from German

## 8. Notes for the Commission on National and Colonial Questions

Exploit medieval particularism? Too dangerous; not Marxist.

One must distinguish between modern national movements and "movements" (so-called movements) with a medieval character.

Written in French in July, not later than 28, 1920.

Facsimile of the manuscript first published in 1923 in the book: H. Guilbeaux. "Wladimir Iljitsch Lenin. Ein treues Bild seines Wesens". Berlin

Printed from facsimile

## 8. Notes for the Commission on National and Colonial Questions

Exploitation of medieval particularism? Too dangerous; not Marxist.

One must distinguish contemporary national movements from "movements" (so-called movements) of medieval character.

Published in Russian for the first time. Translation from French

## Sketch of a Resolution on Proletarian Culture{173}

1. Not special ideas, but Marxism.

2. Not the invention of a new proletarian culture, but the development of the best examples, traditions, and achievements of existing culture from the standpoint of the Marxist world outlook and the conditions of life and struggle of the proletariat in the epoch of its dictatorship.

3. Not separately from the Commissariat of Enlightenment, but as a part of it, for the RCP + Commissariat of Enlightenment = the sum of proletarian culture

4. Close connection and subordination of Proletarian Culture to the Commissariat of Enlightenment.

5. In no way…[55]

Written October 9, 1920.

First published in 1945 in Lenin Miscellany XXXV

Printed from the manuscript