Date: 1921-05-26
Source: ru:LS/v39

on the unsatisfactory handling of British intelligence reports within the People’s Commissariat for Foreign Affairs.
Lenin’s notes appear on the accompanying memorandum: “Important,”
“LtgIGG”
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(Bw erl author
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I Ever J letters to
24556
NOTE TO G. V. CHICHERIN
[May 26, 1921] Comrade Chicherin!
The “matter” was discussed at the P. Bureau; Bogdanov–Tsyperovich is in charge.
Should anything go awry, please write to me promptly, Comrade Lenin.
1 We are speaking here of the decision adopted by the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Russian Communist Party (Bolsheviks) on May 26, 1921, concerning negotiations with German industrialists.
The commission tasked with drafting a negotiation plan consisted of P. A. Bogdanov—Chairman of the Supreme Council of National Economy—and G. V. Tsyperovich. The Politburo resolution stated: “Comrade Bogdanov, in cases of extreme necessity, is authorized to substitute another responsible comrade, by mutual agreement with Lenin. The commission shall submit brief written reports to the Politburo on a weekly basis.”
G. V. Tsyperovich had been a party member since 1919. From 1921 to 1929, he held positions of responsibility in economic administration within the Council of People’s Commissars, the Industrial Commission of the People’s Commissariat for Foreign Trade, and the Leningrad Regional Planning Commission.
18936
NOTES
TO G. V. CHICHERIN
Comrade Chicherin!
Please send this message in cipher to Berlin.
May 26 [1921] Lenin
10*

K. ZETKIN 1
Radek’s pamphlet “On the Natural History of a Renegade” does not exist. He sent only an addendum, “The Fall of Levi,” to his first pamphlet 2.
Lenin
1 K. Zetkin’s note was written in German. It was Lenin’s response to Zetkin’s inquiry regarding his views on K. Radek’s pamphlet “Zur Naturgeschichte eines Renegaten” and on the possibility of publishing it, along with his own assessment of Radek’s pamphlet. The note was forwarded through the Deputy People’s Commissar for Foreign Affairs, L. M. Karakhan, on May 27, 1921, to the Deputy Trade Representative of the RSFSR in Germany, I. O. Lutovinov.
Clara Zetkin was a prominent figure in the German and international workers’ and communist movements. During the First World War, she stood firmly on the ground of revolutionary internationalism and opposed social-chauvinism. She was one of the founders of the Communist Party of Germany. At the Third Congress of the Communist International, she was elected to the Executive Committee of the Comintern and headed its International Women’s Secretariat. From 1924 onward, she served as the unwavering Chairperson of the Executive Committee of the International Organization for Assistance to Revolutionary Fighters (MOPR).
2 Apparently, we are talking about K. Radek’s article “The Third World Congress on the March Uprising and Further Tactics.” For more details, see V. I. Lenin, Complete Collected Works, Volume 44, pp. 91–95.
19188
LETTER TO G. V. CHICHERIN
June 7 [1921] Comrade Chicherin!
I am not in town, which is why my reply is somewhat delayed. But please continue to send all correspondence—urgent matters will reach me within the hour (please arrange delivery via Fotieva).
I fully agree with you that 1) Koppa should be dispatched on a specific mission 4f.
2)
We need—contrary to Stomonakov’s view (if I have correctly understood one of his dispatches, he is opposed)—to establish connections and “agreements” with both groups: with those who are aligned with Stomonakov, and with their opponents, whom you know well.
# With one precise, clear stipulation: only in connection with this matter, and no others, and only for a short period.

Absolutely essential to engage with both sides.
3)
We must wholeheartedly support the emerging dialogue with those who are departing on Thursday.
“You ask what forms of financial arrangements and administrative organization are acceptable to us?” In my view, the possibilities are manifold. After all, we have already stated: we are entirely open to all kinds of cooperation. Not interested? Then let us hear your proposals!
If we must propose a concrete agreement, then let Bogdanov (Chairman of the Supreme Council of National Economy) instruct his staff to draft a proposal and swiftly forward it to me. Please send him the relevant portion of this letter: we need equipment, and in return we will provide them with whatever they desire.
How much *? — we must calculate carefully and negotiate thoroughly.
With best regards, Comrade Lenin
I urge you to exert greater pressure on the Latvian government to secure the release of Latvian workers—those who have been handed over to military courts in Riga. Please send a telegram to Ganetsky on this matter, adding that I specifically request him to press harder and do everything possible to save them 2.
1 The letter concerns negotiations for the conclusion of trade and concession agreements with German industrialists and firms.
V. L. Korin had been a party member since 1917. From 1919 to 1930, he worked within the system of the People’s Commissariat for Foreign Affairs; from 1919 to 1921, he served as the Plenipotentiary of the People’s Commissariats for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, and thereafter (from May 1921), as the representative of the RSFSR in Germany.
B. S. Stomonakov had been a party member since 1902. From 1920 to 1925, he served as the Trade Commissioner of Soviet Russia in Berlin.
2 This refers to an exchange of two workers—members of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Latvia—who had been handed over to the military tribunal in Riga—for individuals arrested in the RSFSR for anti-Soviet activities, whom the Latvian bourgeois government sought to free. On June 6, 1921, P. I. Stuchka, Deputy People’s Commissar for Justice of the RSFSR, addressed Lenin with a letter on this issue. For further information on this matter, see V. I. Lenin, Complete Collected Works, Volume 52, p. 261.
19191
LETTER TO G. V. CHICHERIN **
May 7 [1921] Comrade Chicherin! I had already finished drafting the enclosed letter when I received your new missive.
* — How much?
** On the envelope of this letter, there is a note from V. I. Lenin:
“Secret.
[ Urgent. ] To Comrade Chicherin. (From Lenin)”

I recommend that the response be submitted through the Politburo. Ask Molotov to conduct the inquiry by telephone.
I propose the following resolution:
1) In principle, we should accept the offer made by the Koppa Germans.
2) Let us make full confidentiality a condition, and
3) Adopt a completely legal, loyal, innocent, and convenient form—such as a concession or something similar—that exempts us from any liability for what the concessionaire is interested in, what they produce, or for whom they produce.
4) Ideally, the contract should be structured so that it is registered in the name of a citizen of a “neutral” country—but this is not strictly mandatory;
5) It is absolutely essential that we secure real guarantees that we will not be deceived, that we will receive the equipment, the fuel, and, in short, that our production will indeed develop;
6) Write to Stomonakov: help us—or at least do not hinder us; this is a special matter. Send the letter on behalf of the Central Committee.
7) Issue an order from the Central Committee to Koppa: you may travel only for this particular matter, for a short duration. Do not undertake any other business. (A copy of this order should be sent to Stomonakov.)
These are my proposals for approval by the Politburo.
Of course, I do not insist on every detail—only on the fundamental points.
As for the dual-commission approach: if necessary, I can come for an hour tomorrow, on Wednesday. But in my view, that is unnecessary. We can simply communicate by letter and stay in touch by phone.
If the commission deems it risky to split management responsibilities (what exactly is the danger here?), then let them negotiate—but not in an ultimatum-style manner. In my opinion, we should either opt for a concession, or split management responsibilities, or find some other arrangement—whatever works best.
With best regards, Comrade Lenin
P. S. Menzhinsky 1 is unlikely to be suitable. Could we perhaps manage without the NKVTrade? If that is not feasible, we will look for another candidate.
1 V. R. Menzhinsky had been a party member since 1902. Following the October Socialist Revolution, he served as People’s Commissar for Finance, General Consul of the RSFSR in Berlin, and from 1919 onward held leadership positions within the Cheka.
26511
NOTE TO V. M. MOLOTOV 1
[June 7, 1921] Comrade Molotov!
1)
I believe there is no need for this commission to consult with me—at least not yet (unless the commission itself deems such consultation urgently necessary).