AND LETTER TO G. V. CHICHERIN

Comrade Chicherin!

See the letter,
p. 4
and reverse.

Lenin

October 22, 1921

Most Esteemed Vladimir Ilyich!

From today's cipher from comrade Krasin, partially received by us, concerning Urquhart's statements and campaign, it is evident that the matter is more serious and cannot be explained by bluff alone aimed at obtaining a 5% deduction from concessions. Clearly, there has been disappointment with our new course.

It is natural that in creating such a complex historical combination as concessions to Western European capitalists under a Bolshevik government, the arrangement of these combinations does not proceed immediately and smoothly. But all the more must we take care to overcome these frictions. Personally, I am completely unaware of those springs of our policy which caused a certain turn in our course at the end of August, so that I am entirely incompetent to express an opinion on whether this turn was necessary...

Comrade Chicherin! There was not the slightest trace of a "turn in our course" in August (see p. 1). From the arrest of swindlers, from the execution of conspirators, and from the rejection of excessively greedy concession offers we have never renounced and shall never renounce.

On the question of debts I advise you to push through the Politburo the appointment of a commission (your candidates?) to verify the state of work of the commissions of Groman and Goikhbarg.

Personally, I see nothing in "Krasin's facts" and the like, except Urquhardt's blackmail.

They will move toward intervention in spring, if they can force Poland: there is nothing one can do about this except by strengthening defense capability.
???