V. I.

Lenin

523

To:   L. D. TROTSKY

Comrade Trotsky:

Please, take the enclosed into consideration, and return
to me (together with this note)—I shall send it to a few other
people. [1]

Ad 1. What is there to be “cautious” about?? There is nothing at all in practice, nothing but talks. Unfortunately,
the Germans are excessively “cautious”. Here Chicherin is
wrong.

Ad No. 3... I think that is a piece of gossip. We should
face Hartwig (and the other Ger--\thinspace-mans) with this flat and
precise question: what is it you want of us? a treaty without
Britain? Very well, then! Let’s have a draft as soon as
possible and we shall sign it.

Until now, the Germans have come forward with nothing but words.

For the sake of diplomacy, Krasin had to avoid showing his cards to Stinnes, and even had to be amiable with him.

30/ XI. Lenin

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Notes:
[1]
A reference to G. V. Chicherin’s letter, who, with the economic negotiations with Germany in mind, wrote: “I would

No. 1
??

recommend very great caution in respect of the proposed
grand German prospects” (the underlinings and remarks hero and below are Lenin’s). Chicherin went on to describe
the improvement of relations with Poland (here Lenin put
“2” in the margin, but did not deal with this question in his
letter). Returning to the negotiations with Germany, Chicherin continued: “What Hartwig said made it clear that Krasin
in Berlin supported the Stinnes line of trustification with

|| ?

Britain for work in Russia, that he held himself very close to Stinnes, and even agreed with him about his trip to Britain. Over here in talks with us Krasin kept yessing us and agreeing with the opposite line—supporting in every way the ||| ? ? tendency in Germany for separate work (without Britain) in Russia. While abroad he was doing the opposite!” No. 3