LETTER TO THE POLITBURO OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF THE RCP(b) WITH A DRAFT DIRECTIVE FOR COMRADES TRAVELING ABROAD
To Comrade Molotov, for the Members of the Politburo
In view of Comrade Radek’s upcoming trip abroad—and reports indicate that Comrade Sosnovsky is also set to depart—
and given that one of the strengths of these most valuable and foremost workers does not lie in their diplomatic aptitude, I propose that the Politburo issue the following directive:
“To all comrades traveling abroad, the Politburo hereby instructs that, at this juncture, the utmost restraint must be exercised in making statements or engaging in conversations about the Mensheviks and Socialist Revolutionaries on the one hand, while, on the other hand, the most relentless struggle must be waged against them and the highest degree of distrust must be maintained toward them—as the most dangerous de facto collaborators of the White Guard.” March 17.
Lenin
P.S. I request that you cast your vote by telephone at extension 32.
Lenin
Written on March 17, 1922.

First published from the manuscript.