Dear Comrade! The question of the "left" conference is moving forward. The 1st preliminary conference** has already taken place, and the 2nd, decisive one, is coming up. It is extremely important to attract the left Swedes (Höglund) and Norwegians.

Please be so kind as to write (1) whether we are in solidarity with you (or you with the Central Committee), and if not, in what, and (2) whether you will undertake to attract the "left" Scandinavians.

Ad 1. You know our position from "Social-Democrat." In Russian affairs, we will not support unity with Chkheidze's faction (which Trotsky, the OK, and Plekhanov & Co. want: see *War*), because this is a cover and protection for *Our Cause*. In international affairs, we will not support rapprochement with Haase-Bernstein-Kautsky (because in practice they want unity with the Südekums and to cover them, they want to get away with left-wing phrases and change nothing in the old rotten party). We cannot stand for

* - "Russia and the War." Ed.

** - preliminary conference. Ed.

K. B. RADEK. JULY 1915

the slogan of peace, as we consider it utterly muddled, pacifist, petty bourgeois, helping the governments (they now want to be "for peace" with one hand to extricate themselves) and hindering the revolutionary struggle.

In our view, the left must come out with a common ideological declaration (1) with the obligatory condemnation of social chauvinists and opportunists; (2) with a program of revolutionary action (whether to say: civil war or revolutionary mass actions - is not so important) - (3) against the slogan of "defense of the fatherland," etc. An ideological declaration of the "left" on behalf of several countries would have a tremendous significance (of course, not in the spirit of Zetkin's vulgarity, which she pushed through at the women's conference in Bern: Zetkin avoided the question of condemning social chauvinism!! out of a desire for "peace" with the Südekums + Kautsky??).

If you do not agree with this tactic, please write back immediately with a few words.

If you agree, undertake to translate (1) the Central Committee manifesto (No. 33 of "Social-Democrat")* and (2) the Bern resolutions (No. 40 of "Social-Democrat")** into Swedish and Norwegian and contact Höglund - whether they agree on such a basis (we will not disagree over details, of course) to prepare a common declaration (or resolution). This needs to be done with utmost urgency.

So, I await your reply.

Best regards.

Yours, Lenin