TO
UNFINISHED
NOTE («CHAIN ADMISSIONS»
10646
* LETTER TO G. D. LEITEIZEN WITH A REQUEST TO WRITE
INTERVIEWS WITH GUESDE, LAFARGUE AND BRAQUE.
[November, 1905]
Dear L.! Please do not be too lazy to write an article or at least a note about your interview with Guesde, Lafargue and Braque
about the temporary, revolutionary government and our participation.
This is necessary for Proletary (or for Novaya Zhizn, depending
on the circumstances). Write at least a few lines, and as soon as
possible! 1
Yours, N. Lenin
1 The note requested by Lenin about the interviews with Guesde, Lafargue and Braque
was sent by G. D. Leiteizen and published under the title "Guesdists
and the participation of Russian Social Democrats in the Provisional Revolutionary Government" in
No. 26 of "Proletary" dated <November 25 (12), 1905> (see appendix).
Appendix.
Guesdists and the participation of Russian Social Democrats in the Provisional Revolutionary Government.
I took advantage of my stay at the Chalon
Congress, to find out the opinion of our French comrades-Guesdists regarding
the possible participation of Russian Social Democrats in the
temporary revolutionary government. This opinion is all the more interesting
and important for us, because our "ultradialecticians," offended in their tried
orthodox-revolutionary feelings by the combination of words "participation...
in government", hastened to accuse the Bolsheviks of Jaurèsism, Millerandism,
and other transgressions; for us this opinion is especially
dear also because the rich experience, undisputed revolutionary
Marxism, persistent and energetic struggle against Millerandism give special
authority to the views of the Guesdists. I spoke with three leaders of the Guesdist
Faction: Jules Guesde, Lafargue and Braque.
My question was formulated as follows: do Russian Social
Democrats have the right, from the point of view of revolutionary Marxism, to participate
in the temporary revolutionary government created by a nationwide
uprising?
Braque. For me there has never been any doubt about this; more than once in
Paris I expressed my opinion on this matter to comrade
Velsky. I cannot speak so categorically on the issue of the State
Duma, because for this one needs to be well acquainted with the state of Russian affairs.
Lafargue. Russian Social Democrats must enter the temporary
government to fight against counter-revolution, they must be
Lenin Miscellany XVI.