## TO N. I. BUKHARIN. 14 OCTOBER 1916

Source: PSS vol. 49

P. Kievsky's article is utterly worthless, and his confusion (generally on the question of democracy) is absolutely appalling*.

That we have always held you in high esteem and that for months, months we corresponded in detail, pointing out since spring 1915 that on the question of the minimum programme and democracy you had waverings — you know this. With all my heart I shall be glad if the polemic is only with P. Kievsky who began it, and if our disagreements with you will be smoothed over. But for this it is necessary that you examine the (disputed) questions substantively and carefully, rather than brush them aside.

I am very, very glad that we have come together with you against "disarmament." I was also very pleased to make the acquaintance of Franz: it is evident that serious work has been done with him in terms of Bolshevik propaganda; here there must be considerable credit to you. The man is trying to understand the matter and shows considerable promise.

I am enclosing a certificate. Correspondence with America can be conducted only through Scandinavia: otherwise everything is lost; French censorship is shameless.

Regarding America. I wrote there in 1915 a series of letters: all were confiscated by the cursed French and English censorship.

I would very much like to (1) Publish there in English the manifesto of the Zimmerwald Left.

(2) The same — our pamphlet on war (reworked for a new edition).

(3) Arrange, if possible, free delivery to the CC of the most important publications and pamphlets of the Socialist Party and Socialist Labour Party (I have only the "Appeal to Reason").

(4) The editor of the Jewish New York newspaper Kagan was at my place in Cracow in 1912 and promised me, among other things, to send publications of the official economic statistics of the United States (these publications

* I do not know what Grigory wrote to you, and cannot answer on this point. You call what he wrote "shameless nonsense"... Hmm... hmm! Are you not afraid that this is a "tearing" tone? I go far from such a tone in polemic with P. Kievsky.

are distributed free at the editorial office), saying that, they say, our newspaper, given its enormous circulation, would not find such a mailing burdensome at all. He did not fulfill his promise. If you meet, sound out the situation: is it hopeless or not hopeless?

(5) It would be good to form from Russian Bolsheviks and Latvian Bolsheviks a small group capable of following interesting literature, sending it, writing about it, translating and printing what we send from here, and then generally together discussing and "pushing forward" various questions concerning the III International and the "Left" in the international socialist movement.

If we could link up a couple of more active Bolsheviks with a couple of Latvians who know English well, the matter might perhaps work out.

(6) Pay special attention to the Latvians in general and, in particular, try to see Berzin. I think the search should be made through Strahdneks.

(7) At the end of 1914 or in 1915 I received from America a leaflet from the Socialist Propaganda League with a profession de foi* in the spirit of the Zimmerwald Left. I am enclosing the address. I sent them a long English letter. It probably got lost? I shall try to find and send you a copy if upon inquiry you find it worthwhile. I also wrote about that League to the Latvians through Strahdneks: that probably also got lost.

(8) In America there should be a base for work against English bourgeoisie, which has brought censorship to the level of savagery. This is connected to § 5.

(9) Try to answer us at once even with a postcard in 2 lines, so as to attempt to correspond properly with America; and warn us in advance (1 to 1½ months) of the time of your return.

To Christiania (Oslo)

* - The Socialist Propaganda League with a profession of faith, platform. Ed.

TO F. KORICHONERU. 25 OCTOBER 1916

Sent from Zurich

First published in 1932 in the journal "Bolshevik" no. 22

Printed from the manuscript