Date: 1893
Source: ru:PSS/v46


Source: CW vol 46

Dear friend! The recent news we received from you about the release of Vanya's friends - "allies" (= supporters of Rabocheye Delo) raises a series of doubts for us again. Will Vanya hold firm now?* In any case, put the question to him point-blank, get a direct answer, and in case of a negative response, shame him in the most resolute terms, and in any case, inform us immediately about how things stand. If Vanya has once again left (or is even leaving) our hands, then it is all the more necessary for you to redouble your efforts on Masha**: if possible, directly on her; if not, then through the mediation of your new acquaintances, about whom you wrote to us so thoroughly and interestingly.

Your task (in case of even the slightest unreliability or evasiveness of Vanya) should be to prepare the Petersburg Iskra-ites for a war against the remnants of economism***. Of course, they have nothing to say about this war, but it must be prepared with all their strength and, if possible, on both flanks. That is, first, try to maintain the personal relationships you have established with our friends in the intellectual half of Vanya, try to see them, influence them, shame them, see their youth, and prepare the Iskra-ites' break from the half-hearted people. The second flank - much more important - is the workers. Your circle is an excellent ground, and you must first of all achieve that this circle develops, realizes, and formalizes its hostility towards Vanya. Try to give this circle "What Is To Be Done?"**** and achieve (this is not at all difficult, judging by your letter) complete solidarity, especially and particularly emphasizing that "What Is To Be Done?" is directed precisely and primarily against "Petersburg-

* Vanya - conspiratorial name for the Petersburg Committee. Ed.

** Masha - conspiratorial name for the Workers' Organization in Petersburg. Ed.

*** The above text in the manuscript is crossed out in red pencil. Ed.

**** See V. I. Lenin. Collected Works, 5th ed., vol. 6, pp. 1-192. Ed.