To Nizhny

Regarding the cassation, I (Lenin) find your decision reasonable 229 — I have not had the opportunity (partly have not yet been able) to consult with my colleagues on the collegium*. The courage of the Nizhny Novgorod workers, who asked that their personal welfare not be taken into account, should be noted in *Iskra*: it would be desirable if you wrote a letter to the editorial office about this fact.

We received through Berlin a "Letter to the Editorial Office of *Iskra* from the Nizhny Novgorod Committee," a lengthy one, on terror, with a (partial and conditional) defense of terror; without an end (apparently). Write immediately:

1) Did the Nizhny Novgorod Committee officially send this letter?

2) Repeat its conclusion (the letter has 7 paragraphs, ending with the words: "They clear the atmosphere, often too densely saturated, they teach the government to treat revolutionaries more cautiously").

3) Inform us whether you permit stylistic corrections (in places the style is very poor, perhaps from careless, hasty, unclear copying).

We shall probably print the letter with our own response 230.

We earnestly and insistently request that you inform us without fail in letters, without delay, of every official step taken by the Committee (sending of documents by post..., list of leaflets, reply to another committee or foreign group, etc., etc.). Without this, misunderstandings are inevitable**, errors and red tape.

For heaven's sake, take all measures to correct these defects.

* Perhaps I shall yet have the opportunity to return to this question.

** For example, we have heard much gossip and abuse concerning the Committee's leaflet against the demonstration on the day of the trial 231. We only recently received the leaflet itself by chance, from Berlin, and with delay. For pity's sake! This is a scandal! Surely it was not difficult for the Committee to write to us about the leaflet and send the leaflet immediately upon its publication.