Combatting Lies and Slanders

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I am in complete agreement with you that we cannot tolerate lies and slanders spread about a comrade who is distinguished from others by the fault of being more energetic and more generous in his actions. There can be no doubt that many comrades will be exposed to “arguments” of this kind. It is the procedure of the Stalinists and Yaroslavskyists, long since established. They will try to intimidate by this process comrades who are insufficiently tempered. We must create a means of counteraction on our part. When the French Opposition has a recognized center, the question will be sharper. We could submit the question to this center and when its decision is made, we should manage venomous attacks not at all badly. But lacking this official center, we can find a remedy in a provisional commission. The initiative could be taken by some comrades who have known R.M. for a long time and who know him well. These comrades should write a short letter, in an extremely energetic tone. For example: “There are people whose interest it is to spread infamous rumors about Comrade M … .We have no wish to list here these rumors, too stupid in their shamelessness. We declare we shall find the means of obliging every one of those spreading these rumors to speak clearly and to answer before a special commission composed of irreproachable revolutionaries known to the working class.” This commission could be composed of Rosmer, Monatte, and other prominent comrades. If I come to London, I will be altogether prepared to take part in it. If my voice can be of use from here, I will naturally be completely ready to add it. It would be best to take the initiative immediately and not allow the Semards and the others who are trying to exclude our friend, not on the question of ideas, but on a question of “honor.” If the party has already intervened officially, by some measures of inquiry, etc., … you should oppose your action to theirs, aloud and openly, declaring your absolute distrust in the impartiality of the apparatus. But the best is to be first.