Letter to Alexander Shliapnikov, Between January 20 and February 1, 1915

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Dear Friend,

We are sending you notepaper with our stamp. But if you must have it en tĂȘte,[1] drop us a line, and we shall order it at once at the printer’s.

I made inquiries about the deputies’ photographs yesterday. They have already been ordered here, and will be ready this week. We shall then send them on to you.[2]

No. 36 is long since out, and has been sent you.

No. 37 is being printed.

The instructions about the number of copies to be sent have been passed on.

I fully approve your plans on stamps for contributions, etc., etc. Altogether, as regards your position, you will already see in No. 36 that you are the official, fully authorised representative of the CC; you were one before, and you remain one still. I think this position is quite definite. We see neither reason for, nor possibility of, changing it now (until we have ascertained what’s going on in Russia). I am absolutely convinced that you were writing sincerely, en dehors de toute,[3] etc., and therefore hope that you will write me just as sincerely, if there are nevertheless any inconveniences, and what they are. Write frankly (to me privately if you find it more convenient).

Golos has been closed down. The OC people[4] are clearly breaking up. In Zurich Martov was turned (by Axelrod+ Martynov+Semkovsky+the Bundists) to the right, towards “peace” with the Plekhanovs and the SĂŒdekums. The Bundists have issued No. 7 of their Information Bulletin; it is colourless, totally for peace with the SĂŒdekums ( including Kautsky; in what way is he better than the SĂŒdekums?).

With all my heart I wish you success in your difficult work, and am very thankful for your news. We have received the Copenhagen resolutions.

Yours,

Lenin

  1. ↑ At the head.—Ed.
  2. ↑ Photographs of the Social-Democratic deputies (in prison garb) who were convicted in the case of the R.S.D.L. group in the Duma. They were intended for sale among Swedish workers.
  3. ↑ Apart from everything else.—Ed.
  4. ↑ The Menshevik Organising Committee (OC) was formed at the August 1912 conference of Menshevik-liquidators, Trotskyites and other anti-Party groups and trends. Martov, Axelrod, Martynov and Semkovsky, mentioned in the letter, were members of the OC Secretariat Abroad.