Letter to Grigori Shklovsky, July 31, 1914

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Dear Grigory Lvovich,

I have just learned that the International Congress has been transferred to Paris for August 9 (N. S.).[1] I hope you are going—and well ahead of time, in order to make preparations in Paris (Kamsky was in the delegation at Brussels,[2] and will give you all the information). Reply at once. Even more important is the question of Samoilov’s going. Will he be able to go? It is quite probable that none of the members of the Duma will be able to arrive in time from Russia. Therefore it is essential that Samoilov should go. It would be best for you to arrange to travel with him. He could be fixed up (if his treatment so requires) in a pension near Paris (provided there is a telephone) (or even in a clinic) in the country, half an hour or so away by rail. He will have to come to Paris two or three times at most, for 3 or 4 hours each time (possibly even less), so that from the standpoint of his treatment this can probably be arranged. It is only necessary to think it all out beforehand and arrange it by correspondence. (We are not going; Litvinov or Kamsky will attend the I.S.B.)—write to Dr. Wladimirsky (rue Baillon. 10. Paris); he will give advice.

I ask you particularly to make every effort to prepare and arrange this as carefully as possible. If it turns out that Samoilov’s journey is absolutely impossible, telegraph me immediately (the address is: Uljanow. Poronin): “ nievozmozno”.[3] Otherwise, if he can go and you undertake to organise everything, telegraph: “jedet” (=Samoilov is going) or “jedem ” (=both you and Samoilov are going).

I need a cabled reply (you will easily guess why[4]). In addition, write at once.

Regards to Fyodor Nikitich and your family.

Yours,

V. I.

P.S. It is possible—in the event of war—that you will be receiving letters and money for me. I hope we shall then arrange for regular transmission. If I have to leave, I shall cable you.

Absender: Wl. Uljanow. Poronin (Galizien).

  1. ↑ An international congress was to have been held in Vienna on August 23, 1914. In connection with the outbreak of war between Austria and Serbia, the International Socialist Bureau decided to convene the congress in Paris earlier, namely, on August 9. It was not held.
  2. ↑ The delegation to the Brussels “Unity” Conference included, from the Central Committee of the RSDLP, Inessa Armand (Petrova), M. Vladimirsky (Kamsky) and I. Popov.
  3. ↑ Impossible.—Ed.
  4. ↑ Lenin was apparently in need of a cabled reply to summon someone from Russia in the event F. Samoilov was unable to attend the Congress.