Letter to Inessa Armand, January 28, 1914

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... There is an important job to be done in Paris—the reorganisation of the COA. It is more important now than ever.

We have started a new splendid transportation arrangement. A new method, wonderful job, already tested (I had a letter yesterday). Cheap. We are all delighted. They take 2 poods a month.

We must publish. But we have neither money nor any printing facilities outside of Paris. Therefore it is of primary importance for the Party to arrange publication in Paris. I beg you to do this both as a duty and a favour.

Yesterday I sent N. V—ch the MSS. for No. 1 of the Bulletin. I also sent instructions point by point.

Read them. See that they are followed implicitly. Assure the people over there that we shall give the COA the sack—no, really—and appoint in its stead a committee of our own (on behalf of the CC)—really, I am not joking—unless the business of publishing and dispatching the Bulletin (a matter of primary importance to the whole Party) is organised with meticulous care, not à la Antonov.

I demand literally strict execution of my instructions concerning the Bulletin. That’s one thing. Secondly, the COA must set up a businesslike committee, so that Antonov (a nice man and good comrade, but a good-for-nothing daydreamer and preposterous fumble-fist) should have nothing to do with the practical side of the business.

Publication and printing should be done at a printing house. The COA (+the committee) should exercise special and daily control. Copy out the instructions and follow them implicitly.

Put this through the COA and get the committee going. I repeat, this is a matter of primary importance. Answer me quickly whether everything has been done. I am still here, in Brussels, waiting for the proofs.

I am enclosing a letter for Vl. Khr. Read it, give it to N. V. to read and hand it over.

Have the adjuvant committee appointed before I leave here (I shall be here another week, until Tuesday or Wednesday).

You will appreciate the importance of this business and spare no efforts, I am sure.

Yours,

V.U.

[[BOX-ENDS: N.B. We haven’t a penny. The COA must pay for everything. ]]

P.S. Edisherov is dead timber. So is Kamsky. If you go away, who remains?

2 or 3 efficient hustlers should be put on the job to do all the footwork, to visit the printing shop 2 or 3 times a day, to see to it that the Bulletin is issued on time and keep in close touch with us. As for the COA, let it exercise “control” from above.