Letter to Jan Frankel, April 18, 1933

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Circulating an Illegal Paper

Dear Jan:

First of all I want to say something about the German newspaper. In my opinion this question has decisive importance and I ask you to translate my thoughts on the subject for your colleagues.

Lenin’s famous work What Is to Be Done ? has been indiscriminately cited by the Stalinists hundreds of times, with Lenin’s arguments on the role of the newspaper being applied to completely inappropriate circumstances. In fact, the apparatus of contributors, correspondents, and distributors of the paper becomes the most important component of an illegal party apparatus. Precisely today in Germany conditions have arisen in which the emigre revolutionary paper takes on the role of organizer. I strongly urge the leading German comrades to carefully reread the relevant pages of What Is to Be Done?

The newspaper must insure, above all, the continuity and uninterrupted development of the political thinking of the Left Opposition. It should, for that purpose, come out regularly regardless of the state of affairs regarding distribution. We began putting out the Russian Biulleten without having any communications with Russia. The ideas of the Biulleten penetrated into the country by various routes. Even now the situation in regard to the circulation of the Biulleten is very poor (this task requires a great deal of attention and great efforts). Nevertheless the Biulleten plays a very big role in the political life of the USSR. The same was true of Iskra in the old days. Many issues have piled up here outside the country owing to breakdowns in our distribution system. Nevertheless the paper has continued to come out punctually.

You cannot arrange distribution for an illegal paper. Only the illegal paper itself, by winning the interest of readers and gathering supporters, can ultimately create its own distribution system.

To this must be added the question of the emigres, of Austria, of the Germans in Czechoslovakia, Switzerland, etc. The most important task of all at present, in my opinion, is putting out Unser Wort properly. Sending money to Germany makes no sense, because there it will be spent on trifles. Whereas a properly organized paper will become a source for raising money (in addition to everything else).

To go over to a monthly magazine now is premature. The situation has not yet fully defined itself. Everyone is waiting for clarification of the ongoing events. Of course if — by allying ourselves with other groups — we could create a monthly for theoretical discussion in addition to Unser Wort, that would be very good. But to abandon a fortnightly newspaper at this time would be impermissible.

What you report about Kurella is very interesting. This is a man who hated the Left Opposition viciously. How are things with the Hamburg comrades? Don’t forget that we are living here now without a “German” present, and that is much worse than not having a Britisher.

Write me about yourself. How are you living? How is your health?

Best regards.

Yours,

L.T.