Letter to Pavel Axelrod, May 3, 1902

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May 3, 1902

Dear P. B.,

The other day I sent you a “letter for K.”, without adding a single line from me as I was extremely busy. I hope you will forgive me?

I should like to have a few words with you now about the article on the cut-off lands. I corrected it, taking into account all the suggestions and demands of the high collegium. Now it is being sent to G. V. to be forwarded on to you: don’t forget to ask him for it should he delay it (Dietz’s printing-press is standing idle!). Berg is satisfied with my corrections, but he has informed me that the strongest objections to the article came from you. If it does not disturb your work too much—please write and tell me the cause of your dissatisfaction. I am very interested in this. (If you are writing an article, please don’t drop it for my sake, as this conversation is not a “business” one, but largely post festum.)

I find it difficult, for instance, to understand your insertion “... the heavy oppression to which the peasantry is subjected...” (of the survivals of serfdom). Firstly, it is superfluous, as it adds nothing to the thought. Secondly, it is inaccurate (it is not only the peasantry that they heavily oppress; moreover their harmfulness does not lie only in the “oppression” of one or other social stratum).

The programme has already been sent for copying and will appear as the leading article in Iskra No. 21. The question whether or not I should write a criticism (per mated by the high collegium) I have not yet decided, for I want to read the programme in print over and over again “at leisure”, and at present I have not yet fully recovered from the stunning effect of London.

How are L. Gr. and Boris Nikolayevich? How is the former’s work progressing? And how is the health of the latter? We are counting on him very shortly (most probably), and may he, therefore, recover fully and quickly.

With warm greetings and best wishes for your health,

Yours...

P.S. Inform B. N. that in Voronezh about 40 people have been arrested (it is said), and a letter received today gives the names: “Karpov, Lyubimov, Korostenev, Kardashev, Butkovsky, Makhnovets and Gubareva, the last four were released without being interrogated. In Uf a there have been eight raids and two arrests: Boikov and Sazonov, students.” The Voronezh people were arrested (April 1) apparently “on orders from St. Petersburg—Kiev” (sic!). That is the entire content of one direct letter to us.

In general, there have been arrests galore! It is almost certain that those arrested include our Nadezha, whom you saw and recognised both in Zurich and among us—yes, yes, the very same! It’s a very bad business!

N.B. Get L. Gr. to send immediately the issue you received of Pridneprovsky Krai containing blank spaces.