Letter to Vladimir Bonch-Bruyevich, February 8, 1903

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8.II. 03

Dear Comrade,

All the material received. Thanks. About the fiction, I don’t know yet whether it will go in. I am thinking of running the item about the sectarians in the army in No. 33. About the strike in Galicia I can’t say anything yet: far too long.

As regards the collection of money (for popular literature) the person to apply to (as on all administrative questions) is Mr. Leo Alleman 26. Granville Square 26. Kings Cross Road. London W. C. I saw him the other day and he seemed to agree with me that new subscription lists would be superfluous. The League already has subscription lists: they should be circulated more widely. As for the Iskra library, that of course depends on the whole Editorial Board. Take it up with Plekhanov. I confess I would not be in favour at present. In order to start a “library” one must have a special person to edit it (whom we do not have) or a special staff (which we do not have). One should have a selection of books and pamphlets of like nature (which we do not have). To stick Kautsky, Thun, etc., into the library would in my view be artificial in the extreme.

What need is there for a “library”? If there are good pamphlets we can publish them without a library. In the mean time there are few pamphlets, and no good translators. (I am having a hard time redoing translations)—why make loud promises of a “library”??

If you manage to find good translators and select good material for translation, the undertaking would be very useful and bound to succeed.

Best regards,

Yours,

Lenin