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Special pages :
Letter to the Borba Group, February 3, 1901
In starting the newspaper Iskra and the journal Zarya, Lenin set the task of uniting around the editorial board all Russian Social-Democrats who could be of use for literary work. That is why he tried to have the small Borba group work with Iskra, though it was not important either ideologically and politically or in respect of ties with the workersâ mass movement.
February 3, 1901
Dear Comrades,
We are deeply distressed over your letter of refusal to co-operate. Our letter to Nevzorov (a letter with a special enclosure for you of the âstatement,â the No. 1 of Iskra, and a proof of Ryazanovâs article) and your refusal letter must have crossed, having been sent off at the same time.
This alone will show you how far it was from us to keep you from taking part in our affairs. We ask you to excuse the delayâthat is indeed our fault, but you must bear in mind that we suffer as much as you do from the âindefinite state of relationsâ. We have strictly abided by our groupâs decision not to circulate the newspaper abroad before it is circulated in Russia, making an exception only for our closest associates, including your good selves. Until quite recently, we had been altogether uncertain as to whether the paper would circulate in Russia (even today we cannot vouch for it); we had our hands full in this matter in connection with some fresh negotiations (with the liberal democratsâso far a big secret!),[1] and this delayed fulfilment of the decision adopted a fortnight or so ago to send you the issue of Iskra.
Our statement has not yet been circulated in Russia but has only been shown to several persons.
We repeat that what has happened is the result not of any lack of concern but of the indefiniteness and bustle from which we ourselves have not yet emerged. We should be very happy to see the misunderstandings produced by this cleared up and find you taking your old attitude to our common cause.
Comradely greetings,
Petrov
- â A reference to the talks between the Iskra editorial board and P. Struve, on behalf of the liberals, about the publication of a general political supplement to Zarya called Sovremennoye obozreniye (Contemporary Review). The talks lasted through January 1901 (see present edition, Vol. 4, pp. 380â82; Vol. 34, pp. 55â57). They were subsequently broken off and no supplement appeared.