Written: Written October 20, 1903
Published:
First published in 1928.
Sent from Geneva to Kiev.
Printed from the original
Dear comrades,
We have had news of your affairs both from Ruben in person and from Rashid-Bek by letter. We can only welcome your decision to remove Isari[1] temporarily, until the matter is examined by the Central Committee. The sum total of information concerning his behaviour at the Congress certainly points against him. The Congress showed his utter instability; after some waverings, Isari, nevertheless, at the decisive moment voted with the Majority and helped to secure adoption of the present composition of the editorial board of the Central Organ and of the Central Committee. But afterwards Isari suddenly went over to the other side, and is now fighting against the decisions of the Majority by methods that are hardly loyal! It’s simply disgusting! Such a leader is not worthy of political trust. In any case, he should be treated with caution, to say the least, and should not be given any responsible posts—such is our deep conviction, both mine (Lenin’s) and Plekhanov’s.
Let the Caucasian comrades hold firmly to the course they have adopted. Let them turn a deaf ear to the slander against the Majority. The full minutes of the Congress will soon see the light of day and then things will be clear to all. Let them carry on their good teamwork with comradely faith in the Central Committee, and we are sure that the present “dissension” in the Party will be rapidly dispelled.
We are giving much thought now to the idea of organising here the publication of Georgian and Armenian litera- ture. Competent comrades have taken this in hand, and we hope to raise the money. We need both literary and financial help.
We send greetings to the Caucasian comrades and ardent wishes for success in their work.
Lenin. Plekhanov
[1] The three persons mentioned here by their pseudonyms were delegates of the Caucasian union committees at the Second Congress of the R.S.D.L.P.: B. M. Knunyants, representing the Baku Committee, A. G. Zurabov, representing the Batum Committee, and Topuridze, representing the Tiflis Committee. The first two adhered to the Majority (Bolsheviks) at the Congress and after it, while the latter wavered at the Congress and afterwards supported the Minority (Mensheviks).
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