Written: Written on October 22, 1921
Published:
First published in 1965 in Collected Works, Fifth (Russian) Ed., Vol. 53.
Printed from the original.
Source:
Lenin
Collected Works,
Progress Publishers,
1976,
Moscow,
Volume 45,
pages 354b-355a.
Translated: Yuri Sdobnikov
Transcription\Markup:
R. Cymbala
Public Domain:
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Comrade Chicherin:
See letter,
p. 4
and over.
October 22, 1921
Dear Vladimir Ilyich:
Today’s coded message from Comrade Krasin, a part of which has reached us, on Urquhart’s statements and campaign shows that the matter is much more serious, and cannot be explained solely by bluff designed to secure 5 per cent royalties on the concessions. There has apparently been some disappointment over our new line. Naturally, in the establishment of such a complex historic combination, as concessions to West European capitalists under a Bolshevik government, the arranging of these combinations does not proceed smoothly or at once. The more reason, therefore, for us to see to it that these ? frictions are overcome. I personally am quite unaware of the ? springs of our policy which caused a certain turn in our line ? at the end of August, so that I am altogether not competent to say whether such a turn had been necessary....
Comrade Chicherin:
There was not the slightest shadow of a “turn in our line” in August (see page 1). We have never taken a pledge and will never take a pledge not to arrest swindlers, not to shoot plotters, riot to reject excessively greedy proposals by concessionaires.
On the debt question, I advise you to put through the Politbureau the appointment of a commission (your candidates?) to check up on the state of work of the Groman and Goikhbarg commissions.
I personally see nothing in “Krasin’s facts”, etc., except Urquhart’s blackmail.
They will hazard an intervention in spring, if they can force Poland: nothing can be done to prevent this except strengthening our defence capacity.
Mikhalsky writes about new turns by Britain. What is the point there? What do you think? Is it that they are afraid of Washington, and want to “placate” France and intimidate Russia?
Agreements and concessions with the Americans are of exceptional importance to us: we have something (not a little) with Hoover. We almost have something with Hammer. Amruss is on the way.[2]
Everything should be done (by you especially) to eliminate all friction (regrettable and harmful) between Litvinov and Martens.[1]
Yours,
Lenin
[1] See V. I. Lenin, Collected Works, Fifth (Russian) Edition, Vol. 53, Document 424.—Ed.
[2] Amruss—apparently the Russo-American Trade and Industrial Association, later renamed the Russo-American Industrial Corporation (Rusaminco or RAIC). It was set up by the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America. On October 12, 1921, a model agreement was concluded between the R.S.F.S.R. and the Russo-American Trade and Industrial Association.
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