Letter to Y. M. Sverdlov

Lenin

October 22 or 23 (November 4 or 5), 1917

Collected Works, Volume 41, pages 450.2-452.

To Comrade Sverdlov.

I learnt only last night that Zinoviev had issued a writ ten denial of his participation in Kamenev’s statement in Novaya Zhizn.

Why then have you not sent me anything???

I sent all the letters about Kamenev and Zinoviev to C.C. members only.—You know this; is it not strange then that you seem to doubt it?

It looks as if I will not be able to attend the Plenary Meeting, because “they are looking for me”. If you (+ Stalin, Sokolnikov and Dzerzhinsky) demand a compromise on the Zinoviev and Kamenev affair,{1} enter a proposal against me, to have the case referred to a Party court (the facts are clear that Zinoviev was also thwarting it deliberately); this will be a postponement.

“Kamenev’s resignation has been accepted”? From the C.C.? Please let me have the text of his statement. "

Cancellation of the Cossacks’ demonstration is a great victory.{2} Hurrah! If we a t t a c k with a l l o u r s t r e n g t h, we shall fully win out in a few days! Best regards! Yours.

Notes

{1} A reference to the speeches of Y. M. Sverdlov, J. V. Stalin, F. E. Dzerzhinsky and G. Y. Sokolnikov at the Central Committee’s sitting on October 20 (November 2), 1917, during the discussion of Lenin’s letter to the Central Committee of the R.S.D.L.P.(B.) (see present edition, Vol. 26, pp. 192–96) in connection with the publication in the semi-Menshevik newspaper Novaya Zhizn of an item entitled “Y. Kamenev on the ‘Uprising’\thinspace”, in which Kamenev, on behalf of Zinoviev and himself, opposed the armed uprising. See Protokoly Tsentralnogo Komiteta R.S.D.R.P.(B.). Avgust 1917–fevral 1918 (Minutes of the Central Committee of the R.S.D.L.P.[B.]. August 1917–February 1918), 1958, pp. 106–08. p. 450

{2} The Cossack demonstration, or the Cossack “religious procession”, in Petrograd was set for October 22 (November 4), 1917, and was regarded by the counter-revolutionaries as a show of force in their struggle against the mounting revolution. The Bolsheviks carried on extensive agitation among the Cossacks urging them to refrain from taking part in the demonstration. The Petrograd Soviet of Workers’ and Soldiers’ Deputies issued an appeal to the Cossacks. Representatives of the Cossack regiments were invited to a conference of regimental committees held by the Petrograd Soviet in Smolny on October 21 (November 3). At the conference, the Cossacks declared that they would not act against the workers and soldiers. The night before the demonstration, the Provisional Government was forced to call it off. p. 451