New York, December 20, 1918.
Nicolai Lenin
Moscow, Russia
Dear Comrade:
Peculiar circumstances at present prevailing in this country make
it necessary, or at least advisable, to leave this letter without
signature. For interpretation of its contents, we would refer you
to comrade Boris Reinstein, as he will be able to shed light where
light may be needed.
Knowing full well that any attempt on our part to get in touch
with you direct, via ordinary channels, will be worse than
useless, we have endeavored to find channels that are not
ordinary. Through these, as many of them as we can find -- copies
of this letter will be sent. If one reaches you, good and well;
if more than one should make the journey safely, you will know the
reason of the duplication.
Barring the receipt of a few copies of the publication
"RUSSIAN NEWS" from Berne Switzerland we are without
authentic information as to what is going on in Russia now. The
"RUSSIAN NEWS" bulletins we received on three different
occasions, two or three numbers each time, and we translated all
of it. Part thereof has been widely published and created quite a
sensation; the other part, including your own letter (the one you
say you wrote at the request of a Russian revolutionist who, after
the revolution of 1905, had spent several years in this country)
has been put into English but has not as yet been published due to
circumstances beyond our control. It will be published as soon as
an opportunity presents itself,
But no longer do we receive these bulletins from Berne, at least
none have reached us for quite some time. We assume that what we
did receive came to us only because the censor had perhaps fallen
asleep at the time they slipped through. Very rarely a letter
from comrade Reinstein has come to hand. Presumably, he has
written many but most of them have been held up by the censor. We
did, however, receive the message you sent us regarding the De
Leon literature. That literature was delivered by us to a Russian
who said he had w;ys and means to get it into your possession. We
did not hear, definitely, whether it has reached you, but a rumor
has been afloat in New York that you had made appropriations for
the translation and dissemination in Russia of the literature in
question. If those rumors have any basis in fact, then we can
deduce that the matter has safely reached you.
At our end we are face to face with a situation that is full of
possibilities in one direction or another. It is transitional in
a sense and it is hard to tell just what the post-war changes may
bring about The repressive and reactionary measures imposed
during the war, are still in full force. Newspapers and magazines
have been harassed and suppressed, ferocious prison sentences of
10, 20 and even 30 years have been imposed for mere utterances.
Demonstrations of dissent from dominant currents of opinion have
either been directly forbidden by local authorities or have been
invaded by riotous crowds of soldiers and sailors, in short, a
veritable reign of terror, official and unofficial, has been
instituted.
The war being over, our bourgeoisie is gripped by the fear of what
is now apt to come. This fear expresses itself in open threats as
to what is going to happen if the working class does not willingly
adapt itself to the changed conditions that the end of the war
must bring. The bourgeois press is full of demands that wages
must now be brought down to a new level,--that there must be
"readjustments". The transformation of industry from
the war basis to a peace basis is already in full swing and, as it
proceeds and gives rise to serious disturbances of our industrial
fabric the fears of the bourgeoisie may be fully realized.
Attempts to force down wages are already being made in the face of
a still rising cost of subsistence especially the cost of food.
Resistance on the part of the workers is manifesting itself in
strikes of which there may be many before long. Even today, the
number of strikes is likely to be considerable, but it is next to
impossible to obtain accurate information as to what is going on
in view of the systematic suppression of news and in the absence
of a class-conscious organization of the workers on the industrial
field of sufficient power to overcome this conspiracy of silence
on the part of the capitalist press, one can only surmise what
events may be taking place.
The sins of omission and commission of the Socialist Party of this
country which has for so many years and in fact throughout its
entire existence resisted and helped to frustrate every attempt to
build up such an organization on industrial lines and has given
its support overtly and covertly to the Gompers type of craft
union -- these sins have, during the last few years, come home
with a vengeance. The Gompers organization, always hand in glove
with capitalist interests, worked openly on the side of the
bourgeoisie during the war, surrendering every point that the
workers had ever gained for themselves. It dominates the field*
Thus, at a time when great conflicts between capital and Labor
loom up In the distance, the Socialist movement is without an
organization of the workers on the economic field which, in point
of numbers and the weight that numbers give, would be able to
rally and marshall the working class.
That part of the army which was still in this country at the time
the armistice was signed, numbering in all about 1 3/4 millions,
Is being rapidly discharged and is helping to fill up the Labor
market These men, when they flow back into civil life and begin to
seek work, will be confronted with large numbers of women who,
during the war, have been trained to fill countless posts in
industry, in commerce, in agriculture and even in the
transportation service. Parts of the army in France numbering in
all somewhat over 2 1/4 millions, are being returned for
demobilization and these too will help to swell the labor supply.
Had we, under such conditions, at our disposal an economic
organization with forces large enough to take in hand all this
human material and weld it into such an organization, we would
soon be in a position to contribute our share towards the efforts
the European working class is now or soon will be making to throw
off the yoke of capitalism. But, as things are, your very correct
observation in that letter of yours already referred to, is found
to be true, namely, that it will take yet some time before succor
may be expected by Russia from the American contingent of the
revolutionary proletarian forces.
Indeed so important is a clear perception of the lay of the land
and so imperative the discarding of all illusions that it is
necessary to state, definitely that it would be a mistake to
assume that the American working class is at present held down by
Government oppression and perseoution only. The situation is far
worse for that working class is held down, principally, by its own
backwardnesso its own conservatism, aye its own reactionary
leanings. Oppression and persecution is, after all, the lot of
the comparatively few, and the mass of the workers is to-day in a
state of mind where, given the opportunity they will rise and help
rend these few in aid of the very Government that oppresses them.
But now to the point of establishing, if possible, direct
connection that will enable us to remain in touch for the exchange
of information. If this reaches you safely, will you please see
to it that such important documents as you may issue are sent to
whatever address in a neutral country you may get from us together
with this letter? Such documents, if so sent, may then reach us
through the same channel that this letter has travelled. We shall
then try to find ways and means to publish such information in a
manner that will reach large numbers. If possible, we would
prefer such documents in German as that will facilitate
translation without having to go outside of a narrow circle. In
this way we shall be able to counteract, in a measure at least,
the floods of false and slanderous reports that are dished up, day
after day, in the capitalist press of what is said to be going on
in Russia. THE PEOPLE ARE HUNGRY FOR INFORMATION AND GREAT MASSES
KNOW FAIRLY WELL THAT THEY ARE BEING LIED TO.
In regard to happenings in Germany and Austria we are also kept in
the dark. We know, of course the general facts. We know that in
Germany the social patriots are at the helm and that the
revolutionists are now struggling to win the workers and the
returning army, But we khow we are being lied to as to the
happenings of the day. As to Austria we have hardly any
information worth having. All we hear of is famine and chaos.
And we are also cut off from information as to what is really
Soing on in England, in France and in Italy, except that we get
glimpses of information now and then which would indicate that the
masses in these countries are awakening and are restive.
With best wishes for the success of the Russian revolution and
wishing also that health and strength may be given you in the
future for all the important work that destiny has placed upon you
to perform, we remain
Fraternally yours,
"SOLIDARITY"
