72. To V. A. KARPINSKY
Dear K.,
I have had your postcard, and hasten to reply. Wait a little: we shall let you know about what can and should be done regarding what you (and we) desire.[1] Don’t forget, by the way, that legality here is now of a special kind: have you spoken about this with the friends at Lausanne? Be sure to have a talk with them.
We remain at Berne. The address is Donnerbühlweg 11a. Uljanow.
As regards a lecture, I don’t know yet. I shall have to think it over, and consult in greater detail. How many people could be counted on where you are?[2]
All the best. Greetings from all.
Yours,
Lenin
P.S. It might, perhaps, be better to give a talk about the critique and my anti-critique. Two words nevertheless: one cannot on formal grounds defend the scoundrelly chauvinism of the Germans. There were bad resolutions, there were some that were not bad; there were declarations of both types. But there is a limit to everything! And it has been overstepped. We cannot be patient, we cannot be diplomatic we must revolt against shameful chauvinism with all our strength!!
[1] Lenin refers to the plans for publishing the central organ of the R.S.D.L.P., Sotsial-Demokrat (see Note 105), and illegal Bolshevik literature.
[2] Lenin was to lecture on “The European War and Socialism”. He did so in Geneva on October 15, 1914.