Liability for Unfounded Accusations
Draft Resolution for the C.C., R.S.D.L.P.(B.)[1]
The C.C. establishes the principle:
that in all squabbles and personal accusations, the person who makes such accusations without bringing specific charges before a court shall be considered a slanderer;
that those who consider themselves affected by such accusations shall be invited to take legal action.
[1] This draft was written by Lenin following an anonymous accu- sation to the effect that Y. S. Hanecki had been in the employ of a German commercial firm. For Lenin’s letter on this question to the C.C. of the R.S.D.L.P.(B.) see Collected Works, Fifth Russian Edition, Vol. 50, pp. 14-16