468. To J. V. STALIN

Written on October 25, 1921 · First published in 1959 in Lenin Miscellany XXXVI. Printed from the original. · page 359

Comrade Stalin:

Please read this and pass on to Comrade Mikhailov.

I very strongly recommend the bearer of this, Comrade Nikolai Alexandrovich Alexeyev.

I have known him since 1902, when we worked together on Iskra in London.

He is a very well-educated Marxist, a Bolshevik and a comrade who is remarkably honest in doing his duty.

He has been tossed out into Siberia for about 10 years, and would now like to make his way back to the centre. He should be helped to move to the centre, because a ten-year stay in Siberia is too much; worse than too much.

He should be replaced in Siberia by someone of the absolutely reliable, honest old Party men: the “Communists” in Siberia have been committing a host of shocking things and stupidities.^[1]

Lenin

Notes

[1] On October 28, 1921, the Orgbureau of the R.C.P.(B.) Central Committee decided to recall N. A. Alexeyev and place him at the disposal of the Central Committee.