Source: Tom 17

May 26, 1926

Greetings once more!

Since you are all occupied with major affairs and certain minor matters may escape your attention, I think it will not be superfluous to remind you of some necessary details.

1) Bukharin must be reminded about the article against the "Workers' Opposition." It cannot be delayed any longer. It must be written without delay. It is to our advantage that it be written by Bukharin rather than Grisha [Zinoviev], who has criminally missed all deadlines. It is strategically advantageous for Bukharin to write it. Bukharin has every right to do so, since Grisha sabotaged the Politburo's assignment.

2) It is necessary to publish as soon as possible, in all major Western languages, the full text of the resolutions of our workers (from all districts) in support of the English strikers in general, and the coal miners in particular. It should be published, in my opinion, as a pamphlet with a foreword by Bukharin or Tomsky. Neither Grisha nor Lozovsky are needed here. The foreword should be either by Bukharin or by Tomsky. This is a fighting issue, and no concessions can be made. It can be published by the All-Union Central Council of Trade Unions [AUCCTU] or the State Publishing House [GIZ]. The Comintern's name is undesirable — it could do harm. Better to use the AUCCTU's name.

3) Let me know something about that alarming matter that Uglanov and Yagoda reported to us. If things are going well, telegraph: "healthy"; if badly, telegraph (in clear text): "sick."

That is all for now. The weather has improved.

May 26, 1926.

J. Stalin.

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Source: Letters of J.V. Stalin to V.M. Molotov. 1925–1936. P. 55–56.

RGASPI. F. 558. Op. 1. D. 5388.

NOTE: In 1924, one of the leaders of the former "Workers' Opposition," S.P. Medvedev, prepared a letter criticizing Party policy. The letter gained some circulation in the Baku Party organization. At the same time, several Communists in Baku were expelled from the RCP(b), accused of attempting to create an "underground opposition group" allegedly inspired by Medvedev and another leader of the former "Workers' Opposition," A.G. Shlyapnikov. On July 10, 1926, Pravda published an editorial article, "The Right Danger in Our Party," which analyzed and sharply criticized Medvedev's letter in detail. Apparently, the article was written by Bukharin.