Leon
Trotsky: Forgetful Myasnikov
Brief
News for the Use of Ultra-lefts
Published
May 1930
[Writing
of Leon Trotsky, Vol. 2, 1930, New York 1975, p. 218 f.]
Some
small ultraleft groups and, among others, Myasnikov (who has no group
at all) chatter about the "capitulation" of the Russian
Opposition, with Comrades Trotsky and Rakovsky at the head. These
ravings are altogether out of place in Myasnikov's mouth and put him
in a ridiculous position. We have no wish to engage in useless
polemic; we limit ourselves to recalling some recent facts.
1.
In June 1929, Myasnikov had preliminary talks with the Soviet
consulate in Trebizond about the conditions for his return to the
USSR. Myasnikov advanced certain demands for the right of return to
the USSR with a guarantee of personal inviolability. For his part, he
would abstain from political activity. Receiving no reply, on August
8 Myasnikov wrote this new statement:
"During
our preliminary talks on the conditions for my return to the USSR it
was agreed that I would return to the USSR if (a) I would be
guaranteed personal inviolability; (b) this guarantee of personal
inviolability would be made public through the periodical press
(newspapers) before my return to the USSR; (c) after my return to the
USSR I would have the right to reside in Moscow and Leningrad with
the assurance of work; (d) this guarantee of personal inviolability
would be granted when, on my return to the USSR, I ended my political
activity."
It
was only because of Comrade Trotsky's advice that this statement was
not sent to the consulate by Myasnikov. It is proper to recall here
that Myasnikov was accepting those same terms which Stalin had put to
Comrade Trotsky in Alma-Ata just prior to his exile to Turkey, and to
which Comrade Trotsky replied with the following firm and precise
statement:
"Only
completely corrupted bureaucrats could demand such a renunciation
from revolutionaries (renunciation of political activity, i.e., of
serving the party and the international proletariat). Only
contemptible renegades could give such a promise."
2.
When the Sino-Soviet conflict broke out, Myasnikov wrote to Comrade
Trotsky (November 25, 1929):
"It
is not the time for discussions [with the Stalinists] but for battle
[against Chiang Kai-shek]. One must tell oneself so, and tell it to
the whole world! Forward against Chiang Kai-shek — and forward into
battle."
Comrade
Trotsky answered Myasnikov as follows:
"I
confess to you that your letter has greatly astonished me: you pose
the question of the defense of the USSR as if it had arisen for the
first time under the influence of the last stage of the Sino-Soviet
conflict. However, the Bolshevik-Leninist Opposition has given a
categorical answer to this question, particularly in its platform,
which says: 'Whoever is against the defense of the USSR is a traitor
to the international proletariat.' That does not mean that in the
event of weir we must forget all our differences.
"We
must fight as if these differences did not exist. But we must
preserve our right to reuse even during the war all questions in
dispute if the interests of the victory of the revolution demand it.
That is why I consider it is impossible for an Oppositionist to
renounce his political activity during peace as during war.
Greetings. L. Trotsky."
3.
Not long ago Myasnikov requested insistently from the "capitulator"
Trotsky a preface to his pamphlet. Here is what Comrade Myasnikov
wrote on August 3, 1929:
"Your
criticism is useful to me and above all to the proletariat of the
whole world. I do not fear criticism; on the contrary, I want loyal,
honest, and documented criticism. Now there is only you who can give
this criticism," etc., etc.
Comrade
Trotsky refused to write this preface, not wishing to create the
appearance of a political rapprochement where none existed in
reality.
All
this proves that Myasnikov and his friends should be a little more
prudent.