PRAVDA SE |) ACCOUNT OF ZVE OF OCTOBER INCIDENT.(From a South London
correspondent
In a recent article attacking Stalin, Pradva gave an account of the Kamenev/ Zinoviev 'striko-breaking! incident. Comparison of this account with that given by Trotsky in his book "Staelin" shows a remarkable similarity and confirms the accuracy of his account, which at the time of publication was denounced as "anti- Soviet" and "counter-revolutionary," The Pravda text reada:..."While preparations for the armed uprising were coming to a head, Kamevev and Zinoviev, both officially regerded as 'traitors to the revolution', published a treacherous statement in the independent nawspaper, Now Life, In this statement they betrayed the party's secret preparations for armed uprising to the enemies of the revolution. Lenin strongly condemned this treacherous publication and, describing Kamenev's and Zinoviev's behaviour as the ' lowest treachery,! demanded their immediate expulsion from the party.
In the Central Committee session on October 20.1917, Novembor 2, according to the new calendar, Lenin's demands were heard, A few members, including Stalin, opposed them, He believed that not only should tho traitors stay in the party, tut also that they should remain in the Central Committees, Stalin suggosted that the Question be postponed until the next full assembly of the Central Committee," ~
The Pravds report continues: "As Stalin wis ono of the editors of the Newspaper ‘Workers ‘/ay'(This was the name of Pravda) he was able to publish one of Zinoviev's articles on the same day without previously discussing tho mottor with the Central Committee. In this article, Zinoviev questioned the validity of the arguments and demands for an immodiato coup, Stalin attempted to present this basic question as relatively unimportant, and withe tasking the Central Committees he even wrote a leading article in which he covered up for Zinoviov and Kamenev. Later, as he was sharply criticised by the Central Committea, “he offered to resign his position as Editor of the Contral Party newspapor. His offer, however, was not accepted."
Trotsky's account of the incident in his 'Stalin' (page 231) reads as follows: "On the eleventh of October, Zinoviev and Kamenev published in Maxim Gorky's newspaper a letter against the insurrection. At once, the situntion amongst the leaders of the party became exceedingly acute. Lenin stormed and fumed in the underground, In order to be free to spfend his views about the insurrection, Kamenev resigned from the Central Committee,
"The question was discussed at the session of October 2). Sverdlov made public Lenin's letter which castigated Zinoviev and Kamenev as strike-breakers and s, demanded their expulsion from the party,"
"The crisis was unexpectedly complicated by the fact that on that very morning Pravda published a declaration by the editorial board in defence of Zinovicy and ELamenev... The Central organ deemed it proper to find fault with the "sharpness" of Lenin's protest rather than with the public stand of two Central Committoe members against the party decision of the insurrection and, moreover, oxpressed its solidarity with Zinoviev and Kamenesy...-.
"Stalin's only associate on the editorial board wes Sokolnikov... However, Sololnikoy declared that he had nothing whatsoever to do with the writing of tho editorial rebuke of Lenin and considered it erroneous. Thus, Stalin alone = in opposition to the Central Committes and his own editorinl colleague — supported KFameney and Zinoviev as late as four days before the insurrection se.
“Continuing to manoeuvre betwoon the protagonists and opponents of insurrection, Stalin went on record against accapting Kamenev's resignation, arguing that tour ontire position is inconsistent'. By five votes, against Stalin's and two others, Kamoney resignation was accepted,"
This article clearly indicates the consistent accuracy of Trotsky's writing. and adds to the mounting cvidonce of this fact,