Comrade Zinoviev.

Today I learned that the German comrades have cancelled their old decision on the demonstration, limiting themselves to holding closed rallies. I think this is the right decision. The madmen wanted to march with the demonstration past Berlin, toward the barracks. They were walking into the jaws of White Guard officers. The analogy with the July Days does not stand up to scrutiny. During the July Days (1917) we had the Soviets, we had entire regiments, the garrison in Petrograd was demoralized. The Germans, however, have nothing of the sort, if one does not count the victory in the metalworkers' union elections, which has apparently gone to their heads. Thank God, the matter ended in a favorable direction.

I forgot to write to you in my first letter that we decided to sign the convention on the Straits. I think this is the only possible decision. It was adopted unanimously in the Politburo.

Today we decided to relieve Comrade Preobrazhensky; we appointed a temporary collegium (editorial board of Pravda -- Ed.) composed of Radek, Bubnov, Lyadov, Popov, and, I believe, Solts. It will function until Bukharin's return, and then we shall see.

With greetings,

I. Stalin.

Politbiuro TsK RKP(b) -- VKP(b) i Komintern. 1919-1943. Dokumenty. P. 156.

RGASPI. F. 558. Op. 11. D. 734. L. 14, 14ob.