Nin's 1937 testament discovered (En,Ru), overcoming label politics in Class War
Sergej Lebedenko and Martin Kraemer Liehn (Sumy Ukraine) | 25.02.2012 07:14 | Mayday 2010 | Free Spaces | History | Workers' Movements
A joint workshop of left Communists and Anarchists in the Ukrainean town of Sumi compiled a multi-language edition (French, English, Russian) of Andreu Nin's last known letter, written just 7 days before his arrest on 15th June 1937 in Barcelona and his subsequent death in custody.
Provoked by the film Tierra y Libertad on working-class militancy 1936/37and Nin's party POUM, we decided to make available this revealing letter to English, French and Russian readers.
Provoked by the film Tierra y Libertad on working-class militancy 1936/37and Nin's party POUM, we decided to make available this revealing letter to English, French and Russian readers.
Nin's Testament in hand-writing, page 1
A joint workshop of left Communists and Anarchists in the Ukrainean town of Sumi compiled a multi-language edition (French, English, Russian) of Andreu Nin's last known letter, written just 7 days before his arrest on 15th June 1937 in Barcelona and his subsequent death in custody. This document, lost for 80 years was discovered recently by Martin in a Moscow archive (RGASPI f533, opis1 delo 114, pages 210-22 (
http://www.archive.org/stream/NetworkingClassWar/RevolutionisingLetterwriting_bookDraft_byMartinKraemer#page/n17/mode/2up) .
Provoked by the film Tierra y Libertad on working-class militancy and Nin's party POUM, we decided to make available this revealing letter to English, French and Russian readers. It shows how genuine involvement in Class War helps to put aside barriers between activists and tends to develop a critical distance to machinations of top-down leadership. Andreu Nin, who is persecuted as a "Trotsyite" in fact makes acid comments on the personal style of Trotsky in this last communication to Henk Sneevlieth, Secretary of the Duch Anarcho-Syndicalist trade union NAS (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andreu_Nin_i_Pérez, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henk_Sneevliet). There are also critical comments on the Anarchist leadership of that time in Barcelona as well as the prognosis that Stalin-type politics will definitely loose their teeth in the Barcelona show-down following May 1937. Maybe he will be indeed proven right in this prognosis if we take up this legathy?
In the following we propose our English and Russian translation with the French for discussion.
8th June 1937 [page] 1 20
My dear Sneevliet, I benefit from the departure of the comrade Amstel to address some words to you.
Since your last voyage, the situation
changed considerably. Counter-revolution made significant progress, but it is not necessary to lose all hope. The events of May showed that the proletariat remains always combative and is not ready to let itself be fooled with impunity. Hard and difficult moments await us, well
understood - but it would be pure defeatism to believe that all is already lost. The immediate future still holds for us great surprises. As to the Party ,
it holds well. The days of May were a challenge to which it resisted very well. We do not only ensure our positions, in spite of the furious campaign directed against us, but [these positions] are not very solid yet. [page] 2 21 The reaction against Stalinism increases day in day. I have the conviction that here they will break their teeth.
The great Tragedy of our revolution
are the anarchists. The masses are impressive: combative, heroic, but the leadership hesitates self-satisfied and slips from one concession into another. To attract these masses to our positions is the central task of the day.
The congress of the Party will take place on 19 June, and a month after will open the International Conference. I sincerely hope to see you there.
The review âJuilletâ is [currently] in print. It is to play a great role in regrouping revolutionary forces. I hope that it will be received with satisfaction [social] revolutionaries [of various orientation].
Did you read the Article of Crux ? It is revolting. The âvieuxâ proves to be each day more unable to understand whatsoever about the Spanish revolution. By the way, he uses the same [page] 3 22 unloyal procedures, the deformation so much appreciated by the Stalinists. That is Stalinism the other way round.
Amstel will inform you in detail about the situation. He is an excellent comrade, and we regret his departure.
Excuse to me to be so brief, but I am stuffed with tasks. And, anyway, we will see each other soon in Barcelona.
Cordially,
Andrew
RGASPI (Moscow) fond 522, opis 1- delo 114: list 20-22.
Восьмого июня 1937 г.
Дорогой мой Снеифлид,
Я пользуюсь отъездом товарища Амстела, чтобы написать тебе несколько строк.
От твоего последнего приезда ситуация значительно поменялась. Контрреволюция делала значительные шаги вперед, но не не уместно терять надежду. События мая показывали, что пролетариат останется всегда боевым и не дает себя безнаказанно обманывать. Разуметься, нас ждут моменты жесткие и сложные, но верить, что все уже потеряно, было бы чистым пораженчеством. Ближайшее будущее содержит для нас большие сюрпризы. Говоря о Партии, можно сказать, что она хорошо держится. Дни мая были для нас серьезным испытанием. Мы не только укрепили свои позиции наперекор бешеной компании которую веду против нас, [здесь мысль прервана] но они [эти позиции] еще мало утвердились. Противодействие сталинизму растет день ото дня. Я убежден, что здесь они поломают свои зубы.
Большая трагедия нашей революции, это -анархисты. Массы впечатляют : боевые, героические, но их верхушка -самодовольна и нерешительна, скользит от одной концессии к другой. Привлекать массы к нашим позициям -основная задача дня.
Конгресс Партии будет 19 июня и через месяц открывается международная конференция имею надежду тебя там видеть.
Журнал Juillet [фр.Июль.назван в честь революции 19 июля 1936 года в Барелоне и 14 Июля 1789 г. в Париже], призванный играть большую роль для перегруппировки революционных сил, находиться в печати.
Надеюсь, что он будет принят с удовольствием всеми революционерами.
Ты читал статью Крукса [лат.Ворона, имеется в виду Троцкий],это отвратительно. Старый каждый день доказывает свою растущую неспособность что-нибудь понимать в Испанской революции.
Кстати он использует те же самые нелояльные методы, деформация которых сталинцы так ценят. Это сталинизм в другом направлении.
Амстел будет тебя информировать о подробностях ситуации. Он превосходный товарищ и мы очень сожалеем об его отъезде.
Извини, что я так краток, но я нагружен задачами. Вот мы видимся опять, опять в Барселоне.
Друг,
Андре.
http://www.archive.org/stream/NetworkingClassWar/RevolutionisingLetterwriting_bookDraft_byMartinKraemer#page/n17/mode/2up) . Provoked by the film Tierra y Libertad on working-class militancy and Nin's party POUM, we decided to make available this revealing letter to English, French and Russian readers. It shows how genuine involvement in Class War helps to put aside barriers between activists and tends to develop a critical distance to machinations of top-down leadership. Andreu Nin, who is persecuted as a "Trotsyite" in fact makes acid comments on the personal style of Trotsky in this last communication to Henk Sneevlieth, Secretary of the Duch Anarcho-Syndicalist trade union NAS (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andreu_Nin_i_Pérez, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henk_Sneevliet). There are also critical comments on the Anarchist leadership of that time in Barcelona as well as the prognosis that Stalin-type politics will definitely loose their teeth in the Barcelona show-down following May 1937. Maybe he will be indeed proven right in this prognosis if we take up this legathy?
In the following we propose our English and Russian translation with the French for discussion.
8th June 1937 [page] 1 20
My dear Sneevliet, I benefit from the departure of the comrade Amstel to address some words to you.
Since your last voyage, the situation
changed considerably. Counter-revolution made significant progress, but it is not necessary to lose all hope. The events of May showed that the proletariat remains always combative and is not ready to let itself be fooled with impunity. Hard and difficult moments await us, well
understood - but it would be pure defeatism to believe that all is already lost. The immediate future still holds for us great surprises. As to the Party ,
it holds well. The days of May were a challenge to which it resisted very well. We do not only ensure our positions, in spite of the furious campaign directed against us, but [these positions] are not very solid yet. [page] 2 21 The reaction against Stalinism increases day in day. I have the conviction that here they will break their teeth.
The great Tragedy of our revolution
are the anarchists. The masses are impressive: combative, heroic, but the leadership hesitates self-satisfied and slips from one concession into another. To attract these masses to our positions is the central task of the day.
The congress of the Party will take place on 19 June, and a month after will open the International Conference. I sincerely hope to see you there.
The review âJuilletâ is [currently] in print. It is to play a great role in regrouping revolutionary forces. I hope that it will be received with satisfaction [social] revolutionaries [of various orientation].
Did you read the Article of Crux ? It is revolting. The âvieuxâ proves to be each day more unable to understand whatsoever about the Spanish revolution. By the way, he uses the same [page] 3 22 unloyal procedures, the deformation so much appreciated by the Stalinists. That is Stalinism the other way round.
Amstel will inform you in detail about the situation. He is an excellent comrade, and we regret his departure.
Excuse to me to be so brief, but I am stuffed with tasks. And, anyway, we will see each other soon in Barcelona.
Cordially,
Andrew
RGASPI (Moscow) fond 522, opis 1- delo 114: list 20-22.
Восьмого июня 1937 г.
Дорогой мой Снеифлид,
Я пользуюсь отъездом товарища Амстела, чтобы написать тебе несколько строк.
От твоего последнего приезда ситуация значительно поменялась. Контрреволюция делала значительные шаги вперед, но не не уместно терять надежду. События мая показывали, что пролетариат останется всегда боевым и не дает себя безнаказанно обманывать. Разуметься, нас ждут моменты жесткие и сложные, но верить, что все уже потеряно, было бы чистым пораженчеством. Ближайшее будущее содержит для нас большие сюрпризы. Говоря о Партии, можно сказать, что она хорошо держится. Дни мая были для нас серьезным испытанием. Мы не только укрепили свои позиции наперекор бешеной компании которую веду против нас, [здесь мысль прервана] но они [эти позиции] еще мало утвердились. Противодействие сталинизму растет день ото дня. Я убежден, что здесь они поломают свои зубы.
Большая трагедия нашей революции, это -анархисты. Массы впечатляют : боевые, героические, но их верхушка -самодовольна и нерешительна, скользит от одной концессии к другой. Привлекать массы к нашим позициям -основная задача дня.
Конгресс Партии будет 19 июня и через месяц открывается международная конференция имею надежду тебя там видеть.
Журнал Juillet [фр.Июль.назван в честь революции 19 июля 1936 года в Барелоне и 14 Июля 1789 г. в Париже], призванный играть большую роль для перегруппировки революционных сил, находиться в печати.
Надеюсь, что он будет принят с удовольствием всеми революционерами.
Ты читал статью Крукса [лат.Ворона, имеется в виду Троцкий],это отвратительно. Старый каждый день доказывает свою растущую неспособность что-нибудь понимать в Испанской революции.
Кстати он использует те же самые нелояльные методы, деформация которых сталинцы так ценят. Это сталинизм в другом направлении.
Амстел будет тебя информировать о подробностях ситуации. Он превосходный товарищ и мы очень сожалеем об его отъезде.
Извини, что я так краток, но я нагружен задачами. Вот мы видимся опять, опять в Барселоне.
Друг,
Андре.
Sergej Lebedenko and Martin Kraemer Liehn (Sumy Ukraine)
e-mail:
0815@riseup.net
Homepage:
http://www.archive.org/stream/NetworkingClassWar/RevolutionisingLetterwriting_bookDraft_byMartinKraemer#page/n17/mode/2up
Comments
Hide the following 3 comments
Can someone rewrite this by hand.
25.02.2012 10:31
richy
trotsky
26.02.2012 13:11
I was puzzled by the introduction’s reference to Trotsky because Trotsky wasn’t mentioned in the translation given by Sergej Lebedenko and Martin Kraemer Liehn. A better translation – or a typed transcription of the French text as the last poster suggested - would be good. I checked the text through Google Translate . It does contain a criticism of the Trotskyist position , equating it with the Stalinist line . This was pretty much in line with what Nin was saying publicly at the time .
“Did you read the article Crookes [lat.Vorona, I mean, Trotsky], this is disgusting. The old daily proves its growing inability to understand anything in the Spanish Revolution.
By the way, he uses the same disloyal practices, the deformation of the Stalinists who is so appreciated. This is Stalinism in the other direction.”
It's hard to decipher , but here's the full google translate :
My dear Sneiflid,
I take his departure friend Amstel, to write you a few lines.
From your last visit situation has changed. The counter-revolution made significant steps forward, but is not appropriate to give up hope. Events in May showed that the proletariat will always fighting and not give themselves away with cheating. Know them, we should expect tough times and difficult, but believe that everything is lost, it would be pure defeatism. The near future has for us big surprises. Speaking of parties, we can say that it is well kept. Days of May have been a serious challenge for us. We have not only strengthened their position in spite of that'm mad against us, [is interrupted by the thought], but [those positions] have established themselves enough. Opposition to Stalinism is increasing day by day. I believe that here they will break their teeth.
Great tragedy of our revolution, it's anarchists. The masses are impressive: martial, heroic, but the tip of the self-satisfied, and the hesitant, gliding from one concession to another. To attract the masses to our positions, the main task of the day.
The Congress Party will be June 19 and a month later opened an international conference, I have hope to see you there.
Journal Juillet [fr.Iyul.nazvan in honor of the Revolution July 19, 1936 in Barelone and July 14, 1789 in Paris], designed to play a greater role for the rearrangement of the revolutionary forces, to be in print.
I hope that it will be accepted with pleasure by all revolutionaries.
Did you read the article Crookes [lat.Vorona, I mean, Trotsky], this is disgusting. The old daily proves its growing inability to understand anything in the Spanish Revolution.
By the way, he uses the same disloyal practices, the deformation of the Stalinists who is so appreciated. This is Stalinism in the other direction.
Amstel will inform you about the details of the situation. He is an excellent partner and we are very sorry for his departure.
Sorry, I'm so short, but I loaded tasks. Here we see each other again and again in Barcelona.
A friend
Andre.
tom
get the full documentation! suggests one of the original authors of the post
19.09.2013 12:55
(free download)
archive.org/download/NetworkingClassWar/RevolutionisingLetterwriting_bookDraft_byMartinKraemer.pdf
the whole facsimile, three pages in handwriting, pages 18 to 20 of the .pdf,
an annotated transliteration into a digital French text, pages 21 to 24
the debate is open for better translation into English by native speakers, the sting we put into our proposal as "Andrew" is a reminder that the standard anglicised view of the world gets us regularly away from the quality of some primary sources. Efforts to make an English version sound more smooth risk to get it further away from the French original.
In this last written piece we know before his abduction and assassination, André Nin had little time and wanted to transfer a lot to his Dutch comrade. He could engage in subtleties and shorthand, because he knew the designated reader well, their political understanding had co-evolved over decades. Andre Nin had reason to to trust the addressee more than the anonymous reader of published material of these weeks. In the private transmission of letters, there was no censorship necessary, no animosity or unfirendly interpretation to count with as was the case for his public speeches or printed contributions during the last period of his political militancy. That's why we encourage readers to dig deep and not dismiss subtle contradictions and movements within the arguments and insights put forward by Nin personally. True, much writing on the topic uses more stereotype labeling. The critical closeness to Trotsky’s position can be irritating. After all the 4th international would have hardly taken off without the initial help by Henk. Henk Sneevlieth was very careful not to fall into the trap of drawbar labelling and political thinking in fraction boxes.
In the face of ultimate danger from within and from outside their international revolutionary upsurge, Nin and Sneevlieth make an admirable effort to be clear, precise and unconventional in their analyses and conclusions for direct use. Let's draw together minds and hands to reciprocate this precious gift from the past…
for our common future.
Martin Kraemer Liehn, Kiev (Ukraine) 19th September 2013.
Martin Kraemer Liehn