isaac-deutscher-the-prophet-armed-trotsky-1879-1921

THE PROPHET ARMED
editors from six to three. The three editors were to be: Plekhanov,
Martov, and himself. Axelrod, Zasulich, and Potresov
were to be left out. Historians of the opposed schools arc cager
retrospectively to read into this proposal profound, far-reaching
intentions, baleful or benign, according to the viewpoint. In its
actual setting, Lenin's intention was simple. He was seeking to
make the editorial work of Iskra more efficient than it had lately
been. As the board of six had tended to divide equally, he had,
in order to break the deadlock, proposed Trotsky's appointment;
but, since Plckhanov's objections had ruled this out, he now
tried to achieve his purpose by reducing, instead of increasing,
the number of editors. The three whom he was proposing had
been Iskra's real pillars. Zasulich, Axelrod, and Potrcsov had contributed
very little-none of them was a fluent writer-and had
done even less in the work of administration and organization.'
On grounds of efficiency alone, Lenin's proposal was justified.
But considerations of efficiency clashed, as they often do, with
acquired rights and sentiment. Lenin had his qualms before he
decided on this step; Plekhanov had little or no scruple. To
Trotsky this attempt to eliminate from Iskra Axelrod and
Zasulich, two of its founders, seemed 'sacrilegious'; he was
shocked by Lenin's callousness.
This narrow issue at once became entangled with other and
wider questions. Iskra's editorial board was to remain, as it had
been, the party's virtual leadership. A central committee, to be
elected at the congress, was to operate in Russia. But, working
underground and exposed to arrest, it could not secure continuity
in leadership-only an emigre centre, such as the
editorial board, could do that. Lenin further proposed the election
of a Council which was to act as arbiter between the
central committee and the editorial board. That Council was
to consist of five members: two from Iskra, two from the central
committee, and a chairman who was to be elected by congress.
It was a foregone conclusion that Plekhanov would be the
chairman; and so Iskra's editorial board was sure to wield the
decisive influence in the Council. It was because of this scheme
1
Explaining in a letter to his follower his own motives, Lenin stated that to the
45 issues of the 'old' Iskra Martov had contributed 39 articles, Lenin 32, Plekhanov
24; Zasulich had written only 6 articles, Axelrod 4, and Potresov 8. Lenin, Sochinmya,
vol. xxxiv, p. 164.