New-York tribune., 1919-01-09
Trouble Long Brewing

The radical faction in the Bolshevik
control of Russia, led by Trotzky,
Bucharn and Radek has clashed with
Lcnine and the so-called conservative
clique on several occasions in the last
six months. Radek now is in Berlin
aiding Karl Liebknecht in his efforts
to overthrow the Ebert t-Scheidemann
government and the decision Of the
Alderman Congress of Soviets, call
ing for the convocation of a Constitu-
ent Assembly.
Lenine and Trotzky first clashed on
the question of the Brest-Ltovsk peace,
when Lenine, in the face Of the major
ity, which at that time constituted the
opposition in the Rolshevik Soviet eau
Gus, demanded the signing of the treaty
insisted upon by Germany
Trotzky Fought Proposal
Trotzky bitterly fought the idea and
was supported by Radek and Bucharin,
who went SO far as to forsake the
editorial rooms of the "Pravda" and
start a paper Of their own, "The Com
munist," in which they attacked what
they called Lcnine's "opportuni, m"
So bitter was the fight in the bolshe-
vik caucus on the eve Of the ratifi-
cation of the Brcst treaty last Febru-
ary that one Bolshevik, member OF
the Bucharia faction, on emerging from
the caucus in great excitement,
shouted:
"If had revolver I would have
shoot that man! n!"-meaning Lenine.
Soon after that Trotzky resigned as
Foreign Minister and became head of
the Ministry of War. 1t was said at
that time that he rarely a,.ended the
meetings of the Soviet of Peoples
Comm mssaries and avoided Lenine as
much as possible.
Bears Lenine Old Grudge
Trotzky bears Leninc an old
grudge, implanted by Lenine's attacks
on him in the ds.ys when both of
in Western Europe and Trotzky occu-
pied not the position of Lenine on the
question of internationalism but a
position between that of the Bolshevik
and the Independent German Socialists.
AT that time he was closer to the Men
evikiIntcrnationalis led by MartoH
and Axelrod and evoked from Lenine
the nickname "tambourine." With his
arrival in Russia, however, he embraced
the Bolshcvik position entirely
When his own formula of mo war
ard 10 peace" was proclaimed by him
at the Brest-Litovsk negotiations he
declared that ii the German army
resumed it's march on Russia he
(Trotzky) would lead revolutionary
war against Germany.
Lenine advised Trotzky against this
formula and said it would not prevent
Germany from resuming operations
against Russia. A bitter argument en-
sued Trotzky had his way, with the
result that Lenine's prediction came
true and Russia was forced to sign the
onerous treaty.
Urged Crushing of Bourgeoisie
But preceding the signing of the
treaty. and specially its ratification by
the third All-Russian Congress of So
viets at Moscow, Lenine, in series Of
articles, lashed Trotzky, Radek and
Bucharin, without mentioning their
names, as "phrasemongers BY sheer
force and VIII power he routed the OPP
position. and the Trotzhy- Radek- Bu-
charm element was forced to submit.
March Since then a definite cleavage
was to be observed between the Leninc
and Trotzky factions not only on ques-
tions of foreign policy, but also on
questions Of domestic policy.
In April Lenine appeared with a
series Of articles in the Bolshevik press
asserting that the time had come "to
lead the revolution into shore" to let
up on the endless nationalizations, apd
considerations and to pursue a more con-
seryativc policy.
Urged Crushing Of Bourgeise
This again reused the ire of the OPP
position, which insisted upon no re-
laxation in the work of crushing the
bourgeoisic." Lenine replied with a
series of articles entitled: petit
Bourgeois Utopias and Young Up
starts" in whicI, he poured out his in
vectiye both against the Trotzky Blu
--~--~-------- --.------.t ------
Continued on pagc four