Communism -- Soviet Union; Goldman, Emma, 1869-1940; Soviet Union -- History -- Revolution, 1917-1921 -- Personal narratives, American
Owing to the nationalization of all public conveyances, printing
establishments, etc., the Anarchist Funeral Commission was compelled to
ask the Moscow Soviet to enable it to carry out successfully the funeral
programme. The Anarchists being deprived of their own press, the
Commission had to apply to the authorities for the publication of the
matter necessary in connection with the funeral arrangements. After
considerable discussion permission was secured to print two leaflets and
to issue a four-page bulletin in commemoration of Peter Kropotkin. The
Commission requested that the paper be issued without censorship and
stated that the reading matter would consist of appreciations of our
dead comrade, exclusive of all polemical questions. This request was
categorically refused. Having no choice, the Commission was forced to
submit and the manuscripts were sent in for censorship. To forestall the
possibility of remaining without any memorial issue because of the
delaying tactics of the Government, the Funeral Commission resolved to
open, on its own responsibility, a certain Anarchist printing office
that had been sealed by the Government. The bulletin and the two
leaflets were printed in that establishment.
In answer to the wire sent to Lenin the Central Committee of the
All-Russian Executive of the Soviets resolved “to propose to the
All-Russian Extraordinary Commission (_Veh-Tcheka_) to release,
according to its judgment, the imprisoned Anarchists for participation
in the funeral of Peter A. Kropotkin.” The delegates sent to the Tcheka
were asked whether the Funeral Commission would guarantee the return of
the prisoners. They replied that the question had not been discussed.
The Tcheka thereupon refused to release the Anarchists. The Funeral
Commission, informed of the new development in the situation,
immediately guaranteed the return of the prisoners after the funeral.
Thereupon the Tcheka replied that “there are no Anarchists in prison
who, in the judgment of the Chairman of the Extraordinary Commission,
could be released for the funeral.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account