ABSTRACT
In February 1904, Japan and Russia went to war. Lenin was again in poor physical and psychological condition; he needed absolute rest. Immediately after the outbreak of the war, suggestions had reached the Japanese government that it could greatly improve its position by stimulating the revolutionary movement in Russia. Lenin also inconsistently argued that the proletariat and the peasants should settle accounts with the monarchy and aristocracy in a 'plebeian fashion': they should destroy their enemies pitilessly. Yet Lenin also proposed democracy. Repeatedly Lenin declared to the Social Democratic committees in Russia that he represented the communications centre of the party, and thus had to be kept informed of all activities; few people bothered to reply. The operation could have been improved, but in the meantime the war had been concluded, and the Japanese lost all interest in supporting and arming revolutionaries. Thus, the Japanese phase of the Russian revolution had drawn to its end.
