A Word About the Cossacks and to the Cossacks

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I. Who is Krasnov?

He is a former Tsarist general, from the landlord class. Krasnov is a monarchist, that is, he wants to restore the power of the Tsar and the nobles.

In October of last year, when the Petrograd workers established their Soviet power, thereby setting an example to the working people of all Russia and of the whole world, Krasnov led Cossacks whom he had deceived against Petrograd. He hoped at that time to seize power, but, instead, he was taken prisoner by the Petrograd workers. Krasnov gave his word never again to fight against the workers’ and peasants’ power. The workers let him go. But he dishonorably broke his word and raised a revolt on the Don against the Soviet power. Rivers of our brothers’ blood have flowed because of Krasnov.

2. But doesn’t Krasnov swear that he is fighting for the interests of Russia?

Don’t take Krasnov at his word. You may know him by his deeds. And they are these. A year ago Krasnov was blaming the Soviet power because it was not waging war against Germany. Then Krasnov made an alliance with the German Kaiser Wilhelm, and received money, shells and cartridges from him for use against the Russian workers and peasants. But the German workers overthrew the German Kaiser. Krasnov at once went over to the other side, and is now summoning British and French troops to the Ukraine and the Don. Krasnov is ready to put the entire Russian people under a foreign yoke, just so as to re-establish with the help of foreign bayonets the power of the Russian landlords and Cossack generals. Krasnov on the Don is the same as Skoropadsky in the Ukraine. They are both dishonorable enemies of the working people.

3. Is it true that Krasnov stands for order?

Krasnov stands for the order of the Tsar and the nobles – against the order of the workers and peasants. But Krasnov’s activity sows nothing but one long bloody disorder. Krasnov cut the Don country off from all the rest of Russia and deprived the inhabitants of the Don country of textiles and other goods. Who is raising bloody discord? Krasnov and his bands. Who is driving the barefoot and badly-clothed Cossacks and peasants to fight their brothers? Krasnov. Who is destroying the loads and blowing up the bridges? Krasnov’s bands.

To establish order, peace and honest labor in Russia, Krasnov’s bands must be crushed.

4. Why do the Cossacks follow the traitor Krasnov?

Not all of them do. There are not a few honest, working, conscious Cossacks who are fighting against Krasnov in the ranks of the Red Army. Unfortunately, though, there are Still a considerable section of the Cossacks who do follow Krasnov. These are, first and foremost, the Cossack officers and rich men – the kulaks. They have drawn after them the old and ignorant Cossacks who think in the old way. But the young ones haven’t shown much spirit up to now. So Krasnov lords it over the Cossacks: through the officers he controls the old men., and through them he controls the youngsters.

This is a final warning to you, Cossacks!

The crime of Krasnov and his allies has hardened the hearts of the workers and peasants. Hatred for Krasnov often extends to the Cossacks in general. More and more often voices are heard among the workers and peasants, saying: ‘We must exterminate all the Cossacks: then peace and tranquillity will come to the South of Russia!’ This is, of course, untrue, and unjust. But the longer that the Cossacks continue to be a blind weapon in Krasnov’s hands, the more harshly will the soldiers of the Red Army deal with them.

What way is left for you, working Cossacks?

There is only one: to break with Krasnov and return to peaceful labor.

In the name of the Council of People’s Commissars I proclaim:

Cossacks who lay down their arms and submit to the Soviet power will suffer no punishment. I strictly forbid the shooting of rank-and-file Cossacks taken prisoner. Anyone guilty of going against this order will answer for it in accordance with the full severity of the law.

A Cossack who voluntarily gives himself up is to be received as a friend.

A Cossack who voluntarily hands over his rifle to us is to receive in exchange either a uniform or 600 roubles in money.

Working Cossacks!

Stop the fratricide! Arrest your traitor officers! Hand over your weapons. Return in peace to your families!

The Soviet power guarantees you peace, tranquillity and independence, hand in hand with the workers and peasants of all Russia.

Voronezh, December 10, 1918