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Letter to the Petrograd Organizations, The second half of April 1919
Published: First published in 1932 in the journal Krasnaya Letopis No. 5–6 (50–51). Printed from the typewritten copy.
Source: Lenin Collected Works, Progress Publishers, 1975, Moscow, Volume 44, pages 220b-221a.
I have had a detailed report from Vatsetis and the Chief of Staff. The conclusion is a sad one. Strenuous efforts are needed. The present enthusiasm must not be allowed to subside, but must be sustained for at least 2 months and still further intensified. Otherwise we shall not finish the war, and finished it must be at all costs, as signs of weariness among the masses (100,000 deserters) are becoming more frequent.
I have discussed the following measures with Trotsky:
1) Some 3,000 Petrograd workers, unfit for war and unarmed, to be sent to the Don. Purpose—to set things going, to weaken the Cossacks, demoralise them from within, settle among them, set up groups in the villages, etc.
2) All means and resources to be used more and more to get ready a flotilla for the Volga. Especially repairs.
3) Ditto as regards artillery (without taking away from the Karelian line). It is necessary again and again to check with the army men whether it is possible to help the east with artillery.
4) Rifles to be collected, especially broken ones (in Tula 800 a day can be repaired; work is lacking).
5) Mobilisation of Petrograd workers to be continued both for the Ukraine and for the Don.
I received a telegram today from Zinoviev on the stoppage of several works, big ones, in Petrograd, owing to oil shortage. I could not get Krasin on the phone. When I do I shall tell him. But I don’t think any oil is or will be available. I advise moving every one of these workers to the Ukraine, to the Don, to the east, for 3 months. It is stupid to starve, to perish in Petrograd, when it is possible to win grain and coal.
6) Mobilisation of Party functionaries to be continued, too, especially for places close to the front line.
It is necessary again and again “to rob Petrograd”, that is, to take people from it, otherwise neither Petrograd nor Russia can be saved.
Various branches of administration and of cultural and educational work in Petrograd can and should be weakened tenfold for 3 months.
We shall then save both Russia and Petrograd.
We have no other workers to equal the Petrograders.
Greetings,
Lenin