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Special pages :
Reply by Direct Line to Konstantin Mekhonoshin, July 7, 1918
Source: Lenin Collected Works, Progress Publishers, 1975, Moscow, Volume 44, page 114a.
K. A. Mekhonoshin, a member of the Revolutionary Military Council of the Eastern Front, asked by direct line for information concerning the situation resulting from the revolt of the Left Socialist-Revolutionaries in Moscow on July 6, 1918. He asked to be informed what stand the Left Socialist-Revolutionary A. L. Kolegayev had taken. Mekhonoshin also reported that M. A. Muravyov, a Left Socialist-Revolutionary in command of the troops of the Eastern Front, had proclaimed his loyalty to Soviet power and stated that he renounced his membership of the Left Socialist-Revolutionary Party because that party opposed Soviet power.
However, Muravyov made this statement in order to conceal his own treacherous activity. On receiving a telegram from the Central Committee of the Left Socialist-Revolutionary Party alleging that the Left S.R.s had succeeded in seizing power in Moscow, he went over to the insurgents. According to their plan, Muravyov was to make the troops on the Eastern Front take up arms against Soviet power and, after joining forces with the White Czechs, to march on Moscow. On July 10, on arriving at Simbirsk, Muravyov announced that he did not recognise the Brest peace and declared war on Germany.
The Soviet Government took urgent measures to liquidate Muravyov’s adventure. A government statement of July 11 declared him a traitor and enemy of Soviet power. On the evening of July 11, Muravyov was invited to a sitting of the Simbirsk Executive Committee. When Muravyov’s traitorous telegrams on the cessation of military operations against the interventionists and whiteguards were read out at the sitting, the Communists demanded his arrest. Muravyov offered resistance and was killed, and his accomplices were arrested.
Lenin replies:
Kolegayev told me personally as well as Zinoviev and many others, that he, Kolegayev, is opposed to the present policy of the Left Socialist-Revolutionary Party. I do not doubt that the crazily hysterical and provocative adventure culminating in the murder of Mirbach and revolt of the Central Committee of the Left Socialist-Revolutionaries against the Soviet power will lose them not only the majority of their workers and peasants, but also many intellectuals. The revolt was suppressed completely in a single day. Hundreds of people have been arrested.
Put on record Muravyov’s declaration of his withdrawal from the Left Socialist-Revolutionary Party, and continue to keep him under vigilant control. I am confident that if these conditions are observed we shall fully succeed in utilising his excellent fighting qualities. The struggle against the Czechoslovaks and Cossacks must be waged with treble energy.
Lenin