167. TELEGRAM TO THE ASTRAKHAN GUBERNIA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

First published in full in the Fourth (Russian) Edition of the Collected Works. First published, but not in full, in 1938 in Bolshevik No. 2. Printed from the original. · page 356

August 21, 1918

Gubernia Executive Committee
Astrakhan

Copy to Gubernia Communist Organisation

Can it really be true that in Astrakhan there is already talk about evacuation?

If it is true, it is essential to take ruthless measures against the cowards, and immediately appoint the most reliable and resolute people to organise the defence of Astrakhan and to pursue the most firm policy of struggle to the bitter end in the event of an offensive by the British.

Telegraph detailed reply.

Lenin
Chairman, Council of People’s Commissars