259. TELEGRAM TO A. G. SHLYAPNIKOV

First published in 1942 in Lenin Miscellany XXXIV. Printed from the original. · page 193

12. II. 1919

Shlyapnikov
Astrakhan

Your telegram about Baku affairs^[1] received. I hope you understand the tremendous importance of the question and will take the most energetic steps to make use of the feeling among the Baku people for swift and decisive action. Guarantee safety for those who come over to us. Telegraph more details.

Lenin
Chairman, Council of People’s Commissars

Notes

[1] On February 6, 1919, Shlyapnikov reported to Lenin information he had received from Baku to the effect that the workers of Baku enterprises and the sailors were hostile towards the British occupationists, that the ships, on which there were still Russian sailors, were ready to go over to the side of the Soviets, and that the Baku workers would start an uprising to coincide with the Red Army attack.