V. I. Lenin

Source: ru:LS/v34;es:MT
Translated: machine translation (DeepSeek) from the Russian; AI-translated.

February 18, 1918

Dvinsk. At the apparatus are members of the Dvinsk Soviet.

Lenin and Stalin. Please tell us what directives you have received from Smolny in connection with the impending German offensive? Tell us who is speaking, your names?

Dvinsk. Pavlov and Belyaev speaking.

Lenin and Stalin. The Supreme Commander-in-Chief has just sent a telegram that you must retreat, destroying everything behind you. Dvinsk will have to be abandoned. What news do you have from the German side?

Dvinsk. There have been no actions by the Germans so far. Panic reigns in the city; German aeroplanes are flying very low over the city and dropping proclamations, which we have not been able to read as the wind carries them far away. The Soviet has decided to remain until the Germans enter the city. Citizens’ committees have been organised to maintain order in the city. What directives can you give for the future?

Lenin and Stalin. Take measures to establish communication during the retreat. Place Hughes apparatus in a railway car, as well as a set of telegraph operators and an experienced mechanic. Inform the commissariat that everything must be destroyed before the retreat. Also take measures to enable the evacuation of organisations at the last moment, since the Germans’ task, it must be assumed, is to hunt down revolutionary centres. If you manage to read the German proclamations, transmit them to us. Maintain communication with us as often as possible.

Dvinsk. Please tell us, what should be done with the bridges during the retreat?

Lenin and Stalin. Blow them up, of course!

Dvinsk. We shall report news. We have nothing more to say. Good-bye.

Lenin and Stalin. Good-bye.