You have proposed to me the organization of a group of staff officers and generals possessing the highest military education and desirous of undertaking the development of military-technical questions regarding an armistice, which would permit Russia, without violating her interests, to obtain a cessation of military operations.

I would very much request that you, given the extreme urgency of this matter, convene your group tomorrow morning itself

TELEGRAM TO THE PODOLSK SOVIET. 18 NOVEMBER 1917

and send me tomorrow evening at least a brief outline of the fundamental questions, points and considerations of an armistice agreement (definition of the front line, conditions regarding the non-withdrawal of troops to other fronts, measures of control and so forth and so on), as well as indicate the person or persons who could, with full knowledge of the matter, participate directly in the negotiations.

I very much request that you reply to me by messenger.

Written 15 (28) November 1917

First published in 1959 in Lenin Miscellany XXXVI

Printed from the manuscript