V. I.

Lenin

423

MARKINGS ON THE REPORT OF K. F. MARTINOVICH AND A NOTE TO L. D. TROTSKY, F. E. DZERZHINSKY AND THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF THE R.C.P.(B.)

N.B. |||

... The Revolutionary Military Council failed to pay due attention to the reconnaissance report, and the Southern Front Commander
declared it to be a trifle, saying that even if the Cossacks did break
through, they would be caught in a trap.

... As a result of all this, about 290 trucks of Clothing and
Equipment Depot property were left behind in Kozlov and plundered by
the Cossacks and population.

In view of this I consider it necessary to insist on a thoroughly
detailed investigation of the process of evacuation of the institutions
of the Southern Front Headquarters, and particularly the Clothing
and Equipment Depot, to be carried out by a commission consisting
of representatives of the
Revolutionary Tribunal of the Republic, the Council of Defence,
and the People’s Commissariat for State Control.

Comrade Trotsky
Comrade Dzerzhinsky and the Central Committee

I think the investigation should be instituted through the
Vecheka . [1]

Lenin

12/IX.