V. I. Lenin

Source: ru:LS/v16;es:MT
Translated: machine translation (DeepSeek) from the Russian; AI-translated.

APPEAL TO THE OFFICERS*

[February, before 7, 1905, Geneva]

Voss[ische] Zeit[un]g, January 31, 1905.

The Berlin newspaper *Vossische Zeitung* has published a translation of an appeal to the officers, signed by 459 persons who assembled on the evening of January 9 at the Free Economic Society. The signatures are not given in the newspaper. [The appeal sets forth]. The appeal says:** it describes the state of affairs in Russia, stating that the Russian people need bread, education and freedom. The demand for a constitution has been voiced by representatives of the most diverse classes, from landowners and capitalists to the working masses. The short-sighted government, which refuses to comply with the people’s demands, would long ago have been swept away if the Russian people, fettered by poverty, slavery and ignorance, were not confronted by their own armed force. Yes! their own! You (officers) were educated at the people’s expense, and from the same source you receive your pay. With this money your bayonets and rifles were purchased. You yourselves are children of this people. And now you are sent to kill your own brothers and sisters.

The appeal says that the workers went peacefully with a petition to the Tsar. The signatories of the appeal sent a deputation of ten to the government (now arrested; among them was Maxim Gorky. Ed.), which achieved nothing either with Witte or with Rydzevsky. Witte did not receive it. It was impossible to prevent the shedding of blood. The government—said Assistant Minister Rydzevsky—had already taken measures.

Yes! Measures had already been taken! The bloodshed occurred in accordance with these instructions of the authorities. Perhaps it occurred even precisely in those parts of the capital which had been previously designated at the conferences of the dignitaries. And indeed, why should the Russian government listen to the opinions and communications of some private individuals? What does it care for honour, reason and common sense? For it has at its disposal all the reason [(Scharfsinn)] of thousands of police agents! It has at its disposal all the armed force!

Officers of the Russian army!

You too are human beings, you have taken upon yourselves the great obligation to give your lives, if need be, for the fatherland. Ask your conscience, then, on whose side your place is now: on the side of those senseless [(Unsinnigen)] people who are always ready to shed blood, or on the side of the suffering people? If you have any sense of honour, listen to its voice! Is your place on the side of those who are afraid even to accept a petition, or on the side of the great, honest, self-sacrificing Russia? If you are honest men, do not raise your hands against the defenceless! Do not consent to take the people’s money as a reward for the people’s blood you shed—turn your weapons against the enemies of the people!

It is believed that the arrested are being charged with connection with this appeal. Whether it was circulated, we have no information on this point at the present moment.

* The heading is written in pencil. Ed.
** Written in pencil, replacing crossed-out text; all the subsequent text is crossed out in pencil. Ed.