V. I.

Lenin

Interview Given to E. Torniainen April 23 (May 6), 1917 [1]

We believe the Petrograd Soviet of Workers’ and Soldiers’
Deputies at the present moment represents the majority of the
workers and soldiers. On our part, we ( Bolsheviks )
are working for influence and a majority in the Petrograd Soviet
of Workers’ and Soldiers’ Deputies and in all the local
Soviets. We advise the workers and soldiers to re-elect members
of the Soviets who do not fully represent the will of the
majority.

So far the majority of the Soviet follows the Narodnik and Menshevik
leaders.

We have no doubt that the Soviet will be able to retain power so long as it is supported by a
considerable and strong majority of workers and soldiers. The
more so as that power, instead of dragging on the war, would
bring it to a speedy end on terms most favourable to the
masses. We also believe that the Soviet, being a body elected by
the workers and soldiers, can definitely win over the overwhelming majority of workers and soldiers.

Whether or not the capitalist government will refuse to convoke
the Constituent Assembly will depend upon the development and
strength of the counter-revolution. The elements of such a
counter-revolution without doubt already exist.

Ending the war by a truly democratic peace depends upon the
course which the revolution of the world proletariat will
take. This revolution has gained good ground now in Russia, and
is undoubtedly gaining ground in Germany (mass strikes,
fraternisation).

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Notes:
[1]