[16 (3) December 1917, between 2½ and 6 p.m., Petrograd.]

The interests of the unity and fraternal union of the workers and toiling, exploited masses in the struggle for socialism, as well as the recognition of these principles by numerous decisions of the organs of revolutionary democracy, the Soviets, and especially the First* All-Russia Congress of Soviets, impel the Socialist Government of Russia, the Council of People’s Commissars, once again to confirm

* See note on p. 59. Ed.