– How many bayonets do you need?

– We need the maximum number of bayonets, but only with people who are loyal and prepared to resolve to fight. How many such people do you have?

– Up to five thousand. We can send them urgently—those who will fight.

– Within how many hours can you guarantee that they will be in Petrograd with the greatest possible speed of dispatch?

– A maximum of twenty-four hours from now.

– By land?

– By railway.

– And can you ensure their supply of provisions?

– Yes. There are plenty of provisions. We also have up to 35 machine guns; we can send them with crews without damage to our local situation and a small number of field artillery as well.

– I urgently request, on behalf of the government of the Republic, that you immediately proceed with such a dispatch, and I also ask you to answer whether you know about the formation of a new government, and how it has been received by the Soviets in your area?

– Only from the newspapers about the government so far. The power that has passed into the hands of the Soviets has been received among us with enthusiasm.

– So, that means the ground forces will be set in motion immediately, and provisions transport is assured for them?

– Yes. We will begin the dispatch right now and supply them with provisions. Here at the apparatus is the comrade chairman of the Tsentrobalt, since Dybenko left for Petrograd today at 10 p.m.