We have just been informed that the Executive Committee of the Soviet of Workers' and Soldiers' Deputies has just received a note which our Provisional Government has communicated to all foreign representatives.

This note is, obviously, precisely that "act" which, as N. S. Tsereteli supposed, was to be issued three days hence and apparently consists of certain declarations against annexations.

What then has transpired?

The note contains a direct declaration by the Provisional Government that Russia will wage war to the end,—that Russia remains true to its obligations toward its allies.

This note produced the impression of a bomb that had burst.

The confusion of the majority of the Executive Committee, Tsereteli, Tsereteli and others, is complete. The bankruptcy of the entire policy of "agreements" is manifest—and it has arrived much sooner than we expected.

One will not stop an imperialist war with talk in a contact commission…

*Pravda* No. 36, May 3 (April 20) 1917

Printed from the text of the newspaper *Pravda*