1. Conversation with A. L. Sheinman, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Helsinki Soviet of Deputies of the Army, Navy and Workers of Finland

– Can you speak on behalf of the regional committee of the army and navy?

– Of course, I can.

– Can you immediately send the maximum possible number of destroyers and other armed vessels to Petrograd?

– We'll call the chairman of the Central Baltic Command right now, since this is purely a naval matter.

– What is the news from Petrograd?

– There is information that Kerensky's troops have arrived and taken Gatchina, and since part of the Petrograd troops are exhausted, the most urgent and rapid reinforcement is absolutely necessary.

– And what else?

– Instead of the question "what else," I was expecting a declaration of readiness to advance and fight.

– Well, it seems there is no need to repeat this; we have declared our decision, consequently, everything will be done in practice.

– Do you have supplies of rifles and machine guns, and in what quantities?

– Here is Mikhailov, chairman of the military section of the regional committee. He will tell you about the army of Finland.

2. Conversation with Mikhailov, Chairman of the Military Section of the Regional Committee of the Army, Navy and Workers of Finland

– How many bayonets do you need?

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

– Up to five thousand. We can send them urgently; they will be ready to fight.

– In how many hours can you guarantee they will be in Piter at maximum speed of dispatch?

– A maximum of twenty-four hours from now.

– By land?

– By railroad.

– And can you ensure their delivery of food supplies?

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

– I urgently request, on behalf of the Government of the Republic, that you immediately begin such 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?

– So far only from newspapers about the government. The power that has passed into the hands of the Soviets has been received by us with enthusiasm.

– So, then, the land forces will be immediately sent forward, and food supplies are ensured for them?

– Yes. We will immediately begin dispatch and will supply them with provisions. Here at the apparatus is Comrade Chairman of the Central Baltic Command, since Dybenko left for Petrograd today at 10 p.m.

3. Conversation with Comrade N. F. Izmailov, Vice-Chairman of the Central Baltic Command

– How many destroyers and other armed vessels can you send?

– We can send the battleship "Respublika" and two destroyers.

– Will they likewise be ensured provisions from you?

– In the fleet we have provisions, and they will be supplied with food. All the sent destroyers and the battleship "Respublika" – I can say with confidence that they will fulfill their duty of defending the revolution. Do not doubt the sending of armed force. It will be carried out without question.

– In how many hours?

– A maximum of 18 hours. Is there a necessity to send right now?

– Yes. The Government is absolutely convinced of the necessity to send immediately so that the battleship enters the Maritime Canal as close to shore as possible.

– Since the battleship is a large vessel with twelve-inch artillery, it cannot be positioned near the shore: in that way it could be captured simply by bare hands. For this purpose there are destroyers with light artillery and machine guns; as for the battleship, it must stand, approximately, on the roadstead or next to the cruiser "Aurora," since its artillery fires 25 versts – in general, the sailors with the command staff will carry out this task.

– The destroyers must enter the Neva near the village of Rybatskoe so as to protect the Nikolaevskaya road and all approaches to it.

– Good, all this will be carried out. What else do you have to say?

– Is there a wireless telegraph on the "Respublika," and can it communicate with Piter during the journey?

– Not only on the "Respublika," but also on the destroyers, which are in communication with the Eiffel Tower. In general, we assure you that everything will be carried out well.

– So, can we count on all the named vessels moving immediately?

– Yes, you can. We will now issue urgent orders so that the named vessels arrive on time in Petrograd.

– Do you have supplies of rifles with ammunition? Send as much as possible.

– We have some, but only a small quantity on the ships – what we have, we will send.

– Goodbye. Greetings.

– Goodbye. Were you the one speaking? Tell me the name?

– Lenin.

– Goodbye. We are proceeding with the execution.

First published in 1922 in the journal "Proletarskaya Revolyutsiya" No. 10

Printed from the text of the telegraph tape