V. I.

Lenin

25

TELEGRAM TO KHARKOV AND MOSCOW

Orjonikidze, People’s Secretariat, Antonov’s Staff, Kharkov
Commander-in-Chief Muralov
Presidium of the Soviet of Deputies
Moscow

We have received news of a traffic jam between Orel and Kursk preventing the passage of trains with coal and
grain. Any hold-up threatens famine and stoppage of industry. We suspect sabotage by railwaymen in this
locality for there have been several cases of sabotage there.
We urgently ask you to take the most ruthless revolutionary measures. We ask you to send out a detachment of absolutely reliable persons. Use all means to ensure the
movement of trucks with grain to Petrograd, otherwise there is a threat of famine. Place several sailors or Red
Guards on each of the locomotives. Remember that it depends on you to save Petrograd from famine.

Lenin

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