TO THE UNION OF PRINTERS, SYTIN

[25 February 1918]

Immediately evacuate as large a quantity as possible of rotary machines, linotype machines and all necessary materials for printing, all equipment, roll paper. All that is possible. The printing press — our mightiest weapon. Evacuate to Nizhny Novgorod.

Lenin

Published from the text written in the hand of N. P. Gorbunov

1 I. D. Sytin — major Russian entrepreneur in publishing, polygraphy and the book trade. After the October Revolution participated in Soviet publishing work.

2 Evacuation was necessary in connection with the impending German offensive from Estland.