TELEGRAM TO THE MILITARY COMMISSARIATS OF YELTS AND TULA
August 5, 1918
Render every possible assistance to ensure the swift dispatch of Panyushkin’s detachment and the full provision of all its necessary supplies. Please inform me by telegraph of all that has been accomplished.
Chairman of the Council of People’s Commissars
Lenin
11&16
STATEMENT OF THE COUNCIL OF PEOPLE’S COMMISSARS
August 8, 1918
Taking into consideration:
1) that following Russia’s withdrawal from the ranks of the belligerent powers,
the Soviet government had consistently demanded the return to Russia of Russian soldiers stationed in France, protesting both against the continued detention of these soldiers in France and against their incorporation into the Foreign Legion of the French Army, as well as against the persistent persecution of Russian soldiers who refused to enlist in the aforementioned legion;
2) that, despite all such persecution, the Russian soldiers loyal to the Soviet Republic in France had steadfastly and resolutely refused to join the designated legion;
3) that at present, the French forces are engaged in actual military operations against the Russian Republic and the Revolution—and that, consequently, the Russian soldiers serving in the ranks of the French Army are, in a roundabout way, aiding and abetting the ongoing war waged against the Republic and the Revolution—
The Council of People’s Commissars calls upon Russian citizens residing in France to combat, by all means at their disposal, any attempt to conscript them into the ranks of the French Army; to promote…