V. I. Lenin

Source: ru:PSS/v37;es:MT
Translated: machine translation (DeepSeek) from the Russian; AI-translated.

1. DECISION OF THE COUNCIL OF PEOPLE’S COMMISSARS{35}

Instruct all Commissariats to draw up, within one week, a brief report, from two to five printed pages in length, on their activities since October 25, 1917.

These reports must be compiled in the most popular style, with special attention to facts concerning the role of working-class organisations and representatives of the proletariat in administration, to major measures of a socialist character, and to the struggle to suppress the resistance of the bourgeoisie.

The same is to be done by the All-Russia Extraordinary Commission.

Request the Presidium of the Central Executive Committee to adopt the same decision regarding its own activities (especially the Constitution and the results of the Congresses of Soviets).

2. LETTER TO THE PEOPLE’S COMMISSARS

August 29, 1918

I take the liberty of expressing the following wishes on the question of carrying out the decision of the Council of People’s Commissars of August 29 concerning reports within a week’s time:

In the reports, which must be as popular as possible, it is particularly necessary to note:

a) improvement in the condition of the masses (increase in wages for workers, people’s teachers, etc.);

b) participation of workers in administration (outstanding individual workers and working-class organisations, etc.);

c) the same—of the poorest peasants and the aid of the Soviet government in the struggle against the kulaks;

d) expropriation of landowners, capitalists, merchants, financiers, etc.

The main task is to show concretely, by facts, how the Soviet government has taken definite steps (the first steps) towards socialism.

Written on August 29, 1918.

First published in 1928 in the *Lenin Miscellany* VIII

Printed from the manuscripts