V. I. Lenin

Source: ru:LS/v34;es:MT
Translated: machine translation (DeepSeek) from the Russian; AI-translated.

LETTER TO A MEMBER OF THE REVOLUTIONARY
MILITARY COUNCIL OF THE CASPIAN-CAUCASUS FRONT
December 12, 1918

I am taking advantage of this opportunity to send you greetings and material for an investigation. Think it over well beforehand and discuss it with 2 or 3 of the most reliable members of the Cheka, and be sure to catch the scoundrels mentioned here.* Exert every effort to catch and shoot the Astrakhan speculators and bribe-takers. Those swine must be dealt with in such a way that everyone will remember it for years.

As to your requests and commissions, I have telephoned, asked and repeated.** I hope that part—the most essential part—will be carried out. It is, of course, impossible to do everything.

Telegraph what is most urgent among the things not yet done.

Exert every effort to repair and increase the carrying capacity of the Astrakhan railway.

What has been achieved at sea? With our fleet? With the base near Kizlyar?

Write!

The material, I am told, comes from an honest merchant who has remained here.

Greetings! Yours, Lenin