V. I.

Lenin

184

TELEGRAM TO THE SOVIET OF COMMUNES OF THE NORTHERN REGION

Zinoviev, Smolny, Petrograd
Northern Region Food Commit lee, Economic Council
Petrokomprod
Gubernia Food Committee, Optosoyuz
Copies to Trudosoyuz, Gubernia Food Committees
Olonets, Cherepovets, Novgorod, Pskov Economic Councils

According to information received, notwithstanding the decree of November 21, local co-operatives are being
nationalised and closed, their goods requisitioned and no help is
being given in restoring their legitimate activity. [1] All
this causes dislocation of supply and upsets the organisation of the Soviet Republic’s rear. The present is an
instruction immediately to cease attempts to infringe and evade
the decree of November 21, to restore the closed and nationalised co-operatives, to return their goods, and without
fail to include the co-operatives in the distributive system,
on an equal footing with state shops. The co-operative machinery should be made use of in all possible ways in
the business of purchasing supplies and distribution, and
representatives of the co-operative movement should be drawn into co-operative commissions of the food supply
organisations. Infringement and evasion of the decree will
be punished. This telegram is to be communicated for information and action to all Executive Committees and
food supply organisations of the Northern Region. To be
published in the local newspapers.

Ulyanov (Lenin )
Chairman, Defence Council