# Speech Delivered at a Rally in the Lefortovo District on July 19, 1918 {191} — Newspaper Report
Source: PSS, Volume 36

The acute situation facing the Soviet Republic stems from two sources: international and domestic. We have never concealed from workers and peasants the full weight of the ignominious peace. Despite its profound severity, the Fourth Congress of Soviets deemed it necessary to sign this peace treaty—to afford Russian workers and peasants a respite, enabling them to recuperate and strengthen their position. The Left Socialist-Revolutionary Party assumed responsibility for the assassination of Mirbach and brought Russia perilously close to the brink of ruin.

There are signs that the German government is prepared to make concessions—and may even renounce its plan to deploy a battalion of German soldiers in Moscow. The Soviet government categorically rejected this demand from the German government, even if doing so were to provoke war.

The adventurism of the Left Socialist-Revolutionaries led to an extraordinary deterioration in the position of Soviet power; yet, on the other hand, it also resulted in the defection of the very best element within the Soviet ranks—the working class—from the Left Socialist-Revolutionaries.

In light of the escalating tensions with Germany, relations with another coalition have likewise grown more strained. The Czechoslovak uprising was their handiwork. Evidence of this lies in the officer corps, which is funded by French money and actively aids the Czechoslovaks.

Comrade Lenin went on to argue that war gives rise to revolution, and that the longer it drags on, the more hopeless the situation becomes for the warring nations—thus bringing them ever closer to revolution. In Germany and Austria, waves of strikes once again swept across the land. All imperialist predators are turning their attention to Russia, seeking to tear it apart, for they know that every month of socialist Russia’s existence spells doom for them. It has fallen to us to bear the greatest honor—and the greatest burden—of being the first socialist force to confront global imperialism. Our task is to endure a little longer.

Lenin then turned to the issue of famine, which the White Guards exploit in order to overthrow Soviet power. Monarchists, kulaks, and the wealthy launch frenzied campaigns fueled by hunger. They do not limit themselves to mere agitation; instead, they bribe poor peasants, driving them into speculation and pitting them against the workers. Two classes are locked in struggle: the proletariat and the kulaks, the capitalists. One of these classes must prevail; the other must be crushed. Our socialist revolution calls upon conscious workers to join forces with the vast majority of the poorest and middle peasants in the fight against the kulaks, in order to establish the strictest possible order in the interests of the workers. In our hands lies a single path to salvation from famine: the alliance of workers with the poorest peasants, uniting in struggle to seize grain from the kulaks and speculators. Face danger head-on! We have enemies everywhere—but we also have new allies: the proletariat of those countries still engaged in war. And within our own borders, we find allies in the immense mass of the poorest peasantry, who will march shoulder to shoulder with the urban proletariat.

“Pravda,” No. 151, July 21, 1918

Printed according to the text of the newspaper “Pravda.”