V. I.

Lenin

241

TELEGRAM TO THE REVOLUTIONARY MILITARY COUNCIL OF THE CASPIAN-CAUCASIAN FRONT, THE ASTRAKHAN GUBERNIA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND GUBERNIA COMMITTEE OF THE R.C.P.(B.)

Shlyapnikov, Gubernia Executive Committee
Gubernia Committee of the Party of Communists

Astrakhan [1]

A conflict with the Party Committee is inadmissible.
Take all steps to ensure proper teamwork. All Party members, irrespective of the post they occupy, must belong to
the local organisation. The Party Committee should not interfere in the work of institutions directly subordinated to
the centre. It has the right only to put its views before the
Central Committee. All local work is directed by the Party
centre. Intervention is possible from within or if there is a
special instruction of the C.C. on some concrete question.
Similar relations should be established with the Gubernia
Executive Committee. Only in the event of non-fulfilment of
decrees or of work against the decisions of the central
authority is direct intervention possible. Great tact is essential,
then conflicts will be impossible. General talk about the
need for a radical purge in military institutions is of no value. We shall lake note of concrete references to
particular facts or persons.

Lenin [2]

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Notes:
[1]
The word “Astrakhan” is in Lenin’s handwriting.— Ed .

[2]
This is followed by the signature of Sverdlov in Lenin’s
handwriting.— Ed .