ANNOTATION ON TELEGRAM FROM I. V. STALIN
July 16, 1919

Moscow, Kremlin, to Lenin

The situation at the front demands maximum strictness and foresight in the front-line zone. Meanwhile, the influx of refugees with a very undefined physiognomy and their passage through the front is breaking the front in favor of the enemy. I have temporarily suspended the passage of refugees in the region of the XVI Army. I request confirmation of this temporary suspension and that the sending of batches of refugees be halted.

Stalin