V. I.

Lenin

222

INSTRUCTION TO A SECRETARY AND NOTE TO E. M. SKLYANSKY

Secret. Take 2 copies , and send one to Comrade Sklyansky with this note:

Comrade Sklyansky, It is clear from this that they are trying to shift
responsibility. Probably there isn’t a single battle-worthy unit
against Mamontov: this is an absolute disgrace, and complete negligence on the part of the Revolutionary Military
Council, or complete failure to use an opportunity .

As energetic measures as possible must be taken!

Lenin

To Sklyansky. See to it yourself that all this is kept secret .

Addition : The railway people say that our units that have been sent against Mamontov are afraid to leave their trucks .

By sending such units, the Revolutionary Military
Council of the Republic disgraces itself .

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