LETTER TO SH.Z.ELIAVA

October 16, 1919

October 16.

Comrade Eliaava!

In Turkestan, it is necessary to urgently create, though small, but an independent base: to manufacture cartridges (we are sending the machines), to repair military equipment, to extract coal, oil, and iron.

I have agreed with Rudzutak; he is leaving on October 17 and will bring some things. Do your utmost and inform me and those concerned by radio in code.

We will not spare money; we will send a considerable amount of gold and foreign gold coins if you take up the task of purchasing (from British soldiers and officers, from merchants via Persia, and the like) military equipment, as well as establishing connections with Europe and America through Persia, India, and the like. For this, you must immediately start looking for loyal people capable of infiltrating the appropriate coastal points and from there finding contacts with ships of neutral countries, with merchants, sailors, smugglers, and so forth. The matter, of course, should be conducted with utmost secrecy (as was done during the Tsarist times). Weapons, connections with America and Europe, assistance to the peoples of the East in their struggle against imperialism. By a secure opportunity, send me your response and considerations, and by radio (in code) keep me informed of the most important events and requirements.

Greetings!

N. Lenin.

Fund 2, op. 2, file 202 — autograph.