2) Move the entire 5th Army to the south immediately, not after the Ishim (since the Tobol River is considerably larger and wider than the Ishim River,

* This refers to the appeal "To the Workers and Red Army Soldiers of Petrograd" (see Works, 5th ed., vol. 39, pp. 230-231). Ed.

and the length of the front is reduced insignificantly upon crossing to the Ishim River).

3) Transform the offensive on the Ishim into a demonstration and retreat (having prepared this in the shortest time possible) to the Tobol River.

Instruct the Commander-in-Chief to discuss my proposals 1-3.

Lenin

Written October 17, 1919

First published in 1942 in Lenin Miscellany XXXIV

Printed from the manuscript