V. I.

Lenin

448

TELEGRAM TO V. M. GITTIS AND A. I. POTYAEV

All in code
21. X. 1919

Gittis, Potyaev
Revolutionary Military Council, Western Front

There are reports that fraternising has begun between the Polish soldiers and
ours. [3] Check on this as accurately as possible and report what measures you are
taking [1] in order that impostors and enemy ruses shall be rendered
completely harmless, and so that thoroughly useful people
or commissars take part in the fraternising. Report everything you know about the temper of the Polish
soldiers. [2]

Lenin
Chairman, Council of Defence

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Notes:
[1]
Followed in the manuscript by the words “to step up fraternisation and” which were deleted by Sklyansky.— Ed .

[2]
The text from the words “so that” to the end is in Sklyansky’s
handwriting.— Ed .

[3]
The Central Party Archives of the Institute of Marxism-Leninism of
the C.C., C.P.S.U. contain an extract from a reconnaissance report
of November 17, 1919, which states that in the vicinity of Disna
fraternisation took place with Polish soldiers and the lower
ranks of the Polish officers. The document bears a note by Lenin:
“This is very important! Send copies to Comrade Trotsky for all
members of the Politbureau.”