QUESTIONS OF DEFENSE

In September and early October 1919, Denikin achieved suc-
cess on the Southern Front. On October 13, he managed to seize Orel. To
eliminate the extremely difficult and dangerous situation for the republic,
created as a result of prolonged failures on the Southern Front, the Central Committee of the party sent I. V. Stalin to the Revolutionary Military Council of the Southern Front. I. V. Stalin
developed a new strategic plan to combat Denikin, which
was approved by Lenin and the Central Committee of the party. The implemen-
tation of this plan led to the complete defeat and destruction of Denikin.
The text of this note was given by K. E. Voroshilov in his report at
the solemn anniversary session on February 23, 1933, at the Bolshoi Theater
(see "Pravda" JV 63 of March 5, 1933).

ON THE REVISION OF ORDERS AND APPOINTMENTS
FOR MILITARY PROPERTY.
a.
To Comrades Avanesov, Sklyansky, Rogov (Moscow Soviet),
Syromolotov and Milyutin1.
15. X. 1919
The C.C. instructed a commission consisting of Lenin, Trotsky, Krestinsky
and Kamenev "to prepare a report on the search for any property suitable for
military purposes and military supplies, with the imposition
of severe penalties for failure to indicate it."
This commission decided to create a subcommittee from the
above-mentioned comrades (from the Supreme Council of National Economy Syromolotov or Milyutin
or someone from Gramota* etc., by agreement with the presidium of the Supreme Council of National Economy) and entrust it with drawing up a draft decree
by Saturday (for submission to the Council] of Defense)2.

Pr. S. Ob. V. Ulyanov (Lenin).
P. S. On the tasks of the decree, you can contact by phone, if needed,
with and with Trotsky.
15003 b.
To the Council of Defense.
15. X. 1919
The Supreme Council of National Economy and all commissariats are instructed to immediately re-
view all [data for the last]] [available] data on orders
* Transport and Material Department of the Supreme Council of National Economy. - Ed.

and appointments for property [and supplies] in order to select from
them those that are assigned to areas already occupied by the enemy
or cut off, [or] [and direct] and then, through the corresponding department, to cancel these orders and transfer [suppl-
ies]] the property to bases close to the center (for new immediate
appointment, primarily in the interests of military defense).
For delay—trial under military laws.
Pr. S. Ob. V. Ulyanov (Lenin).
Draft decree to be submitted by decision of December. Members of the Council of Defense must give their opinion by Saturday.
15/X. Lenin.
15003
On the agenda. Copies to all members of the Council of Defense.
1 V. A. Avanesov - Deputy People's Commissar of State Control; M. I. Rogov - Chair-
man of the Moscow Soviet; F. F. Syromolotov - member of the presidium of the Supreme Council of National Economy and member
of the board of the People's Commissariat of Finance; V. I. Milyutin - Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council of National Economy.
2 The issue "on the revision of orders and appointments for military property
issued in areas occupied by the enemy" was discussed in the Council of Defense
on October 17, 1919, based on Lenin's report. It was decided "to transfer the con-
sideration of this issue to a commission consisting of Comrades S. D. Markov, A. I. Svi-
dersky, A. I. Rykov and E. M. Sklyansky, instructing the commission, if an agreement is reached," to submit it for Lenin's signature by Monday, October 20. Following Lenin's report, the Council of Defense discussed a draft decree "on the search for property suitable for military purposes" submitted by V. A. Avanesov. On this issue, a decision similar to the above was adopted.
15001 and 15003

ON OVERTIME WORK IN ENTERPRISES
WORKING FOR THE DEFENSE OF THE REPUBLIC1.

DRAFT REGULATION FOR THE COUNCIL OF DEFENSE.
[October 17, 1919]
This regulation, approved in development and temporary repeal of certain tariff regulations and resolutions
of the labor law code, is caused by the exceptional conditions
of the moment the country is experiencing (namely, the moment of the most severe

QUESTIONS OF DEFENSE
231 heavy military danger from the invasion of troops hired
by the international imperialist bourgeoisie) and remains
in force until these conditions change.
(Chairman of the Council of Defense V. Ulyanov Lenin).
1 The draft regulation with Lenin's amendment was approved by the Council
of Defense on October 17, 1919 (protocol CO No. 75, item 8). A brief report
on the regulation adopted by the Council of Defense, drawn up, according to the resolution
of the Council of People's Commissars, by Rykov, was published, signed by Lenin, in "Izvestia
VTSIK" JV 237 of October 23, 1919.
24922

LETTER TO G. E. ZINOVIEV.
[December 15, 1919]
Comrade Zinoviev!
I am sending the Politburo's conclusion.
Two things:
1) Is it possible to urgently order 2 sledges (Kegresse auto-sledges)
heavy and 2 light for the Southern Front? Urgently. Answer.
2) Pay particular attention to the oil shales around
Yamburg.
It is of utmost importance to lean on with all your might.
3) Materials (barbed wire, etc.) should not be zoрить * and should not be
dragged away.
It will be needed. Pay attention.
Greetings. Lenin.
I am writing the article. If I do not finish today, do not wait2.
1 The conclusion of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the All-Union Communist Party (Bolsheviks), apparently, concerned issues
of the defense of the RSFSR.
2 Lenin finished the article "Elections to the Constituent Assembly and the Dictatorship of the Proletariat," intended for publication in the journal "Communist
International" (November-December 1919), on December 16, 1919 (Works, vol. XXXIX, pp. 631-649).
* Zoрить - to ruin,
spoil, destroy!
(old
Russian word). -Ed.

LETTER TO G. E. ZINOVIEV.
23/XII 1919
Comrade Zinoviev!
I received your letter of 20/XII.
Come to an agreement on everything concerning
Petersburg with Trotsky. It seems necessary to preserve and restore all the defensive] structures (they say they are already stealing wire, etc.) and to invent a system of mobilization weekly (or "alarms" or gatherings) to keep
Petersburg in readiness. This needs to be carefully considered.
Food depends entirely on transport. Repair of locomotives and wagons!!
Since you have already taken up the issue of shales, that's wonderful. But I was surprised that you write about the transport of shales. Transport (except
for gas: shale gives more gas than coal) is not suitable for shales, it is necessary to electrify on the spot and put up a refining plant on the spot to obtain oil from shale. That's what I was told here. And I thought that Petersburg, with its resources, could cope with the task of electrification and refining into oil.
Greetings! Lenin.
NB. Is it possible to build blockhouses to protect Petersburg?
I am sending a report to you and Trotsky on this topic.
Why aren't there more Kegresses? Lent, they say, has more than 100?