[1919]

Dear M. F.! Apologies for the delay: I am answering both letters at once. Regarding the first, I hope you have already spoken with Lunacharsky in Petrograd. Due to my trips to the dacha, I did not catch him and did not manage to talk to him. I will do this as soon as I can.
Regarding the second (arrests), I am writing to A. M. 1
Measures for release have been taken. (It is impossible not to arrest, to prevent conspiracies, all Kadet and near-Kadet public. It is capable, all of it, of assisting conspirators. It is criminal not to arrest it. It is better that dozens and hundreds of intellectuals sit for days and weeks, than that 10,000 be slaughtered. Indeed, it is better.)
Best regards!
Your Lenin