V. I.

Lenin

Chronicler’s Record

In a speech to the newly promoted Red commanders Lenin spoke about the things a Red commander should know when going out to the
Western Front. A Red commander should remember that we were fighting, not
the Polish workers and peasants, but the Polish bourgeoisie and landowners,
as well as the capitalists of the Entente who stood behind them and controlled the Polish landed gentry. You know,
Comrade Lenin said, that this war has been forced on us against our desire,
but we are not going to let ourselves be crushed: better death than
defeat.

---
Notes: