Date: 1920-10-24
Source: ru:PSS/v51

Source: PSS, Volume 51

Comrade Sverdlov! What is the matter here? After all, you are a member of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee, aren’t you?*** From a formal standpoint—i.e., in terms of legal procedure and the rule of law—is the matter properly addressed?

Is Trotsky’s directive lawful—and, more importantly, is it justified—without the consent of the Council of Defense?

October 24. Lenin

* The telegram begins with the following text: “V. Urgently, under personal responsibility, report to the Political Commissar the time of delivery to the member of the Revolutionary Military Council and to Kamenev at the address of the cipher department of Comrade Sklyansky.” Ed.

** The telegram is also signed by L.D. Trotsky, Chairman of the Revolutionary Military Council. Ed.

*** The Higher Council for Transportation under the Council of People’s Commissars. Ed.

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Written on October 24, 1920.

First published in 1933.

In the Lenin Collection, Volume XXI.

Printed from the manuscript.