(On the first item of the agenda – the international and domestic situation of the republic and the immediate tasks of the working class – Comrade Lenin delivered an extensive report, greeted with loud applause from the entire audience.) Comrade Lenin pointed to the reasons that prevented world imperialism from achieving its aspiration – to strangle the proletarian republic; reasons which lie chiefly in the decomposition of the capitalist system and the growth of the revolutionary movement among workers of all countries. The language of our Red Army is the most convincing and intelligible language for predators and plunderers, and they are forced to negotiate with us about trade. But the victory of the Red Army will not be complete and durable if we do not cope with the following, more difficult, more gigantic task – the revival of industry and the improvement of the national economy.

Comrade Lenin touched upon the question of electrification, without which the rebirth of the country is inconceivable. Having dwelt on the question of attracting foreign capital, on concessions, the speaker moved on to the role of the printing industry in the general national economy and concluded with the conviction that the workers and peasants of Russia will demonstrate a brilliant example of victory on the peaceful front, just as they have repeatedly demonstrated it on the military fronts. (Prolonged applause.)

*Pravda* no. 269, November 30, 1920

Printed from the text of the newspaper *Pravda*