V. I.

Lenin

265

To:   E. M. SKLYANSKY

February 6, 1921

Comrade Sklyansky, I attach one more “warning”.

Our military command has failed disgracefully by allowing Makhno to get away (in spite of an immense
superiority of forces and strict orders to catch him), and is now
failing still more disgracefully by proving unable to crush
a handful of bandits.

Order a brief report for me from the Commander-in-Chief
(with a brief sketch showing the disposition of bands and
troops) about what is being done.

How is the wholly reliable cavalry being used?

— the armoured trains? (Arc they rationally distributed? Are they not moving wastefully , requisitioning
grain?)

— armoured cars?

— aeroplanes?

How, and how many are in use?

Both grain and wood fuel, everything is being lost because
of the bands, while we have a million-strong army. You must
do all you can to brace up the Commander-in-Chief.

Lenin

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