A foolish and in places illiterate response.
Bureaucratic red tape instead of action; banditry must be destroyed, not covered up with paperwork.
Let me have brief, the very brief, summaries of the fight against banditry twice a week.
And impress upon the Field Headquarters that they must work, not indulge in red tape.
Who is this "military commissar of the headquarters" Ilyushin, what is his record?
Lenin

LETTER TO THE REVOLUTIONARY MILITARY COUNCIL OF THE REPUBLIC
February 12, 1921
An unheard-of and incredible state of affairs has developed with our communications. Stalin and I cannot get in touch with Ordzhonikidze on the most important matters, Fomin—also with a member of the Revolutionary Military Council of the Caucasian front.
Send, referring to me directly, an urgent telegram to Rostov-on-Don, let them immediately appoint a responsible person who must maintain communication with both and give their responses (constantly) to me, Stalin, and Fomin (from both).
If this is not done, I will bring the local responsible persons to court (or seek their dismissal and arrest). This is intolerable.
Lenin
PS. This is complete disintegration at the top of the army!
No
communication (\ \ ) with such officials as
Ordzhonikidze!!
26*

TELEGRAM TO THE CRIMEAN REVCOM
Sevastopol
February 26, 1921
Take decisive measures for the actual protection of artistic values, paintings, porcelain, bronze, marble, etc., located in Yalta palaces and private buildings, now being allocated for health resorts of the People's Commissariat of Health, concerning which we have information about their removal. Until the arrival of a special commission from Moscow for sorting and protecting the said items, full responsibility for their preservation rests with you.
Chairman of Sovtrudoborona
Lenin
Printed from the original signed by
V. I. Lenin.
103G i
TELEPHONED MESSAGE TO THE PETROGRAD SOVIET
Until March 21, 1921
From March 21 of this year, lift the state of siege in Petrograd, replacing it with martial law.
Chairman of the Council of Labour and Defence
Ulyanov (Lenin)
Printed from the manuscript copy.