V. I. Lenin

Decision Of The C.C., R.C.P.(B.)

On The International Situation[1]


Written: 6 May, 1918
First Published: 1929 in Lenin Miscellany XI; Published according to the manuscript
Source: Lenin’s Collected Works, 4th English Edition, Progress Publishers, Moscow, 1972 Volume 27, page 355
Translated: Clemens Dutt; Edited by Robert Daglish
Transcription/HTML Markup: David Walters & Robert Cymbala
Online Version: Lenin Internet Archive March, 2002


To yield to the German ultimatum. The British ultimatum to be rejected. (For war against Germany threatens greater losses and calamities than against Japan)

In view of the obvious political alliance between the Ukrainian and Russian counter-revolution, martial law to be instituted against the bourgeoisie.

Every effort to be exerted for defence of the Urals-Kuznetsk area and territory from both Japan and Germany. [Immediate evacuation to the Urals of everything in general and of the Stationery Office in particular.]

Negotiations to be conducted with Mirbach to ascertain whether Finland and the Ukraine are being obliged to conclude peace with Russia, and to hasten this peace in every way, while recognising that It will bring about new annexations.

Adopted in the C.C. on Monday, May 6, 1918,at night


Endnotes

[1] The international situation was discussed by the Central Committee of the Bolshevik Part in connection with the crisis caused by Germany, which was demanding the cession to Finland of Fort Ino (a fortification on the Russian frontier with Finland, which with Kronstadt formed an essential part of the Petrograd defence system), and also in connection with the continued British occupation of Murmansk in spite of the protests of the Soviet Government, and the occupying forces' preparations to penetrate into the hinterland. Lenin examined both these questions in detail at a joint meeting of the All-Russia C.E.C. and the Moscow Soviet on May 14, 1918