Telegram to Ya.M. Sverdlov and the CC of the RCP(b), October 5, 1918

Source: Tom 17

5.X.1918

Moscow, Kremlin, Central Executive Committee, Sverdlov.

Copy to the CC of the Party.

The conversation with Trotsky was extremely brief, deliberately insulting, and logically incomprehensible. The conversation was cut short by Trotsky, after which Sytin and Mekhonishin began transmitting a secret order uncoded, and only after our protest did they transmit the remainder in cipher. While unconditionally recognizing the necessity of centralization and subordination, we now, after what Trotsky has said and after all the confusion in the orders, find ourselves at a complete loss, for even with the best of intentions on our part, any form of subordination has become impossible and unworkable. Therefore all questions must be postponed until Stalin's arrival in Moscow. Meanwhile, the delay in supplies is having a devastating effect on the front. Telegram 657 received; the situation report is being sent regularly once a day. From now on it will be twice. Stalin departs today.

Stalin, Minin, Voroshilov.

Source: Bolshevik Leadership. Correspondence. 1912-1927, p. 54.

RGASPI. F. 558. Op. 1. D. 5414. L. 2-4.

NOTE

On October 4, 1918, Trotsky telegraphed Lenin in Moscow from Tambov: "...I categorically insist on the recall of Stalin. On the Tsaritsyn front things are not well, despite a surplus of forces. Voroshilov can command a regiment but not an army of fifty thousand soldiers; nevertheless I shall leave him in command of the Tenth Tsaritsyn Army on the condition that he submit to the Southern Front Commander Sytin. To this day the Tsaritsyn people have not sent even operational reports to Kozlov. I have ordered them to submit operational and intelligence summaries twice daily. If this is not done by tomorrow, I shall bring Voroshilov and Minin to trial and announce it in an order to the army. Insofar as Stalin and Minin remain in Tsaritsyn, they, under the constitution of the Revolutionary Military Council, enjoy only the rights of members of the Revolutionary Military Council of the 10th Army. Their collegial command we cannot recognize, and operational responsibility is placed directly and personally on Voroshilov. Only a short time remains for the offensive before the autumn rains, when here there is no road for pedestrian or horseman. Without coordination of actions with Tsaritsyn, serious operations are impossible; there is no time for diplomatic negotiations -- Tsaritsyn must either submit or be removed. We have successes on all fronts except the Southern, and especially the Tsaritsyn one, where we have a colossal superiority of forces but complete anarchy at the top. This can be dealt with in 24 hours, provided you give your firm and resolute support; in any event, this is the only path I see for myself..."

On October 5, Trotsky forwarded to Sverdlov a telegram he had received from Vatsetis in Kozlov: "Stalin's combat order number one hundred eighteen must be suspended. I have given all instructions to the Southern Front Commander Sytin. Stalin's actions are destroying all my plans..." Evidently, after this telegram, Trotsky had a conversation by direct wire with Stalin, Minin, and Voroshilov, which is the subject of the present telegram.