Telephone Message to the Petrograd Committee, R.S.D.L.P.(B.)

J. V. Stalin

February 21, 1918

Works, Vol. 4, November, 1917 - 1920

We advise the Executive Commission of the Petrograd Committee and all district committees of the Bolshevik Party to rouse all the workers without a moment's delay and, in accordance with the decision to be adopted this evening by the Petrograd Soviet, to muster tens of thousands of workers and to set to work all the bourgeoisie without exception, under the control of the workers, for digging trenches outside Petrograd. Now, when the revolution is in danger, this is the only way in which it can be saved. The line of trenches will be indicated by the military. Get your weapons ready and, the chief thing, organize and mobilize to a man.

Lenin, Stalin

February 21, 1918