Telegram from the general delegate meeting of the Black Sea Fleet to Petrograd demanding the arrest of V. I. Lenin (April 26, 1917)

 Archive: RGAVMF. F. R-181. Op. 1. Unit hr. 1. L. 159.

Telegram from the general delegate meeting of the Black Sea Fleet to Petrograd demanding the arrest of V. I. Lenin (April 26, 1917)

Petrograd.

To the Provisional Government, copy to the Council of Workers' and Soldiers' Deputies.

The entire Black Sea Fleet, from the sailor to the Commander [1] , the garrison and workers of Sevastopol, understanding and taking into account the situation that threatens the Motherland with danger, considers itself obliged to say loudly and firmly to all of Russia:

Expressing complete confidence in the Provisional Government, asks it to establish order in the rear, discipline at the front and the destruction of German militarism by an immediate transition to the offensive along the entire front and thereby provide assistance to our allies, indignantly reject any thought of a separate peace, firmly remembering that we will not give up what is ours, and do not want what is not ours.

Addressing the Council of Workers' and Soldiers' Deputies as the representative of all democratic Russia, we ask that you, without weakening your control over the actions of the Provisional Government, provide it with full assistance in achieving its stated goals. At the same time, recognizing the full danger of civil war, which could lead the country to anarchy, we ask the Council of Workers' and Soldiers' Deputies to isolate individuals like Lenin, who, with their untimely actions , are ruining the cause of revolution and the conquest of freedom. Then, in concerted, collaborative work, you will find the full support of the entire Black Sea Fleet, the garrison, and the workers of Sevastopol.

Executive Committee of the Headquarters of the Black Sea Air Division [3] .

RGAVMF. F. R-181. Op. 1. Unit hr. 1. L. 159.

[1] A. V. Kolchak

[2] So in the text

[3] The aviators were likely the original authors of the project. According to the notes on the document, the text was adopted at a general delegate meeting held on the battleship Svobodnaya Rossiya.