isaac-deutscher-the-prophet-armed-trotsky-1879-1921

TROTSKY IN THE OCTOBER REVOLUTION 297
to make room for another government. The transfer of the
government to Moscow would be a desertion from a responsible
battle position.' 1 The resolution was carried without a single
dissentient vote. The garrison gave notice of its interest in
organizing the defence of the city, if need be without and even
against the government.
On the next day Trotsky sounded the alarm from the platform
of the pre-Parliament: 'The idea of surrendering the revolutionary
capital to German troops', he said, 'was a natural link in a
general policy designed to promote ... counter-revolutionary
conspiracy.' 2 A flood of abuse broke loose against the speaker,
but this was the last time he addressed the pre-Parliament---on
Lenin's insistent promptings, the party had, after all, decided
to boycott the assembly. Overcoming the tumult, Trotsky
announced the Bolshevik exodus: 'With this government of
treason to the people and with this Council of counter-revolutionary
connivance we have nothing in common .•.. In withdrawing
from the Council, we summon the workers, soldiers,
and peasants of all Russia to be on their guard and to be
courageous. Pctrograd is in danger! The revolution is in danger!
The people is in danger!' From now on almost every day the
insurgents took a long stride towards their goal.
Both sides, Kerensky and his General Staff on the one hand,
Trotsky and the Soviet on the other, were engaged in a series of
mana:uvrcs designed to set the stage for civil war; but both
pretended to act in the broader interest of national defence.
Kerensky was preparing a redistribution of troops, ostensibly
designed to strengthen the front. In the process the most revolutionary
regiments were to be sent out of Petrograd, as a prelude
to a showdown with the Soviet. Trotsky had to frustrate Kerensky's
plan and to prevent the departure of the pro-Bolshevik
regiments. He did so on the ground that the depiction of the
garrison would expose the capital to German invasion, which
was not untrue. The government had in the meantime denied
that it proposed to evacuate Petrograd. But mistrust of its
intentions had been aroused; and when it became known that
Kerensky was bent on reshuffling the troops the suspicion was
confirmed and strengthened. On g October the Soviet was in a
state of extraordinary agitation. Trotsky urged its plenary session
1 Trotsky, Sochinenya, vol. iii, book 1, p. 321. ' Ibid., pp. 321-3.