Collected Works of V. I. Lenin - Vol. 26 - From Marx to Mao

252V. I. LENINian heroism and historical creative work are a pledge thatthe workers of the countries mentioned will understand theduty that now faces them of saving mankind from the horrorsof war and its consequences, that these workers, by comprehensive,determined, and supremely vigorous action, willhelp us to conclude peace successfully, and at the same timeemancipate the labouring and exploited masses of our populationfrom all forms of slavery and all forms of exploitation.The workers’ and peasants’ government, created by theRevolution of October 24-25 and basing itself on the supportof the Soviets of Workers’, Soldiers’ and Peasants’ Deputies,must start immediate negotiations for peace. Our appeal mustbe addressed both to the governments and to the peoples.We cannot ignore the governments, for that would delaythe possibility of concluding peace, and the people’s governmentdare not do that, but we have no right not to appeal tothe peoples at the same time. Everywhere there are differencesbetween the governments and the peoples, and wemust therefore help the peoples to intervene in questions ofwar and peace. We will, of course, insist upon the whole ofour programme for a peace without annexations and indemnities.We shall not retreat from it; but we must not giveour enemies an opportunity to say that their conditions aredifferent from ours and that therefore it is useless to startnegotiations with us. No, we must deprive them of thatadvantageous position and not present our terms in the formof an ultimatum. Therefore the point is included that we arewilling to consider any peace terms and all proposals. Weshall consider them, but that does not necessarily meanthat we shall accept them. We shall submit them for considerationto the Constituent Assembly which will have thepower to decide what concessions can and what cannot bemade. We are combating the deception practised by governmentswhich pay lip-service to peace and justice, but infact wage annexationist and predatory wars. No governmentwill say all it thinks. We, however, are opposed to secretdiplomacy and will act openly in full view of the wholepeople. We do not close our eyes to difficulties and neverhave done. War cannot be ended by refusal, it cannot be