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

MEETING OF THE ALL-RUSSIA C.E.C., NOVEMBER 10 (23)319regiment is disciplined enough to maintain the necessaryrevolutionary order. In the event of betrayal during thesoldiers’ armistice negotiations or an attack duringfraternisation, it is the soldiers’ duty to shoot the traitorson the spot, without more ado.It is monstrous to allege that we have now weakened ourfront in the event of the Germans starting an offensive. UntilDukhonin’s exposure and removal, the army was neversure that it was conducting an international policy of peace.It now has this assurance: the only way to fight Dukhoninis to appeal to the sense of discipline and initiative of themasses of soldiers. Peace cannot be concluded only fromabove. Peace must be won from below. We put no trust inthe German generals, but we have faith in the German people.A peace concluded by the commanders-in-chief, withoutthe active participation of the soldiers, would be precarious.I do not object to Kamenev’s proposal as a matter of principlebut because it is inadequate and too weak. I have noobjections to a commission but I suggest that we keep anopen mind on its functions; I dislike half-measures andpropose that we should be given a free hand in this respect.Pravda No. 188,November 26 (13), 1917Published according to thetext of Minutes of the All-Russia Central ExecutiveCommittee of Soviets ofWorkers’, Soldiers’, Peasants’and Cossacks’ Deputies,Second Convocation, Moscow,1918