V. I.   Lenin

In Search of a Napoleon


Published: Pravda No. 53, May 23 (10), 1917. Published according to the text in Pravda.
Source: Lenin Collected Works, Progress Publishers, 1964, Moscow, Volume 24, page 383.
Translated: Isaacs Bernard
Transcription\Markup: B. Baggins and D. Walters
Public Domain: Lenin Internet Archive 1999 (2005). You may freely copy, distribute, display and perform this work; as well as make derivative and commercial works. Please credit “Marxists Internet Archive” as your source.


 

The newspaper of ex-Minister Milyukov is so furious with the Mensheviks and Socialist-Revolutionaries for having forced certain individuals out of the cabinet that it lets itself be forced into making rather “indiscreet” statements.

How can we tolerate such criminal propaganda?”—we read in an unsigned article of May 9 on the question of fraternisation. “Will this never be put a Stop to? Must we have a Napoleon? Must we be content with mere talk about iron discipline?”

A delicate, a very delicate hint alluding to Kerensky’s notorious words about iron discipline.

Rech gives its readers a true and accurate picture of what is going on in “our” “new” government. We thank Rech from the bottom of our hearts for this truthfulness, which is exceptionally rare in such a newspaper and which has been called forth by exceptional circumstances.

In the “new” government Kerensky, supported by Chernov and Tsereteli, proclaims “iron discipline” for the army (in order to carry out the imperialist programme for an offensive).

And the landowners and capitalists, who have ten out of the sixteen posts in the cabinet, fume at Kerensky: “Must we be content with mere talk about iron discipline?”

Is it not clear that this phrase is calculated to inspire Kerensky or some “suitable” general to take upon himself the role of a Napoleon, the role of a strangler of freedom, the role of an executioner of the workers?


Notes


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