July 24, 1917
The Russian breakdown
The Executive Committee of the South-Western front, that of the Second Army, and the Commissary of the Provisional Government with this Army, have sent to M Kerensky, to the Provisional Government, and to the Council of Workmen’s and Soldiers’ Delegates the following telegram:The German offensive which began on July 19 on the front of the Second Army is assuming the character of a disaster, which threatens a catastrophe to Revolutionary Russia. A fatal crisis has occurred in the moral of the troops recently sent forward against the enemy by the heroic efforts of the conscientious minority. Most of the military units are in a state of complete disorganization, their spirit for an offensive has utterly disappeared, and they no longer listen to the orders of their leaders, and neglect all the exhortations of their comrades, even replying to them by threats and shots. Some elements voluntarily evacuate their positions without even waiting for the approach of the enemy.
Cases are on record in which an order given to proceed with all haste to such-and-such a spot to assist comrades in distress has been discussed for several hours at meetings, and the reinforcements consequently delayed. These elements, at the first shots fired by the enemy, abandon their positions. Long files of deserters, men who are in good health and robust, who have lost all shame and feel that they can act altogether with impunity, are proceeding to the rear of the Army. Frequently entire units desert in this manner.
The members of the aforesaid committees and the Commissary of the Government unanimously recognize that the situation demands extreme measures and extreme efforts, for everything must be risked to save the Revolution from a catastrophe. The Commander-in-Chief on the Western front and the Commander of the Second Army have today given orders to fire on deserters and runaways. Let the country know the truth, let it act without mercy, and let it find enough courage to strike those who, by their cowardice, are destroying and selling Russia and the Revolution.
