Bolshevik Leaders correspondence

Bolshevik leadership Correspondence. 1912-1927
Collection of documents 1996.
Compiled by: A.V.Kvashonkin, L.P.Kosheleva, L.A.Rogovaya, O.V.Khlevnyuk.

G. V. Chicherin to L. D. Trotsky

November 26, 1921

Dear Lev Davydovich.

Finnish seal represents the Karelian uprising 1in grandiose form: part of the detachments goes to Kem, part to Soroki, part to Povenets, the railway is destroyed for a long distance. And according to our sources, the rebels are 20 versts from Kem, our detachments are being expelled from everywhere, insufficient forces have been sent. If we do not take it seriously now, much greater sacrifices will be required. Activists rejoice, they have a huge upsurge in mood, work is in full swing. The Vennola government, never fond of activism, was at first extremely reserved about this adventure, but now it is under fierce pressure and the brilliant successes of the uprising make it impossible for it to do nothing completely. The further, the more difficult the situation. Vennola may be forced to turn to the League of Nations to accuse us of violating the treaty 2, in general, such strained relations can be created, the results of which cannot be foreseen. It seems to me that we should pay the most serious attention to the Karelian uprising and, by the way, undertake some sort of agitational action in order to frighten Vennola with more than notes alone .

With communist greetings, Chicherin.

RTSKHIDNI. F. 5. Op. 2. D. 315. L. 260. Typewritten text. Signature - autograph.

Notes:

1 According to the Yuryevsky (October 14, 1920) Soviet-Finnish peace treaty, the East Karelian Autonomous Region was created in the territory of eastern Karelia as part of the RSFSR. Finland was given the region of Petsamo (Pechenga). In March 1920, the Provisional Karelian Government was created in Ukhta, which proclaimed the separation of Karelia from Soviet Russia. In October 1920, the "Karelian Union" was founded in Helsinki with the assistance of the Finnish government. In the autumn of 1921, an uprising broke out in Karelia under the slogan of joining Karelia to Finland. In an attempt to suppress the uprising, Soviet troops crossed the border with Finland. This was the reason for the open Finnish invasion. The uprising was finally crushed in January 1922.

2 We are talking about the Yurievsky Treaty. On November 28, 1921, Trotsky telegraphed to the Revolutionary Military Council of the Petrograd Military District: “Based on all the orders given by the Commander-in-Chief, I draw the attention of the district to the need for exceptional exertion of forces for the speedy and most decisive elimination of the White Karelian gangs, since the delay in operations is undoubtedly harmful internationally [. ..]" (The Trotsky papers. Vol. 2. P. 628).

3 We are talking about the notes of the People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs of the RSFSR to Finland's Charge d'Affaires in the RSFSR dated November 18 and 28, 1921 (Documents of Foreign Policy of the USSR, vol. 4, pp. 511-512, 534-537).