Stalin to Ordzhonisky

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

Stalin Correspondences

I. V. Stalin - G. K. Ordzhonikidze

February 16, 1921

Baku. Note by Comrade Ordzhonikidze 1 .

From your message, which, unfortunately, we did not receive in full (distortion), we conclude that the Armenian Government is waging war with Georgia, protecting the rebels 2 . It is desirable to have from you an exact confirmation of this [th] for the notification of Europe, as well as confirmation of the formation of the Georgian Revolutionary Committee in connection with the uprising inside Georgia 3 , are the rumors about the atrocities of the Georgians against the Tatar rebels of the Sayugly Soguthulahi station area and others true 4. Also tell us whether you have taken measures so that the Russian commanders, commanders and brigade commanders do not allow interpretations about our campaign against Georgia and about the opening of hostilities on the part of the Russian [Russian] Soviet social [ialist] federal republic] , spoke precisely and clearly about the protection of the insurgents by the local authorities. Finally, it is necessary that you notify the press in Baku about the break in communication with (distortion)*, inform through Rostov (distortion)* day. It's time (distortion) * do not send anything, do not forget the Anbazi, who are also revolting and near which the ninth army is stationed 5 , if you can win over the left Georgian Mensheviks by concessions, as was the case in Armenia with the Dashnaks 6 , promise [those] concessions, amnesty, etc. Stalin. 16/11 21

RTSKHIDNI. F. 558. On. 1. D. 1966. L. 1-4. Handwritten text.

Notes:

1 On the letterhead: "RSFSR Secretary of the Member of the Revolutionary Military Council of the Caucasian Front."

2We are talking about disputed territories in Borchala and part of Akhalkalaki counties. On the night of February 11-12, 1921, under the leadership of the Communists, an armed uprising began in the part of these districts occupied by Georgian troops, coordinated with the leadership of the 11th Army. On February 15, 1921, Lenin sent a telegram to the RVS of the 11th Army: “The Central Committee considers the operations of the RVS 11 as local protection of the insurgents of the neutral zone from the extermination that threatens them from the White Guards. Consider this political character of your operation in all your public speeches. Of course, we expect from the RVS 11 energetic and quick actions that do not stop before taking Tiflis, if this is necessary for military reasons to really protect the neutral zone from a new attack. We expect, that our warnings have been taken seriously by you. Notify daily” (Lenin V.I. PSS. T. 52. S. 71).

3 We are talking about uprisings in Eastern Georgia. On February 14, 1921, Lenin asked Sklyansky to “cipher with extreme caution” and personally send a telegram to Smilga, a member of the Revolutionary Military Council of the Caucasian Front, with the following content: that all members of RVS 11, after serious consideration of all the data, vouch for the success [...]. We demand an immediate answer by direct wire signed by all members of RVS 11, as well as by Smilga, Gittis, Trifonov and Frumkin. Until we reply to the telegrams of all these people, do nothing decisively” (Ibid.).

On February 16, 1921, Lenin received a telegram on behalf of the Revolutionary Committee of Georgia, which, in particular, stated: “[...] the last uprising of the popular masses turned out to be victorious. The forces of European reaction are rushing to the aid of the Georgian government. Only a united red socialist army can resist the onslaught of the united black army. We hope, we are sure that the country not only of the great proletarian revolution, but also of great material opportunities will not leave us in an unequal struggle and will come to the aid of the newborn Soviet Socialist Republic of Georgia [...] Long live the Red Army ”(From the history of the civil war in USSR, vol. 3, p. 520).

4 Ordzhonikidze’s message addressed to Stalin dated February 17, 1921, in the section entitled “Saloglakh-Poyly”, in particular, stated: “[...] The peasants of the Georgian villages bordering Azerbaijan, having learned about the atrocities committed by the Georgian Borchali district, they decided to lend a helping hand to the Borchalins and also raised an uprising against the hated government of the Mensheviks of Georgia [...] ”(Struggle for the Victory of Soviet Power in Georgia. P. 660).

5 We are talking about the Black Sea coast of Georgia, where the 9th Army conducted military operations against the Georgian troops.

6 See note 2 to document No. 109.