Interview Given to
E. Torniainen April 23 (May 6), 1917
V. I. Lenin
So far the majority of the Soviet follows the Narodnik and Menshevik leaders.
We have no doubt that the Soviet will be able to retain power so long as it is supported by a considerable and strong majority of workers and soldiers. The more so as that power, instead of dragging on the war, would bring it to a speedy end on terms most favourable to the masses. We also believe that the Soviet, being a body elected by the workers and soldiers, can definitely win over the overwhelming majority of workers and soldiers.
Whether or not the capitalist government will refuse to convoke the Constituent Assembly will depend upon the development and strength of the counter-revolution. The elements of such a counter-revolution without doubt already exist.
Ending the war by a truly democratic peace depends upon the course which the revolution of the world proletariat will take. This revolution has gained good ground now in Russia, and is undoubtedly gaining ground in Germany (mass strikes, fraternisation).
Published: Työmies No. 122, May 8, 1917.
First published in Russian in 1926 in N. Lenin (V. Ulyanov), Works, Vol. XX, Part 2.
Translated from the Finnish.
Published according to the text in Työmies.
Source: Lenin Collected Works, Progress Publishers, 1964, Moscow, Volume 24, page 222.
Translated: Isaacs Bernard
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eSource: Marxists.org - Marxists Internet Archive
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