08.01.1998

The peace demonstrations in Petrograd

From The Call, paper of the British Socialist Party, January 3 1918

The great demonstrations in Petrograd on Sunday last afford evidence of the stability of the present Russian government. The course of negotiations at Brest-Litovsk, regarded in Russia as favourable to the conclusion of an early peace, has greatly enhanced the popularity of the Bolsheviks.

A telegram from the Bolshevik Telegraph Agency relates that at Sunday’s monster demonstration several hundred thousand workmen, soldiers and sailors took part. The procession began at 10 in the morning, in the environs of Petrograd, and was still passing along the Nevsky Prospect at five in the afternoon. Men from every factory marched in the ranks, headed by the Red Guards. Thousands of red banners and flags were carried in the demonstration, many bearing words to the effect that the only Constituent Assembly that can gain the support of the workers must march side by side with the soviets.

A fact that points well for the internal peace of Russia was the presence of the Ukrainians in the procession, and their unity with the Bolshevik workmen in the demand for action against those who still strive to undermine the revolutionary government.