Speech to State Committee for Defence
Moscow, Kremlin, October 19, 1941
Information is hereby given that the defence of the capital on the
lines of defence situated at 100-120 kilometres to the west of Moscow
is entrusted to Army General, Comrade J-ukov commanding the West Front;
Lieutenant General, Comrade Artemiev, Chief of Garrison of the city of
Moscow, is instructed to defend the boundaries of Moscow.
In order to ensure the defence of the Moscow frontier, to reinforce the
back lines of troops defending Moscow, and also in order to repress the
underhand manoeuvres of spies, saboteurs and other agents of German
fascism, the State Committee for defence resolves :
1. To proclaim, as from 20 October, 1941, a state of siege on the city of Moscow and its adjacent regions.
2. To prohibit thoroughfare in the streets, equally for persons as for
vehicles, from midnight until 05.00 hours, with the exception of
persons or transport holding a special pass issued by the commanding
officer of the city in the case of alert, the evacuation of the
population and of vehicles must take place according to the ruling
established by the DCA of Moscow and published in the press.
3. To commit to the commanding officer of the city of Moscow, Major
General, Comrade Sinilov, the ensurance of the most strict order in the
city and in neighbouring regions, and to this effect to put at his
disposal troops of the Interior Guard of the Commissariat of the People
of the Interior, the Militia and some detachments of voluntary workers.
4. To immediately summon before the Military Tribunal those infringing
law and order, and to shoot on. sight provocateurs, spies and other
enemies intent upon disturbing order.
5. The State Committee for Defence exhorts all workers of the capital
to observe order and peace and to give all their assistance to the Red
Array which defends Moscow.
J. Stalin
President of the State Committee for Defence
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