The members of the Commission were astounded at the General’s words. General Alexeyev wept. No! It is not madness! It is worse. It is direct treason to Russia! Kerensky, Terestchenko and Nekrassov must immediately answer us concerning the words of Verkhovsky. Citizens, arise! Russia is being sold! Save her! What Verkhovsky really said was that the Allies must be pressed to offer peace, because the Russian army could fight no longer…. Both in Russia and abroad the sensation was tremendous. Verkhovsky was given “indefinite leave of absence for ill-health,” and left the Government. _Obshtchee Dielo_ was suppressed…. Sunday, November 4th, was designated as the Day of the Petrograd Soviet, with immense meetings planned all over the city, ostensibly to raise money for the organisation and the press; really, to make a demonstration of strength. Suddenly it was announced that on the same day the Cossacks would hold a _Krestny Khod_—Procession of the Cross—in honour of the Ikon of 1612, through whose miraculous intervention Napoleon had been driven from Moscow. The atmosphere was electric; a spark might kindle civil war. The Petrograd Soviet issued a manifesto, headed “Brothers—Cossacks!” You, Cossacks, are being incited against us, workers and soldiers. This plan of Cain is being put into operation by our common enemies, the oppressors, the privileged classes—generals, bankers, landlords, former officials, former servants of the Tsar…. We are hated by all grafters, rich men, princes, nobles, generals, including your Cossack generals. They are ready at any moment to destroy the Petrograd Soviet and crush the Revolution…. On the 4th of November somebody is organising a Cossack religious procession. It is a question of the free consciousness of every individual whether he will or will not take part in this procession. We do not interfere in this matter, nor do we obstruct anybody…. However, we warn you, Cossacks! Look out and see to it that under the pretext of a _Krestni Khod,_ your Kaledins do not instigate you against workmen, against soldiers…. The procession was hastily called off…. In the barracks and the working-class quarters of the town the Bolsheviki were preaching, “All Power to the Soviets!” and agents of the Dark Forces were urging the people to rise and slaughter the Jews, shop-keepers, Socialist leaders…. On one side the Monarchist press, inciting to bloody repression—on the other Lenin’s great voice roaring, “Insurrection!…. We cannot wait any longer!” Even the bourgeois press was uneasy. (See App. III, Sect. 2) _Birjevya Viedomosti_ (Exchange Gazette) called the Bolshevik propaganda an attack on “the most elementary principles of society—personal security and the respect for private property.” [Graphic, page 46: Appeal of the Petrograd Soviet]