Soviet Union Information Bureau


CHRONICLE OF EVENTS, 1917-1928


1917

7-Kerensky's Provisional Government overthrown by the Revolutionary Military Committee of the Russian SocialDemocratic Labor Party (Bolsheviks) in Petrograd.

8-Proposal of immediate peace without annexations and indemnities addressed by the Soviet Government to all peoples and governments.

8-Decree concerning peace and land.

9-Soviet Government formed. Lenin elected Chairman of Council of People's Commissars.

11-Decree concerning the eight-hour day.

16-Declaration of rights of nations of Russia to self-determination.

21-Leon Trotsky, Commissar for Foreign Affairs, addresses to the ambassadors of the Allied Powers a proposal for armistice and peace on basis of self-determination of peoples.

22-Declaration of the Rights of the Peoples of Russia.

23-Proposal for peace mediation made to the envoys of neutral countries.

27-The commanding staff of the German armies on the Eastern Front and the Austrian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Czernm, agree to conduct peace negotiations. New proposal by the Council of People's Commissars to the former Allies to inaugurate peace negotiations on December 14.

29-Decree concerning workers' control of industry.

Dec.

1-Decree on organization of Supreme Council of National Economy.

5-Agreement signed at Brest-Litovsk to suspend hostilities from December 7 to 17. Deferment of negotiations until December 12.

15-Conclusion of an armistice between the Russian Socialist Federated Soviet Republic and the Quadruple Alliance.

22-Opening of peace negotiations at Brest-Litovsk. Statement by the Russian Delegation on the foundations of a general peace.

27-Decree on nationalization of banks.

30-Japanese warship enters port of Vladivostok-the first step to intervention.

31-Decree on introduction of civil marriage.

Jan.

2-The Council of People's Commissars recognizes the independence of Finland.

3-First revolutionary tribunal formed.

5-Simplified spelling introduced.

6-Decree about the rights and duties of the Soviets.

7-The Soviet Peace Delegation, consisting of Trotsky, Joffe, Kamenev, Pokrovsky, Bitsenko, ICarelin and Karakhan, arrives at Brest-Litovsk.

9-Resumption of activities by the Peace Conference at Brest-Litovsk.

14-Unsuccessful attempt on the life of Lenin.

16-Russia declared a Federated Soviet Republic.

16-Central Executive Committee publishes a declaration on the Rights of the Working People.

18-Opening of Constituent Assembly at Petrograd.

19-Dispersal of Constituent Assembly.

21-Decree repudiating foreign and internal loans of Tsarist and Kerensky Governments.

23-Third All-Russian Soviet Congress.

23-Proclamation of the national independence of the Ukraine by the Central Rada (Ukrainian National Assembly).

Feb.

3-Decree on the organization of the Red Army.

7-Decree on nationalization of the merchant fleet.

8-Introduction of European (Gregorian) calendar.

9-The Ukrainian Rada (National Assembly) signs a separate peace with the Quadruple Alliance.

10-The Soviet Peace Delegation at Brest-Litovsk refuses to sign the German peace terms and proclaims the cessation of warfare and the demobilization of the army.

11-General Kaledin's White forces defeated in the Don region. Kaledin commits suicide.

18-Beginning of the German invasion. Capture of Dvinsk by the Germans.

19-Decree on nationalization of land.

26-Embassy leaves Petrograd for Vologda, several Allied Embassies joining the American Embassy a few weeks later.

27-The All-Russian Central Executive Committee decides to accept the German peace terms.

Mar.

3-Treaty of Peace signed at Brest-Litovsk.

6-8-Seventh Congress of the Bolshevik Party. Congress adopts for the party the name of Russian Communist Party.

10-Soviet Government moves to Moscow.

11-President Wilson sends congratulatory telegram to Congress of Soviets.

14-Fourth Extraordinary All-Russian Soviet Congress. Ratification of the Brest-Litovsk peace.

19-Moscow becomes capital of the Russian Soviet Republic.

27-Resolution for the annexation of Bessarabia to Rumania adopted by the Bessarabian "Assembly" under Rumanian military pressure.

Apr.

1-Decree on the organization of the Red Fleet.

2-Establishment of State control over all kinds of insurance. 5-Japanese forces land at Vladivostok.

6-British forces land at Vladivostok.

10-Armed uprising of Moscow Anarchists.

12-Petrograd Anarchists disarmed.

12-Decree declaring the cooperatives as part of the Government apparatus.

18-Kornilov's forces in the South beaten. Kornilov killed.

20-German occupation of the Crimea begun.

22-Proclamation of an independent Transcaucasian Republic by the Tiflis Diet.

22-Decree on nationalization of foreign trade.

25-Soviet Government addresses Japan, England, France and U. S. A. demanding discontinuance of their support to counter-revolutionaries.

27-Dispersion of Ukrainian Central Rada (National Assembly) by the Germans. General Skoropadsky appointed Herman (Dictator) of the Ukraine.

May

1-Abolition of right of inheritance.

4-R.S.F.S.R. concludes an armistice with the Ukraine.

14-Establishment of State grain monopoly.

15-American Red Cross mission, headed by Col. Raymond Robins, leaves Soviet Russia on return to the United States.

25-First conflicts with the Czecho-Slovak legionaries and their occupation of NovoNikolayevsk, Omsk and Cheliabinsk-.

27-Independence of Georgia (Transcaucasia) proclaimed by Menshevik Government.

June

1-Disclosure in Moscow of counter-revolutionary organization, the "Union for the Defense of Fatherland and Freedom."

3-A provisional Siberian Government is organized by the Right Socialist parties in NovoNikolayevsk.

11-Decree on organization of committees of poor peasants.

28-Uprising in the Ukraine against the Germans and Skoro padsky.

29-Seizure of Vladivostok by the Czecho-Slovaks, White Guards and Japanese.

30-Decree on nationalization of large scale industry and commerce.

July

2-Landing of the Anglo-French forces at Murmansk.

5-The Fifth All-Russian Soviet Congress approves plan of creation of Red Army.

6-German Ambassador Mirbach assassinated by Left Social Revolutionaries.

6-White Guard outbreak in Yaroslavl.

6-Proclamation signed by commanders of American, Japanese and British warships posted in Vladivostok, placing city and environs under "protection" of the Allied powers.

7-Armed uprising by Left Social Revolutionaries in Moscow.

8-Seizure of Rem and the northern half of the Murmansk Railroad by the Anglo-French forces.

10-Congress of Soviets adopts Constitution of the R.S.F.S.R. (Russian Socialist Federated Soviet Republic).

16-Shooting of ex-Tsar Nicholas Romanov at Ekaterinburg.

18-Beginning of the great railway strike in the Ukraine against Hetman Skoropadsky and German occupation.

21-The revolt at Yaroslavl suppressed.

24-Removal of envoys of former Allied Powers from Vologda to Archangel.

25-Statute regulating Government statistics.

30-General Eichhorn, Commander-in-Chief of the German army in the Ukraine, mortally wounded by a revolutionist.

Aug.

3-Arrival of American troops in Archangel.

5-Landing of the Anglo-French forces at Archangel. Formation of a Northern Government of Social Revolutionaries.

5-United States assumes officially the responsibility for the landing of Japanese troops in Vladivostok.

11-Japanese army division lands at Vladivostok.

13-Bloody conflict of Ukrainian rebels with the German troops.

21-Disclosure of White Guard conspiracy in Moscow.

30-Murder of Uritzky, head of Petrograd Extraordinary Commission, by a Social Revolutionary.

30-Attempt of the Social Revolutionary, Dora Kaplan, on the life of Lenin.

Sept.

2-The Revolutionary Military Council is created.

2-Decree of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee declaring the country in a state of war.

4-American troops arrive in Vladivostok.

4-Discovery of conspiracy of Allied diplomats and consuls (Lockhardt, etc.). Arrests of Right Social Revolutionaries.

10-Decree of Council of People's Commissars instituting the Red Terror.

10-Capture of Kazan by the Soviet forces. Commencement of a breach on the Czecho-Slovak front.

14-Decree on introduction of metric system in Russia.

16-Under chairmanship of Social Revolutionary leader Avksentiev an ant1-Soviet Government ("Directorate") is formed in Ufa in the Ural region.

20-Shooting of 26 Bake commissars by the British military authorities and the Social Revolutionaries.

Oct.

3-Decree of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee concerning the formation of a Red Army numbering 3,000,000.

Nov.

2-Decree establishing general compulsory membership in cooperatives.

6-Fourth All-Russian Soviet Congress.

13-Decree of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee annulling the Brest-Litovsk Treaty.

18-Admiral Kolchak arrests members of Directorate in Omsk and proclaims himself supreme ruler.

30-Decree establishing Council of Labor and Defense.

30-Soviet Russia declared a military camp.

Dec.

10-Publication of Code of Labor Laws.

14-Renunciation of power by the German-appointed Ukrainian dictator Skoropadsky. Capture of Kiev by the forces of the Ukrainian nationalists.

17-Proclamation of Soviet régime in Latvia.

23-Decree of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee recognizing the independence of the Soviet Republics of Esthonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

30-Code of Labor Laws published.


Jan. 1919

1-Proclamation of Soviet régime in White Russia.

2-Ludwig Martens appointed representative of the People's Commissariat for Foreign Affairs in the United States.

3-Capture of Kharkov and Riga by the Soviet armies.

18-British and French detachments land at Odessa.

23-Soviet Government invited by the Entente to a peace conference on Prinkipo Island.

Feb.

20-Disturbances among the French forces in Odessa.

Mar.

16-Creation of Autonomous Bashkir Soviet Republic forming part of the Russian Soviet Federation.

19. Martens sends to the State Department of the U. S. A. his official credentials from Tchitcherin as Representative of the Soviet Government.

18-22-Eighth Congress of Russian Communist Party (Bolsheviks).

Apr.

6-French evacuate Odessa which is occupied by the Soviet forces.

9-Kolchak starts a general offensive along the Eastern front.

26-Kolchak forces beaten in the Buzuluk-Buguruslan region.

May

4-Attack launched by Denikin on the southern front. Capture of Lugansk by the Denikin troops.

9-Counter-revolutionary revolt of Ataman Grigoriev in the Ukraine.

21-First Yudenitch attack against Petrograd.

22-Evacuation of Riga by Latvian Red Army.

22-Decree of All-Russian Executive Committee on mobilization of workers.

June

1-Resolution of All-Russian Central Executive Committee about necessity of uniting the Soviet republics with respect to military, economic, financial and railway matters.

14-Kolchak recognized by Allies as Supreme Ruler of Russia.

26-Departure of American troops from Archangel.

July

8-French warships bombarding Black Sea coast.

14-Ekaterinburg taken by Red Army in Soviet counter-offensive against Kolchak.

22-Offer by the Council of People's Commissars to the Chinese people and Government to begin negotiations on the basis of the renunciation by the Russian Socialist Federated Soviet Republic of all privileges and unjust treaties concluded by the Tsarist Government.

23-French navy shells city of Ochakov on Black Sea.

Aug.

3-English forces defeated at Onega in the North.

17-Breath of Soviet southern front by General Mamontov's cavalry.

23-Odessa occupied by Denilcin.

Aug.

27-Withdrawal of British forces from Archangel.

30-Kiev taken by Petlura's armies.

31-Kiev taken by Denikin.

Sept.

3-The Siberian Revolutionary Committee is formed. 6-Soviet armies take Tobolsk in Western Siberia.

17-Beginning of Esthonian-Soviet peace conference.

21-Denikin's White forces advance to Km-sk in Central Russia.

22-Counter-revolutionary organization called "National Center" (Prof. Tsepkin and others) discovered and arrested in Moscow.

30-Conference of Baltic states decides to start peace negotiations with Soviet Russia.

Oct.

11-Beginning of second Yudenitch attack on Petrograd.

13-Denikin forces capture Orel in drive towards Moscow.

19-Situation on southern front changes in favor of Red Army. General Mamontov's White cavalry routed by Budyonny's Red Cavalry.

29-Finland refuses to help Yudenitch.

Nov.

14-Red Army success on northwestern and eastern front. Yudenitch army that was attacking Petrograd, crushed. Omsk, Kolchak's capital in Siberia, taken by advancing Soviet forces.

23-Litvinov arrives in Copenhagen to negotiate with British representative O'Grady for the exchange of prisoners.

Dec.

5-Seventh All-Russian Soviet Congress adopts resolution to propose peace negotiations to Allies.

11-Kharkov (present capital of the Ukraine) captured by Soviet forces.

16-Kiev (old capital of the Ukraine) captured by the Soviet forces.

27-Arrest of Kolchak by mutinous detachments of his army (Czecho-Slovaks) in Siberia.

31-Signature of armistice between Esthonia and the Soviet Republics.

Jan. 1920

Delegation of "Centrosoyns" (Central Union of Consumers' Cooperatives of Soviet Russia) arrives in England.

8-Kolchak forces completely crushed. Capture of Krasnoyarsk and xxxxxxxxxx,000 Kolchak prisoners.

16-Allied Supreme Council decides to lift blockade of Soviet Russia and to renew trade relations with Russian co-operative organizations.

Feb.

2- Signature of Esthontan-Soviet peace treaty.

12-Khiva (Central Asia) taken by Red insurgents.

12-Agreement by Litvinov with the British representative O'Grady concerning exchange of war prisoners.

19-Seizure of Archangel by workers in revolt. White Government flees.

Mar.

6-Attack by Polish forces from the west. Mozyr and Ovruch taken by Poles.

13-Murmansk taken by Red Army.

13-14-Japanese attack local partisan armed forces under Triapitzyn in Nikolayevsk (Maritime Province). Attack results in defeat of Japanese and severe losses on the part of the partisans.

24-Success in North Caucasus. Vladikavkaz occupied by Red insurgents. Red troops take Grozny and Petrovsk.

25-Wrangel (later the successor of Denikin) takes Perekop, at the isthmus of the Crimea.

27-Red Army captures Novorossiysk on Black Sea, last Denikin stronghold. Flight of Denikin abroad.

29-Apr. 4-Ninth Congress of Russian Communist Party.

30-American troops leave Vladivostok.

Apr.

3-Anti-Soviet forces in Murmansk (extreme north of European Russia) retreat toward Finnish and Norwegian frontiers.

4-Caucasus mountaineers disarm last remainders of Denikin's forces.

4-5- few days after the evacuation of the American forces Japanese troops attack and bombard Vladivostok from inside, disarming local troops and police and inflicting heavy losses of life and property. Japanese flag hoisted for a day on top of local government institutions. Simultaneous Japanese attacks in other parts of the province.

11-Curzon's note to Soviet Russia proposing conclusion of armistice with Wrangel.

25-Opening of Polish attack on the Ukraine.

28-Proclamation of Soviet Republic in Azerbaijan (Transcau casia).

May

6-Capture of Kiev by the Polish troops.

7-Treaty between Georgia and Soviet Russia signed.

12-First delegation of English trade unionists visits Soviet Russia.

14-Recognition of the independence of the Far Eastern Republic by Soviet Russia.

26-Finnish Government declares it is ready to conduct peace negotiations with Soviet Russia.

27-Arrival at London of the Soviet Trade Delegation headed by Krassin.

27-Autonomous Tartar Soviet Republic formed as part of the Russian Socialist Federated Soviet Republic.

June

7-Kolchak executed in Irkutsk.

8-Breach of the Polish front in the Ukraine by Budyonny's cavalry.

11-Recapture of Kiev by Soviet forces.

July

3-Declaration of Japanese Government announcing the forthcoming occupation of Sakhalin as a reprisal for the events in Nikolayevsk.

4-General offensive initiated by Red Army on the Polish front. British Government offers mediation in the question of peace between the Soviet Union on the one hand and Poland and Wrangel on the other.

7-Announcement by United States State Department declaring that the restrictions which have heretofore stood in the way of trade and communication with Soviet Russia are removed.

12-Lithuanian-Soviet Peace Treaty signed.

14-Vilna taken by Red Army.

17-Soviet answer to British Government declining mediation.

Aug.

4-Statement by Lloyd George to Kamenev that the British fleet will attack Soviet Russia if the Red Army does not suspend its drive on Warsaw.

6-Soviet Government offers to Rumania to start peace negotiations.

9-Czecho-Slovak Government decides to remain neutral in Polish-Soviet war.

10-France recognizes Wrangel's Government.

13-Armistice with Finland.

14-Peace Treaty between Soviet Russia and Latvia signed.

14-17-Stubborn battles on Polish front and beginning of retreat by the Red Army.

Sept.

2-Revolutionary overturn in Bokhara (Central Asia). Bokhara proclaimed a Soviet Republic.

2-7-Congress of Eastern Peoples at Baku.

11-Litvinov leaves England at the demand of the British Government.

13-Preliminary peace treaty with Afghanistan signed at Kabul.

Oct.

12-Signature of armistice with Poland.

14-Peace Treaty with Finland signed.

21-Capture of Chita (Eastern Siberia) from Ataman Semenov, by Red rebels.

26-Decisive offensive against Wrangel started by Red Army.

Nov.

1-Provisional Presidium of the Far Eastern Republic declares the entire territory from the Baikal Lake to the Pacific as the Far Eastern Republic, with capital at Chita.

9-Occupation of Perekop in the Crimea by the Red Army. Decisive defeat of Wrangel.

17-All Crimea occupied by Red forces.

21-White forces of Semenov defeated and driven to Mongolia by army of the Far Eastern Republic.

23-First law concerning concessions.

30-Revolutionary Committee formed in Armenia.

Dec.

2-Occupation of Erivan by revolutionists and proclamation of Soviet Republic in Armenia.

22-Adoption of the Electrification Plan.

22-29---Eighth All-Russian Soviet Congress.

31-Peace treaty with Finland ratified.

Jan. 1921

22-L. Martens sails from New York for Soviet Russia under decision of United States Department of Labor of December 15, 1920, ordering him to leave the U. S. A.

Feb.

22-Organization of State Planning Commission.

24-Soviet-Persian Treaty of Peace signed.

26-Tiflis taken by the revolutionists. Proclamation of Soviet régime in Georgia.

28-Signature of Soviet-Afghan Peace Treaty.

Mar.

2-Rebellion in Kronstadt.

8-16-Tenth Congress of the Russian Communist Party (Bolsheviks). Adoption of resolution regarding the substitution of taxation in kind for forced levies; first step towards introduction of new economic policy (NEP).

16-Trade agreement between England and Soviet Russia signed.

16-Treaty with Turkey.

17-Suppression of Kronstadt mutiny.

18-Treaty of Peace signed in Riga between Poland on the one hand and the Russian Socialist Federated Soviet Republic and the Ukrainian Socialist Soviet Republic on the other.

21-Decree concerning the substitution of the tax in kind for the grain levy.

Apr.

14-Ratification of Peace Treaty with Poland.

19-Japanese troops land in Northern Sakhalin.

May

8-Signature of German-Soviet agreement covering the regulation of diplomatic and commercial relations.

26-Fights in Vladivostok between workers and Russian "Whites" who are supported by Japanese troops.

26-Peasant uprisings in the Tambov province in Central Russia.

June

30-Decree on abolition of restrictions in currency circulation.

July

Last remnants of Makhno bands in the Ukraine dispersed.

27-All-Russian Committee for the Relief of the FamineStricken formed.

Aug.

17-Council of People's Commissars publishes decision concerning the introduction of the New Economic Policy (Nep).

20-M. Litvinov, Assistant People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs of Soviet Russia, signs agreement with the American Relief Administration (A.R.A.).

23-Baron Ungern, last White General, captured.

26-Beginning of Dairen Conference between the Far Eastern Republic and Japan with the participation of representatives of Soviet Russia.

Oct.

12-Establishment of the State Bank of the Russian Socialist Federated Soviet Republic.

12-Bands of Finnish "Whites" cross the Soviet frontier into Karelia.

19-Autonomous Crimean Soviet Republic created.

Nov.

2-Soviet Government's protest sent to Washington Conference for the Limitation of Armaments against the discussion of matters affecting Russia in the absence of Russian representatives at the Conference.

2-Conclusion of first concession agreement between the Soviet Government and an American firm (Allied Drug and Chemical Company) for the exploitation of asbestos mines in Alapayev.

5-Soviet-Mongolian treaty based on the recognition of Mongolian independence.

27-Last large Petlura raid upon Soviet territory.

Dec.

3-Arrival in Washington of the Special Delegation of the Far Eastern Republic.

7-Treaty with Austria signed.

Dec.

19-22-Negotiations between Lloyd George and Briand in don concerning the question of mutual relations with the Soviet Union and Germany (preparations for Conference at Cannes).

22-27-Ninth Congress of Soviets.

26-Preliminary Trade Agreement with Poland concluded.

Jan., 1922

6-13-Conference at Cannes. Decision to call International Conference at Genoa.

13-Soviet Russia invited to Genoa Conference.

Feb.

6-Extraordinary Commission for Combating Counter-Revolution and Speculation (Cheka) is dissolved and the joint State Political Department (OGPU) created.

11-Decree concerning the introduction of general tax.

17-Finnish-Karejian counter-revolutionary bands dispersed.

Mar.

12-Transcaucasia declared a Socialist Federated Soviet Republic.

13-17-Conference of Baltic States at Warsaw (Finland, Latvia, Esthonia and Poland).

27-Eleventh Congress of the Russian Communist Party. Adjourned April 4.

29-30--Conference of Soviet Russia, Poland, Esthonia and Latvia with regard to questions connected with the forthcoming Genoa Conference. The border States bind themselves to ask for recognition of the Soviet Government.

Apr.

10-Genoa Conference. (Adjourned on May 19.)

16-Soviet-German Treaty signed at Rapallo.

June

5-As a result of criticism in the U. S. A., Bakhmetiev, representative of the defunct Kerensky government in Washington, resigns.

5-Provisional agreement with Czecho-Slovakia.

15-Opening of Conference at The Hague. (Adjourned July 19).

Sept.

6-Beginning of Changchun Conference between Japan and the Far Eastern Republic, a representative of Soviet Russia taking part in the deliberations.

30-Protest by the Soviet Government against the Allied blockade of the Dardanelles.

Oct.

11-introduction of the gold-backed "Chervonetz" currency.

14- Conference of Finland, Latvia, Esthonia, and Poland. Decision to participate in a disarmament conference at Moscow.

25-Japanese troops and remains of White armies evacuate Vladivostok. The forces of the Far Eastern Republic enter the city.

30-Soviet Russia invited to participate in the work of the Lausanne Conference.

31-Issuance of the First State Loan.

Nov.

12-Amalgamation of the Far Eastern Republic with Soviet Russia.

Dec.

2-13-Conference of Soviet Russia and Baltic States in Moscow on the question of reducing armaments.

23-27-Tenth Congress of the Soviets of the R.S.F.S.R.

30-First Congress of the Soviets of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. Declaration proclaiming the establishment of the Soviet Union.

1923

-Litvinov in note to U. S. State Department reserves the

rights of the Soviet Government to the ships carried away by the Whites from Vladivostok, which Admiral Stark had escorted to Manila.

Mar.

'5-Protest by the Ukrainian Soviet Government against the settlement by the Conference of Ambassadors, of the question of Eastern Galicia, without its participation. 260

Apr.

3-Protest by the Soviet Government against the intermeddling of England and Poland in the affair of the counter-revolutionary activities of the Polish prelate Butkewicz.

'7-Twelfth Congress of Russian Communist Party.

May

p-Cu'-zon ultimatum to the Soviet Government.

To-Vorovsky, Soviet Ambassador in Italy, assassinated by White Guard at Lausanne.

'u-Introduction of single agricultural tax.

30-Buryat-Mongolja declared an autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic within the R.S.F.S.R.

June

19-Soviet note to the English Government terminating the diplomatic correspondence with regard to the Curzon ultimatum.

July

6-Constitution of the Soviet Union ratified.

19-All-Russian Agricultural Exhibition.

24-Lausanne Peace Treaty signed (Turkey, England, France, Italy, Rumania; Soviet Union adheres on August 14).

Aug.

21-Establishment of the Chief Concessions' Committee of the Soviet Union.

22-Tchitcherin in note to British Agent in Moscow protests against raising of British flag on Wrangel Island, as a violation of the sovereign rights of the Soviet Republic.

Nov.

13-First note of the Soviet Government to the League of Nations presenting its attitude with regard to the League.

Dec.

16-Tchitcherin's note to President Coolidge proposing resumption of friendly relations between the Soviet Union and the United States.

28-Voluntary membership in the cooperative societies restored.

Jan, 1924

Organization of the "Down with Illiteracy" Society.

21-Death of Lenin.

26-Second All-Union Soviet Congress. Petrograd renamed Leningrad.

Feb.

1-De jure recognition of the Soviet Union by England.

3-A. Rykov elected Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars.

7-De jure recognition of the Soviet Union by Italy. ItaloSoviet Treaty signed.

13-.Soviet Union recognized by Norway.

22-Currency Reform. Soviet currency put on a gold basis. 25-De jure recognition of the Soviet Union by Austria.

Mar.

7-Note of protest by Tchitcherin against the settlement of the Memel question without the participation of the Soviet Union.

8-De jure recognition of the Soviet Union by Greece.

11-France ratifies the Treaty of October 28, 1920, between England, France, Italy and Japan, covering the annexation of Bessarabia by Rumania.

14-Soviet-Chinese treaty covering renewal of diplomatic relations signed at Peking. Under pressure of the Powers the Chinese Government renounces the treaty.

14-De jure recognition of the Soviet Union by Sweden.

17-Note to the French Government by the Soviet Government protesting against the former's ratification of the Bessarabian protocol.

26-Opening of Soviet-Rumanian conference in Vienna. The Soviet Government, to determine the fate of Bessarabia, insists on a plebiscite.

Apr.

2-Rupture of Soviet-Rumanian conference in Vienna, as Rumania refuses to accept the Soviet proposal re plebiscite in Bessarabia.

14-Opening of Anglo-Soviet conference in London on debts, mutual claims, etc.

May

3-Police raid on Soviet Trade Delegation premises in Berlin.

23-31-Thirteenth Congress of Russian Communist Party.

May

31-De jure recognition of the Soviet Union by China. Soviet Chinese Treaty.

June

18-De jute recognition of the Soviet Union by Denmark.

July

1-Settlement of the Soviet-Finnish controversy over the killing of members of the Soviet boundary commission.

29--Settlement of controversy over the police raid of May on the Soviet Trade Delegation premises in Berlin.

31-Dc jure recognition of the Soviet Union by Mexico.

Aug.

8-Signing of Anglo-Soviet general treaty (subsequently abrogated by the Conservative Government).

28-Counter-revolutionary outbreak by Georgian Mensheviks.

29-Arrest of Boris Savinkov, prominent counter-revolutionary leader.

Oct.

25-Note of protest by the British Government to the Soviet Government with reference to the socalled "Zinoviev letter."

28-De jute recognition of the Soviet Union by France.

Nov.

21-English note to the Soviet Government concerning the abrogation of the general treaty of August 8, 1924. The note insists upon the authenticity of the "Zinoviev letter."

Dec.

15-Tchitcherin in telegram to U. S. Secretary of State Hughes protests against the placing of a U. S. Geodetic plate on the coast of Cape Puzyno, Siberia.

Jan., 1925

21-De jure recognition of the Soviet Union by Japan. Japanese-Soviet treaty.

Feb.

27-Beginning of evacuation of North Sakhalin by Japanese troops.

Mar.

26-Negotiations at Riga by the General Staff representatives of Latvia, Esthonia and Poland. Attended unofficially by representatives of Finland and Rumania. Deliberations of an ant1-Soviet character.

Apr.

4-Northern Sakhalin surrendered by Japan to representatives of the Soviet Union.

May

13-20-Third All-Union Congress of Soviets.

23-organization of "Aviakhim" Society of the Friends of the Airfleet and of Chemical Defense. Its name has recently been changed to "Osoavialthim."

July

4-Arrival of first delegation of German workers in the Soviet Union.

Sept.

28-Pourparlers by Tchitcherin with representatives of the Polish Government at Warsaw (in connection with the forthcoming conference at Locarno).

30- Tchitcherin in Berlin.

Oct.

12-German-Soviet Commercial Treaty signed at Moscow.

Dec.

6-Opening up of the Shatura power plant near Moscow.

15-Signature of Trade Treaty between Soviet Union and Norway.

17-Soviet-Turkey security treaty signed at Paris by Tchitcherin and Rushd1-Bey.

18-31-Fourteenth Congress of Russian Communist Party.

Jan., 1926

20-The Director of the Chinese Eastern Railway, Ivanov, and other Soviet workers arrested by Chang Tso-lin.

25-Agreement between Chang Tso-lin and the Soviet Consul General in Mukden and liquidation of above incident.

Feb.

5-Nette, Soviet diplomatic courier, slain in train near Riga.

25-Deliberations begun in Paris by the Franco5oviet Confer ence on the question of debts and mutual claims.

Mar.

27-Renewal of ant1-Soviet Rumanian-Polish war treaty,

Apr.

24-Soviet-German neutrality treaty signed in Berlin.

May

6-Evasive answers by Finland, Latvia and Esthonia to Soviet proposal to conclude security treaties.

June

11-Decision of the Council of People's Commissars concerning the régime of economy.

12-Note delivered to the Soviet Government by the English Government protesting against the monetary aid sent from labor organizations of the Soviet Union to the striking miners.

15-Soviet Government replies that it could not prevent the trade unions of the U.S.S.R. from sending money to trade unions of another country.

26-Agreement signed between the Soviet Government and a consortium of German hanks regarding credits for Soviet orders placed in Germany.

Unofficial conference held by Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Esthonia, and Finland on the question of concluding a security treaty between the Baltic States and the Soviet Union.

20-Death of Felix Dzerzhinslcy, Chairman of the Supreme Council of National Economy and of the Joint State Political Department (OGPU).

Aug.

20-In similarly couched individual memorandums the Governments of Finland, Latvia and Esthonia signify their willingness to enter into negotiations with the Soviet Union for the conclusion of security treaties.

Aug.

21-De jure recognition of the Soviet Union by the Government of Uruguay.

24-Project of treaty of non-aggression transmitted to the Polish Government by the Soviet Government.

31-Treaty of neutrality and mutual non-aggression signed between the Soviet Union and Afghanistan.

31-Protest by the Soviet Government to the Peking Government against an order of Chaug Tsolin confiscating the merchant fleet of the Chinese-Eastern Railway.

Sept.

2-In connection with demands on the part of Spain for the calling of a new conference to reconsider the general enactments of the Algeciras Conference, the Soviet Government transmits notes to the Powers declaring its right to participate in the conference in question.

28-Treaty of mutual non-aggression and neutrality signed between the Soviet Union and Lithuania.

Oct.

5-Soviet plenipotentiary representatives at Paris and Rome present notes to the Governments to which they are accredited with regard to Bessarabia in connection with the conclusion of Franco-Rumanian and Italo-Rumanian treaties.

23-Note of protest by the Polish Government with reference to the clause regarding Vilna in the Soviet-Lithuanian treaty of September 28, 1926.

12-Meeting at Odessa between Tchitcherin and Tevfik Rushdi Bey, Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Dec.

17-General Census of the population of the Soviet Union.

Jan., 1927

Beginning of the construction of the Siberian-Turkestan railway.

20-New reserves of anthracite, estimated at 240,000,000 tons, discovered in the Donetz basin.

Feb.

16-Izvestia, official organ of the Soviet Government, publishes correspondence between the British Government and old Tsarist diplomats.

18-Supplementary agreement signed in Moscow between the Soviet Government and the Japanese joint-stock company, "Northern Sakhalin Oil," concerning the grant of a concession to the latter on a petroliferous area of 1,000 square versts along the eastern coast of North Sakhalin.

23-Note charging anti-British propaganda transmitted by the English Government to the Soviet Government.

Mar.

9-Boundary treaty signed at Riga between the Soviet Government and Latvia.

10-Bessarabian protocol ratified by the Italian Chamber of Deputies.

11-Soviet-Turkish commercial treaty signed at Angora.

16-Austrian National Council adopts legislation guaranteeing credits on commercial transactions by Austrian enterprises with the Soviet Union.

17-Kamenev, Plenipotentiary Diplomatic Representative of the Soviet Union in Italy, addresses a protest to the Italian Government against the latter's ratification of the protocol regarding Bessarabia.

Apr.

2-Agreement signed between the Soviet Government and a Japanese Timber syndicate (Rorio Ringhio Kuminai) granting the latter a concession on I,100,000 hectares of forest land along the coast of Tartar Gulf.

6-Raid by the Chang Tso-lin authorities on the premises of the Soviet military attaché adjoining the Soviet Trade Delegation building in Peking.

6-Siege of Soviet Consulate in Shanghai by the foreign police and the Russian White Guards.

7-Chinese police in Tientsin search the premises of the Far Eastern Bank ("Dalbank"), located in the French concession.

9-In a note to the Peking Government Litvinov demands the liberation of the Soviet employees arrested in the raid of April 6. Soviet Embassy withdrawn from Peking pending the satisfaction of the demands.

Apr.

14-Protocol adjusting the Soviet-Swiss conflict in connection with the assassination of Vorovsky signed at Berlin by N. N. Krestinsky, Plenipotentiary Representative of the Soviet Union in Germany, and Mr. Rufenacht, the Swiss Minister.

18-26-Fourth All-Union Soviet Congress.

May

Construction of the Dnieper Super-Power project started.

4-23-International Economic Conference at Geneva with the participation of the Soviet Union.

12-The London police raid the premises of the Soviet Trade Delegation and Arcos. Raid preceded by hostile campaign of English oil interests, headed by Sir Henry Deterding.

26-Rupture of Anglo-Soviet relations. (Note on the break, dated May 26, handed to Rosengolz, Soviet Chargé d'Affaires, in London on May 27.)

June

2-Soviet-Latvian commercial treaty signed.

7-Voikov, Soviet Plenipotentiary Representative to Poland, assassinated in Warsaw by a Russian monarchist.

18-Note addressed to the Soviet Government by the Finnish Government with regard to the shooting of the spy Elvengren, called a Finnish citizen in the note.

July

8-Trial of S. Druzhilovsky, self-confessed spy and forger of "Soviet documents."

27-First American trade union delegation leaves the United States to visit the Soviet Union.

Aug.

4-Letter by the Chairman of the Royal Dutch Shell Company of England to the Rockefeller concern, the Standard Oil Company of New York, against the purchase of Soviet oil published by the press.

Sept.

2-Attempt by Traikovich, a White Guard, upon the lives of members of the Soviet diplomatic service in Warsaw. Traikovich killed by the Soviet courier Gusev.

3-Semi-official announcement by the French Government concerning correspondence with the Soviet Government with regard to the signature by Rakovsky of the anti-militarist declaration issued by the opposition in the Russian Communist Party.

24-Havas dispatch regarding the debt settlement offer made by the Soviet Government to France. (Annual payments of O0,000,000 gold francs over a period of ox years, conditioned upon a grant of French credits.)

Oct.

1-Soviet-Persian Neutrality and Non-Aggression Pact signed in Moscow.

1-French Council of Ministers asks for Rakovsky's recall.

1-Noulens, former French Ambassador in Russia, in behalf of "Genera! Commission for Protection of French Interests in Russia" submits report to Poincaré asking for rejection of agreement with U.S.S.R. and for settlement of Russian debts on an international scale.

8-French committee representing interests of small holders of Russian bonds asks for an immediate agreement with U.S.S.R.

l0-Japanese-Soviet Fisheries Convention initiated.

12-Women's Congress of U.S.S.R opened.

12-Soviet Government recalls Rakovsky in compliance with the request of the French Government.

15-Extraordinary session of Central Executive Committee of U.S.S.R. in connection with the tenth anniversary of the Revolution, issues Manifesto on the gradual introduction of the 7-hour day; abolishment of capital punishment (with certain limitations) 35 per cent of needy peasants to be freed from single agricultural tax, etc.

19-V. Dovgalevsky, Soviet Ambassador in Japan, appointed Soviet Ambassador in France to succeed C. Rakovsky.

19-Persian Parliament ratifies Soviet-Persian Non-Aggression and Neutrality Pact.

24-Trotsky and Zinoviev expelled from the Central Committee of the Communist Party for breach of discipline.

25-Soviet Government protests against exclusion from International Radio-Telegraph Conference in Washington.

27-Latvian-Diet ratifies Soviet-Latvian Trade Agreement.

Nov.

4-Arrival of Foreign Delegates to the Anniversary Celebrations of the Revolution.

Nov.

5-Terms of Amnesty Announced on Oct. 15 (in Manifesto) made public.

7- .Tenth Anniversary of November Revolution celebrated all over the U.S.S.R.

10-opening of Il)ternational Congress of Friends of the U.S.S.R. in Moscow.

12-Trotsky and Zinoviev expelled from Communist Party.

17-Death of A. Joffe, prominent Soviet diplomat.

24-Soviet Ambassador in Warsaw hands note to Polish Foreign office on Polish-Lithuanian Controversy.

Dec.

1-Soviet Disarmament Proposal at Geneva Preparatory Conference on Disarmament, submitted by M. Litvinov.

2-Opening of 15th Congress of All-Union Communist Party (December 2 to 19th).

15-Chinese Nanking Government "breaks" with U.S.S.R. and expels her Consuls. In note of December 16, Mr. Tchitcherin, People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs of the U.S.S.R., refutes the statements of Chinese Nationalist authorities.

18-28 leading members of the Opposition expelled from Communist Party.

19-Part of Opposition, led by Zinoviev and Kamenev, offers to submit completely, another part of the Opposition, led by Trotsky, Rakovsky and Radek, refusing to do so.

20-Canton General Chang Fa-Gwei announces that 8 Soviet citizens, including the Vice-Consul, were shot in Canton.

23-Statement by Soviet Foreign Office declaring that above murders cannot go unpunished.

Jan., 1928

7-Mr. D. Kursky, formerly People's Commissar for Justice of Soviet Russia, appointed Soviet Ambassador in Italy.

7-Moscow "Pravda" publishes documents establishing relations of Finnish government authorities with leading Russian monarchists.

15-Standard Oil Company of New York publishes a statement directed against the Royal Dutch Shell Company in connection with Deterding's attacks against the purchase of Soviet oil.

18-Trial of forgers of anti-Soviet "documents" opened in Paris.

20-Soviet-Esthonian agreement on the settlement of frontier conflicts.

23-Soviet-Japanese Fisheries Convention signed.

27-Signing of Soviet-Persian Protocol concerning the transfer of the Port of Pehlevi to Persia by the Soviet Government.

31-Soviet-Polish Railway Conference opened in Vilna.

31-Ratification of Soviet-Persian agreements which were signed on October 1, 1927.

Feb.

6-M. Litvinov protests to the Government of the U. S. A. against the payment of a compensation made on the basis of a court decree, to Serge Ughet who is calling himself representative of the former Provisional Government, for damage done by an explosion in 1916 to military property belonging to the former Tsarist Government.

11-Soviet-German trade negotiations started in Berlin.

21-Publication of the Soviet Disarmament Project.

22-Closing of Soviet-Polish railroad conference in Vilna.

24-Signing of Soviet-Norwegian convention concerning mutual protection of industrial property.

Mar.

3-Esthonian-Soviet Convention on trade marks signed.

6-French Superior Court confirms the decision of the lower court which rejected the Soviet Government claim for the return of Soviet steamers carried away (1921) by Wrangel to Marseilles.

6-M. Litvinov, Assistant Commissar for Foreign Affairs of the U.S.S.R., in a note to the Secretariat of the League of Nations, points out that it would be desirable to invite Turkey to take part in the activities of the Disarmament Commission.

6-The United States Secretary of the Treasury forbids the Assay Office to accept a shipment of Soviet gold amounting to $5,000,000.

6-The French Ambassador in Washington, in a note to the American Government, declares that the Banque de France intends to institute a legal action for the recognition of its property rights to Soviet gold shipped to New York.

Mar.

7-Presidium of the Central Executive Committee of the U.S.S.R. decides to ratify the decree whereby the U.S.S.R. Government adhered to the Protocol forbidding the use of suffocating and poisonous gases as well as bacteriological substances for military purposes.

15-Interruption of German-Soviet trade negotiations in connection with the arrest of German engineers in the Donetz coal basin.

19-Debate in the British House of Commons on the forged "Zinoviev letter." The resolution of Labor Party asking for the appointment of commission for the investigation of the origin of that "letter" is rejected.

19-M. Litvinov, Chairman of the Soviet Delegation to the Preparatory Disarmament Commission, delivers speech recommending the acceptance of the Soviet proposal for complete disarmament.

20-Signing of an agreement between the Soviet and Chinese section of the Managing Board of the Chinese Eastern Railway as to the distribution of the net profits of the railroad.

23-Soviet note to the French Government in connection with the claim of the Banque de France to Soviet gold shipped to New York.

23-Soviet complete disarmament proposal rejected. Soviet Delegation submits new project for partial disarmament.

27-The Soviet Government makes public its rejection of the Japanese proposal to join the Peking Convention of the Powers of May 5, 1919, prohibiting the importation of arms to China.

30-Paris meeting of holders of Tsarist bonds adopts a resolution asking for renewal of negotiations with the U.S.S.R. on the basis of the results obtained by the Franco-Soviet Conference.

31-Ratification of Swedish-Soviet agreement on the rights and obligations of the Soviet Trade Delegation in Sweden.

Apr.

5-Soviet gold, refused by Assay Office and claimed by the Bank of France, shipped back from New York by American banks.

21-At the session of the Central Executive Committee of the U.S.S.R., M. Litvinov reports about the activities of the Soviet Delegation at the Fifth Session of the Preparatory Disarmament Conference in Geneva. The Central Executive Committee approves the activities of the Soviet Delegation, and calls upon the Presidium of the Central Executive Committee and the Council of People's Commissars of the U.S.S.R. to persevere in upholding the program of complete disarmament, without neglecting the slightest possibility of attaining positive results in this field, even if they are only partial and temporary.

May

7-In connection with an attempt at the life of Mr. A. S. Lizarev, Soviet Trade Delegate in Poland, Mr. G. Tchitcherin, People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs of the U.S.S.R., in a note to the Polish Ambassador in Moscow, protests against the uninterrupted activities of Russian monarchists in Poland and demands effective measures.

7-Death of A. D. Tsiurupa, Vice-Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars of the U.S.S.R.

18-Beginning of trial of the 53 engineers accused of sabotage of the Donetz coal mines, three previously arrested Germans included.

June

12-Soviet ice-breaker Maly gin sails from Archangel to rescue the crew of the Nobile expedition.

15-Soviet ice-breaker Krassin leaves Leningrad on the same mission as Molygin.

July

5-Sentence pronounced in the Donetz sabotage trial. Five spies are condemned to death, while the other accused men -except the German engineers who are acquitted-are given various terms of imprisonment.

12-Soviet ice-breaker Krassin saves seven members of the Nobile expedition.

23-Soviet protest to Rumania against the contemplated sale ship property of the former Russian-Danube Steamship Company, belonging to the Soviet Union.

Aug.

23-Rumanian Minister of Foreign Affairs wires to Moscow announcing that the contemplated sale of Soviet ship property will not take place.

29-The Soviet Union adheres to the Kellogg Ant1-War Pact.

Sept.

10-Beginning of Leo Tolstoy centenary celebrations in the Soviet Union.

15-Announcement of enlarged and liberalized concessions policy with list of concession possibilities.

Oct.

9-Contract signed between International General Electric Company of New York and Amtorg Trading Corporation of New York providing for Soviet purchases of electrical apparatus up to $26,000,000 during next six years on credits extending up to five years.

Dec.

20-Protocol signed in Moscow with German delegation providing for terms of revision of SovietGerman trade treaty.

29-Soviet Government sends notes to Poland and Lithuania suggesting that the terms of the Kellogg Pact be made effective immediately as between the three countries.

Next: MISCELLANEOUS