The Bolsheviki answered this by furious articles in the Pravda, urging the people not to spare the counter-revolutionaries, these bourgeoisie who intend, by means of their Constituante, to combat the revolutionary people.  They advised the people of Petrograd not to go out on the streets that day.  “We shall act without reserve,” they added.

Sailors were called from Cronstadt; cruisers and torpedo-boats came.  An order was issued to the sailors and to the Red Guards who patrolled all the works of the Taurida, to make use of their arms if any one attempted to enter the palace.  For that day unlimited powers were accorded to the military authorities.  At the same time an assembly of the representatives of the garrison at Petrograd, fixed for that day, was proscribed, and the newspaper, The Soldiers’ Cloak, was suppressed.

A Congress of Soviets was called for the 8th of January.  They prepared the dissolution of the Constituent Assembly and they wanted to place the Congress before the accomplished fact.  The Executive Committee of the Soviet of Peasants’ Delegates, and the Central Executive Committee of the Soviets of Workmen’s and Soldiers’ Delegates chosen at the first elections answered by the two following appeals: 

    Peasant Comrades!

The Bolsheviki have fixed the 5th of January for the opening of the Constituent Assembly; for the 8th of January they call the III Congress of the Soviets of Workmen’s and Soldiers’ Delegates, and for the 13th the Peasant Congress.

    The peasants are, by design, relegated to the background.

    An outrage against the Constituent Assembly is being prepared.

    In this historic moment the peasants cannot remain aloof.

The Provisional Executive Committee of the National Soviet of Peasants’ Delegates, which goes on duty as a guard to the Constituent Assembly, has decided to call, on the 8th of January, also, the Third National Congress of the Soviets of Peasants’ Delegates.  The representation remains the same as before.  Send your delegates at once to Petrograd, Grand Bolotnai, 2A.

    The fate of the Constituent Assembly is the fate of Russia, the
    fate of the Revolution.

    All up for the defense of the Constituent Assembly, for the
    defense of the Revolution—­not by word alone, but by acts!

    [Signed] The Provisional Executive Committee of the National
    Soviet of Peasants’ Delegates, upholding the principle of the
    defense of the Constituent Assembly.

    APPEAL OF THE CENTRAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE SOVIETS OF
    WORKMEN’S AND SOLDIERS’ DELEGATES, CHOSEN AT THE FIRST
    ELECTIONS