Delegates from units of the 8th Siberian Rifle Division stationed at the battlefront gathered on 16 March and unanimously resolved to direct the following appeal to all the soldiers of the Russian army, all the workers, and all other citizens of Russia:

The liberation of the Russian people has now been accomplished. The sun of freedom has started to shine over our homeland. We believe that our homeland has honorably endured the difficult trials of the dark past and, now that it is free, can look forward to a great future. We believe that the free Russian people must not dishonor themselves with a shameful peace. Their freedom, their entire future, will be decided by this war. War to the end, to total victory. Freedom cannot be reconciled with disgrace. Comrade soldiers of all Russia: We must give our homeland victory, which means perfect order and close, honest collaboration with the officers. The discipline of the troops and the talent of our military leaders are what make our army fearsome [groznyi]. Let us invest all our fervor, all our strength, in this—and we will be victorious. Comrade workers, our fervent greetings to you. You and the soldiers have given your blood and your lives to open the way to freedom for the people. We will not disgrace ourselves by ceding our freedom, our happiness, to the enemy. Now we are expecting you to make an all-out effort for the defense. We know now that there is not a single party among you that desires peace, peace no matter what. We know that the German ruling class is waging a war for mastery over us, and we are waging a war with them for our independence and freedom. But freedom and defeat are mutually exclusive. There will be victory, there will be peace, and then will come the time for a final resolution of economic issues. Remember that discord and disagreement will lead us to defeat and the restoration of the overthrown order. Citizens of the Russian land, the history of our people has been forged from the work of each one of us. We have endured a difficult period, we have won our freedom. We must strengthen it. Victory will guarantee our freedom. The army has not and will not regret lives; but victory, and with it freedom, can come only from an organized and unanimous effort.

Long live free and great Russia and its first people's government!