Despite its name, the Russian Council of Workmen and Soldiers was actually a conservative body that supported both the Provisional Government and the war. In May 1915 it issued this plea to maintain the Russian war effort, linking success in the war with the fate of the revolution:

“Soldiers and comrades at the front, we speak to you in the name of the Russian revolutionary democracy.

The people did not wish the war, which was begun by the Emperors and capitalists of all countries, and, therefore, after the abdication of the Czar, the people considered it urgent to end the war as rapidly as possible.

Do not forget, soldiers and comrades, that the regiments of William are destroying revolutionary Russia. Do not forget that the loss of free Russia would be a catastrophe, not only to us but to the working classes of the entire world. Defend, therefore, revolutionary Russia with all your power.

The Council of Workmen’s and Soldiers’ Delegates leads you toward peace in another way. By calling for a revolution of the workmen and peasants of Germany and Austria-Hungary we will lead you to peace after having obtained from our Government a renunciation of the policy of conquest and after demanding a similar renunciation from the allied powers.

But do not forget, soldiers and comrades, that peace cannot be achieved if you do not check the enemy’s pressure at the front, if your ranks are pierced and the Russian revolution lies like an inanimate body at William’s feet. Do not forget, you in the trenches, that you are defending the liberty of the Russian revolution and your brother workmen and peasants.

Now, how are you to accomplish this defence if you remain inactive in your trenches? Frequently only an offensive can repel or check a hostile offensive, frequently those who await an attack perish.

Soldiers and comrades, having sworn to defend Russian liberty, do not renounce the offensive. Fight and struggle for this liberty, and while fighting and struggling fear the enemy’s traps. The fraternising which is taking place at present at the front can easily become a trap. Do not forget that revolutionary troops have only the right to fraternise with troops who are also revolutionary and who are also ready to die for peace and liberty.

The German Army is not a revolutionary army if it is still blindly following William and Charles, Emperors and capitalists. You are fraternising openly, not with enemy soldiers but with officers of the enemy’s General Staff, disguised as common soldiers. Peace will not be obtained by separate treaties or by the fraternizing of isolated regiments and battalions. This will only lead to the loss of the Russian revolution, the safety of which does not lie in a separate peace or armistice.

Reject, therefore, everything which weakens your military power, which distracts the army and lowers its morale. Soldiers, be worthy of the trust that revolutionary Russia puts in you.”