Marx-Engels | Lenin | Stalin | Home Page
Stalin and Kaganovich. Correspondence. 1931–19361936 September
For the industrial development of the country, 1936 was the most successful of all the 1930s. With the exception of coal and oil, all branches of industry progressed rapidly. According to official data, the production of heavy industry increased by 30%. Arms production, according to modern estimates, has increased by at least 60%. This pace contrasted sharply with 1935, when the military industry lagged behind the rest of the industry due to the difficulties of transition to new technologies. Almost as high as in heavy industry was the increase in the production of consumer goods - by 27%. It was a year of rising living standards for a considerable part of the urban population.
The registration logs for visitors to Stalin's office recorded a pass from August 14 to October 25, 1936.
Kaganovich to Stalin September 1, 1936Archive: RGASPI F. 558. Op. 11. D. 94. L. 2. Original. Typescript.
Telegram.
(via NKVD)
From Moscow 1/IX - 36 at 4 p.m. 25 min.
Sochi. Tov. Stalin.
TsUNKhU entered with a petition to the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR to conduct an All-Union livestock census as of February 1, 1937, instead of the deadline of December 1, 1936, previously established by the Central Committee and the Council of People's Commissars, motivating his petition by the fact that conducting a livestock census a month before the population census would distract census takers from preparations for the census and that data as of 1 December will not give a supposedly accurate picture of the state of livestock production. The Council of People's Commissars agreed with TsUNKhU and proposes to postpone the livestock census to February 1, 1937.
I think that Tsunghu's motives cannot be recognized as solid. Therefore, the proposal to delay the date of the livestock census should, in my opinion, be rejected and remain at the previous decision of the Central Committee, i.e. conduct an All-Union census of livestock as of December 1, 1936.
Please let me know your opinion. HP 6.
Kaganovich.
Kaganovich, Yezhov to Stalin September 1, 1936Archive: RGASPI F. 558. Op. 11. D. 94. L. 5. Original. Typescript; F. 558. Op. 11. D. 55. L. 62. Typewritten text with Kaganovich's corrections. Signatures are autographs.
Encryption.
From Moscow 1/IX - 36 at 23 o'clock. 29 min. In. No. 16.
Sochi. Tov. Stalin.
In accordance with your instructions: 1) Demchenko was relieved of his duties as secretary of the Kharkov regional party committee and appointed him first deputy of the People's Commissariat of the USSR. Muralov was released from this job, leaving him the president of the Agricultural Academy. 2) Kovalev was recommended as the second secretary of the Ivanovo regional committee. We appoint Kudryavtsev, the current second secretary of the Zakkraykom, as the first secretary of the Kharkov regional committee, whom, in our opinion, can now be taken from Transcaucasia in view of the fact that the Zakkraykom will be abolished in connection with the new constitution. Nikolaev, in whose place we recommend Kovalev, we plan to be one of the secretaries of the All-Union Central Council of Trade Unions.
Please let us know your opinion 1 . HP 27.
Kaganovich, Yezhov.
______________________
1 Stalin agreed on September 2 in a cipher from Sochi at 2 p.m. 10 minutes. (Ibid. D. 94. L. 4).
Stalin to Kaganovich September 2, 1936Archive: RGASPI F. 558. Op. 11. D. 94. L. 2. Autograph.
Moscow. Central Committee of the CPSU. Kaganovich.
It is better to postpone the livestock census until February 1, 1937 1 .
Stalin. #23
2/IX.36 2
_________________
On September 3, 1936, the PB adopted a decision “to change the resolution of the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR and the Central Committee of the All-Union Communist Party of Bolsheviks of May 28, 1936 “On the state plan for the development of animal husbandry for 1936.” conduct the next census of livestock as of February 1, 1937. (RGASPI. F. 17. Op. 3. D. 981. L. 5).
2 Number and date entered by the secretary. Sent in code from Sochi on the same day at 1 o'clock. 50 min. (Ibid. F. 558. Op. 11. D. 94. L. 1).
Kaganovich, Molotov to Stalin September 2, 19361Archive: RGASPI F. 558. Op. 11. D. 94. L. 7–8. Script. Typescript. Signatures are autographs.
Tov. Stalin.
We discussed with the people's commissars the question of the national economic plan for the fourth quarter. The output of the union and local industry for the fourth quarter was planned at 19.7 billion rubles, which is an increase of 17.3 percent against the third quarter. The people's commissariats were offered to establish for each central office, trust and enterprise a task for the production of finished complete products and a detailed assortment of these products, ensuring the high quality of products and their compliance with established standards.
The Council of Labor and Defense is instructed to approve a detailed assortment plan for marketable products for industrial people's commissariats.
The average daily loading of railway transport was set at 91,000 wagons, the transportation of goods in commercial trains at 131 million tons, and the size of passenger traffic at 18 billion passenger-kilometers. We set the volume of river transport of goods at 12 million tons, and sea freight at 7.8 million tons.
The volume of capital works is set at 7909 million 37 thousand rubles and financing, taking into account the reduction in the cost of work, in the amount of 7048 million 2 thousand rubles.
The retail turnover of the state and cooperative trade will amount to 28 million rubles. The market fund for bread in terms of flour is 3100 thousand tons, for cereals - 230 thousand tons, for sugar - 360 thousand tons, for vodka and vodka products - 20300 thousand decaliters.
Please let us know your opinion 2 . No. 6.
Kaganovich. Molotov.
________________________
1 A telegraph tape is pasted on the document: “2/9–36 years 18 hours. 50 min." The text contains corrections by Molotov and Kaganovich, as well as notes from the secretary about the dispatch.
2 The resolution on the national economic plan for the 4th quarter was approved by the PB on September 3, 1936 (RGASPI. F. 17. Op. 3. D. 981. L. 8).
Kaganovich to Stalin September 3, 1936Archive: RGASPI F. 558. Op. 11. D. 94. L. 10. Original. Typescript.
Telegram.
(via NKVD)
From Moscow 3/IX — 36 at 4 p.m. 12 min.
Sochi. Tov. Stalin.
Berzin sent a telegram 1 to the Central Committee and the Council of People's Commissars about the early fulfillment of the obligations put forward by Dalstroy. We would consider it desirable to send a short greeting on behalf of the Central Committee and the Council of People's Commissars:
"Nagaevo. Dalstroy. Berzin. Congratulations on your success. Please convey our regards to the workers and women workers of Dalstroy. We are confident in the further success of Dalstroy in gold mining.”
Please agree to your signature under this greeting 2 .
Kaganovich.
_________________
1 Telegram from E.P. Berzin was sent by Dvinsky to Stalin on August 30 (Ibid. L. 11), its text is preserved in the original draft of Kaganovich’s telegram: “I am reporting on the early fulfillment of the obligation put forward by Dalstroy to extract this year 25 tons of chemically pure gold in the amount of 32.290 thousand rubles. Fighting for the further development of the Kolyma by Stakhanov's methods, I undertake to give our homeland another five million rubles in excess of the plan of high-grade Kolyma gold by the fifth anniversary of Dalstroy, coinciding with the nineteenth anniversary of October, while at the same time carrying out the maximum possible preparation for the implementation of the work plan for next year. Director of Dalstroy Berzin” (Ibid. L. 12).
2 Stalin wrote a response to Kaganovich's telegram: "I agree about Berzin, but without publication in the Moscow press" (Ibid.). On the same day, Stalin's reply was sent in code from Sochi at 7 p.m. 37 min. (Ibid. L. 9).
Kaganovich, Molotov to Stalin September 4, 1936Archive: RGASPI F. 558. Op. 11. D. 94. L. 14. Original. Typescript; F. 558. Op. 11. D. 55. L. 64. Text - Kaganovich's autograph. Signatures are autographs.
Encryption.
From Moscow 4/IX - 36 at 22 o'clock. 02 min. In. No. 18.
Sochi. Tov. Stalin.
In connection with the unsatisfactory progress of grain procurements in a number of regions, we plan to send: 1) To the West Siberian and Krasnoyarsk Territories, comrade. Kleiner, 2) To Kazakhstan comrade. Kalmanovich, 3) To the Chelyabinsk region comrade. Chernova, 4) To the Omsk region comrade. Belenky Zakh., 5) To the Voronezh region, comrade. Mezhlauka I. I. In addition, they instructed Pravda and Izvestia to criticize these regions more strongly.
Please let us know your opinion. HP 29.
Kaganovich, Molotov.
Kaganovich to Stalin September 4, 1936Archive: RGASPI F. 558. Op. 11. D. 94. L. 19. Original. Typescript.
Telegram.
From Moscow 4/IX - 36 at 23:00. 30 minutes.
Sochi. Tov. Stalin.
We consider it expedient to award Botvinnik for outstanding achievements in the field of chess art with the Order of the Badge of Honor. Please let us know your opinion 1 . HP 10. Kaganovich.
___________________
1 Stalin agreed in a cipher from Sochi on September 5 at 4 p.m. 25 min. (Ibid. L. 16). On the same day, the PB decision was drawn up (RGASPI. F. 17. Op. 3. D. 981. L. 13).
Kaganovich to Stalin September 5, 1936Archive: RGASPI F. 558. Op. 11. D. 94. L. 17. Original. Typescript; F. 558. Op. 11. D. 55. L. 65. Typewritten text with Dvinsky's editing. The signature is an autograph.
Encryption.
From Moscow 5/IX - 36 at 1 o'clock. 31 min. In. No. 19.
Sochi. Tov. Stalin.
Sheboldaev asks for a loan in the amount of 5 million poods to provide seeds, fodder and partly food to the collective farms in areas with reduced crops. A number of districts of the Severo-Donskoy Okrug and the Armavir group have a reduced crop of ears of corn, and maize in these districts has partially died. In total, there are 27 such districts in the territory. We consider it possible to give Sheboldaev a loan in the amount of 5 million poods, of which 500,000 poods should be given out now for seeds, and the rest of the loan should be given out after the plan for the delivery of corn has been fully completed.
The Azov-Black Sea Territory did not receive any discounts from the plan this year. In total, the region has already handed over 127.3 million poods without garnets, and together with corn it will hand over 148.6 million poods against 109.6 million poods last year.
Please let us know your opinion 1 . HP 30.
Kaganovich.
_____________________________
1 Stalin agreed on the same day in a code from Sochi at 4 p.m. 25 min. (Ibid. D. 94. L. 16).
Stalin to Kaganovich, Molotov September 5, 1936Archive: RGASPI F. 558. Op. 11. D. 94. L. 14, 14v. Autograph.
Moscow. CC ON. Kaganovich. Molotov .
In my opinion, the grain harvests are going well. It is impossible to demand that the rates increase all the time if there is a drought on the Volga, and harvesting in Siberia has lagged behind last year by as much as two decades due to climatic conditions. We will collect bread in Siberia, but with a delay. I consider the directive to the newspapers to “criticize harder” in the region tactically incorrect, since such criticism will only benefit the fascist propaganda about the “famine” in the USSR. No need to get nervous and succumb to Kleiner's cries. We will still collect bread. We may collect a little less than last year, but we don't need more. You can limit yourself to sending people, but there is no reason to make noise in the press .
Stalin.
#26
5/IX.36 2
__________________
On September 5, 1936, the resolution on field trips was issued by the decision of the PB (RGASPI. F. 17. Op. 3. D. 981. L. 14).
2 Number and date entered by the secretary. On the same day sent in code from Sochi at 2 o'clock. 37 min. (Ibid. F. 558. Op. 11. D. 94. L. 13).
Kaganovich, Molotov to Stalin September 5, 1936Archive: RGASPI F. 558. Op. 11. D. 94. L. 50. Original. Typescript; F. 558. Op. 11. D. 55. L. 66. Typewritten text. Signatures are autographs.
Encryption.
From Moscow on 5/IX-36 at 4 p.m. 12 min. In. No. 20.
Sochi. Tov. Stalin.
The People's Commissariat of Foreign Trade came in with a proposal to sell a retail apparatus in England, Sweden, and Finland to world oil trusts on the following terms:
1) When selling the apparatus to Sweden, Finland, go as in England for a ten-year agreement period (in England this was allowed by the decision of the Central Committee of July 14 of this year).
2) Agree to the supply of petroleum products to England and Sweden (at world prices with a discount of up to 5%) in the amount of our 1935 exports to these countries, stipulating that we are released from these obligations if all of our exports of the relevant petroleum products, with the exception of these countries will be no higher than 1935.
We consider this proposal acceptable. Please let us know your opinion. HP 31.
Kaganovich, Molotov.
Molotov, Kaganovich to Stalin September 5, 1936Archive: RGASPI F. 558. Op. 11. D. 94. L. 24. Original. Typescript.
Telegram.
From Moscow 5/IX - 36 at 21 o'clock. 30 minutes.
Sochi. Tov. Stalin.
We propose: 1) Establish the title of People's Artist of the USSR with the publication of the following resolution of the Central Executive Committee: "A) Establish for the most outstanding artists of the peoples of the USSR, who especially distinguished themselves in the development of the Soviet theater, music and cinema, the title of "People's Artist of the USSR." B) The title "People's Artist of the USSR" is awarded by a resolution of the Central Executive Committee of the USSR on the proposal of the All-Union Committee for Arts under the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR.
2) Assign the title of People's Artist of the USSR to the following persons: People's Artists of the RSFSR - Stanislavsky, Nemirovich-Danchenko, Kachalov, Moskvin; People's Artists of the RSFSR - Korchagina-Aleksandrovskaya, Blumenthal-Tamarina, Nezhdanova; Honored Artist of the RSFSR Shchukin (from the Vakhtangov Theatre), People's Artist of the Ukrainian SSR Litvinenko-Wolgemut, People's Artist of the Ukrainian SSR Saksagansky, People's Artists Gruz. SSR - Vasadze, Khorava and Honored Artist of the KASSR - Baiseitova.
Please let us know your opinion 1 . HP 11.
Molotov, Kaganovich.
____________________
1 Stalin agreed on September 6, which was reported by telephone to Dvinsky (Ibid.). Decisions on these issues were drawn up by the PB on September 5, 1936 (RGASPI. F. 17. Op. 3. D. 981. L. 14, 117, 118).
Stalin to Kaganovich September 5, 1936Archive: RGASPI F. 558. Op. 11. D. 94. L. 23. Autograph.
Moscow. PC VKP. Kaganovich .
I read the answer of the Norwegian government about Trotsky. What are you thinking of doing?
Stalin.
#28
5/IX. 36 year 1
__________________
1 Number and date entered by the secretary. On the same day sent in code from Sochi at 22:00. 31 min. (Ibid. L. 22).
Kaganovich to Stalin September 6, 1936Archive: RGASPI F. 558. Op. 11. D. 94. L. 29. Original. Typescript.
Unfortunately, we are late in discussing the question of a response to the Norwegian government. Today we will discuss and let you know the answer.
L. Kaganovich 1 .
6.IX.36
_____________________
1 In the upper right corner there is a note: "Transferred to Comrade Chechulin*' by phone."
Kaganovich to Stalin September 6, 1936Archive: RGASPI F. 558. Op. 11. D. 94. L. 47. Original. Typescript; F. 81. Op. 3. D. 101. L. 93. Typewritten copy.
Telegram.
From Moscow 6/IX - 36 at 0 o'clock. 50 min.
Sochi. Tov. Stalin.
The situation on the Moscow-Donbass road is not improving; it works completely unsatisfactorily. Yemshanov can't cope, he must be removed from work. At the same time, it is necessary to release the head of the political department of the road, Rosenthal. As the head of the road, we are thinking of nominating Andreev. Andreev is an engineer, at one time he worked according to military reports, for the last year he worked as an auditor-dispatcher of the People's Commissariat for Commissariat of Transport, traveled to breakthrough sections of roads, showed himself to be an operational worker. Andreev is now working as Emshanov's deputy. We plan Lapidus as the head of the political department of the road, now he works as an instructor in the Political Directorate of the NKPS, an experienced party worker.
I ask for your consent 1 .
Things are also very bad on the South Ural road near Knyazev and on the Kuibyshev road near Kovylkin, as soon as we find candidates I will inform you 2 . HP 12.
Kaganovich.
_______________________
1 On the same day, by cipher from Sochi, Stalin answered with his consent at 19:00. 38 min. (Ibid. F. 558. Op. 11. D. 94. L. 46). On September 7, the PB decided to remove Yemshanov from the post of head of the Moscow-Donbass railway, as he had failed to do his job. A.N. Andreev was approved as the new chief. I.VLapidus was approved by the head of the political department of the road, instead of J.D. Rozental (Ibid. F. 17. Op. 3. D. 981. L. 16).
Stalin to Kaganovich, Molotov September 6, 1936Archive: RGASPI F. 558. Op. 11. D. 94. L. 32–39. Autograph; F. 82. Op. 2. D. 1421. L. 287. Typewritten copy.
Kaganovich. Molotov .
Pravda failed miserably in its articles on the trial of the Zinovievists and Trotskyists. Not a single article giving a Marxist explanation of the process of the downfall of these scoundrels, their socio-political face, their true platform, was published by Pravda. She reduced everything to a personal moment, to the fact that there are evil people who want to seize power, and good people who are in power, and fed the public with this petty medley.
It should have been said in the articles that the struggle against Stalin, Voroshilov, Molotov, Zhdanov, Kosior and others is a struggle against the Soviets, a struggle against collectivization, against industrialization, and therefore a struggle for the restoration of capitalism in the towns and villages of the USSR. For Stalin and other leaders are not isolated individuals, but the personification of all the victories of socialism in the USSR, the personification of collectivization, industrialization, the rise of culture in the USSR, and therefore the personification of the efforts of the workers, peasants and working intelligentsia for the defeat of capitalism and the triumph of socialism.
It should have been said that whoever fights against the leaders of the party and government in the USSR stands for the defeat of socialism and the restoration of capitalism.
It should have been said that the talk about the absence of a platform among the Zinovievites and Trotskyists is a deceit on the part of these scoundrels and the self-deception of our comrades. These bastards had a platform. The essence of their platform is the defeat of socialism in the USSR and the restoration of capitalism. It was unprofitable for these scoundrels to openly talk about such a platform. Hence their version of the lack of a platform, taken by our bunglers on faith.
Finally, it was necessary to say that the fall of these scoundrels to the position of White Guards and fascists follows logically from their fall as oppositionists in the past.
As early as the 10th Party Congress, Lenin said that a faction or factions, if in their struggle against the Party they insist on their mistakes, under the Soviet system must necessarily sink to the White Guard, to the defense of capitalism, to the struggle against the Soviets, must necessarily merge with the enemies of the Soviet Union. authorities. This thesis of Lenin has now received brilliant confirmation. But it, unfortunately, is not used by Pravda.
Such was the spirit and direction in which propaganda should have been carried on in the press. All this, unfortunately, is lost.
Stalin 1 .
No. 29 and 30
6.IX.36.
______________________
1 Sent in code from Sochi on September 6 at 4 o'clock. 5 minutes. (RGASPI. F. 558. Op. 11. D. 94. L. 31).
Stalin to Kaganovich, Molotov September 6, 1936Direction: GovernmentInternational relationshipsTrade
Document type: official correspondence
State: the USSR
Dating: 1936.09.06
Tags: StalinInternational trade
A source: Stalin and Kaganovich. Correspondence. 1931–1936 Moscow: (ROSSPEN), 2001 Pp. 665-666
Archive: RGASPI F. 558. Op. P. D. 94. L. 50. Autograph.
Moscow Central Committee of the CPSU. Kaganovich. Molotov .
Your 31 is incomprehensible. Why do we sell oil at a discount of up to 5%? Do we have that much oil?
Stalin.
No. 33
6/IX.36 1
________________
1 Number and date entered by the secretary. On the same day sent in code from Sochi at 22:00. 25 min. (Ibid. L. 49).
Molotov, Kaganovich to Stalin September 6, 1936Archive: RGASPI F. 558. Op. 11. D. 94. L. 30. Certified typewritten copy; F. 558. Op. 11. D. 55. L. 71. Autographs of Molotov and Kaganovich.
S. secret.
Copy.
Cipher.
Tov. Stalin.
Litvinov was instructed to draw up a note to the Norwegian government in which to criticize the Norwegians' response and declare that we recognize the norpra's answer as unsatisfactory, and that we hold the norpra responsible for the consequences. We'll let you know the text of the note tomorrow. No. 1280/sh.
6.IX. 36
Molotov. Kaganovich.
Stalin to Kaganovich September 6, 1936Archive: RGASPI F. 558 Op. 11. D. 94. L. 53–54. Autograph.
Moscow. CC ON. Kaganovich.
It would be good to sell 50 pieces of SB 1 to Mexico so that Mexico would immediately resell them to Spain. It would also be possible to select about 20 of our good pilots so that they would perform combat functions in Spain and at the same time teach Spanish pilots to fly on the Security Council. Think this over quickly. It would be good to sell 20,000 rifles, 1,000 machine guns and 20 million cartridges in the same way. You just need to know the calibers.
Stalin.
#34
6/IX.36 2
___________________
1 SB - high-speed bombers.
2 Number and date entered by the secretary. On the same day sent in code from Sochi at 23:00. 58 min. (Ibid. L. 52).
Kaganovich, Molotov to Stalin September 7, 1936Archive: RGASPI F. 558. Op. 11. D. 94. L. 62. Original. Typescript; F. 558. Op. 11. D. 55. L. 72. Typewritten text with corrections by Kaganovich. Signatures are autographs.
Encryption.
From Moscow 7/IX - 36 at 21 o'clock. 10 minutes. In. No. 24.
Sochi. Tov. Stalin.
We are sending a draft statement of the Plenipotentiary of the USSR to the Norwegian government: “I brought to the attention of the Soviet government the statement of the Norwegian government, made to me by Minister of Justice Lee on the third day of this month. The Soviet government, unfortunately, does not find it possible to recognize this statement as satisfactory and in keeping with the friendly relations that exist between the USSR and Norway. The Soviet government declares that, by its response, the Norwegian government has assumed full responsibility for the effectiveness of the measures it has taken and for the consequences of Trotsky's further stay in Norway.
In addition, we have planned to withdraw the remaining orders in Norway for three hundred thousand rubles.
Please let us know your opinion 1 . HP 36.
Kaganovich, Molotov.
__________________
1 Stalin agreed in a cipher from Sochi on September 8 at 0000 hours. 40 min. (Ibid. D. 94. L. 61).
Molotov, Kaganovich to Stalin September 7, 1936Archive: RGASPI F. 558. Op. 11. D. 94. L. 66. Original. Typescript; F. 558. Op. 11. D. 55. L. 73. Typewritten text with editing by Molotov. Signatures are autographs.
From Moscow 7/IX - 36 at 23 o'clock. 21 min. In. No. 25.
Sochi. Tov. Stalin.
To your number 33.
1) The discount is due to the fact that when selling a large amount of oil products, all sellers give a discount on world prices, which was also practiced by us, and in some cases the discounts reached 18%. In 1934 and 1935, while making small purchases of gasoline from the Americans for our own retail network abroad on individual steamships, we also received a discount of 2 to 10% from American trusts.
2) By a decree of July 14, 1936, the People's Commissariat for Foreign Trade was allowed to sign an agreement on England by providing a 3-5% discount.
3) The People's Commissariat for Foreign Trade proposed to allow him to make a discount of up to 10% on the sale of oil, which we rejected, limiting the discount to 5% 1 . HP 37.
Molotov, Kaganovich.
_______________________
September 1 , 9 Stalin in cipher from Sochi at 19 o'clock. 17 min. responded by agreeing to a 5% discount (Ibid. D. 94. L. 65).
Kaganovich, Molotov to Stalin September 8, 1936Archive: RGASPI F. 558 Op. 11. D. 94. L. 68–69. Script. Typescript; F. 558. Op. 11. D. 55. L. 74–75. Typewritten text with Kaganovich's correction. Signatures are autographs.
Encryption.
From Moscow 8/IX - 36 at 1 o'clock. 55 min. In. No. 26.
Sochi. Tov. Stalin.
The command of the Chinese Red Army reported two options for further actions of the Chinese Red Army.
According to the first option, after the Yellow River freezes, the 1st army direction by December 1936 occupies the Ningxia region (400 km from the southern border of the MPR); 4th Army Line advances and occupies Lianzhou and further advances into Suzhou (western part of Gansu Province); The 2nd army direction secures the southern part of Gansu.
The Chinese comrades believe that the purpose of this operation is to secure the current security base in Shanxi and Gansu, to move closer to the USSR, to create a united anti-Japanese front, and to counter Japan's attempts to cut off ties between the USSR and China. The implementation of this option of action is made dependent on the provision of assistance from the USSR.
According to the second option, which is put forward in case it is impossible to receive assistance from the USSR, it is supposed to direct the actions of all three army directions to the south of the provinces of Gansu, Shanxi, the north of Sichuan and the west of Henan and Hubei. "To postpone the implementation of the plan of attack west of the Yellow River until the winter of next year."
According to the command of the Chinese Red Army, the second option is unprofitable due to the need to leave the current Soviet regions, the inevitability of a military clash with Nanjing. This option "would not be a direction of struggle against Japan, but a direction leading to civil war." Next year, the militarists will intensify their blockhouse tactics and rely even more on Japan, as a result of which in the future the difficulties for the advance of units of the Chinese Red Army will increase.
The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the command of the Chinese Red Army consider the first option to be the main one, they ask for approval and help with weapons, money and people, while they indicate that financial, food and armament issues have reached extreme urgency.
We consider it possible:
1) Agree with the first version of the plan of action of the Chinese Red Army, namely: the occupation of the Ningxia region and the western part of Gansu province. Moreover, categorically point out the inadmissibility of the further movement of the Chinese Red Army towards Xinjiang, which could tear the Chinese Red Army away from the main Chinese regions.
2) Predetermine that after the occupation of the Ningxia region by the Chinese Red Army, assistance with weapons in the amount of 15-20 thousand rifles, 8 cannons, 10 mortars and the corresponding amount of foreign-style ammunition will be provided. To concentrate weapons by December 1936 on the southern border of the Mongolian People's Republic and sell them through a foreign company known to Uritsky, preparing transport for transferring them to Ningxia.
Please let us know your opinion 1 . HP 38, 39, 40.
Kaganovich, Molotov.
______________________
1 Stalin agreed on September 9 in a cipher from Sochi at 19:00. 17 min. (Ibid. D. 94. L. 65).
Kaganovich to Stalin [later September 8, 1936]Archive: RGASPI F. 81. Op. 3. D. 101. L. 96. Typewritten copy.
Stalin.
1. Litvinov proposes to make concessions to the Japanese on the issue of the term for fixing fishing areas, namely, to lease them for 5 years, followed by a mandatory extension of the lease for another 3 years, if the Japanese, in turn, agree to shorten the term of the convention itself from 12 to 8 years.
We consider Litvinov's proposal acceptable .
2. Stomonyakov submitted for approval draft agreements on the redemarcation of the Soviet-Manchurian border and on the analysis of border conflicts. Litvinov proposes to approve these drafts with minor amendments formulated by him. Stomonyakov's drafts and Litvinov's amendments were sent to you on 8 September. We consider Litvinov's proposal acceptable .
Please provide your views on both of these questions.
_______________________
On September 20, 1936, the PB decided, if the Japanese government agrees, “to shorten the term of the new convention by 4 years, to consider it possible to promise the Japanese that after the expiration of the 5-year period during which we agree to leave the currently operated plots with them, we will be ready to offer our authorities to satisfy the petitions of the tenants of these plots for prolongation on the same terms of the lease term for a period of not more than 3 years, subject to the conscientious fulfillment by the tenants of their obligations ”(RGASPI. F. 17. Op. 162. D 20. L. 78, 79).
On September 20, 1936, the PB decided not to object to the counterdraft agreements submitted by Stomonyakov on the redemarcation of the Soviet-Manchurian border and on border conflicts (Ibid. L. 78).
Molotov, Kaganovich to Stalin September 9, 1936Archive: RGASPI F. 558. Op. 11. D. 94. L. 80. Original. Typescript.
Telegram.
From Moscow 9/IX — 36 at 20:00. 10 minutes.
Sochi. Tov. Stalin.
In connection with the arrival of Levanevsky on September 11, we plan the following decision:
1) To entrust the meeting of the Hero of the Soviet Union comrade. Levanevsky S.A. and navigator comrade. Levchenko V.I. to organize the Northern Sea Route and attend the meeting for comrade comrade Janson, Tkachev and Alksnis.
2) For new major successes in the development of the northern air route, award Comrade Hero of the Soviet Union. Levanevsky Sigismund Alexandrovich, who has the Order of Lenin and the Order of the Red Star, the Order of the Red Banner of Labor, navigator Comrade. Levchenko Viktor Ivanovich - Order of Lenin.
3) Issue a monetary award to the Hero of the Soviet Union comrade. Levanevsky 25,000 rubles, navigator comrade. Levchenko - 15,000 rubles.
4) Allow the Glavsevmorputi to arrange a friendly evening to commemorate the flight of the Hero of the Soviet Union comrade. Levanevsky.
5) In the press, highlight the significance of Levanevsky's flight.
Please let us know your opinion. HP 14.
Molotov, Kaganovich.
Kaganovich, Molotov to Stalin September 9, 1936Archive: RGASPI F. 558. Op. 11. D. 94. L. 79. Original. Typescript; F. 558. Op. 11. D. 55. L. 77. Typewritten text. Signatures - autographs; F. 81. Op. 3. D. 101. L. 95. Typewritten copy.
Encryption.
From Moscow 9/IX — 36 at 20:00. 15 minutes. In. No. 28.
Sochi. Tov. Stalin.
On September 21, the assembly of the League of Nations opens. Litvinov proposes to send the following delegation: Litvinov - chairman of the delegation, Potemkin and Stein - delegates, Kollontai and Gerschelman - deputy delegates. This is the same composition that was sent last year, with the addition of Gerschelman, who is the general secretary of the People's Commissariat for Foreign Affairs, whom Litvinov asks to be included in the delegation, as he knows the Geneva affairs well.
We consider Litvinov's proposal acceptable.
Please let us know your opinion. HP 42.
Kaganovich, Molotov.
Stalin to Kaganovich, Molotov September 9, 1936Archive: RGASPI F. 558. Op. 11. D. 94. L. 79. Autograph.
Moscow. Central Committee of the CPSU. Kaganovich. Molotov.
Your 42 agrees 1 .
Your 14 also agrees with the addition that members of the Politburo should also be present at the meeting .
Stalin.
#38
9/IX.36. 3
___________________
On September 10, 1936, the PB approved the proposed composition of the delegation to the Assembly of the League of Nations (RGASPI. F. 17. Op. 3. D. 981. L. 20).
On September 10, 1936, this proposal was formalized by the decision of the PB (Ibid. L. 24).
3 Number and date entered by the secretary. Sent in code from Sochi on September 10 at 0000 hours. 35 min. (Ibid. F. 558. Op. 11. D. 94. L. 78).
Kaganovich to Stalin September 9, 1936Archive: RGASPI F. 558. Op. 11. D. 94. L. 64. Original. Typescript.
Stalin 1 .
I am handing over the exact text of the message of the Prosecutor's Office to the press. Number 15. Kaganovich.
"In the Prosecutor's Office of the USSR. At present, the Prosecutor's Office of the USSR has completed an investigation into the trials of the Trotskyist-Zinoviev terrorist center in Moscow on August 19 and 20 this year. d. by some defendants of indications of involvement in one degree or another in their criminal counter-revolutionary activities of N.I. Bukharin and A.I. Rykov.
The investigation did not establish legal data to attract N.I. Bukharin and A. I. Rykov to judicial responsibility, whereby the present case was terminated by further investigative proceedings.
___________________
1 A telegraph tape is pasted at the bottom: “Transmitted on September 9, 1936, 22 hours 25 minutes. Trans[ala] Zakharova was received by Afonin.
Stalin, Zhdanov, Kalinin - Kaganovich September 9, 1936Archive: RGASPI F. 558. Op. 11. D. 94. L. 73, 73v. Script. Typescript.
1. Release from duties authorized by the Central Executive Committee of the USSR for the Mineral Group of Resorts comrade. Ganshtak M.I. 1
2. Appoint as authorized by the CEC of the USSR for resort issues in the Sochi region and for the Mineralovodskaya group of resorts , including 2 Pyatigorsk comrade. Meteleva A.D. with his permanent residence in the city of Kislovodsk.
3. The Decree of the Central Executive Committee and the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR of 17.X.1933 regarding the rights and duties of the authorized CEC of the USSR in the Sochi region should also be extended to the Mineral Group.
4. To oblige the local Soviet authorities of the resorts indicated above, as well as the local authorities of the People's Commissariat of Health, the NKVD, the police, the directors of departmental sanatoriums and rest houses and enterprises, to render all possible assistance to the authorized CEC of the USSR in his work.
5. To oblige comrade Metelev to leave for Kislovodsk within a week, take over business in Kislovodsk, and inform comrade Kalinin about the practical measures necessary for expanding the work of the Mineralovodsk Group 3 within a month .
___________________
1 A note by Poskrebyshev has been preserved in the file: “T. Kaganovich L.M. On the instructions of comrade Stalin, the proposals of comrades Stalin, Zhdanov and Kalinin are sent to the vote "with Chechulin's note" Transferred by telephone on 9/IX.36. (Ibid. L. 74) and a copy of the letter with Dvinsky's note: "Received from Sochi at 9 o'clock in the evening on September 9, 1936."
2 Originally was "excluding". The text in italics was added by Stalin.
3 In the upper left corner of the mark about voting: “For. I. Stalin. Per. A. Zhdanov. M. Kalinin. On September 10, 1936, the proposal of Stalin, Zhdanov and Kalinin was formalized by the decision of the PB (RGASPI. F. 17. Op. 3. D. 981. L. 20).
Molotov, Kaganovich to Stalin September 11, 1936Archive: RGASPI F. 558. Op. 11. D. 94. L. 89. Original. Typescript.
Telegram.
From Moscow 11/IX-36 at 1 o'clock. 55 min.
Sochi. Tov. Stalin.
The Bashkir Regional Committee and the Council of People's Commissars requested that they additionally reduce their grain supply plan by another 11,500,000 poods, and the payment in kind plan by 3,400,000 poods. A month ago he had already reduced the plan for grain deliveries by 4,000,000 poods and payment in kind by 1,500,000 poods. Taking into account the low harvest in many districts of Bashkiria, we agreed to further reduce their plan for grain deliveries by 5,133,000 poods, and rejected the request for a reduction in payment in kind. Thus, the overall reduction in the plan for grain deliveries will be expressed in the amount of 9,133,000 poods, and the reduction in payment in kind, 4,500,000 poods. If such a reduction is accepted, Bashkiria will have to surrender a total of 30,135,000 poods; last year Bashkiria delivered 47,760,000 poods.
Please let us know your opinion 1 . HP 16.
Molotov, Kaganovich.
____________________
1 On the same day, Stalin agreed in cipher from Sochi at 13:00. 45 min. (Ibid. L. 88).
Kaganovich to Stalin September 11, 1936Archive: RGASPI F. 558. Op. 11. D. 94. L. 84. Original. Typescript.
Tov. Stalin.
We take for granted the need for the immediate removal of Pyatakov from the post of Deputy Narkomtyazhprom. We only think that until the announcement of the prosecutor's office on the results of the investigation is published, it would be possible not to publish the removal in the newspapers.
I ask for your instructions.
Kaganovich.
11/1X-36 1
_________________
1 Below the date there is a note: “Received by phone”.
Stalin to Kaganovich September 11, 1936Archive: RGASPI F. 558. Op. 11. D. 94. L. 84. Autograph.
It would be better to remove Pyatakov from his post of deputy at once, without waiting for the results of the investigation .
St[alin].
___________________
1 Dated by the secretary's note on the document: "Transferred by telephone on 11.IX.36." In the same file there is a note from the secretary: “Dvinsky to Chechulin. T. Kaganovich asks whether to publish now or not to publish. Chechulin conveyed Comrade Stalin's words: "There is no need to publish" (Ibid. L. 87).
On September 9, Dvinsky sent a coded message to Stalin for voting in Sochi: “From Moscow on 9/IX-36 at 11 p.m. 10 minutes. In. No. 29. Sochi. Tov. Stalin. To vote. “On the basis of irrefutable data, it has been established that Yu. L. Pyatakov, a member of the Central Committee, maintained close ties with the terrorist groups of Trotskyists and Zinovievites. The PB, considering that such behavior of Pyatakov is incompatible with being a member of the Central Committee and belonging to the CPSU (b), submits to the vote of the members of the Central Committee a proposal to expel Pyatakov from the members of the Central Committee and from the ranks of the CPSU (b). Secretariat of the Central Committee of the All-Union Communist Party of the Soviet Union (6). Dvinsky” (Ibid. L. 75). On the encryption, Stalin wrote: "For".
On September 11, 1936, the decision of the PB was issued to remove Pyatakov without publishing this decision in the press (RGASPI. F. 17. Op. 3. D. 980. L. 26).
Kaganovich, Molotov to Stalin September 12, 1936Archive: RGASPI F. 558. Op. 11. D. 94. L. 96. Original. Typescript.
Telegram.
From Moscow 12/IX - 36 at 0 o'clock. 25 min.
Sochi. Tov. Stalin.
Vareikis petitioned to reduce the grain delivery plan for grain deliveries, payment in kind, semsude and state farms in the Stalingrad region by 15,388,000 poods, setting the final plan at 27,000,000 poods against the current 42,388,000 poods. He motivates his petition by the fact that, according to his data, the gross harvest in the collective-farm and peasant sector in the region is no more than 42 million poods, which we consider unreasonable. According to the Yield Commission, the gross harvest is higher.
We consider the claims of the Stalingrad Territory to be exaggerated. As of September 5, the Stalingrad Territory had already prepared 25,493,000 poods. It remains to prepare 16,895 thousand pounds. Thus, if Vareikis's request is granted, this means an immediate actual cessation of grain procurements.
We offer:
First. To provide at the disposal of the Stalingrad regional committee and the regional executive committee a fund in the amount of 2.5 million poods for granting discounts on grain deliveries to barren collective farms with the transfer of discounts to the arrears to be recovered from the 1937 harvest.
Second. To reduce the plan for payment in kind for the work of the MTS by 6 million poods.
Third. To reduce the grain delivery plan of the state farms of the Narkomsovkhozes by 2.5 million poods.
Fourth. Postpone until 1937 the collection of debts of collective farms on loans in the amount of 1 million poods.
The entire discount will be expressed in 12 million poods, and the general plan for grain delivery in 30,388 thousand poods. Last year, 33,863,000 poods actually arrived in the Stalingrad Territory.
Please let us know your opinion 1 . HP 18.
Kaganovich, Molotov.
Kaganovich to Stalin September 12, 1936Archive: RGASPI F. 558. Op. 11. D. 94. L. 93. Original. Typescript; F. 558. Op. 11. D. 55. L. 79. Typewritten text. The signature is an autograph.
Encryption.
From Moscow 12/IX-36 at 2 o'clock. 38 min. In. No. 30.
Sochi. Tov. Stalin.
1) On September 18, an International Conference opens in Geneva to sign a convention on the use of radio broadcasting in the interests of peace (prohibition of broadcasts that excite the population of a certain state; broadcasts of false information; broadcasts agitating for war, etc.).
The People's Commissariat of Foreign Affairs believes that it is inconvenient for us not to participate in such a conference.
We outlined a decision: to take part in the conference and sign a convention on the use of radio broadcasting in the interests of peace; to send Gerschelman as a delegate to the conference.
2) In July, four Japanese cavalrymen who violated the border were detained on our territory. During the extradition negotiations, the Japanese refused to sign the draft protocol, which stated that the cavalrymen were detained at such and such a point on Soviet territory due to the fact that the border at the place of detention was not, in their opinion, correct. Until now, the issue has not been settled due to the stubborn disagreement of the Japanese.
The People's Commissariat of Foreign Affairs proposes to extradite four Japanese cavalrymen without any act, setting the condition for the release of a certain number of Soviet citizens arrested in Manchuria, to which the Japanese, according to information available at the People's Commissariat of Foreign Affairs, will agree.
We are thinking of accepting the proposal of the People's Commissariat of Foreign Affairs for the extradition of four Japanese cavalrymen.
Please provide your opinion on these two issues 1 . HP 44.
Kaganovich.
_______________________
1 On the same day, Stalin agreed in code from Sochi at 15:00. 10 minutes. (Ibid. D. 94. L. 92). On September 13, 1936, the decision of the PB on participation in the International Conference for the Signing of the Convention on Radio Broadcasting (RGASPI. F. 17. Op. 3. D. 981. L. 27) was formalized.
Stalin to Kaganovich, Molotov September 12, 1936Archive: RGASPI F. 558. Op. 11. D. 94. L. 96. Autograph.
Moscow. CC ON. Kaganovich. Molotov .
I have no objection to your offer of discounts to Vareikis. But if you make a discount to Vareikis on payment in kind for 6 million poods, then it would be right to make a discount on payment in kind to Bashkiria as well. I propose to make a discount to Bashkiria on payment in kind for three million poods.
Stalin.
#41
12/IX.36 1
___________________
1 Number and date entered by the secretary. On the same day sent in code from Sochi at 15:00. 11 min. (Ibid. L. 95).
Kaganovich to Stalin September 14, 1936Archive: RGASPI F. 558. Op. 11. D. 94. L. 99. Original. Typescript.
Tov. Stalin.
Today Litvinov leaves for Geneva for the assembly. Will there be instructions?
Kaganovich 1 .
_____________________
1 Below there is a note: “Transferred by telephone on 14.IX.36 to Comrade. Chechulin".
Stalin to Kaganovich September 14, 1936Archive: RGASPI F. 558. Op. 11. D. 94. L. 101. Autograph; F. 81. Op. 3. D. 101. L. 80. Typewritten copy.
CC ON. Kaganovich.
If you have a women's rally in Moscow and the resolution of the rally, you should send the resolution to the President of Spain, Azana, Prime Minister Caballero, and the woman known to us, Dolores Ibarruri .
Stalin.
14/IX.36 2
_________________
1 A city-wide rally of women in Moscow took place at the Bolshoi Theater on the evening of 14 September. On September 15, 1936, the newspapers published the resolution of the rally, which was drawn up in accordance with Stalin's instructions.
2 Date entered by the secretary. On the back of the sheet there is a note: "Transferred to Moscow by phone." The transfer time is marked on the copy: 8 hours. 45 min. evenings (Ibid. F. 558. Op. 11. D. 94. L. 100).
Kaganovich to Stalin on September 14 [1936]Archive: RGASPI F. 558. Op. 11. D. 743. L. 56–63. Autograph.
14/IX
Hello, Dear Comrade Stalin!
1) On the basis of Suritsa's encryption, Litvinov suggested sending a note of protest to Germany in connection with the insulting and harsh speeches at the Nuremberg Congress of the Nazis. We think that this should not be done 1 .
The experience of the last month shows that our use of the tactics you indicated to prevent hysteria and maintain calm and restraint has fully justified itself.
Please let us know your opinion. I am sending you Litvinov's note. I am also sending him two notes in connection with his trip to Geneva .
In these notes, he poses the following questions:
1) On placing at the disposal of the League of Nations an international aviation force of 1,000 aircraft.
2) On counteracting capitulatory moods in Czechoslovakia.
3) On the formalization of our relations with Turkey[tion].
4) On posing the question of a single large defensive anti-German bloc.
All these questions are of no immediate acute importance now. We promised to let him know. If you find these issues relevant to the present moment, please let me know your opinion.
2) The Iranian government informed our trade representative of the desire to negotiate the supply and installation by us to Iran of equipment for various enterprises: six cotton factories, a meat processing plant, six sugar factories and some more, the total cost of equipment and its installation will be expressed at about 60 million dollars. Delivery within 6-7 years.
Payment for government supplies will be made in raw materials. The Germans are now trying to infiltrate this matter. Narkomvneshtorg requests our opinion. We did not stop at any draft decision, but it seemed to me that we should hardly refuse to talk.
Please let us know your opinion .
3) We discussed the other day the issue of limits on the consumption of flour. The Komzag and the People's Commissariat of Internal Trade made proposals to limit the distribution of baked bread and flour to one hand. We believe that this should not be done. Maybe it can still be allowed in rural areas of non-industrial areas, and then in limited quantities, but in general this should not be allowed. In doing so, we proceeded from your instruction not to give grounds for fabrications and slander of enemies 3 .
I would ask you to let us know whether our position on this issue is correct, especially since this issue will probably come up again.
4) A few words about the confrontation between Sokolnikov-Rykov-Bukharin. Sokolnikov gives the impression of an embittered criminal bandit, laying out without the slightest embarrassment the plan of the murder and their work in this direction.
Rykov kept himself rather self-possessed and kept asking Sokolnikov whether he knew about Rykov's participation only from the words of Tomsky or someone else. Apparently, after he learned that Sokolnikov knew about Rykov's connection with Zinoviev and Kamenev only from Tomsky, Kamenev, he, Rykov, completely calmed down and went over to the offensive. But both Rykov and Bukharin made the main emphasis on the last years, as for the years 31-32-33, they both clearly bypassed. Although Rykov had to admit that already in 1934 Tomsky asked him whether he should go to Zinoviev's dacha, i.e. in the year of Kirov's assassination, Rykov limited himself only to advising Tomsky, but did not tell anyone about this.
Bukharin, he argued more with Sokolnikov, although he had to admit that in response to Sokolnikov’s request for the publication of his article in Izvestia, Bukharin answered him: “Write with your full name, you need to fight for your legality, I also Rykov I say." Basically, he, Bukharin, confirmed this. Bukharin, after Sokolnikov left, shed a tear and kept asking to believe him. I was left with the impression that maybe they did not maintain a direct organizational connection with the Trotskyist-Zinoviev bloc, but in 1932-33, and maybe in subsequent years, they were aware of Trotskyist affairs. Evidently they, the Rights, had their own organization, allowing unity of action from below. Just the other day, the transport authorities of the GPU gave me a list of the arrested Trotskyist group of railway workers in Moscow, but when I looked at the list, there turned out to be quite large Ugolanov former Moscow workers, and I think that this is a Trotskyist-right organization of railway workers. In any case, it is necessary to look for a right-wing underground organization, it exists. I think that the role of Rykov, Bukharin and Tomsky will yet come to light.
Pyatakov has not yet given evidence. A face-to-face confrontation will be arranged for both him and Radek. It is good that we smash all these Trotskyist-Zinoviev scoundrels to the end.
5) I informed you about Spanish affairs by telephone.
Warm regards and best wishes to you.
Your L. Kaganovich.
_________________
1In a telegram to the NKDD on September 11, the Soviet plenipotentiary in Germany Ya.Z. Suritz wrote that “we need to give a strong and sharp answer to Nuremberg, which will meet with understanding and approval in a number of countries, but not one that would play into the hands of warmongers. This response could be expressed, for example, in the following measures: 1) a note of protest; 2) a firm public statement by one of the leaders of our country; 3) suspension of deliveries of raw materials to the detriment of Germany, even if this involves the payment of some of our bills in gold. On September 19, Deputy People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs Krestinsky informed Surits of the directives of the country's leadership: “It was decided not to send notes. As for the reaction in the press, as you have seen, our press responded to the party tag quite decisively, without hesitation in the face of harsh characterizations even of members of the government” (DVP. T. XIX. S. 762).
2 Litvinov's notes in connection with his trip to the meeting of the Assembly of the League of Nations are not in the file. Solutions to these proposals also could not be found.
On September 11, the PB adopted a decision on the trade in bread in the 4th quarter, which provided for the priority provision of flour and bread funds to the trading network in urban centers (RGASPI. F. 17. Op. 3. D. 980. L. 26).
Kaganovich, Molotov to Stalin September 16, 1936Archive: RGASPI F. 558. Op. 11. D. 94. L. 105–106. Script. Typescript.
Telegram.
From Moscow 16/IX-36 at 19:00. 30 minutes.
Sochi. Tov. Stalin.
We plan to approve the plan for the procurement of cotton in the following quantities: 1,565,774 tons under contract against the actual procurement of last year 1,510,261 tons; payment in kind, 230,023 tons; tons against the actual billets of the previous year 1720235 tons.
In terms of fiber, with an output of 32.6 percent (last year the actual output was 31.5 percent), we will have fibers of 37,340,000 poods against 32,500,000 poods last year and 40 million poods projected by the national economic plan.
Cotton sown area in the current year is 2014 thousand hectares against 1950 thousand hectares of the previous year (an increase in non-irrigated areas from 368 thousand hectares to 435 thousand hectares).
The planned yield of the current year is 9.6 centners per hectare against the actual 8.8 centners per hectare on average in all regions last year.
We plan to establish the following plan for individual republics, regions and territories: Uzbekistan 1078427 tons against the actual procurement of last year 1042140 tons, Turkmenistan 174990 tons against 168570 tons last year, Tajikistan 93600 tons against 87099 tons, Kyrgyzstan 55000 tons against 51536 tons, Karakalpakstan 39840 tons against 40655, Kazakhstan 85160 against 72577, Azerbaijan 175400 tons against 141065, Armenia 18900 tons against 18282 tons, Georgia 4590 tons against 5715;
We are drafting a plan for non-irrigated areas as follows: in Sevkavkaz 51,000 tons against 30,199 tons of actual harvesting of last year; Azov-Chernomorsky Krai 16,450 tons against 11,526 tons; total for non-irrigated areas 151,610 tons against 92,596 tons harvested last year.
The plan for the republics and regions is given in terms of the gross harvest, calculated according to the planned yield, with the exception of Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Sevkavkaz, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, where the plan is lowered against the gross harvest due to damage to crops caused by floods.
Please let us know your opinion 1 . HP 19.
Kaganovich, Molotov.
____________________
1 The telegram is marked: “I agree. I. St. " (Ibid. L. 105).
Stalin to Kaganovich, Molotov September 17, 1936Archive: RGASPI F. 558. Op. 11. D. 94. L. 112. Autograph.
Moscow. Central Committee of the CPSU. Kaganovich. Molotov .
Relations with Mexico 1 should be restored immediately . I propose to appoint Antonov-Ovseenko as consul to Barcelona. He knows the military. In addition, he “will be able to get along with the anarchists 2 .
Stalin.
#43
17/IX.36 3
____________________
On September 17, 1936, Deputy People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs Krestinsky telegraphed the Charge d'Affaires of the USSR in Great Britain: “Today a decision was made to resume diplomatic relations with Mexico immediately and without any conditions [...] Is it possible to quickly carry out this business in London, or is it better to do it in Paris? Negotiations continued for several months, but were interrupted in December. Diplomatic relations between the USSR and Mexico were restored in 1942 (DVP, vol. XIX, pp. 426–427, 762–763).
2 On September 21, 1936, the PB approved V.A. Antonov-Ovseenko as Consul of the USSR in Barcelona (RGASPI. F. 17. Op. 3. D. 981. L. 42).
3 Number and date entered by the secretary. On the same day sent in code from Sochi at 14:00. 51 min. (Ibid. F. 558. Op. 11. D. 94. L. 111).
Kaganovich, Andreev to Stalin September 17, 1936Archive: RGASPI F. 558. Op. 11. D. 94. L. 113. Certified typewritten copy; F. 558. Op. 11. D. 55. L. 81. Typewritten text with corrections by Kaganovich. Signatures are autographs.
Owls. secret.
Copy.
Cipher.
Sochi. Tov. Stalin.
The Bureau of the RSFSR has designated the following comrades as People's Commissars of the People's Commissariats of the RSFSR:
Narkommestprom - Ukhanov or
Narkompischeprom Badaev Lobov 1
Narkomlegprom Eremin Myshkov 1
Narkomsovhozov Yurkin
Narkomles Polbitsyn
People's Commissariat of Justice Pyatnitsky
Narkomzdrav Gurevich.
Please let us know your opinion. HP 1368/sh.
Kaganovich. Andreev 1 .
17.IX.36
________________
1 The text in italics was added by Molotov, the names of Badaev and Eremin were crossed out by him and replaced by Lobov and Myshkov. The list of people's commissars was originally proposed by Andreev (Ibid. D. 94. L. 114–115).
Kaganovich to Stalin September 19, 1936Archive: RGASPI F. 558. Op. 11. D. 94. L. 116. Original. Typescript.
Tov. Stalin.
We are thinking of awarding Molokov , previously awarded the Order of Lenin, with the Order of the Red Star; the first flight mechanic Pobezhimov . previously awarded the Order of the Red Banner - the Order of Lenin; navigator Ritsland and second flight engineer Mishenkov - the Order of the Red Banner of Labor.
Please let us know your opinion 1 .
Kaganovich 2 .
19/IX-36
___________________
1 On the same day, Stalin agreed (Ibid.). On September 19, 1936, the PB decision was drawn up (RGASPI. F. 17. Op. 3. D. 981. L. 37).
2 On the draft of the letter there is a note by the secretary about the transfer of the text to Stalin by telephone at 18 o'clock. 30 minutes. (Ibid. F. 558. Op. 11 D. 94. L. 117).
Kaganovich to Stalin September 19, 1936Archive: RGASPI F. 558. Op. 11. D. 94. L. 118. Original. Typescript.
Tov. Stalin.
In addition to the decision to award Molokov, Pobezhimov, Ritslyand and Mishenkov, a proposal was made to award the Order of the Badge of Honor to four more employees who had done the entire flight with them: Bergavinov, head of the political department of the Glavsevmorpuga, Gorbatov, special correspondent for Pravda, Balagul and Dubinin - employees of the Glavsevmorpuga.
We consider it necessary.
Please let us know your opinion 1 .
Kaganovich 2 .
19/IX-36
____________________
1 On the same day, Stalin agreed (Ibid.). The decision on this issue was included in the decision on rewarding Molokov and others (see document No. 823) (RGASPI. F. 17. Op. 3. D. 981. L. 37).
2 On the draft letter of the secretary's note about the transfer of the text to Stalin by telephone (Ibid. F. 558. Op. 11. D. 94. L. 119).
Kaganovich to Stalin September 24, 1936Archive: RGASPI F. 558. Op. 11. D. 94. L. 121. Original. Typescript.
Sochi. Stalin 1 .
A rally has just ended at the Dynamo stadium to help women and children in Spain. Over 100,000 people attended the rally. The rally was held with great enthusiasm.
Speakers: Nikolaeva, engineer of the automobile plant. Stalin Zotov, People's Artist of the USSR Kachalov, teacher at the school. Radishcheva Astakhova, machinist of the depot im. Ilyich order bearer Fokin, weaver Trekhgorka Kapustina and doctor of the 1st clinical hospital Zhorov.
At the rally, an appeal was made to Asanya and Caballero and a greeting to Comrade Stalin.
Tomorrow there will be a similar rally in Leningrad.
Hello. L. Kaganovich.
______________________
1 In the upper left corner of the secretary's note: "Transferred by telephone through Comrade Chechulin on September 24, 1936."
Kaganovich to Stalin September 25, 1936Archive: RGASPI F. 558. Op. 11. D. 94. L. 122. Certified typewritten copy; F. 558. Op. 11. D. 55. L. 85. Autograph.
Owls, secret .
Copy .
Cipher .
Sochi. Tov. Stalin.
Contrary to Litvinov's instructions that he should not take the position of fighting for the mandates of the delegates of the de facto non-existent Abyssinian state, and that in voting, depending on the situation, either abstain or vote for non-recognition, Litvinov pursued the opposite line there . We demanded an explanation from him about his behavior. We will inform you upon receipt. HP 1427/sh.
Kaganovich.
25.IX.36
_______________________
1 The Government of Italy set as a condition of its presence at the Assembly of the League of Nations the elimination of the Abyssinian delegation in connection with the termination of the existence of the Abyssinian state occupied by Italy. According to Litvinov, the leaders of France and Great Britain preferred to resolve this issue in favor of Italy. However, in order not to openly recognize the fact of the disappearance of Abyssinia as an independent state, they intended not to recognize the powers of the Abyssinian delegation, signed by the negus. This issue was to be decided by the credentials committee. On September 21, Litvinov reported to Moscow: "In the credentials committee, I stated that I did not agree to talk about the Abyssinian issue in a roundabout way and that the question should be put directly - whether we continue to consider Abyssinia an independent state or recognize annexation." On September 23, Litvinov announced that the mandate commission "unanimously decided to recognize the right of the Abyssinians to sit in the Assembly" (DVP. Vol. XIX, pp. 434, 763).
Kaganovich to Stalin September 25, 1936Archive: RGASPI F. 558. Op. 11. D. 94. L. 124–127. Zhdanov's autograph.
Moscow. Central Committee of the CPSU (b). T. t. Kaganovich, Molotov and other members of the Politburo of the Central Committee 1 .
First . We consider it absolutely necessary and urgent to appoint Cde. Yezhov was promoted to the post of People's Commissar. Yagoda was clearly not up to the task of exposing the Trotskyite-Zinovievist bloc. The OPTU was 4 years late in this case. All party workers and the majority of regional representatives of the People's Commissariat for Internal Affairs speak about this. Agranov can be left as Yezhov's deputy in the People's Commissariat for Internal Affairs.
Second . We consider it necessary and urgent to remove Rykov from Narkomsvyazi and appoint Yagoda to the post of Narkomsvyazi . We think that this case does not need motivation, since it is already clear.
Third . We consider it absolutely urgent to remove Lobov and appoint him to the post of the People's Commissariat of Forests. Ivanov, Secretary of the Northern Regional Committee. Ivanov knows the forestry business, and he is an operational person, Lobov, as a people's commissar, does not cope with the case and fails every year. We propose to leave Lobov as Ivanov's first deputy for the People's Commissariat for Forests.
Fourth . As far as the CPC is concerned, Yezhov could be left as part-time chairman of the CPC so that he would devote nine-tenths of his time to the People's Commissariat for Internal Affairs, and Yakovlev, Yakov Arkadyevich, could be nominated as Yezhov's first deputy for the CPC.
Fifth. Yezhov agrees with our proposals 2 .
Stalin. Zhdanov.
#44
25/IX.36
Sixth . It goes without saying that Yezhov remains secretary of the Central Committee .
__________________
1 The file contains a note by Stalin to Yagoda dated September 26, written down by Chechulin: “Tov. Yagoda. Drug dealing is a very important thing. This is the People's Commissariat for Defense. I have no doubt that you will be able to put this People's Commissariat on its feet. I beg you to agree to the work of Narkomsvyazi. Without a good People's Commissariat of Communications, we feel like we are without hands. Narkomsvyaz cannot be left in its current position. She needs to be put on her feet. I. Stalin” (Ibid. L. 132). On the copy of this note there is a note about Kaganovich and Molotov's acquaintance with it and a note about the transfer of the text by telephone from Sochi on September 26 at 21 o'clock. 30 minutes. (Ibid. L. 131).
2 The proposed personnel changes were approved by the PB on September 26 and 29, 1936 (RGASPI. F. 17. Op. 3. D. 981. L. 49, 50, 57).
3 The number, date and point six were written down by Chechulin. Sent in code from Sochi on the same day at 18:00. 10 minutes. There is a note on the encryption: “This encryption was sent to Comrade Pospelov P.N. 8.II.56, returned 13.IX.57. (Ibid. F. 558. Op. 11. D. 94. L. 123). Pospelov prepared a report by N.S. Khrushev at the 20th Congress of the CPSU, in which the first paragraph of the cipher without the last phrase was made public for the first time (Rehabilitation, p. 32). The phrase "OPTU was 4 years late" in the text of the cipher is not underlined, as noted when published in Khrushchev's report, but is inserted into the text.
Kaganovich, Molotov to Stalin September 27, 1936Archive: RGASPI F. 558. Op. 11. D. 94. L. 129. Original. Typescript; F. 558. Op. 11. D. 55. L. 86. Autograph.
Encryption.
From Moscow 25/IX-36 at 19:00. 40 min.
In. No. 37.
Sochi. Tov. Stalin.
Bulganin received the following cipher in your name: “Stalin. When getting acquainted with public utilities and construction in Paris, London saw equipment and mechanisms of interest to the Moscow economy. Samples of some of the most interesting mechanisms that are not manufactured in our factories, I consider it useful to buy. I ask you to allocate 150,000 rubles for the purchase of samples with their purchase in London, Paris, Stockholm on my instructions. Bulganin.
We think that it is possible to let go of the 150,000 rubles requested by Bulganin.
Please let us know your opinion 1 . HP 51.
Kaganovich.
_____________________
1 On the same day in cipher from Sochi at 0 o'clock. 25 min. Stalin agreed (Ibid. D. 94. L. 128). On August 14, 1936, the PB allowed Bulganin to go on vacation together with a group of engineers and business executives of the Moscow Council to get acquainted with the issues of the urban economy of Berlin, Vienna, Paris and London (RGASPI. F. 17. Op. 3. D. 980. L. 39) .
Molotov, Voroshilov, Kaganovich - Stalin September 27, 1936Archive: RGASPI F. 558. Op. 11. D. 94. L. 133–135. Script. Typescript.
Telegram.
From Moscow 27/IX-36 at 19:00. 35 min.
Sochi. Tov. Stalin.
Yesterday, US Treasury Secretary Morgenthau made an outrageous anti-Soviet statement, which we are passing on to you (Appendix One).
We consider it necessary to publish today the statement of the State Bank with the following content (second appendix) 1 .
In addition, we instruct Svanidze to call the English and American correspondents and give them detailed factual materials proving the impeccability of the State Bank and the scam of the Chase Bank, which actually bought the pound at a rate lower than that indicated by the State Bank.
Please let us know your opinion 2 . HP 20.
Kaganovich, Molotov 3 .
Appendix one (according to TASS)
Morgenthau's statement.
New York. September 26th. According to the Associated Press from Washington, Secretary of the Treasury Morgenthau specially called the press and told them that the State Bank was trying to depreciate the pound sterling, but that he, Morgenthau, with the help of the American currency stabilization fund, prevented the action of the State Bank's measures by purchasing one million pounds sterling, offered by the Soviet government in the money markets "at any price".
According to a report from Washington, Morgenthau then convened the press a second time and said that US intervention prevented the depreciation of the pound sterling as a result of the measures taken by the State Bank. According to Morgenthau, the United States intends to use all the resources of the stabilization fund in order to prevent sharp currency fluctuations.
The United Press reports from Washington: “Experts point out that the actions of the State Bank could have destroyed hopes for an international monetary equilibrium if the United States had not intervened. With the New York Stock Exchange calm, as was the case today, and at a time when the London and Paris Stock Exchanges were closed, the pounds sterling thrown into the market by the Soviet Union could cause a significant depreciation of the pound.
The depreciation of the pound sterling in the US.
According to the United Press agency, US Treasury Secretary Morgenthau told the press: “My investigation showed that the USSR State Bank ordered the sale of 1 million pounds sterling at any price. When I found out, I bought this million pounds. I bought with the help of our stabilization fund what they wanted to sell. The State Bank of the USSR used pounds sterling to lower the value of the pound sterling. This is the only time to date that any government, bank, or individual has attempted to artificially influence the foreign exchange market in the United States. I sincerely hope that this incident will not happen again.” When Morgenthau was asked how the Soviet government hoped to benefit from the sale, Morgenthau said, "You should ask the Soviet government about that," the agency said. The agency further writes that Morgenthau drew the attention of the press to yesterday's statement from the Treasury Department, which indicates that the United States, Britain and France have invited other countries to cooperate and expressed the hope that other countries will not make attempts to achieve "abnormal competitive and foreign exchange gains and thereby hinder efforts to restore more stable economic relations.” According to the agency, Morgenthau, reading this quote, especially emphasized the words "cooperation", "abnormality" and "obstruct".
Morgenthau's statement regarding the State Bank of the USSR, the agency writes further, “is considered unprecedented in the history of the US Treasury Department. Morgenthau asked reporters to deliver their messages as soon as possible before the close of the stock exchange.
Morgenthau's statements, in which he accuses the Soviet government of opposing the "gentlemen's agreement" between the United States, England and France and portraying the United States as the savior of the British currency from attacks by the Soviet Union, are filed in the Scripps Howard press under the heading "Soviet Union attacks the dollar and the pound sterling, which is what Morgenthau wanted. Morgenthau said that the USSR State Bank sold £1 million in New York because the exchanges in London and Paris were closed. Morgenthau hurriedly held two special conversations with representatives of the press in order to induce them to oppose the Soviet Union.
______________________
1 Draft report of the State Bank of the USSR (Appendix No. 2) is not published (Ibid. L. 136). The message was accepted without changes and published in Soviet newspapers on 28 September. In particular, it stated that the sale of £1 million through the Chase Bank was an ordinary banking transaction (DVP. Vol. XIX. P. 450).
2 Stalin agreed on September 28 (RGASPI. F. 558. Op. 11. D. 94. L. 133.).
3 The draft of the telegram was written by Kaganovich, Molotov made corrections to it (Ibid. L. 143).
Kaganovich, Molotov to Stalin September 29, 1936Archive: RGASPI F. 558. Op. 11. D. 95. L. 5. Original. Typescript; F. 558. Op. 11. D. 55. L. 88. Text - Molotov's autograph. Signatures are autographs.
Encryption.
From Moscow 27/IX-36 at 20:00. 30 minutes.
In. No. 38.
Sochi. Tov. Stalin.
We propose to send both destroyers to Vladivostok, since there are no other bases for their permanent parking. HP 52.
Molotov, Voroshilov, Kaganovich 1 .
_____________________________
1 Stalin agreed on October 2 at 9 p.m. 30 minutes. (Ibid. D. 95. L. 4).
Kaganovich to Stalin September 30, 1936Archive: RGASPI F. 558. Op. 11. D. 94. L. 150. Original. Typescript.
Telegram.
From Moscow 29/IX-36 at 21:00. 05 min.
Sochi. Tov. Stalin.
Lobov very much asks not to leave him in the People's Commissariat of Forests. Ivanov, summoned by us, also asks not to leave Lobov in the People's Commissariat of Forests.
We think that the request of Lobov and Ivanov should be granted. Lobov can be used either by the People's Commissariat of Food Industry of the RSFSR, or by the chairman of the Chelyabinsk Regional Executive Committee, instead of Sovetnikov, whom Ivanov asks to be transferred to work in the apparatus of the People's Commissariat of Forests.
Ask for guidance 1 . HP 21.
Kaganovich, Molotov.
_____________________
1 On the same day, Stalin replied: “It is possible to satisfy the wishes of Lobov and Ivanov” (ibid.). On September 29, 1936, the PB released S.S. Lobov from the duties of the People's Commissar of the forest industry of the USSR. V.I. was appointed the new people's commissar. Ivanov (RGASPI. F. 17. Op. 3. D. 981. L. 57).
Kaganovich, Molotov to Stalin September 30, 1936Archive: RGASPI F. 558. Op. 11. D. 94. L. 154. Original. Typescript; F. 558. Op. 11. D. 55. L. 90. Typewritten text with corrections by Kaganovich.
Encryption.
From Moscow 30/IX-36 at 11 o'clock. 40 min.
In. No. 40.
Sochi. Tov. Stalin.
The cat invited a number of workers to the aviation exhibition in Paris, including Eideman, Alksnis, Tkachev, Tupolev, Levanevsky and Slepnev.
We consider it inappropriate to send Alksnis, Tkachev and Tupolev to the exhibition. We agree to the trip of three: Eideman, Levanevsky and Slepnev.
Please let us know your opinion. HP 54.
Kaganovich.
Stalin to Kaganovich September 30, 1936Archive: RGASPI F. 558. Op. 11. D. 95. L. 2. Original. Typescript.
Telegram.
From Moscow on 30/IX-36 at 18:00. 30 minutes.
Sochi. Tov. Stalin.
In view of the unsatisfactory harvest, the Voronezh regional committee and the regional executive committee requested that they lower the plan for payment in kind by an additional 7 million poods, and postpone the mandatory deliveries to the collective farms in the amount of 4 million poods. Postpone arrears in payment in kind in the amount of 3,470,000 poods and arrears in a seismic loan in the amount of 1,500,000 poods.
We propose: to agree to a reduction in the plan for payment in kind by an additional 7 million poods, to provide an additional fund of discounts on grain deliveries with a transfer of 2 million poods to the arrears for 1937, to defer until 1937 the collection of payment in kind in the amount of one million poods and to postpone the repayment of loans in the amount of 1200 thousand pounds.
The entire discount will thus be expressed at 11,200,000 poods. If we accept our proposal, then the plan for the collective-farm and peasant sector of the Voronezh region will be expressed in 57,564 thousand poods, last year 77,200 thousand poods were actually harvested for the collective-farm and peasant sector of the Voronezh region.
Please let us know your opinion. HP 22.
Kaganovich, Molotov.Stalin to Kaganovich September 30, 1936
Archive: RGASPI F. 558. Op. 11. D. 94. L. 154. Autograph.
Moscow. CC . Kaganovich.
Alksnis and Tkachev should not be sent, but Tupolev could be sent if the interests of the cause in the aviation industry allow him to leave .
Stalin.
#46
30/IX.36 2
_________________
On October 12, 1936, the PB determined the composition of the delegation: R.P. Eideman, A.N. Tupolev, S.A. Levanevsky and M.T. Slepnev (RGASPI. F. 17. Op. 3. D. 981. L. 64).
2 Number and date entered by the secretary. Sent in code from Sochi on the same day at 23:00. 42 min. (Ibid. F. 558. Op. 11. D. 94. L. 153).