Source: Tom 17

[Dated September 22, 1929 in source; letter references October 4 — likely misdated, actual date approximately October 7, 1929]

Greetings to Molotov!

Received your letter of October 4.

1) With England, things have indeed turned out quite well. Henderson was caught. Rykov, Bukharin, and Litvinov were also caught. These people do not see either the growth of the strength and might of the USSR or the changes in international relations that have occurred (and will continue to occur) in recent times.

2) With China there will be a fuss. By the way, it seems to me that it is time for us to shift to the standpoint of organizing an insurgent revolutionary movement in Manchuria. Separate detachments sent by us to Manchuria to carry out isolated, episodic missions are, of course, a good thing, but that is not what is needed. Now we must go further. We need to organize two two-regiment brigades composed mainly of Chinese, supply them with everything necessary (artillery, machine guns, etc.), place Chinese at the head of the brigades, and send them into Manchuria with the assignment: to raise a revolt in the Manchurian troops, to attach reliable soldiers from these troops (disbanding the rest, after first beheading the commanding officers), to expand into divisions, to occupy Harbin, and, having gathered strength, to proclaim Zhang Xueliang deposed, to establish revolutionary power (smash the landlords, attract the peasants, create Soviets in the towns and countryside, etc.). This is necessary. This we can and, in my opinion, must do. It does not contradict any "international laws." Everyone will understand that we are against war with China, that our Red Army soldiers are merely guarding our borders and have no intention of crossing into Chinese territory, and if there is an uprising within Manchuria, that is a perfectly understandable thing given the regime that Zhang Xueliang has established. Think about this. The matter is important.

3) I read the transcript from the Industrial Academy Party cell. The question will have to be raised at the CC Plenum. In all probability, Bukharin will be removed from the Politburo.

4) I read the Politburo resolution on Rykov. A correct resolution! It obligates us, of course. But we will talk about that when I arrive.

5) Procurement has gotten off to a good start. But we must not rest on our laurels; we must continue the pressure — otherwise lethargy will set in.

6) On the whole, it must be acknowledged that things are going fairly well for you (that is, for us) so far. That is good.

I will be in Moscow in a few days.

I shake your hand.

October 7, 1929.

J. Stalin.

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Source: Letters of J.V. Stalin to V.M. Molotov. 1925–1936. P. 167–168.

RGASPI. F. 558. Op. 1. D. 5388.