Letter to L.M. Kaganovich, 8 August 1932

Source: Tom 17

Greetings, Comrade Kaganovich!

1. I have read Neumann's letters. It is clear that he has a group and is conducting factional work. He must be called to account. For the time being, one could, in my opinion, confine oneself to a serious warning and removal from his post as candidate member of the Politburo.

2. I am returning the decree "on combating speculation" with amendments. Menzhinsky's directive is acceptable (though long).

3. Regarding the agreement with the Japanese on fishing, I can say only one thing: it must be accepted.

4. The Armenians can be permitted to resettle.

5. Moscow affairs appear to be going quite well for you. That is very good.

6. The draft resolution "On the Organization of Industrial Management" (sent for comment by Molotov) is, in my opinion, unsuitable. I have written to Molotov about this.

Greetings! I. Stalin 8/VIII-32

P.S. I will be in Moscow soon.

I. St.

7. It would be proper first to circulate to the plenipotentiary representatives of the OGPU and members of the CC (in copy) Menzhinsky's directive, and then, say in 8-10 days, to publish the decree on combating speculation. Menzhinsky's directive should mention that in 8-10 days a decree on combating speculation will be published, in implementation of which the OGPU order is being issued.

I. St.

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Source: Stalin and Kaganovich. Correspondence. 1931-1936, p. 270.

RGASPI. F. 558. Op. 11. D. 99. L. 139-142.

NOTE: One of the leaders of the German Communist Party, Neumann, and his supporters struggled against the party leadership headed by Thalmann. In April-May 1932, the ECCI leadership condemned the Neumann group as factional and sectarian.

On 16 August 1932, the Politburo adopted the proposals of the People's Commissariat of Foreign Affairs on permitting the arrival of Armenian refugees "on the condition that they renounce their foreign citizenship."