Telegram to L.M. Kaganovich, August 14, 1931

Source: Tom 17

Moscow. CC VKP(b).

Poskrebyshev, for Kaganovich.

First. With regard to German firms, we must act boldly, up to and including the immediate cancellation of orders. Without canceling some of the orders, we will achieve nothing -- they will fleece us.

Second. With the Japanese, an agreement on fishing can be concluded on the basis of Troyanovskii's proposal, that is, to secure 49 percent for the Japanese for about three years, retaining 51 percent for ourselves.

Third. Regarding Argentina, it is better to wait.

Fourth. Regarding the participation of clients in placing orders, we can wait. Akulov's draft is inadequate.

Fifth. Eight thousand tons of aluminum for next year is laughably little. We must secure a minimum of twenty thousand tons.

Sixth. The utilization of technical assistance is handled by our economic managers with criminal negligence. Draconian measures must be adopted against such an attitude toward the matter.

Seventh. I spoke with Yakovlev. He will submit some new proposals to the Politburo that must be supported unconditionally.

Eighth. Kuibyshev must be overworked. He should be given leave until September 1.

Stalin

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Source: Stalin and Kaganovich: Correspondence, 1931-1936, p. 43.

RGASPI. F. 558. Op. 11. D. 76. L. 7.

Note: On August 11, 1931, Kaganovich wrote to Stalin: "...Regarding orders in Germany. First of all, about the abuses by firms -- they often supply plainly worthless equipment, committing outright criminal acts..."