TELEGRAM TO A.E. MINKIN ABOUT THE EXPEDITION.
August 16, 1918
Penza. To the Provincial Executive Committee, Minkin.
Immediately put the expedition into action.
Lenin.
2356*
DIRECT WIRE CONVERSATIONS BETWEEN
V. I. LENIN AND A. E. MINKIN
AUGUST 10, 1918
1.
NOTE TO MINKIN.
To Minkin.
I have just read your report, I repeat the order that the Latvians who arrived with the expedition are to remain in Penza for the time being, pending further instructions.
Select the most reliable from your eight hundred soldiers and act ruthlessly, first against one volost, bringing the matter to an end. Send an accurate report about Chembar. So far you have clearly had not only a lack of forces, but also a lack of energy, for you could still have suppressed the uprising of five volosts. So you could have brought it to an end in at least one volost. If necessary, we will send more forces, telegraph in more detail and more accurately where you have how many engaged, where, where, what help is needed.*
Lenin.

II.
23562
NOTE FROM MINKIN.
Please pass the following on to Ilyich: "By telegram dated 19/VIII, Comrade Potyaev, People's Commissar of Finance of the Northern Region, instructed the head of the expedition, Petya, to delay the unloading of the train. Work has been suspended. Please inform me whether his order, which cancels your order of August 16, "N? 683.1, is to be carried out.
I await your reply.
A. Minkin.

It is meant to be Lenin's telegram of August 16, the original outgoing number is missing (see p. 207).
III.
23562
LENIN'S REPLY.
To Minkin.
It is foolish to ask whether a People's Commissar of Finance, moreover of one region, can cancel my order. If this order is not carried out, I will bring those responsible to trial. Leave the company of Latvians in Penza for now until the suppression of Chembar. Tell all members of the executive committee and all communists that it is their duty to ruthlessly suppress the kulaks and confiscate all the grain of the rebels. I am indignant at your inaction and weakness. I demand detailed reports on the execution of all my orders and on measures of suppression and confiscation in particular.
Lenin.
TELEGRAMS REGARDING FRICTIONS
IN THE PENZA PROVINCIAL COMMITTEE
I
23574
Penza. To the Provincial Committee, Turlo, copy to Minkin.
August 22, 1918, Moscow, 0 hrs. 35 mins.
I don't understand how Minkin could refuse to carry out the resolutions of the majority of the Provincial Committee. I hope this is only