HOSTAGES
AUGUST 10, 1918
26424
TSYURUPA'S NOTE.
Smirnov's automobiles1 have been sent. The delay occurred due
to the transfer of 100 automobiles from the
Food Supply Commissariat to the Military Commissariat by decree of the Council of People's Commissars. Smirnov responded to his
note. Tomorrow I will inform him of the quantity and timing of the dispatch of another
20 automobiles.
A. Tsyurupa
26424
LENIN'S NOTE.
To Tsyurupa:
(1) This is an arch-scandal, a furious scandal, that there is
grain in Saratov, and we cannot transport it!! Shouldn't we dispatch 1-2 food supply workers to each junction station? What else should be done?
(2) Draft decree — in each grain-producing volost, 25-30
hostages from the wealthy, responsible with their lives for the collection and delivery
of all surpluses.
(3) Order Popov 2 urgently: volost orders.
I.e.
how much surplus grain should be in each volost.
How much should each give?

LENIN'S NOTE.
To Tsyurupa.
1) You have not responded regarding "hostages."
2) When will Popov finish his work? (He needs to be given a short deadline).*
On the reverse side there is an inscription in an unknown hand: "Sent to Sviyazhsk on the 25th. The military commissariat asked to tell you (signature illegible)." Ed.
1 #
26425
TSYURUPA'S RESPONSE.
Hostages can be taken when there is real force.
But is there any? It is doubtful.
Popov can complete the work in the shortest possible time by uyezds,
as for volosts — I will clarify this and push the matter with all my might.
A. Tsyurupa.
26425
LENIN'S NOTE.
I propose not taking "hostages," but appointing them by name
by volosts: 3
The purpose of the appointment: specifically the wealthy,
as they are responsible for the contribution, they are responsible with their lives for the immediate
collection and delivery of grain surpluses.
Such an instruction (to appoint "hostages") is given (a) to the committees of the poor
(b) to all food detachments.
Force? Right now there is force in the front-line zone;
there will be.

1 A. I. Smirnov — Deputy People's Commissar of Internal Affairs,
authorized by the CUK [Central Executive Committee] for the procurement and dispatch of grain and other food
shipments in the Saratov Governorate region.
2 I. I. Popov — Head of the Central Statistical Administration.
3 This formulation is repeated in a direct-wire message to E. Bosh
in Penza (see p. 204).