NOTE TO PENZA 1
To be delivered immediately to the Chairman of the Provincial Executive Committee
August 11, 0 hrs. 10 min., 1918
In suppressing the uprising of the five volosts, make every
effort and take all measures to seize from the holders all surpluses of grain down to the last grain, carrying this out simultaneously with
the suppression of the uprising. To this end, appoint for each volost
(do not take, but appoint) by name hostages from among the kulaks, the rich, and the bloodsuckers, on whom you shall impose the duty to collect and deliver
to the indicated stations or collecting points, and hand over to the authorities all
surpluses of grain in the volost down to the last grain.
The hostages are responsible with their lives for the accurate execution of the imposed contribution in the shortest possible time. The total amount of excess
stocks for the volost is determined by the [Provincial Executive Committee and the] Chairman of the Provincial Executive Committee and the Provincial Food Commissar on the basis of data on the harvest of 1918
and on the remaining stocks of grain from previous years' harvests. This measure must
be carried out decisively, swiftly, and ruthlessly under your,
the Provincial Food Commissar's, and the Military Commissar's responsibility, for which
the persons indicated herein are given corresponding powers.
Accompany the implementation of the measure with an appeal to the population
in a leaflet explaining its significance and indicating that
responsibility for the hostages is imposed on the kulaks, bloodsuckers, the rich,
the sworn enemies of the poor.
Upon receipt of this telegram telegraph, and regularly report on the progress of the operation no less than
every other day.
Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars
V. Ulyanov (Lenin)
People's Commissar for Food
A. Tsyurupa.
People's Commissar for Military Affairs
E. Sklyansky.