V. I.

Lenin

75

TELEGRAM TO KH. G. RAKOVSKY [1]

To Rakovsky, coded

Rakovsky, Kharkov. Re: Your No. 672

In view of the extremely grave food supply situation at the centre, I propose: three-quarters to be brought down
here, one-quarter left for the cities and workers of the
Ukraine; the peasants must be rewarded at any cost, within
the bounds of possibility, and if we have nothing, then
by making purchases abroad for gold or oil. If you disagree
with this, make another concession to the peasants, but
bear in mind that the food crisis over here is desperate and
downright dangerous. [2]

Lenin

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Notes:
[1]
At the top Lenin wrote and then crossed out: “Comrade
Tsyurupa: your opinion of my draft reply? 24.II. Lenin .”— Ed.

[2]
The telegram was sent on February 25, 1921, in reply to Kh. G.

Rakovsky’s telegram No. 672 of February 22, 1921, informing

Lenin about the existence in the Ukraine of food stocks which he proposed should be used mainly for local needs, and a part of them for commodity exchange with other countries in return for agricultural machinery and implements for the

Ukraine, and requested Lenin’s opinion on this question.