V. I.

Lenin

Draft Decision for the C.C., R.C.P.(B.) [1] (May 9, or 10, 1921)

The C.C. of the R.C.P., having discussed Svanidze’s telegram to Stalin No. 2031 dated 8/V, finds that the Georgian comrades are
making a serious political mistake in not using an iron hand to put a stop
to requisitions, confiscations, thefts and evictions of foreigners from
their houses.

The C.C. resolves:

1) that the Georgian Revolutionary Committee be directed to issue
immediately an order strictly prohibiting all such acts on pain of arrest
and prosecution. A copy of this order to be sent to the C.C.

2) that the Georgian Revolutionary Committee immediately institute
investigations’ first, into the breaking open of the Germano-Caucasian
Bank’s store-room and the removal of documents. The guilty parties to be
arrested. Documents to be returned. Secondly, ditto in regard to the goods
of the Italo-Caucasian Bank. Thirdly, ditto in regard to the carload of
textiles seized at Kutaisi.

3) that the Georgian Revolutionary Committee, by arrangement with the
Command of the Caucasian Front, shall without delay appoint two of the most
energetic, firm and resourceful Communists, one from the Caucasian Front,
and one from the Georgian Revolutionary Committee, to supervise the
cessation of requisitions, thefts, confiscations and evictions in regard
to foreigners. The names of the appointed men to be communicated to us by telegraph. The C.C. places
responsibility for the enforcement of these measures upon Makharadze and
Gittis. The two controllers to be invested with special powers and the
right to make arrests for the slightest infringements. The two controllers
to wire brief reports here weekly.

The C.C. draws the attention of the Georgian comrades to the extremely
important significance of Georgia and her trade with Italy and Germany for
the whole R.S.F.S.R., especially in view of America’s and France’s attempts
to obstruct all our trade relations with foreign countries. Negligence in
carrying out these directives will be regarded by the C.C. as a crime
against Soviet power.