In view of the fact that the contemptible American merchants
want to create the appearance that we are capable of deceiving anyone,
I propose formally to offer them immediately by telegraph
on behalf of the government, signed by Kamenev and Chicherin
(and if necessary, by myself and Kalinin)
the following:
we will deposit in gold in a New York bank a sum constituting 120% of what they provide in one month for
a million hungry children and the sick, but our condition then
is that, in view of such complete material guarantee, the Americans
will not permit the slightest shadow of interference, not only political, but
also administrative, and will not lay claim to anything.
That is, all points of the agreement that give them even a shadow
of a right to administrative, even if only, interference will be dropped.
Verification, however, will be carried out by parity commissions (from our government and from them) on
the ground.
With this proposal, we will wipe the nose of these merchants and subsequently
disgrace them before the whole world.
We must not forget that in rural areas we generally have not had and never did have any rations. So as not to make a mistake
on this matter, I advise inviting someone from the People's Commissariat of Food (Narkomprod)
to the meeting on this issue.
Lenin
13/VIII. 21