Dictated: Dictated by phone on August 4, 1921
In view of the detailed and formal protest lodged by Comrade Chicherin against the dispatch of the enclosed telegram[1] please call an additional conference consisting of Comrade Martens, a representative of the People’s Commissariat for Labour who is informed on the question, and a representative of the People’s Commissariat for Foreign Affairs, also informed on the question. A total of four persons, including yourself.
Please have the conference discuss Chicherin’s objections and pay special attention to the demand stated in the telegram that enough food should be brought along for two years.
I think that if we were to add a few words about the fight against hardship and privation in Russia and the uselessness of sending over people who are unable to bear them, the telegram would be only to the good. Please send me a very short resolution in writing not later than tomorrow night.
[1] A reference to the fulfilment of the decision taken by the Politbureau of the R.C.P.(B.) Central Committee on June 4, 1921, to mobilise about 2,000 Communists to work in shifts at the State Depository of Valuables (Gokhran).
On June 29, 1921, the C.L.D. adopted a decision declaring this work to be urgent, and instructed all establishments and People’s Commissariats, on the personal responsibility of their heads, to carry out all orders and warrants from the State Depository of Valuables within 24 hours and ahead of all others, and set out a number of measures to improve its work.
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