To Kaganovich. Voroshilov.

I disagree with Voroshilov's assessment of the Korneev case. Korneev must be freed immediately and given a suitable position in another military district, for example in Moscow. Korneev had the right to shoot at hooligans who broke into his premises at night. It is ugly and unseemly on the part of the authorities to defend hooligans against an honest and devoted commander. I propose that the following be clarified: first, who ordered Korneev's arrest; second, who proposed his expulsion from the Party; third, what concern the Revolutionary Military Council showed for its commander, who was attacked by thieves and hooligans. I propose that Korneev's Party standing be immediately restored. I insist on my proposals, as I believe it is finally time to shed light on this murky affair. I request that the review of the case be timed to coincide with my arrival.

Stalin

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Source: Stalin and Kaganovich. Correspondence. 1931-1936, p. 277.

RGASPI. F. 558. Op. 11. D. 79. L. 8, 8 verso, 9 verso.

NOTE

On 15 August 1932 Kaganovich sent a cipher telegram: "Comrade Stalin. Korneev, it turns out, has already been tried in Smolensk and sentenced to 6 years. Voroshilov considers that he can be pardoned by the CEC without a second review of the case. In any event Korneev will have to be released now pending examination of the whole question. The case concerning expulsion from the party has been requested by the CC."

This letter of Stalin's is a reply to Voroshilov's cipher telegram: "Comrade Stalin. In reply to your telegram to Comrade Kaganovich about Korneev, I report. Three seasonal workers, young fellows (15-18 years old), climbed into the garden where Korneev was quartered at eleven o'clock at night for apples.

Hearing a rustle, Korneev went to the garden and found no one. When he was already going back into the house, the fellows began running from the garden and, according to Korneev, began cursing him. Korneev ran out beyond the gate, grabbed one by the collar, and, according to Korneev, wanted to take him to the militia.

When the one who had been grabbed began to run, Korneev opened fire, after which he returned to the apartment, assuming that the fellows had run away. In the morning the corpse of an eighteen-year-old fellow was found by the fence a few steps away, and the wounding of another fellow was established; both were seasonal workers.

This was reported to me, and I, having made inquiries into the substance of what had happened and taking into account that the incident was outrageously wild, ordered Korneev put on trial. Aronshtam took no part in this matter. On 11 August Korneev was tried in Smolensk and sentenced to 6 years in prison.

Korneev admitted his guilt and did not appeal the sentence, although, from my point of view, the sentence is excessively severe and unjust. Korneev stated that he would ask for pardon, which is also petitioned by assistant commander Lapin.

Conclusions: first, Korneev had to be put on trial, since among other things the matter became widely known. Second, there is no sense in keeping Korneev in prison, and therefore the request for pardon will have to be granted and after some time Korneev released.

Third, the question of Korneev's party status should be discussed in the CC after his release; subsequently Korneev should be sent for work to the Far East or Turkestan."