Document 134

Memorandum to representative of TsK KPK on anti-Soviet statements by students in Mordovia, 21 February 1937

TsKhDMO, f. 1, op. 23, d. 1265, l. 38. Typewritten copy.

On 22 November 1936, several students made outright anti-Soviet statements during the classes of teacher Babin (Mordovia). To the question, "Why will a war against the Soviet Union be the most dangerous war for the bourgeoisie?" student Yurenev gave this response: "The bourgeoisie will attack the Soviet Union, the kulaks will rise up, recruit the kolkhoz farmers to their side, and everyone together will take action against Soviet rule." He was supported by students Medvedev and Zaikin, both members of the Komsomol. Teacher Babin, instead of exposing the counterrevolutionary substance of this answer, got into a debate with the students by asking them a new question: "What do you base that on?" And this response followed: "The situation in the countryside is bad, and you should take off your riding breeches, go visit the countryside and listen to what the peasants are saying. Just don't dress too nicely, and you will find out everything."