It looks as though not everyone has understood clearly enough that the Trotskyites qualify as agents-provocateurs and as the agents of the fascist okhranka [secret police]. We are also emphasizing [the need] to review dubious elements and to unmask the Trotskyist elements that no doubt exist among them. In Pantsy (Kovno workers’ suburb), two Party members had earlier defected to the Trotskyites. Wherever we maintain our connections, there is no sympathy toward them, though some sharpness toward them is sensed not everywhere. We think that the Kovno organization is not exposing all those places where the Trotskyites are active. Those expelled from the Party are being driven out of the non-Party organizations. 21

21 RGASPI, f. 495, op. 184, d. 24, 1937, l. 173, File No. 1, incoming encrypted correspondence through the Communications Service, received 14 February 1937, deciphered 14 February; Chase, Enemies, p. 206.