CONDITIONS IN THE PAGEGIAI-NATKISKIAI-TAURAGE AREA: KOLKHOZY, PRICES,(Sanitized) TRANSPORTATION, AND PARTISAN ACTIVITY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP82-00457R014400480008-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 12, 2003
• Sequence Number: 8
• Publication Date: February 6, 1953
• Content Type: REPORT

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INFORMATION REPORT REPORT NO.
CD NO.
COUNTRY USSR (Lithuanian SSR)
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DATE DISTR.6 February 1953
SUBJECT Conditions in the Pagegiai4Natkiskiai=Taurage NO, OF PAGES 6
DATE OF
PLACE
ACQUIRED
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NO. OF ENCLS.
SUPPLEMENT TO
REPORT NO.
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THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECTING THE NATIONAL DEFENSE
OF THE UNIT ED STATES, WITHIN THE MEANING OF TITLE 18, SECTIONS 793
AND 794, OF THE U.S. CODE, AS AMENDED. ITS TRANSMISSION OR REVE-
LATION OF ITS -CONTENTS TO OR RECEIPT BY AN UNAUTHORIZED PERSON IS
PROHIBITED BY LAW. THE REPRODUCTION OF, THIS FORM IS PROHIBITED.
THIS IS UNEVALUATED INFORMATION
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Ko lkho zy
1. There is a kolkhoz at'Pruseliai (55m06N,21m57E), halfway between Pagegiai
(55-.08N921-.54E) and Sovetsk (formerly called,Tilsit, 55.06N,21-50E). Pruseliai,
which is located in the center of the Nemunas River vane , was formerly called
25X1 Gut Prusellen. The kolkhoz is run by about 30 Russians,
2. The five villages included in the kolkhoz Raudonoji. Zvaigzde (Red Star) are
Pajuris (55-13N,22m14 E), Sod.ale (55?12-50N,22-l1E), Pasesuvis (55.12N,22?14E),
and Dauglaukis (55?11N,22?13E), and Kuisiai (55m10N,22?11E). There was
formerly a separate kolkhoz at Pasesuvis; but in 1950, when the partisans shot
the kolkhoz chairman, this kolkhoz was added to Raudonoji Zvaigzde.
Pajuris, Pasesuvis, Dauglaukis, and Kuisiai. 25X1
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Area: Kolkhozy, Prices, 25X1
Transportation, and Partisan Activity
Kolkhoz Raudonoji Zvaigzde has four brigades which are identified by the names
L The care of animals was extremely poor. In 1951
the plowing was begun with only eight horses, because the rest were too weak to
work. Towards spring there is usually no hay left. In 1951 the cows had to
be driven out in April, while there was still snow in the fields. The plows and
harrows are not -oroperly maintained and are in bad condition,
In 1950 a tractor from the MTS came to work at the kolkhoz for only one day.
Most of the plowing is done with horses and most of the cutting ig done with scythes.
4. All the kolkhozniki at the Raudonoji Zvaigzde kolkhoz are Lithuanian. The
chairman is a Lithuanian named Karosas (fnu)g who was beaten by the partisans
on a number of occasions because he had obeyed the instructions of Communists.
CLASSIFICATION: SECRET
STATE I x INAVY X NSRB DISTRIBUTION
"J03 FOOF
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In addition to the chairman, the administration consists of a bookkeeper,
stockkeeper, and four brigadiers. All these officials are Lithuanians and are
non-Jommunists, As his salary, the chairman is credited with two workdays for
each day worked. The stookkeeper and bookkeeper also receive small salaries.
However, they occasionally receive money premiums for exceeding time and quantity
norms.
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norm of 50
workdays per year is sot for each kolkhoznik, but the brigadiers do not force
people, to fulfill this requirement. At the Pagegiai grain collecting point,
employees work as many hours as are needed to complete the work at hand, some-
times working through a whole night. Such workers receive about ten rubles
per day as pocket money (sic), from which no deductions are made. The discip-
line at grain collection points is harsh. If a man does not do enough work, he
is immediately handed over to the militia and taken to prison,
6. The kolkhozniki are forced to live on the earnings of their gardens. These
gardens contain 60 ares of land and for them the kolkhoznik must deliver the
following items to the kolkhoz* eight centners of potatoes, 45 eggs, 12
kilograms of butter, and 100 rubles in cash. There are taxes on bachelors and
on families with less than three small children. Families with only one child
,jay a tax of 100 rubles, Families with three or more small children are not
only relieved of the tax but are given a subsidy. State bonds must be bought.
The purchase is allegedly voluntary, but sales are usually made with the help
of the militia. The more a person earns, the more bonds he must purchase.
7. Only the kolkhozy are allowed to sell grain on the market. Money from such
sales is used to pay taxes or to buy the products necessary to fulfill com-
pulsory contributions. For example, if a kolkhoz has no chickens, eggs must
be purchased for state contributions. If there is a lack of milk for contri-
butions, it too mast be purchased. Sometimes the kolkhozy have to buy butter
at blackmarket prices and sell it to the government for only three rubles per
kilogram.
8. The kolkhozniki eat whatever food is available to them. Very poor bread is
baked from flour. made with kolkhoz grain and added chaff. The kolkhozniki live
in.the old farmhouses. No new buildings are being constructed on the kolkhozy.
At the Raudonoji Zvaigzde kolkhoz, there is only one reading room. There are
no shops, no radios, and no entertainment. Meetings are held monthly, and the
rights and duties of the kolkhozniki are,explained. There is no propaganda,
because there is no one around who could promote it. Most of the kolkhozniki
voluntarily read the newspaper Tiesa, though not all of them subscribe to it.
A single copy costs 20 kopeks, Sometimes a Party official visits the kolkhoz
in the fall, but. only because he is concerned about the contributions.
Formerly there were many farmers who resisted collectivization, but the high
taxes of 4,000 rubles per six hectares of land have forced them into the
kolkhozy. People who joined the kolkhoz in 1947 are now in a bad way,because
they have used up all their savings, the mood of the 25X1
kolkhozniki is bad. Everything is taken from them; they are given nothing;
they do not even have the opportunity to earn anything.
Market i
10. Most anything can be bought on the open market, though sometimes there is a
shortage of sugar, and usually there is no chocolate or cocoa. When there is
chocolate and cocoa, it is usually. too expensive for anyone to buy. Blackmarket
operators deal mostly in better quality materials for clothing.
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111. Stores and shopwindows in Taurage (55?14N,22m15E), Sovetsk, and Pagegiai are
all about the same, though goods (especially clothing material) in Sovetsk
shops are more plentiful and of better quality. Shops in Pagegiai have only
cheap cotton materials. There are no special advertisements or decorations.
Meat shops have wooden samples in their windows; textile shops mostly display
clothing materials. Signboards in Sovetsk are only in.Riissian, and shop
employees speak only Russian. At Pagegiai and Taurage, Lithuanian only or
Lithuanian and Russian are spoken,
12. Prices in the area reported on include the following:
Price in rubles
Item
Unit
Bicycle
each
Man's suit
each
Shirting
meter
Shoes (leather, with rubber soles)
'
pair
Boots (long, leather)
pair
Boots (Bronevikai brand, poor leather, rubber
soles)
pair
Cigarettes (Pamir)
20
Cigarettes (Parasiutas)
20
Cigarettes (Agrar)
20
Vodka
1/2 liter
Beer
1/2 liter
Bread
kg
Butter
kg
Bacon
kg
Eggs (in winter)
each
Eggs (in summer)
10
Chocolate (Germ
an, Standard brand)
(unstated)
Cow
each
Horse
each
Pig (150 to 200 kg)
each
Pig (small, suckling)
each
Rye
50 kg
Wheat
50 kg
Oats
50 kg
Barley
50 kg
Hay
50 kg
Straw
50 kg
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2,000.
500 to
20
120
700
100 to 110
1.10
1,10
1.20
24
6
2 to 2.50
25 to 30
30 to 35
1.00
5 to 7
35
1,500 to 2,000
up to 2,000
3,000
200
180 to 300
up to 350
150
180
25
10 to 15
the State pays only five rubles per 100 kilograms
for grain delivered as compulsory contributions;
Wages
25X1 13, x bank employee learns 300 rubles per month.. Railway workers
earn 250 to 300 rubles. Even if they work as simple laborers, Party members
receive more money than other workers and can earn up to 950 rubles per month.
.This additional salary is not paid by their place of employment but comes from
other sources As payment for political and disciplinary supervision work.
Even if his is not a first-class job, the worker in town has a higher living
standard than the kolkhoznik. As a rule, the latter receives no money payment
for his work.
Health
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14. There is no health insurance and there are no workers'funds. However- people
do not have to pay for doctors and medical treatment.- Only medicine must be
paid for. Anyone is allowed to go to a doctor or to use the hos-oital facilities.
There is a hospital in Taura e.
Those persons who have no money or relatives to aid.them receive hither
25X1 additional food nor medicine. I-- I the same medicine
was. used for headaches, pains in e legs, and diseases of the skin; Teeth are
extracted free of charge. However,-if a person wants an anesthetic, he must pay
for it before the extraction takes place.
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15. A kolkhoz school is located in the former village of Pajuris. Lessons are in
Lithuanian and, from the second year on, in Russian. The teachers are Lithuanian.
A kolkhoz teacher receives 450 rubles per month. There are not many Komsomol
members in school. At the kolkhoz Raudonoji Zvaigzde there was only one
Komsomol member.
16. There is a Lithuanian gymnasium in Taurage. The Lithuanian gymnasium in
Pagegiai is in the building formerly occupied by the German gymnasium, near the
Pagegiai to Silute (55-20N,21-25E) highway.
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19. Uninteresting movies about Communists and kolkhozy are shown at the school-
house. Since there are no other forms of entertainment, the kolkhozniki
attend these movies. Usually, no one visits the reading 'room. No magazines
are distributed on the kolkhozy.
?20. Half the personnel on train crews are Lithuanian; half are Russian. Trains
run from Pagegiai to Taurage and to Sovetsk. There are ten trains daily in
each direction between Pagegiai and Sovetsk and the round-trip fare is five
rubles. Between Salute and Pagegiai it is thirty-three rubles. Not many
people travel by rail, and trains arc only half full. There is no taxi service
on these routes and no bus facilities whatever in the area reported on.
21. The narrow-gauge railway between Sovetsk, Pagegiai, Mikytai (55m08N,21-57E),
and Smalininkai (55?04N,22m35E) has been dismantled by the Russians. Horse and
wagon traffic is as it was before the war. Ship traffic on the Nemunas River
..handles mostly freight. The ships have steam engines.
22. The highway from Tilsit to Taurage is repaired each summer but the repairs
have very little effect and the highway is in poor condition. The main
highways are maintained by the government, but the smaller roads have to be
repaired by the collective farmers.
23. There are no travel restrictions for Lithuanians or Russians, though special
permission is necessary for visits to one of the neighboring republics.
Germans are only permitted to travel short distances.
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25. A registration camp for repatriates to Germany is located in a private home
in Pagegiai, on the left side of the highway to Sovetsk.
26. In 1949 a-number of persons who originated in the Klaipeda area repatriated
from the Eastern Zone of Germany. Even those who had been in the Russian area
were soon unhappy that they had returned. Those who went to kolkhozy had to
provide themselves with food by their own means, since kolkhoz food is not
distributed until fall. Within a short time of their return, they were forced
to sell their belongings on the blackmarket in order to obtain food.
27. One of the repatriates who returned to Taurage in 1949 was a former Lithuanian
border policeman. When the Russians saw a photograph of this man in full
uniform, they apparently thought he was an officer of some kind, and they
deported him to Russia.
Partisan Activity
28. All the inhabitents know that there are partisans. Most of the partisans
hide in the forests; only occasionally do they live with farmers. Relations
between farmers and partisans are, for the most part, friendly. The -people
even sing partisan songs.
29. On one occasion the partisans conducted a raid in Dauglaukis during a theatrical
performance. They drove the actors into a corner and set up a machine gun on
the stage. Shoes were taken from the men and 50 rubles was taken from anyone
who had money.' The people in the audience were told not to organize entertain-
ments or dances while their Lithuanian brothers were kept in Siberia.
30. In spring 1949, about 30 partisans made a daytime raid on Pajuris. The raid
took place when the ranger was at the kolkhoz to pay'salaries for work done in
the forests. At first the kolkhozniki thought the raiders were militiamen
seeking those who manufactured whisky secretly. However, when they saw the
Lithuanian military caps, they recognized the raiders as partisans. The partisans
took the money which the ranger had not yet distributed. They did not harm the
kolkhozniki and even comforted them with the assurance that the government
would replace the stolen money. The governmert did so, and the ranger later
paid those persons who had not received their money. However, the ranger never
came to Pajuris again, and the people now have'to go to Taurage to pick up
their money.
31. Most communists move to the towns because they are afraid of raids by partisans.
Even though he is a non-Communist, Karosas (fnu), chairman of Raudonoji
Zvaigzde kolkhoz, has been beaten several times by partisans for having obeyed
25X1 Communist orders. On one occasion some partisans
killed a Communist Party official and his comrades. The ommunist group was
traveling by automobile and, after killing all the occupants except the driver,
the'partisans ordered the latter to drive the corpses from Batakiai (55-21N,
22-30E) to Taurage.
partisans were brought to aurage. However, among the corpses were some
Russians whom the partisans had dressed in partisan uniforms,
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On one occasion the bodies of slain )5v.,
When militiamen come to Pasesuvis on
night patrols, they search more closely for vodka than for partisans and seem
happy if they do not see any partisans. Groups of militiamen never go into the
same room together unless one man is left outside to guard.
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33,
Police Acti~
There are a large number of militiamen in Taurageo The Taurage manor house
has been converted into barracks in which there are a small number of Russian
troops. These troops make few appearances and have no contacts with the local
popu] tion, In Pagegiai the militia. is located in the former Lithuanian
gymnasium. The MGB in Pagegiai is located in the former bank building near the
former Lietukis warehouse, now a cooperative warehoused Arrests on the kolkhozy
usually are the result of illegal manufacturing of whisky. This crime is
punishable by seven years" imprisonment, Persons who speak against the regime
are arrested and deported to Siberia without a trial. Every spring the so-
-called bourgeois fascists are deported. Bribery is prevalent. For example,
a person. arrested for brewing vodka can often obtain his release from the
militia by supplying them with about twenty liters of his homemade brew.
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