Feeding the Hungry, P. C. Hiebert, 1929

oncerning the tractor help from October 20, 1921 are fulfilled; and second, that we Mennonites owe a thousand thanks. We do not find the right word to express our feelings.” SovieET GOVERNMENT’S ESTIMATE OF OUR WorRK “Judged from the standpoint of the Quantity of relief goods brought into Russia the A.R.A. stands first; and then follows the Nansen Mission and International Workmen’s organization. But judging from the Quality (Nature of the help) of the products which were delivered, the first place goes to the French Red Cross, then the SECOND PLACE GOES TO THE MENNONITES, and the fifth place is occupied by the A.R.A.” (Bold face type is ours.) We give this quotation to show how the Soviet Au- thorities appreciated our reconstruction program. AMERICAN Tractors HELP UKRAINIANS Peasants Surprised by Big Battery Plowing their Fields (A Clipping from a Russian Paper) “Alexandrowsk, Sept. 4, 1922. “Townsfolk and peasants alike of this part of southern Ukraine were scarcely able to believe their eyes recently when 25 American tractors with plows attached, were put to work in the fieids near here, to prepare thousands of acres, forethesimlkesecding..).. 2.5 When these queer looking tractors were set up in the fields, and without being urged by cries or whip, began the task of plowing, the peasants shook their heads and said such ‘crawly things’ just could not last. But before many days the peasants had become tractor converts and most of them are hoping that the day may come when they themselves may be able to own a steam horse to work their fields. The tractors and plows were brought here by the American Mennonite Relief Or- ganization, which is endeavoring to work out a plan for the upbuilding of Russian agriculture.” RECONSTRUCTION WORK IN RUSSIA 303 RECOGNITION BY THE A.R.A. The American Relief Administration makes the fol- lowing official mention of our tractor work: “The American tractors sent by the American Menno- nite Relief to South Russia are in successful operation, turn- ing the furrows for the reception of the fall planting. The tractors at Chortitza are working on a twenty-four hour schedule.-—The government is supplying fuel and oil for the tractors and seed for the fall planting.” These and similar reports, and the pleas that came in from many places in Russia for additional tractors, indicate clearly that the work of the tractors was gen- erally considered a success. On October 23, 1922, a cable- gram from Director Miller says, “Rush second tractor shipment to northern port, preferably Petrograd. Should include equipment for lights.”” Hereupon steps were taken authorizing the purchase of another lot of 25 tractors in duplicate of the consignment which had been sent to southern Russia a few months earlier. At the same time Bro. Mumaw, the Secretary-Treasurer, announced this fact to the general constituency and asked for special contribu- tions to the tractor fu