Feeding the Hungry, P. C. Hiebert, 1929

the harvest, one-third of the seed grain purchased must be returned to the A.M.R.; 3. and one-third will be transferred to the local Division of the Mennonite “Verband” as a seed RELIEF AND RECONSTRUCTION IN SIBERIA SESS fund for the needy among the Mennonites in the Districts named; 4. On the entire quantity of seed, an additional 10% Z to be collected which will be added to the A.M.R. seed und. (3) ‘The entire sum will be divided among four groups, proportional to the number of persons: Ohrloff volost 6300; Chortitza volost 3600; Paviodar 3000; isolated villages 5290. (4) The distribution of the seed grain will be made according to instructions from the A.M.R. (5) The Plenipotentiaries obligate themselves to give an exact report to the A.M.R. immediately after the pur- chase of the seed grain as to kind and quantity in poods. (6) The horses will be received by a commission con- sisting of a representative of the A.M.R., a representative of the Mennonite “Verband,” and a representative of the set- tlement making delivery. If the horses are to be given over to some other settlement by the A.M.R., then that settlement may also name a representative. The delivery will be effected in Slavgorod. (7) The money loaned by the A.M.R. must be used exclusively for the purchase of seed grain. The cost of the execution of the contract may not be covered from this sum. On behalf of the American Mennonite Relief: (Signed) Alvin J. Miller. On behalf of the Organization Committee of the All- russicher Mennonitischer Landwirtschaftlicher Verband: (signed) Peter F. Friese, Krank Fr. Isaak, Cornelius F. Klassen, Plenipotentiaries. On behalf of the Mennonites of the Slavgorod and Pav- lodar Districts: (signed) Johann A. Reimer, Heinrich H. Friesen, Peter Pa betkan, Plenipotentiaries. Just at this time the Government, in order to re- plenish the treasury, floated an issue of bread certificates, calling for the delivery of a specified amount of grain after the harvest, at a very reasonable rate. These bread certificates could be used also in payment of taxes. By buying a quantity of these, exchanging them for grain, 316 FEEDING THE HUNGRY we were able to obtain the seed grain at very reasonable rates. The cost of the horses was estimated at about $15.00 to $20.00 each. The three delegates from Siberia returned happily to their homes. Soon after was held the first session of the ‘‘Allrussicher Mennonitischer Landwirtschaftlicher Verein” at Alexanderthal, Old Samara, where our agree- ment with their plenipotentiaries was ratified as also the appointment of Friesen to the oversight of our operations in Siberia. Our entire Siberia relief work was different from the other districts in that we sought to give assistance chiefly by helping the needy to help themselves. Though there were thousands hungering, the number of starvation cases was comparatively small, because this time we were not c