Feeding the Hungry, P. C. Hiebert, 1929

ple and environs, most of them in need of physical aid. But our instructions had been to work in those sections of Russia where our brethren lived, so the time of Clayton Kratz and myself was spent in planning to proceed on our journey. In Constantinople, we came in contact with the first Russian Mennonite, Marie Reimer by name. We were glad to be of assistance to her in her further journey to Nebraska. Admiral Bristol of the American Embassy, who was well informed on conditions in South Russia, and eager to encourage any relief efforts made there, kindly arranged to have us go on a destroyer to Sebastopol, Crimea. He also gave us letters of introduction to his colleague at that place, Admiral McCully. On Oct. 1, Bro. Kratz and I were ready to go, and on Oct. 6, after a round about trip by way of Batoum, we landed at Sebastopol. From there the Unit made its First Essay INtTo EUROPE At this time General Wrangel had control of all Crimea, and of territory in Ukraine just north of Crimea covering about a 75 mile radius. In this territory are located Halbstadt and practically all of the Molotschna Mennonite villages, Alexandrowsk and most of the Chor- titza colonies. Wrangel’s headquarters were in Sebasto- pol. He had been making steady progress against the Bolsheviki during the summer, and with support from the French it seemed reasonable to suppose that this progress THE FIRST ESSAY INTO RUSSIA 93 would continue. At any rate it did not seem to us unsafe to travel through those sections of Russia where he had control. Neither did any one with whom we discussed our contemplated journey question its advisability. So immediately on landing at Sebastopol, we sought the ways and means of continuing inland, intending to go at least as far as Halbstadt. Admiral McCully encouraged us in our mission and promised any assistance his office could give. He put us in touch with such of the Wrangel officials as could help us. Several days were spent in making these necessary contacts. Through the Minister of the Interior we were given an order for free transportation for personnel and supplies on the railroads, and a guide and interpreter for the journey. From the Chief Sanitary Inspector we se- cured such information as there was concerning the dire need for relief in the whole territory and in the Menno- nite colonies. From American Red Cross officials we learned what we could of conditions, of their program for relief, and of ways in which we might supplement it. With the Sebastopol office of the American Foreign Trade Corp. arrangements were made for transfer of funds from Constantinople. During these few days we had our home with Cor- nelius Hiebert, who had about a year earlier moved there from Alexandrowsk. In his home we had our first direct touch with Mennonites in Russia. From him and from others who gathered there each evening we heard the story of their experiences during the World Wa