Feeding the Hungry, P. C. Hiebert, 1929

o what we heard everywhere was a harrowing, heart-rending story of suf- fering, sadness, and demoralization. In most of the colo- nies there was still enough food, but everywhere extreme lack of medical supplies, clothing, bedding, and soap. We stopped at Orloff only a few hours, but in Halb- stadt we remained several days, and had our home with Bishop Abraham Klassen. Here were located the com- mittees and organizations from which we could get infor- mation concerning the whole colony, and through which relief work could best be done. We met the Colony Relief Committee and also the ‘“Mennozentrum,” a body representing all Russian Mennonites. We brought them the first word from the delegation which had been sent to America a year earlier. We explained the purpose of our mission, discussed plans with them, and then together sketched the general methods for carrying forward the proposed relief program. According to this plan Clayton Kratz was to remain at Halbstadt and proceed with the investigation and organization, while I was to return to Constantinople for supplies. Our original intention had been to go on from Halbstadt to Alexandrowsk and Chor- titza. Plans were made accordingly, and we left for Alexandrowsk, accompanied by Bro. Johann Peters of the 96 FEEDING THE HUNGRY Halbstadt committee, arriving there on Oct. 15. The road on which we traveled paralleled the Wrangel front at a distance of about 20 miles. At Alexandrowsk we noted a number of evidences indicating that the army was in retreat, and realized that there was no opportunity of going on to Chortitza. How- ever, that evening we met the portion of their committee living in Alexandrowsk. The knowledge that their breth- ren in America had learned of their plight and were doing all they could to help had a most heartening effect. Our mission, their need, the actions taken at Halbstadt, and possible ways of bringing relief, were discussed, but all of us felt that the time had probably not yet come when these plans could be carried out. By the following morning it was plainly evident that Wrangel’s forces were in retreat, and the local general advised us to leave. It was decided that Bro. Clayton Kratz accompany Bro. Peters back to Halbstadt by car- riage and that I proceed to Melitopol and Sebastopol by train. That there would be a general rout and defeat of the White army was still not felt. The program decided upon in Halbstadt was still in mind. But as it turned out, the meeting that morning with Bro. Kratz in the Alexan- drowsk R. R. Station was our last one. We had met only a few months before and during this time we had been constantly together. Our aims, ideals, and purposes were the same. We cannot understand why his life should have been sacrificed, just at the time when he could have done so much good. But we must leave that matter in the hands of an all-wise Providence. Further details concerning the later activi