Feeding the Hungry, P. C. Hiebert, 1929

‘The fact that I had been a member of the Friends Unit in France in Recon- struction work for about a year always weighed heavily in my favor with the Soviet officials. It also had given me acquaintance with a number of the leaders of the Friends organization. I called, therefore, at their London office and met Ruth Fry, the head of their English Committee. She was very cordial and ready at once to assist in any way possible, advising me whom to see at the Soviet Mis- sion and how to proceed. A card of introduction from her gained for me prompt consideration from the Soviet Mission, where | 120 FEEDING THE HUNGRY was received by Mr. Klishko. He was well acquainted with the work of the Quakers not only in Russia, but also in France, Germany and elsewhere. I called attention further to my former connection with that organization and our activities in Constantinople as well as our journey into Novorossisk and Rostow in April. He showed a keen interest in the service our Unit was rendering the homeless and destitute women and children of the Russian refugees in Constantinople. He was personally acquainted with some of the high officials of his Government with whom we had dealt in South Russia. He appreciated their courtesies to us and their efforts to gain permission from Moscow for the opening of our work. He ex- pressed surprise and regret that Moscow had taken a negative attitude, assured me there would be no question but that his government would now welcome our organi- zation, and urged me strongly to instruct the Constanti- nople Unit to ship without delay the supplies on hand there to one of the South Russian ports. An outline of our plans was requested which was furnished him by letter on August 8. In this letter I also explained openly my connection with the Red Cross in the Crimea in 1920. London August 8th, 1921 Mr. Klishko, 28 Bond Street, London W. Dear Sir :— In response to your request during our interview this morning for a brief written account of our negotiations with the Soviet Officials in South Russia in April and May, I am submitting the following for your consideration. Early in April of this year Arthur Slagel and I went from Constantinople to Novorossisk and Rostow to arrange for the opening of relief centers in South Russia to be con- ducted by representatives of the American Mennonite Relief Organization. At Novorossisk, Fatianow received us fa- vorably and sent us on to Rostow, where negotiations were UNSEALING THE CLOSED DOOR 121 carried on through Frumkin and Beleborodow. These offi- cials apparently approved our plan of work; they telegraphed to Moscow several times but received no reply. After con- siderable waiting the following telegram was sent by direct wire: “The representative of the American Mennonite Relief Organization, Alvin Miller, who came to Rostow from No- vorossisk is here already nine days awaiting an answer from the Council of W