Feeding the Hungry, P. C. Hiebert, 1929

ons and the American Relief Administration. In the meantime we plan to bring as much aid as possible to the famine-stricken area, just as the Quakers are proceeding with their plans without waiting for the final adjustment of details on the part of the larger associations. 138 FEEDING THE HUNGRY If all the American relief effort is to be under one cen- tral control, it will no doubt be possible to arrange for the continuation of our work in the area selected, by associating our organization with the central administrative and con- trolling body. We are prepared to enter Russia this time under the same general terms as those under which the A.R.A. is now beginning its work. CONCLUSION In brief let me propose that the Russian government afford the American Mennonite Relief the opportunity to carry on relief work in the Crimea and north as far as Khar- kow, granting the same privileges and facilities as extended to the American Relief Administration. The American Men- nonite Relief on its part engages likewise to refrain from all political activity, and to carry on the work of relief in a spirit of fairness and openness in cooperation with the local committees. Respectfully submitted, Alvin J. Miller, Acting Director for Russia. On September 2, I learned that the material was too brief. A fuller statement was submitted at once. MEMORANDUM Hotel Savoy, Moscow. September 2, 1921. To the Commissariat of Foreign Affairs Anglo-American Division. In response to the request for further information as to the plans of the American Mennonite Relief, the following is appended relative to the points in question. PERSONNEL :— The number of the American members of the American Mennonite Relief working in Russia in the areas designated will not exceed fifteen. If the A.M.R. is requested to send a unit to the Volga regions, the total number will not exceed twenty. This number may be increased at the request of the Russian government. The A.M.R. does not consider it necessary now to send into Russia more than ten American workers. For the personnel required in addition to this group of UNSEALING THE CLOSED DOOR E39 Americans, the A.M.R. expects the government to provide a number of workers sufficient to carry on the work most effi- ciently and economically. FUNDS :— The American Mennonite Relief is ready to put at the disposal of its workers at once Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) monthly. This amount will be increased as. soon as the workers are on the field and working efficiently.. In addition to this, stocks of clothing and medical supplies. are ready for shipment from Constantinople. Shipments are coming at regular intervals. Alvin J. Miller, Acting Director for Russia. He was slightly acquainted with our organization, for the Foreign Office had previously received a memoran- dum prepared by the late J. G. Evert of Hillsboro, Kans., and sent to Moscow, through L. C