Feeding the Hungry, P. C. Hiebert, 1929

suggested seeing Maxim Litvinoff, who had negotiated the Riga agreement with the American Relief Administration. Neither did I get to see Litvinoff. Here also the reply was sent back through a secretary to the effect that Lit- vinoff no longer looked after these affairs because a special commission had been created by the Government to deal on its behalf with all foreign relief organizations. It was called The Central Commission for Combatting Fam- ine, of the All Russian Central Executive Committee of the Soviets—and its head was Lev Kameney, who was one of the most powerful men in the Government. Besides holding a number of the most important Government po- sitions he was also head of the Moscow Soviet (City Council) where a very pleasant secretary received me most courteously and set an hour for the next afternoon for my meeting with Kameney. At last I had arrived, though by a very circuitous route, and with many turns in the path. I had come to the official who would be ready UNSEALING THE CLOSED DOOR 143 to discuss our project and who was authorized to act on behalf of the Government. The next day I came at the appointed hour to Kame- nev’s office. The secretary at the desk took my name and disappeared into the next room. Returning, it was to tell me that it would be necessary to wait a while, as there were many others on the calendar ahead of me. Evening came, the office force was leaving, but I had not been called. The cordial secretary was very sorry, but Kamenev had been kept too long by others. Would I come the next day at the same hour? Here was friendliness with good will and therefore hope for a real beginning. The following day found me waiting in the office at the time set. My name was sent in. An old song came floating out of the past—“Oh wait, meekly wait, and murmur not.”’ Another man, apparently English, was also waiting in the office. He was Mr. Webster representing the “Save the Children Fund.” His organization was to operate in Russia under the Nansen contract. He had also waited several days to work out certain details with Kamenev. So I was not the only one waiting. The delay of our meeting did not signify indifference. Here was a representative of a large foreign relief organization, at the moment the most popular in Russia, waiting his turn, day after day, the same as I. And we did not yet have a contract while they had. I took courage. Later on it was through this very cordial Mr. Webster that his or- ganization delivered to us a large shipment of flour do- nated by the Canadian Mennonites and for which Bishop David Toews secured free transportation to Russia through the “Save the Children Fund.” The day in the office came to an end but I had not been called. Never- theless the day had not been lost. The third time I came—and met Kamenev. A short heavy set man with strong face, full beard carefully 144 FEEDING THE HUNGRY trimmed, serious eyes that loo