K. Lander memorandum to Caroline G. Norment

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“MEMORANDUM

OLecccccscsccsens

Was

Miss pucéh ins G.Norment, ee
Society of Friends /cuskers/. |
Mos @OW «-



Dear Madam,
I have promised to present to you the eenerel principles which

in the opinion of my Government, must underlie the future work of the

Foreign Relief Organisations, and which must, in one form or another,

be included in the treaties, agreements or instructions on the quest-



ion of future Relief work.
While expressing our deep gratit bude towards all the Foreigh
Spaantseti ges which have extended such serious end substantial aid at
such a difficult period, who have saved millions of lives from a death
of starve atin we are happy to state that the worst period of the
famine has already passed and that life is entering into its wanna
course. And in this task the work of the Foreign Organisations ha
been a great relief. ‘However, if the famine in its seutest form is
over, there are the consequences of famine, deep wounds which have

been inflicted upon the country by thi 6 disaster, and which it will

the future a repitition of similar calamities, which, in afflicting. the |
worn out population, may prove fatal to it. 7

The new organisation, the Central Committce for fighting the



consequences of famine, will direct its work along this line, the line
of regenerating the ruined industries, of faising the productivity of

our agriculture, and at the same time of supporting and feeding those




whom the famine and the miseries acconupanying » Lit have thrown off the

: a
‘normal run of their Lives and rendered incapable of immediately roturn-
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‘normal run of their lives and rendered incapable of immediately return
to it /orphes, widows, invalids, refugees/e-

atitude the wi Lianewens at



eek an
" ing
‘gil r



ue nove with a feeling of sincere gr



“practically all Foreigh Organizations without exception to help us in
this difficult task, ond we accept thie relief with thanks. However,

we consider it necessery to point out eome differences and changes in



the conditions of this work, in its various phases, and come to an

LSavio0ns.e





agreement regarding them with the interested orgar

It is necessary first of all to emphasice the fact thet during t



the period when the miseries of the famine in its acutest form have
gripped the entire country, we could not stop to think of where to get ,
and whether it would be possible to obtain the means to keep up the
Relief Organisations, to transport their freichts, etoe ive took whate
ever we could and wherever we could and threw it into the work of re~
dief, often to the detriment of those whom we have deprived of these
relief funds /as for instance our transport/. Now, in starting upon

systematic orfenisationel work of fighting the consequences of famine,



we shall have st our disposal greatly reduced means, specially appre-



pristed, while the work of the various Institutions connected with the —









Relief operations will in the future heve to be entirely paid for.
ebiccorcss_Lo_tbs_soverouud. Lbe-cusstiou
of the participation of | 1. While recognising in principle
jhe Yoreigh Nelief Organisations the necessity of providing 11 the
40_covering the cost of keeping needs of the Foreigh Organisations ~
uptbeiz_ own. orgauisation_ond_ /awellings, fuel, transport, ete./ 1
operations. we muct, considering our limited
means, on the one hand, and the ex=
traordinary expeditures connected
with it, on the other. pat forward —
the question of the participation of
al

| tent, and in sone GC BOB, entirely, in

Be

the Foreign Organisations to some ex~ a



govering the cost of their operations , —



such ssithe cost of transportation a



certain fpgights, repriring mechines, |
alteration end upkeep of buildings,etes
Se The extent and form of this partiel=
pation will have to be sgreed unon in |
eaeh conerete esse in accordance with _

the nature of the work. Thus, there



may be some freighta which will heve

to be shipped entirely at the expense



of the particular Relief Oresnisntion,

gome thet will be sdmitted free of

custom duties and traneported nt «4

reduged rate, and finaliy some which



Will be transported entirely at the ex
pense of the Soviet Government.
the eane refers to the upkeep of om-

ployees, Wages, etc.

faking up the possible forms of the future relief work, we have the

fcllowing, juéceing from the proposale made to us: feeding of the hun-

gry, turvlying thhse who sare in need of clothes, shoes, cto. free of

gharge, partial food relief to

certain groups of the population/stu-

dent feeding/,the opening of children-aeylam, sanplying hospitals and

dispenserles with medicines; indubtrial sid-reconstruction of our ine



dustries, agriculture, ete.

We shall first dwell on the question of

88 9 3 1 ba

Pee he following must be laid st the basis of sgree-










hit le ali aa a i lal ii: satiate bie sostiatc 9k aay. wet ou! pi +0 i ull Faas Oi, ‘ F i bs i ms ir





é , Ss ie i

ments and instructions in the matter of fecding;
1. In order to avoid unnecessary parallel exe
ponditures the Poreien Organisations agree not
to open new kitehens and feeding stations in o
S11 these places where Soviet Institutions of
that type are already in existance /children's



Homes &



aByluas, nurseries, kitchens for ndulte, —
schools, eto./ *

Be The Foreigh Orga



isations supply food pro-
ducts /ary rations/to the above Soviet Inetitu-
tions, sccording to set norme ond plans worked
out and confirmed by both cides, |
o» New kitchens and feeding stationg may be ope=
ned in certain cases in districts where on scute _
need for them is felt, only by sgreement with the
Goviet Authorities. |
4, The Foreign Organisetions do not open their
own feeding stations or other institutions snd
do not keep up & epecinl personnel, ]
every means of fully controling the distribution —

5. the Foreign Relief Organisations sre gra



|
on

of the contributed food staffs, for which pur-

pose they aay employ the necessary number of



people, have a Central Office, management, etc.

6. The Districts where the Foreigh Oren



are to operate are fixed by agreement with the

soviet Covernment.



7e the working plans or the Foreign Org





&, their volume and extent, ss well as the


iin

the machinery required to tend to ite



needs, are, inasmuch ag the Soviet Govern-

ment bears part of the expenses, fixed by



agreement with the Government, represented 7



by the Committee for fighting the consequen=
see of famine /Posleagoi/. ™
8, The sbdove points refer both to children
| adult feedings | |
Glotbes.Selieza ae All elothes, ghees, etc. which are to be |
distributed free of charge to needy child- |
ven & sdults will be freed from custom
duties and transportation charges, cr else
such expenses Will be borne by the Soviet
FOVETINENTE «
oe ouch articles are to be distributed
through the Soviet Institutions and Helier



Organs /®oeial Seeurity Department, Narkom~
gdrey, Narkomprose/ to the most needy © people
with the participation & control of the Fore
eign Orgenigations.
Student Peedings ie In view of the fact that Student Kitehens |
| and Cooperatives as well se lower grade eohool
kitchens are actually in existence, though 1
their activity is hindered ang sonetines stop.
ped ‘by leek of means, it is undesirable to
open new kitehens for the above PUL POLEBe

This would involve the unnecessary cost of.



their equipment and upkeep. It is necessery
to utilies the existing kitchens and personnel

for this purposes. New ones may be opened ©




| only by sgreement with the Soviet Aue

thorities where theresare none in exe



Let once.

2, The cost of keoping-up the kitchens
will be borne by the Sovéet Government
represented by the proper Department of
the Commisssriat of Eduction, eten

je The 5 Foreign Orgenis



atone supply these
kitchens and cooperatives with dary food |
stuffs, secording to the fixed feeding-norm
be The Foreign Orgenisations are to be
erented widest powers of control over bhe
distribution of the food products oontribue
ted by them, | :

&» The Allocation of the food producte for
gtudent feeding to the various Districts
and Cities de td be earrled out by sfreee
ment with the Soviet Government.

6. the student kitchens are to be managed





by the student Organisations /sooperstives/
whieh hire the employees, manage the ade :

ministrative part, ete.



Ve ALL the sbove pointe refer not only to |





whieh are to be contributed for the needy



students ac well,
Relief to | le Clothes, shoes end food parcels contrb- |

Professors & | buted for thie psrticuler purpose are to be

1 250 oR Oe AIS ED OAR we aD A em ORY

teacherse | ! distributed by the respective Foreign Organe

‘ciiibliin sidtid saints —iiieiiiia ataiitita: utile, aaiibbes ceiiilin saitte aia ates.

isation in cooperation with Representatives

|


Food and Clothes

ParcelSe

wae saat Pe ee ihe Sts 5 aa. i abt th

“$=



of the corresponing Professional Union
and the Seviet Government /Representative —
Plenipotentiary/ on the basis of equality.
2. The Foreign Organisations have the epe-
cial right of full control over the dis-
tribution of the above, | |
fhe work in this sphere veries along
severed lines, There are Siret percels
for free distribution. Then there are |
parcels sold at & low price to the most
needy parts of the population, and and
fineally there the individusl psrcels.
Bhile there cen be no doubt or question aa
to whether the first category of percels
ought to be freed from 211 sorte of Custom
charges and transportation fees, or that
the Government ousht to pay for that, the |
other estegories of pxrreels should be put
under somewhst different conditions,

It ig desirable that the following gen-



eral principles be made the bagis in the

question of psreels;



1. 411 porcels, both food and clothes, cone
tributed for free distribution among the mest
needy srouns of the population sre to be free
from custom charges and trengportation fees, —
or such expenses sre to be defrayed by the ql

soviet Government. ’

2e Bulk parcels consiened to Soviet Institue —

a

tions and Organisations /trade-Unions, Narkom-




wef ae |
ndrav,ete./ to be sold to their most

needy members at = low price, sre to



be freed from cuetom charges and tran
gported at s reduced rte; the cost of
transportation to be ineluded in the -
enlo price. |

S$, Individusl parcels, shether of food

or clothes, sre to be charged both cuse



tom duties and transportation fees; the

ee

above cost may be included se part of the

general price of the porcel.

Note: Im enses where indivuduel psreels
are to be received by participation and
under control of the "reade-tinion and the
Sgviet Authorities, and when these operat-
fone sre not of a purely gommercisl charac
ter,-the question of fixing epecislly ren
duced rates may be eoncideredes





4, She entire cost of keeping up the ore



ganisation for hendline percels/ excepting
the first two eategories/ is to be borne

by the foreign Oreganiseatlonge





& The Trade-Union Organiestions are to.

be drawn into the closest particinption 4

i

in the distrubation of parceles the most |



devirable type of ® parcel are the 80-






ealled nameless bulk pereels which are fl

sone the most needy Members —

ey
i
J
Ue
‘a
ay
bck

distributed





grand the Rugeian Trade-Union the fight
of ordering and bying parcels in preferen-

ce to other persons and organisations.


Uedicul..cuoplisie

tals and dispenssrics.

be evpplied are to be shosen by the Foreign

uBio
entotives of the Soviet



6. the Revres
Government end the trade-Union reserve



the right of controling the aietribut ion ‘

of individual parcels and of refusing to



permit the delivery of parcels in esses —



where speculation or abuse ie discovered.
4

%. ALL Committees and Comaissions for

the distribution 88 parcels, cxzcepting





the Orgenieations with which evecisl agree
monte are rae, de on the besis of this memor
andum, are to be liquidated,

Ge Parcels of & purely consereint type
are tO be iseued and received only on the
bagie of the existing laws.

The same principles and regulations which

have been deveribed in the shove poragraphs





must underlie thie field of work ae well,
| -

It is desirable to have the following order,



eatablished:

amentea ond —



le Medicines, surgieni inetr

other medical equipment se well se the pai-



eke for the pergonnel ond r










etients are to be

issued to the existing and functioning hospie

2. Now hospitale, in plsees where there —
are none existing, and need for them in felt,
are to be opened by agreement with tae Narkem
Garay. .

Be The mediesl institutions which are to






ec | s
Organisations together with the Narkon-

zdrav. The allocation of the articles &- —



products to these institutions is to be
carried out in the same way.
4. In order to avoid unneessary expen- |
ditures, the institutions which have been
included in the supply scheme worked out
as above, are to be supplied through the
organs of the Narkomxdreav in cooperation
with and under control of the Foreign Or
ganisationse
Such in the opinion of the Soviet Government are the generel prin-
ciples upon which the work of the Foreign Opgemisations should be based
and supplementary agreements and Letters of instructions drawn up. The-
se propossls introduce nothing new, and many Poreign Organisations are
already carrying on work along these lines. We are confident that the
realisation of these principles will enable you +o carry out in perfect
egreement the plan of work decide upon, and permit us to fulfill all the
obligations undertaken by us towards the relief organisations, insofar
aS our means will sllow us.
In conslusion of this part of my letter I whish to emphasise the
prastioal deductions which come up before us under the new conditions
of work. |
FIRST- it is desirable that the staffs of the Foreign Organisations
working is Russia be in real proportion to the needs and requirements of
the work, with the scope and character 68 their activities, with the
view towards all possible economy along this line. Only such 4 staff,
poth in the Centre and locally, ean be guaranteed all the ctaterks and
advantages which have been protided heretofor, We, of course, will not.

object against an unfized staff participating in the work,-but, in s




e

‘SECOND Close eontect end mtval working out of 411 questions con-

paratory worke

& ease, the upkeep of such voluntary members mast be borne entirely
by the Organisations employing them; we shall of course assist in.

finding suitable dwelling and other accommodations,

cerning transport, store.



ce and housing facilities, ete. is desirable,

in order to be able beforehand te coneider ell possibilities end pre-



vent unnecessary compliestions which may lead towards unfulfillment of
certain obligations. | | !
TEIRDe These prings pies must be considered in detadi by both sides,
& corresponding agreement entered into, and proper instructions 48-
suede

aid in reconstructing industry ond sgriculture,



48 regards foreign
roads, butlding, ate. of which certain proposels have been made to us,
various forms of relief have been suggested: loans for definite needs,
consortiune, the sale of agricultural machinery on eaBy terms, their
free distribution, ete, It is evident that the forms of relief and
oux cooperation will depend upon the character of these proposals. It
ig difficult to throw light upon all the detaile of thie feala of i
work,-this will have to be rerulated by svecisal agreements. But the

following must be made the basis of negotintions in this question:



Ll» The entire work im this direction must be carried out
by agreement with our inetitutions and through theme
2. We must be entitled to equal rishts and participation

in 211 cases and forms of relief of this nature ss well ae in the pre=



3. the general principles which must underlie all forms of
Relief and which have been described sbove aust also refer to relief —
work of reconstructions

in presenting the above to your attention I am hoping for your



prompt and favourable reply both or the seneral question and@ oh the




eee

ad

a eS ae

rE eee eR a ee Beige’ $ he Tie epee eas



4. ee EET Ia T NCA

“Li«

‘separate questions which © follow from it; 1 trust that the 2aene propos- |

ed by us will be entirely acceptable vo you a Peer further successiul

work, for which I wish to thank you in advances

Yours very truly,



KeLander-

ACTING REPRESENTATIVE PLENIPOTENTIARY RSFSR
WITH ALL FORBSIGN RELIEF ORGANIOAI IONS «

franslation verified by
Me Bevenere |