Central Asia

German from Central Asia

(Probably Otto Schiller, the German Military Attaché.)

Corpses in Kazakstan. Terrible conditions. One Million at least out of 5 million Kirghyrs have died of hunger. Their herds have died. No hope. They will probably all die. They are nomadic. Collectivisation tried to tie them to the soil.

In cotton growing areas it is better.

National feeling is terribly strong, hatred immense, but the people are too weak.

Diseases spreading everywhere.

Bread 20 roubles a kilo in Tashkent

American Workers in Train

Terror, hunger. They took the passports away. We tried to get out of Russia. We sent the 2 boys to the village where they had no bread for 6 months. They are destroying the machines at a rapid rate.

“The statistics are all lies. Production has declined, not increased.

“The young ?Comsomoldi have all the power and even more wages than the older skilled workers.

“Many workers disappear for having criticized the regime.

“The specialists are now leaving and what’ll happen to the machines – God Knows!

“The workers are too weak. All are longing for WAR. Almost 100% against the Government.

“No responsibility. No one wants to work. No one cares whether machines are smashed or neglected.

In some factories up (to 50% have been dismissed.)