Headline: Letter from Norka
Norka, Russia, 3 October
To: Editor of Die Welt-Post:
For very serious reasons, which unfortunately I cannot tell you, I have to stop my reports to the Volga Relief Society and cut back my correspondence with foreign countries as much as possible. Innumerable times I have been given testimonials that demonstrate the interest with which the Volga Germans in America, especially the Norkans, read my reports. Because of this the writing has never been a burden, but to the contrary, a pleasure. I had intended to write some reports about other things and also about the nature of our Church. Nobody regrets more than I, the fact that I have to forgo them. ---
And nevertheless, now I am forced to take up the pen to address an incident bordering on the outrageous. Some days ago a member of my congregation brought me a newspaper clipping from the Welt-Post. Under the column "Letters from Russia" there was a letter from Norka dated July 7, 1923, signed by Johannes Blum. J. Blum most certainly did not write this letter by himself. The language of the letter is that of a pettifogger and lampoonist, the sort of people who are good with words and are prepared to do any villainy for money. With a pen dipped in poison and bile the writer criminally assaults the truth with every stroke. In order that the truth be known and for the sake of the honor of blameless men who were demeaned by this knavish prank, I ask the editor to print this, my refutation, in its entirety in the columns of his esteemed newspaper.
According to a letter from his relatives, Johannes Blum was expecting a package with 72 Pfund of clothing and/or shoes in the last clothing shipment from the Volga Relief Society. Unfortunately he did not receive this package. With the terrible shortage of clothing in this country one can understand a man losing his composure over such a loss. Nevertheless it does not justify the expression of the preposterous accusation that: "Everything was lost by Pastor Wacker and his 'Agents' here in Norka." As my "Agents" he names the following persons: Lud. Hohnstein, Row 9; Conr. Spady, Row 2; Pet. Weber, Row 3; G. Schmer, Row 7. The expression "his Agents" makes it appear as though I myself selected people of my liking for the Distribution Commission. However that is a lie.
In compliance with instructions from the American Relief Administration (A.R.A.) representative, Mr. Volz, the Distribution Commission consists, as it does in all villages, of 8 persons: the Pastor, Schoolmaster, 2 Church Council members, 1 representative from the Village Council (Soviet representative), 1 representative from the Soviet Aid Commission and 2 women. The 2 Church Council members were selected from the 6 Council members by lot. The lot fell to Peter Weber, former Chairman of the Regional Council (Senior Chairman), since 1918 the Church Council Chairman, and Konrad Spady, since 1918 Secretary of the Church Council and Warehouse Manager for the A.R.A. in 1921-1922. These 2 men are held in high esteem by the community and their word is respected. The Village Council was represented by Konrad Traudt (Horstetraudt), the Soviet Aid Commission by Ludwig Hohnstein. The women representatives were the widows Katharina Pfenning and Anna Maria Glanz, nee Weizel.
In addition to myself and the Schoolmaster there was also the Milizionaer (Police Officer Staerkel, Heinrich) and also by government regulation, the Chairman of the Soviet Aid Commission Johannes Staerkel (Wert) and
Secretary Streljaew (a Russian), who were instructed to take an active part in the distribution.
This was contrary to A.R.A. instructions but as Russian Citizens we could not disobey an instruction from the government.
As maddening and mendacious as the expression "the Pastor and his Agents" is, and that he chose the above mentioned 11 members for the Distribution Commission, it should be obvious to everyone that this is a complete falsehood.
And now, speaking for myself, these men: Weber, Spady and Hohnstein, are upright men against whom nobody can say a bad word and who are born of the most respected families in Norka. Blum would be proud if his name only came close to enjoying a reputation as good as the names of these men.
Blum proceeds like the old story writers that invent words to put in the mouths of their heroes (for good or bad). He puts the insane speech of an Oracle in my mouth: "No, there is nothing there for you, and because there is nothing there, there can also be nothing gotten." Blum showed me the letter from his relatives just as the bundles were being opened. I explained to him that the private packages had not all turned up yet and if there was something for him it would be given to him.
The work proceeded carefully, bundle by bundle. As they were opened, the individual packages were separated from the general ones. Not only the address of the recipient but also the sender was examined carefully to determine the correct recipient. We have many members of the community with the same names (we have in Norka, e.g. 2 Conrad Spadys, 4 Conr. Hohnsteins, etc.). Among the packages there were some where only the name of the sender was marked. In these cases we determined who the relatives were and gave them the items. If we were unable to make out the markings then the package was put with those for general distribution. This does not refer to the entire bundle but to small packages on which the name of the sender could occasionally be seen. In each case we assumed that this was the way the donor had sent the package to the assembly point and not that it was a specific donation. Yes, individual items of loose clothing were examined during sorting to determine whether or not they were meant for specific individuals (thus, e.g. Magdalena Weber got a woman's coat). For Johannes Blum, neither a package nor an individual article of clothing turned up.
But the Corpus delicti, the "Mysterious Note," the contents of which the writer describes in detail and which he very forcefully uses to pound home his conclusions. It is a shame that one cannot see this note, who sent it or did not sent it, in order that we might send this monstrosity back to the land across the sea.
The editor, who we thank for his remarks following the Blum letter, took it upon himself to explain that each package that was loaded had a large square not attached with the names of the recipient written on it in 3 languages (English, German and Russian), as well as the name of the donor. The note mentioned by Blum did not bear the slightest resemblance to these notes. The reader should picture a small round cardboard disk the size of a silver Rubel or an old 5 Kopeck piece, the kind of cardboard disks used as price tags on manufactured goods. On this small disk is the name of Johannes Blum, the correct street , "Reihe 6" and the incorrect house number 445 not 448, all written in pencil. The name of the village was missing, perhaps because all the world knows that Johannes Blum lives in Norka. Would the Aid Committee in Lincoln, or wherever it was, ever have sent such an article of clothing, let alone an entire bundle with such an unsatisfactory address on it? Even if they had done so, would the sender, to whom it was important that the package got to the correct address, be content with such doubtful addressing?
All the packages which have come into our hands during the 2 years of American assistance, which number about 400 here in Norka, if not more, had double addresses in German; on the bundles themselves and on the attached notes. Not one single package has come to us without an address. Even if the "Note" was written in America (one is entitled to doubt the shady source of its origin), then it could only have been attached to an individual article of clothing. That Blum did not receive this item is not the fault of the Commission but the fault of the sender who did not attach the address more clearly.
J. Blum was causing so much grief for myself and the various members of the Commission that we decided, although we should no have done so, to give him items from the things sent by the National Lutheran Council (sent in 2 separate bundles for our Parish) as compensation. Not only did Blum get 6 articles of clothing but also Konrad Urbach, mentioned by him, got 3. They were granted the privilege of selecting what they wanted from the pile of clothing. You can be certain that they did not select the worst items for themselves.
We made 9 other poor people happy with clothing items but Blum refuses to recognize this. He acknowledges our generosity by saying: "They have bribed us with 2 'Baldo' (coats), 2 small 'Benshak' (jackets) and 2 ?????? (word obscured, probably 'footwear')." Johannes Blum complains in his letter: "There is much wickedness here." That this is true, he himself is the foremost example. Truly a man capable of evaluating shoes (he estimated the value of the "gone missing" shoes at 3 Billion) but with no understanding that ones honor is infinitely more valuable, cannot sink any lower. A man who openly slanders and accuses me, you, his Pastor and the most upright citizens of his community of being common criminals, has broken with all that is good and holy. The saddest part is that Blum is not the exception here but is typical of those who are to be found at every step and turn. Is it any wonder that God's judgment against our land and people continues with no end in sight, closing His eyes against the frenzied perversion of our people?
I say my most cordial thanks to those dear friends who, with their letters, have demonstrated their continued friendship and faith in me against the above slanders of J. Blum.
With German evangelical greetings,
Pastor Fr. Wacker
For very serious reasons, which unfortunately I cannot tell you, I have to stop my reports to the Volga Relief Society and cut back my correspondence with foreign countries as much as possible. Innumerable times I have been given testimonials that demonstrate the interest with which the Volga Germans in America, especially the Norkans, read my reports. Because of this the writing has never been a burden, but to the contrary, a pleasure. I had intended to write some reports about other things and also about the nature of our Church. Nobody regrets more than I, the fact that I have to forgo them. ---
And nevertheless, now I am forced to take up the pen to address an incident bordering on the outrageous. Some days ago a member of my congregation brought me a newspaper clipping from the Welt-Post. Under the column "Letters from Russia" there was a letter from Norka dated July 7, 1923, signed by Johannes Blum. J. Blum most certainly did not write this letter by himself. The language of the letter is that of a pettifogger and lampoonist, the sort of people who are good with words and are prepared to do any villainy for money. With a pen dipped in poison and bile the writer criminally assaults the truth with every stroke. In order that the truth be known and for the sake of the honor of blameless men who were demeaned by this knavish prank, I ask the editor to print this, my refutation, in its entirety in the columns of his esteemed newspaper.
According to a letter from his relatives, Johannes Blum was expecting a package with 72 Pfund of clothing and/or shoes in the last clothing shipment from the Volga Relief Society. Unfortunately he did not receive this package. With the terrible shortage of clothing in this country one can understand a man losing his composure over such a loss. Nevertheless it does not justify the expression of the preposterous accusation that: "Everything was lost by Pastor Wacker and his 'Agents' here in Norka." As my "Agents" he names the following persons: Lud. Hohnstein, Row 9; Conr. Spady, Row 2; Pet. Weber, Row 3; G. Schmer, Row 7. The expression "his Agents" makes it appear as though I myself selected people of my liking for the Distribution Commission. However that is a lie.
In compliance with instructions from the American Relief Administration (A.R.A.) representative, Mr. Volz, the Distribution Commission consists, as it does in all villages, of 8 persons: the Pastor, Schoolmaster, 2 Church Council members, 1 representative from the Village Council (Soviet representative), 1 representative from the Soviet Aid Commission and 2 women. The 2 Church Council members were selected from the 6 Council members by lot. The lot fell to Peter Weber, former Chairman of the Regional Council (Senior Chairman), since 1918 the Church Council Chairman, and Konrad Spady, since 1918 Secretary of the Church Council and Warehouse Manager for the A.R.A. in 1921-1922. These 2 men are held in high esteem by the community and their word is respected. The Village Council was represented by Konrad Traudt (Horstetraudt), the Soviet Aid Commission by Ludwig Hohnstein. The women representatives were the widows Katharina Pfenning and Anna Maria Glanz, nee Weizel.
In addition to myself and the Schoolmaster there was also the Milizionaer (Police Officer Staerkel, Heinrich) and also by government regulation, the Chairman of the Soviet Aid Commission Johannes Staerkel (Wert) and
Secretary Streljaew (a Russian), who were instructed to take an active part in the distribution.
This was contrary to A.R.A. instructions but as Russian Citizens we could not disobey an instruction from the government.
As maddening and mendacious as the expression "the Pastor and his Agents" is, and that he chose the above mentioned 11 members for the Distribution Commission, it should be obvious to everyone that this is a complete falsehood.
And now, speaking for myself, these men: Weber, Spady and Hohnstein, are upright men against whom nobody can say a bad word and who are born of the most respected families in Norka. Blum would be proud if his name only came close to enjoying a reputation as good as the names of these men.
Blum proceeds like the old story writers that invent words to put in the mouths of their heroes (for good or bad). He puts the insane speech of an Oracle in my mouth: "No, there is nothing there for you, and because there is nothing there, there can also be nothing gotten." Blum showed me the letter from his relatives just as the bundles were being opened. I explained to him that the private packages had not all turned up yet and if there was something for him it would be given to him.
The work proceeded carefully, bundle by bundle. As they were opened, the individual packages were separated from the general ones. Not only the address of the recipient but also the sender was examined carefully to determine the correct recipient. We have many members of the community with the same names (we have in Norka, e.g. 2 Conrad Spadys, 4 Conr. Hohnsteins, etc.). Among the packages there were some where only the name of the sender was marked. In these cases we determined who the relatives were and gave them the items. If we were unable to make out the markings then the package was put with those for general distribution. This does not refer to the entire bundle but to small packages on which the name of the sender could occasionally be seen. In each case we assumed that this was the way the donor had sent the package to the assembly point and not that it was a specific donation. Yes, individual items of loose clothing were examined during sorting to determine whether or not they were meant for specific individuals (thus, e.g. Magdalena Weber got a woman's coat). For Johannes Blum, neither a package nor an individual article of clothing turned up.
But the Corpus delicti, the "Mysterious Note," the contents of which the writer describes in detail and which he very forcefully uses to pound home his conclusions. It is a shame that one cannot see this note, who sent it or did not sent it, in order that we might send this monstrosity back to the land across the sea.
The editor, who we thank for his remarks following the Blum letter, took it upon himself to explain that each package that was loaded had a large square not attached with the names of the recipient written on it in 3 languages (English, German and Russian), as well as the name of the donor. The note mentioned by Blum did not bear the slightest resemblance to these notes. The reader should picture a small round cardboard disk the size of a silver Rubel or an old 5 Kopeck piece, the kind of cardboard disks used as price tags on manufactured goods. On this small disk is the name of Johannes Blum, the correct street , "Reihe 6" and the incorrect house number 445 not 448, all written in pencil. The name of the village was missing, perhaps because all the world knows that Johannes Blum lives in Norka. Would the Aid Committee in Lincoln, or wherever it was, ever have sent such an article of clothing, let alone an entire bundle with such an unsatisfactory address on it? Even if they had done so, would the sender, to whom it was important that the package got to the correct address, be content with such doubtful addressing?
All the packages which have come into our hands during the 2 years of American assistance, which number about 400 here in Norka, if not more, had double addresses in German; on the bundles themselves and on the attached notes. Not one single package has come to us without an address. Even if the "Note" was written in America (one is entitled to doubt the shady source of its origin), then it could only have been attached to an individual article of clothing. That Blum did not receive this item is not the fault of the Commission but the fault of the sender who did not attach the address more clearly.
J. Blum was causing so much grief for myself and the various members of the Commission that we decided, although we should no have done so, to give him items from the things sent by the National Lutheran Council (sent in 2 separate bundles for our Parish) as compensation. Not only did Blum get 6 articles of clothing but also Konrad Urbach, mentioned by him, got 3. They were granted the privilege of selecting what they wanted from the pile of clothing. You can be certain that they did not select the worst items for themselves.
We made 9 other poor people happy with clothing items but Blum refuses to recognize this. He acknowledges our generosity by saying: "They have bribed us with 2 'Baldo' (coats), 2 small 'Benshak' (jackets) and 2 ?????? (word obscured, probably 'footwear')." Johannes Blum complains in his letter: "There is much wickedness here." That this is true, he himself is the foremost example. Truly a man capable of evaluating shoes (he estimated the value of the "gone missing" shoes at 3 Billion) but with no understanding that ones honor is infinitely more valuable, cannot sink any lower. A man who openly slanders and accuses me, you, his Pastor and the most upright citizens of his community of being common criminals, has broken with all that is good and holy. The saddest part is that Blum is not the exception here but is typical of those who are to be found at every step and turn. Is it any wonder that God's judgment against our land and people continues with no end in sight, closing His eyes against the frenzied perversion of our people?
I say my most cordial thanks to those dear friends who, with their letters, have demonstrated their continued friendship and faith in me against the above slanders of J. Blum.
With German evangelical greetings,
Pastor Fr. Wacker
Sources
Die Welt-Post, November 15, 1923, page 2.
This translation provided courtesy of Hugh Lichtenwald.
This translation provided courtesy of Hugh Lichtenwald.
Last updated March 6, 2016