MISERY IN RUSSIA

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 18975, 27 March 1936, Page 5

MISERY IN RUSSIA

♦ SHIPMASTER'S VERSION BLACK SEA PORTS SYDNEY, March 18. Captain B. Bergendalil, master of the Swedish motorship Parakoola, which arrived here yesterday from Oslo, declared that the conditions of Russians living in Black Sea ports are appalling. "In Latum every person fears _ his neighbour, and everyone is suspect." he said. "The people are absolutely povertystricken, and the majority are dressed in such rags and tatters that it is difficult to determine the sexes by their garb. Bread was at a premium for years, and it was not until January of last year that the bread restrictions were lilted, and people were permitted to buy as much bread as they liked. They went crazy with relief, and it was a common sight to see men walking down the street carrying armfuls of loaves. "Even the most well-to-do officials cannot afford meat more than two or three times a month," Captain Bergendalil continued. "We occasionally invited . Russian friends on board to a meal, but they were frightened to accept for fear of being reported to the authorities. A Greek port official, who was a naturalised Russian, used to board my ship every visit. Last time I called he was missing, and upon inquiry 1 was informed officially that he had gone 'on a long journey.' Later 1 learned he had been sent to Siberia. He had become too friendly with foreign shipping men.