SLAVE LABOR IN SOVIET RUSSIA By Dr. Hermann Greife High Schoo! Instr ‘Translated by B, Warkentin, Kitchener, Ontario 1937 (26 Original Ilustrations) DEFENDER PUBLISHERS Wichita, Kansas [NOTICE This Material eer protected by copyright law. (Tile 17 US. lenceria |of the Mennonite Church orth America Prive 25 Conte Pine Copies $1.00 Contents ‘Yo Our American Readers, by the Translator Preface, by the Author. z Chapter 1 Extermination of the Valuable National Blements of Russia Through Jewry.. Chapter 2 The Origin of Compulsion Labor. Chapter 8 ‘The Cry for Redemption of the Exiled. Chapter 4 The Division of Compulsion Workers. Chapter 5 ‘The Construction of the White Sea Canal.—41 Abbreviations 8 W. G—"Stalin White Sea Canal", the title of an official publication dealing with the construction of the White Sea Canal, issued at Moscow in 1984 ‘All illustrations—unless otherwise listed—are from the above publication.Te Our Gnetican Readere WHat poten day. They. Tead strange contr By Tead strange contradictory. necounte sen ceonomical and political conditions of Soviet ence OMe ead about such colossal technical in America seein to be over tussia? Is Communism a failure—a Tie folowing exhaustive mater arious publications of the U.S, § Sts presente eee inside view of actual condi ine arg of actual conditions in the Sat Marit Seeeet hand information, in its cftel nakedness, tera ies indisputable tl dapat veal nature of U: 8. $8. and itp ewah eoseen SeeUe the arora Laat pct ot the dangers ot eve strong and firm support in averting ct As a native of Russia wh the Soviet Pte of Russia who succeded in escaping from Fee Soviet, I am naturally anxious to have the actoct Crom Kitchener, January 1987 B. Warkentin Preface (PHB world today is comparatively well informed about the fate of the compulsion workers in the Soviet Union. But little is known about. the concentration camps where conditions are so gruesome as to be almost unbeliev- able, Many people find it difficult to realize that this state of affairs can exist in the twentieth century. This explains why the descriptions about compulsion Inbor in the Soviet Union are sometimes sceptically received. This presentation of investigations is, therefore, based exclusively on actual reports of the government-controlled Soviet press and official governmental reeorts. The photo- graphs are also taken from official Soviet sources thereby. providing a possibility for everyone to verify for himself the interpretations. We wish to point out that all illustrations in this bro- chure are true reproductions of originals as they appeared in the official Soviet publication: “Stalin White Sea Canal” cor in Soviet newspapers. We could not afford to disturb the poor quality of these pictures by retouching them as they reflect true conditions existing in the U. 8. S. R. Tt is not our aim to present a complete and exhaustive account of the actual number of prisoners, the numbers put to death, the distribution of concentration camps, ete., but rather to give a cross-cut of the life of those condemned to this form of living death—trae and without exaggeration as conditions really are, HG,of the Mennonite Church rth America “he Jewish potntaes of Russia. The picture stow frm lt ahs Pirin Che of Cn: evden canoe, Taam Clem chit of the UD, Kognmontiien Glew, righthand ‘man and fathernclay af tat dein Siti). an Rn Gew, Chief of constructions in the Campa) during fn Inpctin of the anal leuk, whe ng bib comousion Ir. he pie eared inthe Soviet paper “Wetchera Oct. 1, 1935. ies pen Chapter One Extermination of the Valuable National Elements of Russia Through Jewry. ‘In November 1917, Jewish Marxism completely absorb ‘ed the ruling power of Russia is next step was to expand this power through the exploitation of the masses, As an ideal state, it visioned & Slavishly devoted and a spiritually and morally degenerated, ‘popalation, ‘Soon, however, the new vulers diseovered that this goal could not be attained unless all those racially valuable ele Seunts which would never be content with a life of slavery, were exterminated. With the aid of a terroristle organization, established specially for this purpose—the Tscheka (Tsehe-Ka, meaning ePiaordinary commission) and later the G. P.'U., they ‘Started out on the bloody task. It was comparatively easy to dispose of the leading and ‘most valuable racial elements : the intelligentsia and nobility. ‘A certain number of the intelligentsia had fallen during ‘the world war, and an even greater number fell during the civil war which led up to the inauguration of Jewish con- See Rae et tidher Hod the eammbry ar were cruelly mas sacred by the Tscheka. Only @ very amall number were allowed to contribute their Inowledge and experience in serviee for the new state, ‘But the most difficult problem was the handling, of the peasants, Lenin, himself, had long ago recognized that ‘the preatest obstacle in establishing a Communistic slave- ‘State would be the strong and healthy peasant, consequently: the government had but one alternative: the complete de- struction of the healthy peasantry. =a Although the new rulers, ever since their rise to power, ‘encountered a stif? opposition from the peasantry, their real drive to achieve their object commenced with the first Five Year Plan (Pjatilettia). It was to be a bloody, and in the history of mankind, unique set. he entire independent peasantry, the so-called “Kkn- Jaks" were dispossessed of their possessions and driven from their farms. During this process of “raskulatehivanje” or disieula- ‘izing, a great number were massacred on the spot. But the masses of these dispossessed farmers became s0 great tat i it was absolutely impossible to destroy them all and the government was forced to adopt other methods of dealing | | ‘with them. ! The Kulaks were then gathered from all. sections, dumped into box cars and transferved to remote places of the Soviet Union. Endlessly, these trains rolled through the steppes and snow-covered fields of Siberia, Uncountable was i the number of men who never were to see their point of des. ination; they died on the way ta the concentration exmps | bbut millions reached thelr destinations nevertheless. Although these camps had already existed previou they began to grow in importanes and new ones were cr ed as fast as the “living material” rolled in For millions of peonle, concentration camps have been nothing but isansit points into evernity. Tiere the denth of millions could not be secounted for as murder and more. over, these ceath-saerifjced vietims of Jewish tyranny could be exploited to the last drop of blood in the interest of & a “Socialistie State” before being freed by the merciful | ip. The Jew Jagods (Hershel Jchuda) Chief of the prea ceat \ Tacheks—G. Pty now called the “Comminasiat of i ‘The purpose of the ereation of these slave eamps is | ‘the Interior”, All concent threefold? I supervia 1. The inconspicious extermination of the “undesira- | bles" 2, Exploitation of the physical power of the condenined. 8, The setting of an example for the entire populationf the Mennonite Church orth America ai | tg to suffocate any possible uprisings against the Jewish des- potism. ‘The first purpose is undoubt although the financial value of the working power of the compulsion workers is by no means underestimated by the Soviet government. | ‘As lumherjacks, for instance, these exiles produce much ly. the most important, cheap lumber that tan easily be used for dumping on the World's markets; and ag construction hands they create canals, highways, dams, etc., all of which gives the rulers Emple’ reason to boast about the “wonderful” achievements of the new Socialistic State. | In spite of the ever inereasing masses of prisoners this | ‘siving material” very often is not sufficient to fulfill the fantastic “plans” of the government, because people die as | a result of the horrible eonditions that prevail in these con- Geniration camps about as rapidly as new material ean be delivered. | “And so, the Soviet government organizes and conducts enavete, casa from time to time “man-hunts” to provide new material ~ power plant, People are often arrested and exiled who even in the eyes rl ee | of the government could not be in any sense rexarded as erage mata ‘undesirables 6. b. Camp. Sornos ‘They are arrested, parted from their loved ones and sent to a camp where a certain death awaits them just for ue ¥. Camp RUN the simple reason thal these Jewish despots need man power 10. Camp Nerth-Caweasia: waich Is eheaper than even the use of animals. "Ik Camp Astrachans Fisheries. Such man-hunts, for inst The distribution of concentration camps in U.S. 5. Bo, Camp Solovky: umber. a. Camp. Swyrsk Camp Wolshow: luminun pl Moskwa-Volpa-Can ve, were carried on during tnt 1 , Lae, the summer of 1885 in many districts of the Union, Thoos- URE eae eee ands of able bodied men disappeared “mysteriously” ‘Siberia: Coal and metal. 16. Camp Novaja Esa Naturally the Soviet press, as a rule, maintains an ab- Las 2 Camp Tet Hager en Cop solute silence about such happenings, Sometimes, however, rim amet 8, Camp us Gol. 2, Cap | Teports leak through, The “Iavcetja” — an official organ, erie Lier mab Zt | Teportod init issu of September 22, 1985, some facts about Sy Amarr, sear rbd harbor the recent man-hunts nd Ketifstons en the tive Aner 22, Cony : ; sed eat age ait 22) Com ‘Acumding to this peper, inthe cfty of Thar naininels Sateebe al Mee lctineecaaabe” Gene jabinsk, 57 ‘persons were “arrested” in the communityA Landscape in Siberia. The gromd is covered with huge rocks and boulders, ‘Through this lonely snd stony country the White Sea Canal was buile entirely by compulsion Tabor, which means that it ‘vas constructed in hniman blood. rainat whom absolutely nothing could be found to justify fe action, ‘This same paper gives a few examples illustrating how citizens of the Soviet Union ean be changed into compulsion “The wife of Abdul Seifulin, a worker in a Kolchos (Kollectivnoje Chosajstwo—eollective farm. B, W.) is work- ing on a neighboring Kolehos. She owns a passport issued by the city of Tskeljabinsk and lives in a room on a worker's settlement, Seifalin has 1 habit of visiting his wife now and then. One night, just as Seifulin happened to he calling ‘on his wife, along eanie an inspector to check up on passport owners, (Iussians must have passports in order to cross from one town to another. By this method the authorities are able to keep a check on everybody. B, W.) Seifulin produced his passport issued by the Soviet of his community and a workbook ftom the Kolchos. Bverything seemed to be in due order but the militia from Tskeljabinsk has its own conclusions. Seifulin is being arrested and the ‘detachment prepares a protocol about the arrest and is ‘sending off" a damaging character and a dangerotis counter-revolutionist to a concentration eamp. Another ease: “In the same city lives the workers Michuilew. He has worked in a factory ever since it wae founded, And he has 8 passport too, His wife, however, to whom he has been matried for fifteen years and who raised his four children, eamnot get a passport, She has her legitimation papers though, but on them is a remark from the Chief of a militia letachment, ‘papers 0, K. but passport eannot be served as woman has lived in Tskeljabinsk less than three years’. That ‘means that a passport is to be prepared by the authorities of her former residence but they also refuse to do so on the ground that she has been absent too long and so, while the quarrel has gone on, the woman has stayed with her ln Dand, But that was all too much for the militia. During the latter part of July, Mrs: Michailew was arrested. What followed was the ustal procedure: exile—dangerous to society..." A third exarnple: “One night in July the chief of the militia detachment, together with a couple of subordinates, paid an unexpected visit to the laboress, Maria Chlistunova. A baby was heard to ery! The room was searched thoroughly and finally the woman was told that she was arrested and would have to be ‘sent off", She was told she would leam more about it in the station of the detachment. Torether with her baby, the woman was hurried away and incarcerated. The next day it was explained to her that she was to be exiled as an enemy of the Soeialistic State. ‘The reason was thal her husband who, by the way, had left her a few months previous, had failed to report for work in the factory one2 of the Menno: orth America _ mnite Church air The Jew, Matwej Davidsohn The Jew, Jacob Davidsohn ‘Berman, high GP, U, offical Rappoport, "assistant chief of GPP Us head offi. A his PU otic morning, As a result, his passport was eaneelled, he, himself, Tuld off and his wife sent to Siberia”. These neart-breuking eaumples show Uial uot oly “generals” and “capitalists” are prosecuted and. exiled but every. Worker, farmer, in fact, the entire population is “free ‘game” for these Jewish rulers. In connection with these facts, I shall refer to a letter written by an engineer who returned from the Soviet Union and who gives an indisputable opinion of the problem: “If one goes to the jail of Leningrad during the visiting (@) Iavertija September 22, 1985. (2) Published In "U.S, S.', Service” Number 72 of Ostober 10, 1935, —n— hour, one will note a long queue of people standing there only to got information if their relatives in the jail are still among the living. In the majority of eases, these people are young women—the wives of workers, ov old half-starved ‘mothers who often wait six and eight hours patiently worrying over the fate of their relatives. “The information is always brief and harshly given by officials. The sentence in most cases calls for compulsion work or exile. If you are tempted to ask these worried and shabbily elad people why their son, brother or husband was arrested, you Will learn that their offence in most eases was f side step in the Party discipline: the quitting of member- ship in some local communistic organization—communica- fon with relatives abroad, the fostering of veligious all “The investigations and preliminary hearings are long and trying and the prisoner, if successful in offering a per fect alibi, is & complete wreck after his release, Most of the prisoners, however, are sentenced to compulsion labor in the eternal Siberian north or to the hot and murderous deserts “In the North they are chiefly used in stone quarries and for the construction of railronds, highways and fort cations—this is particularly true on the peninsula Kol Furthermore, they are employed in industry where they pet form valuable and eheap work, “Alongside with the diskulakized farmers these ‘minor offenders’ are a very valuable ‘material’ and deliver their Service withont any remuneration in upkuilcimg of the com munistic state. (This ean only be interpreted as slave-labor". “The consumption of this living material is very great and therefore has to be continually replenished. No worker will ever go voluntanily to these desolate northern regions and itis up to the Jewish-Bolshevik judges to take care of a continuous flow of supply to the compulsion camps of Kola and North-Carelia. ..." The reliable agents which serve the Soviet government in a slow extermination of the lives of the condemned are: frost, under nourishment, disease, hard work, persecution, ete,id We are in possession of very reliable and true informa- tion about the life of the éxiled, ‘The best reports are those supplied by persons who themselves, were once condemned but were succossful in their desperate effort to escape. Here follows the story of a Russo-German farmer, Rempel, who, as an eyewitness tells his own experiences . . one of them particularly aroused my pity. His face was frozen and black—-the cheeks and nose Were cover~ ‘ed with pus and I had considerable difficulty in suppressing an abominable feeling. In spite of his wounds he was work ing in the cold wind. T asked him why he would not have himself treated in the hospital. He looked up in horror and replied in a timid and frightened voice: “Konzlagerny;’, (eenteneed te compulsion eamp). “The rough climate and extremely hard work left a piti- ful imprint on the prisoners, Tired and bent they moved about. A certain amount of work (wrok, task) was given every day ut it wns necessary to work a east bwalve hours to get this wrok done. I was fold that in the fail, 3,000 prisoners were stuffed into one of the barracks and of this umber only) seventy-five survived, the rest of them Another Russo-German who also had escaped from a concentration eamp gives his experiences as follows") “J have never in my life met anybody who treated a dog tn sue a manner as people or every nationality are be- ing treated at Solovky. ‘To be beaten wantonly is nothing unusual, everybody is tised to that, “We work from early ‘tll night and have to dig stumps from the frozen ground—and all that for a very small piece of bread of bad quality, Sometimes we get two salt herrings per day but are refused drinking water. In winter we often, collapsed in the extreme eold. (2) 4. Rempel: “My escape trom the Soviet Hell” Pages 129.331, (A. Schwara: “ly Wologdas! White Forests". Altona-Fibe Pages 165-16 Kassel 1905— a were, rehig lift an arm, In the ae of ae aay the In nker ge were eatin naked so bloeowses vith fone ried to the sb, Hed to freee and given a2 Prey ty actual umber gf eimpulion workers inthe Soviet Union. (5) Tt i estimated by “Study of Gorman Homecomers from U.S. 5, RY, Berlin, that (he number of exiles at present is at least ‘ix mallion, ‘Thereof about 200,000 are of German descentof the Mennonite Church oeth America Chapter Txvo ‘The Origin of the Compulsion Workers AS already pointed out, the greatest contingent of the compulsion workers is’ comprised of peasants. A mullilude of decrees and enactments provide the “legal” ground for apprehension of the farmers and their exile. Tn this connection the famous “decree of protection of Socialistie property, August 7, 1922” may be quoted. Section Two of this decree read: 4, All chattels of the Kolehos and other en-operative establishments (the crops in the fields, joint reserves of grain, cattle and all stock in warehouses, ete.) are to be Yeyurded as state property and the protection service for this property is to be intensified. 2. In cases of this property being stolen the maxima of social defense is to be applied: shooting and eonfiseation of the entire private property or in ease of commutation of sentence—deprivation of liberty for not less than ton years and confiseation of property. 8, To persons sentenced for theft of Kolehos or ¢o- operative property, amnesty eannot be granted. This decree carries the responsibility for the shooting of countless innocent farmers and a steady flow of “ma terial” to the concentration camps. Up to the present time, the taueports cull endlessly cit with apprehended farmers, condemned to exile and forced labor, Another decree on the ground of which countless farmers (also workers) were sent into exile is the amend- ment of Sections 86 and 61 of the eriminal code of February 15, 1931. Section 2 of this decree calls for compulsion labor for (©) Codes of Laws, U. 8. 8. R, 1982. 1, No. 62. (2)Cotes of Laws of R. SF, 8. R. 081, 1. No. eae rani atin the ob col 30 they are the ote earthly posesrons of the condemned persons found guilty of refusal to work. The regulation is Pilly adhered to in ease of farmers: the Gorman-spehing clever, otoriac n eorpiey large pereentage of he comp “ant eas JERE Mentions and. ighly dustrions people have {he stuborm adherence to helt ea 4 stand he brant cl hat dom the Soviet government, Reports afe pour Shot daly ath speretension a transfer o ems oe amr at the hands ofthe Jewish solve beetuse sneer deate so successfully with the communist pro a eurprisingly Germany me. BW) The following report will substantiate this: an-speaking peo- “with meaualed persistence the German-speaking peo- Je of serbutdshan are being persecuted, andy {he Iun- re et off to Sibora, The same was reported fromBatum-district wherein over a hundred German families had fled during 1932-33 and by working in orchards and tea plantations were able to lead a sub-existence. Some time ago all males were arrested and confined to concentration camps whence they are transferred daily in trucks to thelt different places of work, The women and ehildven also have tw work several hours a day on the plantations.” It is reported further that from the district of Odessa a hundred German prisoners were brought to this eamp and made to perform eampulsion work. In pursuance of this terroristic netion, a court proceed- ing was enacted against the management of the famous company “Concordia” —a syndicate of all German vineries of Helendorf in the Caucasian region, Seventeen members were sentenced to ten years of compulsion labat and trans. ferred to Siberia, Numerous reports show that the terror against the German element in Russia is being enried out with ruthless vehemence, Through the “Study of German Homecomers from U.S. 8. R." we are informed that again twenty-seven Gi man settlers and their families trom Wolhynin ton the Polish border. B, W.) were exiled to the marshes of Carelia: “These families are in grent distress as they wore denied the right to take along any necessiti Ine members of these particular families were separat= ed. The women and children were housed in filthy barracks whilst the men were made to work in remote places up to one-hundred kilometers (one kilometer ia approximately sixctenths of a mile. B. W.) distanee, The bread ration was curtailed to a minimum. iivery working person regardless ‘of sex receives a daily ration of about one potind of dark bread, For the old, infirm and sick inhabitants the ration is even smaller. (The Jews thus keep the people so helpless and ‘weak that a counter-revolution is impossihle. B. W.) Cold, moisture, filth and starvation lend a helping hand to the Soviet government and the number of vietims grows ey 2 ee a ne te eee I thins desert the ternal north, handed cof thousands of prisoners are working on the con- Struction af the White Sex Catal. Here we sce the feratnal of the canal, Gruenke resulted from the charge of eoanter-revolutionary plot among her eolengwes. ae x ‘hsoag a private bul absolutely reiale souree we are infoned thatthe whole vilage AleSetshed in Chivs, com ove of 16 members Was exted on the OR of Apr 128, ‘he inhabitants of AlcMetohed were transferred to Tadve of the Mennonite Chureh North America kKistan, Fergana to perform compulsion labor lacking valley of the Mindukush, no” SPO" & Water Similar reports appear inthe for c a the foreign press, “Gazette de Lausanne acting 2 a vale sate, says trae amone he Soviet givernment compulsory eles: there arehunireds of thousands of ellzens of Polish and Gerinan origin. Thove people are transferred to Siberia and i extreme north Sometimes whole villages arte by sts ‘Exiles during the construction of the White Sea Canal. This stretch of land was literally covered with dead bodies before the Canal was comnleted. the atne pape, spuvoxinaly 0,000 fmies were gent in @ Report from “Union of Ruaeo-Germans” Teaue 4 oe in away of punishment of rioters and count ists, but rather a systematic politieal measure. ‘Aside from the German-speaking contingent the inhabi- tants of the concentration camps are comprised of many other nationalities: from the fertile steppes of the Ukraine, from the northern forests of Carelia, Krasnowodsk, Stalina, Samarking, Katta-Kungan and Taschkent come the Turks. Yatars, Ulrainians, Fins, Tekinzos, Armenians. Usbecks and representatives of many other nationalities ‘As an example we quote reports of, the exiled Finns. ‘This information was furnished by the “Committee of Th- germanniand” “From 1929 to 1931 ahout 4,820 Finnish families (ap- proximately 18,000 pexsons) were driven from their homes dod transferred to remote places of the Soviet Union “After a eonsiderable slaekness that was noticed during the following two years the Soviet government has eonside ably inereased its drive against the Finnish population jn Ingermannland since the early spring of this vear (193: BW). During the months of April and May 1885, accovd- jing to reliable information 2,500 to 2,600 Finnish families were transfexred mainly to Turkestan. “To eamouflage this unjustifiable act, these farmers had to sign a ‘eclavation that their transfer was being com- mitted on their own decision snd desire, Whoever refused to sign the declaration was sent to a camp in Siberia” ‘A witness who maio his oseape foam Tagermannland to Finland tells the following: “About the middle of April 1935 from the vaibroad sta- tion ‘Elizavetina’ (between Narva and Gatchina) two trains Touded with prisoners were dispatehed. Both trains were Jouded over capacity and emergency locomotives had tobe supplied, The prisoners were in the majority Finnish fas- mers with a few Esthonians among them. It is said that nearly all Fsthonian peasants from western Ingermannland are being transferred to Central Asia. (8) “Deadlines Rocrsonasitang” May 29, 1286ae “At the same time two trains left the freight station of Gatchina. To prevent the relatives and friends from bidding @ farewell ta the condemned, all entranees of the ears were kept tightly locked and under observation," “An escaped Carelian, Jefim Papoff, who was interned in the village Saamajarvi, relates that from Petroskot 1,250 ymen parly with fannilies were removed, At the time of his eseape about 400 Carelians were kept under stirvelllance in the church and two other buildings. The prisoners were to go to Central Asia” 0" ‘To the ranks of exiles belong the representatives of thie old leading class whose numbers, however, are constatly decreasing. “We still have in our camps real counts, estate holders, duchesses, conrtladies, ete.”—honsts Jewich eom- rade Matwey Davidsohn Berman, Chief of eamp adminis: tation of the GP, U. =) ‘The greatest contingent of these “old-timers” of old Russia was exiled in pursuance of the new Tegulation in regard to passports of December 27, 1972 according to which only the holders of passports were permitted to remain in the cities. Naturally these “undesirables” were Tefiiced nass- orts and, therefore, could easily be eliminated from the cities. Practically all of them landed in Siberia. Here we have to mention the clergy in particular. Tt is generally Imown that the clergy of every denomination (ex- cept the Jewish “Confession”) is subject to wild hatred by the Jowish despots. A groat part of the priests were “phyah cally destroyed”, the rest exiled. Today very few are ab Targe. Passports are denied those who profess religion ‘The international Pro-Deo-Commission of Geneva has Bublished some facts regarding the fate of the Evangelical clergy “The Evangelical Church in the Soviet Union is almost (10) HU. S. S. R—Servien" Borin, No. 10 of Oct. 15, 1986 ay -u, io", Merlin No. TL of Oct. 18,1985, also “ast Carelia” issued by “Academia Carlin eae”, Helainht 10%, (12) “Stalin White Son Canal”, Mosenw 1984, Paye 78 (Russian). (18) “Tsvestia” (“Ofticial Oran of U.S. 8.'R." Dee, 19921, 1 exalcated. OF 85 ministors 47 are exiled to the saa tention camps in Siberia and to the White Sea Canal sfeo Corman nunisters were eoenthy sentenced to death, Of he remaining 38 ministers i eaa only be suit that thei fate Srunlmren a ony 18 re petoning thelr dots Ue rs are poe fom performing any masta nen wag are eat oe ical Church ton ivi, Chef of the Concentration WW. Ce a high G. P. Us official ‘The Jew, Camp of the S to coneentration camps. ‘The fed ov eonverted into places of will be destaoxed or sent, Ghureles are either demeti Snusement and immorality Very numerous also are the exiles who for against the Tabor dizcline™ were eimvieted. ‘A decree for instance, a supplement ofthe criminal eode ‘offense (14) Report of the German Pro-Doo.Commission, Berlin, October 1B.ve of the Mennonite Church ne of the R.S. F. S. R,, Section 59, 8 B of February 15, 1981 provides deprivtion of liberty up to ten yours and eventual- ly shooting for any disciplinary offense for raiload work- This decree of the R. &. F.S. R. (Russian Socialistie Federation of Soviet Republics, later U.S. 8. Ry, Union of Socfalistie Soviet Republics, B. W.) was released ‘iu cowigli- ance of the decvee of the ZIK-(Central Exeeutive Commit- ‘The Jew, Larirus Josephsohn Kagan (Kohn oF GPU, official A ety tee, B. W,) and & N. K, (Couneil of People's Commissioners, BW.) of the U.8. SR. January 23, 1981, ‘The transfer of children to the concentration camps is a particularly inhuman act of the Soviet government, Every now and then the Soviet press announces some new ‘measures for the “liquidation of homelessness of children”, "The world then hears that the children are being put (13) Compilation of deeveos of RS. F. §, R, 1901, I No. 9 ae noo Hd ROAOSOAX MOKA Bet OL ‘This picture shows the complete absence of technical ‘equipment, Large boulders are conveyed by ld primitive means as ean be seen in ths picture This is Tabor in a concentration camp. into comfortable “homes” schools, ele, But actually the gov. trumone has tferent age, the est rary to liquidate symp has SGTRE aSle‘of the eoiaren to eoteonta ton camps: ‘According to reports from reliable eye witnesses it has repeater pened hat eight wre ede vik Whiten dod'dpatene, but afer arrival to ponte ot dest iin Chen poor vette were found dead, Disease, eo and Ranger hal proven to guest a remedy "The Soviet press, of cours, is silent about these lan dations. Very seldom {e corroborates the reports and ft is, Tiuetores of greet documentary impnriasce wien the of thereto of oF'ine Communiatc puny “raw” (Truth?)announces the 2,000 homeless children were exiled to Nad- weisk and confined in a G, P, U, eamp, 0% The U.S. S. R. News service also reports about the transfer of children to camps: “A woman who escaped from Carella has reported that about 60 kilometers north of Karhumaki, exists a “camp Tor the homeless" These camps constitute horror for the Carlian popu: lation a3 they aceommodate she “Besprivornyeh”—homeless children of the exiled peasunts. Approsimutely 4,000 ehild- ren from every part of the Soviet Union are here squeczed together. There are no schools or work shops, A great number vanish yearly from starvation, disease and destitution, Very often the children try to eseape from these places of horror but they either vanish in the marshes or are shot by the militia. 0) Famous in this respect is the so-called “‘Bolshewskaja ‘Communa” whieh is a G. P. U. eanmp specially for minors, The following is an example of the “liquidation of homelessness of ehildren” as reported by the Soviet official publication “Isvestija”": “Three filthy homeless girls (Besprisorny) entered the local department of edueation and timidly asked for work, ‘Well, well! You would like to work in a factory hey? You gure look like IL?” A broad laneh fallawed thie remarie fram the director of the department. ‘I will surely accommodate ‘you—will you wait in the lobby? The girls withdrew and ‘then the director called up the militia department: ‘Will you dispatch someone to take charge of some minor eriminals Half an hour later two militia men led away the three girls: Sonja Sewastichina, Tamara Michajlewa and Nadeshda Galina. In the militia station a skilful fitting protocol was prepared. And so the three 1% year old girls are not those who asked for work in the department of education but 088, ‘ertn, No. TH of of Oct 18, 1956 (18) 8. W, G2 Moscow 1884, Pages 40, —a— three counter-revolutionists and dangerous state criminals.’ And what happens to state criminals is known too well; they are either shot or “sent off”. And then there are the criminal clements: thieves, murderers, and prostitutes. This accumulation of human dregs contributes to the misery and torment of the good and ‘decent people who are exiled. (19) “Tovestja” of Sept, 2, 1985:e of the Mennonite Church Noxth_America. Chapter Three ‘The Cry for Redemption of the Exiles 'PHE G. P. U- is anxiously concerned to have the concentra- mn eamnps 80 hermetically secluded from the world that no information can leak ont about the horrible conditions Which exist there, In spite of the precautions of the Jewish leaders, many. prisoners have been successful in sending letters to their relatives in secret ways. It is quite easy to understand that the writers of these letters restrict themselves to only fa few words eoncerning thelr neod of support. ‘The lettors are usually short and never contain many’ details about the internal conditions of the eamps. However, ‘they are valuable documents and one ean easily sense what is hiding behind the short sentences. (It is humanly m= possible for the Jewish authorities to censor all mail sent ut of thelr country. B. W.) Here follow some lettors from exiled peasants. They are true copies from originals that are in our possession (eom- plete in envelopes). (2) “Dear Brother: If possible kindly help us as it is vet difficult to live here. We are five in the family without a father and only one working—it is tho hard for us. We are now five years in this forest and ave very poor, itis all too imiieh Farin widow with ehildven, sa T hag nlease da nat re fuse aid, Twill thank you heartily. Kindly dear brother, we are in great distress and don’t know what to do—we are almost ‘naked for want of clothes and therefore please give us your help, do not refuse dear brother. Thank you...” “Dear Friend: I, a German farmer, would lile a mes- sage. Many here have already received aid for the starving (20) These letters cannot be translated perfectly as they are ‘written by sliple, mostly unedveated people who disregard the rolex ef grammar. B. W.) =a ae 50.1 too, beg for your assistance, I am with my wife and children’ in exile and if possible please send us a charitable gift—at least an answer and your address, We are six to- gether in our sufferings..." ‘Dear Sister: I come with a great request to you and bbeg if possible for your help as 1 am in distress. T live very The Jew, Grigor} Davidsohn Afanosiom, Chief engineer of the concentration camps a high GP. Us otfieal poorly as Tam exiled and you know why, so please do not refuse your help. I heg heartily not to turn down my re- quest.” “Dear Friend: As a Russo-German, T come again to you ‘with request for help, Possibly you could support me in m distress, I am with my children exiled for six years, Thive of them are of school age, my husband and one grown-upson have died here in the forest, Our position is very grave and so please have pity and respect our request” “Dear Sister: We are forced to come to yor for your support. as the conditions are so bad that it is impossible to live. We are in a concentration camp and get very little to eat, We ean not buy anything and have no money, please sivaanse poo mse HA tyne works inthe camps: a high Ge Ps Ue officiate advise if you can help—we are Baptists— three persons...” “Dear Friend: If possible he kind and take care of me as ave are exiled and in sorrow. My mother is cold and sick (she has been sick for nine months) T eannot work and am with- ‘out a father, Only my sister is working and she had an acei- dent in the lessosagotowka (lumber-cutting, B, W.); a tree fell on her and she was almost killed, I have another sick sister, 6 years old. It is very hard to get along without father so please do not refuse us aid, We are sont here only ‘o live in distress. Please send help. ‘Thank you. “Dear Friend: We are in need and forced to call on you for your help and support. When we were brought here, ‘we eowd not bring anything along, not even our last cow. We are in a forest in a camp. We are Baptists, a group of seven—Iam an invalid and cannot work, please say if we an be helped as without help we are doomed. With greot- Ings and a heart felt request...”fe of the Menni North America jonite Church Chapter Four ‘The Division of the Compulsion Workers. 'PHE compulsion workers are divided into two categories: 1, Administrative exiled and 2, Those sentenect to hard labor in concentration camps. In the administrative course, generally whole families (rnostly peasants) are transferred into exile, ‘They are confined to barracks in the northern regions and are compelled to work if they do not want to die of starvation. ‘This work js not compulsory and they are free to move about although they have to register on certain dates at the G. P. U. office, The benefit of this relative free- dom, however, is very limited as the remuneration for theit work is sealed down to a scant minimum and it is necessary for them to work hard in order to make a living. ‘As a pecoliar caste they sharply contrast with the local population of the communities into which they ate exiled fuch worse is the lot of the inhabitants of the concen- tration camps who, contrary to the administrative exiled groups, live under’ constant observation and are. closely guarded. As already stated, the exiles comprise members of dif ferent trades, classes ‘and nationalities. In the eamps they alll shure ‘Ure same fate: nard Work, Indeseribahle distress ‘and death, as redemption from endless sufferings, Into this outwardly homogeneous group, the Bolsheviks have brought, an entirely new classification. In pursuance of their slogan “divide and rule”, they elevate from the masses, of exiled, certain groups to the position of guardians over their fellow-sutferers, For this the guardians are rewarted with more gentle treatment and better maintenance. These classifications are accomplished with sueh skill that the Bolsheviks are able to a Binoy. me dep aca ture shows a guned on duty-—ready for action. ‘The Russian title below the pleture reads somewhat humorously: “The gon I held in this position not to scare, But for convenience.” ‘maintain a rigid wateh service with a comparatively small hhumber of G. P. U. men stationed at each place, From those selected (mostly eriminals) regular troops are formed, de- Signed for guanians of the exiles und are even supplied with arms. These troops—wochrowisy or W.O.CAHLR, (armed88. guards. B. W.) in reference to their judical_ and material Dosition, have a different standing thari thelr fellow exiles, Although they are still regarded as prisoners and not ‘at will to leave the eamps, they, as guardians are naturally free to move around. They are accommodated in separate camps inasmuch when such are available and are mostly clad in military uniforms, Their food rations are larger and con- ‘tain tobacco, the ration of « Red army man, © ‘These reliables (that is, criminal guards!) sometimes are given such posts as stipervisors and administrators. ‘They are, for instance, appointed to such positions as ware. house superintendents, transport foremen, ehefs, ete, They all enjoy a preferred maintenance but for the slightest tres- pass, or mistake, have to pay with their lives. ‘These divisions are also applied among the ontinary workers. The exiles mostly work in brigades of from 25 to 80 mon. Bach brigade is led by a brigadier who naturally has to work himself. During the construetion of the White ‘Sea Canal two or three brigades were heavied by one “chief brigadier” (starshij brigadir). For the training of these brigadiers special schools were established. The chief-brigadiers also enjoy a considerable prefer cence. Comrade Jaoda, himself, demanded in an order that they be given extraordinary treatment. During the con- struction of the S. W. C. these chief-brigadiers received in addition to better clothing, from 80 to 60 xoubles (15 t0 30 tlollars prewar basis) monthly remuneration, An exceptionally groat influence on the fate of the prisoners is possessed by the “Desjatniki” (a derivation from ‘‘djessatj”"—ten, meaning a supervisor over ten prison= ers. B. W.). These “desjatniki” are trusted with the dis: tribution of “uroks” (pronounced “oorock” and meaning & certain amount of work, or task. I, W.) and valuation of the ‘work done, As a special inducement for greater efficieney of the (21) “S.W.G." Mosoow 1924. Chapter 6 (22) 8, W. C. Moscow 1924. Page 205, a workers, the brigadiers and desjainiki receive extra pre- miums, The division of the administration and compulsion ‘workers (except the engineering personnel) is evident in the following scheme: ERE Gy ane lene. Page 20= of the Mennonite Church ‘orth America Chapter Five ‘The Construction of the Stalin White Sea Canal ‘PHB existing conditions in the concentration camps of the ‘Soviet Union will now be illustrated by means of an example, of the construction of the Stalin White Sea Canal. In illustrating this project, I have limited myself entire ly to the digestion of official Soviet records. ‘This material, which is unknown abroad, does not by’ any means give a conelusive account, about the miserable existence of the compulsion workers. In a critical digestion, However, affords a sufficiently thorngh view of their fe in exile, ‘The Construction Project ‘As evident from the accompanying map, the White Sex Canal is a connecting link of the White Sea and the gulf of Finland. A considerable length of the canal is constituted by natural waterways including sueh rivers as the Neve, Ladoga, Swyr, Oneza, Wye, ete. ‘Dhe main task was the construction of the stretch be- ‘tween the White Sea and the Onega Sea which lies between the 62nd and O5th latitudes, The climate in this region is ‘exceptionally severe, the winters are long and cold. The ‘nights are bright and a heavy snow blanket covers the land during the long winters. Geologically speaking it is marine; a multitude of salle? and bigger lakes are seattered through the territory’ fand giant rocks and boulders practically cover the entire Surface. The subjacent layer is eomposed of extremely hard Substance, Numerous rapiis and natural dikes hinder trat- fie on the Jakes. Big settlements are non-existent and immense dis- tances lie between the few burren villages. ‘Through this inhospitable region, the Soviet govern- awe BEMOMOPCHO-BANTHHCHMA BOAHEIK MYTb OF RANTWACKOrO Ao Stnare Mora ‘The water ways between the White Sea and the ‘gut of Finland, Im the region between the G2nd and 5th latitudes, the White Seu Canal was constructed by compulsion labor.Jewish G. P. U. official Berman and Pin, while supervising work, Note the expression on The faces ment decided to ran the canal. On February 18, 1981 a con- Chale plan forthe furore waterway Was Ail On account of these natural conditions the execution ‘of the project met with many diffienties. The entire length Gf the Canal was approximately 297 kilometers; 19 locks, 13 tikes, 12 drainages had to be constructed and large areas of ground had bo be shifted. ‘A decree of the “Sownarkon:” (Council of Peoples Com- missioners, BW.) of August 2, 1933 argued that the con- Struetion of the Ganal had heen done under “extraordinal diffieult geological and hydrological conditions.” ‘would only be natural to suppose that the Soviet gov- ernment would extend every avalle Leena ida thle (24) “S. W, G"—Moscow 1984 Page 401, ae disposal to carry out such a tremendous project. But the Bolshevist rulers had a different plan. "All technical and financial means were preserved and employed for publicity. purposes to build up big ideas regarding Russia in the mind of the outside work Never a foreign tourist would be envious onong’ 10 iis eteral inhospitable mort, and he working, power applied by apprehended peasants could be had for nothing, And oven under the aspects that possibly hnundveds of ‘thousands of human lives would have to be sacrificed —well! that did not matter—on the contrary, it would only con- tribute to achieve the eagerly looked for gonl—the liquida- tion of the “class enemies’ A decree of the STO (Couneil of Transport and De- fense) issued February 18, 1931 riled that in the construc- tion of the Canal only materials and supplies were to he used that were available in large quantities and useless for other Purposes. Aside from this, the construction had to be of a cheap and simple quality. In spite of these restrictions, the setting ef a “record that would amaze the world, was demanded: the Canal had to be completed in 20 months! Evidently the three following factors contributed large- ly to the difficulties that were eneountorad in Its eonstruc: 1, The unfavorable natural condition 2, Insufficiency of material ana supphes, 8. An extraordinarily short term. ite goneurvence of these factors alone woul have been amply sufficient, to reflect, in a most damaging way, on the life of the prisoners but we will learn that the Tshekists not refrain from employing many other methods to convey these unfortunates inio the world beyond, ‘The Administration ‘The execution of this enterprise was turned over to the P. U. and assigned to the position of ehief adiini (25) STO decree, Page 82,+ of the Mennonite Chureh —“— the then assistant chairman (at present chief) of the GP. U. the Jew, Comrasle Jagoda, ‘The G. P. U, administration of the enterprise was com- posed of 37 members, The most important including Jagoda Matwej Davidsohn Berman, chief of camp adminis- tration of the G. P. U Lazarus Josephsohn Kagan, (Cohn) chief of con- structions, Simon Grigoretviteh Firin, chief of S. W. C. Camp. Jacob Davidsolin Rappoport, assistant to Kagan and Berman, Naftalij Aronsohn Frenkel, chief of work (super- intendent) Grigorij Davidsohn Afanasjew, chief engin Samuel Kwazenskij, political instructor Abraham Isaaksohn Rottenberg, chief of penal-sola- tors and leader of the atheistic section. Ginsburg, eamp physician, Brodsky, commander of the guards, Berensohn, Dorfman, Kagner, Augert—directors of the finanee department of the G. P. U. (They were everyone Jews. B. W.) ‘The chief of the Central Camp Administration Com- rade, Mabwej Davidsohn Berman, is one of the best known ‘Tehekists. He was distinguished with the “Order of the ed flag” by the Soviet government as early as 1927. (7 Abraham Isaaksohn Rottenberg, is known to erimi- nal departments the world over as 1 dangerous eriminal, murderer, and thief. ‘Most of the mentioned Tachekista were distinguishod by the government for the “successful transfer of exiles in- to the world beyond”. ‘This personnel impersonates the tragie position of the (20) S10. Pages 12 and 50 (G1) "Pravda" Dee 18, 1921 (8) Decree 7.1K. AU, 4, 1988 G.P. U. official, Abraham Inscription ona wall of the Tesaksohn “Rottenberg. Chief barrack “The adeninstration of leader of the Atheistie action. the G. PU. shall exiles who worked on this project, as their fate rested ex- clusively in the hands of these bestial G, P. U. agents. ‘The Living Conditions From all parts of the immense Soviet Union people were apprehended and transferred to the aren of the future waterway. A connecting link in the transportation of the prisoners was the railway branch Swanka-Medweshjagora, Soroka (see chart). After their arrival, the prisoners had to march over partly impassable roads to their destination. Here they had to dig pits, erect tents or build barracks, where they were forced to live in absolute seclusion from the world, ‘Around the big campfires, tents were lifted and thenes set bla ers sear ater eer se eee eer eee on pete al Dt td net ga oo vend teenth eee ce ee ‘The food rations are so scant that the physically stronger prisoners often rab their weaker eo-surferers. The Gistribation of food is always accompanied by quarrels, Sswontings andl attempts to erah sania af the nresions mor” sels from a fellow-prisoner, (Thus, the Jews reduce their Gentile slaves to the level of animals. B, W. ) ‘The kitchen unit No. 2 is stationed in a summer bar- rack, Through the crevices a hitterly cold wind sweeps over the kitchen and thick smoke fills the air during the pre paration of meals, The bread also is stored in a summer bar- rrack and always hard frozen (28) 8. W. C. Page 9 (20) & W. C. Page 95, (al) & W. . Page 102 (82) S. W. C. Page 122. (88) 8. W. C. Page 132 Although thermos flasks are at hand they are never used and the food reaches the men in a cold state. The eon- stant drying of clothing and felt boots above the heaters ‘in the camps, eauses the air to become poisoned. ‘The mortality in the eamns is enormous on account of diseases, The prisoners are so lousy that regular slaughter houses had to be eauipped where day by day in the bitter cold, sit imprisoned nuns from the various former Russian convents and with the aid of tiny metallic sticks, destroy the lice and nits in the prisoners clothing. ‘These White Sea lice axe the object of many a legend. !" ‘The Work Now the prisoners are divided into brigades of 25 to 30 men, Ten brigades comprise a phalanx, that is 250 to 00 men, Bach phalanx is given a section where every brigade has to perform a peculiar task: digging, blasting, deforesta- ion, ete. ‘Then each worker is given an “wrok" for the day and is required to complete it in the time allowed, In the quarry, for instance, this “rok” is a large block of stone which he hhas to sever, rush, then load on the wheelbarrow and trans fer away quite a distance. For an under nourished poorly clad man who has to walk a long distance to and from work, it is 4 performance that ites vey close to the border of the impossible. And then the eauipment: a pick, a wheelbarrow and planks to form the driveways for the barrow—that’s all, A prisoner re- ports: “Everyone has to crush and convey rock, We. as noviees, had to do half an ‘urok’, But even with the best of effort we could not master it, My heart trembled. A flood of abuse and swearing followed’? 1 But these established “standards” were not always ade hered to—like everything they were subject to change, (64) SW. C. Page 242, (35) S. W. G. Page aos, (26) 5. W.C. Page 96snce of the Mennonite Church North America ae The construction of the White Sea Canal. Picks yheelbarrows and planks-sthese represent the emire Wtchnical” equipment of the compulsion. works. sere Show thal the nndcracraam solely Tae mts MOT the ciple tack. of, machines commento Capples alone would make te lke of Tiber eal sl Beige Often the Central G. P. U. in Moscow would order a “rush” and as a result the standards were raised accordingly, ‘This usually culminated in the “consumption” of thous- ands af extra lives, In these eases, the requirements of the compulsion workers were raised from 150 to 200 per cent above their regular performance, ‘And it was not easy to manage a normal “urok” . . “The frozen ground would not yield, The ‘urok’ was go bi that many thought they conld never handle it, Midnight sun—blue snow, it snows and snows . .. mountains of snow have to be shovelled off the pit. Many men have landed in the isolator—having collapsed of exposure.” © Another prisoner rocalls his first day at work: “T saw mountains of snow, dirt, frozen blasting fragments and a hullabaloo of boards and’ planks. We were handed the tools and started to work, I admit freely it was hopeless. Just to see all this endless snow covered land would make us down hearted and it seemed an impossibility to progress whatever, ‘The wheelbarrows tip over and people tumble hend-over into ‘The typical picture of the work in progress is summar ized in the following: “A dirty snow covered eavity is filled with men and boulders. The people move around stumbling and falling. Two or three of the prisoners stoop down to lift aa big stone—but it will not move—they leave it and try a smaller one, On the wet, loosely assembled planks the wheel- harrow slit and tine over Swearing. aud again bogine ‘the filling of the ear.” But the most inhuman task is the work in the iey water .... “For eighteen hours the prisoners stood emerged to the abdomen in the water and deagged boulders. We have been driven into the cold water even at nights. If was almost impossible to withstand the heavy eurrent.” (81) 8 W. C. Pages 281, 285, (28) §. W. C. Page 97 (29) 8 W. C. Page 7. (40) S. W. C. Pope 113, (41) SW. Pgs 179,te Often the blastings had to be done in the water too - “The water is ice cold . . . the prisoners freeze and shiver The shockworkers, Krariers and Petroft, are in the water down, to their knees, the thermometer iegisters 20 below Another dreadful problom ig te quicksand gushing out of the deep... “The quicksand suddenly broke out in two places with foree that reminded one of fermenting yeast. Hour after hour they stood there scooping the pappy mass without raising their heads . . . and yet not an inch was gained. The priconers were exhiansted ind stood there look- ing dovn into the pit with staring eves much like an insane horde. Sweat fell in heavy drops from their faces into the sand... tears of despair and fury”. \#) In the spring uncounted victims were claimed by the rapid streams... . “The eanal was filling up with water ‘that rose higher and higher as a warm wind blew over the and. The prisoners dropped the tools and ran panic-stricke ‘They slide down the embankments into the dirt . . . th cold water rushes on and on...” 18 Almost through the outire period of the construction, work was carried on at nights... “The whole area was rightly iuminated with ceavchiighits. Here und there a red campfire. ‘The prisoners warm thelr hands now and then and hurriedly rush back to their dreaded work.” ' On ascount of many sloeplos nights, one great dream: vision hngers persistently in the minds of the prisoners: the vision of @ long and refreshing sleep, “When this canal is completed” a prisoner remarks in his tired monotonous oles, “want to sleep—two days and tvo nights without interruption”. 9 ‘The lack of any technical equipment whatsoever and ‘the absolute disregard of human life, resulted in imunier- (42) SW. C. Page 279 (45) 8. W. C. Page 259 (4 8. W. G. Page 807 (46) 8. W. C. Pages 27, 167, 214, 288. (46) 8. W. 6. Page 198, able accidents and as many died during the construction of the Canal as had pevished during the World war, |" ‘The slightest negligence or failure on the part of the prisoners bring severe punishment. A eommon practice is to confine these neglecters to the “penal isolator”—a_ jail where specially harsh treatment is administered, They are Hterally'sel on starvation rations and Toetured in every possible way. ‘The chief of the “isolator” was the Jew, Abraham Isa- aksoln Rottenberg, well known by many poliee depart- ents of the world ant a much wanted eriminel in eountries where he practieed his erimes prior to the time that he bs came a Soviet official, This position on the Canal gave him ample opportunity to practice from experiences. gained! through long criminal record. ‘Those neglectors, however, could not be kept constantl in the isolator as the loss of physical power among the work- ers would have been too great, To avoid this, special groups were formed, the so-called “detsehments tinder intensified regime" (Roity Ussilennowa Reshima, R. U. R.) who, though still on starvation ration were given extremely hai work and kept under rigid surveillance. ‘These groups were comprised largely of those prisoners who through Hespair and sufferings finally vefused to get ‘up from their “planks” and join their brigade—the so-called “otkastshiki” (refusers B, W.). ‘The People ‘The inhabitants of the compulsion camps of the White Sea Canal consisted of members representing practically every trade and nationality of the Soviet Union. There were clergymen, speculators, businessmen, thieves, munierers, laborers and greatest of all peasants and peasants! Naturally, the worst sufferings were those ex- perienced by members of the old leading soeiety and the in- (AD) SW. C. Page 214 (48) 5. W. C. Pages $24 snd $97, (49) 8. W. C. Pages 170 and 302+ of the Mennonite Church With great ditficlty these rocks are shifted with rothing but bare hands. Such inhuman tasks and Iorrible living conditions eawse the peosle to dle in ‘reat masses, Pie telligentsia who were not necustomed to hard piysieal labor and, therefore, succumbed in masses. Class distinetions do not amount to a great deal up in the eternal North. There they are all alike and only con- sidered a substitute for animal power by the alien usurpers “Tho, not even that, beeause animals will yot the best of care ‘and preservation but these people must be exterminated. ‘The people from southern Russia find themselves in a desperate position, Acenstomed to the scorching sun of their southern steppes and desevts, they fall prey to the terrible cold... “These national minorities at first move around Stunned and seated, All that is going on has no meaning: and ‘sense to them—it is all so strange and hard to understand: ‘these people who give onders—the Canal that they have to build—the food that is given them—Oh everything! They encounter great difficulty in walking in high felt socks and awlewatd shoes and hesitatingly step forward”, Patiently these Asiaties earry thelr lot They glorify their Almighty God until death comes to end distress and sufferings. “Nassvrew is a Tadshik, 42. years of age. He sits with elosed eyes and rhythmically’ moves his body to and 4fro..A narrow bread runs down from his freshly scarved lips, his forehead is small and narrow . . .. Now he stands erect and yeverently bows—oneo—twice—tiwice . . his ostenta, tious eall to God among dust, cigarette buts. and swearing.” Unbelievably havd is also the lot of the peasants, the “aigalake Broken away from coll, home and kin he has to da senseless and inhuman work. ‘Another transport of German settlers arrives... . the Kalaks ‘were led to work but they stubbornly refused to comply. The axes and saws were dropped and there they Stood in the snow as trees were falling, saws squeaking and people hurrying around, Motionless the Kulaks stood until the darkness crept slowly over the snow and yellow eamp- fires arose. .. and then their prayers and psalms echoed (60) S. W. 6. Page 257. Gi) SW. C. Page 8,through the darkness that mereiflly enveloped everything around them..." ‘Tragic is the experiance of a certain peasant. “.... he passed an unploughed field and sad recollections began to fill his mind, A herd of cattle appeared and among them a huge grey steer. It strode up to him and mocing, tenderly licked hhis hands {.. the peasent in his mourning tau pressed his face aguinst the steer’s forehead and began to cry..." 1) ‘The fact that the peasants are housed together with criminal elements aggravates the conditions to an vinbear- able extent. “In some barracks murder and manslaughter hag been committed. Criminals gamble and play hazartlously and often lose their food rations for a whole month in ad vanee and in orler to pay thelr debts rob their weaker fel. Jows, Failing to pay has cost many a man his life.” Women in the Labor Camps However har and hopeless the lot of these prisoners may be, the fate of the women-prisoners is an incomparable misery. Weak and frail as they are, they have to perform a similar amount of work as that of their male eo-prisoncrs. How these women suffer through humiliation of their feminine dignity eannot be described in words, he first days after their arrival these women master their ‘urok’ only with the greatest of efforts. One of them passos a whaolbamrow and with a ghaslly expression OF anger and hatred spits in its dizeetion, The guard. seems rather puzzled and can only shout: “but my dear . .. my dear!" 158 A woman prisoner reports: “I_am so weak and thin that one could count the ribs even with my sheepskin on, None of the women in our brigade were strong, T started to push ‘the wheelbmrow, but the embankments were steep and tie (62) S. W. C, Page 16, (58) 8. W. G. Page 190 (54) 8. W. G. Page 171. (55) 8 W. C. Page 41, ‘The women prisoners have to do similar work thelr male eo The hardship and humilia- tion of their feminine dignity cannot he described, muscles were failing me under the heavy strain. J felt like throwing myself onto the ground and exy—ery. . " February 18, 1988 a decree was released by the G. P. U. which gives adequate information about the position of the Svomsen i the campo Onder No, 54 (in abbreviated form) of the chief ad- ministration of the G, P. U. in charge of the White Sea Canal training camp. G. P. U. station Medweshja-gora (bear mountain, B. W,) Febranry 18, 1983: 1. In some camps the female quarters are badly supe vvised—they are inadequately furnished and very unsanitary conditions exist 2. Most of the female working units have no kitchen the food rations are given out in a dry and unprepared state, effecting under nourishment, (50) 8 W. C. Page 272,\ee of the Mennonite Church ‘NosthnssAmetica spa 8, The medicinal and hygienieal services are inadequate. ‘The women do not always get the service of a physician ‘when treatment is necessary 4, Members of the camp administration and also male prisoners do not show due consideration toward the women. ‘They are harshly and cynically treated and often their feminine dignity is violated, 5. As a consequence of the inadequate cultural instruc tions ‘and insufficient consideration of the necessities of life—we find: thievery, aleoholism, card-playing and prosti- tation. What those very carefully formulated official Soviet statements are concealing, even a miost vivid imagination ‘would not be ale to desertbe, “Storm” at the “Wodoras'del” © As previously stated the Soviet government purposely abstained from supplying the necessary technical eqt ment for the construction of the White Sea Canal Novertholess, it fixed 4 minimum of time to complete the job that, on account of the natural conditions and inade- quate equipment, could only be regarded as fantastie and impossible. ‘This short time allotted, as well as the ceaseless speed. ing up of the workers, has been deseribed by 0 writers about Soviet: Rustin as senseless and a mere dalli- ance of the government But in reality it was not a senseless play. ‘The leaders of the Soviet Union were fully aware of the significance of their plans and the terrors of this Canal served perfectly the de- sired purpose, the extermination of all nationally and ra ally valuable elements of old Rusoia, ‘The G. P. U. hai determined that the Canal was to be completed by May 1, 198% But in the early days of 1988 it was already an established fact (ST) 5. W. C. Page 255, (G3) (Wodoras'del—a point whore the river branches out. B. W.) ‘The Jew Mave} Davidsohn Hern form of the G.-C. during un i ompulsion camps White. Sex Canal the right) ection of the (Berman at that the ised term ood not be adhered to, The ba hands oft ponerse nougdses asd aioe frente but wedi, hf popes ee tha ei ag esa EOE, MRE te sieadast Ins decline ter goal ot be dense And teun’ montane af “ae” pleaser eng ea Gia Ta the spring of 1889 Comrale Jago released the following order es "aesweshja-gora “The development ofthe construction work of the canal in site f the meatires taken For beet of Bhd eonstraction, ern that farther aes he ee fimantoe the ealati of thea of Haus, S488 hang of this ar wi no be este HA and act ferro by SayTi eles vk among. aan of pln we tremenouy quantity of ound and Tock, hes {o'be'cmveped by simple whesiarrown Often they front for 18 Hours withodtoterapron ani they oie 5. “Tonder: “4, The entire Tschoka as well as the administrative and engineering comps are declared under martial law. The camp detachments are to be replaced bya, martial seal tude the diveetion of partienarly strong fisted "Tahek sts. ‘AS atuilany attachments for thesr ptatts, engineers wl De designated ‘who ‘will regulate the work sh ae to attain. the necessary speed “2, Wherever possible threo shifts have to be establish a. The instalation of additional lighting and supplsing Ub materials has tobe earvied out correspon tingly “8, Persons delivering Zalse reports about the progrese of work or otherwise engaging in any for of salotage will be prosecuted regardless of tank an positions A particnlarly diffieult position, had developed at the Jakes “Watlosero™ and “Afatkosen0”. ‘Boiwosn these two Jakes in due epurse, a connection had to be made if the con. struction work was to be a all completed by May 1, 1688 ‘This link was the so-called "Wodoras del” The central G. P. U. administration therefore, issued the following order “To all chiefs of the various detachments, the technical personnel and the esnal troops! “Hlereby a constriction storm is declare “At the Wodoras'lel (he bale has to anime warms haracter, ‘The stor commences January Tih aid eo Aiucted by the start" «© Thirty thousand compulsion workers from the various camps were transferred to the Wodorasdel, Tere they had te be accommodated in excavations ax barracks and tents would not be supplied (in eold Janamy'), « A slogan was selected and adopted: “We must turn the cold January into a glorious hot (59) 8 W. 6. Page 206, (60) 5. W. 6. Page 268, (61) 5. W.G, Page 272© of the Mennonite Church [ort*sedaitnasne 60 June!” Against all “backstanders” a mereless fight. was de- elated, ‘The storm bogins January 7th... “now the people, rocks and boulders low no rest.” “The prisoners stand in the fey waters—they are half frozen. They work af nights, which doesn't mean that they sleep tn the daytime” The prisoners work feverishly. ‘They produce 150 to 160, per cent above the fixed standards... "They root the ground for 48 hours without recess or sleep. Drowsy and sleepy they. stagger into the barracks their heads whiting . They still fel the handles of the wheelbarrow in thelr hands”, "© “Someone collapses and sleeps for five minutes. ‘Then cold water ip administered—he ribs the swollen eyelids and vores on” With devilish madness the Tshekists drive the prison ers on and on—more and more people collapse, exhausted and indifferent. They fear neither the whip not the bullet. And then their tormentors resort to new methods—the ner- vyes of these exhausted and apathetic vietims have to be brushed up. ‘The second day of the storm is over. It is midnight. The prisoners rave and shiver from hard work and cold, Then at the ‘work section appears the *agit-brigade™ (agitation brigade, B. W.). Tn the glaring eel! the eerontahts these agit-bri. lets sing their provoking songs, ‘Through megaphones Sree and ripping sehtonces Sage to tae ae orchestra plays inciting marches ‘And the prisoners rush on and on « Quicker! Quicker! demands the orchestra! Quicker! sings the agit-brigade .. (G2) 8. W. C, Page 279, (68) 8. W. C. Pave 275, (G4) 8. W.C. Page 280, (65) S. W. C. Page 28 (68) 8. W. C. Pago 202 Canal Yolga-Moskwa. Hehind the walls of this fortress the Jewish administration of the G. P. U. ix accommodated. For 16 hours continuously they sing with hoarse voices. Nobody listens and nobody eares to understand the songs. © But the work goes on . ‘The Wodoras‘del hasn't eaten nor slept for 48 hours. Horses collapse, ‘but the prisoners are going on... The Jewish hanguien of the G. P.U, demand more vi. tims. Reserves have to he brought in. And the impatictt, in- furiated voice of Moseaw rings ont: “In accord with oriler No. 1 to the chief administration of the White Sea Canal, the entire construction of the canal is declared under martial law, ‘Storm’ is to be observed wntil completion of the eanal!” (87) 8. W. C. Page 284, (63) 8. W. C. Page 28,a The weather now is miserable—rain, snow, frost and sleet, ‘The feet stick to the drenched ground, the boots are weighing heavy and the clothing dripping wet, freezing stiff with ice crusts, All women from the laundries, kitchens and Offiees ave put to work—everrhody is foreed out. Already 200 to 210 per cant over the daily standards is attained. And still the storm goes on. MOUNTATNS OF DEAD MEN AND WOMEN COVER THE ENTIRE SECTION. ‘The construction of the White Sea Canal and particular ly the storm at the Wodoras’del in the spring of 1985 will in all eternity present one of the most graesome episodes in human history, A bloody testimonial of Jewish annihilation ‘will and eruelty. (1 ‘The construction of the White Soa Canal is only a single eisode of the compulsion camps. ‘This Canal is now com- pleted. But up to the present time there exists many camps, In remote places of the Soviet Union, which are nothing but places of torment and undescribable misery, filling 1 period of transition into a peaceful and redeeming world beyond for millions of human beings. New canals are being planned and eonstructed—new areas are being deforested and even at the enmpleted White Sea Canal, thousands of exilos are still working. ‘Tha host lmown ontorprira of thic kind probably fo the ‘YolzasMoskwa-Canal, Work on this project was commenced in 1982, ts completion is expected in 1987 (end of the Second Hive Year Plan.) After the completion of the White Sen Canal the ad- ministration of this Volga project was transferred into the (68) SW. C. Paso 284, (70) SW. G. Page 280, (72) T shal point out again that in deserting the construction of the 8, W. C. exclusively Sovlet material was nsed an the deoerip- tion, therefore, is but a faint reflection of Uwe actual condition ‘the camps andthe life of the compulsion workers, (12) “Invest” Ook, 12, 1995, Entrance to the carp Valga-Mosk ‘amp is closely guarded by G. P. U, men hhands of the same “strong-fisted” Tshekists of the Jewish ace who had proven thelr ability at the Whive Sea Gosels Kagan, Firin, Afanasjew and others. "3! ‘This entorprise is under special protectorate of Lazarus Mosessohn Kaganowiteh, righthand Jewish fatherinien of dictator Joseph Stalin, With the construction of this eanal another opportunity is offering itself to transfer “umesirahles” info the next World, as. enormous quantities of ground will have trite yor, sr a ground wil have to It is often argued that the Soviet Union isin a proce of evolution and. that the compulsion campa will vaeex be and by, This belief ts unjustified and wrong. (78) “Pravda” August 2, 1985, (74) “Isvestia™ Sept, 9, 1025,> of the Mennonite Church q orth Amerie Contrary to this, everyvtiore in the far-flung Soviet DEFENDER MAGAZINE Union new camps are springing up. The “Union for the con- Gerald B. Winrod, Editor-in-chief struction of highways”, for instance, Was dissolved October JF. 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