From: Emmental, Bessarabia
5 June 1914
I receive the dear newspaper on a regular basis, but I have noticed that my colleague Anton Jochim and I are starting to slack off in corresponding. (*Editor: Mr. Jochim has written diligently and we have several of his articles on hand to be published as time goes by.)
In my previous correspondence, I had mentioned why I had not written more often. However, one should not rest on that, but shake the dust of one’s boots and start anew. As much as I love to read other reports in the paper, those writers are probably just as eager to hear from me.
Above all, I must report that the harvest will not turn out too good in the counties of Bender, Akkerman and Odessa. At the end of May, there were huge downpours of rain, but they had arrived too late. They also did not extend to the Bender and Akkerman counties. One had to sustain the cattle with dry fodder in the stables. Many, many farmers had hoped for a good harvest this year. They wanted to rid themselves of debt and save a little money for the journey to America, the land where there are supposedly no debts. But I believe that in America too there are dark sides to many things. In America too one probably will not count the profit before going to the market, but thereafter. (*Editor: Very true. Whoever believes that the farmer in America is without debt is very wrong. Surely there are many without debts, but the majority have debts, and on the average even more than the farmer over there. That may partially be the reason that debts here are easier paid off than in the old homeland, because the conditions here are totally different.)
When you listen to the tumult and doings of the people, then it will appear to the casual listener that the people in the New World have all overcome their problems and lead a splendid life in America. But you also hear the opposite and occasionally comments from America are being heard, “If you have bread in Europe and 25 acres of land instead of 320 acres in America, then stay where you are and you will live happily!” One only believes such comments less, when right afterwards someone says, “Everything that glitters in America is gold.” Then all warnings are useless and the move in the coming spring to the praised land will be determined.
It is possible that many a reader will have a problem with my writing because I had made it known to the newspaper that I also would like to move to America. But I want to point out that I do not expect to find a mountain of gold over there. My desire would be to live a few blessed years among educated people. I, as an experienced man, do not imagine that I could easily get ahead without a great deal of effort. Based on my experiences, it is very clear to me that every land has its advantages and disadvantages.
Every year, yes even weekly, we hear comments from people who have returned to the old homeland. They will say, “Here we are like swallows. When the wind blows warmly and comfy from one direction, then we immediately lift up our beak and off we go to find the warmth. If today we are being told that in Bulgaria it is good, then we go to Bulgaria. If we hear tomorrow that Rumania is suitable, then we will move to Rumania. So when the day after tomorrow an agent drops by and sings his song about the splendor in America, Canada and other regions, then we believe him and hurry to move there. We waste all our belongings without knowing the conditions in the new homeland. We are listening too much to such songs full of praise and end up in total ruin!”
Every year hundreds of families leave Russia, especially the southern part and cross the ocean to find a better life. Thousands are leaving the old homeland completely unaware of the conditions in the New World. Off they go to Kansas, Texas, Mexico, Canada and even to Argentina in South America and to Manila. Every week ships with emigrants are leaving from Libau to cross the ocean, traveling to an unknown world. They appear to be totally worry-free about how they will fare. They have only one goal in mind to quickly become rich and wealthy there.
Fifty years ago the number of emigrants from Russia was 160 persons in a year. It is then remarkable if you think about, that in the years 1901 to 1910 that number has increased to 195,730 people. Half of these emigrants were talked into emigrating by agents of the steamship companies. The agent had only one interest, to take in a lot of money or percentages thereof. The employed agent had to see to it that shipping companies obtained the required number of people. The travel agent gets paid for his service and therefore fulfills his rightful duties and obligations. He could care less about the people if they will face ruin or not.
From such sources the report also originates that in America each worker earns 4 to 5 rubles daily. Also that in America and Mexico the dessjatin (2.5 acres) of land produces 300 pud (1 pud=36.11 pounds) of wheat. Further, that such land one gets for free. People will believe such reports and do not even think about the possibility that they could end up in great misery. (*Editor: Of course, in America many workers earn 4 to 5 rubles per day. That goes to say if they have work. But that all workers earn that much is nonsense.) Also, the emigrant does not consider that there he will have to perform a completely different type of work. If he moves onto the land, he immediately will have to cultivate virgin land, which he has never seen or worked before. The agents also do not tell him that in the New World, he may have to work harder than in the old homeland or that they may not find any work at all. About that situation a hundred thousand people sing a song.
The English and the Irish people rule in America. In earlier years, all immigrants were welcome, but nowadays the debarkation is coupled with many difficulties. Already in Castle Garden, the immigrants are examined and classified and the undesirables are turned back right away. That is where the immigrant is checked in regard to his health, education, ethics and morals and so on. At the same time he is asked about how much money he has.
The examination on the Immigrants Island is thorough but relatively fast. A doctor will check everyone for eye problems. Another doctor will concentrate more on the physical appearance, overall health and ability to work. It seems that more immigrants are turned back because of mental shortcomings instead of physical problems. The questions asked are astounding. For example, “What will you do in case you miss the train?” If you reply with common sense that you would take the next train, then that answer would be acceptable. One also shows pictures to immigrants asking about their meanings. They are also presented square figures, which they will have to arrange in proper order within 3 minutes and so on.
Of course, all discussions take place with the assistance of an interpreter, which sometimes cause huge misunderstandings. These misunderstandings are sometimes so severe that they will lead to the deportation of innocent people. In accordance with the American law, the immigrant has to have on hand $50 (nearly 100 rubles). Exceptions to this are also made, especially if the immigrant is strong and healthy or if he is a capable craftsman.
But you should not make it known in case that you previously had signed a contract for a specific job, else you will be turned back immediately.
Women and girls are subject to strict examination in regard to honesty and morality. Women as well as men who commit immoral acts during their first 3 years in the country can even then be deported. Should somebody have court actions pending, then it will be judged by a special federal court judge on the island. These court proceedings take place without any cost to the defendant. Such harsh laws exist in the United States of America, but an assured livelihood is never granted to the immigrant.
In Argentina, South America the immigrants receive land for money or installments. The land is usually located in fever-ridden regions or in areas, which are far away from the railroad. That is where the immigrant is left to his fate until maybe he will succumb to yellow fever or some other sickness. The situation is similar in Mexico. There the settlers are treated like slaves and are forced to work daily for 14 to 16 hours in tobacco and sugar cane plantations for a meager wage. He will hardly have any protection by any law. When listening to such hair-raising stories told by people returning to the old homeland, one should think that people would think twice before emigrating instead of listening to worthless and empty talk.
I believe that the man who gave me this information is truly credible.
I would like it very much to hear from the many people that immigrated to the New World about these things. Such reports would be very informative for the readers.
This time I can report only very little from Emmental. The people are all depressed because of an anticipated bad harvest. Only two weeks ago they still had high hopes, which now they have to give up.
On 17 May, an accident occurred in the field of Balmas. (*Editor: A report about this was already published.)
In closing, I send a greeting to my children in Morton County, North Dakota and also to all the readers of the Staats-Anzeiger.
Respectfully,
Romuald Dirk