From: Abramo, Argentina
1 April 1929
Dear Staats-Anzeiger!
I have the opportunity and the time today to write a few lines to the appreciated newspaper. This way the friends across the big water do not have to wonder if we here in the south are still alive or not.
I will begin with the weather, because for us farmers it is the main concern. Since last December not a drop of rain has fallen here. So you can easily picture our situation. There is a lot of wailing and complaining going on, but it does not help. We should have begun with plowing and seeding a long time ago, but with this continuous drought, we cannot do a thing.
The saddest of it all is that we do not know what to do with our horses and cattle, because we do not have fodder left and also no money to buy any. A lot of cattle have already died, because of lack of feed. Our horses and cattle are nothing but skin and bones. The little bit of straw that we still had is long gone. We have suffered already with two failed crops and the third is forthcoming. This explains why all supplies have been exhausted.
But it is as bad everywhere as it is here with us. In some places, the harvest was good last year. In those areas there is also no need. One can also buy fodder there for extraordinary prices. If it would just rain really well again, then things would improve in many respects. However, I do not want to bore the readers any longer with this subject and change to something else.
This year on 15 February, 350 farmers met in Villa Alba to consult about obtaining the best and quickest assistance from the government. We need seed and also some money in order to tend to our fields.
At this convention, two people were elected and assigned the task to travel to Buenos Aires and to present the farmers’ plea to the higher government. The government is supposed to loan 45 pesos per hectare (2.5 acres) to the farmers that had the failed crops. The loan covers a period of three years at a low interest rate. We cannot assume a loan for less than three years because we are already too deep in debt to be able to pay back a loan in the same year. The future will teach us the results of this matter.
The health conditions among the people leaves a lot to be desired. There are different diseases, especially typhoid which has caused several casualties. Because of the diseases, the schools were closed until 15 April.
I would like to ask Mr. Ludwig Schaefer in Lichtental, Bessarabia to extend my greetings to my Uncle Johannes Wildermuth and his family. I have written him several letters but have not received an answer. My sincere thanks in advance, Mr. Schaefer.
I further ask Mr. Hobbacher in Sarata, Bessarabia to urge my friends there to write to me.
I also send friendly greetings to our uncles and families in North Dakota. We are still healthy and wish you good health too.
In closing, I greet the editor Mr. Brandt and all readers.
Respectfully,
Karl Blatter