From: Krasna, Bessarabia
6 November 1930

Esteemed Staats Anzeiger!

The harvest is finished over here. Although it was good, it did not suffice for the basic necessities. Until now one could sell horses, milk cows and wagons for a good price. For all these objects there was still a certain demand. But now even this source of income has ceased.

Now and then opportunistic traders still will buy some things but only that which they can get for a ridiculously low price. Many people very much need this or that item, but cannot buy it because of a lack of money. Noteworthy in this matter is that such complaining exists not only here but throughout the world.

Nowadays, if one familiarizes and engrosses oneself with the global political questions, then one can fully agree with the following proverb, “Whomever God wants to punish, he first will take away the mind.”

It seems to be forgotten that strife is destructive and peace is nourishing. It also seems as if there still is not enough misery and dire needs. Always and everywhere comments are made about “Understanding”, “Convergence”, and even “Everlasting Peace.” But never has one been more distant from it all than now. Preferably many a country would just as soon completely devour the other. One isolates oneself one way or another, swerves in and out and back in again. One prepares and arms oneself beyond all power up to one’s own collapse. And all this happens because of a pure love for peace and compassion?!

No attempts are made to achieve a living standard entailing all of life’s basic needs in order to enhance the living conditions of one’s people, and therefore life for the people is made impossible. Hatred is stirred up everywhere. Should laurels be harvested, then thorns must not be planted.

To save Europe from total collapse, which is everyone’s wish, then at least we should not push this Europe toward the abyss. But the latter now is happening to the fullest extent. Strange, everybody is aware of this, yet all act as if this is unknown to them. One trembles at the thought of what will happen if things continue this way, and yet one cannot decide if one should make a stop on this dangerous path. However, a little late has never been totally late.

I believe it would be presumptuous to hope for a good harvest from our evil seeds.

For us here, there is no “But” for us, there is only an “Either” or an “Or”, and if we do not recognize the “Either”, then the “Or” will hit us very soon. We still have not had any rain. Consequently, no winter wheat can be seeded as yet. The daily wind that blows from all directions seems to speak a particular language. Maybe my outlook is also a little too bleak?

Greetings,
Isidor Leinz