RUSSIA THEN AND NOW 



through telegraphic and written communication 

 with the United States Legation at Russia's 

 Capital, and by conference with our State Depart- 

 ment and the Russian Ambassador, was convened 

 to consider the question of sending relief to the 

 sufferers. 



At the time of harvesting the grain crops of 

 1891 the farmers were induced to sell at the 

 bidding of high prices by buyers for the Central 

 Powers. Dr. J. M. Crawford, our Consul- General, 

 writing January, 1892, to the United States 

 Department of State, said: 



The great advance in price of grain at the beginning 

 of the last crop season tempted farmers throughout 

 the Empire to sell, trusting to Providence and the 

 generosity of the Central Governments to look after 

 the poor. Hence it was that under the stimulus of high 

 prices, the export of cereals from Russia up to date 

 of the Imperial Ukase putting an embargo on wheat 

 has been officially found to be equal to those of last 

 year, thus seriously complicating the whole matter. 



The elevators of the Baltic and Odessa ports, as 

 well as the storehouses on the different lines of rail- 

 road, are overflowing with grain that has been con- 

 tracted for and in part paid for by English and 

 German buyers. This mass of grain, practically the 

 property of foreign speculators, is waiting for the 



