Rabindranath and Famine in Russia-1921 (contd-1)

Before the famine, all sides in the Russian Civil Wars of 1918–21 — the Bolsheviks, the Whites, the Anarchists, the seceding nationalities — had provisioned themselves by the ancient method of "living off the land": they seized food from those who grew it, gave it to their armies and supporters, and denied it to their enemies. The Bolshevik government had requisitioned supplies from the peasantry for little or nothing in exchange. This led peasants to drastically reduce their crop production. According to the official Bolshevik position, which is still maintained by some modern Marxists, the rich peasants (kulaks) withheld their surplus grain in order to preserve their lives; statistics indicate that most of the grain and the other food supplies passed through the black market. The Bolsheviks believed peasants were actively trying to undermine the war effort. The Black Book of Communism claims that Lenin ordered the seizure of the food peasants had grown for their own subsistence and their seed grain in retaliation for this "sabotage," leading to widespread peasant revolts. In 1920, Lenin had ordered increased emphasis on food requisitioning from the peasantry.
In Pravasi of Ashar-issue in the Miscellaneous column it was written ; " Informing his inability Rabindranath politely quoted a portion of  the letter written by Vinogradoff in different news papers asking liberal contribution to be sent at his address at Santiniketan. he will acknowledge the receipt of the contribution for helping the famine-stricken  intellectuals of Russia  and sent them  to the proper place."
Two such receipts were available, sent to 1. Dwijendranath Moitra and Amal Hom. On 8th June Rabindranath wrote to Amal Hom, " I was pleased to receive your contribution for the famine-strcken intellectuals of Russia, I shall go to Calcutta very soon to form a fund-raising committee. By this time you talk to Pramatha Banerjee regarding this.If he agrees he may be  given the responsibility of holding the post of the Secretary of the Committee."
He wrote to Dr. Moitra on 14th June, " I am very glad not only because you have contributed to the fund of helping the famine-stricken intellectuals of Russia but also you are aware of the responsibility given to me in this respect. I request you to see that we can fulfill the responsibily given to us. We may feel proud that this approach of helping the distressed persons  of Europe has come to us. This is also a gift from the God. Let us try to make it a grand success." He also added to Dr, Moitra, " Contribution to the fund of  the famine-stricken intellectuals of Russia so far was Rs.2500/-"
Elmhirst wrote in his diary on 20th June;
" Tagore has published a letter in the press begging for help towards a relief fund to be raised for the starving people in Russia. Maclagan,  Governor of the Punjab sent Rs.250/-, Sir Frank Sly, Governor of Central Provinces, sent money....Sir Harcourt Butler, Governor of the U.P.sent a fowery letter, ' anything to which your name is attached  etc. ' Lloyd , Governor of Bombay, wrote through his private secretary to enquire what other governors are giving, 'before the matter is raised before the Governor'. This gave some cause of amusement. Marris Governor of Assam, Willingdon the viceroy, and Lytton, Governor of Bengal, never troubled to answer "
Ananda Bazar wrote on 14th July, " Lord Lytton contributed rs. 150/-"    
Pramatha Banerjee was the son-in-law of Ashutosh Mukherjee.