O.D. Skelton Letter Regarding Soviet and Doukhobor Activities

E.T.

Ottawa, 9th April, 1925

Ref No. 175/5208

Dear Colonel Starnes,

I am particularly interested in your letter of April 8th, containing a portion of a report from Regina on the subject of the activities of the Doukhobors in Canada, and the despatch of two delegates to the Peasants’ International.

I understand that while the Soviet Government is anxious to get men experienced in Canadian or United States methods of farming, and while some Western real estate interests are keen for the chance of a turnover, the delegates who have visited Russia have not had very encouraging reports to make. The authorities there were not prepared to grant them an adequate or sufficiently fertile stretch of territory to tempt many to return from Canada. Of course a better offer may be made them later.

Colonel Cortlandt Starnes,
The Commissioner,
Royal Canadian Mounted Police,
Ottawa.