File No. 861.00/1882

The Consul at Moscow ( Poole) to the Secretary of State

[Telegram]

551. During last few days Commissariat Foreign Affairs has sent several telegrams to Soviet representative Berlin respecting continued German aggressions and abuses: attack and seizure of Russian vessel in Black Sea, wholesale arrests in Ukraine, systematic arrests according to previously prepared lists in Lithuania with charge that amnesty as provided by Brest treaty not granted.

Russian-German commission now at work in Moscow on resumption economic relations experiencing almost insurmountable difficulties, especially in connection with claims for damages by individual Germans. In view of increasing difficulties of situation Commissariat Foreign Affairs has handed Mirbach note dated May 22, suggesting Moscow as meeting place of special commission to settle uncertainties arising under Brest treaty, especially the following matters: (1) position of Caucasus; (2) position of Crimea; (3) establishment of boundary line provided for in Article 3 of Brest treaty and discussion of temporary German occupancy; (4) political [Page 540] position of Esthonia and Livonia; (5) clarification of obscure regulations regarding prisoners of war; (6) discussion of fundamental principles of mutual economic relations between Russia, Germany.

Poole