861.00/4298: Telegram
The Commission to Negotiate Peace to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received April 15, 1919—3:62 a.m. (sic)]
1609. Following for information of Department. “412, [Copenhagen,] 12. Following from Greene.
‘6, [Libau,] April 11. [1.] Reference Baltic blockade which prohibits supply by sea of German force operating against Bolshevists Courland, following submitted after careful consideration situation with Lettish provisional government, British Mission Libau, Admiral Cowan, Commander British Baltic naval forces, and German command in Courland.
2. Sixth German (Army?) Corps consisting First Guard and Iron Division under General von der Goltz strength 73,000 occupying Courland and with 3500 German Baits and 3500 Lettish troops all under supreme (?) (?) (?) German command (?) front (?)* German force [Page 139] is here with tacit Entente consent in accordance with article 12 of Armistice and its departure before arrival of other adequate forces will deliver automatically entire Courland to Bolsheviki.
4. [sic] Since establishment of blockade March 6 the sole means of supply is by rail from base at Konigsberg with impaired rolling stock about 400 kilometers.
5. German force consists three-months volunteers. For many their time is now up requiring return to Germany and consequent transportation of replacements from Germany.
6. German command states prior to blockade 5 ships aggregating 7500 tons sufficient for supply. Further, that at present 5,000 tons operating from Stettin, Dantzig and Königsberg will be adequate for Nels [sic].
7. As long as Germany maintains a field force against Bolshevists, as in this case, conforming to terms of Armistice, the essential element is that she be accorded adequate facility for supply said forces, which facility does not exist by land.
8. In view of above I recommend that subject to complete control and inspection of shipping of cargoes to and from Courland, same to vest in commander of British Baltic naval forces, the restriction against supply of German forces in Courland be removed insofar as will be necessary to allow said forces to supply themselves by sea with food, clothing, munitions [of] war, supplies and replacements as are necessary to maintain their forces now operating against Bolshevists.
9. In regard the above urgent and pressing. Greene.’ Grant-Smith.”
- Part of message, about eight cipher groups, totally undecipherable; repetition has been requested. Telegraph Room. [Footnote in the original.]↩