861.00/4020: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Commission to Negotiate Peace
1067. Following from Vice Consul Imbrie at Viborg.
“Number 5, 4th. … Facts following were gathered from refugees, border guards, a messenger whom I (interviewed?), Russ papers and captured Bolshevik courier.
On February 1st population of Petrograd as shown by police records had fallen to 991,000. During past thirty days deaths are estimated at 113,000 and probably half this number have left the city so that the population now approximates 800,000.
For purpose food distribution population is three classes: Class 1 consisting of Red Guard, receives seven herring per day; class 2, Bolshevik clerical employees five herring per day; remainder population receive nothing. No other supplies are distributed or available.
There is no coal Petrograd or Moscow, no kerosene, no gasoline; wood was nationalized in September and since official decree has [not?] been available private use. Estimated remaining supply which is devoted exclusively to operation munitions factory will be exhausted by middle of present month. Sewerage and water systems still functioning, though cessation expected daily.
It is estimated that within three months unless relief comes Petrograd will be depopulated.
Most schools remain closed, streets are deserted, save for soldiers and beggars who cry for bread and refuse money. Epidemic of smallpox and typhoid with famine, account for the 4,000 daily deaths and it has now become impossible to bury the bodies.
Reported that Swedish, Danish, Swiss, Dutch and English Embassies have been looted, no report on American and French. Complete gutting of Winter Palace occurred in January and all art treasures have been stolen from Hermitage.
Moscow conditions are slightly better. There, a few of the military factories are operating. What little food reaches these cities is brought in by peasants. Sugar now 120 roubles pound, horse meat 21, dog 7. Chinese soldiers have been arrested for selling human flesh.
Of the public utility the trams are operating intermittently, electric light forces for two hours. All houses converted into barracks, asylums or soup kitchens. All restaurants closed, all stores save a [Page 99] few apothecaries, practically without drugs, and those stores which have still cloth, this sold on card. All markets closed, but Jew and thieves markets are still operating. Few smaller theatres are running and cinemas. Churches are forbidden to celebrate mass. Two newspapers appear daily, two others once a week. These contain little but misstatements and new decrees. Banks and [apparent omission].
Railroad reported operating: Petrograd to Moscow, Petrograd to Vologda, Petrograd to Dwinsk, Finland to Levashevo and Okhta railroad running. Other railroads not running.
If Department wishes can send military and naval report. In general it may be said that the Bolsheviks are stronger now than six months ago, though their ammunition, especially for large field guns, is becoming scarce.
Politically, Bolsheviks are weaker because of hate engendered in peasantry and because of inter-party dissension. Breach between Trotsky, who represents terrorist policy, and Lenine, representing so-called party of evolution, is widening and as result, position of the Jew, Zinovieff, chief of Department of North, is strengthened. Though this man has support of Executive Committee his extreme terrorist measures render him much hated by all classes.”
Department is impressed with question of how long the Allied Governments can properly delay some organized attempt to remedy conditions of distress such as those described in this report. Department understands British Red Cross representative now proceeding to Petrograd. It also appears that a Red Cross committee of Scandinavian and other neutral countries now has some representation at Petrograd which, however, is neither powerful nor effective.
My personal opinion is that this question should receive immediate consideration from Red Cross leaders of all countries and should be considered with a view to action by the Conference which I understand is shortly to be held at Geneva under the presidency of Mr. H. B. Davison.
I believe that time presses. We have discouraged the American Red Cross here from undertaking formal measures because it seemed inadvisable for the Red Cross of any one country to assume that close association with Bolshevik authorities which would be inevitable if only one country were involved. The situation would be quite different in the case of a powerful organization of Red Cross societies of leading countries.
In this connection telegram from Legation at Stockholm, 3654, February 22, 11 a.m.,80 states that Swedish Red Cross offers initial help in resuming relief through experienced personnel already in Petrograd and also the following supplies: 100,000 barrels herring, 2,000 tons flour, 10,000 tons wheat, which are in whole or in part subject to demands relief work in Germany, which is being undertaken [Page 100] by Swedish Red Cross, but are also available for relief in Russia.
Swedish Red Cross suggests that initial financing be by United States or Allies, while Swedes will furnish personnel. Swedes state organization can be self-supporting because recipients of relief will be able to pay and believes Finland would offer no difficulty in the way of transportation. Moreover, navigation to Petrograd should be open in April.
I hope you will let me have your views, also what practical steps you believe, if any, can be taken now.
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