861.48/852: Telegram
The Chargé in Russia (Poole) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received May 17, 7:21 a.m.]
1191. 118 to Paris. Pursuant to instructions from London, based upon suggestions from here in which this Embassy concurred, the British Commissioner has informed the Provisional Government with respect to the provisioning of the northern region that the Allies will hereafter supply flour only, leaving to the Provisional Government the importation of all other foodstuffs, and that payment for flour must be made by the Provisional Government out of its foreign balances instead of the Allies financing the whole operation on the basis of repayment in the roubles after ultimate distribution as heretofore.
The Foreign Office telegraphs that it is taking up with the appropriate American authorities the question of shipments of flour and that it is hoped there will be no further difficulties in view of the receipts of the Allied Supply Committee from food previously delivered. It would be very desirable to send instead of the refined white flour heretofore received rye flour or coarser wheat flour. It might be cheaper and in any case would be more acceptable to the local population.
[Page 632]It is proposed to supply 4,375 [3,375?] tons flour monthly. Stocks of sugar and tea now in the hands of the supply committee are sufficient for probably a year to come.
The Foreign Office telegraphs that it is arranging to ship to Murmansk enough sugar, tea, and meat to meet civilian requirements to the middle of July; rice and lard are not available. It does not propose after these shipments to make any further arrangements whatever either as regards Murmansk or Archangel except flour.