861.48/1005a
President Wilson to the United States Wheat Director and President of the United States Grain Corporation (Barnes)
My Dear Mr. Barnes: It has been brought to my attention that the Russian Ambassador at Washington, Mr. Boris Bakhmeteff, has made application to the Grain Corporation to purchase, on a partial credit basis, 29,000 tons of wheat flour with a view to shipping 20,000 tons for the relief of the civilian population of Petrograd and such adjoining regions as may be freed from Bolshevik [Page 727] control, and the remainder to Archangel for the relief, under similar conditions, of the civilian population of northern Russia. I understand that Mr. Bakhmeteff desires to enter into a contract with you on behalf of the Russian Embassy.
I consider it of the utmost importance and urgency that food be made available for the civilian population of the regions in question. It is the announced policy of this Government to relieve in every possible way the material distress of the Russian people. It is considered, moreover, that economic relief of this character is the most effective means of limiting the spread of Bolshevism and of protecting, thereby, the Government of the United States from the dangers of subversive propaganda.
Pursuant to the authority conferred upon me by Act of Congress approved March 4, 1919, I hereby direct and authorize you to sell to the Russian Embassy, on credit or otherwise, the wheat flour mentioned above on such terms as you may, in your discretion, determine.
I am [etc.]