861.48/982: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Commission to Negotiate Peace
3564. Your 4789, October 23, 11 p.m. Your plans for the relief of Petrograd understood and approved.
American Relief Administration has sent its representative from Reval to Viborg to cooperate with Imbrie in helping the Russians move the Viborg supplies into Petrograd if the city falls. The Secretary of the Navy has telegraphed Admiral Knapp at Paris to despatch thither, if practicable and Imbrie so requests, an American naval vessel. Imbrie has been authorized to draw on the Russian Embassy at Washington up to $10,000, if necessary, for moving the supplies into Petrograd. The Department is insisting that Russians should accomplish movement but considers it important that they have American rather than British cooperation, as in latter case food will be presumed British by the population of Petrograd.
The United States Grain Corporation will sell the Russian Embassy at Washington, on credit, 29,000 tons of wheat [flour?] provided President gives written authority. President’s condition has not yet made it possible to obtain this.65a
Department concurs in your view that Russians should be made to use South Russian grain as far as possible. Please advise Department of any diversions of grain cargo to Petrograd which may actually occur as it may then be possible to curtail shipments from this country.
Will keep you currently advised of what we are doing here.