861.00/6912: Telegram
The High Commissioner at Constantinople (Bristol) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 18—6:17 p.m.]
337. Following from Admiral McCully, Sevastopol.
“52. May 16, 4 p.m. During the last month conditions in Crimea have greatly improved. Confidence and morale restored and in all activities there is evidence of system, order and purpose. Order is rigidly maintained and executions even too frequent. Commercial activities renewed, [cargoes coming in and] going out and living conditions easier although financial conditions are very bad. Military forces number about 80,000 men, of which 5,000 are mounted troops, and 300 guns, now organized as regular forces in number of units of former designation “vilayets army” being abolished; 60,000 more men available from military service which has been postponed as unnecessary at this time. Army very short in field transport and artillery ammunition but constitutes formidable force and likely soon to start offensive. Unofficially informed armed yacht have [has] been added to naval forces and 2,500 workmen in naval [Page 600] arsenal busy getting ready other vessels. Russian commercial vessels have been surveyed by a board composed of British and French naval officers with the probable view of taking over control.”