861.00/6949: Telegr0am
The Consul at Tiflis (Moser) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 31—4:47 a.m.]
45. British mission confirms telegram from Admiral Hope reporting that on May 18th large Bolshevik force entered harbor of Enzeli and demanded surrender. British endeavored to parley but were compelled to retire in the face of superior numbers. All ships and stores at Enzeli seized by the Bolsheviki who now occupy strip along littoral 10 miles deep.
Four civilians including one employee of the Near East Relief have slipped through from Baku. Report Polish mission arrested and rumored to be murdered. Other missions and foreigners under detention, stripped of uniforms, and alleged to be compelled to clean streets. All foreign flags destroyed and two cars medical supplies Near East Relief confiscated. Town orderly, well policed, no violence or robbery. Bolsheviki shipping flour and oil to Astrakhan and entire population threatened with food famine. Negotiations for removal of foreigners so far without success.