861.48/1478: Telegram
The High Commissioner at Constantinople (Bristol) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 25—4:53 p.m.]
224. My telegram number 219, July 18, 5 p.m.22 Moscow radios give terrible pictures of famine and disease prevailing in Volga Region. In the past we have always taken the lead in acting when such catastrophes have arisen. Our relations with the Russia of the future will certainly be influenced by our attitude in this instance.
In the name of humanity and irrespective of our attitude towards Soviet, I believe we should take immediate action at least to investigate and ascertain what relief measures if any are possible. If authorized I could immediately organize and send by destroyer to a south Russian port a party of trained Red Cross and other relief workers. If the initiative is not to pass to others we should take immediate action.
- Not printed.↩