Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1942, Europe, Volume III

861.00/11971: Telegram

The Chargé in the Soviet Union (Henderson) to the Secretary of State

Kuibyshev (Moscow), December 22, 1942—2 p.m.
[Received December 26—9:25 a.m.]

1126. The following are some of my more recent impressions of Moscow in winter. It will be recalled that I spent most of November there and visited the city last week going by train and returning by air:

1. During recent weeks there has been marked improvement in the food situation. Ration norms are being fulfilled. Nevertheless, prices in the peasant bazaars where rations are supplemented or where persons without ration cards buy foodstuffs are perhaps higher than in the fall.

2. The people seem to be warmly clothed. Men are provided with fur, felt, leather or cloth caps; cloth, padded or fur coats; leather boots or the felt soleless boots, of which there seems to be a relatively plentiful supply issued against cards, over which are frequently worn rubber overshoes. The women have warm shawls or scarfs, padded, fur or wool coats, and footwear similar to the men. Children also have sufficient clothing to protect them from weather. Last summer I noted that the people in Moscow in general had better clothing than during the period 1934–38. The same holds true with regard to winter clothing. Much of the clothing is shabby, ragged, dirty, or patched. Nevertheless, it is warm.

3. During the last 3 weeks, the situation with regard to fuel has improved. Sections of the population and available local transport, including boats and street cars, were mobilized in November to bring in wood from nearby forests. This work was successfully carried out and large stockpiles of wood are to be found in various sections of the city. Quantities of the inferior coal mined in the neighborhood of Moscow have also been brought in. Although the Chief of Burobin⁸⁵ told us in the middle of November that no oil would be furnished the Embassy during the winter, that organization, which provides diplomatic missions with supplies, has delivered during the last few weeks sufficient fuel oil to heat the Spaso House⁸⁶ during December. The Mokhovaya building,⁸⁷ which is connected with the Moscow central heating plant, is also kept much warmer than in November although it is still not comfortable.

4. From the air it can be seen that smoke is issuing from practically every factory chimney in or near Moscow whereas 3 months ago many idle factories could be noted. The number of busy factories between Moscow and Kuibyshev in every town and even in many small villages is impressive. Although curfew is still in force and the blackout rigidly enforced with regard to buildings, the main streets are now dimly lighted and cars are allowed to move about with subdued lights. Streets are more crowded than 3 months ago both with pedestrians and with trucks, some of which have obviously been taken from the Germans. They still are much less crowded than before the war.

6.88 The recent military victories have obviously raised the morale of the people. At times cheerfulness almost reaching the point of gaiety has been noted. It should be pointed out, however, that even last summer when Stalingrad was being threatened the population in general seemed to be in better spirits than it was during the years 1934–1938. Moscow in war time appears to be more cheerful than pre-war Moscow. Although people have worried regarding problems of food, fuel, and so forth, nevertheless their purely physical anxieties apparently have not been so depressing as those of the purge years of 1936–1938.

7. Moscow is still drab and shabby compared with the capitals of western countries. Nevertheless, the atmosphere seems to have become slightly more western than it was 5 years ago. It should be borne in mind, of course, that no refugees are allowed in Moscow and that most of the people at present in the city are engaged in work related to the war effort or are dependents of workers so occupied. There are therefore relatively few persons without ration cards or without the right of purchasing in the closed shops. Persons who were evacuated or fled from the city last year are permitted to return only in case their services are needed. The reopening of factories is resulting in the shortage of common laborers in Moscow, and many evacuees who desire to return to their homes are being permitted to do so provided they can be spared from their work in the provinces and are willing to engage in ordinary manual labor.

Henderson

85. Central Bureau for Services to Foreigners.
86. The American Embassy building in Moscow, residence of the Ambassador.
87. The American chancery office, with residential accommodations, in Moscow.
88. No paragraph numbered 5 is in the original.