File No. 861.00/1757
The Consul General at Moscow ( Summers) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 7, 9.18 a.m.]
460. With reference to Department’s No. 15311 to Embassy. Consulate General is maintaining observers along line of German advance. …
First two reports received relate to condition at and near Vitebsk, Vyazma, and Bryansk. At Vitebsk food shortage. Jews predominant in local Soviet government, anti-Jewish feeling growing among population which tends to regard oncoming Germans as deliverers. No goods arriving from Germany. Small speculators are getting some goods especially investments [provisions] in small [lots] and warehouses are empty. Trains run about twenty miles beyond Vitebsk whence break as far as Polotsk which is held by Germans. According to persons coming from occupied territory food is cheaper there due strict food control by Germans who register all domestic animals, etc. Germans are persisting seizing working population and sending them for enforced labor to unknown destinations believed not to be in Germany. At Vyazma food conditions worse than at Vitebsk. In country only barley, oats, and flax planting so far owing seed shortage. Total planted indicates 50 per cent of last year at best. In occupied territory Germans reported to be furnishing some seed on proviso two-thirds crop for German Government.
At Bryansk practically no commercial freight movement though some potatoes and flour seen moving toward Smolensk. German, Ukraine troops closing in actively on Bryansk which is Red Army staff headquarters but Red Army lacking in discipline and morale, flees before enemy without fighting and plunders local population which is prepared welcome Germans as deliverers hoping that they will later be rid of them through terms of general peace. Government and railroad property being evacuated to Bryansk from Smolensk and Vitebsk but Bryansk will soon fall as its evacuation impossible owing shortage of engines.
[Page 519]Observers sent from Petrograd by Imbrie1 report Finnish White Guard having few Germans and Swedes among them only twelve miles from city. Roadstead at Kronstadt crowded. Vessels practically unofficered, crew complements nearly full but mostly new recruits, not enough trained sailors to man guns and engines. No resistance to Germans expected.