File No. 861.00/2048
The Consul at Moscow (Poole) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 16, 12.15 p.m.]
596. Owing to German military control difficult to obtain firsthand information concerning conditions in the Baltic provinces. Germans have reestablished the provincial parliaments, which were abolished under the Kerensky government, and have reinstituted old forms of local government. Elections to the parliaments under German control and practically limited to the so-called Baltic barons. Protests by the liberal and socialistic elements against the action of the united Landtag of Livonia and Esthonia, which has requested incorporation of these two provinces into Germany. Among the peoples there is thankfulness for the restoration of order through the overthrow of the Bolsheviki, but on the other hand a growing [Page 830] sense of oppression. Thousands of Letts have withdrawn into Russia. No evidence of the Lettish or Esthonian national movements taking concrete form but according to some reports German Landsturm troops policing country meet desultory opposition from Lettish sharpshooters.
A German newspaper, published in Moscow, states that the reestablishment of order in the Baltic provinces is complete, that all schools are open and the inhabitants are Working for an adjustment of the land question but adds:
Labor conditions are poor. Banks and factories are closed in the towns and there is no trade. In the country, especially in southern Livonia, but also in Courland, the peasants have no agricultural implements and no seed. Railway passenger traffic is subject to [military?] control. It requires about three weeks’ preliminary work to arrange a trip from Riga to Mitau.
In Lithuania less apparent opposition to Germany but reports from this region also reflect general sense of oppression and tendency is now to develop closer contact with Poland for the purpose of organizing combined opposition to German encroachments. Polish colony in Moscow informs Consulate General that German rule in Poland has recently become exceedingly oppressive, more especially since disarmament of Polish legions in the Ukraine. In White Russia Germans supporting a liberal government representative of landowners and city middle classes. Same thankfulness to Germany for restoring a condition of order accompanied by restlessness among laboring classes which have felt influence. It is reported contact with the Russian revolutionary elements has affected portions of the German army of occupation: 5,000 German soldiers, constituting garrison of Kishinev, mutinied against order to go western front and were disarmed and returned to Germany. Russian newspapers not allowed to circulate. Russian Red Cross doctor returning from Minsk reports German officers discouraged about the situation on the western front. Soldiers give impression of being worn out. No goods arrive in White Russia from Germany. Purpose of the Germans evidently to drain the occupied territory of all supplies. In White Russia as in the Ukraine they are correct and relatively considerate to the city population but in the country severe, carrying out intensive requisitions and shooting peasants for small offenses or sending them to work in Germany. [Omission] prices in both White Russia and Ukraine. Prices in Kiev now approaching Moscow.