861.48/918: Telegram
The Chairman of the American Relief Administration (Hoover) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 7, 1919, 1:55 a.m.]
Hash 854. Expect to withdraw all relief personnel from Baltic by August 15th. Have transferred considerable quantities of foodstuffs to Russians, which is now in storage at Viborg, Finland, which will meet needs of Russian population in liberated Russian districts for some months to come. These stocks also available to meet needs Petrograd population where all reports confirm extreme suffering exists, provided order is restored this latter city. In event supply Petrograd becomes necessary existing stocks Viborg would last about a month. As latter contingency rather remote, supplies at Viborg will be transshipped by Russians to south side Gulf of Finland as needed, and used in liberated Russian districts outside of Esthonia. Esthonia, Lettland, and Lithuania amply protected by supplies already [Page 699] shipped in and by harvests which will carry them over the winter. Finnish attitude Viborg stocks which we have formally transferred to Russians is entirely helpful. However, believe it advisable to instruct American Consul Viborg to keep watchful and benevolent eye on Russian handling of these stocks so as to prevent misuse or waste. Have requested General Gough, chief of British Military Mission in Baltic, to designate British officer to cooperate with American consul this work. If this meets with your approval will you have necessary instructions cabled to our Consul Viborg and advise me action taken.