File No. 861.00/853
The Consul at Odessa (Ray) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 22, 8.30 a.m.]
In reply to your December 12, 6 p.m., according to published statement food comptroller of south Russia, who has resigned, available supplies barely sufficient for one month, cannot be replenished owing to agrarian disorders and the arrogant rural food committees hoarding grain and cattle for local consumption. Fearing starvation numbers of soldiers are deserting front in order to return to villages. The idea of separate peace unpopular but the general conviction is that prolongation of the war is impossible for Russia. The hope is cherished that the United States will oblige the Allies to join in general peace negotiations or somehow extricate Russia from present predicament. Rumors indicate the failure of the three generals you mentioned to accomplish anything important; no definite information. Local situation serious; fighting ended by an agreement whereby the power in Odessa is shared equally by Maximalists and Little Russians, but sailors threaten to bombard city in case the latter break the agreement. Banks are closed, drunken soldiers shooting in the streets, and the future dependent upon the policy of the Ukrainian government at Kiev which appears to be trying to conciliate the extreme left of the socialists.