Poole to Lansing on Russian internal problems (closing newspapers, English demands, and famine in Petrograd) File No. 861.00/1823 [Telegram] Moscow, May 12, 1918, noon [Received May 19, 7:07 p.m.] 512.     Russian delegation leaves for Kiev to-day to enter into peace negotiations with the new Ukraine government.     German-Russian established commissions provided for by Brest Litovsk treaty, now beginning work at Moscow. Commissariat Foreign Affairs understands from Mirbach that Germany will insist at the outset on immediate denationalizing of banks.     Four Moscow newspapers closed yesterday for printing statements regarding the new German demands, five hundred four [sic], on the ground improperly exciting populace, and Foreign Commissariat subordinate informs me that at least the demand opposing German or Finnish occupation Fort Ino twenty-five miles from Petrograd has been made.     Press prints numerous reports concerning German-Finnish preparations for an advance into Murman Peninsula. In Soviet circles, it is stated privately that England has delivered note which is described as an ultimatum respecting the protection of supplies at Archangel and Murman.     Famine in Petrograd. Frequent reports of hunger from other parts of Russia. Cholera reported from Astrakhan, Penza, Saratov, [omission] Samara [omission] railway and telegraph communications with Orenburg cut, probably due anti-Bolshevik activity ruining [omission]. Harris en route Irkutsk. POOLE Documents on US Foreign Policy in Russia [Subject] [Author] [Date]