Summers to Lansing on German military domination and food situation File No. 861.00/1757 [Telegram] Moscow, May 2, 1918, 3 p.m. [Received May 7, 9:18 a.m.] 460.     With reference to Department's No. 1531 to Embasy. Consulate General is maintaing observers along line of German advance....     First two reports received relate to condition at and near Vitebsk, Byazma, and Bryansk. At Vitebsk food shortage. Jews predominate 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 [provisons] 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 presons coming from occupied terrirotry food is cheaper there due strict food control by Germans who register all domestic animals, etc. Germans are persisting seizing working popluation 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 furninshing some seed on proviso* two-thirds crop for German Government.     At Bryansk practically no commericial 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 delivers hoping that they will later be rid of them through terms of gerenral 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.     Observers sent from Petrograd by Imbrie report Finnsih 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. SUMMERS * Denotes spelling mistake in the document Documents on US Foreign Policy in Russia [Subject] [Author] [Date]