John J. Pershing to Tasker Howard Bliss

CABLEGRAM
Number 503
January 16th.
C O N F I D E N T I A L
For the Chief of Staff.
Paragraph 1. Following reported as coming from a member of German delegation, Petrograd:
"On our arrival in the capital of Russia and in consequence of the opportunities we have had of observing conditions here at first hand, we are frankly appalled by the completeness of chaos on every hand. It far exceeds even our wildest imaginations. Demoralization is everywhere and absolute; so much so, that it seems to us to baffle organization. We are under the impression at the present moment, that peace with the Anarchial Russia that has now come into existence would be worthless for us or for anybody else. Our main interest, if peace could be achieved, would of course be in the direction of assuring ourselves food supplies from Russia. But it is plain that, if peace was established, it would be a very long time before there would be any food available for anybody except the Russians themselves. For us to attempt to get any would be well nigh impossible. It would at least be highly impracticable and might rekindle hostility to us. Under the circumstances it appears to be more feasible for us to remain in a state of war with Russia, using our military strength as a means of taking food by force wherever and whenever necessary. Further German military enterprises in Russia, therefore, if undertaken would have this objective mainly in view."
Pershing.