In order to avoid misunderstanding I am putting into writing the principle statements which I made at our conference last night.
The situation of the British at this camp is now as follows. From April 22, I at the request of the Russian authorities, have been responsible for the administration and the security of this entire camp of 16,000 mixed nationalities. The work of the camp during this time has been carried out by British and American officers and men. It should however be appreciated that owing to the Russian orders re: confinementr to camp etc. we have to continue to all intents and purposes as prisoners.That the orders were a military necessity is of course clear, but nevertheless the result has been a lowering of the spirit of all ranks. It is in order to understand and make allowances for the mental attitude of the prisoners of war who have been liberated but are still denied their freedom.
The food situation, up to yessterday, was precarious and the daily ration even though assisted by American supplies is still grossly inadequate.It is realized that the Russian authorities overcame great difficulties in providing food at all under harrassing circumstances but it will also be agreed that the supply organization of this camp provided most of the work. Furthermore, the camp has become even more overcrowded due to the influx of Italian refugees. The problems of sanitation are considerable and the general health is threatened.
In spite of all this the Russian orders were obeyed and control was maintained up to May 5. On that day an America officer representing Supreme Allied Headquarters arrived with instructions to evacuate the American and British in that order. His credentials were countersigned by the British authorities.
Yesterday the American representative from Supreme Allied Headquarters arrived with a convoy to carry out his orders. Capt. Tchekancy acting as deputy for Capt. Medvedev who was sick, refused to allow him to proceed with his duties. Later when an attempt was made to proceed with the evacuation armed force was used against American troops to prevent their leaving camp.
No doubt this whole affair is due to a misunderstanding but the situation created is extremely seriuos. In spite of continuing assurances that we were to be repatriated with the least possible delay we now see the Russians actively preventing such repatriation. It is impossible for me to explain or justify such actions in the eyes of the officers and men. I warned Capt. Medvedev on May 4 that a situation was likely to arise and that if it did I could not be responsible for the consequences.
Last night it was inferred that the obstacle to our repatriation was that the registration was not completed. I have repeatedly offered to control the whole of the registration. I could have completed it by now if my offer had been accepted.In any case I cannot believe that the Russians intend that the vital interests should be threatened for the sake of a mere formality. AS the SBO (Senior British Officer) here I am responsible above all else for the welfare of my officers and men. This welfare is seriously endangered by the present situation. I therefore demand that the position be clarified without delay and that our repatriation may be proceeded with immediately. Failing this I must ask to be enabled to communicate with my Government.
Finally, I must point out that the present situation renders my position as the Senior Allied Officer untenable. I therefore resign my position and from now on must be regarded as responsible only for the British.
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