Blake saw the review of BR's new book in the New York Times. He also saw that Peter was part of a delegation to the Prime Minister on matters in Germany. Blake reports that the British and American zones will be accepting 2 million Germans each from the East. American trucks are being used to move German civilian supplies, and rations have increased to 1500 calories from 1100 two months ago. Despite this, there remain no fats or sugar. In the Russian zone things are much worse, and infant mortality rates are between 75-90%. The French zone is also underfed, though this is through incompetence, which led to an awkward visit to Mainz for Charles de Gaulle.

Blake thinks that the "threat" from the East may be a while in coming, unless Stalin decides to divert attention from their suffering by invading. Morale is very low in the Red Army and many are deserting.

Blake is pleased by the anti-Communist sentiments going into the elections in Hungary, Yugoslavia, Albania, Romania, and Bulgaria.

There is a growing recognition of the ill-will the Americans are generating in many parts of Europe. Blake puts a lot of blame on Truman and sings Eisenhower's praises in trying to mitigate it.

Source: Columbia University, Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library, Peter Blake Papers, Fol 19:20-22.