Russia, Britain and the blockade – Peter Struve and the restriction of enemy supplies committee

Abstract

The history of the Russian Restriction of Enemy Supplies Committee has always remained obscure. The committee, which was formed in 1915 to oversee the Russian blockade of Germany, was chaired by Professor Peter Struve, the leading liberal thinker and economist, and his appointment was the sole success of the liberal campaign for the inclusion in government of those who could be said to represent the country at large. On the basis of archival material available in Britain, this article places the committee in the context of the wartime alliance, and explores the reasons for the presence on the committee of a number of British representatives. It is argued that in addition to its importance to the allied blockade of Germany, the committee was an important link between Britain and Russia, especially at a time when British support for liberalism and liberalisation in Russia was becoming increasingly overt.