Consistent with Prussian military ideals, he made a practical demonstration by allowing the officers full freedom and issuing orders that the common soldiers should have little food and hard work and in certain cases a flogging. The hundreds of thousands of tubercular Russian prisoners now returning to Russia are evidence of how well the instructions were carried out. In Petrograd one of the things that strike coldness to one's heart are the long lines of scantily clad people standing in the bitter cold waiting to buy bread, milk, sugar or tobacco. From four o'clock in the morning they begin to stand there, while it is still black night. Often after standing in line for hours the supplies run out.
Cabbage is also a staple diet.
On my second night in Petrograd I met a Russian from New York. We strolled up and down the Nevsky Prospect. My friend wanted to be hospitable as all Russians are, but he was very poor. Petrograd with food for three days was not tragic or sad. Russians accept hardships uncomplainingly.