Date and number

THE SOVIET REPUBLIC

PROJECT FOR A CONFERENCE AT PRINKIPO, ETC.-Continued

Memorandum by Mr. William H. Buckler

British desire to evacuate troops from Archangel, to meet
Soviet representatives in conference, and to induce various
Russian governments to stop civil war and call all-Russian
convention.

To the Commission to Negotiate Peace (tel.)

For Lansing: Suggestion that consideration be given to the
recognition of the Omsk government; advantages that might
follow such recognition.

The Soviet Commissar for Foreign Affairs to the Principal
Allied and Associated Governments (tel.)

Willingness of Russian Soviet Government to be represented
at Prinkipo conference; desire to purchase peace at sacrifices,
namely, recognition of financial obligations, granting of con-
cessions in natural resources, cession of territory to Allies, and
noninterference in internal affairs of Powers. Citation of
growth and consolidation of Soviet Russia.

From the Chargé in Russia (tel.)

His opposition to Russian policy adopted at Peace Conference on motion of President Wilson; tender of resignation.

Feb. 5

The Minister in Switzerland to the Commission to Negotiate
Peace

43

Wish of Republic of Circassia and Daghestan to be represented at Prinkipo, in hope that new republic may be placed under protection of Society of Nations with the United States as mandatory.

From the Minister in China (tel.)

Undated [Rec'd

44

Feb. 6)

From Harris at Omsk: Siberian opinion concerning proposed conference of all Russian parties.

To the Commission to Negotiate Peace (tel.)

46

(607)

Omsk government's denial of rumor of agreement reached with Bolsheviks or of cessation of hostilities; its failure to reach decision regarding representation at Prinkipo conference.

Feb. 7 (620)

46

Feb. 8 (47)

Feb. 10

To the Commission to Negotiate Peace (tel.)

For Lansing: Telegram sent to Poole (text printed) re-
questing that he maintain reticence regarding his resignation,
because of possible disastrous effect upon morale of U. S.
troops in Archangel. Request for advice as to further instruc-
tions to be sent to Poole.

The Georgian Delegation at Paris to the Commission to Negotiate
Peace

Georgia's request for immediate submission to Peace Con-
ference of question of Georgian independence and regulation
of its frontiers; proposed special commission to investigate
question.

The President of the Lettish Delegation at Paris to President
Wilson

Willingness of Lettish Provisional Government to be repre-
sented at Prinkipo conference, provided Russia withdraw
forces from Latvia; its desire for recognition as independent
state and for treaty establishing normal relations with Russia.

47

49

Date and

number

THE SOVIET REPUBLIC

PROJECT FOR A CONFERENCE AT PRINKIPO, ETC.-Continued

1919 Feb. 10 (668)

Feb. 11 (849)

From the Commission to Negotiate Peace (tel.)

From Lansing: Telegram sent to Poole at Archangel (text printed) expressing appreciation of his work and the hope that he will continue it, and explaining that intention of conference is investigation not barter with Bolsheviks.

From the Chargé in Russia (tel.)

Message from Moscow government to Workmen's International affirming a policy of international revolution, simultaneous with reply to Prinkipo invitation temporizing and offering bait of territory and concessions.

Undated The Chief of the Esthonian Delegation at Paris to the President of the Paris Peace Conference

Feb. 12

Undated [Rec'd Feb. 15]

Feb. 15 (B.C.32)

Feb. 16 (B.C.32)

Feb. 15

Feb. 17 (797)

Esthonia's claim to independence and willingness to accept
invitation to Prinkipo conference, with purpose of concluding
peace with Russia and of establishing future relations.

The Russian Embassy in France to the Secretariat-General of the
Paris Peace Conference

Statement of governments of Siberia, Archangel, and south-
ern Russia signifying willingness to accept offer of Allies to
collaborate in internal pacification of Russia, but refusing to
negotiate with Bolsheviks.

From the Minister in China (tel.)

From Harris at Omsk: Press antagonism to Prinkipo con-
ference, claiming Associated Powers' lack of understanding of
Russian situation. Necessity for quick decision as to policy
to be pursued to liberate Russia.

Minutes of the 14th Session of the Supreme War Council Held in
M. Pichon's Room at Quai d'Orsay, Paris, on Friday, Feb-
ruary 14, 1919, at 6:30 p.m.

Arguments of representatives of Principal Associated
Powers for and against withdrawal of troops from Russia and
regarding meeting of Russian representatives at Prinkipo.
Secretary's Notes of a Conversation Held in M. Pichon's Room

at the Quai d'Orsay, Paris, on Saturday, February 15, 1919,
at 3 p.m.

Discussion by representatives of Principal Associated
Powers of Churchill's proposal of wireless message in regard to
Prinkipo conference (text printed) and creation of Allied
council for Russian affairs.

To the Consul General at Irkutsk, temporarily at Omsk (tel.)
Message from American Mission (text printed) explaining
intention of invitation to conference and desirability of repre-
sentation by Kolchak government.

From the Commission to Negotiate Peace (tel.)

From Lansing: Telegram sent to President Wilson (excerpt printed) of resolution in meeting at Quai d'Orsay to secure report from Supreme War Council on possibilities of joint military action by Associated Powers to enable Russia and ex-Russian states to safeguard themselves against Bolshevik coercion.

118353-37-2

Date and number

THE SOVIET REPUBLIC

PROJECT FOR A CONFERENCE AT PRINKIPO, ETC.-Continued

1919 Feb. 18 [179]

Feb. 19

Feb. 19 (6)

Feb. 22

Feb. 23 (876)

The Head of the Ukrainian Delegation at Paris to the Commis-
sion to Negotiate Peace

Note sent President of Paris Peace Conference, February 10
(text printed), claiming independence and refusing to take
part in Prinkipo conference unless Bolsheviks cease military
operations against Ukraine.

From the Russian Chargé

Telegram from Omsk foreign office (text printed), with
concurrence of Ekaterinodar and Archangel, expressing unani-
mous and decisive condemnation of any negotiations with
Bolsheviks.

President Wilson to the Commission to Negotiate Peace (tel.)
Disavowal of any intention to favor military action in
Russia as suggested by Churchill.

Memorandum by Mr. A. A. Berle, Jr., of the Russian Section,
Commission to Negotiate Peace

Conversation with Lithuanian representatives and attempt
to convince them of desirability of accepting invitation to
Prinkipo conference; prospect of Russian withdrawal of
troops from Baltic States.

From the Commission to Negotiate Peace (tel.)

For the President: Abandonment of Churchill's project upon General Bliss' explanation that President Wilson could never have made statement favoring military action in Russia. Undated Minutes of the Meetings of the American Commissioners Plenipotentiary, March 1, 1919

Decision of Commissioners that United States not be represented at Prinkipo conference.

MISSION OF WILLIAM C. BULLITT TO RUSSIA

1919 Feb. 24 (893)

From the Commission to Negotiate Peace (tel.)

74

From Lansing: Information that Bullitt and party are proceeding to Copenhagen seeking permission to go to Petrograd on unofficial mission.

From the Commission to Negotiate Peace (tel.)

75

Feb. 26 (914)

Feb. 27 (900)

From Lansing: Information that Minister at Stockholm has been requested to initiate unofficial negotiations, through private channels, with Moscow government to secure permission for Bullitt and party to proceed to destination.

To the Commission to Negotiate Peace (tel.)

For Lansing: Suggestion that Minister at Stockholm be impressed with necessity of refraining from official negotiations with Bolshevik Government regarding Bullitt's mission.

75

From the Commission to Negotiate Peace (tel.)

75

From Lansing: Instructions sent to Stockholm in line with
Department's telegram no. 900, February 27.

Mar. 8 (6)

From the Vice Consul at Viborg (tel.)

75

Report that Bullitt has crossed border into Russia.

1919

Mar. 10 (1099)

Mar. 11 (15)

Mar. 16 (5)

Undated (6)

Undated (8)

From the Commission to Negotiate Peace (tel.)

From Lansing: Telegram from Bullitt stating he expects to
have early definite propositions from Soviet Government.
Notification to Balfour and Pichon of purpose of Bullitt's
mission.

The Consul at Helsingfors to the Commission to Negotiate Peace
(tel.)

Message from Bullitt to Lansing and House (text printed)
regarding exaggerated reports of conditions in Petrograd and
conversations with Chicherin and Litvinov, who urge cessa-
tion of hostilities and calling of peace conference.

Mr. William C. Bullitt to the Commission to Negotiate Peace
(tel.)

For the President, Lansing, and House: Statement unoffici-
ally received from Soviet leaders (text printed) enumerating
peace proposals which they would be willing to accept from
Associated Governments.

Mr. William C. Bullitt to the Commission to Negotiate Peace
(tel.)

For the President, Lansing, and House: Report on Russian
political and economic situation from observations and discus-
sions with leaders of Communist and other parties; conclusion
that Soviet Government is only constructive force in Russia
and recommendation of peace proposals rather than interven-
tion.

Mr. William C. Bullitt to the Commission to Negotiate Peace
(tel.)

For Grew: Plans to return at once to Paris and to send
Pettit back to Petrograd to investigate in detail and maintain
communications, courier service having been established be-
tween Helsingfors and Petrograd.

Undated Mr. William C. Bullitt to the Commission to Negotiate Peace
(9)
(tel.)

Mar. 22 (3)

[Mar. 25 (?)]

Mar. 29 (27)

For House: Request for views as to whether Soviet proposals will be accepted, urging cooperation of House in efforts for peace; request that Lloyd George's secretary be informed of contents of his two previous reports.

The Commission to Negotiate Peace to the Consul at Helsingfors
(tel.)

Instructions to inform Pettit to withdraw from Russia im-
mediately and return to Paris, as it is not desired to maintain
communication office in Russia or courier service between
Helsingfors and Petrograd.

Memorandum by Mr. William C. Bullitt for the President and
the Commissioners Plenipotentiary to Negotiate Peace
Detailed report on economic and political situation in Rus-
sia, social conditions, morale of Army, etc.; his conclusions
and recommendations.

The Consul at Helsingfors to the Commission to Negotiate Peace
(tel.)

From Pettit: Conviction that Communist is only govern-
ment which can preserve order; that intervention would result
in chaos; and that government satisfactory to people may
evolve from present one. Desirability of some outside repre-
sentation, preferably United States, in Petrograd.

Date and number

THE SOVIET REPUBLIC

MISSION OF WILLIAM C. BULLITT TO RUSSIA-Continued

Subject

1919 Mar. 29 (28)

Page

The Consul at Helsingfors to the Commission to Negotiate Peace
(tel.)

96

Nov. 19

From Pettit: Report on health conditions in Petrograd;
efforts of Government to relieve situation.

Mr. Henry White and General Tasker H. Bliss, Commissioners
Plenipotentiary to Negotiate Peace, to the Secretary-General
of the Commission to Negotiate Peace
Desire to record in archives of American peace delegation
that Bullitt's mission to Russia was not authorized by Ameri-
can delegation, as certified in letter from Grew; inquiry as to
warrant for such certificate and Grew's explanation.

97

PROPOSAL OF DR. FRIDTJOF NANSEN FOR RELIEF IN RUSSIA UNDER SUPERVISION OF NORTHERN NEUTRALS

1919

Mar. 11 To the Commission to Negotiate Peace (tel.)

(1067)

Mar. 24 (1316)

Report from Vice Consul at Viborg (text printed) regarding distressing conditions in Petrograd and Moscow. Proposals for immediate action by Red Cross leaders of all countries. Swedish Red Cross offer.

From the Commission to Negotiate Peace (tel.)

Opinion that Russian relief should be undertaken not by Red Cross but as part of a definite inter-Allied program; information that Hoover's opinion is being sought.

Mar. 28

The Director General of Relief, Supreme Economic Council, to
President Wilson

Suggestions that Bolshevik tyranny be not even remotely recognized; that some neutral organize relief for Russia similar to Belgian Relief Commission with collaboration of Associated Powers and neutrals, and upon Bolshevik assurances that fighting cease; and that President Wilson reassert his spiritual leadership of democracy in the world as opposed to all tyrannies. Apr. 3 Dr. Fridtjof Nansen to President Wilson

Inquiry as to conditions under which President Wilson would approve purely humanitarian commission of neutrals for provisioning Russia and whether U. S. support in money and supplies could be expected. Information that similar notes have been sent to Orlando, Clemenceau, and Lloyd George. [Apr.3-4] Draft by Mr. David Hunter Miller and Mr. Gordon Auchincloss of a Proposed Letter to be Signed by President Wilson and the Prime Ministers of Great Britain, France, and Italy in Reply to Dr. Nansen's Letter of April 3

Concurrence by Associated Powers in proposal of humanitarian commission for relief of Russia, which should be free from political difficulties, but should involve cessation of hostilities by Russian troops.

Apr. 4 Draft by Mr. William C. Bullitt of a Proposed Letter to be Signed by President Wilson and the Prime Ministers of Great Britain, France, and Italy in Reply to Dr. Nansen's Letter of April 8

Proposal of armistice and conference at Christiania with Russian and ex-Russian governments to discuss peace and provisioning of Russia upon basis of certain principles enumerated.

100

102

103

104