THE SOVIET REPUBLIC PROPOSAL OF DR. NANSEN FOR RELIEF IN RUSSIA, ETC.-Continued Date and number 1919 Apr. 5 Subject Redraft by Mr. William C. Bullitt of a Proposed Letter to be Page 106 Revision of draft prepared by Mr. Miller and Mr. Auchincloss, April 3-4. Apr. 17 Messrs. Wilson, Clemenceau, Lloyd George, and Orlando to 108 Reply to Nansen's letter of April 3 following lines suggested by Miller and Auchincloss and redrafted by Bullitt. May 3 (269) The Minister in Sweden to the Commission to Negotiate Peace 109 May 7 May 9 (284) May 14 (104) Finnish request that Associated Governments wait until From the Russian Ambassador to the United States, temporarily Statement, May 4, by the Russian Political Conference (text From the Ambassador in France (tel.) From McCormick, for War Trade Board also: Nansen's The Representative at Copenhagen of the American Relief Admin- May 16 Appendix III to C. F. 20.-Feeding of Russia-Copy of Letter June 21 from Lord Robert Cecil to Sir Maurice Hankey The Director General of Relief, Supreme Economic Council, to Necessity for economic reorganization in Russia, primarily 109 111 111 115 117 THE SOVIET REPUBLIC REFUSAL BY THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO COUNTENANCE FURTHER ATTEMPTS TO ESTABLISH RELATIONS WITH THE SOVIET AUTHORITY IN RUSSIA Date and number Subject Page 1919 Sept. 9 Sept. 22 To the Consul at Vladivostok (tel.) Excerpts (texts printed) from President Wilson's speeches at Kansas City and Des Moines, September 6, in which he condemns minority rule and deplores control in Russia by group without constitutional authority and spread of its propaganda. (Instructions to repeat to Harbin and Omsk. Sent also to Commission to Negotiate Peace to be repeated to Archangel, and to Constantinople for repetition to Vice Consul at Ekaterinodar.) From the Chargé in China (tel.) 119 120 From Harris at Omsk: Publication of President Wilson's speeches on Bolshevism creating favorable impression. To the Ambassador in Great Britain (tel.) 121 Nov. 4 (6149) Nov. 14 (3383) Nov. 15 (3390) Nov. 15 (3394) Nov. 18 (4238) Nov. 20 (6194) Nov. 21 (269) Press report of proposal by British Government of conference between Soviet Russia and Entente Allies, on lines similar to Prinkipo. Request for information. From the Ambassador in Great Britain (tel.) No foundation for report of British participation in Dorpat conference; British representatives to Copenhagen conference instructed to confine discussions to exchange of prisoners. From the Ambassador in Great Britain (tel.) Departure of O'Grady for Copenhagen to enter negotiations with Litvinov for exchange of war prisoners. From the Ambassador in Great Britain (tel.) Lloyd George's statement in House of Commons of policy regarding Russia; his apparent willingness to parley with all Russian factions. Impossibility of predicting future policy because of apparent inconsistencies between statements by Lloyd George and other members of Government. From the Chargé in Sweden (tel.) Publication of telegram from London containing announcement by Department of State (text printed) that no compromise is contemplated with Soviet Government, that United States does not intend to participate in any conference with Bolshevik representatives, and that Department will continue to encourage arrangements for relief in non-Bolshevik territory. Inquiry as to authenticity. To the Ambassador in Great Britain (tel.) Denial that any formal announcement of policy has been From the Minister in Denmark (tel.) Interview with O'Grady concerning status of his negotiations with Litvinov and the limitation of his powers to negotiations for prisoners, with privilege of reporting any other proposals. 121 121 122 123 123 123 THE SOVIET REPUBLIC REFUSAL BY THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO COUNTENANCE FURTHER ATTEMPTS TO ESTABLISH RELATIONS WITH THE SOVIET AUTHORITY IN RUSSIA-Continued Date and number Subject Page 1919 Nov. 24 (6209) Nov. 28 (3464) Nov. 29 (5468) Nov. 30 (279) Dec. 2 (288) Dec. 2 (289) Dec. 2 (3481) Dec. 3 (3486) Dec. 4 (6243) To the Ambassador in Great Britain (tel.) Press and consular reports of imminent fall of Soviet Government, unless recognition can be obtained from Allies and neutrals. Instructions to intimate that moral support derived from British negotiations with Bolsheviks at this time would be unfortunate. (Instructions to repeat to Paris.) From the Ambassador in Great Britain (tel.) Foreign Office statement that British representatives at Copenhagen conference are emphatically instructed to refuse to listen to Bolshevik peace proposals. From the Commission to Negotiate Peace (tel.) From Polk: Conversation with Lloyd George who sees menace to Europe in unified Russia; favors independence of Finland, Baltic Provinces, Ukraine, Siberia, etc.; and considers possibility of conference with Soviets. From the Minister in Denmark (tel.) For President Wilson: Summary of situation in Russia, advancing four possible policies, prevailing opinion being that Associated Powers should treat situation as civil war and favor no faction. View that Bolsheviks will be strengthened by war but will disappear with peace and prosperity. From the Minister in Denmark (tel.) Full powers given Litvinov to conclude peace with any country. O'Grady's request for greater powers. Litvinov's wish to include in negotiations Russian prisoners in Germany and Austria. From the Minister in Denmark (tel.) Negotiations between O'Grady and Litvinov regarding trade; views of O'Grady that normal free trade and consular service will tend to put an end to communism. From the Ambassador in Great Britain (tel.) Information from Foreign Office and elsewhere that so far negotiations with Litvinov have been confined to exchange of prisoners; no reports regarding Bolshevik peace offer. From the Ambassador in Great Britain (tel.) Discussion of Siberian situation with Curzon; his disavowal of British intention to displace Kolchak or to call a second Prinkipo conference; his favorable attitude toward chain of independent buffer states. Lloyd George's willingness to treat with Bolsheviks and favorable attitude toward division of Russia into group of small states. To the Ambassador in Great Britain (tel.) U. S. views, to be presented at Ambassador's discretion, regarding futility of an understanding with Bolshevik Government; possibility of its evolution into a regime with which relations may be established; dangers attending recognition of present leaders; refusal to support plan for dismemberment of Russia. (Instructions to repeat to Ambassador in France.) 124 125 126 126 127 127 128 128 129 THE SOVIET REPUBLIC REFUSAL BY THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO COUNTENANCE FURTHER ATTEMPTS TO ESTABLISH RELATIONS WITH THE SOVIET AUTHORITY IN RUSSIA-Continued Date and number 1919 Subject Page Dec. 6 (3500) From the Ambassador in Great Britain (tel.) 130 Information that O'Grady has received reiterated instructions to confine his discussions to exchange of prisoners and to refuse to listen to representations on other subjects. Dec. 10 (301) From the Chargé in Denmark (tel.) 131 Dec. 10 (302) Dec. 13 (307) Note from Litvinov enclosing resolution on peace with Allies passed by Seventh All-Russian Congress of Soviets (text printed). Information that note was sent to all Allied and Associated Governments and should be considered formal peace offer. From the Chargé in Denmark (tel.) Return of Litvinov's note, in conformity with action of British, French, and Italian Legations, on ground that peace negotiations violate ruling under which he was allowed to come to Denmark. From the Chargé in Denmark (tel.) Semiofficial press announcement of return of Litvinov's note by Legations of Associated Governments and explanation that action was in conformity with engagements that his sojourn in Denmark is for nonpolitical purposes. 132 132 REFUSAL BY THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO RECOGNIZE THE MISSION OF L. MARTENS, RUSSIAN SOVIET AGENT IN THE UNITED STATES Date and number Subject Page Submission of credentials (text printed) of appointment as representative in the United States of the Russian Socialist Federal Soviet Republic; memorandum (text printed) of present political and economic conditions of Soviet Russia, and of proposals for opening commercial relations; also copy of Soviet Constitution. To the Commission to Negotiate Peace (tel.) 133 141 For Lansing: Transmittal of Martens' communication and memorandum; comments and request for instructions. To the Commission to Negotiate Peace (tel.) 142 Inquiry as to information to be furnished National City Bank, which has been notified by Martens that all Russian funds are subject to his order only. From the Commission to Negotiate Peace (tel.) 143 From Lansing: Instructions to give no credence to Martens' claim, Bakhmeteff being the only Russian representative recognized by the United States. THE SOVIET REPUBLIC REFUSAL BY THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO RECOGNIZE THE MISSION OF L. MARTENS, ETC.-Continued Date and number Subject Page 1919 Apr. 20 From Mr. J. H. Fulton of the National City Bank of New York 143 May 21 (644) June 5 (2197) June 18 (2635) June 24 June 24 June 24 (3957) July 1 (1663) To the Chargé in Russia (tel.) Official statements issued to press (text printed) warning business men that any concessions from Bolshevik authorities would probably not be recognized as binding on future Russian governments, and that as Bolshevik regime has not been recognized by the United States, extreme caution should be exercised as to representations made by anyone purporting to represent Bolshevik Government. To the Commission to Negotiate Peace (tel.) For Lansing: Information that Martens is German subject, born in Russia, that he has been conducting propaganda and offering business men attractive opportunities, specific cases being cited, and that warnings have been issued by Department. Request for authorization for his deportation. From the Commission to Negotiate Peace (tel.) President Wilson's statement that no objections will be raised to deportation of Martens, if evidence is complete. To the National City Bank of New York For Fulton: Assurances that Soviet Government will not be recognized at this time, and that any recognition hereafter will not have retroactive effect prejudicial to U. S. interests. Memorandum by Mr. Basil Miles, in Charge of Russian Affairs, Division of Near Eastern Affairs, Department of State Proposal to intern Martens, evidence warranting deportation being inadequate; evidence of German nationality and reasons why he should be interned. (Footnote: Decision in Cabinet meeting to do nothing until further evidence or legislation is obtained.) From the Chargé in Sweden (tel.) Telegram from Chicherin through Sweden (text printed) protesting arrest of Martens, demanding his release, reminding of courtesies accorded U. S. citizens in Russia, and threatening reprisals. To the Chargé in Sweden (tel.) Statement for Swedish authorities denying that Martens has been arrested or that any action is contemplated against law-abiding Russian citizens; citation of illegal and unjustifiable treatment to which Americans have been submitted in Russia, adding that so-called reprisals would arouse U. S. indignation. 144 144 146 146 146 148 149 |