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Have been reading American papers on Allied intervention in Russia and see that sentiment is divided; I realize enormous responsibility of the President and the Department and I am aware of conflicting appeals and influences to which you are subjected; and I highly appreciate confidence manifested in my efforts cable communication in reply as you have been advised [sic]. Observe President considering sending commission to Siberia but hope if sent will be instructed to confer with me before adopting policy. Imperative send [provisions?] here or Murman. I would appreciate it if experienced men should accompany same for distribution under my direction or with my approval.

No reply to my telegram No. 364, August 13, 8 p. m.,1 recommending authority to join British and French in guaranteeing 15,000,000 ruble loan of new government, guaranty secured by merchandise.

[Information] anxiously awaited concerning vessel with 4,000 tons supplies mentioned in your unnumbered telegram July 30.2

File No. 861.00/2648

FRANCIS

The Ambassador in Russia (Francis) to the Secretary of State

[Telegram]

ARCHANGEL, September 4, 1918, 9 p. m.

[Received September 7, 7.36 p. m.]

381. Lindley says 3,000 tons flour will arrive from England 10th September and 6,000 tons additional about the 15th. I hoped we would be first to report food shipments.

About 4,800 American troops on three transports arrived here to-day, Colonel Stewart commanding.

Naval Lieutenant Riis also arrived on transport not touching Murman where he had orders to report from Admiral Strauss but no official designated in order. He brought two boiler makers with orders to report to Olympia. Riis speaks Russian and Esthonian. I have designated him acting naval attaché until otherwise instructed. FRANCIS

File No. 861.00/2645

The Ambassador in Russia (Francis) to the Secretary of State

[Telegram]

ARCHANGEL, September 6, 1918, 6 p. m.

[Received September 8, 2.52 p. m.]

385. July 6, agreement signed, Murman, between [by?] England, America and France represented respectively by Poole, Bierer and

1Vol. III, p. 58.

'Ante, p. 504.

Petit, French naval captain, with Murman Soviet.1 I suppose Department duly advised. Department never informed me of agreement, but when I was on Olympia cable was received from Navy Department or probably Admiral Sims approving Bierer's action. Agreement binds Allies to supply Murman region with foodstuffs including workmen and their families to [omission] extent possible and "to accord Murman region council necessary financial assistance, amount, form, and conditions of which to be decided by further agreement." Object of agreement was to effect unresisted landing Allied forces and induce local Soviet to renounce allegiance to Central Soviet, Moscow.

Poole left Murman for Archangel July 31, leaving Maynard in command. No money ever paid by Allies and only 1,200 tons flour furnished by England. It appears no workmen paid since June, some since January. Representative Murman council has been here a week demanding 32,000,000 rubles concerning which he has had several conferences with American, French, British and Italian chiefs. To-day agreed to accept 5,000,000 rubles to appease striking workmen. Maynard arrived to-day, reports situation Murman serious if workmen's claims ignored longer. Chiefs agree subject to the approval of governments to pay Maynard for distribution among workmen 5,000,000 [rubles] on condition Allied representatives supervise distribution money, and further condition that management of Murman Railway be controlled by Allies.

Murman region includes Alexandrovsk and Kem districts, and the Murman council negotiating for a union with sovereign government here. Another condition of 5,000,000 ruble advance and future advances is that sovereign government guarantee repayment or adding same to Russian war debt. Maynard returns to Murman 7th taking 5,000,000 [rubles] furnished by French Ambassador. The Italian and the Serbian Governments informed representatives here that [they?] approve aforesaid agreement. Shall I concur and obligate Government to pay our share? Railroad never constructed properly, requires much reconstruction, but essential for transporting men and supplies for which road now almost exclusively used. The Allies control to Soroka about 360 miles from Arctic coast. Do not see how we can decline participation. Answer. No reply to my 364,2 asking authority of guarantee with the British and French 15,000,000 ruble loan secured by 20,000,000 [rubles] worth merchandise.

New government experiencing financial difficulties. It appears England has cabled [garbled group] proposing plan for holding [building] up reserve in London to secure note issue by new govern

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ment.1 I see no objection thereto except fear reserve inadequate and can see no reason why such reserve should be confined to London and not include New York for whatever rubles we purchase for our requirements here.

FRANCIS

Coup d'état of September 5, 1918; Restoration of the Deposed Government through Efforts of the American Ambassador-Protest of the American Government against the Conduct of the British Commander in ChiefPlan of the Reinstated Ministers to Resign in Favor of the Samara Government: Efforts of the American Ambassador to Dissuade Them

File No. 861.00/2646

The Ambassador in Russia (Francis) to the Secretary of State

[Telegram]

ARCHANGEL, September 6, 1918, 7 p. m.

[Received September 8, 9.30 p. m.]

386. After reviewing with General Poole Italian, American soldiers at 10, told me that revolution had taken place during the night and that President and six Ministers of new government been put upon steamer at 2 o'clock and now en route to Solovetski Monastery 30 hours distant where ministers be confined. When asked if movement resisted Poole replied no, as government had no forces for resistance. It appears that Captain Chaplin, commander Russian soldiers and as such reporting to Poole, also controls municipal militia or police, had ordered ministry arrested and deported. I asked Poole if he knew such action contemplated. Reply was that he heard rumors thereof and wrote note to Chaplin advising against it. This conversation on steps of government building where Poole and I received salute of American troops. Seeing Chaplin I beckoned to him and demanded explanation. Chaplin said he had driven out the Bolsheviki and had permitted new government installation but administration composed of eight ministers including one Archangel citizen had shown itself inefficient by permitting Bolshevik propaganda and given permission for public meetings in opposition to expressed will of Poole. The latter had said Chaplin intended issuing proclamation immediately announcing government deposed and appointing Startsev manager of civil affairs of northern region.

Leaving Chaplin I joined Poole who was talking with Stewart and other American officers and told Poole to permit no proclamation from Chaplin until submitting same to Allied chiefs whom I requested to assemble my apartment at 12 o'clock. They came with Poole who had secured copies of two proclamations signed by Chaplin. Diplomatic conference consisted French, Italian,

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British, American chiefs. I opened conference by stating Chaplin's action was outrageous usurpation of power and insult to diplomatic chiefs; no disagreement. When this statement being expressed, I proposed that Poole be requested to prevent Chaplin and Startsev from functioning and prohibit circulation of the proclamation. Both propositions met approval and Poole agreed to execute same.

Meantime representatives of the cooperatives were awaiting audience with me in an outer room having stated to Cole whose attendance [sic] I saw that news of coup d'état was rapidly gaining circulation and was promoting great excitement as suspected of being monarchist movement and cooperatives desired to know whether sanction from London or Paris or Washington. I proposed that cooperatives be shown in but my colleagues preferred that I go and talk with them taking Cole to interpret. I left conference and think convinced cooperatives that Allies were not a party to coup d'état. This consumed half an hour. Returning to conference I asked Poole opinion of arresting Chaplin and found him very much opposed thereto as thought Chaplin sole reliance to organize Russian army as Chaplin only Russian believing Russians fighting. Cooperatives had said that coup d'état was monarchical and if something was not done to convince the people especially those [of sawmill] villages that Allies not fostering movement bloody civil war might ensue. Poole objecting to Chaplin arrest, it was agreed that ministers should be brought back to Archangel and Poole, consenting thereto, as [said] would catch steamer by wireless if possible, if not would send a destroyer. Thereupon conference adjourned till 5 p. m. when Chaplin and Startsev requested to be present.

Later nine representatives of Zemstvos called and presented protest against overthrow of the new government saying as cooperatives had affirmed that if anything done to perpetuate or support Chaplin act, life of the district would immediately cease and sanguinary strife would follow. I convinced cooperatives and Zemstvos that Allied diplomats disapproved coup d'état but cooperatives, while accepting my statement that my colleagues knew nothing of Chaplin plans, expressed themselves as suspicious of British and French military officers and evidently doubted Poole's sincerity. Colonel Stewart commanding American troops called immediately upon arrival September 4 but mention had no message the particulars [sic] and said his only orders were to report to Poole. I have been vainly trying to see him since to explain situation lest he become inoculated by British and French officers who have lost faith in Russians. If Department approves I would appreciate War Department's instructing ranking American officer in Russia to keep close touch with me. More later.

Your telegrams as reported in my No. 373, August 30, 7 p. m.,1 still missing also 243, 4, and 5. Please repeat those pertaining to policy. Your 246, September 4, 4 p. m.,1 received to-day via London. Am utilizing Coolidge.

FRANCIS

File No. 861.00/2647

The Ambassador in Russia (Francis) to the Secretary of State

[Telegram]

ARCHANGEL, September 7, 1918.
[Received September 9, 6.06 p. m.]

387. Following was promulgated yesterday evening:

The representatives of those of the Allied powers whose troops have arrived in northern Russia, having heard of the kidnaping of the members of the government of the northern region, desire to disclaim all responsibility for this act. They disapprove of violent measures from whichever side they may originate and all the more in that they have come to Russia with hope of seeing established a free régime of order and legality.

The act was carried out by Russians against Russians and is not therefore strictly speaking the concern of the Allies. The representatives of the latter feel, nevertheless, constrained in the special circumstances which exist to see that the arrested members of the government are at once given their liberty and brought back to Archangel. As soon as this has been done it is hoped that an arrangement will be made which will prevent the recurrence of such regrettable incidents and which will unite every Russian of good will in the work of the regeneration of his country.

Meantime the affairs of the district will go on as before. The Allied representatives invite all good Russians to pursue their normal occupations in full confidence that no attack on their liberties will be encouraged by the Allies. Francis, American Ambassador; J. Noulens, Ambassadeur de France; Torretta, Ministre d'Italie; F. O. Lindley, His Britannic Majesty's Commissioner.

File No. 861.00/2684

FRANCIS

The Ambassador in Russia (Francis) to the Secretary of State

[Telegram]

ARCHANGEL, September 8, 1918, 5 p. m.

[Received September 12, 6.07 p. m.] 388. After my 386, September 6, 9 [7] p. m. Chaplin distributed circular order reinstating military governor Archangel who was removed by deposed government. Two ministers, Diedusenko and Ivanov. had escaped arrest and issued incendiary circular inciting people to resist Chaplin government which Startsev, civil governor

1 1 Not printed.

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