[Enclosure] Resolution on the War, Adopted at the All-Russian Convention of Delegates from Councils of Workmen's and Soldiers' Deputies, June 25, 1917 1. The present war broke out on account of the imperialistic tendencies of the ruling classes of all countries in their effort to seize new markets and submit small and backward countries to their economic and political influence. 2. It leads to the complete economic exhaustion of all countries and peoples and it brings the Russian revolution to the verge of ruin. By swallowing up millions of lives and billions of the national treasure it threatens to further intensify the disorganization inherited from the old régime by Russia, and it brings with it hunger, and it distracts the country's attention from the labor of fortifying the liberties newly won. 3. The All-Russian Convention of Councils of Workmen's and Soldiers' Deputies recognizes, therefore, that the struggle for the quickest possible conclusion of the war is the most important current task of the revolutionary democracy. This task is made important both by the interests of the revolution and by the eagerness of the working classes of all countries to put an end to the mutual slaughter and again establish their brotherly union in order to fight together for the complete freedom of humanity. 4. The All-Russian Convention recognizes: (1) that for the war to end by the crushing of one of the two groups of belligerents by the other would cause new future wars and would even further deepen the differences between peoples and bring them to complete exhaustion, hunger and ruin; (2) that a separate peace would strengthen one of the belligerent groups, make it possible for it to attain a decisive victory over the other group, increase the annexationist appetites of the ruling classes, fail to free Russia from the claws of world imperialism, and hinder the international union of the working classes, and therefore the convention categorically rejects any policy that is, in practice, directed toward a separate peace, or the threshold to a separate peace-a separate armistice. 5. An attempt on Russia's part to attain the peace program she desires by means of a break with the Allies and a declaration of war against all Europe would mean the final ruin of Russia. 6. In view of the fact that the war can only be ended by the united efforts of the democracies of all countries, the convention states that it is necessary (1) for the democracy of Russia, through its empowered agent, the All-Russian Convention of Councils of Workmen's and Soldiers' Deputies, to address an appeal to the democracies of all nations, urging them to accept the slogan "peace without annexations or contributions, on the basis of each nation's right to determine its own future" and to put pressure to bear on their respective governments along this line; (2) for the revolutionary democracy of Russia to work toward the earliest possible reestablishment of the International, the earliest possible summoning of an international socialist conference to reestablish the international solidarity of the working class, the outlining of final peace terms, and ways and means of realizing these final peace terms; (3) for the revolutionary democracy of Russia to draw the attention of the democracies of all belligerent powers to the fact that their insufficiently energetic opposition to the latest announcements of their respective governments about the annexationist objects of the war puts the Russian revolution in an extremely difficult position and hinders the international union of the working class. 7. In order to realize the above aims it is necessary to send delegates to the Allied and neutral countries immediately and to invite delegates to Russia from the socialists of all tendencies from these countries. 8. The convention decisively protests against the difficulties that the imperialistic governments have put in the way of these delegations. 9. Recognizing the fact that the temporary revolutionary government has based its foreign policy on the peace program adopted by the Russian democracy, the convention holds it to be necessary for the government to take all the steps it can, and as soon as possible, in order to bring about the adherence of the countries allied to Russia to this program. 10. The convention holds it necessary for the government to undertake all possible steps now in order to bring about the revision of the treaties with the Allied Governments along the line of a decisive surrender of annexationist desires. It is necessary to renew the personnel of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Diplomatic Corps by democratizing them as soon as possible, so as to successfully carry out the foreign policy adopted by the Russian democracy. 11. The convention announces that until the war is ended by the international efforts of democracy, the Russian revolutionary democracy is bound to take every possible measure to strengthen the fighting power of the army and its ability to undertake both defensive and offensive action, because the wreck of the Russian front would be equivalent to a defeat administered to the Russian revolution and a heavy blow to the entire international democracy. 12. In particular, the convention deems that the question as to an aggressive forward movement of the army should be decided purely on strategical grounds. File No. 763.72/5638 The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Russia (Francis) [Telegram] WASHINGTON, July 3, 1917, 5 p. m. 1531. Your 1453, June 30. Impossible to supply information regarding munitions furnished to Russia or time shipped because purchase made by Russian agents and shipment arranged by them. LANSING File No. 763.72/5796 The Ambassador in Russia (Francis) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] PETROGRAD, July 5, 1917, 6 p. m. 1472. Just attended, at British Embassy, conference of Allied representatives called by Henderson to consider munition situation in Russia which he thinks grave. Root, Bertron attended. Conditions attributable to inefficient transportation and excessive labor demands. Henderson, Root will present situation to Minister for Foreign Affairs to-morrow and report to conference, adjourned to 7th. Understand Government will request Embassy to name American representative on Russian foreign supply commission to determine necessities and sequences thereof. England, France been represented six weeks. Root and I think America should be represented thereon and will assign Judson thereto if Scott approves and you do not object. Scott, Judson, Michie, Parker now at front return 8th. FRANCIS CHAPTER III THE AMERICAN AND RUSSIAN SPECIAL MISSIONS The Root Mission to Russia File No. 763.72/4001a The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Russia (Francis) [Telegram] WASHINGTON, April 14, 1917, 4 p. m. 1315. Discreetly ascertain from Milyukov if it would be acceptable if this Government should send a commission of distinguished Americans to consult with the Russian Government as to the best means of cooperation and to convey a message of good will from the United States. If such a commission would be acceptable also discreetly ascertain whether it would be wise to have a prominent Hebrew a member of the commission and whether the question as to this Hebrew's being orthodox or unorthodox is material. Answer as soon as possible. LANSING File No. 763.72/4002 The Ambassador in Russia (Francis) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] PETROGRAD, April 19, 1917, 7 p. m. 1202. Your 1315 received 17th. Milyukov, who talks to me with great freedom, says no objection to matter suggested nor any objection to element mentioned in last paragraph, and that either kind of such element equally acceptable. Following is my personal view on this subject: Such commission should be very discreet and give attention first and mainly to successful prosecution of war, exercising care in giving expression to views concerning internal affairs. Present government is provisional and its main duty, after waging war with vigilance, is arranging for election of Constituent Assembly which will determine character of permanent government. Milyukov and Rodzyanko who were for constitutional monarchy are now reported to favor republic. Kerensky is leader of republican sentiment. Such issues, however, should be subordinated to vigorous prosecution of war, success of which not only affects us materially but will prove most potential influence for a republic. Council of Ministers is working harmoniously, effectively and to satisfaction of great majority. Workingmen's and Soldiers' Deputies have passed a resolution overwhelmingly, emphatically favoring Provisional Government. Do not understand me as objecting to such a commission. With proper precautions its effect would be beneficial. Commendation of our prompt and first recognition still expressed from every section and its 'opportuneness was extremely fortunate as, in judgment many, myself included, it came at a most critical time for Provisional Government and established a precedent which other governments were compelled to follow, consequently we should be careful to avoid anything likely to detract from a good record. President Wilson's allusions to Russian revolution and people made deep impression and have greatly aug mented republican sentiment. FRANCIS File No. 763.72/4377a The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Russia (Francis) 1366. [Telegram-Extract 1] WASHINGTON, May 1, 1917, 1 p. m. . I would further point out that we are sending to Russia and to no other country at the present time a commission of prominent men because of the intense sympathy of the American Government and people for the great nation which has become a democracy. The commission will be headed by Honorable Elihu Root, a most distinguished statesman, who is devoted to the cause of political liberty and to the sovereign rights of the people. It is the primary purpose of this commission to convey to the Russian Government the friendship and good will of this nation and to express the confident hope that the Russian people, having developed a political system founded on the principle of democracy, will join with the free people of America in resisting with firmness and fortitude the ambitious designs of the German Government which by force, intrigue and deception they are striving to attain. The commission will further be charged with the duty of finding the most efficient means of cooperating with the Russian Government in the prosecution of the war with the united purpose of accomplishing the overthrow of military autocracy, which menaces human liberty and all democratic institutions. 'Printed in full in Foreign Relations, 1917, Supplement 2, vol. 1. LANSING File No. 763.72/4589a The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Russia (Francis) [Telegram] WASHINGTON, May 11, 1917. 1396. Following are the members of the commission to Russia: Elihu Root, of New York, ex-Secretary of State and of War, and former Senator from New York; Charles R. Crane, of Chicago, retired manufacturer now in John R. Mott, general secretary of the international committee Cyrus McCormick, president of the International Harvester Co.; James Duncan, second vice president of the American Federation Charles Edward Russell, journalist and author and authority on socialistic matters; Maj. Gen. Hugh L. Scott, chief of staff of the United States Army; Rear Adm. James H. Glennon, the American Navy's foremost ordnance expert. Further details and personnel of staff of commission will be sent to you later with time of departure and arrival in Petrograd. Announcement of personnel is being published here. LANSING File No. 763.72/4711a The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Russia (Francis) [Telegram] WASHINGTON, May 16, 1917, 5 p. m. 1407. Following is official list of Special Diplomatic Mission of United States: Elihu Root, ambassador extraordinary of the United States of America on special mission; John R. Mott, Charles R. Crane, Cyrus H. McCormick, Samuel R. Bertron, James Duncan, Charles Edward Russell, envoys extraordinary of the United States of America on special mission; Maj. Gen. Hugh L. Scott, chief of staff, military representative of the President of the United States of America, on special diplomatic mission, with rank of minister; Rear Adm. James H. Glennon, naval representative of the President of the United States of America, on special mission, with rank of minister; Col. R. E. L. Michie, aide to General Scott; Col. William V. Judson, military attaché to the special diplomatic mission; Lieut. Col. Bentley T. Mott, aide to Mr. Root; Surg. Holton C. Curl, U.S.N., with |