Minister of Foreign Affairs says advance being planned on Russian-Rumanian front where army reliable, but does not expect great results. No demonstrations here, but many robberies throughout the country by hooligans and deserters. Citizens forming protective organizations in Petrograd and elsewhere. FRANCIS File No. 861.00/627 The Ambassador in Russia (Francis) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] PETROGRAD, November 6, 1917, 6 p. m. [Received November 7, 11.25 p. m.] 1954. Minister of War granted nominally indefinite leave, really removed and reported gone to monastery for recuperating. Bolsheviks reported preparing demonstration across the river where many factories located. Immediate cause is suppression of several Bolshevik papers including Gorky's.1 Minister for Foreign Affairs thinks Government can suppress but no one can foretell result now. Kerensky just spoken in Council of Republic and demanded to know whether council will support the Government. FRANCIS File No. 763.72/7628 The Ambassador in Russia (Francis) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] PETROGRAD, November 6, 1917, 9 p. m. [Received November 8, 6.40 p. m.] 1957. Answering your telegram 1825, November 3 [2], just received. I saw Kerensky Associated Press interview the day sent but after same filed. Have also seen explanatory interview sent to-day and am repeating both en clair my telegram No. 1958 [November 10]. Kerensky received New York World and Times editorials on the interview and pleased thereat. English editorials displeased him as he thought it too critical of Russia. His secretary approved both interviews by signature on the copies filed in the telegraph office. Minister of Foreign Affairs did not see the first interview but read the second with me to-day and thought it satisfactorily explanatory. It is true Russia tired economically but the main handicap is army demoralization which is incurable except by time and propaganda. 'Maxim Gorky's New Life. Criminal excesses of deserting occurring daily and may cause reactionary sentiment but regardless thereof we can not decline to extend or fail in any way to encourage Russia to continue war as her withdrawing therefrom would prolong the struggle five years or more and entail upon us incalculable sacrifice and loss. Have shown Minister for Foreign Affairs your statement concerning interviews conveyed in unnumbered cable of November 2. We think inadvisable to use same here until the interviews published here which is unlikely as comments from England and America thereon might encourage peace sentiment if advocates thereof should feel that Allies expect Russia to do no more fighting instead of abandoning Russia at this juncture. What would you think of our sending two or more army divisions via Vladivostok or Sweden to her aid if I could get the consent of Russian Government there for or even induce Government to make such a request? Moral effect of American troops on Russian front be more beneficial than the material assistance so rendered as millions of sensible Russians only need encouragement to organize. Reported 36,000 Russian officers at interior town have informed Government are ready to organize into brigades and go to front or perform any service Government may desire but Government has not consented thereto. FRANCIS File No. 763.72/7759 The Ambassador in Russia (Francis) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] PETROGRAD, November 10, 1917. [Received November 18, 3.20 p. m.] 1958. Following verbatim copies of Kerensky interviews given. Associated Press representative Rennick: Kerensky received Associated [Press correspondent in] beautiful panel library former private library office [of] Tsar, Winter Palace. Correspondent called attention widely contradictory reports Russia's conditions printed America and asked Premier frank statement facts. "It [has] been said by travelers returning from England and elsewhere that opinion many people not officially but generally is that Russians practically out of war. Is Russia out of the war? Kerensky laughed with the answer. "[That] is a ridiculous question. Russia is taking enormous part in war. One has only to remember history. Russia began the war. While she already fighting England was only preparing and America was only observing. Russia at beginning bore whole brunt fighting thereby saving England, France. People who say she [is] out of war have short memories. We fought since beginning, we now worn out and have right [to] claim that Allies now take heaviest part burden their shoulders. At present Russian public opinion greatly agitated by question where is great British fleet now that German fleet is out in Baltic. Russia," Premier repeated, "is worn out. She been fighting one and half years longer than England." "Could American army be of use if sent Russia?' "It would be impossible send one," Kerensky_replied. "It [is] question [of] transport; difficulties are too great." "If America cannot send troops what [would] be most useful way [for] her [to] help Russia? "Have her send boots, leather, iron, and," Premier added emphatically, "money." Kerensky drew attention [to] fact Russia fought her battles alone. "Russia has fought alone, is fighting alone, France has had England to help her from start and now America has come in." Kerensky was asked regarding morale [of] people, armies. "Masses are worn out economically," said Kerensky. "Disorganized state life in general has had psychological effect on people. They doubt the possibility of attainment." "What is lesson to democracies of world of Russian revolution?" "This," he replied, "is for them to find out. They must not lose faith in Russian revolution because it not a political revolution but an economic one and a revolution of facts must be made. Russian revolution only seven months old, no one has right to feel disillusioned about it. It takes years [to] develop fully. In France which [is] only as large as three Russian departments or states it took five years [for] their revolution [to] develop fully." Associated [correspondent] asked what Kerensky expected from Constituent Assembly. "Constituent Assembly begins new chapter [in] history revolution; its voice [will] be decisive; it [is] certainly most important factor future Russia." "What future do you picture for Russia after war?" "No one can draw any real picture [of] future," Kerensky said. "Naturally man who really loves country hopes for all good things but that [is] only his viewpoint which may or not be accepted by others." Kerensky pale, nervous, and sat end carved table facing Associated [correspondent] emphasizing points statement tapping table [with] fingers. Wore brown undecorated uniform buttoned closely. He plainly fatigued result many trips [to] front, constant audiences diplomats, peasants' group, who latter [were] gathered outer room waiting see [him]. When Kerensky shown editorials on interview from England and America Associated Press sent following, filing same yesterday but not sent until to-day: David Sauskis, secretary Kerensky, made following statement Associated to-day regarding "misinterpretation by London press of interview recently accorded by the Minister-President to Associated [Press]: I have seen Kerensky reference interview. Showed him quotation English press, he very much astonished at manner his plain statements received [in] London. Whoever read whole interview can draw but one conclusion from it, that Russia was doing, is doing, will do her utmost in carrying on her share [of] the common cause against enemy; that having devoted all her might from very first days [of] war when England only begun her vast preparations and America was still neutral, Russia, who [was] always much poorer economically than her mighty allies, feels now natural pinch [of] war more than England, America, and therefore is justified in contention that her allies shoulder now heavier burden and should assist her unstintingly with war material and finances in matter of her requirements. MinisterPresident [in] this interview pointed out that not every one of Allied countries appreciates fairly great part Russia was and is still playing in war and that some are inclined to attack her bitterly because [of] great difficulties with which she [is] confronted now because natural evolution of her history. She will continue do her duty. Sauskis said interpretation [by] American press [of] interview pleasing. He [has] recently recovered [from] serious illness. FRANCIS CHAPTER V THE NOVEMBER REVOLUTION—THE BOLSHEVIK « COUP D'ÉTAT,” NOVEMBER 7, 1917-THE STRUGGLE FOR CONTROL File No. 861.00/632 The Ambassador in Russia (Francis) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] PETROGRAD, November 7, 1917, 5 p. m. [Received November 10, 4.20 a. m.] 1961. Whitehouse, en route to the Embassy this morning, was accidentally met by aide-de-camp of Kerensky and several. [minutes afterwards by] latter who told him that he was hurriedly leaving to meet regular troops on the way to Petrograd to support Government which would otherwise be deposed. He acknowledged that Bolsheviki control city and that Government powerless without reliable troops as there are few here of that nature. He said that he expected that the remainder of Ministry would be arrested to-day and told Whitehouse to convey request to me not to recognize Soviet government if such is established in Petrograd as he expected whole affair to be liquidated within five days but this in my judgment depends on number of soldiers who will obey (him?). FRANCIS File No. 861.00/634 The Ambassador in Russia (Francis) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] PETROGRAD, November 7, 1917, 6 p. m. [Received November 10, 9.15 a. m.] 1962. Bolsheviki appear to have control of everything here. Cannot learn whereabouts of any Minister. Two reported arrested and taken to Smolny Institute which is headquarters of Bolsheviki. Trotsky made incendiary speech Sunday and was followed in Russian by a man, Muscareis Nereid, who claims same strain [sic]. Trotsky introduced Lenin to Bolshevik audience to-day and Lenin made. peace talk, violently attacking bourgeoisie and advocating division 1 Sheldon Whitehouse, Secretary of the Embassy. |