Lenin was shot at while in automobile en route Smolny last evening, had narrow escape. Platten, Swiss socialist, on Lenin's left was wounded in hand, eight shots fired. No arrests made yesterday.

FRANCIS

File No. 701.7161/3

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

[Teiegram]

PETROGRAD, January 16, 1918, 9 p. m.

[Received January 21, 5.40 a. m.]

2240. Diplomatic Corps met here this afternoon. Decided to give press procès-verbal of their call on Lenin. Pravda, Bolshevik organ, prints that Zalkind, Assistant Commissary Foreign Affairs, stated had telephonic message through authentic source stating:

American Ambassador assures that immediately after release of Rumanian Minister he would protest to him against Rumanian attack on Russian troops and through American representatives in Rumania would make necessary statement to the Rumanian Government. American Ambassador regards Diamandi's arrest as formal expression of protest of Russian Government against activity of Rumanian commander in chief.

Rumanian Minister construes this as justification on my part of his arrest, consequently am writing him following:

My Dear Colleague: I am surprised and pained to learn from you that you for a moment think that I would or could justify your arrest and confinement in Peter and Paul Fortress, as I have had only one opinion on the subject and have made no expression concerning it other than to deplore such an unprecedented infraction of diplomatic etiquette. I have concurred in sentiment of our colleagues, Allied and neutral chiefs of missions, and as the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps accompanied by all of the members thereof, presented to the President of the Commissaries of the People the demand for your immediate and unconditional release and stated when doing so that we could not enter into any discussion concerning the causes of your arrest.

The procès-verbal approved at a meeting of the Diplomatic Corps this afternoon gives an account of what [occurred] at Smolny Institute when Mr. Lenin received the Diplomatic Corps at 4 p. m., January 1/14.

I have had no communication direct or indirect nor have I sent any message to anyone connected with the Soviet government on the subject of your arrest or your release. The dragoman of the Embassy, by my direction, telephoned to Smolny Institute about midnight of the 14th to ask whether the decision concerning your release had

been determined, but he had neither instructions nor authority to make any other inquiry and least of all concerning conditions of your release and he informs me that he did not do so nor even think of doing so.

While sympathizing with you in your trying experience and sincerely regretting its occurrence I felicitate you upon your prompt and unconditional release in which I willingly took an active part and congratulate our colleagues as well as yourself upon the speedy termination of this deplorable incident.

Probably such report effected release, but as stated above I authorized no others to take any message whatever to any of the Soviet government. Rumanian Minister says if not released unconditionally would consider arrest continuing and return to prison.

Soviet government attempting to save its face and making my position extremely difficult, but am making every effort to (prevent?) a separate peace.

FRANCIS

File No. 701.7161/1

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

[Telegram]

WASHINGTON, January 18, 1918, 4 p. m. 1999. Your 2233, January 14, 11 p. m., just received. Press reports show your efforts successful. Department approves your course thoroughly.

POLK

File No. 763.72/8568

The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Russia

(Francis)

[Telegram]

WASHINGTON, January 23, 1918, 8 p. m. 2014. Department advised Bolshevik authorities have issued ultimatum to Rumanian Government in regard to retaliatory measures against Rumanian subjects in Russia because of alleged action of Rumanian Government and troops against Bolshevik troops on Rumanian front. French Ambassador informs me that his Government contemplates instructing French Ambassador at Petrograd to protest to Bolshevik authorities. Please confer with your French colleague and advise Department at once what steps, if any, you think practicable to take in the premises.

POLK

File No. 763.72/8732

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

[Telegram]

PETROGRAD, January 31, 1918, 6 p. m.

[Received February 3, 4.11 a. m.] 2309. Your 2014. French Ambassador informs us that he received no instructions from his Government to protest against retaliatory measures against Rumanian subjects in Russia. As he of course participated in joint protest of Diplomatic Corps against arrest of Rumanian Minister and as the latter has now been expelled from Russia further action or protest appears to be useless.

1

FRANCIS

For the further developments in relations between Russia and Rumania, see vol. II, chap. v.

CHAPTER X

THE SOVIET REPUBLIC

Informal Relations with Soviet Authorities-Questions of Recognition and Intervention-Attitude toward Diplomatic Officers of the Provisional Government-The German Advance into Russia

Filre No. 861.00/1341

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

[Telegram]

VOLOGDA, March 20, 1918. [Received March 21, 1.05 p. m.]

22. Your telegram March 15, 7 p. m.,1 garbled almost unintelligible. Caldwell wires 18th Japanese occupation there unlikely just now.

Moser wires 16th that Moran 3 who was not aware correspondence, reports from [Soviet officer,] military camp, Irkutsk, whom Moran must know well, that prisoners being armed, organized under German officers by order from Petrograd, which significant if true. I wired Huntington and Consul, Irkutsk, for report. Robins, Moscow, says Trotsky requests American military officer accompany Russian to Siberia to ascertain truth of the report; Robins sending Webster with Hicks, British officer.

Trotsky requests five American officers as inspectors of army being organized for defense also requests railroad operating men and equipment. Riggs conferring with Trotsky on these subjects at Moscow to-day where are some British, French officers. Highly important we know for what such army be used.

Reported German commission soon control Petrograd to insure compliance with peace treaty but Robins, with whom communicated over direct wire, says report baseless. Red Guard disarmed Russian regiment Petrograd yesterday formerly crack organization.

FRANCIS

1 Not printed in full, see ante p. 401; summarizes information received on conditions in other parts of Russia.

'John K. Caldwell, Consul at Vladivostok.

'Hugh Moran, representative of the Y. M. C. A. in Siberia.

483

File No. 861.00/1339

The Chargé in China (Spencer) to the Secretary of State

[Telegram]

PEKING, March 20, 1918, noon.

[Received 4.18 p. m.]

Following from Ambassador Francis just received:

Been functioning Vologda since leaving Petrograd February 26 remaining until otherwise advised.

Making public declaration we do not recognize separate peace but still consider Russian people our ally against Germany.

Chinese Minister and Japanese Ambassador left Vologda 4th of March for Harbin but left Irkutsk 13th for Chita and Vladivostok fearing shorter route impracticable.

Please keep me advised especially concerning movements Japanese army and Chinese troops.

I am only Allied Ambassador in Russia; Siamese Minister with me; also Brazilian, Japanese and Chinese Chargés d'Affaires. No other Allied diplomatic representative in Russia. I purpose going eastward if compelled to move but staying in regard to this [?].

And following from Harbin just received:

Bailey arrived 18th, Wright should arrive 21st. Will await instructions here. Special train with thirty-three Americans, all well, arrived with Bailey.

SPENCER

File No. 861.00/1353

The Consul General at Moscow (Summers) to the Secretary of State

[Telegram]

Moscow, March 20, 1918, 2 p. m.

[Received March 22, 9.55 a. m.]

280. German advance in south continues rapidly and immense supplies falling into their hands. There is practically no opposition. Nikolaevsk [omission] and many other important places captured. Germans evidently contemplate taking possession Don Basin and obtaining iron and coal supplies. As the result of ratification peace treaty, Bolshevik Party discredited. Military Mission and Robins, Red Cross, doing all possible bring about formation new army. am assured, however, and firmly believe that few Russians will fight under present régime. Only a national army to defend the country will unite vast majority.

SUMMERS