out approval of Allied Ambassadors. This was not adopted but seems only solution of situation. Your 259, September 14, 1 p. m.1 As telegraphic communication Samara [not?] established, please ask American Consul there what status of all-Russian regeneration movement. Can Department advise me whether a state of war exists between the United States and Bolshevik government? FRANCIS Proposal for Increasing the American Forces at Archangel and Extending the Operations: Refusal of the American Government, September 26, 1918-Reorganization of the Local Government: Subordination to the AllRussian Government at Omsk-Disapproval of the Ambassador's Plan to Recruit an American-Slavic Legion-Replacement of the Commander in Chief-Disaffection among the American Soldiers and among the Local Russian Recruits File No. 861.00/2858 The French Ambassador (Jusserand) to the Secretary of State2 [Translation] WASHINGTON, September 25, 1918. [Received September 27.] MR. SECRETARY OF STATE: As your excellency knows, I have had by order of my Government the honor to expound to the President of the United States and to yourself the grave reasons which led us to believe that the progress of events in Russia was such as to justify an additional effort, very limited to be sure, in Murmania, so as to turn to account the gains already made and prevent dangerous setbacks. With the President we hold that the whole American effort properly should be brought to bear at the French front where the war will be won, since our archenemy's forces are massed there. No one can have an interest superior to our own in a final victory on that battle field since it will mark, for us in particular, the hour of a longawaited deliverance. It seems to us however that that hour would not be delayed, but in all likelihood brought nearer, on the contrary, if we did not allow the elements of success we command elsewhere, and which could be turned to profitable advantage through a very slight increase of the present effort, to run to waste. The less secure the Germans feel themselves in the east the more difficult will it be for them to swell their armies and reserves on our front. We have agreed with the President in entirely giving up every idea of reorganizing an 1 2 Not printed. See also telegram No. 1899, Sept. 15, from the Ambassador in Great Britain, ante, p. 538. eastern front, but it strikes us there would be a very great advantage to all concerned in taking measures to prevent the food products of Siberia and metals of the Ural from reaching the Bolsheviki and through them the Germans. The hardest part of that task has already been accomplished, thanks to the admirable action of the Czechs who, isolated in a vast country, have succeeded without outside help in rescuing the whole of the Trans-Siberian for the benefit of the parties of order and justice. Very little would need be done firmly to establish that conquest and do for the still more important stores of Siberia what we have done for the stores of Archangel and Vladivostok. That little, according to the information gathered by the military command there, would consist in adding nine battalions to the forces now in northern Russia; England is furnishing four. We would wish the United States kindly to furnish the other five. This increase of forces would make it possible to achieve two objects the importance of which is to us obvious: first, the defense of Murmania, the essential basis of ice-free communications against a Ger man attack from Finland, which it would be very dangerous pass ively to await; next an advance from Archangel to give a hand to the Czechs and make a reality of the above-mentioned barrage through the occupation of Vologda and Perm. Marshal Foch, whose advice was sought on the subject, answered (as I have already had occasion to remark orally) in his note of September 12, that by reason of the great results which apparently may be achieved at this time with a limited force in northern Russia, the Marshal Commander in Chief of the Allied Armies deems it advantageous to send five battalions of American troops direct to Archangel from America. The members of the Versailles council, on the other hand, appear to have considered the same question without having more recent data and on the mere strength of the previous decision of the War Supreme Council which contemplated, in case difficulty arose, a stay of operations during the winter, when bases of action would be merely maintained at Vladivostok and Archangel. Their opinion however has not been approved by their governments as it should have been under the existing agreements and therefore can not prevail. Upon the immediate carrying out of the measures which I have again the honor most earnestly to urge upon your excellency, on account of the time of the year, depend not only the mastery of the ways of communication, toward which the Czechs have already done the main work (and, in the opinion of my Government, our failure to do the rest would hardly be excusable), but also a stiffening of the orderly elements which appear to grow more consistent in Russia and portend a reawakening which might be fraught with consequences for the present and future. Be pleased to accept [etc.] JUSSERAND File No. 861.00/2799a The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Russia (Francis) [Telegram] WASHINGTON, September 26, 1918, 6 p. m. 274. As it is, in the opinion of the Government of the United States, plain that no gathering of any effective force by the Russians is to be hoped for, we shall insist with the other governments, so far as our cooperation is concerned, that all military effort in northern Russia be given up except the guarding of the ports themselves and as much of the country round about them as may develop threatening conditions. We will, of course, do our utmost to send supplies, but cannot undertake general relief, and must presently, of course, be cut off from Archangel by the ice and able to go only to Murmansk. You are advised that no more American troops will be sent to the northern ports. The course which you have followed is most earnestly commended. It has the entire admiration of the President who has characterized it as being thoroughly American. I highly approve of your actions. They have been very consistent and have been guided by a very sound judgment exercised under the most trying and complicated circumstances. The course which the Government of the United States is following is not the course of our free choice but that of stern necessity. Circumstances in European Russia, which have thrown the country into one of the saddest periods recorded in all history, and our separation from the scenes of bloodshed and anarchy by the intervening hostile territory render any efforts which this Government could make to bring succor to the distressed people of Russia inadequate and impracticable. We are constrained, consequently, to come to a decision which this message will convey to you. For your information the following is sent to you. It is being sent to Mr. Morris who is now at Vladivostok and is being conveyed directly to the Governments at London, Paris, Rome, Tokyo and Peking. [Here follow the first seven paragraphs of telegram of September 26, 1918, 6 p. m., to Ambassador Morris, temporarily at Vladivostok, ante, page 392.] LANSING File No. 861.00/2814 The Ambassador in Russia (Francis) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] ARCHANGEL, September 26, 1918, 10 p. m. [Received September 27, 9.37 p. m.] 426. Chaikovski and Durov dined with me last evening. Appeared harmonious but French Ambassador and Lindley say Durov complaining that government remaining and threatening to resign, having accepted appointment under the impression government abdicating. He is unacceptable to Russian officers because they consider him inexperienced and not sufficiently high rank. Both thought last evening another conspiracy planned but mainly against Durov. Prince here installed as censor and member of Intelligence Bureau will keep me advised. I am opposed to coup d'état and shall prevent if possible. 1 Chaikovski telephoned to me 4 p. m. desired to meet Ambassadors which he did 6 p. m., when announced Ministry decided resign and form executive government four members: Chaikovski, President and Minister for Foreign Affairs; Gukovski, Minister of Justice, both socialists; Durov, Governor General and Director of Military Affairs; Grudistov, representing commercial interests, Minister of Finance and Trade and Commerce and Minister of the Interior. Durov without politics. Think Grudistov also but represents commercial financial interests and will reconcile antisocialistic elements; has not accepted on account of large business interests but Chaikovski and Ambassadors think should accept and endeavoring to persuade him to do so. FRANCIS File No. 861.00/2819 The Ambassador in Russia (Francis) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] ARCHANGEL, September 27, 1918. 428. Have had conference with two representatives Siberian government arrived Archangel 23d. They report object of Siberian government is struggle against Brest Litovsk peace; creation of national Russian army; organization of common anti-German front with Allies; restoration order and social life which will result in regeneration of Russia. Jurisdiction or influence of government extends east to Chita; west including Ekaterinburg where exists inde'Capt. Eugene Prince, U. S. N. A., Assistant Military Attaché. pendent local government but closely allied with Siberian government Omsk; south to union with Dutov, with whom relations friendly; north to Arctic Ocean, immense area population approximating 30,000,000. They report Siberian government financially independent and has loaned Samara local government 20,000,000 rubles, 15,000,000 of which secured by silver taken from Bolsheviks. [One representing] Siberian cooperatives on special mission to arrange for purchase agricultural and other machinery and sale of Siberian products England and America; says 15,000,000 pounds butter are stored also large quantity of flax; have concluded visa his passport for America. These officials state railroad and telegraph open east to Vladivostok by both lines. Please cable if true. This leaves only Perm, Vyatka and Vologda held by Bolsheviks. FRANCIS File No. 861.00/2777 The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Russia (Francis) [Telegram] WASHINGTON, September 27, 1918, 4 p. m. 276. Your September 23, 12 p. m., No. 420, received. The Government of the United States has never recognized the Bolshevik authorities and does not consider that its efforts to safeguard supplies at Archangel or to help the Czechs in Siberia have created a state of war with the Bolsheviki. LANSING File No. 861.00/2829 The Ambassador in Russia (Francis) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] ARCHANGEL, September 27, 1918, 6 p. m. [Received September 28, 2.06 p. m.] 427. Ambassadors and General Poole just had a conference with Chaikovski, Gukovski, Durov, Grudistov. After prolonged heated discussion Chaikovski agreed to issue amnesty proclamation pardoning all implicated in coup d'état and Poole guaranteed against another coup d'état. Grudistov persisted in declination to become minister on the ground that executive council, fifteen members, of which he expected to be chairman, should be separated from Ministry and I thought same correct, but colleagues insisted that bourgeoisie be represented 'Ataman of the Orenburg Cossacks. |