which was transmitted to him by the Swiss Minister in Vienna. These organizations request the following telegram sent to President of the United States: In the name of humanity and safeguarding the rest of civilization, management companies and organizations undersigned beg to obtain from the German and Austro-Hungarian Governments in the signature armistice the obligation to safeguard order in Ukraine until the situation is changed, and to be responsible for all the results of the appearance of Bolshevism in the form of internal riots or violation of the frontier. A memorandum follows by post signed by these organizations. Memorandum being forwarded by mail.1 STOVALL Declaration of the Intention of the Allied Governments to Maintain Order in the Ukraine-Landing of Allied Troops at Odessa-Establishment of the Directory by Petlyura File No. 861.00/3283 The Ambassador in France (Sharp) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] PARIS, November 25, 1918, midnight. [Received November 26, 7.48 a. m.] 6008. The following telegram has been received from Allied Ministers at Jassy dated November 21: Referring to our telegram 804 as complementary to the telegram sent on the 18th of last November. We consider it extremely urgent to inform you [1] that the Ukrainian chauvinists have started a rebellion in the district of Kiev, in which in addition to a small number of national elements bands of anarchists and Bolshevist elements have also engaged less numbers; [2] that this rebellion presents a danger which is the more considerable, in that the disintegration of the Austro-German troops is complete, that the outbreak in the country of the Bolshevist army which has been effected locally may rapidly become general; (3) that the Bolshevist troops threaten especially the Ukrainian northern frontier which may consequently have as its next result the breaking of the line of communication between the Ukraine and the Don; (4) that in case of the realization of this menace the coal fields of the Don with all its wealth indispensable for transport, as well as its metallurgic factories and its very considerable military stores, will fall into the hands of the Bolsheviks, which might entail the complete control of the Bolsheviks over the whole of Ukrainia. 'Not printed. 60806 32- -50 We think that it is urgent to take the following measures: (1) Immediately send inter-Allied troops even in small numbers to Odessa and to proceed immediately with the occupation of Kiev and Kharkov; (2) To make a special and exact declaration setting forth the firm decision of the Allies to support these elements of order in Russia; (3) To warn the German Government that the Allies will hold the German troops responsible for any disturbances in which they may participate, either by the sale or the delivery of arms to the rebels or by preventing the groups of Russian officers who are maintaining order to seize and. to use the arms stored at Kiev. Failure to [of] effect[ive] and speedy intervention for the suppression of the rebellion with numerous forces and without delay would necessitate later on the use of perhaps larger forces and a regular campaign of several months. SHARP File No. 861.00/3282 The Ambassador in France (Sharp) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] PARIS, November 26, 1918, 10 p. m. [Received November 27, 12.14 a. m.] 6028. Following joint telegram received from four Allied Ministers dated Jassy, November 23: The hetman of Ukrainia has communicated to us, with the request that it be transmitted to our governments, a manifesto in which he appeals to the Ukrainian people inviting them to join with the other national forces for the reconstitution of Russia upon a federal basis. The press correspondents will telegraph the principal portions of this document. SHARP File No. 861.00/3335 The Acting Secretary of State to the Minister in Rumania (Vopicka) [Telegram] WASHINGTON, December 7, 1918, 4 p. m. 243. Your 151, November 24, 10 p. m.1 Department has been in touch for some time with Czecho-Slovaks and has recognized Czecho-Slovak National Council as a de facto government to which it has advanced a loan of $7,000,000 to assist in maintaining Czecho 'Not printed. Slovak Army in Siberia.1 Department is without reliable information regarding the Ukraine and is anxious at as early possible date to know facts about conditions there. Press reports here state General Denikin with Russian troops prepared on the Don recently took Kiev and overthrew the régime of Skoropadski. POLK File No. 861.00/3395 The Ambassador in France (Sharp) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] PARIS, December 10, 1918, 4 p. m. 6205. Following joint telegram from Allied Ministers dated Jassy, December 7: [846.] Referring our telegram No. 845.2 The powers of the Entente state through their special delegate, the French Consul at Kiev, that they will not permit that the work of the reestablishment of order and the reorganization of Russia begun by patriotic Russians and powerfully supported by the Allies shall be disturbed in any manner whatsoever. The regeneration of Russia as a power, forming part of the victorious group of democratic countries of the Entente, shall be carried out in conformity with the desire of all patriots and of all elements which stand for the maintenance of order in Russia, particularly as it effects the parts of southern Russia occupied as well as unoccupied by the Germans and threatened by Bolsheviks. The powers of the Entente declare their firm purpose to maintain order there. This decision will be carried out within the shortest possible period by an armed force as large as circumstances may require. Furthermore, they declare that from the present they will render personally responsible all political leaders for every attempt to create trouble and anarchy. The French Consul at Kiev declares the Entente powers intend to support, with all their force, the existing authority at Kiev represented by the hetman and his government, in the hope that he will be able to maintain order in the cities and provinces until the arrival of the Allied troops in the country. The soldiers of the Entente powers do not desire to enter your territory as enemies or police. They come as friends of people who for two years have fought in the same ranks. Every attack upon the existing authorities, every revolt which will render [harder] the task of the Allies, will be severely punished. The Entente powers urge you to preserve calm, to return to your work, and to aid in the maintenance of order. SHARP 'For the recognition of the Czecho-Slovak National Council on Sept. 3, 1918, see Foreign Relations, 1918, Supplement 1, vol. I. 2 Infra. File No. 861.00/3401 The Ambassador in France (Sharp) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] PARIS, December 11, 1918, 10 a. m. 6218. Following joint telegram from Allied Ministers at Jassy, dated Army of the Danube, December 7: [845.] The Russian delegation having brought to our notice the immediate necessity of a denunciatory declaration to the Bolsheviks we have charged the French Consul at Kiev to make it in our name. We did not hesitate to do this so as to prepare, as far as possible, the channels for an intervention on the part of the Allies; although the decisions of the Entente in this regard have not yet been notified to us. We send in our telegram in plain language No. 8461 the text of this declaration. The first part was drafted at Jassy, the second part to the present government of Kiev was added there by the French Consul. Exercising the latitude which we had given him he considered, in view of the local situation, that without making engagements any time for the future the present system of government should be supported as it represented the only organization which could at present be utilized against Bolshevism. SHARP File No. 860e.01/2 The Ambassador in France (Sharp) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] PARIS, December 11, 1918, midnight. [Received December 12, 8.03 a. m.] 6240. Following joint telegram from Allied Ministers dated November 27: The government of the Ukraine has communicated to us a note bearing principally on the following points: (1) Formation of a new Ministry which has declared itself in favor of the reconstitution of the unity of Russia, and has decided to take a definite part in the struggle against the Bolsheviks. (2) Request for the immediate sending of Allied delegates to Kiev. The Consul of France has already left for his post there and has been invited to make in the name of the Allied Ministers a joint declaration against Bolshevism. The state of anarchy of the country and the interruption of all channels of communication have so far prevented him from going beyond Odessa. (3) Request for the immediate sending of four battalions; viz., two to Kiev and two to Odessa. (4) Request for the immediate occupation of the railroad to Odessa at the two following points: Zhmerinka and Birzula. 1 1 Supra. It is estimated that this operation can be carried out by four battalions, three being assigned to the first point and one to the second. A French torpedo boat and an English torpedo boat having arrived at Galatz, the French and British Ministers have wired them to go immediately to Odessa. SHARP File No. 861.00/3347 The Acting Secretary of State to the Consul General at Irkutsk (Harris) 1 [Telegram-Extract] WASHINGTON, December 12, 1918, 6 p. m. For your information. Allied powers other than the United States have issued statement that they propose to restore order in the Ukraine by lending friendly support and assistance to the authorities established there. It is understood that British and French troops are already arriving at Sevastopol and Odessa for this purpose. POLK File No. 861.00/3448 The Minister in Sweden (Morris) to the Secretary of State [Telegram-Extract] STOCKHOLM, December 16, 1918. 3347. . Reports from Berlin: Kiev besieged by troops of Ukrainian National League which captured all Ukraine. Political situation very favorable to this league. MORRIS File No. 861.00/3528 The Minister in Rumania (Vopicka) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] BUCHAREST, December 19, 1918, [5 p. m.] [Received December 25, 10.35 a. m.] 17. Referring to Department's telegram No. 243, I beg to report that I have some of the best information I have ever received from Czech who left Moscow six weeks ago and from a Russian officer, born Czech, who came from Kiev a few days ago. Both of them were living in Russia a very long time and know the conditions prevailing there very well. 'Sent via the Legation in China. |