posal of Russian people to use or reject as their judgment may dictate. He expressed satisfaction and sent telegrams to subvert any unfavorable impression for local publicity along the route in advance. WHEELER File No. 763.72/5334 The Secretary of Embassy (Caffery), temporarily in the United States, to the Secretary of State [Telegram] OTHELLO, WASH., June 15, 1917. Mission arrived this morning Seattle and now en route Chicago. Ambassador Bakhmeteff expresses to me his pleasure in being on American soil and states that he looks forward with much pleasure to his stay in this country. The Ambassador advises that his Government attaches the very greatest importance to the work and cooperation of the two special missions now in Russia and United States respectively. He says that the Russian Government considers that the aims and ideas of the two countries in this war are identical; that the relations should be of the closest kind and that the cooperation of Russia and America will have great influence on the future politics of the world. The Ambassador says that he wishes to emphasize that his Government regards the work to be accomplished by his mission to be of the utmost importance. Mr. Bakhmeteff feels that he understands America and American institutions and people and that this knowledge will aid him materially in conducting negotiations here; that Russia is looking to United States aid along different lines, notably financial, railroads, agriculture, munitions and supplies, that the heads of the technical bureaus under him will take up these questions; that the Provisional Government feels that it can look more to the United States than to any other country for the proper assistance in developing a new democracy; that he does not underestimate the difficulties of the situation but believes that with sympathy and understanding much progress can be accomplished. The Provisional Government appointed Mr. Bakhmeteff head of the Extraordinary Mission as the political representative of all factions of the Provisional Government and at the same time desired to have him received as Ambassador Resident at Washington until such time as a permanent Ambassador may be appointed. With this end in view he bears with him letters of credence in addition to special powers to treat of special subjects. General Roop, representative of the Russian General Staff and Army, is a Lieutenant General in rank. He ranks next to the Ambassador. Professor Lomonosov, chief of the railway mission, has power in the United States of Minister of Communications; Professor Borodin, who was a professor in the Agricultural College at Petrograd, is interested in studying agricultural problems; Colonel Oranovski of the artillery is vice president of the munitions committee in New York and is interested in munitions and supplies; Mr. Novitski, chief of the Credit Bureau of the Ministry of Finance, will take up financial matters; Mr. Sookine of the Foreign Office is diplomatic secretary of the mission. The ladies of the party will leave the train at Harrisburg and go direct to New York, are not coming to Washington. The following members of the mission will remain in Washington: the delegates from the Foreign Office; the delegates from the War Office; the delegates from the Ministry of Finance; the representatives of the press and special attaché. The following will go to Washington for the official reception, remain a few days and then go to New York where they will be located: Professor Lomonosov, Borodin, Colonel Oranovski. The other members of the party will travel direct to New York with the ladies of the party. Recommendations for house in Washington following: Ambassador, General Roop, Lomonosov, Borodin, Oranovski, Novitski, Sookine, Karpovich, private secretary to Ambassador, Dubasov, aides-de-camp, Captains Shutt, Martinov. Rank of chief members of party after Ambassador: General Roop, Lomonosov, Borodin, Oranovski, Novitski, Sookine, Dubasov, Shutt. The mission desires that General Khrabrov, president of the Committee of Munitions and Supplies in New York, join the mission in Washington. Following changes original list: Nos. 5, 19 and 32 did not arrive. No. 18 should read Sergievski. No. 28 should read Mrs. Oranovski with son. Following additions to list: Mrs. Lipits, wife of a Russian officer now in this country; also two sailors and one valet. The Ambassador requests especially that his thanks be conveyed for the manner of his reception in this country.1 CAFFERY 1 The mission reached Washington on June 19 and on July 5 was converted into an ordinary Embassy through the presentation by Mr. Bakhmeteff of letters of credence as permanent Ambassador. Papers relating to the ceremonial aspects of the reception of the mission are not printed. CHAPTER IV THE PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT: PREMIERSHIP OF KERENSKY The Ministerial Crisis of July 1917-Resignation of the Cadet MinistersThe Bolshevik Demonstration-Breakdown of the Offensive-Formation of the Kerensky Ministry-The National Conference at Moscow-The Fall of Riga File No. 861.00/421 The Ambassador in Russia (Francis) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] PETROGRAD, July 16, 1917, 8 p. m. 1519. Reported that four Cadet Ministers resigned, Minister of Finance, Minister of Ways of Communication, Minister of Education and the Minister of Public Welfare. Asked audience with the Minister for Foreign Affairs but office replied he was sick at home thereupon telephoned residence and the reply was Minister too ill to see me but would to-morrow morning. Cause attributed is that Minister of War, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister of Posts and Telegraphs who returned yesterday from Ukraine had granted that province concessions with which Cadet Party unable to agree. Understood Minister of Ways of Communication after resigning from the Ministry will leave Cadet Party and be reappointed to Ministry. Council of Ministers will meet this evening to consider situation. Real difficulty appears to be that Cadet Ministers wish relief from responsibility of situation which becoming critical on account of food scarcity and workmen's refusal to work. Later. Afternoon papers report Ministry had all-night session which Kerensky came from front to attend, returning to front 8 this morning after saying, "Cadet Ministers stabbed Russia in the back while fighting enemy at our gates." Cadets dominated by Milyukov. FRANCIS File No. 861.00/427 The Ambassador in Russia (Francis) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] PETROGRAD, July 17, 1917, 5 p. m. 1521. Last evening began demonstration by workmen and soldiers under inspiration of Bolsheviks against Provisional Government 1 Constitutional Democratic Party Partiya). (Konstitutsionno Demokraticheskaya ostensible grievance being Kerensky's order for demobilization two regiments at front because refuse to obey orders. Crowds of armed and unarmed persons marched through streets finally assembling at Duma where were addressed by Cheidze, counseling moderation and advising disbandment, but such advice received coldly, whereupon Trotsky, the exiled Russian taken from Christianiafjord and detained at Halifax in April, aroused great enthusiasm by advocating violent measures. Motors of Ministers commandeered and efforts made to arrest Lvov and Kerensky but latter had departed for front. Four Cadet Ministers resigned. Remaining Ministers offered to transfer Government to Soldiers-Workmen who declined expressing preference for coalition government. Lvov then outlined policy on which demanded concurrence and furthermore required resignation of Chernov, Minister of Agriculture, whom he terms suspicious character trying to get connection [appointed?] Minister for Foreign Affairs. Large crowd assembling at Duma composed of workmen and disloyal soldiers; rumors of Cossacks' being summoned; some firing last night and reported casualties but nothing definite is known; none yet today. More later. FRANCIS File No. 861.00/426 The Ambassador in Russia (Francis) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] PETROGRAD, July 18, 1917, 6 p. m. He states Government 1528. Just had conference with Minister for Foreign Affairs whom trying to see since Monday morning. now in control of city through loyal troops. blage of about five hundred going to and returning from Foreign Office. Says army corps starting from front this evening for Petrograd. City under control of insurgent soldiers and workmen since evening of the 16th until this morning. And [street ?] fights last evening but fatalities few, casualties unknown. One engagement near Embassy resulted in defeat and complete rout of about one hundred Cossacks who attacked insurgents armed with machine guns, twenty or thirty horses killed but few men. Cossacks loyal and this experience prompts them to aggressive action. Proclamation of Provisional Government promulgated yesterday prohibiting assemblages on the streets totally ignored. Minister of Foreign Affairs says four ministerial vacancies will not be filled until order entirely restored. Executive Committee of All-Russian Council of Workmen, Soldiers and Peasants[' Deputies] also issued proclamation condemning street assemblages and appeal to soldiers to remain in barracks unless ordered out by proper authority. [Think] that the committee's support of Government seems essential to its continuance and think outcome will be arrangement between remainder of Ministry and such committee. In conference with Minister for Foreign Affairs told him would recommend no further assistance until stable government formed which would prosecute war and that if Government fails to suppress this lawlessness with determination and with force, if necessary, it will forfeit the respect of the Russian people as well as Allies. He agreed thereto and says that Government will surely assert itself. An Embassy secretary at noon to-day saw five [anarchists] distributing their literature about three blocks [from] French Embassy arrested by soldiers; literature destroyed and anarchists severely beaten which good indication. FRANCIS File No. 861.00/425 The Ambassador in Russia (Francis) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] PETROGRAD, July 19, 1917, 2 p. m. 1531. Quiet prevailed throughout yesterday and last night. Loyal troops arrived from front, number unknown. Are now surrounding palace on other side Neva which been headquarters Bolsheviks and which near Peter Paul prison where Sturmer, Protopopov and others confined.1 Reported that prison garrison will aid Bolsheviks if resistance offered but uncertain. FRANCIS File No. 861.00/429 The Ambassador in Russia (Francis) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] PETROGRAD, July 19, 1917, 3 p. m. 1532. Comptroller, an Octobrist, and Minister of Justice, socialist, resigned leaving only eight in the Ministry, of which five are socialists; namely, Ministers War, Agriculture, Labor, Post [and] Telegraph and Foodstuffs. Three others are Procurator Holy Synod, independent conservative; Minister of Foreign Affairs, who says is 1 See ante, p. 3. |